#trailing arbutus

[vandaliatraveler]

NC-WV is finally enjoying a dry, sunny spring weekend after weeks of near nonstop, flooding rain. That was all the incentive I needed to take my first long hike of the spring at Coopers Rock State Forest. The wildflower progression on top of Chestnut Ridge is running about 2 weeks behind that at lower elevations, but there were plenty of early spring beauties on display this afternoon. From top: Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis); long-spurred violet (Viola rostrata); halberd-leaved yellow violet (Viola hastata); downy rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera pubescens); trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens), which is not herbaceous but a mat-forming, evergreen shrub in the health family; broadleaf toothwort (Cardamine diphylla), also known as two-leaf toothwort; and round-lobed hepatica (Hepatica americana), which prefers drier woods than sharp-lobed hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba), which I typically find growing on the rocky, calcareous slopes along the Monongahela River.

[cricketchirp]

Eyeing the Ladies

We were in the area. It’s spring. (Until Wednesday that is, when winter is scheduled to return, and here’s the latest from the National Weather Service out of Gray, Maine: …WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGHLATE THURSDAY NIGHT… WHAT…Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations greater than18 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. WHERE…Portions of…

[pacificnorthwesterngothic]

Madrone, Madrona, or Arbutus?

The common name of the tree Arbutus menziesii depends on where you are or where you are from.

North American members of the genus are called Madrones, from the Spanish name madroño (strawberry tree) although this terminology is not used in Canada. The European species are also called Strawberry Trees from the superficial resemblance of the fruit to a strawbrry; some species are sometimes referred to simply as the “Arbutus”.

In the United States, the name “Madrone” is used south of the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon/northern California and the name “Madrona” is used north of the Siskiyou Mountains according to the “Sunset Western Garden Book”. In British Columbia, the trees are simply known by the name “Arbutus.”

All refer to the same tree, Arbutus menziesii, native to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California regions. It is Canada’s only native broadleaved evergreen tree. Some species in the genera Epigaea, Arctostaphylos and Gaultheria were formerly classified in Arbutus. As a result of its past classification, Epigaea repens (Mayflower) has an alternative common name of “trailing arbutus”.”

(The original source of this on Wikipedia seems to have vanished so I’m cross-posting from an article from Washington State University.)

[warriors-rewritten-chaos]

Warrior Cats Prefixes- M

I had a WC Name Generator on Perchance that I made but I don't seem to have access anymore, so I'm remaking it here as just a simple list. The definitions used are the ones that Clan cats have for those things, and thus are the origins of the names. Definitions used are whatever I found when I googled it.

Maggot-: "[noun] a soft-bodied legless larva, especially that of a fly found in decaying matter"

Magnolia-: "[noun] a tree or shrub with large, typically creamy-pink, waxy flowers"

Magpie-: "[noun] a long-tailed crow with boldly marked (or green) plumage and a raucous voice; [noun] used in similes or comparisons to refer to a person who collects things, especially things of little use or value, or a person who chatters idly"

Mallard-: "[noun] the most common duck of the northern hemisphere and the ancestor of most domestic ducks, the male having a dark green head and white collar"

Mallow-: "[noun] a herbaceous plant with hairy stems, pink or purple flowers, and disk-shaped fruit"

Mantis-: "[noun] a slender predatory insect related to the cockroach. It waits motionless for prey with its large spiky forelegs folded like hands in prayer"

Maple-: "[noun] tree or shrub with lobed leaves, winged fruits, and colorful autumn foliage"

Marble-: "[noun] a hard crystalline metamorphic form of limestone, typically white with mottlings or streaks of color"

Marbled-: "[adj] having a streaked and patterned appearance like that of variegated marble"

Marigold-: "[noun] a plant of the daisy family, typically with yellow, orange, or copper-brown flowers"

Marrow-: "[noun] a soft fatty substance in the cavities of bones"

Marsh-: "[noun] an area of low-lying land which is flooded in wet seasons or at high tide, and typically remains waterlogged at all times"

Marten-: "[noun] a chiefly arboreal weasel-like mammal found in Eurasia and North America"

Matted-: "[adj] (especially of hair or fur) tangled into a thick mass"

Mayflower-: "[noun] a name given to several plants that bloom in May, especially certain hepaticas and anemones and the trailing arbutus"

Mayfly-: "[noun] a short-lived, slender insect with delicate, transparent wings and two or three long filaments on the tail that lives close to water"

Mayhaw-: "[noun] a hawthorn (Crataegus aestivalis) of the southern U.S. that bears a juicy scarlet acid frui"

Mazegill-: "[noun] a species of mushroom in the order Polyporales, and the type species of the genus Daedalea. Commonly known as the oak mazegill or maze-gill fungus, the specific epithet refers to the oak genus Quercus, upon which it frequently grows, causing a brown rot"

Mazzard-: "[noun] a cherry tree native to both Eurasia and North America, commercially important for both its fruit and wood"

Meadow-: "[noun] a piece of grassland; [noun] a piece of low ground near a river"

Meadowlark-: "[noun] a ground-dwelling songbird of the American blackbird family, with a brown streaky back and yellow and black underparts"

Melancholy-: "[noun] a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause]

Melody-: "[noun]  sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying"

Melting-: "[adj] becoming liquefied by heat; [verb] the action or process of liquefying due to heat"

Merlin-: "[noun] a small dark falcon that hunts small birds, found throughout most of Eurasia and much of North America"

Midge-: "[noun] a small two-winged fly that is often seen in swarms near water or marshy areas where it breeds"

Midnight-: "[noun] the middle period of the night"

Milk-: "[noun] an opaque white fluid rich in fat and protein, secreted by female mammals for the nourishment of their young"

Milkcap-: "[noun] a species of mushroom characterized by the milky fluid they exude when cut or damaged"

Milkweed-: "[noun] a herbaceous American plant with milky sap. Some kinds attract butterflies, some yield a variety of useful products, and some are grown as ornamentals"

Milky-: "[adj] resembling milk in color"

Millipede-: "[noun] a myriapod invertebrate with an elongated body composed of many segments, most of which bear two pairs of legs. Most kinds are herbivorous and shun light, living in the soil or under stones and logs"

Mimic-: "[verb] imitate (someone or their actions or words); [noun] a cat skilled in imitating the voice, mannerisms, or movements of others"

Mink-: "[noun] a small semiaquatic carnivore resembling the stoat, native to North America and Eurasia"

Minnow-: "[noun]  small freshwater Eurasian cyprinoid fish that typically forms large shoals"

Mint-: "[noun] an aromatic plant native to temperate regions of the Old World"

Mire-: "[noun] a stretch of swampy or boggy ground"

Mist-: "[noun] a cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface that limits visibility"

Mistle-: "[noun] a bird common to much of Europe, temperate Asia and North Africa"

Mistletoe-: "[noun] a leathery-leaved parasitic plant which grows on apple, oak, and other broadleaf trees and bears white glutinous berries in winter"

Misty-: "[adj] full of, covered with, or accompanied by mist; [adj] indistinct or dim in outline"

Mite-: "[noun] a minute arachnid which has four pairs of legs when adult, related to ticks"

Mockingbird-: "[noun] a long-tailed songbird with grayish plumage, found mainly in tropical America and noted for its mimicry of the calls and songs of other birds"

Mold-: "[noun] a superficial often woolly growth produced especially on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms by a fungus; [noun] a fungus that produces mold"

Mole-: "[noun] a small burrowing insectivorous mammal with dark velvety fur, a long muzzle, and very small eyes"

Moon-: "[noun] the natural satellite of the earth, visible (chiefly at night) by reflected light from the sun"

Moor-: "[noun] a tract of open uncultivated upland; a heath"

Moorhen-: "[noun] a small aquatic rail with mainly blackish plumage"

Moose-: "[noun] a large deer with palmate antlers, a sloping back, and a growth of skin hanging from the neck"

Morel-: "[noun] a widely distributed edible fungus which has a brown oval or pointed fruiting body with an irregular honeycombed surface bearing the spores"

Morning-: "[noun] the period of time between midnight and noon, especially from sunrise to noon"

Moss-: "[noun] a small flowerless green plant that lacks true roots, growing in damp habitats and reproducing by means of spores released from stalked capsules; [noun] a green color like that of moss"

Mossy-: "[adj] resembling moss; [adj] covered with moss or something like moss"

Mosquito-: "[noun] a slender long-legged fly with aquatic larvae. The females consume blood"

Moth-: "[noun] a chiefly nocturnal insect related to butterflies. It lacks the clubbed antennae of butterflies and typically has a stout body, drab coloration, and wings that fold flat when resting"

Mottled-: "[adj] marked with spots or smears of color"

Mottlegill-: "[noun] a genus of small, black-spored, saprotrophic agarics with spotted gills"

Mountain-: "[noun] a large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level"

Mouse-: "[noun] a small rodent that typically has a pointed snout, relatively large ears and eyes, and a long tail"

Mud-: "[noun] soft, sticky matter resulting from the mixing of earth and water"

Muddy-: "[adj] covered in or full of mud"

Mulberry-: "[noun] a small deciduous tree with broad leaves; [noun] a dark red or purple color"

Mullein-: "[noun] a herbaceous plant of the figwort family with woolly leaves and tall spikes of yellow flowers, native to Eurasia"

Mumble-: "[verb] say something indistinctly and quietly, making it difficult for others to hear; [noun] a quiet and indistinct utterance"

Murk-: "[noun] darkness or thick mist that makes it difficult to see"

Murky-: "[adj] dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist; [adj] (of liquid) dark and dirty, not clear"

Mushroom-: "[noun] a fungal growth that typically takes the form of a domed cap on a stalk, with gills on the underside of the cap"

Myrtle-: "[noun] an evergreen shrub which has glossy aromatic foliage and white flowers followed by purple-black oval berries"

[six-teenblue]

Serviceberry and trailing Arbutus at the overlook by my house and Lucy the local leucistic red tailed hawk flying above my yard 🥲

[aintashes]

@noblehigh's brian put a flower in daryl's hair.

they've been walking along the treelined trail for a long while in comfortable silence when brian stops, stopping down low and reaching into the brush. daryl watches as he plucks a small bunch of trailing arbutus from the floor of the woods. he doesn't think anything of it until the fragrant white flower is suddenly tucked gently into his hair.

the stem sits behind his ear, helping to keep the flower propped in between dark strands. daryl's lips part as if he's going to say something, but all he can do is blink, the cogs and gears of his mind grinding unceremoniously to a halt.

he's not angry. far from it, really. he's just confused by the sudden gesture, eyes lifting from staring at the ground between them to land on brian's face. something inside of him wonders if there's something his companion wants to say.

‘ ... ’

[ennaku-sirri-da]

I’m as busy as a spider spinning daydreams,

I’m as giddy as a baby on a swing.

I haven’t seen a crocus or a rosebud

Or a robin on the wing,

But I feel so gay—in a melancholy way—

That it might as well be spring…

It might as well be spring.

[ ID: Traditional art that has been colored and edited digitally, featuring Kamal Bora and Dr.Habit from Smile For Me the game.

In the artists interpretation Kamal as a kid is much shorter than Habit. He has short straight hair. He wears a oversized dark purple sweater. Then he has a frilly red skirt which sparkles. Ending with light blue socks and pink crocs. Blue-magneta headphones are worn.

Here Habit is a really tall kid. He has a muppet-like appearance with yellow-greenish fur, very long rose-pink curly hair, pink blushing cheek patches with three freckles, ears stuffed with cotton fluff , deep red nails. His eyes are orange, circled below by red ruffles and have some pale purple eyeshadow. He wears a teal buttoned shirt with wavy darker pants that have yet darker stripes on them. Basically it's Kamal’s outfit from the game. His feet are bare.

We are viewing them from above. Kamal is braiding lillies of various colors and shapes- multicolored, freckled, painted- into Habit's huge hair, now he's at the end of it. He sits with folded legs. Besides Habit's ear lies a Tooth Lily. Habit lays his head back, supported by hands on the ground, and looks at the viewer with a devilish smile-a glint in his eye, one blue snaggletooth showing. His feet are thrown about casually. Between them lies a half-open book titled 'Science Of Constipation' in loud colors and fonts. It shows a page titled 'Importance of taking a dump by Bob Smith' that has been absolutely vandalized by Habit. Bob Smith's photo now sports a hat, devil horns and a mustache. ' Preface' has been struck out and replaced with 'Peeface'. Skull, flowers, star, eyes, and a silly emote with its tongue out have been doodled with a red sketch which lies nearby.

Nature surrounds them. Most of it is springtime flowers that can be found in Boston, USA. Daffodils, crocuses, peonies, roses, azaleas, pansies, tulips, black-eyed susans, trailing arbutus. Among this lush greenery- snails, ladybugs can be seen underneath while dragonflies, butterflies, bees fly above. Some young black sheep graze. One looks ahead, with a white heart-marking on its head. Beside Habit's left leg is a large light orange-brown rabbit, curled up and sleeping. Somewhere among the flowers are two small white red-eyed rabbits nuzzling.

To the far right swaying bushes of cattail grow. Beside them is a clear stream running, host to a male and female mallard duck leading their ducklings, bladderworts, white waterlilies with their pads. Among these waterlilies, a brown frog and tadpoles in various stages of life can be spotted. One duckling catches a tadpole in its beak. To the very front are Habit and Kamal's paper boats engaged in a race-- Kamal appears to be winning. One is pink and crumply, heavily decorated, a submerged tag attached to it reads ' B.H'. The other is neat and streamlined with a little teal flagpole announcing it as 'KB'.

The first version of the drawing is overlaid with a very warm orange filter, the second is unedited. End ID]

Talk below the cut!

PLEASE LOOK AT THIS I WORKED ON IT FOR MONTHS NO JOKE THIS IS MY CHILD WHOM I WAS PREGNANT WITH AND NOW I HAVE PAINSTAKINGLY BIRTHED AND CLEANED HIM FOR ALL OF TUMBLR TO SEE

[ Plain text: Please look at this I worked on it for months no joke this is my child whom I was pregnant with and now I have painstakingly birthed and cleaned him for all of tumblr to see]

🥸[ Glasses-and-moustache silly disguise emoji ]

aNYWAY this is part of a series of drawings where Habit and Kamal are just playing as kids really LOL

I listened to Vashti Bunyan's 'Just Another Diamond Day' album a LOT while coloring and drawing this HAHA also some vintage springtime songs! They were so lovely!!!

This also taught me a lesson to plan out my drawings more I guess but also WITNESS THIS BEAUTIFUL CHAOS AND MAY YOUR HEART BE OPENED TO ALL THE JOYOUS POSSIBILITIES MY FRIEND

[ Plain text: Witness this beautiful chaos and may your heart be opened to all the joyous possibilities my friend]

----

A stranger would not have noticed the change, but Molly could see that the withered earth was brightening with a greenness as shy as smoke. Squat, snaggly trees that had never yet bloomed were putting forth flowers in the wary way an army sends out scouts; long-dry streams were beginning to rustle in their beds, and small creatures were calling to one another. Smells slipped by in ribbons: pale grass and black mud, honey and walnuts, mint and hay and rotting applewood; and even the afternoon sunlight had a tender, sneezy scent that Molly would have known anywhere. She rode beside Schmendrick, watching the gentle advent of the spring and thinking of how it had come to her, late but lasting.

"Unicorns have passed here," she whispered to the magician. "Is that the cause, or is it Haggard's fall and the Red Bull's going? What is it, what is happening?"

"Everything," he answered her, "everything, all at once. It is not one springtime, but fifty; and not one or two great terrors flown away, but a thousand small shadows lifted from the land.

Wait and see."

-- From The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle

:-) [ smile emote ]

[nevinscons]

Features of Arbutus Park: Discovering the Heart of the Community

A Stroll Through Arbutus Park Arbutus Park is more than just a green space; it is the heart of the Arbutus community. Residents and visitors alike enjoy its serene environment, filled with lush greenery, walking trails, and recreational facilities. The park offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, making it a favorite spot for families, joggers, and nature enthusiasts. Whether you're looking to relax with a book under a tree or engage in outdoor activities, Arbutus Park has something for everyone. Recreational Activities and Facilities The park is well-equipped with a variety of recreational facilities that cater to all age groups. From playgrounds for children to sports courts for teens and adults, the amenities ensure there's never a dull moment. The community center within the park hosts events and activities throughout the year, fostering a strong sense of community. The table below highlights some of the key facilities available at Arbutus Park.

Facility Description Playground Safe and fun area for children Basketball Courts Well-maintained courts for sports enthusiasts Picnic Areas Designated spots for family and group gatherings Walking Trails Scenic paths for walking and jogging Community Center Hub for events and activities

Events and Community Engagement Arbutus Park is known for its vibrant community events that bring residents together. Seasonal festivals, outdoor concerts, and farmers' markets are just a few examples of the park's offerings. These events provide opportunities for local businesses to showcase their products and services, fostering economic growth within the community. Participating in these events is a great way for new residents to integrate and for long-term residents to stay connected. Natural Beauty and Conservation Efforts The park's natural beauty is a result of dedicated conservation efforts by the local community and authorities. Native plants and trees are preserved to maintain the park's ecological balance. Efforts to reduce pollution and promote recycling are evident throughout the park. Informational signs educate visitors on the importance of conservation, encouraging everyone to contribute to maintaining this green haven. Enhancing Your Outdoor Space with Nevins Construction For those inspired by the beauty of Arbutus Park and looking to enhance their outdoor living space, Nevins Construction offers expert deck building services. Their team specializes in creating custom decks that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, adding value and functionality to your home. With a reputation for quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, Nevins Construction ensures your project is completed to the highest standards. Conclusion Arbutus Park is a cornerstone of the community, offering a perfect blend of recreational activities, natural beauty, and community engagement. For those looking to bring a piece of this outdoor serenity to their own homes, Nevins Construction is ready to help. Contact Keith at Nevins Construction at (410) 746-1068 or visit Nevins Construction Arbutus for more information. Create your own outdoor paradise inspired by the beauty and tranquility of Arbutus Park. Want to learn more about Arbutus? Check Out the All About Arbutus Book. Nevins Construction 304 High Rock Ct. Brooklyn Park, MD  21225 (410) 746-1068 https://www.nevinsconstruction.com https://www.google.com/maps?cid=5003705160934189173 https://www.nevinsconstruction.com/deck-builder/arbutus-maryland/ 69CH+J4 Brooklyn Park, Maryland

[edgnnews]

Severe Tornado Devastates Montgomery County, MD

June 6, 2024

On Wednesday night, a severe tornado storm wreaked havoc across Montgomery County, Maryland, leading to significant damage and widespread power outages. The tornado, first spotted around 7:14 p.m. in Poolesville, moved eastward at 20-25 miles per hour, impacting several communities including Germantown, Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village, North Potomac, and Boyds.

The Storm’s Path and Impact

By 7:40 p.m., the tornado had passed through Gaithersburg, leaving a trail of considerable destruction. FOX 5 meteorologists Mike Thomas and Caitlin Roth provided live coverage of the storm, capturing the tornado crossing Interstate 270 in Gaithersburg. Thomas highlighted the storm’s erratic behavior, noting how its rotation weakened and strengthened intermittently, while Roth described it as the most significant storm she had ever witnessed in the area. The tornado’s destructive power was evident with visible debris lofting into the air. As it moved eastward, the storm threatened areas between Laytonsville and Olney, accompanied by intense lightning.

Widespread Impact Across Multiple Counties

The storm’s devastating effects were felt across multiple counties, with Montgomery County bearing some of the worst conditions. Social media was flooded with videos showing funnel clouds and severe storm conditions. By 8:30 p.m., five tornado warnings were simultaneously active across various counties, including north-central Baltimore, southern Harford, eastern Howard, northwestern Anne Arundel, and southwestern Baltimore counties.

By 8:45 p.m., the storm had largely moved out of Carroll, Howard, and Montgomery counties but continued to affect Baltimore, Anne Arundel, and Harford counties. In Baltimore County, a tornado crossing Interstate 95 near Arbutus resulted in numerous trees and power lines falling. Tornado warnings in different parts of Baltimore County were issued and extended throughout the evening, with radar-confirmed tornadoes near Bowleys Quarters and Middle River by 9:05 p.m.

Specific Incidents and Damage Reports

In Carroll County, emergency management reported trees on houses in Gamber and Eldersburg. Gaithersburg saw significant damage when a tree fell on a house on Dogwood Drive, trapping five people and causing multiple injuries. Reporter Tori Yorgey from News reported from the scene, showing the extensive damage caused by the uprooted tree.

Aftermath and Call for Preparedness

As the storm moved northeast towards Delaware, it left a trail of destruction in its wake, underscoring the critical need for vigilance and preparedness in the face of severe weather events. The extensive damage and disruption caused by this tornado storm highlight the importance of staying informed and prepared for such unpredictable natural disasters. Severe Tornado

[vandaliatraveler]

A few mementos from a short hike on the Virgin Hemlock Tail this morning. Cold, damp weather has settled into NC West Virginia, but any rain is welcome following an unusually dry winter and spring (opposite of the West Coast). From top: the ever balletic but stinky red trillium (Trillium erectum); long-spurred violet (Viola rostrata); wood anemone (Anemone quinquefolia), longing for a burst of sun to open its flowers; trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens), a ground-hugging shrub in the heath family; early meadow-rue (Thalictrum dioicum); and an Eastern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), a terrestrial salamander of rich, damp mountain woods.

[break-time-blogs]

Severe Tornado Causes Devastation in Montgomery County, Maryland

June 6, 2024

On Wednesday night, a severe tornado storm wreaked havoc across Montgomery County, Maryland, leading to significant damage and widespread power outages. The tornado, first spotted around 7:14 p.m. in Poolesville, moved eastward at 20-25 miles per hour, impacting several communities including Germantown, Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village, North Potomac, and Boyds.

The Storm’s Path and Impact

By 7:40 p.m., the tornado had passed through Gaithersburg, leaving a trail of considerable destruction. FOX 5 meteorologists Mike Thomas and Caitlin Roth provided live coverage of the storm, capturing the tornado crossing Interstate 270 in Gaithersburg. Thomas highlighted the storm’s erratic behavior, with its rotation weakening and strengthening intermittently, while Roth described it as the most significant storm she had ever witnessed in the area. The tornado’s destructive power was evident with visible debris lofting into the air. As it moved eastward, the storm threatened areas between Laytonsville and Olney, accompanied by intense lightning.

Widespread Impact Across Multiple Counties

The storm’s devastating effects were felt across multiple counties, with Montgomery County bearing some of the worst conditions. Social media was flooded with videos showing funnel clouds and severe storm conditions. By 8:30 p.m., five tornado warnings were simultaneously active across various counties, including north-central Baltimore, southern Harford, eastern Howard, northwestern Anne Arundel, and southwestern Baltimore counties.

By 8:45 p.m., the storm had largely moved out of Carroll, Howard, and Montgomery counties but continued to affect Baltimore, Anne Arundel, and Harford counties. In Baltimore County, a tornado crossing Interstate 95 near Arbutus resulted in numerous trees and power lines falling. Tornado warnings in different parts of Baltimore County were issued and extended throughout the evening, with radar-confirmed tornadoes near Bowleys Quarters and Middle River by 9:05 p.m.

Specific Incidents and Damage Reports

In Carroll County, emergency management reported trees on houses in Gamber and Eldersburg. Gaithersburg saw significant damage when a tree fell on a house on Dogwood Drive, trapping five people and causing multiple injuries. Reporter Tori Yorgey from News reported from the scene, showing the extensive damage caused by the uprooted tree.

Aftermath and Call for Preparedness

As the storm moved northeast towards Delaware, it left a trail of destruction in its wake, underscoring the critical need for vigilance and preparedness in the face of severe weather events. The extensive damage and disruption caused by this tornado storm highlight the importance of staying informed and prepared for such unpredictable natural disasters.

Tagged Severe Tornado in Montgomery County Maryland

[gordoymas]

WHO is POOSY GATO? A late addition to Pepito's passel of pets, Poosy Gato arguably evolved into the second most prominent character in the strip. His feline instincts frequently pitted him against Gordo's vanity and peace of mind, while he simultaneously embodied Gordo's philosophy of play and rest.

Poosy Gato went on to not only become a nemesis of sorts to Gordo, but he developed his own cast of supporting characters -- PM and her kitten, Bete Noire. He also developed a unique relationship with Gordo's housemaid, Tehuana Mama, and her grandchild Trailing Arbutus.

As a cat lover, Arriola would often build strips around the movement and attitude of his own cats, creating some of the strip's most visually interesting moments:

[howyoutalktostrangers]

Azalea and the Ghost Mists of Mount Tzouhalem, Part 1

by Will Johnson

Azalea Johnson had only been nine years old for three days when her Dad packed her into his minivan and drove her up the winding slope of Mount Tzouhalem, leaving the rest of their family at home.

It was early December, so jagged crusts of ice had accumulated in the rain puddles, the trees shimmered with frost, and the air had a sharp, sweet taste that moistened the back of her throat. It didn’t snow much on Vancouver Island, and it didn’t stay long when it did, but winter was still Aza’s favourite season of the year. Lazy flurries were drifting down from the white sky, bringing shimmering curtains of mist with them.

It was rare that Aza got uninterrupted one-on-one time with her Dad — her siblings Celista and Kristopher were omnipresent — but that morning he’d announced happily that he had a belated birthday surprise for her. He told her to dress warm, with hiking boots, gloves and some sort of warm hat. They were headed to the criss-crossing mountain bike trails five minutes higher up the mountain, a spiderweb of winding forest routes that included access to some of the best views in the area.

You could look one way to Saltspring Island or the other way at Mount Prevost.

From her low slouching vantage point in the passenger seat, the world beyond the windshield was mostly blank white. But she also had a clear view of the tendrils of mist interspersed amidst the towering trees that framed the mansions in their Duncan neighbourhood. She put her feet up on the glovebox, but Dad didn’t seem to notice. Or care.

He was too focused on the road.

“Sorry Aza, it’s foggier out there than I realized.”

“It looks like smoke.”

“A little bit, maybe. But I’ve always thought it looked more like ghosts.”

Aza gave him a sideways glance. “There’s no such thing as ghosts.”

Her father shrugged. “Maybe you’re right about that.”

Now she was questioning herself. She watched the mist coil and weave like spaghetti through a looming arbutus grove beyond the houses. It did kind of look like ghosts.

“Are they real, Dad?”

“They?”

“Ghosts.”

“What do you think?”

“I think they’re made up.”

“Now why would somebody make something like that up?”

She didn’t have an answer for that. Her father’s nonchalant attitude about ghosts was making her feel confused and anxious. Wasn’t he supposed to reassure her? If ghosts weren’t real, then she wouldn’t have to be afraid of them—right? But if they were real, then it would be totally appropriate to be afraid.

She watched the mist and bit her lip.

“These are the ghost mists of Mount Tzouhalem,” her Dad said, sipping from his oversized coffee mug. “And they’ve been here since the beginning of time.”

Her mouth gaped.

“They’re not as scary as they sound, baby. It’s just the spirits of the people who used to live here, all tangled up in our reality and lost in time.”

“Dead people?”

“Yeah, dead people. But in a way, they’re more alive than we are now.”

This was not the sort of thing Mom talked to her about. Sometimes Aza felt like she lived in multiple realities. There was the world of Catholicism, the world of stories, and the world of Dad. Each one had its own rules, its own explanations for how the universe operated. In Dad’s world, God wasn’t the only thing to believe in. He believed in all kinds of stuff that wasn’t in the Bible, or at least the parts of the Bible that were read to her at Sunday School.

Sometimes it was hard to know where to place her trust.

Their minivan had reached the narrow driveway to the hiking trails, an opening between two houses at the top of the mountain’s highest cul-de-sac. There were tire tracks in the slush, so it was clear they wouldn’t have the place to themselves, but this was still the most deliciously alone Aza ever felt. She loved the sound of raw nature, which was throughly muffled by human hubbub down at their house. Up on the mountain Aza liked to study moss, crane her head back to follow tree trunks into the sky, and splash through puddles until her jeans were soaked.

This was where she’d grown up, and Mount Tzouhalem had taught her far more than any school ever had.

Her Dad pulled the van around and parked next to the trailhead sign. Wearing two layers of plaid, one of them with a black hood that he was wearing draped over his head, he had a curly red beard with straggly white streaks. He placed his mug in the cupholder, grabbed his phone and swung open the door, grunting as he stood.

“Where are we going?” Aza asked, shutting her door and coming around the trunk.

“It’s just a little ways up here, at the plateau."

“Why are we going there?”

He laughed. “Are you trying to make me ruin the surprise? I wouldn’t want to live a life without surprise.”

“You’re so weird, Dad.”

“You might be right about that, baby. I am pretty weird.”

For the first few minutes they didn’t talk, trekking side by side up a steep incline. Dad was breathing hard, clouds of mist coming with every breath. She watched his face for some hint of where he was taking her and saw nothing but a glassy, emotionless determination. Beads of sweat were drooling slowly down his pinkened face, and he swiped periodically at his forehead with the back of his hand.

“Have I ever told you about your baptism?” Dad asked between struggling breaths.

“I’ve seen the picture,” Aza said, thinking of the image taped to his office wall. She was cradled in Dad’s arms while Mom looked on, the Filipino priest pouring water over her head from a white clamshell. She was wearing a frilly white dress with tiny white shoes, only a month old.

“That was New Year’s Eve, 2023. Nine years ago. Did anyone tell you that?”

She shook her head.

“We only found out later that the date — 12/31/23 — was ‘one, two three’ in sequence, twice. Two threes in a row, a special event that only comes along once every hundred years. That’s when we first got the sense, your Mom and I, that there was something going on that we didn’t quite understand. That we couldn’t control.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re the third child of a third child, Aza. And your middle name comes from another third child. You were born on December 3, in the year 2023. Do you see what I’m saying? The threes are everywhere.”

“So three’s my magic number?”

“Your holy number. Like the trinity, Aza. This is divine math, baby, that will carry you through the rest of your life. But you have to be looking for the numbers. Always look for the numbers, everywhere.”

Her Dad pulled out his phone and squinted into the mist ahead. He whispered something under his breath, tucked it away into his plaid, and then picked up the pace slightly. Aza half-jogged to keep up as they stepped over a mossy trunk and made their way towards an opening in the treeline. She could see Lake Quamichan beyond.

“People will tell you that you’re crazy for thinking this way, but there’s more than one way to think. Do you understand that? Most people go their whole life without hearing the music of creation, without understanding the dancing ghosts that surround us at all times. The divine math of existence may seem scary, my girl, but I promise it will light your way as long as you follow the threes.”

“Follow the threes?”

“Promise me you’ll do that, okay?”

Aza reached out and took his hand. She didn’t always understand the things her Dad said, but she didn’t need to. She liked his language.

“I promise.”

They crested the hill looking out at Mount Prevost, and followed along a flat mossy field cut through with bike tracks. The mist was thick now, crowding in at all sides, and for a moment Aza thought she heard voices out in the white. She shuddered.

“This is it,” Dad said, clambering up a protruding rock. “This is your brother’s favourite spot, since he was two-years-old. We were playing Peter Pan one morning and he named this rock Strong Rock. He would chant ‘strong rock, strong rock, strong rock’.”

Her Dad seemed melancholy now, gazing off as he remembered the earlier life of the Johnson family. He chuckled to himself with one Blundstone planted against the pointed tip of the rock, the other braced flat against its middle.

He pulled out his phone again.

“This is what I’m talking about. Look what time it is,” he said, holding up his phone. “It’s 1:23.”

“So?”

“One, two three. See?”

Aza was confused by this whole expedition. Dad was acting scatter-brained, and he was making less sense than usual. She noticed that his forehead was shiny and he was fighting for breath, winded from their short jaunt. For a moment he seemed legitimately afraid.

“Dad, what are we doing here?”

He sighed, and closed his eyes for a long time. Then he sat down and ushered her over, his face now deadly serious. He held her by both arms.

“Aza, my girl. I can’t make the rest of this trip with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I’ve brought you this far, but I can’t go any further. There’s a whole story waiting for you out in that mist, but I’m not going to be a part of it.”

“Out in the mist?”

“The more I explain it, the less it will make sense. But I was told to bring you here on this day, at this time, and to wait for you at this spot.”

“By who?”

“I can’t tell you that in a way that would make sense right now, okay? I know it seems strange now, but you have to trust me. There are people out there who have been waiting to meet you for a long, long time. People who knew your name before you were even born.”

Dad sat down at the tip of Strong Rock. He gazed out into the billowing fog expectantly.

“And you’re going to wait here?"

“I will be sitting here on Strong Rock for as long as it takes for you to come back. If you don’t come back for 100 years, you’ll find my skeleton here. No matter how long it takes, baby.”

He touched her face, and gave her a pained smile.

“What’s out there? Why is this happening?”

He kissed her gently on the forehead.

“Remember to look for the threes.”

The Literary Goon

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[aaliawrites]

WANDER DEEPER WITH ME

Rocks of ages split in two.

There is only what is down to earth with you.

A hike.

A northwest landcape I trust you know.

You lead me off the path and I follow.

Later when we find the trail and map and confess that knew were there -

You and your wicked blue eyes,

(" Well. That wouldn't have been fun. The other way was longer" ).

An initiative to spend time together.

I fake acting shocked but am actually pleased.

I know by now. Meeting every 2 years as we do. This high school version of flirtation that gets me.

You fake tackling me and call me cute.

I swerve the advance in pleasure.

I tell you I want to glue plastic toy trolls and gems to all the green rocks and formations.

A village surprise to find in the forest.

Cute it is.

You know all the land of this island after 4 decades - the changing of seasons, the Indian reservation, the hidden Arbutus beaches, the hidden caves of Maxwell.

Deeper down we go into the land itself. Descending ropes and metal ladders, cave upon cave.

I yell off the scared parts of me.

Death meditation as messenger

Laughter as medicine.

In the cool damp feel held and safe.

A quiet I resonate with monks.

We fall into meditation.

Then we fall into shop talk, contact.

Your old days in the States.

Blindfold performances with curtains and audience interactive sexuality. Living for weeks in canyons.

Down there in the dark, you ask me how that blindfold dance was for me.

The one from the festival with the other man.

That I shared vulnerably I thought was you.

"Creative. Fluid. Caring."

I realize I just described my sensuality.

We pause in silence.

I get cold.

You tell me to sit in your lap.

I want to do more than that.

I give you may hands instead.

You tuck them into your armpit.

As you have before walking me to my car.

Oh, Canada - I wouldn't survive another winter here again.

I dance with the rocks in the dark as you speak.

Open eyes in the pitch.

Nothing to see, only to feel.

We crawl back up the ladder towards light.

Metal ascending into another kind of blindness. Disoriented by day light.

Lush landscapes as scaffolding.

I stop to lock eyes with a stag. A moment together, a pause across the green planet.

He bounds on.

(I fed a tame deer blueberries by hand earlier this morning at a meditation center.)

Sweet licks. Doe eyes. Soft heart.

Becoming kind to their kind.

This whole month on the island fyll of visual deja vu. The kind I remember as if it happened in the past, only its occuring now. I've met you before and many of the other characters too.

We've already had this hike.

We've already fallen together.

I've known long ago.

As if a dream, by day.

I look down at my feet and find a large brown feather.

Twice in Bali, my best friend who has visions, told me she saw a feather in my body, the size of my torso, while floating me in water dance.

I had no idea what she meant.

I picked it up - this is the feather.

I tell him about her. I can't hide anything.

I put in down my shirt and keep walking.

I imagine it as a quill for all my untold stories I can now begin to write.

I balance it on my hand and follow you.

Navigator, paraglider.

I think of my parents passed, and all their gifts of flight.

My hanggliding dad. My kite-making mom.

We make our way from the smallest of spaces into the vast expanse of the ocean.

I can't quite absorb the contrast.

We sit and you tell me you thought you saw someone in the field across from us flying a kite, then they disappeared. Signs from them.

You dive naked in the ocean.

(What former lovers do. God I love an outdoorsman who doesn't give a fuck).

I don't join.

I sit with my feet in the water and contemplate the sun.

I sit with my feet in the water and contemplate your existing partnership.

Morality, integrity, loyalty.

The values I value.

Karma as capital

For future incarnations.

I sit and feel like I'm shrinking.

I stare into the sun to burn out my thoughts.

You get out and contemplate the tidepool.

How they used to be filled with creatures as a kid. Now they're empty.

You say you need to get home to feed your kid dinner, the 15 year old.

You pull on your shirt, a safety pin tucked in the back neck "for splinters, for..."

(you rattle off the uses.)

I stare. "God, and he's handy too."

I laugh the laugh I cannot help.

Fake falling on my blanket.

As I hit on you.

My heart unfurling.

"Goodbye S."

5 years ago, when we first met, you were just out of a long relationship.

I was 29. I knew you had a kid.

This year now there's a new woman.

A good woman

As a good man.

I met her at the opening circle of the contact festival this year

And thought vividly 'she looks cool, amazing'.

And seconds later you introduced her as "my amazing partner'.

I don't know what to make of the preminitions.

I sit alone with my nuance and gray and all the timing that constitutes our lives and living and creating and loving and family and responsibility and twinkles in eyes and seeing what's unseen and feeling what's there in the air, and what's unspoken, what's unseen.

What's light as a feather.

That languages we share.

I sit by the ocean alone after you leave and voice note the friend with the feather about you. Pick blackberries by my car for dinner. Drive off to ecstatic dance to burn off the energy.

To continue the dance of life.

I share a present contact dance with someone new.

He mentions your name.

Says you're a good man.

I agree.

Me on my way slowly to becoming a great woman.

One whose body holds the same origins of contact programming, from the same studio, our dance lineage.

One who will follow you down ladders into the unknown recesses of the great silent holding earth.

Who would stop wandering

And become still

In your mountain.

If only to become real

With you.

Thank you for searching for the light and dark together.

Thank you for seeing (and feeling) me.

~ A