#National Hill Climb Association

[southernsolarpunk]

Hey check this out

I was making a zine (solarpunk ofc) and decided to use a bunch of old National Geographic magazines to cut up and use in a scrappy diy scrapbook fashion and of course I started reading them. This one in particular:

It caught my eye because it’s from September 1980 & talks about the Middle East. My brain wonders if they mention Palestine and they do! I copied the text for accessibility, but I put pictures at the end of the original pages.

“Jerusalem: reunited or occupied? The question has divided the city's 400,000 Jews and 100,000 Arabs since Israel annexed East Jerusalem in 1967.

BEIRUT, JANUARY 1975. Armed soldiers lead me through labyrinthine back streets, up a dark stairway to a midnight rendez-vous. Only a bare bulb lights the temporary command post; Yasir Arafat, chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, seldom dares spend two days in the same place. “Our argument is not with the Jews” He tells me. "We are both Semites. They have lived with us for centuries. Our enemies are the Zionist colonizers and their backers who insist Palestine belongs to them exclusively.

We Arabs claim deep roots there too."

Two decades ago Palestinians were to be found in United Nations Relief Agency camps at places like Gaza and Jericho, in a forlorn and pitiable state. While Palestinian spokesmen pressed their case in world cap-itals, the loudest voice the world heard was that of terrorists, with whom the word Palestinian came to be associated. Jordan fought a war to curb them. The disintegration of Lebanon was due in part to the thousands of refugees within its borders.

Prospects for peace brightened, however, when President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, most powerful of the Arab countries, made his historic trip to Israel in November 1977. A year later Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the Camp David accords, a framework for the return of the occupied Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.

The former enemies established diplomatic relations and opened mail, telephone, and airline communications.

The Camp David accords also addressed the all-important Palestinian question but left it vague. Sadat insists that any lasting peace depends on an eventual Palestinian homeland in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza. Israel agrees to limited autonomy for those regions, but, fearful of a new and hostile Palestinian state suddenly planted on its borders, insists that Israeli troops must maintain security there.

Crowded Rashidiyah refugee camp, set among orange groves south of the ancient Phoenician port of Tyre in Lebanon, lies on the front lines. Frequent pounding by Israeli military jets and warships seeking PLO targets has war-hardened its population, some 13,700 Palestinians.

At the schoolyard I watched a solemn flag raising. Uniformed ashbal, or lion cubs, stood rigid as color guards briskly ran up the green-white-and-black Palestinian flag.

Ranging in age from 8 to 12, they might have been Cub Scouts— except for the loaded rifles they held at present arms. Behind them stood two rows of girls, zaharat, or little flowers. Same age, same weapons.

Over lunch of flat bread, hummus, yo-gurt, and chicken I commented to my hosts, a group of combat-ready fedayeen, that 30 years of bitter war had settled nothing nor gained the Palestinians one inch of their homeland. Was there no peaceful way to press their cause?

"Yes, and we are doing it. Finally, after 30 years, most countries in the United Nations recognize that we too have rights in Palestine. But we feel that until your country stops its unconditional aid to Israel, we have two choices: to fight, or to face an unmarked grave in exile."

AFTER CROSSING the Allenby Bridge from Amman, I drove across the fertile Jordan Valley through Arab Jericho and past some of the controversial new Jewish settlements: Mitzpe Jericho, Tomer, Maale Adumim, Shilat. Then as I climbed through the steep stony hills to Jerusalem, I saw that it too had changed. A ring of high-rise apartments and offices was growing inexorably around the occupied Arab side of the walled town. Within the wall, too, scores of Arab houses had been leveled during extensive reconstruction.

"Already 64 settlements have been built on the West Bank," said a Christian Palestinian agriculturist working for an American church group in Jerusalem. "And another 10 are planned," he said. Unfolding a copy of the master plan prepared in 1978 by the World Zionist Organization, he read: "Real-izing our right to Eretz-Israel... with or without peace, we will have to learn to live with the minorities...

The Israeli Government has reaffirmed the policy. In Prime Minister Menachem Begin's words: "Settlement is an inherent and inalienable right. It is an integral part of our national security."

"Security" is a word deeply etched into the Israeli psyche. The country has lived for 30 years as an armed camp, always on guard against PLO raids and terrorist bombings.

Whenever such incidents occur, the response is quick: even greater retaliation.

In Jerusalem I met with David Eppel, an English-language broadcaster for the Voice of Israel. "We must continue to build this country. Israel is our lawful home, our des-tiny. We have the determination, and an immense pool of talent, to see it through." His cosmopolitan friends a city plan-ner, a psychology professor, an author gathered for coffee and conversation at David's modern apartment on Jerusalem's Leib Yaffe Road.

Amia Lieblich's book, Tin Soldiers on Jerusalem Beach, studies the debilitating effects almost constant war has had on life in the Jewish state, a nation still surrounded by enemies. As she and her husband kindly drove me to my hotel in Arab Jerusalem afterward, some of that national apprehension surfaced in the writer herself.

"We don't often come over to this part of town," she said. "Especially at night."

I DROVE OUT of the Old City in the dark of morning and arrived a few hours later at the nearly finished Israeli frontier post, whence a shuttle bus bounced me through no-man's-land to the Egyptian ter-minal. As a result of the Egyptian-Israeli treaty, it was possible for the first time since 1948 to travel overland from Jerusalem to Cairo. An Egyptian customs man opened my bags on a card table set up in the sand. I took a battered taxi into nearby El Arish, to a sleepy bank that took 45 minutes to convert dollars into Egyptian pounds, Then 1 hired a Mercedes for the

200-mile run across the northern Sinai des-ert, the Suez Canal, and the Nile Delta. By sundown Cairo was mine.

Despite official government optimism, I found many in Cairo worried that President Sadat's bold diplomatic gestures might fail.

The city was noticeably tense as Israel officially opened its new embassy on Mohi el-Din Abu el-Ez Street in Cairo's Dukki quarter. Black-uniformed Egyptian troops guarded the chancery and nearby intersections as the Star of David flew for the first time in an Arab capital. Across town, police with fixed bayonets were posted every ten feet around the American Embassy. Others were posted at the TV station and the larger hotels. Protests were scattered, mostly peaceful. None disturbed the cadence of the city.

Welcoming ever larger delegations of tourists and businessmen from Europe and the U.S., Cairo was busier than ever-and more crowded. Despite a building boom, many Egyptians migrating from the countryside, perhaps 10,000 a month, still find housing only by squatting among tombs at the City of the Dead, the huge old cemetery on the southeast side of the capital.

Even with the new elevated highway and wider bridge across the Nile, half-hour traffic standstills are common. Commuters arrive at Ramses Station riding even the roofs of trains, then cram buses until axles break.

Cairo smog, a corrosive blend of diesel fumes and hot dust from surrounding des-erts, rivals tear gas.

Despite the rampant blessings of prog-ress, Cairo can still charm. In the medieval Khan el-Khalili bazaar near Cairo's thousand-year-old Al-Azhar University, I sought out Ahmad Saadullah's sidewalk café. I found that 30 piasters (45 cents) still brings hot tea, a tall water pipe primed with tobacco and glowing charcoal, and the latest gossip. The turbaned gentleman on the carpeted bench opposite was unusually talk-ative; we dispensed with weather and the high cost of living and got right to politics:

"Of course I am behind President Sadat, but he is taking a great risk. The Israelis have not fully responded. If Sadat fails, no other Arab leader will dare try for peace again for a generation."

Across town at the weekly Akhbar El-Yom newspaper, one of the largest and most widely read in the Middle East, chief editor Abdel-Hamid Abdel-Ghani drove home that same point.

"What worries me most is that President Sadat's agreement with Israel has isolated Egypt from our brother nations," he told me. "When Saudi Arabia broke with us, it was a heavy loss. The Saudis are our close neighbors. Now they have canceled pledges for hundreds of millions in development aid to Egypt. Some 200,000 Egyptians-teach-ers, doctors, engineers live and work in the kingdom.

"And Saudi Arabia, guardian of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, remains for Muslim Egypt a spiritual homeland."

This magazine was published before my mom was born, and yet the sentiments have basically unchanged. An interesting look at the past, and more proof this didn’t start October 7th. (But imagine my followers already knew that)

[cosmosbeelover]

The History of Korean Male Soloists from the 20th Century: Episode 2/?

The second episode of 'The History of Korean Male Soloists from the 20th Century' focuses on notable Korean artists who gained recognition in the early 20th century, a time marked by Japanese occupation.

The documentation surrounding these artists is often inconsistent, primarily because their activities took place nearly a century ago, prior to the Korean War, which resulted in the loss or inaccessibility of historical records.

Lee Eun Sang (이은상; 李殷相)

Lee Eun-sang was initially referenced in Part 3 of 'The History of Korean Male Groups' for his contribution as a lyricist for the "Boat Song," which was performed by the Yonhui College Choir and composed by Hyun Je-myeong (현제명; 玄濟明). He also penned the lyrics for "Watermill" and "Jeolumbari," both of which were composed by Hyun Je-myeong as well.

Lee Eun Sang (이은상), born on October 22, 1903, and passing on September 18, 1982, hailed from Jeonju but spent much of his life in Masan, Gyeongnam. He was the second son of Lee Seung-gyu (이승규) and adopted several pen names, with Nosan (노산;鷺山) being the most prominent, alongside Namcheon (남천; 南川), Gangsan Yuin (강산유인; 江山遊人), and Duwooseong (두우성;斗牛星).

As a distinguished South Korean sijo poet, historian, and honorary doctor of literature, Lee Eun Sang produced significant works including the 'Nosan Sahwa Collection,' 'Nosan Sijo Collection,' 'Nosan Poetry Collection,' 'I Want to Go,' 'Night at Seongbulsa Temple,' and 'Climbing the Old Hill.' His contributions to the arts were recognized with several accolades, including the Arts Academy Merit Award, the 5/16 National Award, and honours from the Arts and Culture Division.

Life and Activities

He completed his secondary education at Masan Changshin School (昌信學校), an institution established by his father in 1918, and pursued studies in the liberal arts at Yonhui College (연세대학교; 延世大學校), although he is believed to have left the college in 1923. Between 1925 and 1927, he attended Waseda University (와세다 대학; 早稲田大学) in Japan, where he audited courses in the Department of History.

In 1931, Lee Eun Sang began his academic career as a professor at Ewha Womans College (이화여자대학교; 梨花女子大學校). He later took on leadership roles, including the presidency of Honam Shinmun in 1945, and continued to teach at various institutions such as Cheonggu University, Seoul National University (서울대학교), and Yeungnam University (영남대학교; 嶺南大學校) after 1950. Additionally, he held presidencies in several cultural organizations, including the Korean National Culture Association and the Korean Sijo Writers Association, as well as the Korean Mountaineering Club (한국산악회), which was founded in 1945.

Prior to Korea's liberation, he was an active participant in the National Literature Faction and was arrested during the Joseon Language Society Incident (조선어학회 사건; 朝鮮語學會事件), which involved the Japanese authorities detaining members of the Korean Language Society in 1942. His literary contributions began in the early days of the Joseon Literary World (조선문단) magazine, and despite being imprisoned at Hongwon Police Station and Hamheung Prison, he was released the following year. In 1945, he faced detention at Gwangyang Police Station under a preliminary arrest warrant for thought crimes but was freed following Korea's liberation.

Following his liberation, he produced a substantial body of work across journalism, academia, and historical writing. His explorations of the country resulted in numerous travelogues, and he gained recognition as a researcher of Admiral Yi Sun-sin (이순신; 李舜臣). In 1954, he was elected to the National Academy of Arts and subsequently became the president of the Chungmugong Admiral Yi Sun-sin Memorial Association in 1959. His leadership extended to the National Culture Association and the Ahn Jung-geun (안중근) Admiration Association in 1965, where he dedicated efforts to honour significant national figures. Notably, he contributed to the founding declaration of the Democratic Republican Party in 1963.

He earned both his master's and doctoral degrees in Korean language and literature from Kyunghee University (경희대학교; 慶熙大學校) in 1970, followed by an honorary doctorate in literature from Yonsei University in 1974. That same year, he assumed the role of chairman of the National Council for Total Security and became the lifetime chairman of the Sijo Writers Association. His accolades included being named a lifetime member of the National Academy of Arts in 1978 and serving on the National Advisory Committee on Government Administration in 1981. His contributions to the arts were recognized with several awards, including the National Academy of Arts' Merit Award and the May 16 National Award.

His literary legacy includes popular sijos such as “Gagopa” (가고파), “The Night of Seongbulsa Temple” (성불사의 밤), and “Going Up the Old Hill” (옛동산에 올라), alongside significant publications like “Nosan Sahwajip” (노산사화집), “Nosan Sijojip” (노산시조집), and “Yi Chungmu-gong Chronicles” (이충무공 일대기). Throughout his life, he was committed to the dual pursuits of sijo poetry and fostering national consciousness. In 1982, he was appointed as an advisory member of the State Affairs Advisory Council (Another link about this Council), but he passed away later that year, leaving behind a rich tapestry of cultural contributions.

He additionally composed the lyrics for the commemorative song dedicated to Mr. Kim Gu (김구) and President Park Chung-hee (박정희).

His Work

In 1921, the poem "Blood Tide" was published in the fourth issue of "Ahseong" (아성) under the pseudonym Du Woo-seong (두우성), marking the beginning of his literary career. However, it was not until the establishment of "Chosun Literature" in 1924 that he fully engaged in literary activities. Throughout this magazine, he contributed numerous critiques, essays, and poems, although he largely overlooked traditional national studies and sijo, favouring Western free verse instead. During this period, he produced approximately thirty free verse poems, in stark contrast to just one sijo.

His critical writings from this era include notable titles such as “A Study of Poet Whitman,” “Tennyson’s Four Poems,” and “Lectures on the History of British Poetry,” with significant contributions appearing in "Chosun Literature" and "Dong-A Ilbo." These works reflect the literary landscape of the time and his engagement with Western literary traditions. However, by the latter half of 1926, as discussions surrounding the revival of sijo gained momentum, there was a noticeable shift towards traditional literature and national studies.

Lee Eun Sang (이은상)– Nosanmunseon (노산문선)

Between 1929 and 1930, he published several poems that incorporated folk song rhythms, including “Sae Taryeong” (New Song), “Maehwadong” (Selling Flowers), and “Joseon’s Flower” (Flower of Joseon). In addition to his poetry, he also contributed to the field of criticism with works such as “A Brief Study of Cheongsang Folk Songs” and “The Life and Art of Hwang Jini.” This period marked a significant evolution in his literary focus, as he began to embrace traditional forms alongside his earlier Western influences.

The poet's sijo reflects a deep intertwining of admiration for his homeland, its natural landscapes, traditional Eastern sentiments, and the Buddhist notion of impermanence. His profound affection for his country and its people manifests with an intensity akin to religious fervour. The simplicity and authenticity of his language resonate with a broad audience, contributing significantly to the resurgence of the sijo form.

Initially, he regarded sijo as inferior to literature, only embracing it as a legitimate literary form following discussions surrounding its value. Despite this initial scepticism, he engaged in writing both free verse and sijo for a period, ultimately establishing himself as a prominent sijo poet by the late 1930s. His journey into this genre marked a significant evolution in his literary identity.

In addition to composing sijo, he also translated Tang poetry into this format, thereby enriching the genre and expanding its theoretical framework. His contributions not only enhanced the sijo tradition but also demonstrated the versatility and depth of this poetic form, bridging cultural and literary boundaries.

Lee Eun Sang (이은상) – Nosan Sijo Collection (노산시조집)

In his essays featured in the Dong-A Ilbo, including “The Problem of Sijo” (April 30–May 4, 1927), “A Brief Discussion of Sijo” (April 18–25, 1928), and “The Problem of Sijo Creation” (March 30–April 9, 1932), the author sought to clarify the standard structure of sijo through pitch rather than syllable count. His inaugural personal collection, “Nosan Sijo Collection,” released in 1932, embodies themes of nostalgia, appreciation, transience, and reverence for nature.

Notable pieces such as "Thinking of Hometown," "I Want to Go," and "Night at Seongbulsa Temple" have gained popularity as songs, reflecting the simple and melodious qualities of sijo. Following liberation, his focus shifted towards social themes, emphasizing national pride, the anguish of division, aspirations for reunification, and honouring patriots. This thematic evolution culminated in the 1958 collection, ‘Nosan Sijo Anjip’, particularly in works like 'The Meaning of the Blue Sky' (1970) and his final compilation, ‘Giwon’.

His approach to sijo included an attempt to simplify the form by experimenting with the two-chapter sijo (兩章時調), although later in his career, he tended to increase syllable counts. As a historian and essayist, he utilized his extensive historical knowledge to produce numerous travelogues and biographies aimed at fostering patriotism. Post-liberation, he prioritized social contributions over literary pursuits, leaving behind a substantial body of work, including poetry collections like ‘Nosanmunseon’ and ‘Nosansimunseon’, the essay collection ‘Musang’, and over 100 books, including his biographies such as ‘Journal of Tamna Traveling Hal’.

Awards and Remembrance

Lee Eun Sang's funeral took place as a public event, culminating in his interment at the national cemetery. A commemorative monument, known as 'Gagopa Songbi' (가고파 송비), was established in Masan to honour his ancestors. In recognition of his contributions, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 1990.

[beardedmrbean]

When it comes to leaving students with crushing debt they can’t repay, America’s richest colleges and universities are often the worst perpetrators. 

Under a new congressional bill, those institutions could face millions in fines if they don’t start giving students a better deal.

The idea – known as “risk sharing” – is one of a slew of far-reaching provisions included in a massive overhaul of the higher education system that was proposed by House Republicans earlier this month. The College Cost Reduction Act, introduced by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., chairwoman of the House education committee, is the GOP’s suggested template for finally reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, a sweeping 1960s-era federal law that governs colleges. 

The law is supposed to be reauthorized every five years. But the last time it was renewed was in 2008. It has been in place through temporary extensions ever since. In the interim, the country’s runaway student loan debt problem has reached crisis levels as the average price of college tuition climbed to new heights. 

Many ideas in the 224-page GOP bill have already prompted blowback from Democrats and higher education advocates. Republicans, for instance, want to slash the amount of money that students can borrow for college. Under the bill, they wouldn’t be able to take out more than $50,000 in total for undergraduate programs or $100,000 for graduate programs. 

That cap would be a huge change. It also could limit students without grant money to pursuing their studies at a limited number of schools.

Some of the GOP’s ideas about how to fix the federal student loan system would crush many American families, according to Sameer Gadkaree, president of the Institute for College Access & Success. 

“This could mean that some borrowers would stay in debt for the rest of their lives,” Gadkaree said in a statement responding to other proposed changes in the bill that would alter income-driven repayment plans.

The Republican proposal is a big bill with lots of ideas – some radical and others that almost everyone agrees on. Because the legislation is so massive, it’s nearly impossible it would move very far in this Congress, which has experienced historic levels of gridlock. 

Yet bipartisan sentiment is growing on Capitol Hill to make higher education more affordable – President Joe Biden has made that argument a central component of his attempts at broad student loan relief. Even in their attacks on those efforts, Republicans have leaned on bipartisan criticism of the rising cost of college in America. 

“We want there to be quality assurance in the education that students are seeking,” Foxx said in an interview with USA TODAY. “Too much of the focus of the colleges and universities has been on milking the students and parents.” 

A House aide not authorized to speak publicly about the legislation told USA TODAY that Democrats vehemently oppose it. Republicans did not consult them when crafting it, the aide said, as they would do with more bipartisan legislation. 

Karen McCarthy, the vice president of public policy and federal relations at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, said colleges are still parsing through the bill. She said her group is waiting to hear feedback from more schools. 

“We’re always on the lookout for unintended consequences,” she said. “With any bill of this size, we always have things that we like and areas of concern.”

Which colleges would see the biggest fines? 

One radical change proposed in the bill would effectively make colleges, not student loan borrowers, financially responsible for unpaid loans. 

According to a summary of the bill, schools would essentially be on the hook for paying their graduates’ loans back if those students didn’t end up earning as much money as the college predicted. 

An analysis of the bill from The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, a conservative think tank, estimates that private schools would face hundreds of millions of dollars in fines for leaving students saddled with debt. The University of Southern California, for example, would risk a roughly $170 million annual penalty. The school did not respond on the record to a request for comment on the proposed fine. Neither did the University of Phoenix, which also would face tens of millions in penalties.

Preston Cooper, a higher education researcher at FREOPP, said the biggest losers under the law would be elite nonprofit schools. 

“These places are very heavily reliant on the student loan program,” he said. “The end goal of this is not necessarily to reward or punish different institutions but to change the incentives.”

Democrats oppose idea as higher ed lobby raises concerns over bill

So far, the idea of forcing colleges to pay the government back for unpaid federal student loans doesn’t have bipartisan support. Behind closed doors, Democrats are worried the provision would end up hurting community colleges and minority-serving institutions, the House aide said. 

Big players in the higher education lobby have problems with the proposal, too. The American Council on Education hasn't taken an official stance on the bill or any component of it. But Emmanual Guillory, the group’s senior director of government relations, said he shares Democrats' concerns that the risk-sharing provision could hurt colleges that enroll more students from marginalized communities.

Colleges shouldn't be financially penalized for pay gaps in the job market, Guillory said, or for labor challenges in other industries.

"Everyone is not starting from the same starting point," he said. "We can understand the logic, but it just doesn't work that way."

[ledenews]

Bridgeport Fifth Graders Learn History Close to Home

Middle school Bulldogs took a bridge to the past Oct. 18, with a field trip to the Blaine Hill “S” Bridge, where they got a close look at a piece of history in their own back yard. The site marks three generations of bridges. The original Blaine Bridge dates from the 1820s and served until it was superseded by a newer bridge in the 1930s, and then by the I-70 highway. Many from the surrounding community joined the teachers and students to recreate different elements of the period. Fifth graders were treated to rides in a mule-drawn buggy from Bruce Vannest. Richard and Patty Gummere provided animals and a wagon. Also present were vintage Model T cars that would have driven along the bridge. Excitement was high as students took turns climbing into the cars and honking the horns. The students were enthused as Vannest took the opportunity to talk to them about how mules work together, their speed and how long it would take to reach a destination. “They’re very interested to learn about the history of the area.” Schoolmarm Ann Rattine of the Great Western Schoolhouse which dates from 1870 and is preserved in St. Clairsville taught students how to play outdoor games of the time. Fifth and sixth grade Social Studies teacher Matthew McFarland said more than 60 students went on the field trip. Teachers researched and reviewed the bridge’s part in Bridgeport’s history, from the initial congressional approval of the road construction in 1806 to the current preservation. “A lot of students know of the Blaine Bridge, but they don’t know exactly the importance that it had in history and how it related to transportation in the United States, so taking the time out of the day to explain something that they see every day really connects with the students and keeps them closer to the history that Bridgeport holds,” he said. “The kids are having a great time. They enjoy talking about it all week long. They’ve been real excited to come,” he said. “We know what we’re looking at, we know what we’re talking about and we’re able to fully enjoy what we’re seeing.” McFarland thanked the community partners who enhanced the trip for students. “They get to see what life was like.” Middle School Principal Anne Haverty Lawson was helping students make fall “stained glass windows” with leaves and chalk. She was also excited about the day. “We have a huge amount of community support for our kids to learn about the historical value of their community right where they live, right where we go to school,” she said. “It’s pretty important, how we get from the east to the west on Route 40.” John S. Marshall of the Ohio National Road Association and Gordie Longshaw of the Pease Township Park District and Belmont County Tourism Council took the kiddos on tours of the bridge and spoke about the structure’s influence in building Bridgeport and Belmont County, noting the more convenient transportation helped establish the coal industry and the economy. They traced the early days of the bridge and the shift from carriages to automobiles. Also discussed was the proximity of a creek which influence the distinct “S” shape. “This road was an asset and brought industry here,” Longshaw said. Afterwards, Longshaw said he has a love of sharing history, adding it was a pleasure to talk to the Bridgeport students. “I want to compliment the teachers that brought these young students out here for the day,” he said. “I could tell they did their homework. They knew about the bridge, they knew why it was shaped like at “S,” they knew the history of it.” Belmont County Tourism Director Jackee Pugh said the third annual field trip was a success as students learned the country’s first federally funded highway went through their town. “There were so many students at Bridgeport Schools that didn’t realize about the Blaine Bridge history and the significance of it.” President Kim Mokros of the Pease Township Parks and Recreation Committee that maintains the bridge with Property Maintenance Services welcomed the Bridgeport students. They have been eager learners every year. “They’ve done it for years, just to have the kids learn about the history in their county,” she said. “One kid just said this is the best field trip he’s ever been on.” Highway Technician 2 Jermaine Jackson with the Ohio Department of Transportation was also present. “It’s really impressive every year to see how attentive each kid is, and how excited they are to learn and see the history of what this used to be.” Read the full article

[haridwartourtrip]

Top 10 Must-Visit Tourist Places in Haridwar

Haridwar, a city steeped in spirituality and tradition, is one of the most revered destinations in India. Nestled on the banks of the holy Ganges River, Haridwar offers a perfect blend of religious significance and natural beauty. If you're planning a trip to this sacred city, here are the top 10 must-visit Haridwar tourist places that should be on your itinerary.

1. Har Ki Pauri

Har Ki Pauri is the most famous ghat in Haridwar, attracting thousands of pilgrims every day. This sacred spot is where devotees gather to take a holy dip in the Ganges, believing it will wash away their sins. The evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is a mesmerizing spectacle that should not be missed.

2. Chandi Devi Temple

Perched on the Neel Parvat of the Shivalik Hills, the Chandi Devi Temple is one of the most important Haridwar tourist places. This ancient temple, dedicated to Goddess Chandi, offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding landscape. You can either trek up to the temple or take a cable car ride for a scenic journey.

3. Mansa Devi Temple

Another significant religious site in Haridwar is the Mansa Devi Temple, located atop the Bilwa Parvat. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, who is believed to grant the wishes of her devotees. The temple is accessible via a ropeway or a steep climb, and it provides a panoramic view of Haridwar.

4. Maya Devi Temple

The Maya Devi Temple is one of the three Siddh Peethas in Haridwar, making it a crucial pilgrimage site. Dedicated to Goddess Maya Devi, this temple holds great religious significance and is one of the oldest in the city. A visit to this temple is a must for anyone exploring Haridwar tourist places.

5. Sapt Rishi Ashram

Sapt Rishi Ashram is a tranquil spot where seven great sages, or rishis, are said to have meditated. Located at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, this serene ashram is a perfect retreat for those seeking peace and spiritual rejuvenation.

6. Bharat Mata Mandir

The Bharat Mata Mandir is a unique temple dedicated to Mother India. Unlike other temples in Haridwar, this one does not honor any specific deity but instead celebrates the nation. The temple has eight floors, each depicting different aspects of Indian culture, history, and spirituality.

7. Patanjali Yogpeeth

Founded by the renowned yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Patanjali Yogpeeth is one of the largest yoga institutes in the world. It is a major attraction among Haridwar tourist places, especially for those interested in yoga and Ayurveda. The institute also offers a range of Ayurvedic treatments and therapies.

8. Daksha Mahadev Temple

Located in Kankhal, a small town near Haridwar, the Daksha Mahadev Temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is closely associated with the mythology of Sati and is one of the most important Haridwar tourist places for Shiva devotees.

9. Rajaji National Park

For nature lovers, Rajaji National Park offers a refreshing escape from the spiritual aura of Haridwar. Spread over 820 square kilometers, this national park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, tigers, and leopards. A jeep safari through the park is a thrilling experience for adventure enthusiasts.

10. Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar

Birdwatchers will find Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar a paradise. Located at the Bhimgoda Barrage, this bird sanctuary is home to several migratory birds, especially during the winter months. It's one of the lesser-known Haridwar tourist places, making it a peaceful spot for nature lovers.

Conclusion

Haridwar is a city that offers a spiritual retreat, cultural richness, and natural beauty all in one. These top 10 Haridwar tourist places are a testament to the city’s diverse attractions, making it a must-visit destination for travelers. Whether you're seeking spiritual enlightenment or a peaceful escape, Haridwar has something for everyone.

For an unforgettable journey through these sacred and scenic spots, consider booking your trip with haridwartourtrip. They offer curated experiences that will help you explore the best of Haridwar with ease and comfort.

[johnstevenmullaly]

Different Ski Disciplines to Consider

According to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), more than 60.4 million American skiers visited ski resorts during the 2023/2024 season. The data marks a slight decrease from the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 winter seasons, the two biggest ski seasons in American history. Skiing is a popular outdoor activity in several regions of the United States, from the Pacific Southwest to the Northeast. Individuals interested in participating in skiing for the first time should know that there are several different skiing styles to choose from.

American skiers have excelled internationally, trailing only Austria and Switzerland at the Winter Olympics with 47 medals, including 17 gold medals. As one of the oldest recorded athletic activities, the first instruments used to ski stem from Northern China more than 8,000 years before the Common Era. Research suggests humans were using skis during the most recent Ice Age. Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, is a much more modern concept, originating in the Norwegian army during the 18th Century. The following centuries saw an expansion of skiing styles for various purposes, including athletic competition and recreation.

Alpine skiing remains the most popular discipline. Most facilities and trails at ski resorts and mountains cater to the needs of alpine skiers and snowboarders. Individuals participate in alpine skiing by riding a chairlift to the top of a run and skiing to the bottom of the mountain. Gaining momentum while traveling downhill gives skiers a rush of adrenaline while also providing considerable cardiovascular exercise. The highest summit for alpine skiing in the US is at Silverton Mountain in Colorado, at 13,487 feet.

Individuals can also participate in backcountry skiing, which some view as the opposite of alpine skiing. Backcountry skiing generally occurs in remote regions beyond the boundaries marked by mainstream resorts and mountains. Backcountry skiers do not ski down well-maintained trails and may need to engage in hiking and snowshoeing at times.

Next, backcountry skiing differs from cross-country skiing, though the two disciplines share similarities. The major difference is that cross-country skiers seek out large stretches of clear, flat terrain. Cross-country skiing is more about traveling long distances, while backcountry skiers push their physical limits by switching between downhill, cross-country, and uphill skiing.

Uphill skiing, also called skinning and alpine touring, is a physically challenging activity that involves climbing steep hills using various equipment. In addition to skis and poles, individuals wear special boots and use hiking gear. Uphill skiers usually switch out their gear at the top of a mountain for their alpine skiing equipment and ski to the bottom of the run they just climbed for convenience.

Additional styles of skiing to consider include telemark skiing and ski mountaineering. Telemark skiing is about style and technique. Individuals assume a specific crouched position while skiing, which requires skiers to implement different skills, especially while turning. Ski mountaineering, meanwhile, is comparable to backcountry skiing and alpine touring. The difference is that ski mountaineers often integrate skiing with hiking and camping and may spend several days skiing in the wilderness.

[goddessgardener]

An Eastern Europe Blooming Journey

by Cynthia Brian

“Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment.” Ellis Peters

My legs feel like jelly and my back is breaking. And the pain is not from gardening. It is from walking an average of ten miles per day on cobblestone streets, up steep hills, down into the woods of national parks, and climbing medieval stairs to fortresses and castles throughout my springtime journey to the former Eastern Bloc countries of Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, as well as Croatia and Serbia. Besides learning more about the history, culture, customs, people, and food, I was on a quest to identify the botanical specimens that we have in common.

The original weather reports indicated mild temperatures, but a cold front suddenly appeared broadcasting freezing winds, rain, snowfall, and overcast grey days. Locals blamed the meteorologic conditions on climate change and global warming. Yet Mother Nature earnestly wanted to birth spring in a magical awakening from its winter slumber. The rich soil of these European countries provides a foundation for a variety of plants and trees, many of which are familiar to Californians.

Each country has a special association with a specific flower. During the Ottoman conquest, tulips were brought to these countries and tulips were blooming profusely in every land. Hungary claims the tulip as its national flower.

Home to diverse wildflowers, including the Pasque flower, a harbinger of spring, Croatia calls the Dalmatian iris its own. The bright orange crown imperial flower was a specimen unknown to me.

The national symbol of Serbia is the plum tree, which was in full bloom throughout the country. Their national drink, Šljivovica, is made from plums.

In Romania a wild climbing rose called Rosa Canina is utilized for both health and drinking and the purple Carpathian crocus is the first sign of spring.

Bulgaria is the world’s leading producer of rose oil used in perfumes and cosmetic products. The roses were not yet in bloom, but the bushes were filled with buds. I was compelled to purchase rose oil which is supposedly excellent for skin revitalization.

The Czech Republic is home to a variety of spring- blooming flowers including crocus, tulips, and roses, and is known for its spectacular display of cherry blossom trees which create a stunning pink canopy over the cities and countryside.

Blooming tulip magnolia trees were in glorious abundance, adding beauty to the already spectacular architecture.

Bright yellow forsythia, called golden bells, was flowering throughout the region, along roads, in parks, and in forests. Forsythia is stoloniferous, which means when a branch meets the soil it takes root to start another bush.

Part of the Brassicaceae mustard and cabbage family, rapeseed/canola farms were ubiquitous as a prosperous and financially lucrative crop. The rapeseed oil is used for diesel fuel and other industrial processes and the edible variety produces canola oil. Many people have allergies to the flowers and don’t welcome the blanket of yellow blooms.

Living walls of exotic plants, many of which we use as houseplants, were featured in several hotels and restaurants in Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic. Apple, pear, and plum trees were in full blush throughout my sojourn, perfuming the chilly air.

I was surprised to see “lawns” consisting of dandelions, which were very attractive with their edible greens.

Pansies in a variety of colors and patterns dotted the landscapes. Another specimen for which I was unfamiliar was the butter yellow puff balls of the Kerria Japanese rose in Croatia.

Also unknown to me and quite intriguing was the Lunaria, called annual Honesty, dotting the hillsides in the Djerdap National Park in Serbia.

The Czech Republic enjoyed the most dramatic displays of horticultural bliss. The parks and squares were filled with blossoming European crabapples, tulip magnolias, and colorful tulips, as well as curated window boxes of colorful hyacinths, primroses, forget-me-nots, and other flowering bulbs.

My spring sojourn through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic has been a time of great beauty, wonder, and education. From delicate wildflowers to bold and bright flowering trees, these countries offered a stunning array of blooms, despite the wintery weather.

It is with appreciation that I return to my gorgeous garden in full bloom albeit overgrown with weeds. May is a busy time in the garden, but with a little effort, we can keep our plants healthy and thriving. Follow these tips for gardening chores, and you'll be well on your way to a beautiful landscape. With all the garden work ahead of me, I anticipate jelly legs and an aching back!

Spring is a perpetual astonishment and worth the pain.

Cynthia Brian’s Goddess Gardener May Gardening Guide

As the temperatures rise, our plants need more care and attention, so let's get to work.

ü  WATER early in the morning as the weather warms to prevent evaporation.

ü  WEED constantly before weeds take over the garden. Remove the entire root system of weeds before sowing the seeds you want to grow.

ü  PLANT warm-season vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, zucchini, and whatever edibles your family enjoys eating.

ü  FERTILIZE your actively growing plants with a balanced fertilizer and follow the instructions carefully. Over-fertilizing can damage your plants, so don't be tempted to add more than recommended.

ü  IMPROVE the biodiversity of your soil ecosystem through mulching and composting. Spring and fall are the ideal times to increase organic matter and humus content. Adding compost to your garden reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and allows the soil to hold water well which means less watering.

ü  PICK up the last of the spent camellia blossoms from your garden to protect your plant for next season.

ü  SWEEP debris from driveways, walkways, steps, and porches to freshen up for spring.

ü  BRIGHTEN your curb appeal or plant window boxes with colorful annuals and perennials including petunias, zinnias, cleome, salvia, dahlias, snapdragons, primrose, bulbs, impatiens, and bachelor buttons.

ü  PREVENT pests. Keep an eye out for aphids, whiteflies, and other common garden pests. You can use organic pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap to keep them under control.

ü  EMPTY standing water from pots, tires, neglected ponds, pools, or any place where mosquito larvae will breed. With all the rain we’ve had this year, mosquitoes could spread the West Nile virus and other diseases.

ü  CLEAR debris from your home and garden perimeter. Dried limbs, leaves, and weeds need to be removed. Fire season is upon us.

Digging Deep with Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1705/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian-Spring-sojourn.html

Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com. Her newest children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is available now at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store. Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com For more information contact:

https://www.CynthiaBrian.com

Share StarStyle® Empowerment

[bethestaryouareradio]

Spring Sojourn: a Garden Journey through Eastern Europe

by Cynthia Brian  “Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment.” Ellis Peters

My legs feel like jelly and my back is breaking. And the pain is not from gardening. It is from walking an average of ten miles per day on cobblestone streets, up steep hills, down into the woods of national parks, and climbing medieval stairs to fortresses and castles throughout my springtime journey to the former Eastern Bloc countries of Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, as well as Croatia and Serbia. Besides learning more about the history, culture, customs, people, and food, I was on a quest to identify the botanical specimens that we have in common.

The original weather reports indicated mild temperatures, but a cold front suddenly appeared broadcasting freezing winds, rain, snowfall, and overcast grey days. Locals blamed the meteorologic conditions on climate change and global warming. Yet Mother Nature earnestly wanted to birth spring in a magical awakening from its winter slumber. The rich soil of these European countries provides a foundation for a variety of plants and trees, many of which are familiar to Californians.

Each country has a special association with a specific flower. During the Ottoman conquest, tulips were brought to these countries and tulips were blooming profusely in every land. Hungary claims the tulip as its national flower.

Home to diverse wildflowers, including the Pasque flower, a harbinger of spring, Croatia calls the Dalmatian iris its own. The bright orange crown imperial flower was a specimen unknown to me.

The national symbol of Serbia is the plum tree, which was in full bloom throughout the country. Their national drink, Šljivovica, is made from plums.

In Romania a wild climbing rose called Rosa Canina is utilized for both health and drinking and the purple Carpathian crocus is the first sign of spring.

Bulgaria is the world’s leading producer of rose oil used in perfumes and cosmetic products. The roses were not yet in bloom, but the bushes were filled with buds. I was compelled to purchase rose oil which is supposedly excellent for skin revitalization.

The Czech Republic is home to a variety of spring- blooming flowers including crocus, tulips, and roses, and is known for its spectacular display of cherry blossom trees which create a stunning pink canopy over the cities and countryside.

Blooming tulip magnolia trees were in glorious abundance, adding beauty to the already spectacular architecture.

Bright yellow forsythia, called golden bells, was flowering throughout the region, along roads, in parks, and in forests. Forsythia is stoloniferous, which means when a branch meets the soil it takes root to start another bush.

Part of the Brassicaceae mustard and cabbage family, rapeseed/canola farms were ubiquitous as a prosperous and financially lucrative crop. The rapeseed oil is used for diesel fuel and other industrial processes and the edible variety produces canola oil. Many people have allergies to the flowers and don’t welcome the blanket of yellow blooms.

Living walls of exotic plants, many of which we use as houseplants, were featured in several hotels and restaurants in Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic. Apple, pear, and plum trees were in full blush throughout my sojourn, perfuming the chilly air.

I was surprised to see “lawns” consisting of dandelions, which were very attractive with their edible greens.

Pansies in a variety of colors and patterns dotted the landscapes. Another specimen for which I was unfamiliar was the butter yellow puff balls of the Kerria Japanese rose in Croatia.

Also unknown to me and quite intriguing was the Lunaria, called annual Honesty, dotting the hillsides in the Djerdap National Park in Serbia.

The Czech Republic enjoyed the most dramatic displays of horticultural bliss. The parks and squares were filled with blossoming European crabapples, tulip magnolias, and colorful tulips, as well as curated window boxes of colorful hyacinths, primroses, forget-me-nots, and other flowering bulbs.

My spring sojourn through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic has been a time of great beauty, wonder, and education. From delicate wildflowers to bold and bright flowering trees, these countries offered a stunning array of blooms, despite the wintery weather.

It is with appreciation that I return to my gorgeous garden in full bloom albeit overgrown with weeds. May is a busy time in the garden, but with a little effort, we can keep our plants healthy and thriving. Follow these tips for gardening chores, and you'll be well on your way to a beautiful landscape. With all the garden work ahead of me, I anticipate jelly legs and an aching back!

Spring is a perpetual astonishment and worth the pain.

Cynthia Brian’s Goddess Gardener May Gardening Guide

As the temperatures rise, our plants need more care and attention, so let's get to work.

ü  WATER early in the morning as the weather warms to prevent evaporation.

ü  WEED constantly before weeds take over the garden. Remove the entire root system of weeds before sowing the seeds you want to grow.

ü  PLANT warm-season vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, zucchini, and whatever edibles your family enjoys eating.

ü  FERTILIZE your actively growing plants with a balanced fertilizer and follow the instructions carefully. Over-fertilizing can damage your plants, so don't be tempted to add more than recommended.

ü  IMPROVE the biodiversity of your soil ecosystem through mulching and composting. Spring and fall are the ideal times to increase organic matter and humus content. Adding compost to your garden reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and allows the soil to hold water well which means less watering.

ü  PICK up the last of the spent camellia blossoms from your garden to protect your plant for next season.

ü  SWEEP debris from driveways, walkways, steps, and porches to freshen up for spring.

ü  BRIGHTEN your curb appeal or plant window boxes with colorful annuals and perennials including petunias, zinnias, cleome, salvia, dahlias, snapdragons, primrose, bulbs, impatiens, and bachelor buttons.

ü  PREVENT pests. Keep an eye out for aphids, whiteflies, and other common garden pests. You can use organic pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap to keep them under control.

ü  EMPTY standing water from pots, tires, neglected ponds, pools, or any place where mosquito larvae will breed. With all the rain we’ve had this year, mosquitoes could spread the West Nile virus and other diseases.

ü  CLEAR debris from your home and garden perimeter. Dried limbs, leaves, and weeds need to be removed. Fire season is upon us.

Digging Deep with Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1705/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian-Spring-sojourn.html

Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com. Her newest children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is available now at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store. Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com For more information contact:

https://www.CynthiaBrian.com

Share StarStyle® Empowerment

[hakesbros]

Oakwood Homes Of Las Cruces Modular, Manufactured, Cellular Homes For Sale

Copyright © 2023 The Greater El Paso Association of REALTORS®, MLS Inc. Investments like these help people like Cheryle Anderson, from Gallup. Growing up, Cheryle’s household was at all times transferring, and her mom dreamed of having a “forever” home. Shortly after Cheryle turned 18, her mother new homes las cruces passed away—but not before she made Cheryle promise that she would one day buy a house of her personal. Today, with the help of New Mexico’s down payment assistance program, Cheryle has made that dream a reality—and stored her promise to her mom.

If so, you might wish to contemplate shopping for in a new home group. There are so many benefits to dwelling in a brand new home community, so listed here are a few of the top reasons why they're a fantastic selection. If you need entry to big-city offerings, but don’t need to deal with the site visitors home builders in las cruces, residing in Las Cruces could additionally be perfect for you. El Paso, TX is less than an hour’s drive from Las Cruces and has every little thing you would ever want from a big city. With such nice climate, Las Cruces presents many out of doors activities. The city is home to amazing golf programs, together with theSonoma Ranch Golf Course,Picacho Hills Country Club, andNew Mexico State University Golf Course.

Touch gadget users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Combine year round comfort with the potential for a lifetime of financial savings with our Energy Smart Home Package. Help scale back power price the day you buy your Clayton Built® home. Share ThisIf you are planning on purchasing your first home, you might homes for sale in las cruces new mexico be wondering where to begin out and tips on how to proceed. Send Message Email me listings and house associated information. As of January 2023, the common apartment hire in Las Cruces, NM is $555 for a studio, $714 for one bedroom, $762 for two bedrooms, and $1,103 for 3 bedrooms.

Its stark-white sand dunes mimic the look of snow and the texture of flour. Visitors enjoy sliding down dunes on saucers, burying their legs, and taking walks. There are additionally stunning climbing homes for sale in las cruces nm trails like the Picacho Peak Trail in addition to the Dripping Springs Trail which is located inside the Organ Mountains-Desert Peak National Monument.

I am calling for safe storage reforms that impose penalties on anybody who fails to safe an unattended firearm and leaves it accessible to an unsupervised minor. And I am calling for laws that might enable victims of gun violence to deliver civil fits against firearm manufacturers. If we're homes for sale las cruces bold and clear in our knowledge that nows the time to do the right factor, we are ready to save lives and protect futures. I am decided to succeed, and I is not going to let up until New Mexico is the most secure state in the nation.

[photosamateurs]

92 - Austin Mini Ritz - Simon Cox par Andrew C. Noble

[ledenews]

West Liberty University Adds Women's Wrestling as Varsity Sport

West Liberty University President Dr. Tim Borchers announced today that the university is adding the sport of women's wrestling to its list of intercollegiate athletic offerings. The Hilltoppers expect to begin competition in the 2024-25 season. “Adding women’s wrestling will build on the national reputation of the West Liberty wrestling program," Dr. Borchers said. "With the growing popularity of the sport, this new program will provide additional opportunities for students throughout the region to continue their education.” Officially recognized as an emerging sport by the NCAA during the 2020-21 academic year, women's wrestling is the 19th intercollegiate sport on the WLU roster, and the 10th targeted at providing opportunities for female student-athletes. West Liberty joins the more than 150 colleges and universities – including nearly 100 NCAA institutions – that have started women's wrestling programs. Fueled by an explosion of participation at the high school level, the Hilltoppers expect to have plenty of company in the next few years. According to FloWrestling, the number of girls participating in high school wrestling nationwide jumped from 35,000 during the 2021-22 academic year to 52,000 this past season. With 40 state high school associations now sanctioning the sport and several others putting it on the sanctioning track, girls' wrestling has become the fastest-growing high school sport in the country. Closer to home, more than 750 high schools are now sponsoring girls' wrestling in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania alone. West Liberty joins Frostburg State as Mountain East Conference members currently offering the sport. In West Virginia, nearby Bethany College also plans to hit the mats in 2024-25 and Bluefield State will debut this fall. West Liberty athletic director Lynn Ullom said those numbers combined with the Hilltoppers' storied tradition and decades of success in collegiate wrestling is what led to this decision. “We wouldn’t be doing our due diligence if we weren’t constantly strategizing how to aid enrollment goals for the university while providing new pathways to success for the changing marketplace of student-athletes in our region,” Ullom said. Danny Irwin, head coach of WLU's nationally ranked men's wrestling program, will take on an expanded role as Director of Wrestling at the university. In addition to his duties with the men's program, Irwin looks to recruit a strong base of student-athletes for the inaugural 2024-25 roster while using his connections in the wrestling world to spearhead the search for West Liberty's first women's head wrestling coach. "I am beyond excited that the university has given us this opportunity to lay the foundation for a women's wrestling program," Irwin said. "I'm looking forward to adding another elite group of people who possess that 'Climb The Hill' mentality." "I'm also focused on identifying the next addition to our women's coaching staff who has the same passion for wrestling that I do and wants to serve our student-athletes at the highest level. We will create an environment to help our women build for their future academically while having a first-class experience on and off the mat." Read the full article

[jmflowers]

prompt #1 | prompt #2 | prompt #3 | prompt #4 | prompt #5 | prompt #6 | prompt #7 | prompt #8 | prompt #9

expanded prompts: Hygge on AO3

prompt #10: been a while since someone met me in the middle (Feels So Easy by Ber)

ie. been stuck home with COVID for a week and I’m comforting myself with really mushy kid!fic and this song on repeat

October 2030

“Nuh uh,” Beatrice harrumphs, kicking at the back of the driver’s seat with her shoe.

“Yeah huh,” Andrea retaliates.

They’ve been at each other’s throats since the moment Maya had picked them up from school. Bickering over who was going to sit where in the car and what was for snack and now, apparently, something else.

Maya sighs as she climbs into the front seat, the groceries secure in the trunk and the cart back where it belongs. She’d taken it to a cart return a little further away than necessary if she’s being honest, if only for a few extra minutes of peace from the constant nitpicking.

Even in the store, where they would normally be on their best behaviour, they’d managed to argue and fight until finally Maya had snapped at them. They’re undeterred though, it seems; hellbent on pushing each other’s buttons until everyone around them goes mad.

“No,” Beatrice repeats, spitting the word with all the force her five-year-old rage can muster, “She does not.”

“She does!” Andrea shouts right back, “You don’t know everything, Bea.” He huffs with frustration, folding his arms across his chest like some sort of barricade against his sister’s blows. It does little to help, though.

Beatrice’s eyes go wide, her fists balling up tight, and her next words come out in a holler. “Mama. Does. Not!”

“Woah, woah, woah,” Maya interrupts, turning around in the driver’s seat to stare them down. “That’s enough, both of you. Either make up or quit talking to each other.”

Beatrice frowns, shaking her head. “Andrea is mean,” she whines, “And it hurts my feelings.”

“No,” he argues, sitting up straighter in his seat, “Telling the truth is not being mean, Bea!”

“It’s mean to Mama,” Beatrice howls.

“Enough!” Maya yells, silencing them both. “How do you have anything left to fight about?”

“Andrea says Mama has an accent,” Beatrice tells her then, brows furrowed together into a harsh line above her eyes. “That’s not nice.”

Andrea groans and shakes his head, clearly baffled that this is the hill his little sister is willing to die on. “Mama does have an accent, she’s Italian.”

“We’re all Italian,” Beatrice bites back.

“No,” Andrea corrects again, “Mommy isn’t Italian.”

Beatrice gasps, apparently affronted, and whirls to look at Maya. “See, Mommy?” she cries, her bottom lip pushing its way into a pout, “Andrea is mean.”

It’s a common feeling as a parent, Maya’s found; being both frustrated by your children and wanting to laugh at them. She watches, biting her tongue, as Andrea throws his head back against the seat and sighs with far more exasperation than a seven-year-old should contain. Beatrice, seated beside him, looks lost somewhere between a fit of rage and the welling of tears, desperate to defend her beloved Mama.

“Bea,” Maya tries, swallowing roughly around the laugh threatening to escape, “Do you know what an accent is?”

Little wisps of blonde hair bounce around Beatrice’s face as she nods, ponytail swishing against the back of her booster seat. “It’s when someone talks funny,” she says, shooting Andrea an angry glare at the same time, “But Mama doesn’t.”

“That’s not what it means,” Andrea disagrees, “It’s a mode of pronunciation!”

There’s a familiar look on Andrea’s face when Maya glances over at him, one she’s seen flit across Carina’s a million times over. He’s quoting something he’s read, she knows, repeating verbatim the bit of information he’s absorbed into that pliable brain of his.

She can recite the rest of the definition herself this time, though; they’d looked it up together while working on his family tree assignment over the weekend. Especially one associated with a particular nation, locality, or social class.

“Like Mama?” he’d asked. “Because she grew up in Italy?”

Of course he’d want to teach his little sister.

Beatrice scoffs. “You’re a mode of pronunciation, ‘Drea.”

“Alright, alright,” Maya says before they can unravel into name calling… again. “No more talking to each other until we’re home.”

“But –” Andrea starts.

“No,” Maya cuts him off, turning back towards the steering wheel, “If we’re all stuck together for ten more minutes, they’re going to be silent minutes.”

~

Carina is already home by the time they get there, freshly showered and sprawled across the couch with her damp hair slung over the arm. She abandons her phone on the coffee table when the front door opens and the kids barrel through, lifting her arms in invitation for their hugs.

For once, it’s Andrea that gets to her side first, kicking off his shoes and dropping his school bag in favour of folding himself into his mother’s embrace. He sighs as she kisses the side of his head, the weight of the day rolling through his limbs.

“Sole,” Carina coos, burying her fingers in his dark, curly hair, “Com’era la scuola?” (How was school?)

Maya moves past them, heading for the kitchen island with the bags of groceries. She knows what’s coming, though – knows the ten minutes of quiet in the car on the drive home have only added fuel to the fire of Beatrice’s fury.

It arrives with the stomp of little feet.

Carina, at least, appears startled when she looks up to find Beatrice standing with her arms folded, scowling at her brother.

“You don’t get to hug Mama when you’re mean, Andrea,” Beatrice pouts, stomping her foot again with a surge of frustration. “You are not nice!”

A moment of silence passes through the living area, everyone apparently assessing the situation. Carina’s eyes dart up over the back of the couch, catching Maya’s gaze from across the island, clearly seeking some sort of explanation. Maya can only bite back another laugh, though, turning towards the fridge to put the groceries away.

Andrea sighs with defeat, extracting himself from Carina’s hold so he can sit up. The day is so clearly heavy on his shoulders, weighing down the edges of his mouth. “I wasn’t mean, Mama,” he murmurs, “I promise.”

Carina’s fingers trail across his cheek, her head bobbing as she nods her understanding.

Beatrice, however, is still having none of it. “You were!” she screeches, “You were mean to Mama and you have to go to your room!” She stomps her feet again, thudding them against the tile floor so hard the door rattles in its frame. “Say! Sorry!”

Again, the house falls silent. Maya turns just in time to see Carina sit up, Andrea shuffling out of the way as she swings her legs over the side of the couch. Beatrice reacts as she usually does at first: shoulders hiking up around her ears in fear as she attempts to stand her ground.

“Beatrice Lucia,” Carina says so softly that Maya has to strain her ears to catch it, “Do we yell?”

A tiny chin juts out, their little girl not yet ready to give up the fight. “No,” she mumbles, “But –”

“Basta,” Carina cuts her off, “Do we stomp our feet?”

Beatrice’s frown gets deeper as she shakes her head.

“Do we behave like this?” Carina continues, “Or do we take a deep breath and try again?”

In an instant, Beatrice’s eyes go glassy and she shudders through a slow breath, biting down hard on her bottom lip as the tears begin to dribble down her cheeks. She kicks softly at the floor, hands linking together in front of herself.

And Carina, as always, softens just as quickly. “Vieni qui,” she whispers, holding her arms open for Beatrice to collapse into. She rocks their daughter slowly, rubbing her back gently, as the well of emotion she’s been feeling spills over.

Andrea reaches for Beatrice, too, laying his hand over top of hers where it rests on Carina’s thigh.

Not for the first time, Maya finds herself struck immobile in the face of the stability their children find in Carina’s arms. Years of her own therapy have still left her walled off to their emotions at times. Hell, she’s spent the last hour with them wishing they would stop bickering and yet five minutes home in their mama’s presence has been enough for them both to shed what was making them so miserable to each other.

She crosses the kitchen and into the living room, taking up residence on Andrea’s other side so he can lean against her. “Andrea was teaching us about accents in the car,” she tries as helpfully as she can manage, watching as the word makes Beatrice tense again, “And Bea was very upset that we said you have an accent.”

Carina catches her eye at the words, left eyebrow rising sharply.

Andrea nods, pressing his body tighter against Maya’s. His hand lifts from Beatrice’s and falls back into his lap. “Because an accent is a mode of pronunciation,” he mumbles, “And you grew up in Italy.”

“Si,” Carina nods, “I did.” She strokes her hand gently down Beatrice’s back again, kissing the side of her temple before she speaks. “I do have an Italian accent. Just as you all have American accents.”

Beatrice pushes away from her then, staring up at Carina with confusion. “That doesn’t hurt your feelings?” she asks.

Carina chuckles, reaching up to smooth the wisps of blonde hair back from Beatrice’s cheeks. She shakes her head.

Beatrice frowns, looking over at Andrea. She purses her lips, clearly thinking.

He seems to know what she’s going to say before she can string the words together. “It doesn’t mean someone talks funny.”

“Is that why you thought he was being mean?” Carina whispers. Her fingers wander as she asks, finding Andrea’s cheek and curling around it.

“I’m sorry,” Beatrice murmurs. Her eyes, still glassy, dart from Carina’s face to Andrea’s, something tugging at the corners of her mouth. “You’re not mean, ‘Drea.”

He nods. “Com’era la scuola, Bea?” (How was school, Bea?)

She sighs at the question, leaning all of her weight into Carina’s arms. “Mi è mancata la mamma e mommy.” (I missed Mama and Mommy.)

It’s a phrase she’s been uttering a lot the last month, adjusting to the new routine of being away at school all day long. The hospital daycare is no longer a part of her schedule but she’s not yet old enough to find Andrea at recess on the playground. Their little girl, for the first time in her life, is separated from them all for much of her day. And rightfully so, she’s struggling.

Maya exhales slowly, letting her eyes drift up to Carina’s in understanding. Carina, who is the stable place their children land when emotions are troubling. Carina, who sees their horrible and somehow still recognizes the reasons behind it. Carina, who does all the things for their family that Maya is still learning to do for herself.

Carina’s face breaks into a grin and then she tips, taking Beatrice with her as she dogpiles their kids into a hug that lands them forcefully in Maya’s lap, squeezed together with loud, smacking kisses. She travels as she pecks at them: one on Beatrice’s head, another on Andrea’s cheek, the third on Maya’s lips.

Maya smiles as they finally connect, reeling her wife back in for just one more.

“Thank you,” she whispers above their children’s heads, their giggles punctuating the sentiment. “We’d be so lost without you.”

[chocosweete]

⭐️ Special Edition Print! ⭐️ I’m excited to announce I’ve partnered with the @thelandmarkproject to release a limited month-long print run of my Smith Rock illustration. 💯 percent of the proceeds go to the National Parks Conservation Association which strives to protect and preserve our nations most iconic and inspirational places for present and future generations. They celebrate the parks, and work tirelessly to defend them, whether on the ground, in the courtroom or on Capitol Hill. @thelandmarkproject also did an interview with me which is live on their website! (Link in bio!) 🌲 🍄 thanks for your support and for loving your parks! @smithrockstatepark @npca_advocate @thelandmarkproject #illustration #nationalparks #smithrock #climbing https://www.instagram.com/p/CR7C8d6LrS9/?utm_medium=tumblr

[appleciders]

Rachel + Leah + Water, the Director’s Cut!

Okay, so I made this gifset exploring Rachel and Leah and the ocean, but because there’s a ten gif limit and a major point of gifsets is for them to look nice, I had to sacrifice a lot of the behind the scenes thoughts and initial versions that came along the way. I still wanted to talk about them though, because I found a lot of them really cool, so I figured I’d stick all that in this post. It’s gonna get long, so you can find the rest under the cut!

So first up, we have Leah as we first see her in the water. (I’m using shitty screenshots because tumblr has a 2mb limit for gifs on text posts and I don’t feel like compressing these down lmao.) Here, she’s face-down, unconscious, floating on a fragment of the plane. This is the first time we see any of the girls in the water.

As Leah gives her dramatic speech talks to the detectives, we see flashbacks to the girl’s lives pre-island. There we see that one of them already has a very strong relationship with the water already, in her before-life: Rachel.

Rachel, as we know, is a diver. We see her take a magnificent tumble into the pool, but when she surfaces, her coach is sternly head-shaking. She corrects Rachel’s form, and after she walks away, Rachel echoes the correction, clearly frustrated with herself. 

Back to Leah. We next see Leah waking up on her lil chunk of flotsam. When she realizes what the hell’s going on, she does what we all would do and starts screaming in terror.

Her panic gets interrupted by Jeannette’s classic Raise Your Glass ringtone. (This was my alarm for two years in high school, and when I watched this for the first time I did have an out-of-body experience). She swims her way over to the Hello Kitty suitcase and—irrationally—unzips it, but we’ll cut her some slack because she’s in some serious shock. As she tries to get the phone, it slips through her fingers and starts spiraling down to the bottom of the ocean. She dives after it.

Unfortunately, she quickly runs out of air and has to give up. She then spots Jeannette floating nearby, checks her out, judges her to be “just a little roughed up,” and then sees land and has a big oh-thank-fuck moment. Because we saw Gretchen’s team placing all of the girls, we know that Linh and Leah were the only two that were put out in the open water. The other girls were put in the beach, or, in Martha’s case, near the shore. This was probably done to quell some of Leah’s suspicions about the crash, but it does give me a couple questions about how they got the other girls wet—did they hose them all down? Pour a couple buckets over their heads? Bob each of them up and down a couple times in a big net like fries in a fryer?? 

Anyway, not important. 

Next that we see, Leah has pulled Jeannette/Linh in from the water. (My Australian parents, who can never pass up an opportunity to give ocean safety tips, chimed in at this point in our first watch to say “See how she’s doing it! You always want to hold someone from behind and pull them in that way. Good job, well done.” So there’s some approval for you, Leah.) As Leah nears the shore, Dot and Toni come tearing in and they help pull the two of them out. 

The rest of the episode after that really only concerns fresh water—Toni and Shelby set out in search of it, to no avail, and Nora helpfully plugs Diet Coke reminds us multiple times that sugar’s heavier than water, so “sugar sinks.” We do set up a goal for the next couple episodes, though: Rachel says, “I'm gonna swim out to the plane tomorrow. See if I can find anything,” and Leah volunteers to come with. Rachel gives her a nod of respect.

Moving on to episode two, we have Rachel and Leah’s (iconic) first real conversation. Rachel says she’s still going out to the wreckage. Leah looks out and looks back at her, incredulous, and says, “Rachel, the water’s insane.” Here’s a big recurring association—the water and “insanity.” (I use insanity here because that’s the language they use, along with psycho/crazy. In no way does that reflect my actual beliefs about their behavior nor am I condoning the way they use those words.) Leah points out the rip current (“well done,” said my mum), and explains her very brief stint as a norcal surfer. Rachel still looks set on going, but then Leah says:

Turns out, Leah can be as ripe with foreshadowing as Fatin. This marks the appearance of their second main association with the ocean—death. After she says this, Leah turns Rachel’s attention inland, and the two agree to climb a big hill to scope out their situation.

Episode two is also obviously Rachel’s episode, so we see a lot of her relationship with diving. 

We see her plunge over and over and over again, drilling technique and form, but despite all her hard work, we learn her coach advised her to quit the team. Instead, Rachel throws herself in twice as hard, and ends up with an eating disorder. By the time the nationals come around, she’s too physically weak to dive safely, and she ends up hitting her head as she goes down. She surfaces in the pool with blood flowing around her.

She refuses to see that as the end of her diving career. She says she’s gonna “get back out there” and “be fucking great again” and she tells Nora at the end of the episode that she needs her to let her believe that.

In episode three, we finally see Leah and Rachel’s trip out to the plane! Nora comes along with them, her relationship with Rachel smoothed over after the events of ep two. “Nora’s a good swimmer,” Rachel explains as she invites her, “We were both water babies.” Water’s clearly been central to Nora and Rachel’s identities since they were really young. 

The three of them make their escape from the rest of the girls as the topic of building a shelter comes up. “Not interested in putting down roots!” Rachel calls. In keeping with the elements theme, Rachel isn’t looking to be grounded. She climbs super high into the air and she dives deep into the water, but earth isn’t her thing. (See: the quicksand scene. Whoops.)

Anyway, the three of them paddle out into the water. Rachel dives down, scopes out the plane, tells Nora she doesn’t expect her to “fucking free dive in open water,” and then looks to Leah and asks if she’s ready. Leah reluctantly agrees. 

We get our first shot Rachel swimming down into the ocean and our second shot of Leah (first the phone, second the plane). In the wreckage of the plane, they discover the black box, affixed to the wall. They keep trying to wrench it free, but it’s stuck, and Leah—who’s primary activity is, like, reading—keeps having to surface for air. Rachel gets frustrated and grabs her leg, holding her down. 

Leah screams and fights, but Rachel doesn’t let go. We cut away, and when we see them again, they’ve emerged victorious (Rachel) and drowned as dogs after a bath (Leah and Nora) with the black box in hand. Later, Leah mutters the above line to Fatin, calling Rachel a “psychopath.” For those keeping score at home, here’s where we refer back to the association between water and “insanity.”

In episode four, the ocean benevolently bestows a bag of takis upon Nora, and we have our whole shelter-building shebang. It’s all very land-based until Leah and Fatin go head to head, which ends with Fatin smearing her blood all over Leah’s face. Leah, with her usual flair, strips off her clothes as she walks into the ocean. She stays down there, passively letting the water wash the blood from her face.

This shot parallels a couple things. First, the drifting blood visually parallels Rachel in the pool after her diving injury. Second, we have Rachel staring out at the water where Leah’s disappeared and going, “Man, that is some real Virginia Woolf-type shit.” Dot has no fucking clue what she means, so Fatin interprets: “It means that bitch is crazy. She said you were the psychopath of the group.” Now it’s Leah who’s done something in the water that’s been deemed insane. The water and “insanity;” the water and accusations of insanity within their relationship. 

Those accusations pop up in episode five, but the episode is pretty focused on the inland search for Fatin, and revolves around fresh water, not salt water. (That could be a whole nother post lol.) It’s in episode six where we again see these two return to the ocean. 

Rachel is diving in the ocean! For fun! She’s picking up pretty shells (which granted isn’t the safest thing to do in the pacific, cone snails are not our friends), and she’s grinning, and she’s generally enjoying herself. With the, uh, finale situation, we’re probably not gonna get to see her smile for a bit, which is sad, because she should get to do this more often! This shot visually echoes her diving for the plane and Leah diving for the phone, except she can be in a better mood because there is no end goal. 

So she goes diving, ends up finding a bunch of mussels, gathers ‘em up, and brings ‘em back to camp. They all chow down, but wind up with serious food poisoning. Martha and Toni ring death’s doorbell a couple of times. Rachel blames herself—she’s the one that went swimming out there, she brought the mussels back. Again, we see that connection between the ocean and death.

And that association comes back bright an early in ep seven! The tide surges higher than they’ve ever seen, taking down their shelter and leaving them all scrambling. 

While Leah convinces Fatin that her life is more important than her suitcase, Rachel is left with a decision: help Nora, screaming to her from where she’s clinging to a rock for dear life, or grab the black box. In a move that contrasts Toni’s immediate and unquestioning aid of Martha, Rachel picks the black box. 

After, when they’re debriefing, Nora’s quick to bring it up. She doesn’t hide her hurt. “It happened so fast,” she says, “we all acted irrationally. Like Fatin, who jumped into a rip current to save her toothbrush. Or Rachel, who left me for fucking dead.” I think this counts as a double whammy for the “insanity” and death count—I think “acted irrationally” is as close as Nora gets to calling anyone crazy, and is honestly a better descriptor of all the other instances of “insanity” that we’ve seen, and the ocean was the source of the very real risk to Nora’s life. 

(Honestly, I think Rachel thought she was making a rational choice here—just with some grim fucking calculus. Still, given that nobody’d responded to the black box by then, I think it was a decision fueled by the need to keep hold of hope more than actual rationality.) In a fun contrast to the rest of the episode, it’s Leah that keeps a level head in this situation. 

The rest of the episode is low on water scenes, though Leah’s paranoia about Shelby is fueled by her sneaking off to the water, which could fall under the “insanity” category. It also marks where Nora begins to take an active role in breaking apart Rachel’s fantasy about diving again. 

Ep eight has one of the best montages in a series of great montages, with the playing in the water scene! A plane has seen them, they’re gonna be saved, and they all get to get high and act like kids. 

I have this lingering and probably irrational concern that the entire water play scene is choreographed and that it’s chock-full of foreshadowing. Like I know to some extent they likely were just like “yeah guys go goof off in the water,” but like...the wave pulling Rachel and Nora apart here...I mean.... (Rachel is probably gonna get more blood on Dot in the near future, too. ) That aside, their horseplay gets interrupted when Leah notices some blood on Dot, which Rachel realizes is her own period blood.  

Fatin then chimes in with her ever-gleeful foreshadowing: “Shark week for Rachel.” So while this whole encounter with the water actually seems mostly good for a change, it’s colored by the tie-in to what we know is coming.

In ep nine, reality has set in that rescue isn’t imminent. Everyone’s starving, Leah has started to spiral, and Rachel’s unusually skittish. By the tide’s edge, Nora asks for her help fishing, but Rachel refuses, saying that she’s weak. Nora flicks water at her, and Rachel flinches, clearly scared.

Starvation seems to have triggered Rachel’s trauma around the water leftover from her diving accident. In response, Nora reaches out a hand and says, “Let’s go for a walk.”

Meanwhile, Leah’s spiral has reached critical. She starts ranting about the ocean and the water and pushes past Dot, sprinting into the waves:

And so she’s taken to heart the way they think Jeannette’s body “escaped” the island—the tide—and it’s been spun like cotton candy in her head. She’s right, technically—Jeanette/Linh’s body was moved off the island by boat, and there’s definitely an argument that if they really did all swim out Gretchen’s team would save them, or at least try to. This is also a very real suicide attempt. So it’s kind of a culmination of the threats of death and mental health issues that’ve been wrapped up in the ocean since the start.

On Rachel’s end, Nora has taken her up to a cliff. Rachel calls the whole thing “borderline insane,” walking up when they’re so low on energy, but Nora tells her she needs to make a truce between herself and the water. 

“You’re afraid of it now,” she says, and Rachel replies that, “All it ever did was make me sick.” Nora immediately surges forward to say “That’s not true!” Rachel, incredulous, says, “Isn't this what you want? For me to hang it up? For me to forget the whole fucking diving game?” Nora says, “No. I don't know. I don't want you to forget you.” She then tells Rachel she should dive off the end of the cliff, that she marked it to make sure it’s safe. Rachel says she can’t.

There’s a lot here. First, there’s the first time we’ve seen of Rachel explicitly call herself sick. In episode two, even in a treatment center, she still denies it, says she’s just an athlete who knows what it takes. But now she’s reached a place where she acknowledges her eating disorder—and also probably her recent illness with the mussels—and ties it directly to the water. It’s the reason she’s sick.

Nora’s fear that Rachel will forget herself also just hammers home how central the water has always been to Rachel’s identity. Cutting herself off from the water would be cutting off a core part of herself. (...whoops) And we’ve seen that it does bring her actual joy, when she’s allowed to relax with it, but she’s had such traumatic associations rolled up into it now. Nora doesn’t want Rachel to do diving as a sport anymore, because of how badly it’s hurt her, but she does want Rachel to keep diving and swimming as like, a form of unevaluated personal expression.

At the moment that Rachel’s refusing to jump, she and Nora hear shouts from the mainland. They see Fatin and Dot screaming after Leah. Confused, Nora asks, “Where is she going?” but Rachel understands immediately, with absolute certainty, without needing to be told—“To fucking drown to death.” Seven episodes after Leah called heading into the water a death wish, she’s finally proving it true. Rachel squares her shoulders, takes a few deep breaths, and sprints into a dive. 

Unlike all her other dives high altitude dives we’ve seen her do, this dive isn’t qualified based on aesthetics. This dive matters because of what it will do, not on how it looks. And what it does do is bring her into the ocean, where she needs to be for her friend. So with strong strokes, she swims out towards Leah.

When she reaches her, she takes hold of her, pulls her into her chest from behind. She begins to swim with her back to shore. This rescue directly parallels Leah’s rescue of Linh that we talked about above. It also, as the Out in the Wilds podcast insightfully pointed out, really calls Rachel and Leah’s relationship back to the beginning. Whereas Rachel had initially held Leah down in the water, putting her in danger of drowning, Rachel here pulls her out of the water, saving her from drowning. Together, they make it all the way back to the shore.

Finally (and, like, if you’ve made it all the way down here? bless you. thank you), we have episode ten. The ocean doesn’t really figure into episode ten until the very end. Rachel has had a long episode of healing—she’s happy to be full and she’s in a good place with her sister and things seem to be going pretty okay. She decides to heal her relationship with the water, too. She heads out, telling Nora that she’s “Just gonna float, Nor. Just float.”

Just floating. After all the times we saw her plunging into the water, purposefully, with frustration, with drive, with so much to prove and with so much sacrifice and self-abuse to prove it with, Rachel finally just wants to float. She wants to let herself relax. She wants to let the water carry her.

Of course, that means there has to be, like, a massive marine carnivore waiting to mistake her for a seal.

Visually, this shot really parallels the opening shot of Leah on the fragment of plane. Instead of being face-down, though, she’s face-up, and she’s conscious, just not of the threat from below. 

The shark bites.

In a horrible parallel to Leah’s Virginia Woolf moment and Rachel’s diving accident, we see blood pool in the water. Rachel is pulled under. The girls on the land start screaming and running toward her. We know Rachel doesn’t die, but this is still a near-death experience, one that probably cost her her arm. Leah, covered in dirt and her own blood after crawling out of the pit Nora led her into, can only stand and watch, shocked and horrified.

So that got! Way longer than I meant it to! And honestly most of this was condensed into very concise tags in a post I made a few days ago! But if you made it all the way down here, you’ve now seen everything I wanted to fit into that gifset but couldn’t. Thanks for sticking with me, friend <3

[blackpinups]

Bessie Stringfield House

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2400 NW 152nd Terrace

Miami Gardens, Florida

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In 1930 Bessie Stringfield became the first African American woman to ride her motorcycle across the United States solo. Her feat was credited with breaking down barriers for both women and Black motorcyclists.

At 19, she began tossing a penny over a map and riding to wherever it landed. Bessie covered the 48 lower states. Using her natural skills and can-do attitude, she did hill climbing and trick riding. But it was her faith that got her through many nights. “If you had black skin you couldn’t get a place to stay,” she said. “I knew the Lord would take care of me and He did. If I found black folks, I’d stay with them. If not, I’d sleep at filling stations on my motorcycle.” She laid her jacket on the handlebars as a pillow and rested her feet on the rear fender.

During World War II, Bessie worked for the army as a civilian motorcycle dispatch rider. The only woman in her unit, she completed rigorous training maneuvers. She learned how to weave a makeshift bridge from rope and tree limbs to cross swamps, though she never had to do so in the line of duty. With a military crest on the front of her own blue Harley, a “61,” she carried documents between domestic bases.

She settled in Miami in the 1950s, where local police told her Black women were not allowed to ride. Her persistence led to her founding the Iron Horse Motorcycle Club in Opa-locka and being inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Her legacy has been upheld by the hundreds of women who set out annually to ride through the country over the course of several days. A previous trip led them through 48 states in just eight days. Members of Miami Gardens’ City Council confirmed that the street sign on the corner of 152nd Terrace and 24th Avenue will be renamed after Stringfield. 

Sources: National Motorcycle Museum, New York Times, Blackpast, and The Miami Times

1. Colorized image of Stringfield. Courtesy of Ann Ferrar.

2. The last residence of Stringfield in Miami Gardens. Courtesy of Google Maps

3. Unveiling the sign in front of the house in August 2021. Courtesy of The Miami Times.