#Tree Service Phoenix

[montufarstreeservice]

Expert Tree Service in Phoenix – Professional Tree Care for Your Property

Maintaining the trees on your property is essential for safety, aesthetics, and environmental health. Whether you need routine maintenance, emergency removal, or professional trimming, finding a reliable tree care provider is key. If you're looking for expert tree service in Phoenix, Montufar’s Tree Service offers top-quality solutions to keep your trees healthy and your property safe.

Why Choose Montufar’s Tree Service?

With years of experience, Montufar’s Tree Service is known for professionalism, efficiency, and affordable pricing. Homeowners and businesses in Phoenix trust us because:

Certified and Experienced Arborists – Our skilled team ensures expert care for all types of trees.

Safety First Approach – We prioritize property protection and follow industry safety standards.

Affordable Rates – We provide competitive pricing without compromising quality.

Emergency Tree Removal – We respond promptly to storm-damaged or hazardous trees.

Customer Satisfaction Guarantee – We are committed to delivering high-quality tree care tailored to your needs.

Our Comprehensive Tree Services in Phoenix

Tree Removal

If a tree is dead, diseased, or posing a risk to your home, our team can safely remove it using advanced equipment and expert techniques.

Tree Trimming & Pruning

Proper trimming helps maintain tree health, enhances appearance, and prevents potential hazards caused by overgrown branches.

Stump Grinding & Removal

Leftover stumps can be an eyesore and a safety hazard. We provide stump grinding and removal services to restore the beauty of your landscape.

Emergency Tree Services

Storms and unexpected events can cause trees to fall, posing risks to your property. We offer prompt emergency tree services to mitigate hazards quickly.

Tree Health & Maintenance

Our tree health assessments identify diseases, pests, and potential issues, allowing us to provide the best treatments and care.

Trusted Tree Experts in Phoenix

Proper tree care enhances your property's beauty and ensures safety. Whether you need routine maintenance or urgent tree removal, Montufar’s Tree Service is your go-to expert for tree service in Phoenix.

Don't wait for tree issues to become a major problem. Contact us today for a consultation and let our skilled team handle your tree care needs!

[pvtrimmersphx]

A certified arborist plays a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing Arizona’s residential green spaces. With their in-depth knowledge and skills, they target tree health, reducing pests and diseases and applying expert pruning techniques. This ensures that your trees can withstand environmental stressors, contributing to improved air quality and ecosystem health. Safety is paramount; they spot potential hazards like weak limbs and take necessary actions to prevent accidents. Read our most recent blog post about the impact of certified arborists in maintaining residential green spaces. https://www.pvtrimmersphoenix.com/blog/the-impact-of-certified-arborists-in-maintaining-residential-green-spaces/

A certified arborist plays a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing Arizona’s residential green spaces. With their in-depth knowledge and skills, they target tree health, reducing pests and diseases and applying expert pruning techniques. This ensures that your trees can withstand environmental stressors, contributing to improved air quality and ecosystem health. Safety is paramount; they spot potential hazards like weak limbs and take necessary actions to prevent accidents. Read our most recent blog post about the impact of certified arborists in maintaining residential green spaces. https://www.pvtrimmersphoenix.com/blog/the-impact-of-certified-arborists-in-maintaining-residential-green-spaces/

[thesewordsareallihavetogive]

I'll be home for Christmas - Bob Floyd x reader

Summary: 1.4k words. Your husband has been deployed for 5 months. The holiday season is in full swing and you’re missing him. This is my entry for @lewmagoo's holiday celebration!

Warnings: language? Pining, angst, fluff & some more fluff

a/n: I wrote most of this in one sitting LAST MONTH. aaaaand then finals season descended upon me like a hoard of rabid locusts. so y'all get this holiday fic now, where it's technically still Christmas in some time zones!

One hundred sixty-seven days.

It’s been 167 days since you last saw your husband.

Rather appropriately, the U.S. military wanted to ensure its service members and their families could celebrate Independence Day. 

July 4th at the Floyd household was truly a sight to behold. Penny brought half a dozen pies, Bradley’s family brought Carole’s famous potato casserole, and the rest of the squad brought beer. Lots and lots of beer. Phoenix, however, had more taste than the rest of the boys–as you had repeatedly told them over the years–and brought over your favorite drink to share. Natasha helped you and Bob decorate your humble bungalow early that morning and helped you with food prep throughout the day in anticipation of the 4th of July cookout.

On the surface level, the party you hosted was simply to celebrate the national holiday. It was arguably also a send-off party, given that half the aviators illuminated by fairy lights in your backyard would be shipped off to an undisclosed location less than 24 hours from that moment.

167 days is equivalent to 4,008 hours or 240,480 minutes, according to your recent Google history.

December 19th welcomed you with a cold embrace and increasingly painful longing. In defense of December and the holidays and all the commercialism you found yourself falling willing victim to, you kind of did this to yourself. At no point were you required to watch three and a half hours straight of shitty Hallmark movies over peppermint bark and eggnog. But you did, as was your right and freedom as an American citizen, you mused to yourself against the lip of the lukewarm mug.

Uncle Sam was not your best friend as of late.

Being away from your husband for five and a half months didn’t make for the most pleased military spouse.

You normally counted your blessings when you could. At least during this deployment, you were able to have semi-regular and reliable contact with Bob. Unlike some of his other deployments, the worst being the 10-week stints with no contact or details whatsoever. But now, as you watched the female lead–who looked like every other holiday Hallmark leading lady you’d seen today and yesterday and the day before and the day before that and–who left her impressive job in the city kiss her generically handsome high school sweetheart in front of their small town’s Christmas tree farm, you were not counting 4,008 consecutive hours away from your husband as a blessing.

Bob’s initial deployment orders ensured he’d be home by the beginning of December. Some classified delays that were above your level of security clearance pushed that date back to December 23rd. When Bob had the misfortune of sharing this news with you, he thought the Facetime connection had frozen from how long your jaw remained dropped.

The daily countdown displayed front and center on the fridge was reminiscent of a prisoner’s tally marks.

The second worst part of long deployments like these was the funk you’d fall into. You were a strong independent woman, dammit. But you were also a woman who was deeply in love with her husband. You aren’t ready to accept it yet, but you’re nearly certain this specific deployment has deepened some wrinkles and brought forth a few strands of grey hair.

“You are beautiful, my love,” Bob would tell you, sweet as ever, anytime your thoughts crept toward self-consciousness.

You were still young and hip enough to go out on a Thursday night, right? The thought quickly left your head as you inspected the old sweatpants you wore and the nearest clock reading well past 10 p.m.. Bedtime. You didn’t want to get up off the couch and do the dishes or fold the blankets or turn off the TV or do anything, but because you’re a responsible adult, you at least start the Sisyphean tasks.

A shrill ringtone emanated from the living room and you damn near tripped over said blankets while sprinting to pick up the phone before it’s too late. With soapy hands, you swiped to answer–unsuccessfully at first; the dish soap suds were evidently plotting your downfall–and were relieved to hear the signature soft static of the connected call.

“Hi, honey,” Bob greeted gently. He was tired, you could hear it in his voice and you knew you’d be able to read it on his face too.

“Bobby!” A grin brighter than you’d felt in days broke out across your face. There is comfortable silence just for a moment where the two of you enjoy each other’s presence. You know his time for phone calls is limited, so you cherish every moment. Even the quiet ones. You spared a glance at the time, knowing now that it is unequivocally past bedtime. Not that any concept of time mattered right now.

“What time is it where you are?” you ask him, prying for details you don’t have the security clearance for. You both know better, but he still humors you.

“It’s getting a little late…” he says smugly, scratching the back of his neck. It’s a nervous tick, one that you can’t see at the moment. You hum in response. He can rarely tell you any specific details about where he is or what he’s doing. After years of this, you still bug him. He will swear until the day he dies that his greatest pleasure in life is being bugged by you.

You tell him about the shitty Hallmark movies you’ve been watching. You catch him up on the drama with your coworkers. Bob doesn’t want any kind of drama in his life, but he does indulge in some gossip about people that he’s never met. You tell him about the weather, about the shelter pets you’ve almost adopted close to ten times now, but agreed Bob should meet the fluffy friends too before welcoming them to their forever home. He listens as you review the final touches you’ve placed on the Christmas decorations, highlighting the anniversary ornaments hung proudly on the tree and the row of photographs from Christmases past with any and every Santa impersonator the two of you saw out in public. Because it’s totally normal for two adults to have a collection of such selfies.

There’s shuffling on the other end of the line and you’re half-worried you’ve rambled the man to sleep and the phone slipped from his grip. He hadn’t responded in a while–he was content to let you speak, or maybe he was snoozing.

“Bobby?” You say softly, hoping to get his attention, but not wanting to rouse him if he fell asleep. He deserves the rest.

Before he can answer, there’s a knock on the front door. What the fuck? You’d certainly considered ordering a pizza for delivery as dinner part 2, but you hadn’t actually placed the order. Or so you thought?

“Hold on, Bobby. Someone just knocked on the door…” you trail off, hesitantly tip-toeing toward your home’s entrance.

“Huh. That’s weird,” Bob remarks. You peer through the peephole and your heart stops. The phone clatters to the floor–the screen might’ve cracked, but you could not care less–as you wrench the door open, revealing the tall, handsome man you’ve been missing for 240,480 minutes.

“I can’t imagine someone would come to the door at this hour. It’s a little late, don’tcha think?” He says cheekily. You all but launch yourself into his arms. You bury your face into his warm neck and can’t stop the steady stream of tears flowing down your flushed face. Bob squeezes you tight like he’ll never let you go. His glasses are crooked on the bridge of his nose from the force of your body meeting his like a magnet, but he couldn’t see anything through his tears anyway. Eventually, you pull back, gasping for air as your eyes dance wildly across every inch of his body, making sure he’s really there and you aren’t dreaming. The feel of his firm lanky frame dressed in khaki and the way he simply smelled like home confirmed that for the first time in a long time, you felt complete.

“You’re here! You’re home!” you squeal, capturing his lips in a kiss that would have your neighbors clutching their pearls. Bob smiled into the kiss, every second of it rich in love and passion and making up for lost time. “I told you, honey,” Bob begins, punctuating every few words with kisses across your face. “I’ll be home for Christmas.”

a/n: Happy holidays!! Reblogs & comments are much appreciated 🥰

Find more of my writing on my master list.

[harridansibyl]

Personal associations/interpretations of the dark/mystical houses (4th, 6th, 8th, 12th)

4th house

twisted tree roots, cultural practices, heirlooms, photo albums, inherited features, traditions, the mother, past lives, generational trauma, picture books, garden beds, childhood homes, ancestor altars, hand written recipe books, hearth, squeaky wooden floorboards, genealogy archives, caves, oak trees, baby wrap carriers, emotional security, cultural heritage, building foundations, photo albums, genetics, laundry lines, swing sets, property, mines, crops, sanctuaries, the chest and heart, home steads, fields, farms, root cellars, harvests, pots on stoves, brooms, backyards, agriculture, vines on trellises, handmade blankets, grandparents house, laundry baskets, attachment styles, singing lullabies, history, deep emotions, instincts, the unconscious, summer, waxing moon, vase of flowers, bath time, picking berries, celebrating holidays, chicken coops, older sisters, family gatherings, stone paths, forest walks, ancient structures/buildings, ancestral languages, cupboards, staying in

6th house

vitamins and supplements, morning routines, pharmacies, tasks and lists, doctors offices, health food stores, stomach medicine, hygiene practices, journals and planners, schedules, herbal teas, personal rituals, emergency kits, dog walks, lymphatic drainage, caregiving, donating blood, examinations and checkups, meditation, colour coordination, sticky notes, gastrointestinal problems, folded laundry, labels on everything, retirement homes, hand washing, braided hair, herb gardens, filing cabinets, face masks, kombucha, detailed diagrams, volunteer work, medicine cabinets, cleaning supplies, shelves, acts of service, skin care, organic linen, gauze and stitches, stress-induced illnesses, essential oil/herb baths, house plants, instructions, repetition, holistic medicine, giving advice, yoga studios, "gut feeling," bone broth

8th house

altars, divination, near death experiences, candle wax, feeling crushed by a heavy weight, grave dirt, red/dim lighting, funerals, double income, control, the underworld, cheques, insurance, heirlooms, ghost sightings, power imbalances, crime documentaries, ouroboros, bank accounts, grief and loss, shadow work, the womb, manipulation, scrying mirrors, Russian nesting dolls, keys, mortuaries, tests from the universe, pendulums, crime scene tape, the phoenix, projections, credit scores, animal bones on a forest floor, blood stained sheets, metaphysical shops, spiritual attacks, deep emotions, snakes, dead flowers, late autumn, wedding veils, envelopes, full moon, muddy boots, shadows at the corners of your vision, scarab beetles, inner processing, experiencing crisis, inherited possessions, natural disasters, sexual trauma, psychological studies, ancestral connections, cracked dolls, veil between realms, mental illnesses, deep connections, intimacy, reincarnation, torture devices, keys, whirlpools, the sound of sirens, unconscious fears, intense first impressions, pushing limits, feeling bound, scratches on walls, ten of swords

12th house

abandoned places, liminal spaces, long winters, shadowy figures, reoccurring dreams, repeated patterns, fog-filled forests, self analysation, inner worlds, cave systems, unfinished basements, hallucinations, solitary confinement, empty parking garages, spiral staircases, substance abuse, trapped in purgatory, hidden beneath the surface, maladaptive daydreaming, hospital hallways, confines of society, waning moon, moths, wandering aimlessly, disconnection from the world, psych wards, healing others, tired eyes or dark circles, chronic mental illness, suppression, addictions, hiding places, overnight shifts, unexplainable experiences, past life karma, exhaustion, cobwebs, others projections, catacombs, bird cages, premonitions in dreams, prescription bottles, self destructive patterns, late night walks, misty lakes, the feeling of walking out of the movie theater at night, identity crises, blurred faces, empty public transport, astral projection, comas, diary entries, dissociative episodes, shape shifting, generational trauma, observing people, mirrors, padded rooms, the afterlife, chain link fences, paradoxes, feeling misunderstood, repression or memory loss, hikikomori, the freeze response, disappearance, waiting rooms

[vintagelasvegas]

Free Aspirin & Tender Sympathy at Union 76, Las Vegas Strip. Undated c. 1958. Slide scan by Charles Phoenix.

Alan Post’s Union 76 opened circa ‘57. The phrase “Free Aspirin, Tender Sympathy” appeared in their print advertising that summer, but the earliest dated visual we have of the sign is a traveler's 8mm film from Fall 1958. The sign was referenced in the newspaper later that year:

“A service station attendant got some of his own ‘free aspiring and tender sympathy’ last night on the Strip after he was slugged twice with a crescent wrench by two teenagers who attempted to rob him.”

– Man Slugged by Two Teenagers. Review-Journal, 12/9/58.

The S&H Green Stamps section of the sign was in place through the mid 60s when the station was owned by Wayne Nickerson. That section of the sign lost its neon in the 70s, and was used for painted lettering of later owners names: Jay G. Manning, 70's, and Kenneth L. Lehman, 80s.

When the station closed in 2001 the sign had no neon tubing left. The sign was donated to the Neon Museum. In 2024 the Neon Museum oversaw a complete restoration of the sign. It was installed in the Medical District, in the median on W. Charleston Blvd east of Rancho Dr.

Photos: Free Aspirin & Tender Sympathy

Film from Danita Courtney. Dated Oct. 1958 by performer names in the film. Trees on either side of the sign are about the same size as the Charles Phoenix image.

The sign reads, Free Aspirin, Ask Us Anything on its south-facing side. Low res image circa Jul. '63, from Almost Lono.

The restored sign, W. Charleston near Rancho Dr., 12/2/2024.

Updated 12/2/2024.

[ohwormwood]

ISAT OCS: concept art dump and notes

Part 0 | Introductions | Concept Art Dump | Ornithomancy | Memes

-

i present to you: the archive of isat oc doodles, pieces, and various other visual media that i have amassed over the course of 6 months!

-

messy celest ref! fun note: she knows how to do traditional weaving techniques. her belt in my mind is a tablet weave, but i couldn't exactly get the texture right on scale. also don't look at the hands! i got tired!

-

haruka concept and the final design! she went though a couple of iterations, but this the one we settled on. you can see the clothes she's wearing under in her sprite comp as well.

-

Aega concepts! she is a Giant Woman; she stands at her 7'8''. her body is actually a porcelain ball jointed doll, made before the island nuke to use as a vessel for her within her shrine. her weapon was originally inspired by the bloodborne trick weapons, and could turn from the naginata to a scythe, but that ended up being scrapped because the design was kinda janky. also, she is heavily inspired by the twin sisters from Kubo and the two strings.

-

fuyumi concept art! she's haruka's mom– she doesn't show up until postcanon, but she's genuinely one of my favorite characters and her energy is delightful. she's a rock type but specializes as a rather formidable healer.

-

other expressions concept art! there are actually 4 in total; aquila (the eagle), monoceros (the qilin), ophiuchus (the turtle and snake), and draco (who is. obviously. a dragon. but i haven't designed him yet). they're heavily inspired by the four holy beasts from a piece of chinese classical literature. typically, the white tiger takes the place of the qilin, but some versions swap the two. these are essentially the divine beasts from breath of the wild, and they each have their own questline, associated party member, and dungeon accordingly. Himawari is connected to Aquila (DEEPLY and extremely lore relevant fact); Haruka to Ophiuchus (inspired by Asclepius, the greek god of medicine); Celest to Monoceros (the qilin is often compared to a unicorn in the west, though they're pretty distinct); and Ori with Draco (even though he's not pictured here, he's a traditional east asian dragon design and carries a massive pearl).

-

original fauna i made for worldbuilding and drawing practice.

the eagle is an Okibi Eagle, whose design is a pretty solid mix between a harpy eagle, the golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, and secretary bird. lore-wise, they were used as falconry birds by a few clans, but disappeared after the Island got nuked. Himawari's design is heavily inspired by them (well, vice-versa, but you get the picture).

the butterflies are actually an enemy; they're called Moonflies, and they're part of the stuff that happens once Aega's influence spreads. Their wing scales shed constantly, and when they're breathed in, they cause a potent anesthetic and hallucinogenic effect similar to what Aega's sleep does. They swarm together and, mechanic-wise, perform a similar service to what the Kings Tears do during his fight. Their coloration changes depending on the lunar phase they emerged during. Their design was a mix of the Aega morpho, japanese luna moth, lyretailed phoenix swallowtail, emerald swallowtail, and blue peacock swallowtail.

-

gem trees! they're a ka buan adaptation of favor trees; in the lore we've stated that the favor tree concept itself was an Islander tradition that has been so morphed into common life that most places where the Islanders had some impact has some variation of them. the design and function are extremely similar to shinto traditions of marking sacred trees inhabiting kami with shimenawa, as well as shinboku, trees where tags asking for blessings are left for a shrine's kami to fulfill. instead of tags, carved gemstones are used and hung from the branches of trees. some are natural, old-growth trees like camphor trees, but sometimes there are trees constructed with wire to act as a more stable and malleable version.

-

(himawari and aega belong to @dasnercaret; orion belongs to @scramblecat; haruka and fuyumi belong to @aquakirb)

-

Part 0 | Introductions | Concept Art Dump | Ornithomancy | Memes

[itzjustm1st]

Okay so... This is my Vat7k/TTS oc Thomas Zador ! For context he has a few different Au's. The first three drawings are from an au where he would be part of the show's timeline. He's originally only from Vat7k, being from Corona but having moved from it at a young age. He's 17 in his original au. That would make him 13 in TTS s1 !

This one is the original Thomas !

Gonna add a little bit more of context to explain his character in both aus so this will have a lot of text.

Original Thomas: Thomas is a 17 year old wizard who lives alone (with his crow Phoenix) in a cottage close to a village in the outskirts of the earth kingdom. His family moved from Corona, the light kingdom, when he was 7 for "a better opportunity to offer their magical services in other places" (magic is a familiar thing). He left his house at the age of 15 to move into his present time home. His parents didn't stop him, he claims they trusted him enough to take care of himself at that age. In reality he doesn't really have the best parents. They never spend time with him, always being away for something and they don't encourage him at all. A phrase they always said to him was “you have to be proud of yourself because nobody else will be proud of you. Not even us.” Were they trying to prepare him for a cruel world full of disappointments? Maybe. But it really fucked him up. He's always looking for approval, love, respect, affection and interest from the villagers. He reaches a point where he starts to use his magic to cause 'disasters' to later on solve said disasters himself and start to be seen as a hero because of the way it makes him feel loved and wanted. (Some of those disasters could be, for example, catching trees or crops on fire, floods, small tornadoes, etc). It used to go like that until Varian and Team Radical stopped in that village to stock up on supplies. Basically they would go there. Meet him. See one of those 'disasters'. Try to help before Thomas appears and solves it himself. Varian starts to feel suspicious of Thomas. Somehow they learn the truth. Varian confronts him and Thomas gets VERY MAD. Thomas goes back to his cottage. There's a villain ahh monologue as he starts to plan on hitting the town with every single disaster he knows how to conjure to prove to Varian that he's a 'talented and skillful wizard who deserves the appreciation he receives'. He does it. Everything goes downhill when he can't solve them and Team Radical helps him as they save the village from the magical caused problems. People from the village find out about what Thomas was doing and they OBVIOUSLY start to resent him. Thomas apologizes to both Team Radical and the village but yk you can't fix your mistakes with a simple 'sorry'. The villagers didn't kick him out but you can probably imagine they don't treat him very well.

Ummm the TTS au is just him as a smaller child also looking for approval from others but OBVIOUSLY not reaching the point of causing disasters. He tries to help with everything he can and he's trying to be outside of his home as much as possible. He speaks more with Phoenix than with anyone else. Him and Varian have a... Complicated relationship since they both claim that their passion is better than the other's (science vs magic basically) and argue a lot but yk they're kids so sometimes they will go to the other to try to chat a bit.

Already yapped too much sorry (⁠・⁠–⁠・⁠;⁠)⁠ゞ

Pretty sure nobody will read all of this anyways

[definitelyunhingedagentphoenix]

*the three are stranded in a field in the middle of nowhere*

Roxana: why didn't you get your vehicle serviced MONTHS ago?!

Reginald: I forgot okay?

Roxana: how did you forget?! Your dashboard looked like a Christmas tree!

Reginald: I zoned it out! It's been a while!

Roxana: THAT'S EXACTLY WHY-

Phoenix: it's fixed. *Closes the hood* well at least it's fixed good enough to get us home

Roxana: how did you-

Phoenix: I learned a lot about cars after a mission where I was left stranded because of a similar issue. That was three days lost on a desert road. It was awful and if I can help it, I'll never be in that situation again.

Phoenix: that's also why I carry a bunch of small spare parts just in case.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Rolling Stone:

EARLIER THIS WEEK, the Copernicus Climate Change Service, a European Union-funded research group, announced that last Sunday, July 21, 2024, the daily global average temperature hit 62.76 degrees. It was the hottest day scientists have measured since 1940 — which officially makes it the hottest day ever recorded on Earth by humans. Twenty four hours later, however, Copernicus had to update its report: On Monday, the temperature climbed up to 62.87 degrees. As of now, July 22, 2024 is now the hottest day ever recorded. 

But hey, it’s only Friday. Who knows what the weekend holds? Or the rest of the summer, for that matter.

Are you shocked by news of this record-breaking heat? Does the fact that you lived through two of the hottest days on Earth that scientists have ever recorded make you think differently about the risks and consequences of living on a rapidly-warming planet? Did you pause for a moment and think about the millions of people who sweat through this without air conditioning? Did you mourn the 396 deaths from heat that are under investigation this summer in Phoenix? Did you sell your car and buy an electric bike?��Were you inspired to sign up to knock on doors to help Kamala Harris defeat the climate-hoax-pushing-criminal Donald Trump? Are you getting calls from your MAGA-loving uncle in Idaho apologizing for the long lecture he gave you at Thanksgiving last year about how Earth’s temperature moves in natural cycles, or about how higher levels of CO2 in the atmosphere is good because more CO2 makes crops and trees grow better?

Probably not.

The problem is not you. The problem is that a broken heat record is just another statistic. The story of the climate crisis is written in broken records that measure levels of CO2 pollution, glacial ice melt, rising sea levels, crop failure, megafires, the spread of diseases, heat deaths, wildfire and insurance costs, and economic losses. But if shocking data and broken records could galvanize people to take action on climate, we’d all be powering our iPhones with solar power from microgrids, and millions of cows and chickens would be liberated from factory farms. We’d have cities crowded with bike lanes and a high speed rail service between Dallas and Houston. We’d laugh at climate-hoaxing politicians and debate whether it is fair and just to charge Big Oil companies with criminally negligent homicide.

[lupiinee]

1996

It had been a request from Dumbledore early in July 1995. Hagrid had already done his part to try and bring the giants to the side of the Order of the Phoenix. Dumbledore wanted to see if he could bring werewolves into the fold too. Or at least, gain an understanding of what they knew and what they thought of Voldemort, given he had sources that had told him Greyback was amongst the Death Eater Ranks. Remus did not initially volunteer, he didn't want to go underground to the werewolves, his disgust and hatred for himself extending out to every other werewolf around him, though he didn't mean it. And Dumbledore didn't force him. He was mildly disappointed, hoping Remus would go, but understood his reasoning.

But when Tonks declared that she loved Remus and with Sirius dead, Remus crawled to Dumbledore's office early before a full moon and offered his services. He would go to the werewolves. He would turn spy. Dumbledore thanked him and told him where he believed they were, though sensed Remus' guilt and need to hide away. He asked, Remus declined an answer.

So, Remus headed North. To the Cairngorm mountains of Eastern Scotland where one of Greybacks largest clans were.

Greyback circles through different clans. So he wasn't there when Remus arrived. It was instead occupied by another man by the name of Bleddyn. Remus bore the unmistakable traits of having lived amongs wizards, so stowed his wand and some spare clothes safely in the dirt a few miles off under a tree so that he could apparate to it in a moments notice and leave if needed. Bleddyn was not impressed with Remus, given that he had never lived amongst others like him before. He cast Remus away and told him not to return.

Remus remained outside the colony for two nights. On the third was the full moon, and when he transformed, he found the others circled around him.

Another werewolf seemed interested in him and brought him back down into the caves. Her name was Leto and she had been a werewolf for a few years. When they transformed back, Bleddyn was furious with her and told her that she couldn't bring new wolves into his hold without his permission.

That moment, Greyback appeared. He recognised Remus immediately, given that Remus had grown to look almost identical to Lyall. He approached and sniffed Remus down and told the colony that he was a traitor to their kind and had accepted a role in Dumbledore's stead. It looked to be Remus' end, Bleddyn ready with a kill order to rip Remus limb from limb before Greyback stopped him.

Bleddyn was furious, he rose against Greyback and again asked why. Greyback didn't answer and instead tore open Bleddyn's throat and let him die in the mountain snow. Remus watched trying not to be horror struck. He noticed though that many other werewolves were terrified and didn't like it either. Greyback announced that if Remus proved himself, he could stay.

Not knowing what that meant, Remus began to act like the others. Hunting and stealing things to survive. It was difficult at times, and he felt sick to his stomach. But Leto was kind to him and talked about her life before becoming a werewolf. Remus spoke to her a lot about how another life could be possible. But she was convinced only Voldemort could make it better because the other wizards had abandoned them.

Greyback mostly ignored Remus, but Remus was smart. The best way to talk to Greyback was to feed his ego. So meat, jewels and praise. Greyback loved it. And soon Remus was being treated like a son.

Voldemort visited the werewolf clans once. He did not speak to any of them, but Remus caught him out the corner of his eye. He kept his head down and his mind shielded (using techniques of Occlumency that Snape had taught him) to guard any secrets that might leak out. Thankfully, Voldemort was uninterested in who Greyback kept in ranks, so it never became an issue.

Remus left a few times. On occasion he feigned visiting his sick father or leaving to get medical treatment after bad full moons, he had, after all, been the most integrated into human society. Therefore it made sense that he leave. It was during this time he was able to visit the Burrow for Christmas and pass on information to Dumbledore.

Greyback regularly beat Remus when he was displeased with him. He often cited that it built character, something that Remus was sorely lacking. Remus would regularly have cuts and bruises on his face. Meat was scarce and he was often the last to get any, Greyback citing that if he was hungry, he had to fight for it.

It was vicious and terrible. But most, if not all, of the other werewolves were like him. Sick, forced out of their communities, lost and alone, often unsure what was to become of them. They often followed Greyback as a means to protect themselves, but Remus found that they actually didn't really like the idea of fighting their friends or their family's and they liked the idea of turning their friends and family into werewolves like them even less.

Remus and Leto bonded quietly together. Often sharing stolen bread and medicine together. She explained to him once that she had been married and had daughter. But when she was bitten her husband didn't lock her up properly. And then she was loose and killed them both. She had fled to the mountains to avoid persecution. But the guilt was carried. She then explained that Remus reminded her of her husband. And that's why she wanted to protect him the first night.

Remus was miserable in the clans. He would think about home daily, he would think about the Burrow, about Molly's cooking. He would think about Harry at school and wished he was writing letters to him. He would think about Arthur tinkering away at his muggle objects. He would think about what Sirius might say if he was still alive. He would think about how James and Lily might react if they knew that he had gone there. And Remus thought for days on end about Tonks.

He felt like he was doing the right thing. And the information he needed to give Dumbledore was so important. And he was ready made. Useful. And doing Tonks a favour by letting her move on and find someone else. Someone young, handsome and not like him.

[mudwerks]

(via AZ panel votes to ban Satan displays from public property)

Arizona’s legislature is STILL a bunch of anti-constitution religious nuts:

PHOENIX — Calling Satan “an explicit enemy of God,’’ a state senator is pushing to keep displays of him, by any name, off of public property.

Just Satan. Christmas trees and menorahs would still be allowed.

”It is a desecration of our public property in the United States of America and in the state of Arizona for a satanic display, memorial, altar, etc., to be on public property,’’ said Sen. Jake Hoffman, a Queen Creek Republican.

He pushed the measure through the Senate Government Committee Wednesday on a 5-1 party-line vote.

All that drew questions.

”It is because it’s insulting to your religion?’’ asked Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe.

Hoffman said that’s not his motive.

The legal issue goes beyond that.

The Satanic Temple has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a religion and entitled to the same charitable status as any other.

“I am genuinely impressed that in only 25 words this bill seems to violate three separate clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,’’ testified Micah Mangione, an individual who showed up to testify against the bill.

These, he said, are prohibiting the government from establishing a religion, barring government interference with the free exercise of religion, and guaranteeing the right to free speech. He warned the Republicans there are implications for their support of SB 1279.

”If you can go after the Satanic Temple, which is a religion, what about paganism next?’’ Mangione asked. “What about Judaism next? How about Islam? How about LDS?’’

What the legislation does is declare that only Christian values matter, he said.

Hoffman said he doesn’t see it that way.

”It is legally and constitutionally suspect to argue that Satan, someone who is universally known to be an explicit enemy of God, is somehow a religion,’’ he said. “That is an absolutely ludicrous statement to make.’’

Another individual testifying against the bill, Tonia Francis, told Hoffman what he is proposing interferes with her First Amendment rights.

Hoffman disagreed, saying she remains free to practice whatever she wants — just as long as nothing is erected on public property. Any arguments beyond that are off base, he said.

”So you think that it’s both legally and constitutionally OK to argue that Satan … who is universally known to be explicitly the enemy of God, antithetical to God, you think that’s targeting your religion?’’ Hoffman asked.

”Universally known to you?’’ Francis asked.

”To, literally, everyone,’’ Hoffman responded. “That’s not a point that’s debatable. Would you not say that Satan is the enemy of God?

”No,’’ Francis said.

Hoffman called her testimony “disingenuous.’’

Mendez called the legislation “a straight-up attack on the rights of people and religion.’’

Hoffman can’t even imagine that other people don’t believe in his chosen religion’s world view. 

And he’s an elected legislator?!?!

[montufarstreeservice]

Professional Tree Service in Phoenix: Keep Your Landscape in Top Shape

A well-maintained landscape is incomplete without healthy, thriving trees. Trees not only enhance the beauty of your property but also provide shade and environmental benefits. For residents of Phoenix, professional tree care is crucial to handle the unique challenges posed by the desert climate. At Montufar’s Tree Service, you’ll find expert solutions tailored to meet all your tree care needs.

The Importance of Tree Service in Phoenix

Phoenix's hot and arid climate can be tough on trees, making proper maintenance essential. Tree service ensures that your trees stay healthy, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. From trimming and pruning to tree removal, professional services address a variety of needs while ensuring the safety of your property and loved ones.

Why Tree Service Matters

Promotes Tree Health: Routine maintenance prevents disease and pest infestations, allowing your trees to flourish.

Enhances Safety: Removing dead or overgrown branches reduces the risk of accidents during storms or windy conditions.

Improves Property Value: Well-cared-for trees enhance the visual appeal and value of your home.

Prepares for Extreme Weather: Tree care ensures that your trees can withstand the unique weather conditions of Phoenix.

Tree Removal Services in Phoenix

Sometimes, removing a tree is necessary for safety or aesthetic reasons. Dead, damaged, or improperly placed trees can become liabilities. At Montufar’s Tree Service, their expert team specializes in safe and efficient tree removal, ensuring your property is free from hazards.

When Is Tree Removal Necessary?

Dead or Dying Trees: These pose a significant risk of falling and causing damage.

Storm-Damaged Trees: Trees weakened by high winds or lightning need immediate attention.

Obstructive Trees: Trees that block views, pathways, or construction plans may require removal.

Overgrown Roots: Tree roots interfering with plumbing or foundations can lead to costly repairs.

Benefits of Hiring Montufar’s Tree Service

Montufar’s Tree Service offers top-tier tree service in Phoenix, backed by years of experience and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Here’s why they’re the preferred choice for many homeowners:

Experienced Professionals: Their skilled team ensures each job is handled safely and efficiently.

Comprehensive Services: From trimming and pruning to tree removal, they cover all aspects of tree care.

Advanced Equipment: They use cutting-edge tools to provide precise and effective results.

Eco-Friendly Practices: The team ensures that all waste is recycled or disposed of responsibly.

Regular Tree Maintenance: The Key to a Beautiful Landscape

Routine tree care is essential for keeping your property safe and attractive. In Phoenix, this is especially important given the challenging climate. Regular services such as trimming, pruning, and stump grinding help maintain tree health while preventing potential hazards.

Contact Montufar’s Tree Service Today

Whether you need routine tree maintenance or emergency tree removal, Montufar’s Tree Service is your go-to provider in Phoenix. With their expertise, you can ensure your trees remain a valuable asset to your property.

Visit Montufar’s Tree Service today to learn more about their professional tree service in Phoenix. A healthy, safe, and beautiful landscape starts with expert care!

[pvtrimmersphx]

After a tree is cut down, unwanted stumps are left behind. These aren’t just ugly and hard to mow around — they can also pave the way for new trees to grow right back in their place. In our latest blog post, we'll go over a few different methods of getting rid of stumps, including our method of choice: stump grinding.

After a tree is cut down, unwanted stumps are left behind. These aren’t just ugly and hard to mow around — they can also pave the way for new trees to grow right back in their place. In our latest blog post, we'll go over a few different methods of getting rid of stumps, including our method of choice: stump grinding.

[jfhikes]

Day 37: MM 611 - 631

I made good time breaking down camp, but I also had to filter water for a 20 mile carry before I left. The water wasn’t bad, but not as good as the source a few miles back. This water had a yellow tinge (that remained after filtering) and lots of tiny fish and other swimming things that were almost impossible to avoid scooping up. I finally hit the trail around 8:30, much later than I would have preferred.

I had already reached the high point of the section yesterday, so today’s trail consisted of very gentle switchbacks down the shallow lower slopes of the San Francisco peaks. For a while, I passed through a very pleasant grove of aspens. Eventually, the trail leveled back out and followed a forest road for some time.

I arrived at a water cache about 7 miles into the day. As I expected based on FarOut comments, it was empty (hence the 20 mile water carry). I added another comment confirming it was empty, and carried on. The trail paralleled a dirt road for a bit, and at one point a lady in a car headed towards me stopped, got out, and made conversation. She asked if I needed water (no, but thank you, and I let her know the cache was empty). She had been doing section hikes of the AZT for a while and had just come down from Tusayan and the south rim of the Grand Canyon. We chatted for a bit before heading our separate ways.

The trail rejoined the dirt roads, and the tree cover rapidly thinned. I was heading north-northwest, passing through old cinder cones from previous volcanic activity in the area. Soon, the vegetation was back to the scrubby trees and shrubs that I’d seen on Anderson Mesa, among other places. The trail then descended a few hundred feet to a fairly flat and largely treeless plain. It will take me all of tomorrow and some of the next day to cross this plain before I enter Kaibab National Forest.

I only had a few miles left to go in the day before reaching my next water source. There was another empty trailhead cache, followed by a fairly good metal cow trough. There were lots of plants growing in the water, but it filtered much clearer than this morning’s water. I had to backtrack a bit to a campsite I’d spotted, but only a fraction of a mile.

Around this time, I noticed that my FarOut app had stopped showing user comments on waypoints. This both was and wasn’t a problem: it was a problem because the user comments are the main way of knowing which sources currently have water. However, it wasn’t a problem because I always make an offline water report in my notes app before I head out into a section. This includes the mile markers of all current sources, with some info in the type and quality of the source. Very glad I’ve been doing this, particularly on a section as dry as this one. Tomorrow I’ll try logging out and back in to my account, and/or redownloading the app once I find somewhere that has cell service.

I was surprised to check my phone around 4pm today and see that it said it was 5pm. I checked my time zone settings, and for some reason my phone had switched to the Denver time zone instead of Phoenix. I must have stumbled across one of the ~special~ parts of Arizona that participates in the ridiculous ritual of daylight savings. Nobody in Arizona needs more waking hours of sunlight in the summer, I’ll say that much for certain. I disabled automatic time zone switching and set mine to Phoenix. The time is mostly important for me to know when the sun is rising and setting, so I don’t really need to care about being on the same time zone as my location.

After dinner, I settled down in my tent and took my shoes and socks off. I was amazed at how dirty my feet had gotten in only two days. My socks had started off clean, so I suspect that there’s built-up dirt in the toebox of my shoes that’s making its way onto my feet. My nose also started bleeding unexpectedly, which I attribute to the incredibly dry air. It was pretty annoying to stifle the blood with my hands, but as far as I could tell there were no spills. I used the wipes I’ve been carrying to clean up both the blood and my feet.

Right now, it looks like I’ll be reaching the Grand Canyon on day 40 of hiking (zeros not included). Forty days and forty nights in the wilderness to reach the Grand Canyon feels fitting, a symbolically long time. However, it has been brought to my attention by someone better than me at counting that I accidentally added one day to the count while I was zeroing in Tucson. I’ll have to go back and fix the numbering after the trip. I’ll probably have to wait one day for a Grand Canyon backcountry permit, so the 40 day count still works out anyway.

[yakool-foolio]

Oh stars in reply to my previous post, I am now curious about personality and even music motifs that could work for those fusions. You gave me some incredible mental images for these silly bois.

Music man, at your service! I've given instrument motifs to Rain Code's cast before, so I'm excited to add on to the pile once again! Much like my Rain Code list, I'll link to random examples I found of the instruments to showcase them. I'll touch on personality and songs for each fusion as well!

Metatron - Instrument motifs are the 808 drum from Phoenix (he's just got that funky n fun modern sound to him, trust me on the vibe check) and the trumpet from Edgeworth (his character theme made this an easy decision). Since we're combining a former art major and a pompous prosecutor who's secretly a huge nerd, you bet Metatron dons the artsy and expressive side from both of them. He likes using big, complex words as often as possible, even if it means he ends up using them in the wrong context at times. A song for him would be Audacious by Franz Ferdinand (with the bonus of the lead singer Alex Kapranos being what I imagine Metatron's voice could sound like).

Eros - Instrument motifs are the acoustic guitar from Apollo (he inherits the motif from his dad for extra sadness) and the electric guitar from Klavier (no surprises here). He's loud and proud, utilizing his own Chords Of Steel as he sings his heart out whenever his emotions spike in intensity. However, he's also very clingy and will make any excuse to not be out on his own, even if it means hanging around bad company. A song for him would be Blitzkrieg Bop by Ramones, as it fits with his 'HEY PAY ATTENTION AND DANCE WITH ME' energy.

Yuki - Instrument motifs are the electric violin from Athena (her Spirit Of Justice objection theme sold me on this) and the piano from Shuichi (he and Kaede had a duet piano motif in my eyes). Yuki is the type who runs head-first into danger but soon after is wishing they could back out while they're already in the thick of it. They're also very empathetic; if no one's around for them, they'll be around for others. Highly Emotional People by Marina is a fitting song for them in this regard.

Tsukiyomi - Instrument motifs are the taiko drum from Ryunosuke (the Naruhodo/Wright family tree comprises of different types of percussion I know it in my heart n soul) and the handpan from Yuma (same as usual from my Rain Code list). Tsukiyomi is curious about anything and everything, always on a quest to learn all he can about the world. He may appear pitiful, but that's just a ruse to slip away from conflicts and get out of sight. My song choice for him is Peach by Future Islands because while it is my go-to song for protagonists going against all odds, it fits a fusion of these two even better.

Icarus - Instrument motifs are tambourine from Makoto (fits his 'simplistic but not to be underestimated' vibe) and the bass synth from Hajime (powerful presence even under layers of other instruments). Icarus struggles with a savior complex, believing he is the symbol of hope. Despite his urge to help as many people as possible, he doesn't want to draw too much attention to himself. A song for him would be Every Little Thing I Say I Do by Dayglow.

[4ragon]

I'd love to see your Christmas headcanons for iris wilson or klavier gavin!

Oooo two of them. I'll start with Klavier.

And I will start with: Klavier 100000% has a Christmas album. Like a big one. Not quite Mariah Carrey big but pretty big, at least one Gavinners Christmas song gets played pretty regularly on the radio and they have previously been in the parade as well. And he's gone to a million crazy Holiday parties too.

However. I do not think he's actually all that invested in it. Don't get me wrong, he loves the limelight and any chance to perform on the big screen, but I think he would enjoy low-key holidays more than being carted around for various Christmas performances and star-studded events.

I think he was raised somewhat religious, and he and his family would go to morning services and then have a nice, close-knit Christmas afterward (and then messy divorce headcanons etc. etc.), so he sort of misses the feel of a private family Christmas. I think in his post-Gavinners life, he really likes the WAA Christmas celebrations, because while it's not quite the same, it captures the same feel as a close-knit family celebration.

He's a pretty good gift giver I think, although his go-to is Gavinners merch if he thinks that is going to make a good impression. (Good impression: Trucy, Dick Gumshoe, Athena if paired with something else. Bad impressions but in a cute way: Apollo. Absolutely not: Miles, Franziska, Phoenix.) He also tends to go a little over budget in secret Santas, but not nearly as much as Franziska.

///

Now for Iris...you'll have to forgive me, I don't have a TON of knowledge of 1900s holiday traditions.

I do think she would love Christmas, but I do not think her and Sherlock would celebrate a particularly traditional Christmas. I know that Christmas trees and Santa Claus existed by then, and I think Iris would be way into the decorations. It looks like Christmas lights were also invented by 1900, but I think the Holmes flat would be absolutely decked out in experimental lights of all sorts of colors and patterns. That just seems right.

I also think she would go all out on dinner, despite it just being her and Sherlock for a long time. They'd have a full roast duck, a million side dishes, and of course the fanciest tea she could find. And I think she'd adore when they expanded their little group so she could feed more people. I looked it up, and technically Ryunosuke and Susato were not there for any holiday festivities during the game, but I think by the end of DGS2 they get a good collection of people to join them such as Gina, Barok van Zieks, and [redacted].

Also, she's pretty easy to get gifts for. She loves plants, tea, and anything that would make her life as an author easier. I think her go-to for gift giving is inventing something for them (which is Sherlock's go-to as well but usually goes over better from her).