#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!

[tavolgisvist]

Thank you, lovely @crepesuzette2023, @i-am-the-oyster and @getbackmountain, for tagging me! It's always hard for me to decide which book or movie is my favorite because at different times it is different ones but it's always interesting to know <33

Favorite Movie: Danny Boyle's Frankenstein (I know, I know! it's not movie but I watched it on the screen - and so many times! - so I suppose it may rates as movie), Withnail & I, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (and MMT and GMRTBS of course!)

Favorite TV Show: Fortysomething, Black Books and Jonathan Creek

Favorite Musical Artists: my first true love The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Wings, John Lennon, Sam Cooke, Janis Joplin

Favorite Color: Anything in the brown/yellow/green area

Favorite Season: Spring

Favorite Book: A School for Fools by Sokolov S., Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams

Do you have any Funko Pops?: No

Do you play any instruments?: Just a little on the piano and a guitar

Do you have any pets?: Yes, my beautiful willful cat (and you saw her recently)

Do you read or write Fanfiction?: Yes, I read them now and then. And I don't write fics, but I write something else :-)

What song(s) have you had on repeat repeatedly?: it happens with me and music permanently :-) But now it is Pure Gold by Paul and Ringo, Chan Chan by Buena Vista Social Club, On The Nature Of Daylight by Max Richter and Save the Last Dance for Me

Tagging: @sgtpeppers, @consulting--defective, @foryouwereinmysong, @groovybananastarfish and @thewalrusespublicist

[roxyteal]

I swear to GOD mobile loves doing this thing where instead of saving an existing draft, "Save" means "I'm gonna post this whether you like it or not". Jesus fuck

Anyway I guess y'all are about to get some stuff about Imnever (WTTW) early. Sigh

Also contains WTTW spoilers but in a B-plot kinda way

He lives in an otherwise uninhabited area that resembles a forest with a creek. He likes the nature and seclusion. His school was modified into a traditional Japanese house, with a garden and everything (holy shit). There's still a lot of yellow, however. It is about a ten minute walk to the city area

Viktor has asked him to move so developments can happen but was refused several times. Even to a point of protest by literally sitting in the garden and not leaving. Eventually Viktor decided that fighting him on this wasn't worth it and left him alone

He finds Billy "cold" and "hard to read", and thus doesn't trust him

He is a Rare Snacks Enthusiast, or so he claims. But really he's just a Snacks Enthusiast

He also appreciates the little things in life, such as a snowflake landing on a bird's cheek or seeing slivers of blue sky on a cloudy day. And also he believes that sleeping for rest is good for mental health (unproven for AIs such as himself, possibly just a placebo)

As mentioned in the Joe 5 post, he is an animator by trade, but teaches art at Baldina's school. What hasn't been said is that it's not coincidence. The two have history together, similar to Text and Lady Blossom's original circumstances

They are best friends who vowed to meet up at the Webspace together, but a mishap caused Baldina to enter first, Imnever eventually making it roughly two months later

Anyway by animator, I am of course referring to 3D animation. He makes them in his free time

In fact, he has Animation Powers. Fastforwarding or rewinding, pause, play, shuffle or loop frames. Requires physical contact with the subject to initiate, but is automatic on himself. Lasts only a brief period, though (fifteen seconds at most), and even shorter if said subject is particularly resistent

So even if he held onto Alex the whole time, he would still break free quickly...

Was injured in the Incident, via a non-lethal stab in the shoulder. He was already too drained to rewind it. But he has long-since recovered, don't worry

Another friend and colleague he knows is Dave 46, the algebra teacher (of course). He always tried getting Imnever to be a little more assertive, but it usually never worked

He left with the other staff for the Yellowstone National Park field trip, while Joe and 46 stayed behind. Joe was to be a lookout, while 46's reason was a mystery. Of course, later on, it all became clear and Baldina fired 46 for coup participation. Imnever has heard him out after the fact, and remains his friend

Meanwhile he asks what Joe thinks about all this and he's just like "i never want to talk about daves ever again". Oh yeah... He saw them flying to Infinity School. He called Baldina and said that "Hell must've froze over because the Daves are rioting". Understandable, have a good day

Still, he's trying to pass on what he knows to Baldina in hopes of reinstating 46. Unsuccessful thus far. Maybe he could have a hearing? Baldina is reluctant

Some other things would go here but the draft posted early so sorry I don't have anything else for you THANKS MOBILE!!!

[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.

[carly41619]

The Moon Rocks and Hoodoo Rocks trail near Davis, West Virginia features ancient rock formations open to hikers and mountain bikers. While most enjoy the unique topology abd scenery in the mild Summer months, the trail emanates a special kind of silent beauty when blanketed with Winter snow. Be careful though; the Moon Rocks can get extremely icy!

January 2024, Yellow Creek Natural Area, WV

[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

[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.

[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.

[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?

[gloriousreviewtidalwave]

The Changing Seasons of San Jose, CA

Introduction to the Changing Seasons of San Jose, CA

San Jose, California—known for its bustling tech industry, beautiful parks, and vibrant culture—experiences a unique blend of seasonal changes that add charm and character to this Silicon Valley gem. From sun-drenched summers to crisp autumns and mild winters, each season in San Jose brings its own set of activities, events, and natural wonders. This article delves deep into the changing seasons of San Jose, CA, exploring everything from climate patterns to local festivities.

The Changing Seasons of San Jose, CA

San Jose boasts a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Understanding the changing seasons in this city can enhance your experience and help you make the most out of what each time of year has to offer. When you think about the seasons in San Jose, consider how they transform not just the landscape but also local traditions and community interactions.

Springtime Blossoms: March to May The Arrival of Spring in San Jose

As winter recedes and temperatures begin to rise around March, San Jose welcomes spring with open arms. Flowers bloom in lush gardens throughout the area. The famous cherry blossoms at the Japanese Friendship Garden create a picturesque scene that attracts both locals and tourists alike.

Outdoor Activities During Spring

With temperatures averaging between 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C), spring is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Hikers can explore trails at Almaden Quicksilver County Park or take a leisurely stroll through the scenic Los Gatos Creek Trail. Parks like Guadalupe River Park offer picnic spots where families can gather as nature comes alive.

Festivals Celebrating Spring

Spring also brings various festivals celebrating culture and community. The Annual Cherry Blossom Festival is a highlight in April, featuring traditional Japanese performances, food stalls, and art exhibits that showcase local talent.

Summer Sunshine: June to August Embracing Summer Vibes in San Jose

As summer rolls in around June, temperatures peak—often reaching into the high 80s°F (30°C)—creating ideal conditions for outdoor activities. Residents enjoy long days filled with sunshine and warmth.

Summer Events and Festivals

Summer is bustling with events such as Music in the Park—a concert series featuring local bands held at various parks across San Jose. This free event encourages community engagement while providing an excellent opportunity for family picnics under the stars.

Exploring Local Attractions in Summer

During these months, many residents flock toward attractions like Happy Hollow Park & Zoo or visit downtown’s Santana Row for shopping and dining experiences. Water activities at nearby Lake Almaden are also popular among families looking for ways to cool down.

Autumn Colors: September to November The Beauty of Autumn in San Jose

As summer fades away by September, fall graces San Jose with cooler temperatures ranging from 55°F to 80°F (13°C to 27°C). Leaves begin turning shades of red, orange, and yellow throughout local parks—a breathtaking sight for nature https://www.socialcali.com/san-jose-marketing-seo-agency lovers.