#yellow creek natural area

[vandaliatraveler]

Photos above are from a trip into the mountains yesterday. I managed to get out to Lindy Point in the Blackwater River Canyon before the overlook was swarmed with sightseers (top two photos). The rhododendron is blooming now - the drive in from Blackwater Falls State Park is magical this time of year. As it descends through the canyon, the Blackwater River transforms into turbulent whitewater, but just above the canyon, where it turns out of Canaan Valley (5th photo down), it's a gentle, serene stream perfect for floating. I also tried out some different trails in Yellow Creek Natural Area and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The lowbush blueberries are ripening now - a sweet little snack to improve the hiking experience. :-)

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Rains, destruction and deaths in the south of Brazil demand a new term to define a climate catastrophe

Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced in Rio Grande do Sul floods

On April 27, MetSul, a meteorology agency, posted on X (former Twitter) a warning about a cold front, heavy rain, gales, and hail, and risks of severe weather in parts of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil's southernmost state. This is the same state that endured three climate disasters in 2023 alone, with 80 people confirmed dead and many cities hit.

The following day, the agency posted another alert: ”Serious risk of floods in southern Brazil because of excessive to extreme rain. It has already rained 200 mm [8 inches] in some areas and projections indicate much more water coming. 2023 scenes of flooded cities will be repeated.”

Two days later, they began to post about overflowing creeks, rising river levels, and flooding while The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) put the entire state under alert, showing a varying scale from yellow to red, the latter being the larger portion. On April 30, the local government confirmed eight dead and 21 people disappeared.

Ever since the publication of this story on May 7, the worst natural disaster in the history of Rio Grande do Sul has registered 100 dead, 128 disappeared, and over 1.4 million people affected. Sums that seem still underreported when one sees the images of entire cities underwater.

Among the 497 cities in the state, 414 were hit so far. And, as you read it, there is a chance people are still waiting on roofs for rescue, trapped in houses and buildings surrounded by water. Others are still looking for victims of landslides; and many are without access to clean water, power, or ways of coming and going from their cities, with bridges missing and roads destroyed. The rain is moving south and is forecasted to return to other cities already impacted.

Continue reading.

[rebeccathenaturalist]

COOL SNAIL ALERT!!!!

Okay, so yesterday I was teaching my Introduction to Mycology Class for Wildcraft Studio School at Tryon Creek State Natural Area just south of Portland, and while our main focus was on various fungi, we found some other cool stuff along the way, too!

One of the highlights of my day was this particular snail:

That is a Pacific sideband snail (Monadenia fidelis), one of our native terrestrial gastropods (as opposed to several invasive species found in the PNW and beyond). What makes it stand out is that the shell is entirely lacking the usual brown background on which various stripes are overlaid; it looks more like the yellow shell often seen in some Haplotrema species, such as the native H. vancouverense.

This is a more typical specimen, found not far from our extra-pale oddball above:

As you can see, the body color on the two snails is almost identical, so it's not albinism. I considered whether it might be a rare case of invertebrate leucism, but I was only able to find one reference thereof, in a paper on a single leucistic scorpion. I think, though, it's more likely just a normal variation where the brown pigmentation is at an extreme minimum.

It's not surprising that this mutation would be exceedingly rare; that yellow shell stands out like a beacon amid the darker colors of the forest floor, making any paler snails easier for predators to spot. OTOH, H. vancouverense is found in similar habitats and does have a typically yellow-colored shell, so maybe it's not as much of a liability. And when I looked at iNaturalist results for M. fidelis, there were a very few paler-shelled individuals mixed among the more common reddish-browns. They weren't clustered in one part of the species' range, but scattered throughout.

Anyway, I thought you all would appreciate seeing this!

[throwaway-yandere]

The Boar Prince/ss (Tighnari/Reader)

A/n: Tis I, your secret raccoon @riabef offering you a humble present for this day 🦝 🎁!!! It is probably wet cuz my trash animal brain tried to wash it by the creek but eh, hope ya like it!!! I can't say I celebrate Xmas, but happy holidays, belated happy birthday and best wishes for the new year!!! <333 - with love, ansytea

CW: none!!! Pls trust me– they're just sassy children being sassy children. Just wholesome fluff-crack vibes with added soulmate elements (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

Unreliable Synopsis: Seven-year-old Tighnari meets his soulmate in the forest on the eve of Celestia's Day. Hilarity ensues.

----

Tighnari was FREEZING!

He was just a kid! Why was HE the one tasked with picking up branches for the fireplace?! That's not fair at all! Just because he had maintained his ears and tail better than the rest of his family doesn't mean he's best suited for this job. Sure, it doesn't snow much in Sumeru, but he's not the most resilient fox compared to his relatives! Tighnari's too young for this. The place is positively humid and there is little to no room for his whining unless he would devolve into a fit of sneezes. 

With "Grrr"s turning into "Brrr"s, young Tighnari cloaks himself up with the same scarf by adding more layers to protect his neck. When he went out, Tighnari's hair was wild and unruly, constantly falling in his face as an act of immature defiance. He didn't care how much his mom preached about appearances as the kid fennec stomped to the rainforest. 

The rainforest was positively duller than it was in any other season, and he can't even perceive colors. All greys and darker shades. Then again, he's just a kid so that's only natural. He's not as lucky as his mom and dad who found each other back when they were five. And yet, woe is Tighnari for being seven years old and unable to tell plantains and bananas apart. 

Grey… grey… grey… everything was dreadfully grey. Why can’t it snow here now like it did in Liyue? That’s not fair. He wanted to see something lighter and more cheerful than this cold sight.

Tighnari trudged through the place with his tiny legs, hoping to pick up what he needed and head home fast. He whined and his shoulders sagged. In the common egocentric view of children his age, he complained loudly as he picked up a branch as if he was Atlas and it was the Earth. Tighnari rebelliously waved the stick at the sky for a bit when he did pick it up.

Now would be a good time for him to gain a vision, Celestia! It’s Celestia’s Day Eve! Do you hear his thoughts?! A pyro vision would be great, thank you very much!!! 

When Tighnari noticed four mushroom boars cuddling up to one another, he came to a complete halt. The cold must be hard on them too, huh? They stand out against the less vivid background because of their lighter fur. Tighnari might be able to bring some home. 

He instinctively reached for his bow but stopped midway.

Hold on– Dad didn't send him out here to hunt! He's supposed to bring back lumber like a grown-up!

Tighnari pouted. 

Ngh… but hunting's much more fun, though!– 

Hold on.

His eyes widened. His ears jolted upwards as Tighnari revolved his feet on an axis. He turned his heels around in an alert stance. There was no danger around him– there were no ruin guards, no eremites, no fungi– but his surroundings drastically changed. Tighnari kept shooting glances at the new world– the real world around him.

… What is that...?

“What color is that?!”

His hold on the branch tightened, squinting at the small leaf that grew on its side.

Green… green! This has to be green!

He grabbed his tail. Green– dark green? This is green! Are all of these leaves green? 

Tighnari grinned widely. 

His young and simple mind had decided that he liked the color green.

… Green… Yellow-green…

Those were the first colors he saw, but they didn’t come from the trees and the sprouted leaves surrounding him. What do other colors look like? As he was about to hastily scout the area for Sumeru roses, a dire thought occurred to him.

... Why did he start to see colors?

His heart dropped as he looked at the herd again.

… Green… Yellow-green boars…

Oh… oh no… to think he was just planning to kill them earlier...

Is his soulmate… a BOAR?!

His knees buckled down to the ground, the dewed tall grass scraping it slightly. No, it can't be. Tighnari laughed humorlessly. His parents take great pleasure in their son's innate intelligence and curiosity. It's only natural that he likes reading books– he leafed through some encyclopedias so there’s no way for Tighnari to miss that boars…

… have a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years.

"Ngh...!" Tighnari nearly teared up.

How… how can he fall in love with a boar, especially when they'll die before him? H-how can he kiss a boar? Is that even okay? Won’t his friends make fun of him?! Then again, if it's love, then there shouldn't be anything wrong with it, right?

But the rainforest… it’s greatly affected by the withering…By the time Tighnari graduates, he may not even see his soulmate frolicking in the grass anymore...

… That’s it.

The child clenched his fists. Tighnari’s knuckles grew pale– he had never felt this much resolve in his childhood years. It doesn't matter how long his soulmate lives, as long as he can help extend what little time they have, he'll make the most of it. Tighnari wasn’t going to let them die young, nu-uh! Especially not after he saw how beautiful the world is in full color.

He made up his mind. Starting today, he’s going to be a forest ranger to save his soulmate’s natural habitat!

"I-I…!" Tighnari puffed his cheeks out. The child didn’t care if he looked stupid, especially when his only audience was the silence of the rainforest. "I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE UGLY! I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE A BOAR!"

He shut his eyes tight, mustering the courage to accept his (hilarious) fate. If he had them open, Tighnari would’ve noticed two (h/c) protruding fox ears at the center of the bewildered herd.

"I’M GONNA LOVE YOU!!! I'M GONNA BE FOREST RANGER AND I'M GONNA PROTECT YOUR HOME!!! PLEASE STAY STRONG AND DON'T DIE YET!!!"

“W-Why are you screaming?!”

An unexpected voice called out. Tighnari froze, opening his eyes. 

A fox, you, suddenly appeared in the sea of yellow-green fur. Your face was coated in dirt, and your wool jacket was littered with hair that wasn't yours. You were a bit smaller in stature, probably younger than him, and you pulled your ears down to feign meekness and pain from Tighnari’s previous wailing. But most notable of all, you donned a nervous yet mischievous smile– a smile Tighnari will increasingly grow accustomed to for the entire duration of his life, and it gets better each time he sees it.

Your (e/c) eyes blinked, groggily realizing something was amiss. 

“O-Oh, woaaahh, COLORS!!!” You gawked in awe, mimicking the same movements Tighnari did when he gained the ability to see in full colors. “Hey, are you my soulmate?!– Achoo!!!”

Wait, is his soulmate one of the boars or…?

He shyly combed his hair down, now hyper-aware of how embarrassingly messy it was. Tighnari should've listened to his mom earlier. He didn't know he was meeting his soulmate today!

“I… I’m not sure…” Tighnari blinked, visibly perplexed. He glanced at the boars, troubled. A person was cuddling between those stinky animals? How could a fox's nose even handle that? He could barely keep his jaw from hitting the floor.

“Whack!” You blew a raspberry, your small fennec ears drawing back down. “W-Who else would it be other than ME? The boars???”

He grumbled. 'Well, excuse me, prince/ss', that was exactly what Tighnari thought earlier since you were hiding under their fur like an egg waiting to hatch.

“Never mind that! How about you? What are you doing here alone? Where are your parents– and why are you snuggling with them?!”

“C-Cuz it’s cold, alright?!” You sneezed again. Your voice echoed, cute and high-pitched. “M-My parents are adventurers and I wanted to follow them cuz they’re leaving me alone on Celestia Day b-but–”

You sneezed for the umpteenth time.

“B-But I don’t know where they went... I just wanted for us to drink hot cocoa b-but..." You sniffled. 

"S-so I’m hanging out with my REAL family now! They’re nicer and they gave me mushrooms. HMPH!!!”

You proudly put your hands on your hips as your fluffy ears pricked up. You mimicked a "dignified" posture you observed in exaggerated storybooks, pointing your chin upward.

Tighnari clicked his tongue. “Whatever, Boar Prince/ss. Get out of there before they ram their noses to your butt!!”

His weak threat only made his fellow fennec grouchier. “H-Hey! My name is (Y/n) and I’m five years old, th-thank you very much!”

(Y/n)... That’s a really pretty name… He wouldn’t mind saying it often.

“Whatever, I’m still gonna call you Boar Prince/ss. My name’s Tighnari. I’m seven so I’m two years older than you.”

“T-Tighnari, Tighnari. Heh. S-Sounds cool. What’s your last n-name?”

“Huh?”

“O-Obviously I don’t wanna keep my papa’s last name after they abandoned me, so I’M taking your last name, soulmate.”

“Gah– D-Don’t say things like that, you big lummox!!!” Tighnari huffed, his angry breath visible in the cold air. “And they probably didn’t abandon you, you’re just stubborn and you didn't listen to them like a bad kid.”

You purposefully ignored his last remark. “Why not? Aren’t we going to get married someday?”

Tighnari paused, his face heating up. Technically, you're right, but he didn’t want to admit that. 

He reached his hand out to help you get out of the boars’ place. “S-Shut up! Before you freeze, why don’t you come over to my house? My parents can make some pretty good hot cocoa.”

Your eyes beamed at the suggestion. “Drinking hot cocoa? Hmm... But I wanna do that with my cousins though.”

Tighnari's eye twitched. So much for "soulmates".

“HMPH! If you don’t wanna drink cocoa at my place then be one with the forest!”

“W-Wait up!”

Tighnari walked faster, a few paces ahead of them. You profusely apologized to your "new family" as you swerved out of the herd. Unfortunately for him, despite nearly shivering to death, you're a faster runner than Tighnari. Your hand seized his tail, and he felt his face and ears warm up. You could have yanked him playfully, but you chose to look at him and catch a glimpse of yourself in his eyes.

You decided at that moment that you like the color green, too.

“Hehe, your tail’s prettier than mine.”

He felt his heart race again. 

“W-Wa…” Warm...

“Wah?”

Tighnari trembled in jittery frustration.

“W-Watch your step, our place is near s-so it shouldn't be long until we see mom and dad. And grab my hand instead, won't you!” Tighnari huffed. His place WAS near, but that doesn't mean he won't complain about being ordered to pick up wood earlier.

You did what was instructed, and Tighnari suddenly recalled that you referred to him as your soulmate numerous times. He looked down and noticed how much your hands fit perfectly with his.

A perfect fit... A perfect match...

"Hey, soulmate?"

He answered reluctantly. "...Yeah?"

"I like how warm your hands are too..."

"Ngh!"

Tighnari's hand is sweating and his heart can't take it. It's physically impossible for him to fire a sassy retort to that. He closed his eyes again, overwhelmed.

Slightly, he wished that he couldn't see colors so that he wouldn't notice how cute his soulmate is with that "pink" blush dusting their face.

—----

“Oomph– y-you surprised me, love.”

Neither of you can believe it’s been 14 years since you both found each other– and this would be your 12th year spending Celestia's Day together.

Tighnari, now visibly older but just as energetic as he was before, captured your waist from the back. He put his head on your neck, humming contentedly as he basked in your presence. 

"Sorry, I just missed you…"

You smiled and ruffled his hair slightly. "I missed you, too…"

That's right, 12th year. You're finally home after a two-year-long expedition in the Chasm with Miss Yelan. Suppose being a bit adventurous does run in your blood. However, you weren't too late to not witness the nation of Sumeru change because of the traveler's influence. Since your return, Tighnari frequented your house more often– leaving the rangers with more work. Not that they mind, they’d rather pitch in than see their forest watcher mopey and depressed. Besides, you might've missed the Sabzerus festival, but you won't leave your fiance at his lonesome again for Celestia's Day. 

It’s impossible for him to keep under wraps just how much he adores you. Tighnari sighed dreamily, his expression softened as he looked at you. His fingertips shyly brushed against yours until he intertwined your hands. Although you were slightly tense, you relaxed into the hug and squeezed him back.

He whispered in your ear, his soothing tone complimenting the crackling of the fireplace. "I'm not letting you go… Ever…"

"I know."

"You know what? I'm locking the doors."

"Then what's the point of inviting the others to spend Celestia's Day if you did that, hmm? Do you want poor Collei to be alone on the holidays?"

His nose scrunched. The kid was sleeping soundly upstairs after she got tired of waiting for the traveler and Cyno. Tighnari's never going to abandon her, she can't be alone when she got the best parental figures with her. Better than those boars, at least.

"Collei can stay in, she’s like your daughter at this point. The others can perish."

"OUR daughter. Plus, last time I checked, it was your idea to invite them."

His hug tightened, "I made a grave mistake. I don't want to hear Cyno's jokes under the pine tree." 

By no means a novice to his snark, you chuckled softly. As time flew by, your old playful happy-go-lucky nature refined to be more serious, but never dull. You've both matured into fine adults. However, you're behaving rather timidly compared to your usual banter, which only pushed him to act skittish.

Tighnari pouted intentionally cute. “Honey... you know there’s no one else in the world more gorgeous than you, right?”

You tell each other everything, and this is often his best conversation starter for it. “What is it this time, love?”

“Hypothetically speaking, what if I told you I accidentally gave the others the wrong map?”

“...The wrong what?”

“The wrong map to your house.” His voice was muffled this time as he buried his face in the crook of your neck. You’re used to the sensation of him hiding his meek expressions behind you. “What if I told you I mailed them Collei’s drawing?”

You put your hand on your chin profoundly, your ears drooping down. You're something of a schemer yourself, so it's in your nature to doubt his claim. “Ah yes, because I’ll definitely believe you did that accidentally after you just said you don’t want them to come over.”

“Yes– cause this time I’m not lying.”

“Sure, you rotten fox…” You grumbled. “I can’t believe you’re exposing to everyone that I’m the Boar Prince/ss. It was supposed to be a secret!”

Tighnari laughed, his joy so contagious that your pretend dismay collapsed in an instant. The both of you stood by the fireplace for a while, your ears listening to the sound of your soulmate’s breathing.

It's the warm and comfortable moments of silence like this that can wash two years of loneliness away.

Life has kept you both so busy that the beginnings of your somewhat haphazard love story have been buried behind numerous tasks and research papers. Nevertheless, regardless of the conflicts you two had experienced, it all comes down to one tale. It is a wonderful serendipity that both perspectives coalesced into a single, cohesive narrative of a child who believed a boar was his soulmate and another who was unexpectedly adopted by the herd while looking for their parents.

Tighnari traced the engagement ring in your hand. His eyes were intensely green yet soft whenever he gazes at you. 

Green’s such a beautiful color, especially when it paints his features. You'll never grow tired of observing his face.

“(Y/n)... I'm so glad that you're alive, unlike a boar's lifespa–”

As if to ruin a magical moment in a Fontaine rom-com film, the door busted open, revealing a particularly unamused scribe with a mercenary, a dancer, a general, a gliding champion, and a traveler trailing behind him like lost puppies. You flinched at the sound while Tighnari put a distance between you and the “intruders”. He only relaxed when he saw Cyno lazily raise his hand.

“Motherfu– See? I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you, Dehya.”

“Relax, Haitham, what matters is we’re here now.”

“We would’ve gotten here earlier if SOMEONE didn’t trust a crayon map.”

“I’m sure Tighnari didn’t mean to send us that one.”

“Stop defending him, Cyno, you’re not his damn lawyer.”

While carrying a sizable sweet madame, Lumine shrugged at the very back and looked directly at you and Tighnari. Paimon drifted next to her while sluggishly drooling.

"Happy Celestia day!"

Despite being worn out, the traveler tried her best to ignore the miserable arguments being had by everyone with a large smile.

You snorted behind your hand as Alhaitham brushed off the snow in his cloak by the carpet. You found it funny that none of them, except the scribe, ventured to doubt the quite literally sketchy map. It's impressive that they managed to read Collei's handwriting.

Deciding not to point that out, you helped them get inside. Dehya stood behind him with a sheepishly amiable smile with Nilou directly next in the queue. Nilou giggled as Alhaitham muttered a string of curses under his breath about how he’s too feeble of a scholar for this amount of legwork. Meanwhile, the person who you assumed was "Amber", looked around for any signs of her Sumeruan friend.

Your satisfied smile never left your face as you watched your friends chat heartily. Celestia's Day with friends and family... it's just like what you asked for 14 years ago.

"I'll go and wake Collei up," Tighnari muttered before he pecked your cheek. You nodded along. It was your idea to surprise Collei with Amber after all.

"Bring out the mugs and hot cocoa too."

"On it."

Alhaitham noticed the fox was about to leave and scoffed, his face souring in an expression similar to his housemate's. Oh, he's pissed.

“You…" He pointed an accusatory finger at you. "Why did you send us to the middle of the rainforest? And why on earth is it jam-packed with boars? Is this some high-level joke I can’t comprehend?”

“That’s what I would also like to know too, actually,” Nilou mused, but by the teasing lilt of her voice, it seemed as if she already guessed the answer. “Why did you mark the boars’ habitat as (Y/n)’s home?”

You and Tighnari looked at each other in unison. Your shoulders shook as you both silently held back your laughter.

“Yeah, well, about that…”

----------

Ansytea: happy holidays, riabef!!! hope you liked this <33!!!

[leiascully]

X-Files OctoberFicFest Day 15: Hollow

This year, I'm using the October 2022 prompts from @artpromptcal.

TW: canon typical discussion of death/post-mortem

For an office job, it's surprising how much time they spend in the woods. She supposes that they mostly leave the bodies in dumpsters and abandoned buildings to municipal authorities, which is part of it. The mysterious corpses are all in the woods, decomposing under leaf litter and tangled in roots. She's learned to prefer the open air. It makes the flies more bearable. Predation is a fact of death - she knows that - but crows and foxes seem a more dignified option than rats.

There are less sinister reasons to venture into the forest, too: reports of strange creatures and lights that can't be explained. That's what they're chasing today.

"The Ozark Howler," Mulder explains again as they hike. "A wolf-sized creature with the muzzle of a dog and the shape of a cat, Scully. You might think that would be strange enough, but you'd be wrong."

Scully steps over a fallen branch. "Of course I would."

He grins. "In addition to those anomalies, it has red eyes and horns."

"Astonishing," she says, crunching through the leaves. There's a nip in the air that chills the tip of her nose. It's apple weather. Firepit weather. The mountains around them are red and orange and yellow, stippled with dark green pines. Sunlight sifts through the leaves when the wind sighs.

Scully doesn't believe any legendary creature would appear in the daylight - too easy to document, for starters - but a day like this is impossible to argue with. They deserve an easy case once in a while. Besides, something is killing chickens. She suspects a mountain lion or coyotes, but the reports are incongruous. There are bears in these woods too, somewhere. Any of those things would have the power to turn chickens into the smears of blood and feathers in the photographs in Mulder's files.

Mulder isn't finished. "The first reported sighting was in the 1800s by none other than Daniel Boone."

"I've heard of him."

"Reports differ on whether he was able to shoot one, but multiple sources have described seeing Howlers over the years, even up to present day."

"Mmhmm." Scully sips from her water bottle. "How did we get called in for chicken murder? That isn't a federal crime, or we'd be arresting Colonel Sanders."

"Someone from the local field office tipped me off to this one," Mulder said. "Chicken's big here. Anyway, this thing could be crossing state lines. The Ozarks Highlands span a four-state area."

"I see."

The trail in front of them crests the hill and descends into a hollow lined with a bonfire array of maples. At the bottom, a sturdy wooden bridge spans a chuckling creek whose progress down the slope is punctuated by tiny waterfalls. The trail is cut into stone steps just a bit too high for Scully's stride. Mulder wordlessly puts out a hand to steady her as she climbs down. His grip is warm and strong. She savors the moment.

They stop on the bridge. Scully pulls two apples out of her bag. Locally grown, the sign said. She and Mulder lean on the railing and eat the crisp fruit. It takes her a moment to realize that the woods are loud around them in a way that's so different from the city: birds and water and rustling leaves instead of traffic and people. Peace steals over her. There are bones in these woods, to be sure. These mountains are old, worn down nearly to hills. There are always bones in a place like this. But they're hunting a beast instead of a human murderer. It's old-fashioned, almost sweet. If these woods are haunted, it's by ghosts that belong here.

Scully unearths a bag of trail mix. She suspects that Mulder's hunger is greater than apple-sized. Mulder leans his shoulder gently against hers. She doesn't shift away. There's no one to see them here. They can exist in their most natural state: so close that the clouds of their breath mingle and their fingers brush as they reach for GORP.

"Imagine the Howler in a place like this," he says, and she can almost see it: a wild thing, crouching to lap from the stream, watchful red eyes and graceful horns and a tail that lashes.

[rainbowfey]

Day 21: Swoon

@flufftober

Izuna was already waiting when Madara arrived at the training ground. For some reason that he couldn’t quite comprehend, Izuna had taken a liking to this rather remote area and now wanted to meet up there increasingly often. Sure, it did offer a peaceful and quiet environment and Madara did see the charm of the yellow and red trees swaying softly at the edge of the forest, accompanied by the soft gurgle of the creek close by. Due to its remote location, their training also often went undisturbed which was another benefit. They hadn’t planned on training today, however, and Madara wasn’t sure why Izuna had asked him to meet him here.

Izuna was resting on one of the benches, his legs outstretched and a calm expression on his face. He only looked up when Madara came to a halt in front of him. “Hi there,” he said, a half-smile on his face.

“Why am I here?” Madara asked, staring at his brother. He was no big fan of pleasantries, especially not with Izuna who he knew so well that they might as well be able to read the other’s mind. Well, at least that was the case most of the time. Not today though and thus, he was rather impatient to find out what Izuna wanted from him.

Izuna furrowed an eyebrow and looked at him, squinting. “Really? Not even a ‘hello’ for me?”

Madara sighed and crossed his arms. “Hello. Content now?”

“Not really,” Izuna said and slowly sat up. “Gee, you really need to loosen up a bit. You’re pulling a face right now, are you aware of that?”

Madara had to suppress the childish urge to stick his tongue out at his brother. Instead, he forced a more amendable expression on his face and took a seat next to Izuna. “Better?” he asked.

Izuna grinned at him and nodded. “Way better. In order to not keep you in suspense any longer … I wanted to ask you how your ‘absolutely not a date’ date went.”

Madara’s face fell and he gave Izuna an incredulous look. “For real? You made me go all the way out here just to ask me this one question?”

Izuna sat up and gave him a rather stern look. “Well, you wouldn’t have told me a thing if there was even the slightest possibility of anyone else listening. So, yes, that’s why.”

Madara had to admit to himself that Izuna did have a point but he wasn’t about to let him in on that. So he left it at a vacuous grunt and shrugged. “I don’t really know what to tell you,” he said dismissively, well aware that Izuna would let him get away this easily.

And he was proven right when Izuna huffed indignantly and shook his head. “I want to know everything,” he said emphatically. “Every detail, everything you talked about, literally everything!”

Madara sighed to himself but he knew that he didn’t have a choice. Not after Izuna’s plan had worked out exactly as planned, giving him the chance to get to know Tobirama a bit better. “Well,” he started and thought about what he wanted to tell his brother. “He did get a bit suspicious after you guys left. He asked me if I had planned for this to happen.” Izuna grinned to himself, his eyes glistening with amusement. “He was right about that, though. Did you tell him?”

Madara shook his head in disbelief. “Obviously not! I think he didn’t really believe me though. He’s way too smart to be deceived like that, you know?”

Izuna looked at him curiously. “How do you know that he’s smart?”

Now it was Madara’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “Haven’t you heard him talk, Izuna? A person as eloquent and attentive as him has to be intelligent. Also, after you left, we talked quite a bit about our favorite books. Did you know that he’s well versed in philosophy?”

From the corner of his eye, he could see Izuna smiling. “No, I didn’t. Seems like you two have a common ground there, huh?”

Madara sat up and before he could stop himself, he already carried on. “Not just there. He’s also very well-read in a broad range of topics and he knows insanely much about weaponry and the nature of jutsus. He even told me about an idea he had for a new jutsu and it is impressive how in depth he knows about the process. He even made his own adjustments so that it would have an even bigger impact.”

Izuna gave him a pensive look and nodded slowly. “That is quite formidable. Only very few shinobi are capable of that.” Madara nodded emphatically. “Well, of course he is. I think I’ve never met anyone with such a sharp mind before … except for me, of course.”

Even he couldn’t stifle his grin at his bold statement and Izuna laughed out loud. “My brother, the epitome of humility,” Izuna grinned. “Okay, so he’s super clever. What about his personality though, did you click?”

Madara paused and thought about it. The whole evening had been a whirlwind of impressions and ideas but throughout all of this, he hadn’t been able to keep his gaze from Tobirama’s gorgeous face. Suddenly, he felt a bit hesitant and he contemplated about how honest he should be with Izuna. After his initial suspicion, Tobirama had indeed relaxed quite a bit and opened himself up more. However, Madara hadn’t been able to read him and he wasn’t sure what to make of Tobirama’s behavior.

“He not only has a sharp mind but a sharp tongue as well,” he grumbled, remembering a couple of sassy remarks that Tobirama had made.

“So, just like you?” Izuna smirked, giving a Madara a playful nudge.

“No,” Madara protested, shooting his brother an indignant glance. “He’s really bold. And he’s so stubborn, my goodness! If he’s convinced that he’s right he can’t be reasoned with. You should’ve seen his stern face when I said that he wouldn’t stand a chance against me in taijutsu!”

Izuna laughed to himself and shook his head but Madara preferred to ignore his reaction. “In that moment, I really wanted to grab him and shake him,” he continued.

Izuna grinned at him. “And kiss him?”

“Yeah!” Madara blurted out before he realized what he had said. “I mean, no! Of course not. Izuna, don’t be silly, I’m not even sure that I like him.”

Izuna gave him a knowing look which triggered Madara even more. He barely noticed that he had started to speak quicker. “I mean, yes. He’s insanely hot and his mind makes him even more attractive. And he has the most gorgeous smile in the whole world but dude, that doesn’t mean that I like him!”

A bit confused, he noticed that Izuna’s gaze wandered over his shoulder, almost like as if he was staring at something behind Madara. He huffed and crossed his arms. “Are you even listening to me? Just because he’s basically Mr. Perfect that doesn’t mean that …,” he trailed off and his eyes widened when he saw Izuna’s amused look, fixated on a point a bit above his shoulder. A sinking feeling started to form in his stomach when it dawned on him.

Izuna’s face lit up with the biggest grin he had ever seen on his brother and his heart skipped a beat when Izuna said to someone that had to be standing behind him. “Hi, Tobirama. What brings you here?”

Madara froze in place, staring at Izuna who visibly relished the situation, grinning like a Cheshire cat. It took him everything he had to force an unfazed expression on his face before he slowly turned around, his heart thundering in his chest.

Tobirama stood only a couple of steps behind them, his hands in his pockets and his face blushing crimson. He looked like as if he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole. He avoided Madara’s gaze, shuffling his feet and staring intently at some point below Madara’s face. “I … uh,” he stammered, still blushing intensely. “Hashirama told me I’d find you here. I wanted to …”

He trailed off, staring at the ground helplessly. Madara felt his cheeks burning as well and he gave Izuna the angriest look he could muster. But some part of him quietly rejoiced at Tobirama’s reaction.

He ignored the tingle in his guts and tried to sound as unimpressed as he could. “You wanted to … ask me something?” he guessed.

Tobirama nodded quickly. “Er, yes. There’s something that I need help with and Hashirama said you’d be the one to ask in this matter.”

Madara blocked out Izuna’s triumphant smile and focused on Tobirama. “Sure thing,” he said, “where is it?”

Tobirama hesitated noticeably and his cheeks turned blazing red when he finally muttered, “At my place.”

[ahedderick]

Monday

Busy Monday (I work at home, why are busy Mondays so common?) I did paperwork/billing paying/insurance checking and other small [annoying] tasks early on, then late in the morning I got my gear on for working outside. This reliably puts both dogs into hysterics. It took me longer than I wanted to get heavy jeans/socks/hair-braided/work hat/pruning saw/pruning shears/oops-I-forgot-camera and all the nonsense put together. Scooped up Baxter because he enjoys when I work in the far field. Off we went, a 200 yard commute.

There is a narrow stretch between the field and the creek, and we DON'T want it to become completely overgrown with brush and invasive thorn bushes. My husband got one strip mowed with the tractor and brushhog, and I'm trying to further that improvement with hand tools.

You can see, looking south, that it's quite thick. Not quite impassible, but you'd need heavy jeans and boots to get through there.

The other direction, you can see where I cleared a bit last time I was here. Baxter is helping (yellow arrow).

After an hour and a half, during which time Nutmeg joined us and nibbled things with great interest, I had made some good progress.

Shrubs such as spicebush and elderberry get left; they are both native and useful (to wild birds or to me). I am, as you can see . . never lonely.

Off to the left, at the top of the field . .

. . green marks the areas that were full of bushes when I started, and red marks all the places I piled up cut material. Some will get burned and some will be left to decay naturally. My winter fitness program, in a nutshell.

[icarusredwings]

The Night is young. The moon isn't out. The depth in which the stars cover is barren, leaving the sky bare of any light at all.

The porch light to your house is on. Just a small home on the brink of the city.

Ever since the outbreak, you didn't trust going into town. Besides, Things were quieter out here. You liked the silence And preferred the natural white noise over any automatics that might try to sway your persuasions.

The crickets chirp, Owls hoot, mice squeak, the deer make small crunching noises somewhere distant from your land. you actually bought this place because of the dense forest around it. It was nice. To have somewhere so enclosed and hidden.

The rain drops drip into a pan left out for the stray dog that's been spotted in the area, a gentle breeze blowing in your hair, the echoing clipping and clopping of a horse somewhere further down the road.

A frog croaks, the cicadas buzz, the morning doves do not sing. No one sings anymore.

Your nose crinkles as the porch board creeks from the weight of your feet. You're bare food out here. but not alone. Turning, Your partner tugs at part of your shirt. You give them a smile as you use your lips to gesture towards a pile of wood that was stacked nicely against the house.

A light comes around the bend of the road, a low grumble of an engine, the sound of tires against gravel. You quickly push yourself against the siding, Hand arm over your partner's abdomen and hand over their mouth as you hold your breath. Your eyes are wide, you can hear your heartbeat in your ears, your mouth becoming dry.

Slowly it passes, coming to a small halt at the front of the home, only to roll off at the howl of a coyote, rushing off to find the producer of the noise.

You peek your head around the corner, letting your shoulders relax and let out a quiet sigh.

“That was a close call” Your partner whispers, only for you to shoot them a glare And a motion of hushing their mouth.

They roll their eyes. “I still don't see why we were hiding anyway. What are they going to do? I mean, seriously.”

You grit your teeth, keeping in a huff of frustration, Whispering back. “You know how dangerous it is to be out here at night?”

“Come on, you don't believe all that do you? It's probably just wolves.” They say, stepping towards the wood as they gathered a few pieces in their arms. You follow, being sure your steps are as silent as possible.

“I don't know, They said they have teeth the size of an arm”

“Ha! Teeth!? Really?” They laugh

“Shhh!!” You scold them, putting a hand over their mouth as you hear another muffled growl.

You again hold your breath, stopping, staying as still as possible.

A small ruffle of bushes and leaves turns out to be nothing more than a rabbit, who is quick To run away.

“Ha!! You're scared of a rabbit? Man, those stories are going to your hea-”

There was a grumble, a continuous growl.

“Did you hear that?”

Tons of leaves, and even larger sticks snapping from the weight as it prowled closer and closer. The ground shook. The air heated from what sounded like the huffy breaths of something otherworldly.

Swallowing, You stay still, not moving an inch, barely breathing and once again your heart is in your ears instead of where it belonged in your ribcage.

Hesitantly, your partner reaches for their waist. You glance at them, your grip, nails tightening into their sleeve, warning them not to do it.

A gravely, raspy snarl comes from the forest.

Your partner shakes off your arm, adrenaline pumping as they stare into the dark empty ibis, only a pathetic 20 feet in front of them.

They click on the flashlight.

Stalling there is the most dangerous of all of the possible beasts.

Its large eyes flashing a reflective yellow, its large black treads dug into the dirt, and bite as big as the traveler's stories said..

A 2016 Ford F-150

Hey now, hey now, don't dream it’s over

Your heart isn't in your chest anymore.

[navstuffs]

spring time date with ezio x gn!reader headcanons

Warnings: FLUFF, established romance, alcohol usage, two idiots in love, no physical description of reader, undefined time period ezio, date in nature

Author's notes: heeey, spring is finally coming where i live so ofc time for headcanons! i must warn i have a hugeeee weakness for shy!ezio and his hair. im finally working on my last request and hopefully this week i will post it! (i have more 5 or 6 projects planned, ezio isn't resting with me) i hope you enjoy!

requests are open for ezio.

It was Ezio's idea. The weather is finally getting warm and cool, perfect for outdoor dates. 

Knowing how much you love nature, Ezio decides to take you on a date. He has a basket in his arms when he picks you up but doesn't let you look into it or carry it.

On the way there, Ezio points you look very beautiful. You note that he also looks very handsome: wearing black pants, a white long-sleeve, and boots. He seems so relaxed.

There is that delicious breeze in the air you missed so much, and the sun isn't burning. Just perfect. Ezio interlocks his fingers with yours, announcing you are not far away.

When you arrive at the garden, you are speechless.

It is an explosion of different colors, like spring should be. Green, red, and yellow vibrating with so much life, it gives you chills. The flowers bloom so beautifully. You are scared to investigate and end up stepping inside a paint.

You turn around to Ezio, your eyes glowing, trying to thank him, and he rubs your cheek, whispering that he knows.

Ezio explains that the garden belongs to his uncle Mario outside Monteriggioni. Since he discovered the area last Spring, Ezio had been giving a "helping" hand here and there because he had wanted to surprise you.

Which meant he had been doing all the garden work SECRETLY for a year!

"You tended this garden alone, Ezio?"

"Well, not exactly alone. I had some help, you see."

Also, not entirely a lie. Ezio had Leonardo, Claudia, and even his Mother's help, but he was the one primarily taking care of, making sure everything was perfect for when spring came.

And the look on your face is the result of that.

You want to melt. Instead, you pull Ezio into a passionate kiss, demonstrating all your emotions, gratitude, and love for him. Ezio moans on your lips, kissing you back, and it takes all your strength to break it apart.

"We will have more time for this later."

You can see Ezio is internally arguing about forgetting to show you the rest of the garden and make out with you. Due to your pleading face, he sighs. 

"Fine. We will come back for this later, amore mio."

Ezio guides you to a small creek surrounded by trees, explaining what he has done, like cleaning the area around the creek. Whenever you look, you can see different types of flowers.

The landscape looks straight from an enchanted book; you expect to see gnomes and fairies pop out soon.

Ezio opens a towel on the recently cut grass. You two sit, and he brings some bread, cheese, meat, grapes, and wine out of the basket.

Your boyfriend looks very proud of himself. As he opens the wine bottle, you don't know where to look, if Ezio or the trees. You two have a lovely meal, surrounded by nature sounds.

When you finish, you both get sleepy due to the wine. Ezio groans, wanting to spend the rest of the day buried with his face in your neck and forget about the world. You get up, a little dizzy, despite all his protests.

"My boyfriend prepared all this for me. We better check it, Signore Auditore."

He follows you around, sometimes holding your hand. Sometimes just staring at your astonished face. You looked so captivating, explaining Botanics facts.

Your smile made him happy as if he had a heat in his chest that would spread all over his body. Everything looks so alive because you are happy. You catch Ezio staring at you like the most precious thing he has ever seen.

You grab some small flowers on the way, giving Ezio a playful smirk while walking toward him. He smiles, confused.

"Che, amore?"

You place some flowers on your ear. Then you pull his hair out of the ponytail, letting it roam freely through your fingers. Ezio groans your name softly.

Because the man always has a fascination with you touching his hair. You always loved his hair and wished to see more times free.

"Are you fine with this?"

When Ezio just purrs, you continue passing your hand through his hair and placing some small flowers on it. He doesn't seem to mind.

"I promise I won't let you go home with these."

You finish the afternoon laying in the towel, admiring the sunset while the water comes down the creek. Well, you do. Ezio is sound asleep in your chest, relaxed as you have never seen it before.

You kiss the top of his head, holding him close to your chest. You wish you could stay like this forever.

MASTERLIST | EZIO'S MASTERLIST

[theramblinghockeydude]

Quiet Spots

I believe it is vital in life to have a quiet spot that you can to when things get a bit hectic and you need a recharge of the batteries to get through the day to day. I have always had my quiet spots from a very early age in life and so right now I am a bit thrown off because I am not able to get out and find a new quiet spot.

Growing up whenever I wanted to get away a bit or just be alone with my thoughts I'd trek to the coulee (back pasture) behind our house and wander around. A couple of favorite spots were the far, I believe South, corner at the far edge of the field where the beavers would build their dam and do their work. You could cross the creek and sit up on the hillside under the trees and just kind of take it all in. It was peaceful. My other spot was the hill next to the creek where it had eroded away and I could sit and look for rocks for hours. There was something about sitting on that hillside getting lost in the rocks that was soothing. I think it was being able to simply shut the brain off and focus on one thing only...cool rocks. Once I got a little older and was driving there was a spot a few hundred feet from our driveway on the road that you could pull into. I would pull in quite a bit when it was dark out and stare at the sky and let everything melt away. When the Northern Lights were out that was a pretty good spot to watch them from. All of these spots had the same things in common, you could hear the sounds of nature whether it be the birds or any other animals, smell the fresh, clean air and for two of the spots at least, you had the sound of the water running through the creek.

When I left for college I was in need of finding a new quiet spot. I tried the library, but that didn't work, it was a different kind of quiet. I eventually found a spot behind the Johnstone/Fulton/Smith dorm compound. A nice little spot where you could sit on the bench, it had flowers and I am not remembering now if there was a fountain or not, but I do remember going there quite often to sit and just let the stress of the day roll off of me. Mind you, the English Coulee didn't always smell the best, and with the Simplot plant close to campus and the Sugar Beet plant in Minnesota not far away, the smells weren't always the best, but there was something calming about that place, especially in the evening hours.

Once I was out of college and back in Minot I found that any place outside of the city where I could sit and watch a sunrise or sunset would do the trick. Had to be far enough out where it was a bit secluded, but back then that wasn't hard to find like it is now. There were times after work when I would drive out to the Lake Audubon Wildlife Refuge and do the scenic loop there. There were a couple of cool spots on the drive where you could pull over a bit and sit and watch the ducks do their thing. Very peaceful and calming.

I eventually found my favorite quiet spot that I have ever had, the Lake Darling Scenic Drive. I absolutely loved that place. It was best in the early early morning or late evening. Drive up top, park and watch the sunrise/sunset over the water, that was the best. It was so peaceful, not a sound could be heard other than the wildlife. The calls of the Red Winged Blackbird or the Yellow Headed Blackbird seemed to dominate the area, but the waterfowl there were not going to be outdone either. Early morning was great when you had a bit of fog rolling through. The air just had a fresh smell to it and everything felt and looked brand new. I had the chance to sit out there a few times and watch a storm roll in and hunker down in my vehicle while it did it's thing. Something about thunder, lightning and rain that are very soothing to me. Once the storm passed, you could hear the wildlife come back to life, almost as if they were checking on each other to see if they were alright.

I hope that each of you has a quiet spot that you can go to and recharge and let the stress of life melt away. If you feel like, I would love to hear where your spot is, please feel free to comment either here or on my facebook feed.

[argakyan]

To already copy sth over I recently wrote on Twit: I was randomly wondering how in Skyrim the holds of Hjaalmarch & Eastmarch got their names. "-march" implies these were autonomously governed vassal states under a bigger entity. At least talking about "East-" that means Eastmarch secured the eastern border of a larger state. With "Hjaal-" it's at least simpler: That's the name of the river which then flows into the Drajkmyr Marsh which at first glance looks like a saltwater marsh situated in maybe a river delta grown out of sediments from the mountains south of Morthal & much of Whiterun Hold. And just to hyperfixate again on the Hjaal and the Drajkmyr Marsh I took the time to roughly paint out what I think about the catchment area on a map (figure 1, haven't done full in-situ look at it ingame yet). I was also thinking about the delta in more detail & past branching pathways coloured here (figure 2). The main pathway of the Hjaal probably changed multiple times with one dead branch, here yellow, disappearing the most. Something I have also looked at ingame already are the water pathways & creeks in Whiterun Hold. I noticed a lot of creeks etc run underground in the area. On one hand makes it less certain where the borders of the catchment area are, as underground waterways can divert to or from the area in a way you wouldn't expect by surface topography, on the other it's an indicator there may be karst below a more recent sedimentary layer. Under the assumption that it is a karst area, which is also indicated by part of the erosion & caves in the area (but not all), that may indicate the area at one point could've been situated in a warmer climate such that carbonate rocks form - but that's a hypothesis for now. I mean technically in TES daedra etc are all real so nirn-history going back in time beyond the religious big-bang is pretty much out the window, but you could to a degree still articulate a possible natural history. Stuff like deltas changing their branches is even something that does well happen within timescales as they are since the creation of Nirn in The Elder Scrolls lore.

[vandaliatraveler]

Day Date at Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, Part 1. Most couples would probably equate a "date" to a nice dinner out and a Marvel adventure movie, but Blake and I, being hopeless nature fanatics and aspiring satyrs without hooves, equate it to mean "putzing around in the mountains". The timing was perfect: the haze from the Canadian wildfires, which has been choking most the US Mid-Atlantic and Northeast for the past week, had mostly moved on, replaced by a crisp blue sky with a light breeze.

From top: the view from the Rich Mountain Overlook on Old Route 33, heading toward Harman; Blake communing with the mystic creek chubs in Gandy Creek, one of the best brook trout streams in the Mid-Atlantic region; cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum), a mildly phototoxic beauty that Native Americans relied on for food and medicine; a forest composition of false green hellebore (Veratrum viride), ferns, wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), and golden Alexander (Zizia aurea); a close-up of golden Alexander, a lovely, spring-blooming member of the carrot family; the wetlands complex at Spruce Knob Lake; shining ladies' tresses (Spiranthes lucida), a spring to early summer-blooming bog orchid recognizable from its bright yellow labellum; bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), which can be easily mistaken for a spring-blooming forb but is actually a dwarf dogwood; and a feisty eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis), whose saliva contains a mild neurotoxin that is deadly to its prey but harmless to humans.

[scorpiongrassfield]

Let's Look Around

The landscape feels more Woods than forest for a moment as you blink. The summer heat melts away as you feel the chill again. But this time it does not try to take you, just settling down on you like a cat curling up in your lap. 

You’re still exactly where you were before. 

You think.

Was the ground always this steep? 

The first thing you notice, more than anything else, is the pile of flowers set on the bank of the little stream that’s cutting its way down the incline. 

Pat must notice them too, because they make their way over to inspect them, crouching down and poking at the cut stems with the end of a pen they produce from their pocket. 

“These are fresh. Interesting,” they muse. 

“Did someone leave them here for whoever died?” you ask as you get down next to Pat. 

“Presumably. But our employer says that no one knew who the body belonged to, or at least that the police hadn’t let that information out before they went silent on the case,” Pat explains. 

You frown. That doesn’t make a lot of sense. 

“The flowers themselves are pretty interesting, don’t you think?” Pat asks, poking at a purple flower. 

“Are they?” you ask. 

The creek burbles next to you pleasantly. 

“Sure,” Pat smiles. “We’ve got monkshood, hyacinth, buttercups, and daffodils here. Either whoever left them knows enough about the victim to know they like purple and yellow, or they had something interesting to say.” 

Pat pokes at the ends of the stems. “These are all cut to different lengths and are just kind of scattered about as opposed to being in a bouquet or arrangement, so it’s unlikely they came from a florist. Which means that someone picked out these flowers specifically,” they reason. 

“Oh,” is all you can think to say to that. You think Pat is pretty smart. 

“Yep,” Pat says, popping the ‘P’. 

They stand back up and look back into the stream. 

“Our client actually doesn’t know exactly how the victim died. She only has hearsay to go off of,” Pat says. 

“That makes things more difficult for us, doesn’t it?” you ask. You look around and can’t grasp any sign that someone might have died here, other than the flowers. 

“Perhaps,” Pat muses. 

They step closer to the stream, where the ground gets rocky and the rock gets slick. 

“Do you think a person could drown in this water?” They ask. 

“I think you can drown in any amount of water. But it would be hard to drown someone else in it,” you guess. 

Thinking about drowning makes you feel… something. Cold and scared and sad and lost. 

The Woods encroach again but you fight it off. You want to be here. You want to know what happened and to who. 

“The flowers,” you start, trying to find something to cling to. 

“Hm?” Pat hums as they inspect the rocks. 

“They seem sweet,” you admit. 

“They might be sweet. They might be a sign of guilt. We don’t know yet,” Pat muses. 

They use their phone to snap some pictures of the area. 

“You know a lot about flowers,” you observe, still just trying to keep the conversation going. Your vision is fizzing out. 

“I do. Flowers are interesting things,” Pat says with an almost bitter smile. 

They put away their phone and turn their full attention to you. 

“Hey Sylv,” they say, name seeming as natural as anything coming from them in this moment. “Which of these flowers do you like the best?”

[cripplingparanoia]

Orchid - Something In The Way, Nirvana

Cactus - Raising a child 😂

Bamboo - Probably the pjs I was wearing before I left, or just removing layers until I'm comfy

Abelia - honestly? No, but I'd really like to have something like that. I'm still working on even having clothes I like, soooo

Daffodil - I have 6, & I think we are only alike in that we share parents, although my older sister & bro were fosters, but I think we are all unique in our own special way & that's not a bad thing, but I don't really talk to any of them anymore either

Mahonia - being in nature, especially riding my bike or even jogging. It rents to leave me clear minded & refreshed, & I'm more motivated to do more other things I enjoy and need done

Chia - I can't think of anything currently, but my ex bestie & I used to always tell this one guy on our school bus "Brush your teeth" whenever we got to his stop after school and when he got on before. Idek why, it's not like he had bad breath or yellow teeth, so no idea how or why we started, but yea

Sage - Music. It's one of the only arts you don't use your eyes for. Feels more spiritual that way

Edelweiss - I actually don't remember. I don't struggle with paranoia too bad myself unless I smoke sativa 😂 I honestly think I just needed something quick, easy, & catchy that wasn't taken already lol

Camellia - I was a trouble maker but I was also kind & full of wonder. In some ways I have changed, I definitely don't cause as much trouble than I used to, but even that hasn't changed much lol. I'm still trying to get that "childlike wonder" back, but I'm actually making progress surprisingly. I still like a lot of the amaane things, and some new things. Mostly, I've grown rather than "changed". Im still the same me, but just a slightly better version. I'm also still young, lol, so I have plenty more growing. But I don't think I'll ever change. I'll always like dinosaurs and Japan, I'll always dress "unconventional", and I'll always remain kind & full of wonder

Jasmine - hmm, I don't think so!

Ivy - Happy, giggling. Sad, I cry easily. Upset, quiet or irritable. Angry, loud & overwhelmed. Annoyed, quiet but with attitude. Tried, quiet and sluggish.

Chamomile - crystals & incense & candles (spiritual stuff etc), dresses, shoes, bags (clothes etc), candy, cake, ice cream (treats etc) books, movie dvds, & music CDs or records, stuffed animals, art supplies, skin care, anything cutesy

Aloe Vera - meditating by a creek or stream in a wooded area while the birds chirp & the leaves rustle on a cool but not cold day, like warm with a nice breeze

Palm Tree - Soundwave or Kylo Ren (probably most of my other fictional crushes too tbh 😭😭😭 [Doc Ock 😂])

Nutmeg - not currently really, but I have some decorations. Hopefully someday tho, my room will be green & pink color scheme & show my personality thru decorations, show my girly & boyish sides, with spiritual touches & kinky stuff, with a focus on plants & nature & just have a welcoming vibe.

Papyrus - The Light Behind Your Eyes by MCR, like some of their other music, it's so powerful and enchanting, it just sweeps you up & takes you away on a journey. Its immersive in a way.

Taro - I had a son w my bf or 2 years, I grew my hair out past my shoulders finally, my birthday is in 4 days, I moved out of my parents and live in an apt now, but we are looking for a house for when our lease is up now that our son is here. I'm much happier nowadays.

 ﹟random get-to-know-me ask game  !! 

orchid ⇢ what’s a song you consider to be perfect?

cactus ⇢ something you’re currently learning (about)?

bamboo ⇢ do you change into a different outfit when you get home?

abelia ⇢ do you have a particular piece of jewelry you always wear or can’t part with?

daffodil ⇢ do you have siblings? if yes, in what ways do you think you’re similar to or different from them?

mahonia ⇢ what place, thing, activity inspires you most and how do you express yourself when it does?

chia ⇢ what’s an inside joke you have with someone else?

sage ⇢ what ‘medium’ of art (poetry, music, fiction, paintings, statues etc.) is the most touching to you? why do you think that is?

edelweiss ⇢ how’d you think of your url/username? what’s it associated with to you?

camellia ⇢ what were you like when you were younger? do you think you’ve changed a lot?

jasmine ⇢ do you have a movie or book you loved but will never watch/read again?

ivy ⇢ what are your ‘tells’ for your emotions and moods? how can someone tell you’re happy, annoyed, upset or tired?

chamomile ⇢ what kind of things do you like receiving as gifts?

aloe vera ⇢ what’s something (mundane) you really want to experience in life?

palm tree ⇢ do you have a fictional villain you shouldn’t like but love regardless?

nutmeg ⇢ how’s your room/home decorated? do you have a specific theme or style going on?

papyrus ⇢ if you put your ‘on repeat’ playlist on shuffle, what’s the first song that comes up? what do you like about it / associate it with?

taro ⇢ if someone called you right now to catch up, what’re the things you’d tell them about?

[globetrottergurus]

Autumn's Best Kept Secrets: Where to Catch Nature's Own Fireworks Display This Fall!

There’s something magical about fall in the US—the air gets crisp, the days a little shorter, and the landscapes transform with vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold. If you’re looking to experience peak fall foliage, you’re in luck. The US is packed with spectacular spots where autumn colors take center stage, from mountain ranges and scenic byways to lakesides and charming small towns. Here’s a guide to some of the best places to soak up the breathtaking fall colors across the country.

1. The White Mountains, New Hampshire

The White Mountains are one of New England’s most iconic fall foliage destinations, and it’s easy to see why. With its dense forests and towering peaks, this area bursts into a kaleidoscope of color each fall. Take the Kancamagus Highway, a 34-mile scenic byway that cuts through the heart of the mountains, for unforgettable views. Stops at the Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, and various scenic overlooks are a must. Plan to visit in late September to early October to catch the colors at their best.

2. Stowe, Vermont

Vermont is renowned for its idyllic fall landscapes, and Stowe is the perfect town to experience it. Known for its vibrant maples and classic New England charm, Stowe offers plenty of opportunities to view fall foliage. You can take a leisurely hike on trails like the Stowe Pinnacle or head up the Mt. Mansfield Auto Toll Road for sweeping panoramic views. The nearby Trapp Family Lodge also offers beautiful trails and overlooks, making it a prime spot to catch those autumn shades.

3. The Catskills, New York

Just a few hours north of New York City, the Catskills are a favorite fall destination for anyone craving fresh air and amazing foliage. With over 700,000 acres of forests, this area turns into a rich palette of colors by early October. The Catskill Scenic Trail, which passes through open fields and woodlands, is ideal for leaf-peeping. For an unforgettable view, hike up to Kaaterskill Falls or take a scenic drive along Route 28.

4. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina & Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway, known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” is a stunning choice for fall foliage. Stretching 469 miles between North Carolina and Virginia, the parkway is lined with scenic overlooks and dense forests that burst into color from late September through early November. Popular stops include Grandfather Mountain, Craggy Gardens, and the Linn Cove Viaduct. For a unique perspective, consider hiking one of the many trails along the route.

5. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee & North Carolina

The Great Smoky Mountains offer a long season of fall colors, thanks to their diverse elevation range. Starting in early October at higher elevations and peaking by late October in the valleys, this area provides breathtaking views of the vibrant foliage. Cades Cove and Clingmans Dome are two fantastic spots for fall scenery. With a rich mix of tree species, the Smokies display a wide range of colors, from deep reds to golden yellows.

6. Door County, Wisconsin

Nestled between Lake Michigan and Green Bay, Door County is a Midwest gem for fall lovers. This 70-mile peninsula has over 300 miles of shoreline, giving it a unique coastal beauty that complements the changing leaves. Take a scenic drive along Highway 42, explore Peninsula State Park, or stroll through charming towns like Fish Creek and Sister Bay. Peak foliage usually occurs from late September to mid-October, so plan accordingly for the best views.

7. Aspen, Colorado

Known for its namesake trees, Aspen is a truly unique destination to see fall foliage. Unlike other areas where maples and oaks dominate, Aspen’s fall colors come from the golden aspens that blanket the landscape. The Maroon Bells are one of the most photographed spots in Colorado and provide a jaw-dropping backdrop with the mountains, lake, and vivid yellow leaves. Peak season is typically mid to late September, so catch it early if you can.

8. Upper Peninsula, Michigan

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan offers some of the most impressive fall colors in the Midwest, with its vast forests and scenic lakes. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, with its iconic waterfalls surrounded by bright foliage, is a top choice for fall enthusiasts. For those who love a road trip, the 47-mile Brockway Mountain Drive provides stunning views of Lake Superior and miles of trees decked in autumn hues. Peak season typically falls between late September and mid-October.

9. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular destination for fall foliage, with rugged cliffs, flowing waterfalls, and lush forests that transform with autumn colors. The Historic Columbia River Highway provides easy access to iconic waterfalls like Multnomah Falls, Horsetail Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls, each framed by the seasonal change in foliage. Early to mid-October is the best time to visit, as the combination of waterfalls and colorful forests creates a magical landscape.

10. Ozark National Forest, Arkansas

The Ozark National Forest is a hidden gem for fall foliage lovers. With more than a million acres of protected land, the Ozarks offer a vibrant display of red, orange, and yellow leaves each autumn. Scenic Byway 7 provides fantastic views, and hiking trails like Whitaker Point (also known as Hawksbill Crag) offer breathtaking vantage points. The fall season here peaks from mid to late October, making it ideal for those who love forested mountain views.

11. Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed town in Washington, takes on an extra layer of charm in the fall when its surrounding mountains and forests are decked out in autumn colors. October is the perfect time to visit for both fall foliage and the town’s famous Oktoberfest celebrations. Take a hike in Icicle Ridge for sweeping views or stroll along the Wenatchee River for a quieter, scenic experience.

12. The Berkshires, Massachusetts

Massachusetts’ Berkshire Mountains are a classic New England fall destination, where rolling hills and small towns are ablaze with color each October. The Mohawk Trail, a scenic route that winds through the Berkshires, provides picturesque views and roadside stops. Towns like Lenox and Stockbridge offer cozy inns, art galleries, and local eateries, making the Berkshires perfect for a fall weekend getaway.

From coast to coast, the US offers incredible destinations for fall foliage, each with its own unique charm and breathtaking views. Whether you’re drawn to the rugged landscapes of New England, the grand mountain views of the Smokies, or the aspen groves of the Rockies, fall is the perfect season to explore the country’s natural beauty. Pack your camera, hit the road, and enjoy the vibrant colors of fall!

[iffoundreturntosea]

June 30, Day 181/182

Day 181 2015

Teaching myself how to design a website

#website #design #imustbecrazy #crazy #dreamweaver #tutorials #learning #picoftheday #project365 #day181

Day 182 2016

I wanted a sunflower but I haven't seen any in the normal areas this year.

#quilted #flower #yellow #shadesofyellow #june #picoftheday #project365 #day181

Mom always has something beautiful or quirky around that I can photograph!

Day 181 2017

My favorite hobbies: reading and photography 🙂

#hobbies #hobby #read #books #stephanieplum #camera #nikon #photography #me #mirror #reflections #june #picoftheday #project365 #day181

Day 181 2018

I know what I wanted but it was difficult #to execute it today.

#lastdayofjune #thatwentbyfast #notes #notepad #stationary #paper #inkpen #pen #write #writingtool #takenforgranted #objects #everydayobjects #june #picoftheday #project365 #day181

Day 181 2019

"I'm cute"

#nephew #family #socute #luckyaunt #firsttimehold #doingbettereveryday #babyboy #love #nationalsocialmediaday #june #june30 #2019 #nationalday #nationaldaycalendar #picoftheday #project365 #day181

He sure is!!

Day 182 2020

Festive colors for the holiday weekend!

#cool #chill #frozen #frozenflowers #flowers #carnations #bright #sky #clouds #beauty #ice #color #june #june30 #2020 #picoftheday #project365 #day182

Day 181 2021

Breeding male sunfish protecting his nest in the creek 😍

#nature #outdoors #creek #buffalocreek #water #breedingmale #sunfish #nest #fish #june #june20 #2021 #picoftheday #project365 #day181

Oh, I love this picture from the creek. The creek really was a great way to get away from the library for a few minutes when it got overwhelming.

Day 181 2022

It rained almost all day today. Simply lovely.

#rain #outback #lake #water #view #outdoors #june #june30 #2022 #picoftheday #project365 #day181

It's actually a bayou but I didn't know that at the time :)

Day 181 2023

That's lights out on another month. Anyone's guess what the next will be!

#art #create #crayons #neon #color #invert #june #june30 #2023 #picoftheday #project365 #day181

Day 182 2024

I am so ready for spooky season and cooler weather!

#teapot #dailytheme #jackolantern #ghost #grandmasteapot #june #june30 #2024 #picoftheday #project365 #day182