#clear creek state park

[jaceeverett]

WHO: Jace & @lucie-newman

WHERE: Merrock State Park

WHEN: Wildlife Day (September 4)

Thankfully, the season hadn't quite faded away. Although fall was right around the corner, summer was still in bloom. There were flowers in the fields, greenery on the forest floor, animals at the creek, in the trees, on the paths. And Wildlife Day was turning out to be a success, quite a few people showing up for the hike that would take them around one of the easier, more scenic trails in the park. "Up ahead is a clearing, we'll stop for a break there, normally there's a lot of butterflies in the field," he explained to the group, leading them towards the sun peeking through the trees. Falling back a bit to fall into step with Lucie, he pocketed his hands, looking over at her. "It's good to see you out here."

[ahollowgrave]

I saw a really neat garden post earlier and it reminded me of Odette's lovely garden that she loves to read in-

What does she like to grow in her garden? Any special flowers or herbs she uses on a regular basis? Any pretty favorites? I also must know if she sings to her flowers as she waters!

I cannot overstate how delighted I am, to know you saw a neat garden post and thought of my little nun and her garden! In short: It’s a park, with ecosystems separated by natural features. It is the careful introduction of patterns into the natural chaos of the living world. A lot of effort goes into maintaining it but Odette is her most happy surrounded by the quiet life that flourishes there.

If it grows Odette has tried to coax it to grow in her garden, for better or for worse, to varying degrees of success. Some things simply won’t grow despite the volcanic soil of Vylbrand. Other things grow with a little too much enthusiasm. Mint, for instance, is now restricted to little pots and monitored closely lest it take over the whole garden

But first, I must tell you that Odette’s house and the land it sits on were both ‘left’ to her by her many-times-over great aunt Odile; who sheds identities like a snake does skin. It is nestled in a little valley on the coast of Vylbrand and the sound of the ocean reaches far into the manor itself. Most of the acreage is left wild; creeks threaded over the landscapes, feeding into meadows and hidden clearings with forgotten picnic trappings.

Truly one can only tell where the Garden begins because of the wall: low and old but maintained by loving hands with big iron gates that do little to stop critters from entering as they wish. It won’t stop you either, gentle reader, as they swing open on silent hinges upon your approach.

The main garden is artfully arranged.

Narrow but clear paths skirt blossoming wildflowers, follow alongside creeks, and wander between old wisteria vines and ancient willows; branches sweep the ground like the full skirt of a Lady. Stately oaks support swings and shade thoughtfully placed benches while evergreens stand tall and proud. Flowering bushes are scattered throughout the garden; filling holes or providing order as needed.

Water is an important part of Odette’s worship of Menphina and it is reflected in this space.

Tucked amongst the living things are water features. The creek ends in shallow pools, lilies stretching from the bottom to float on the surface. Fountains of pale stone encircled with daises. An open-aired bath with intricate scenes of frolicking and canoodling figures carved into its supports. A deep, deep well that echoes back your greetings.

A large, sturdy hedge wall separates this curated chaos from something much tidier. Here Odette grows herbs in neat rows or appropriately sized pots. She doesn’t cook, as she doesn’t eat, and these herbs are used in potions, for quieting the restless dead, or simply because Odette enjoys them.

This smaller space is also where Odette nurtures special flowering plants she creates to remind her of her dearest friends. Some are rooted properly into the earth but most are potted and carefully arranged around a stone bench where she might sit, wrapped in velvet petals and soft green stems, and feel embraced by friends she dare not touch.

Of all the things that grow in her garden, these unique flowers are her most favorite.

As said, it’s a big garden and it takes a lot of work and thankfully Odette does not work it alone. None of the souls that help her are trapped. Rather, they are often souls who enjoyed gardening in life; or need the transition period from a violent life to a peaceful garden to whatever judgement awaits them. She doesn’t judge, if they wish to linger and work then they linger and work. Never for very long, but they are beloved and she is always grateful for their aid.

Our darling love nun can oft be found sporting overalls and a sun hat (she burns so easily!) humming as she prunes and weeds and waters and admires. Odette constantly hums as she works, but this is true outside the garden as well! See her kneeling beside a disturbed grave, humming hymns of love in abundance as she lovingly wraps bones to lay them to rest. The garden is no different and the plants have heard that very same hymn several times.

And always, the House looms over it all.

Thank you so much for the ask, Ris! Sorry (not really) that is is nearly two pages of me not really answering any of the questions asked (':

TLDR: A little bit of everything! Yes, ones that remind her of her friends often custom-bred or cross-pollinated for unique colors. Yes, but usually only because she enjoys the scent (mint and rosemary) or they’re used in her work. It is impossible for her to pick favorites but the little apple tree she is watching grow that represents her friend Yein is up there. And yes, of course! Odette hums all the time and working in the garden is no exception.

[wildflcwrss]

[LUCY ‘LU’ ABBOTT. 29. FEMALE. SHE/HER] is here! They’ve lived in Asbury Park for [20 YEARS] and are originally from [ENGLAND]. They are a [CONCIERGE AT ROSE HOTEL & CLERK AT GROOVY GRAVEYARD ] and in their downtime love [SINGING KARAOKE AFTER ONE TOO MANY DRINKS] and [THRIFTING HIDDEN TREASURES]. They look a lot like [LUCY BOYNTON] and live in [SUNCREST]. The song that makes people think of them the most is [FOR ALL YOU GIVE BY THE PAPER KITES]. (ooc: a, 30, she/her, central)

THE BASICS:

FULL NAME: lucy rose abbott

NICKNAMES: lu, she probably won't respond to other nicknames, but you can try

GENDER & PRONOUNS: cis woman & she/her

AGE & BIRTHDAY: 30 & sept 22

BIRTHPLACE: england, london

+ TRAITS: clever, loyal, charming, intelligent

- TRAITS: cynical, closed off, emotionally guarded, blunt

RESIDENCE: a shared house in suncrest

OCCUPATION: works part time as a concierge at rose hotel & part time as a clerk at groovy graveyards, full time hater of customers.

LINKS: pinterest / playlist / tasks - coming soon

BACKGROUND & DETAILS:

lucy's mother helen knew from the moment she was six years old that she was different than the rest of her straight laced family. it wasn't that helen wanted to get into trouble, it was more that the things that she wanted to do were by her families definition trouble. helen knew from their looks of disapproval, their head shakes, and heavy sighs that her choices were never going to make sense to her parents. so she did everything in her power to push their boundaries. constantly at conflict and tension helen did everything like come home with tattoos, have her hair dyed an outrageous color, and it wouldn't be long before a fight broke out. so of course it wasn't a surprise to anyone when a very headstrong helen decided to pack a suitcase and bought a plane ticket to london with no intention of looking back. she didn't have a plan but if helen was one thing it was determined and quick on her feet. the only thing she knew was that she was going to follow her favorite rockstar around their tour until he noticed her. it was about six shows in when she finally caught his eye. she was escorted backstage that night and after a jack and coke the nineteen year was hooked. it didn't take long for things to go a little further and the rush she felt from being around famous people and feeling important. a summer and some change was all it took for helen's fun-going not-having-a-plan to take a screeching halt. what she hoped was just the common flu was very clearly exposed to be something much more serious when she saw a pink plus sign looking back at her. lucy was born the following september, her mother swearing she was the most beautiful thing she ever saw. the next ten years of lucy's life were a little chaotic to say the least, make shift diapers, dinners out of boxes, and lost of records playinng. helen not much of a fan of structure did what she felt was the best way of raising her daughter. raising her with a love for records and music, always encouraging her to be exactly who lucy wanted to be, never a raised voice or a time out given. however, by the time lucy was nine it was clear helen was in over her head. deciding to return home with her daughter in tow, helen decided to uproot lucy and bring her to the states. tldr; current day lucy still feels the need to take care of her ever flighty mother. a deep love of classic rock, tiny tattoos, and even been known to dye her hair pink she definitely takes after helen in some ways. however, the have a bit of tension since lucy felt very responsible when her moth was very clearly not. she's very rory coded if rory knew how to have fun. very much like stevie from schitts creek. her love language is teasing and sarcasm. has some attatchment issues since her dad pops in and out of her life and always forgets her bday. has a stray she found that she named stevie.

POTENTIAL CONNECTIONS:

coworkers at either rose hotel or groovy graveyard

roommates, very izze, meredith, george vibes

exes, good terms or bad

a couple of close girlfriends, she is def the snarky one but please give her those girl group vibes

[alex51324]

Spring Cabin Trip Report!

This time I stayed at Clear Creek State Park. It's right near Cook Forest--basically attached to it, except the parts that are attached don't have roads in them, so to get from one to the other you have to go the long way around, unless you happen to be in a boat. Anyway, it's in the northwestern portion of the state; same general area as where I was for the eclipse, just not quite as far.

Here we are on the approach to the cabin:

This park has several cabins arranged along the bank of the Clarion river, and thenuphill from those there's another row of four, which are the ones that allow dogs.

Here's the front view:

I picked this cabin in part because of its very convenient situation--you have the water point right there, and then the little building in the background, if you look between the cabin and my minivan, is the latrines. It also has a lot of stonework, inside and out, and the other best feature is the outdoor fireplace:

This ended up not being as important as I would have thought, because I had the best weather I've ever had on a spring trip. The only time it rained was after midnight going into Saturday morning. So I could have used the regular fire ring every night--but it worked out; it was pretty chilly the first two nights, and it was warmer than it would have been in the open, on the porch with that wooden settle drawn up to the fire. And then on the third night I made chicken and dumplings (thanks @griseldagimpel for the suggestion!) which required me to build up a big fire and let it burn all the way down to coals, so it was handy to be able to use the fire ring for cooking and the fireplace for sitting at.

Going inside, there's two rooms, a main room and a bedroom. First thing when you go in is the table:

And that's the bedroom you can see there on the right. Keep turning to the right, and here's the kitchen area:

These are the "rustic" cabins, which have electricity and kitchen appliances, but you have to tote water from outside. Continue rotating to the right...

This cabin is particularly well-provided with storage, with the dresser next to the stove and then the hutch beyond that. Rotate a bit further, and here's the fireplace:

This park has converted the old fireplaces to gas, rather than the woodstoves that they more often have, which is less picturesque, but a great deal more practical on cold nights. I also like the little stone ledge they have sticking out on the side there. I used it for my dishes & cutlery & tea things hamper:

And over on the other side I put my dishwashing station:

And here's a bit of environmental storytelling for you:

Really makes you wonder what people were doing with the beds! This cabin has one bedroom, containing two double beds and one set of bunks--not an arrangement I've ever seen before, in a state park cabin!

The bunk beds are there on the right; we'll turn a little that way...

I'm not really sure how else you could arrange the beds, if you were to decide to defy the three separate signs telling you not to, unless maybe people were moving one of them into the other room.

Now we'll head back out:

Oh look, there's a sleepy Sophie!

I will do another post tomorrow about Activities, but before we go, let's take a quick look at the river:

This was a short hike that we did on the first day, after we arrived and flung all of our stuff out of the car. You walk upriver for a bit, and there's this interesting little...I would call it a sandbar if there was any sand involved? A narrow strip of land about a yard/meter or so from the bank:

That's the upstream end of it, which comes to a point, and then the downstream end widens out like this:

I walked up and down there for a while, trying to figure out how something like that would form, and why it would stay there. Did not come to any conclusions.

Then on the other side of the trail there's the hill/mountain, which is a whole lot of this:

If I remember correctly, this particular section is one that Sophie found nasally fascinating; I don't really know why, but my best guess is deer. That night we took a nighttime walk down to the playfield next to the shower house to look at stars--here's what that looks like in the daytime:

And startled a very large group of deer who were grazing between the playground and the river. I first saw their eyes reflected in the flashlight, and thought there were maybe four or five, but then they decided they ought to run away--uphill and upstream, and away from the cabins and campground. They went more-or-less single file, passing through the beam of my flashlight, for what seemed like a very long time. I lost count of how many there were, and the sound of all of them bounding away through the leaves was like a much bigger and more active river than the one that was actually there.

Anyway, there aren't any pictures of that because it was dark, but this is approximately where it happened. I think that's why I took this picture, anyway.

[charlesandmartine]

Tuesday 5th November 2024

The Stuart Highway is the major route from north to south, from Darwin in the Northern Territories right down to Port Augusta in Southern Australia. To compare it to the M25 would be far from accurate. For such an important road, 2720kms of it, there's little traffic on it by UK standards. By far the heaviest use comes from the mighty road trains that thunder back and forth top to bottom of this vast country. These things take no prisoners; they will not stop for animals on the highway or pretty much anything else come to think of it. They can be over 50 meters long with 3 or 4 sections, sometimes 60m. Big vehicles. And so it was as we ventured back up the Stuart Highway again this morning we ploughed up an empty road passing the occasional road train. We were off to Edith Falls, a mere 150km round trip. Edith Falls, now known as Leliyn, was originally named after the daughter of a Police Commissioner in the 1900s. And I don't believe Edith Falls in the water, off the bridge or over the cliff. We were equally careful not to emulate this either as we set off from the car park on a 'loop walk' of 2.7kms. Not far, I hear you protest, but as we embarked, it was 38 degrees, and the walk is described as medium to difficult; rocks to climb on an uphill trajectory. Plenty in the rucksack to drink and big hats, we set off. The expedition worthy of a Duke of Edinburgh award winds clockwise around three pools: a lower pool, a middle pool, and an upper pool. This is a major attraction yet we met virtually no-one on route. Beautiful pools hidden from view and fed by waterfalls from above which despite technically still in the dry season, the Falls were running still. At a couple of vantage points, our efforts were rewarded by fantastic views that went on and on. This was indeed a gorgeous location; so peaceful and tranquil. The lowest pool was for bathers, but there were none there, and the clear waters showcased an entire spectrum of pond life. Miraculously, not only did the Nitmiluk National Park provide a cafe where it was needed, but it was actually open! As we supped a coffee, tranquility was entirely shattered by 2 coach loads of German tourists as they disgorged and noisily elbowed their way down to the plunge pool brandishing their national emblem aloft, the beach towel.

A really good day out, and we'll worth the distance travelled. We envied the couple running the cafe. They were standing in for the usual team, and had travelled up from Bunbury in WA to live and work there for a couple of weeks. We could do that!

Back to Katherine and the bottle shop. Usual scrutiny of ID to make sure we weren't on the naughty boys list and away we came with the SB for the customary sunset ceremony. This ban of sale of alcohol to those on the list is state wide across the Northern Territories.

ps. Despite the heat, vindaloo with left over rubbery chicken. Jacobs Creek SB. Tim Tams later on as we watched George Gently.

Predictable or what?

pps. Tomorrow no intention to view anymore pools or waterfalls.

[ausetkmt]

Hurricane Michael unearths hidden history at ‘Negro Fort’ where 270 escaped slaves died – ASALH – The Founders of Black History Month

https://asalh.org/hurricane-michael-unearths-hidden-history-at-negro-fort-where-270-escaped-slaves-died/

PROSPECT BLUFF — Two hundred years ago, a post overlooking the Apalachicola River housed what historians say was the largest community of freed slaves in North America at the time.

Hurricane Michael has given archaeologists an unprecedented opportunity to study its story, a significant tale of black resistance that ended in bloodshed.

The site, also known as Fort Gadsden, is about 70 miles southwest of Tallahassee in the Apalachicola National Forest near the hamlet of Sumatra.

British lived at Prospect Bluff with allied escaped slaves, called Maroons, who joined the British military in exchange for freedom, along with Seminole, Creek, Miccosukee and Choctaw tribe members.

The Negro Fort, which was built on the site by the British during the War of 1812, became a haven for escaped slaves. Inside, 300 barrels of gunpowder were stored, and defended by both women and men.

More:The Negro Fort: a haven for escaped slaves that fell to deadliest cannon shot in U.S. history

Wary of the group of armed former slaves in Spanish Florida living so close to the United States border, U.S. soldiers began to attack. On July 27, 1816, U.S. forces led by Colonel Duncan Clinch ventured down the river and fired a single shot at the fort’s magazine. It exploded, killing 270 escaped slaves and tribes people who were inside. Those who survived were forced back into slavery.

Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, which purchased it in the 1940s, the site has been preserved as a National Historic Landmark and park. Because of that, it was never excavated for artifacts, except in 1963 by Florida State University, mainly to identify structural remains.

“It’s a really intriguing story. There’s so much new ground there that historians of the past never really got into,” said Dale Cox, a Jackson County-based historian.

In an ironic way, Hurricane Michael has changed that — an isolated upsideof the devastating storm.

The October Category 5 hurricane caused extensive damage to the site, toppling about 100 trees. Most of the debris has been cleared, but under the remaining massive roots, archaeologists began this month to dig and sift through the soil, uncovering small artifacts and documenting archaeological features revealed by the upturned trees.

The effort is funded by a $15,000 grant awarded from the National Park Service and is in partnership with the Southeast Archaeological Center.

"The easy, low-hanging fruit is European trade ware that dates to that time period. But when you have ceramics that were made by the locals, it's even more unique and special," said U.S. Forest Service Archaeologist Rhonda Kimbrough. "For one thing, there's not much of it, and we don't have a whole lot of historical records other than the European view from what life in these Maroon communities was like."

So far, Kimbrough and others have found bits of Seminole ceramics, shards of British black glass and gun flint and pipe smoking fragments. They’ve also located the area of a field oven, a large circular ditch that surrounds a fire pit.

The fort was recently inducted into the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

"It’s like connecting the sites, pearls on a string," said Kimbrough, "because these sites, even though they’re spread all over the place, they’re connected by one thing, which is resistance to slavery."

It's been a slow process of sifting through Census records, which are private for 72 years before release, international archives of Great Britain as well as Spanish archives in Cuba. But Cox is on a quest to name as many as possible.

The people who lived in the Maroon community were very skilled, he said. Many were masons, woodworkers, farmers. They tended the surrounding melon and squash fields, but little is known precisely about their day-to-day lives.

The area has always been ideal for settling, given its higher elevation and clearings amid the river's mostly swampy perimeter, said Andrea Repp, a U.S. Forest Service archaeologist. Prior to European occupation, the site was sacred to natives and was named Achackweithle, which resembles the words for "standing view" in Creek, according to the Florida Geological Survey.

Shack, 76, is a descendant of Maroons. His great great grandfather escaped a North Carolina plantation, married a part-Native American woman and settled in Marianna. He remembers his grandmother's stories about the Prospect Bluff community. 

"I remember her telling us about the 'Colored Fort' and all the colored folk who died," he said. "A lot of black history wasn't taught. A lot of our history is lost, and some of it we won't get back. I'm glad that there's a renewed interest in capturing the history that I thought was lost."

[spin4trout]

West Branch of the White River

Thursday I headed north for a late season camping trip at Hartman Creek State Park. On my way, I stopped to fish one of the sections of the West Branch that I hit once a year.

Nothing beats a nice Fall (well, almost Fall) day out in a stream. The water was reliably clear and I could see where the trout were holding. I waded about a mile and caught five rainbows and seven browns. That’s the most rainbows I’ve caught there in a while.

I went to Milty-Wilty for lunch, and then finished the drive up to the park to set up camp.

[mountrainiernps]

Kautz Creek is a pretty quiet spot. Three miles after you drive in the Nisqually entrance, on your way to Longmire, you cross a little bridge over part of Kautz Creek. Then there is parking lot on the south side of the road with some picnic tables, garbage cans, and pit toilets. Many folks drive right by without noticing it.

Except on clear weather days. Then a lot of people notice the parking lot at Kautz Creek and pull in to park their motor vehicle. Why the difference? Kautz Creek is first place inside the park that you can get a view of the mountain. On a clear day, many folks park and get out of their vehicles for the first time in many miles.

Stretching your legs is pretty ideal here. Right across the road is a sign to a very short walk to the viewpoint. Stroll down the boardwalk through the trees. Read some of the interesting wayside signs along the way. At the end, not even a tenth of a mile, is a viewing area right alongside Kautz Creek where you can look up to the mountain. If it’s nice out, maybe you even want to sit on one of the log benches for a while and take it all in.

The viewing area is not only a great spot to enjoy the view, it’s the safest spot. When was the last time you stopped your vehicle at Kautz Creek and crossed the road to the view point? Have you enjoyed sitting on the benches while listening to the quiet gurgle of the creek? ~ams

For more information about the Longmire area in winter, you can start with this webpage https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/explore-longmire-in-winter.htm . There is a longer Kautz Creek trail that branches off from the viewpoint trail to the right at a trail sign. In the summer, this trail leads up the mountains to the Wonderland trail. It is not marked in the winter and requires strong winter and navigational skills. Winter weather can involve ice and slippery conditions. For more on winter recreation, weather and safety  https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter.htm .

These photos are not current and do not reflection current conditions. NPS/Spillane Photo. Brown and White sign with text stating, “Viewpoint” and an arrow pointing to the left shows the way to the viewpoint trail and the first wayside sign. December, 2022. NPS/Spillane Photo. Packed snow on boardwalk leads past more wayside signs towards viewpoint. Young hiker follows path through young forest. December, 2022. NPS/Spillane Photo. Snowperson at view point. Mount Rainier visible through break in trees. December, 2022. NPS/Spillane Photo. Mount Rainier visible through clouds from Kautz Creek viewpoint. Creek and wayside sign visible. December, 2022.

[foreverlogical]

Disney World’s parent company is suing Governor Ron DeSantis and seven of his officials after the resorts operator exercised what it says is its First Amendment right to publicly disagree with the Florida Republican’s anti-LGBTQ law known as “Don’t Say Gay.”

In its damning 77-page lawsuit 

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts alleges that a “targeted campaign of government retaliation—orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech—now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”

The most recent event that precipitated the filing of the lawsuit, Disney says, is the state’s decision to void contracts related to its Reedy Creek special district. That special district, in place for decades, allows Disney to effectively operate as its own government, while requiring it to provide almost all government services for the area.

“This government action was patently retaliatory, patently anti-business, and patently unconstitutional. But the Governor and his allies have made clear they do not care and will not stop,” Disney says.

READ MORE: ‘Unsalvageable’: Dem Senator Becomes First to Call for Clarence Thomas to Resign Over Corruption Allegations (Video)

The lawsuit provides numerous examples of what some might consider animus on the governor’s part, which in theory might bring a judge to rule against him.

“It is a clear violation of Disney’s federal constitutional rights—under the Contracts Clause, the Takings Clause, the Due Process Clause, and the First Amendment—for the State to inflict a concerted campaign of retaliation because the Company expressed an opinion with which the government disagreed,” the lawsuit reads.

Noting it has “tens of thousands of Florida-based employees,” Disney says its CEO called Gov. DeSantis to express its “concern” over the bill.

Disney has documented some of DeSantis’ public animus against the company, in part thanks to DeSantis’ own memoir (bulleted points are direct quotes from the lawsuit):

• Governor DeSantis recounts thinking that “it was a mistake for Disney to get involved” and telling Disney’s then-CEO, “‘You shouldn’t get involved[;] it’s not going to work out well for you.’”

• On March 10, Governor DeSantis’s campaign sent an email accusing “Woke Disney” of “echoing Democrat propaganda.”

• Governor DeSantis’s memoir attacked Disney’s speech and petitioning activity for expressing the wrong viewpoint. “In promising to work to repeal the bill,” he asserted, “the company was pledging a frontal assault on a duly enacted law of the State of Florida.” As a consequence of its disfavored speech and petitioning, he declared, “[t]hings got worse for Disney.”

• As he recounts it in his memoir, “I needed to be sure that the Legislature would be willing to tackle the potentially thorny issue involving the state’s most powerful company. I asked the House Speaker, Chris Sprowls, if he would be willing to do it, and Chris was interested. ‘OK, here’s the deal,’ I told him. ‘We need to work on this in a very tight circle, and there can be no leaks. We need the element of surprise—nobody can see this coming.’”

READ MORE: ‘Trump Is Gonna Eat Him Alive’: DeSantis’ Overseas Trip Off to Rough Start as He Says ‘I’m Not a Candidate’ in Viral Video

• On April 20, Governor DeSantis sent a fundraising email warning that “Disney and other woke corporations won’t get away with peddling their unchecked pressure campaigns any longer” and that he would “not allow a woke corporation based in California to run our state[.]”

• Governor DeSantis’s memoir describes the attack on Disney with pride: “Nobody saw it coming, and Disney did not have enough time to put its army of high-powered lobbyists to work to try to derail the bill. That the Legislature agreed to take it up would have been unthinkable just a few months before. Disney had clearly crossed a line in its support of indoctrinating very young schoolchildren in woke gender identity politics.”

• Christina Pushaw, then Governor DeSantis’s press secretary, warned corporations that might consider expressing disfavored viewpoints, “Go woke, go broke.”

• “Governor DeSantis has reaffirmed, again and again, that the State campaign to punish Disney for its speech about House Bill 1557 has been a coordinated and deliberate one from the start. Disney’s commentary on House Bill 1557 was, he claimed, a “declaration of war” and “a textbook example of when a corporation should stay out of politics.”

Ultimately, Disney says, “In America, the government cannot punish you for speaking your mind.”

VISIT WEBSITE

[whiskeyandphotos]

The drive up the 101 to the 1 is always nicer once you’re past Ventura. The suburbs are soulless and boring, but once you’re up in Ventura and beyond you’re driving along the coast, and that’s a treat for everyone.

Being as I was driving up to Big Sur on a Sunday, I was being passed by the weekenders on their way home for the week. I was passed by trucks towing Shastas, Casistas, and Airstreams constantly. I recognized them from being on the road with Foxy the Trailer and noticing other trailers on those travels. A turquoise and white Shasta being towed by a ’55 Chevy with the same paint job caught my eye just south of Cambria. It’s funny to remember that all of these fiberglass trailers were designed to be towed behind big American V8s back in the day.

Cambria is where the scenery really begins to change, and where the SoCal coast falls away to a different world. Instead of palm trees you get pines and the water changes from deep blue to more of a blue and turquoise as it flows in to meet the coastline. This part of the state really feels more like Portland, and if it weren’t for the PCH signs and California-specific signs you could be forgiven for thinking you were elsewhere.

I rolled along up the 1 and got into Big Sur around 2:30 or so. Not bad time, really. The only thing hurting is my wallet from driving a vehicle that gets 20 mpg, maybe, on the best of days. Still, Fiona the FJ was all packed up and ready for adventure and we arrived at our destination!

Setting up camp was a breeze. My spot didn’t have trees close enough to use with the hammock I found on OfferUp, but the OfferUp tent went right up in a flash and once I got the air mattress in the tent, home was ready. It was cloudy that afternoon, which made me nervous about seeing the skies over the next couple of days since it was a new moon and that meant seeing the stars in all their unbridled glory. My fears were unfounded nights two and three though, the sky was crystal clear and I could see the Milky Way with my naked eyes.

Once camp was setup, and it dawned on me that this was my first solo camping trip in Big Sur, I decided to go for a short walk to Pfeiffer Falls at the front of the park. Other than the stairs about halfway down the path, it wasn’t really a hike and was more of a walk. Being surrounded by nothing but greenery and redwoods is one of those moments you commit to memory. While they’re not as big as what you see in King’s Canyon or Sequoia Nat’l Park, they’re still imposing and beautiful. The creek running alongside the walking path had a surprising amount of water flowing through it so I was excited about what I might see at the waterfall itself! It wasn’t as spectacular as hoped but it was still nice. I had the entire area to myself for a good few minutes and the silence out there was one of those things I wish I had more of here in the city. Just you and your heartbeat out in nature, as the universe intended.

[tempest-melody]

Hiking Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center

I have been on the search for good free hiking trails. Many good trails – at least around here – are not free to visit. Many trails that are well maintained are at state parks and the free trails that are maintained by cities or counties are not as well maintained. Many of the trails around this area are around lakes and get washed out. It is an unfortunate consequence of the trail locations. I…

[naturecoaster]

A sharp cry echoed across the grasslands, then another, as a bald eagle alighted on top of a cabbage palm. The top of the tree’s leafy head had been twisted off during a hurricane, leaving a bare perch for the bird of prey, and a clear view of the glistening deep blue water of the river. The eagle cried again and scanned the landscape. Looking for family or a tasty blue crab floating through the water towards the Gulf? Unsatisfied, he rose into the blue sky with a powerful flap of wings and soared away over a sea of yellow grasses. Vultures swept overhead, swooping and circling, intrigued by the smell of old bait, before leaving for more suitable feeding grounds. A white heron waded along the muddy riverbank, pitted with crab holes, waiting for the fish of the day and a Great Blue Heron alighted on a fallen tree above, to watch with curiosity. Time stands still along the winding and wild Waccasassa River. You can travel the waterway without passing a single soul, but if you choose to stop, nature soon forgets you are even there. Bald eagle on a cabbage palm overlooking the Waccasassa River by Sally White Where there are Cows The Seminoles dubbed the river “Waccasassa”, or “(where) there are cows”, after the grazing cows the pioneer settlers kept in the area. But today the only cows you will see in the lower Waccasassa are the occasional sea cow, the huge, torpedo-shaped grey manatee. The Waccasassa River runs 29 miles from the headwaters, fed by Blue Spring, near Bronson and Wekiva Spring, along with several other groundwater sources on its journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Fresh water is vital to maintain a healthy wetland ecosystem. Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1976, theWaccasassa River, a slice of old Florida, does not disappoint. Old Growth Hydric Hammock Fallen logs and protruding rocks are a common sight along the Waccasassa River. Photo by Sally White It’s 4-miles from the Waccasassa River boat ramp to the mouth of the river in Waccasassa Bay, and a trip that takes you from freshwater and the lush vegetation of a hydric hammock through the brackish waters of the swamp and the rushes and wiregrass wetlands of the saltmarshes. Remnants of what was once 100,000 acres of old-growth, the hydric hammock once stretched between Cedar Key and Yankee Town. 80% of it was lost in the 1970s-1980s to commercial logging activities when the land was cleared to create loblolly pine plantations to yield fast-growing timber. The remainder nowprovides a wild refuge for wading birds, black bears, deer, raccoons, and the endangered Florida Salt Marsh Vole. Wetland grasses receive the brunt of the storms on the Waccasassa. Photo by Sally White Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park is a Very Wet State Park Unique in location, the 30,784-acre Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park can only be reached by water. There are no boardwalks, hiking trails, or observation platforms. The only signage is a ‘beware of rocks in the waterway’ sign. Paddlers and boaters can explore and fish the river and tidal creeks and the 20-miles of coastline in this Florida water-based state park. Influenced by the tides, the limestone rocks and fallen trees in the river reveal themselves during low tide. Mud slicks the embankments where alligators slide into the dark water. Bird and otter tracks dot across the dark muck. But the land is deceptively not land, and should a two-legged human attempt to stand there, they would sink into the mud. Hurricanes and the Waccasassa River The Waccasassa River has seen 6 hurricanes since 2014. Fallen trees and twisted palms are a common sight along the river. Photo by Sally White This region of Florida’s Nature Coast takes the brunt of many strong storms. Six named storms have struck the area since 2014. The landscape here has been shaped by the weather. Near the mouth of the Waccasassa, fields of yellow marsh grasses bend to the fierce winds, their tangled roots capturing debris in the saltwater storm surges. Then cabbage palms rise, tall and slender. Many with their tops torn off from hurricanes. Red cedars join next, sturdy sentinels with a shallow yet fibrous root system that spreads out to prevent erosion. Some of the cedars have been recently uprooted by Hurricane Helene, and now their vibrant greens have turnedto autumn browns. Their needle-like leaves will fall and the trunks and roots will face the sun and salt washes, bleaching with time and elements to the color that even Sherwin Williams paint can never truly recreate. Trees have fallen, bushes blown away, but a marker warning in the river still stands. Photo by Sally White No Gulf Channel Markers Wildlife is not always welcoming, and the quiet along the river tells tales of a post-storm aftermath. Trees and logs jut out of the river, and branches float by or catch on other debris, shifting the current. Although the rock warning sign is still standing, all but two coastal markers remain in the Gulf Channel. In an area of oyster beds and shallows, unless you have the old channel marked on your boat's GPS navigation system, the Gulf of Mexico remains unnavigable, in this modern world. If you do venture out with a motorboat, use caution, a depth finder, and reduced speed. Bugs, Bugs, Bugs There are tidal creeks to be explored by boaters in the water-based Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park on the Waccasassa River. Photo by Sally White The no-see-ums and mosquitoes vie for attention once the sun begins its descent. With wilderness comes wild things of all sizes, and beastly bugs become a painful nuisance on the river. Between you and the native animals, you are the sweet treat for them. Should you decide to explore this wild slice of Florida, be warned, there are no facilities, just you and the wild elements. Arm yourself with bug spray. You will use it. Bring sun protection & keep hydrated. The sky may look more crisp and bluer, but the sun is brighter, especially once you leave the protection of thehammock. Make note of the tides and the weather and let someone know where you are going. The Waccasassa River Boat Ramp is located on SE County Rd 326, Inglis, Florida by the Gulf Hammock Fishing Club. There are toilet facilities and a floating dock at the boat ramp for mooring. Sources:https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/waccasassa-bay-preserve-state-parkhttps://floridadep.gov/https://myfwc.com/ Read the full article

[oneteamrealestateagents]

Best Places to Live in South Jersey

South Jersey is emerging as one of the most popular areas for relocation. It’s a region packed with scenic landscapes and has a treasure trove of idyllic towns waiting to be explored. But how do you decide which town is right for you? Read on to learn the best towns in South Jersey to consider and what makes each of them unique.

Best Towns in South Jersey

Haddonfield

Haddonfield is one of New Jersey’s oldest towns, with roots tracing back to the 1700s. The beautifully preserved colonial Victorian homes of the town offer a sense of timelessness that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Haddonfield is a clear magnet for families with community-centered events, like the annual Fall Festival. Kings Highway, the heartland of the town, is layered with many boutiques, shops, cafes, etc. Plus, Haddonfield has a close proximity to Philadelphia. That makes it an idle choice for those who wish to enjoy suburban peace without sacrificing an urban life. 

Cinnaminson

Located along the Delaware River in Burlington County, Cinnaminson is a great example of the perfect combination between scenic beauty and suburban comforts. Families love living here due to the popular parks like the Wood Park and so on. 

What makes Cinnaminson way better is its peaceful atmosphere. Yet, you can enjoy the urban convenience as Philadelphia is just a 20-minute drive away from the location.

Cherry Hill

Cherry Hill is the largest town in South Jersey. Located along major highways like I-295 and Route 70, it offers easy access to both Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore. So, the region is abundant with many amenities, from the popular Cherry Hill Mall to the Garden State Discovery Museum. You will never run out of things to do.

The town’s public schools are highly rated, especially Cherry Hill East. The educational system strikes a perfect balance between academic performance and extracurricular activities. Above all, Cherry Hill even has a reputation for being a welcoming community for people from all backgrounds.

Delran

Delran is one of the fewest towns in South Jersey that offers a strong community sense to the newcomers. The town also hosts events like Delran Night Out and holiday parades, which bring the community together.

As it is located near Rancocas Creek, the town has waterfront access. Therefore, it is a good match for those who enjoy activities such as kayaking, fishing, and so on. Still, the city is an affordable option for homebuyers. 

Moorestown

If you are preferring more luxurious living standards, Moorestown could be a good choice. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in New Jersey. The tight-knit community feel makes the place stand out from other areas.

Another thing that makes the town unique is its ban on liquor stores. So, you can expect a more quiet and family-oriented environment. Its downtown area, centered on Main Street, is a mix of upscale shop establishments. Even though the real estate prices of Moorestown are a bit higher, the town’s high-quality living standards make it a worthwhile investment.

Haddon Heights

Haddon Heights is like stepping into a postcard. Its streets are lined with beautifully maintained colonial homes. There’s always some events like concerts and festivals happening to bring residents together. So, you can expect a more active, community-driven life over there. At the same time, you need not sacrifice your professional life as major city centers like Philadelphia are just 10 kilometers away.

Maple Shade

Maple Shade may be a small yet an attractive destination for those who seek relocation. If you are a first-time homebuyer looking for a more affordable option, this town could be your perfect pick. You need not even compensate for the amenities as it is situated just minutes from major highways like Route 38 and I-295.

Medford

Medford is a town that feels as if it was built specifically for outdoor enthusiasts. It is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Pine Barrens. You can explore plenty of options for hiking and kayaking. That’s not the end; you can even enjoy various events like the Medford Art, Wine, and Music Festival.

Collingswood

Collingswood is a Camden County town that is well-known for its dining culture that draws foodies from all over the world. Haddon Avenue, the main thoroughfare, is lined with award-winning restaurants. Everything, right from Italian to Cuban cuisine, is offered. No wonder why the area has become a hub for youth, especially foodies. The close proximity to Philadelphia is also an attractive factor.

The town even hosts annual events like the May Fair and Book Festival. All these events attract thousands of visitors to the area. The weekly farmers’ market is yet another major highlight.  

Marlton

Marlton, part of Evesham Township in Burlington County, offers the best suburban living with easy access to nature. The Black Run Preserve in the town gives residents plenty of opportunities for hiking and birdwatching.

The town’s commercial district is yet another highlight— The Promenade at Sagemore. It is really a major shopping hub attraction with many high-end retail shops and top-notch dining options. 

If you are professional looking for work in major cities like Philadelphia, Marlton is a great option for residence. The town offers close proximity to major highways like Route 73 and the New Jersey Turnpike, for an easy daily journey. 

Mount Laurel

Mount Laurel is the sub-urban hub of South Jersey that offers a close proximity to every amenity that you need. It’s close to major highways like the New Jersey Turnpike and I-295. So, if you’re a professional tired of the to-and-fro traveling everyday, this town is a pretty nice pick. You can even enjoy the Laurel Acres Park— a local favorite with walking trails. 

Riverton

Riverton is one of South Jersey’s most charming towns. It was established in the 19th century as a summer resort for Philadelphia’s elites. Even now, that legacy could be seen in the beautiful Victorian architecture. Moreover, the town’s aesthetic streets and friendly atmosphere make it a good choice for those who prefer a quieter pace of life.  Content Source: https://homesbyoneteam.com/blog/2024/11/21/best-places-to-live-in-south-jersey

[alex51324]

Hi! I just saw your addition to a post where you talked about the New Deal and the Civilian Conservation Corps. You provided 3 photos of cabins made through this movement and mentioned that they are in PA. Hey, whadyaknow, I’m in PA, too! I had no idea there was old growth here on the east coast. Outside of Cooks State Forest, do you know where those other 2 cabins are located? I’m in Philly and so Cooks is a bit of a haul for me. :)

I can absolutely help with that! I'm not sure which two other cabins were in the post--there are a bunch of them, and I've posted about them many times. If you specifically wanted to know about those two, I'd have to figure out which post it was and look at the pictures.

But, if you actually wanted was to find a CCC cabin to stay in, that's a lot easier!

Start with the PA state parks reservations system: https://pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com/welcome.do?tti=Home

In the "Reserve a spot" section, pick that you're Interested In "Camping and Lodging," and then under "looking for," put "Cabins or lodgings."

Click "Search" without selecting anything else, and it'll show you all of the parks that have lodgings for rent.

The ones built by the CCC are labeled as "Rustic Cabins." Unfortunately, there's no way to filter for that, so you just have to scroll through everything.

There are 10 parks that have them; I've been to the 8 that have dog-friendly ones; they're all great.

From Philadelphia, your closest one is probably Promised Land, which is also a good choice if you're interested in the CCC, because they have a little museum. It's up in the Poconos; really nice park. Reservations can be a bit more difficult to get, because it is the closest to Philadelphia. (Worlds End is also somewhere up that way, but it's further.)

The other thing you could do is take the Turnpike out to what the tourism bureaus call the Laurel Highlands; Cowan's Gap, Kooser, and Linn Run are all out that way and they all have CCC cabins. Those are probably a little further in terms of raw miles, but you make good time on the Turnpike, and they're all reasonably close to the Turnpike. That's another beautiful area. Cowan's Gap is the best choice if you want your cabin to be secluded. Kooser I think has some of the prettiest of the cabins, but they are pretty close together. Linn Run is also gorgeous but has like 2 flush toilets for the entire cabin area; everything else is outhouses.

And then the other 5 are all somewhere up in the Pennsylvania Wilds, which is the tourism-bureau name for the northwestern quarter of the state. Clear Creek and Cook Forest are probably the furthest from Philadelphia, with the others (Parker Dam, Black Moshannon, and Samuel B. Eliot) being up that way but not quite as far.

Parker Dam also has a little CCC museum, which I haven't seen because I was there in the off season and it wasn't open. Black Moshannon and Sam Eliot are the ones I haven't been to because they don't allow dogs in their cabins (the rustic ones, anyway; Moshannon has some of the newer lodging types and they allow dogs in a couple of those.)

But yeah, all good choices; haven't been to one that was a dud yet. And if you aren't wedded to the CCC aspect, the modern cabins and yurts are also good, and the camping cottages are decent. (They're small, and give you a lot less for the same amount of money as the rustic cabins, but they have them at a lot more parks.)

Oh, and here's the parks department's page on the CCC in Pennsylvania, if you wanted to know more about it: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/History/CCCYears/Pages/default.aspx They have some old photos and so forth from those days.

I don't seem to have any pictures from Promised Land--that I can find, anyway--but here's Cowan's Gap:

They hang up CCC photos in the cabins there, which I think is a neat touch:

And here's Kooser:

[newstfionline]

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Canada Fears Trump’s Mass Deportations Will Push Migrants North (NYT) At 5,525 miles, it is the longest border between any two countries. And that border—separating the United States and Canada—seems set to become a flashpoint between the close allies as President-elect Donald J. Trump prepares to take power. The Canadian authorities fear that Mr. Trump’s promised mass deportations will push migrants north, while allies of the incoming president headed for key roles in his administration have raised alarms over a recent spike in undocumented migrants crossing from Canada to the United States. Canadian officials are drawing up plans to add patrols, buy new vehicles and set up emergency reception facilities at the border between New York State and the province of Quebec to prepare for what they expect to be a surge in migrants because of Mr. Trump’s hard line on deportations. The northern border is also a focus of people named to top positions in the Trump administration, including his new border czar, Tom Homan. He has described the frontier as a major security vulnerability because of what he described as insufficient checks on people entering the United States.

Seattle Power Outages Could Linger as Strong Storms Pelt the West Coast (NYT) Utility crews across the Seattle region scrambled to clear fallen trees and restore power to nearly 300,000 homes, schools and businesses that remained without electricity on Thursday. The storm also deluged Northern California, where firefighters made water rescues as creeks overflowed from torrential rain. Officials said the outages in Seattle could last into the weekend, even as another round of heavy wind and rain is expected, stretching even farther south this time. Fed by an atmospheric river funneling water from the Pacific Ocean, the storm killed at least two people as it tore through Western Washington this week. It moved south and parked over Northern California, flooding roadways and disrupting transit and air travel. Nearly seven inches of rain fell Wednesday at the airport in Santa Rosa, in California’s wine country north of San Francisco, breaking a one-day record.

It’s the divisions that bring some together in a county in Washington state (NPR) In a community center overlooking the Salish Sea in Washington state, about 30 people are around a long table, talking and arguing. It’s earlier this year, but the conversation has turned back to the assault on the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. David Fox, a Democrat at the table, says there’s no evidence to back up Donald Trump’s claim that as president he asked the military to protect lawmakers before the building was breached. Sandi Lytle, a Republican, argues that this should have been the job of then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. They go back and forth, interrupting, raising voices, as they try to convince each other. Though they argue, the two are friends who meet to do this most Thursday mornings. “I love it because this is how the country is,” Lytle said. “This is who we are as a nation. We’ve got to have the discussion, the debate, the back and forth. That’s how we get to the best answers.” Attendees say the group has met to discuss politics for some three decades. While the discussions are open to anyone in the community, it is mainly older adults who attend. Many said they like being in a place where their ideas are challenged, where they learn something and can interact face-to-face. “Whatever happens, whatever difficulties confront us, what’s most important to me is that we don’t go further and further away from each other,” Fox said.

42% (WSJ) That’s the share of crop farmhands who aren’t legally authorized to work in the U.S., according to the Labor Department. The agriculture industry is bracing for Trump’s immigration crackdown because migrants do some of its most challenging jobs, such as picking fruit, operating machinery and slaughtering livestock.

Brazilian Police Accuse Bolsonaro of Plotting a Coup (NYT) The Brazilian authorities announced on Thursday that they were recommending criminal charges against former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro over his role in a broad plot to cling to power after he lost the 2022 presidential election. The accusations sharply escalate Mr. Bolsonaro’s legal troubles and highlight the extent of what the authorities have called an organized attempt to subvert Brazil’s democracy. After Mr. Bolsonaro narrowly lost to the current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a leftist, he refused to acknowledge defeat but left office anyway. Brazil’s federal police urged prosecutors to charge Mr. Bolsonaro and three dozen others, including members of his inner circle, for the crimes of “violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, coup d’état and criminal organization.” The charges are the culmination of a sweeping two-year investigation in which police raided homes and offices, arrested senior aides to Mr. Bolsonaro and secured confessions and plea deals with people involved in the plot.

Germans are working less, and even the Swiss are cutting back (NZZ/Switzerland) Why have the Germans become so fragile? During the pandemic, the average German worker took 20 sick days. But instead of declining after the coronavirus crisis, absenteeism surged. By 2022, the average German employee was out sick for an astonishing 25 days, according to the World Health Organization. Yet sick leave is only part of the story. Germans also enjoy an average of 31 vacation days annually. Add six weeks of holidays to three to four weeks of sick leave, and it’s little wonder Germany’s economy is once again being likened to the “sick man of Europe.” Germany is far from an outlier. Across the continent, taking sick leave seems to have grown more common. Across Europe, a cultural shift is underway as societies lean further into leisure and aspirations outside of work. Since the turn of the millennium, working hours have declined across all advanced economies. Austria has seen the steepest drop, with annual working hours falling by 151—equivalent to about 19 workdays. Even Switzerland is not immune to this trend. Swiss employees now work, on average, 138 hours less per year than they did in 2000.

Fearing war, Georgia chooses a return to Russia’s embrace (Washington Post) After a contentious parliamentary election, Georgia—a small nation once part of the Soviet Union—finds itself sliding back into Russia’s orbit following decades of seeking greater integration with the West. The ruling Georgian Dream party, adopting a pro-Russian stance, declared victory in October’s elections after winning 54 percent of the vote and running a campaign with a stark warning: Align with the West and suffer Ukraine’s fate. The opposition has rejected the election as stolen, but it does appear that the ruling party successfully capitalized on a fragmented opposition and Georgians’ fear of war, aided by Russian disinformation and a patchy record from the West when it comes to supporting nations seeking to leave Russia’s sphere of influence. After years of waning influence in the region, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a chilling effect on neighboring countries seeking closer ties with the West.

Second Australian teen dies in tainted alcohol case in Laos that has killed 6 tourists (AP) A second Australian teenager who fell critically ill after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos has died in a hospital in Bangkok, her family said Friday, bringing the death toll in the mass poisoning of foreign tourists to six. Holly Bowles, 19, had been in critical condition on life support following the poisoning in Laos more than a week ago. Methanol is sometimes added to mixed drinks at disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death. It is also a byproduct of poorly distilled homebrew liquor, and could have found its way into bar drinks inadvertently. Landlocked Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s poorest nations and a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports.

ICC warrants put spotlight on Israel and its U.S. defenders (Washington Post) Judging by the American reaction, you would think the International Criminal Court was based in Beijing or Moscow. On Thursday, a set of judges at the ICC, which is headquartered in The Hague, the administrative capital of the Netherlands, issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant for “crimes against humanity and war crimes” over Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip. They also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, Hamas military leader in Gaza; he is believed dead. The move follows some six months of deliberations after an application made by the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, in May. The court said it found “reasonable grounds” to believe Netanyahu and Gallant bore responsibility for crimes including the use of starvation as a method of war and for “murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.” Khan argued that there was clear evidence to demonstrate the Israeli ministers had presided over a policy that “systematically deprived the civilian population of Gaza of objects indispensable to human survival.”       Israeli officials and lawmakers from across the political spectrum, including Netanyahu and Gallant themselves, denounced the warrants as the workings of the “enemy of humanity,” proof of an international system brimming with “bias” and “antisemitism,” and interference in Israel’s pursuit of a just war in the wake of Hamas’s terrorist strike last October. In Washington, their indignation and fury was echoed. The Biden administration said it “fundamentally rejects” the ICC’s decision, and questioned the ICC’s jurisdiction in the matter. President Joe Biden called the warrants “outrageous.” Republican lawmakers were more blunt in their criticism: Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) lambasted the U.N.-forged entity as a “kangaroo court” and labeled Khan a “deranged fanatic,” warning in a social media post that Congress would take punitive measures against the ICC. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said the ICC was a “dangerous joke” and called for U.S. sanctions on the body and its members.       Netanyahu joins an ignominious list of leaders pursued by the ICC that includes Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir, Libya’s late leader Moammar Gaddafi, and Serbia’s Slobodan Milosevic and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Inside ‘ruthless’ gang-controlled gold mines (BBC) A mine in the small South African town of Stilfontein, south-west of Johannesburg, is at the centre of global attention after a government minister promised to “smoke out” the hundreds of illegal miners working underground to extract gold. Ndumiso, a 52-year-old man using a pseudonym to avoid reprisals from mining gangs, is one of them. Ndumiso told the BBC that after being laid off by a big mining firm, he decided to join the gang in its underground world to become what is known as a “zama zama”, an illegal miner. He digs for the precious metal and surfaces every three months or so to sell it on the black market for a huge profit, earning more than he ever did before—though the risks now are far higher. “The underground life is ruthless. Many do not make it out alive,” he said. “In one level of the shaft there are bodies and skeletons. We call that the zama-zama graveyard.” But for those who survive, like Ndumiso, the job can be lucrative.

Police find shoe thief at a kindergarten is actually a weasel (Washington Post) Children’s shoes were disappearing in droves from a local kindergarten—and it worried parents and teachers so much that the police were called. At the scene of the crime, in southwest Japan, shoes were scattered across the school grounds—some in a pile by the entrance, others stuck in the fence. It looked like the work of a clumsy or hurried thief. “We thought we were dealing with someone disturbed, someone with an obsession with children’s shoes perhaps,” the deputy of Kasuya police station in Fukuoka, Hiroaki Inada, told The Washington Post in a phone interview. Police installed three cameras and began investigating the incidents on suspicion of theft. The culprit was caught red-handed. A sneaky weasel could be seen cautiously approaching cubbyholes storing children’s shoes at 7:40 p.m., before dashing off with a single white shoe in its mouth. The kids loved the weasel video, and their shoe cubbyholes have been covered with netting to prevent future thefts.

[wavesofnow]

10/31/24 Table Rock, SC

After hiking the short but sweet Carrick Creek Trail in Table Rock State Park in SC, I stopped on my way home to take in the view from the nearby Grant Meadow Overlook. If you're over that way, Table Rock offers some beautiful trails, although some remain closed as trees are still being cleared. The Carrick Creek Trail follows a rocky mountain stream, so there are many picturesque little falls along this moderate hike.