#macmillion

[plsletmerest]

The Trapper (1 / ?): Personal Headcanons

Evan MacMillion first arrived in the Entity's realm as a survivor, not a killer. He tried to escape and he never succeeded. Basic survivor hiccups in the ever turning time loop of this world. It was only when he found a way to rebel he caught the Entity's attention and suffered for it. What did Evan do? Hmm, maybe ask the Observer. The man had a front row seat after all.

The punishment may be over, but the pain stays. The alien, spiderly hooks remain. They bury deep into his flesh and pull on what little remains of his buried psyche. It's a reminder: Evan will never be free. He is trapped.

The Entity appears to the Trapper as his father, Archie MacMillion. Or as the voice of daddy dearest at the very least. He would do anything for his father. His dad is not a nice man. . . . He might as well be the face of the trope "Well Done, Son" Guy and "Daddy Issues" within the Fog.

He is the first killer that Dwight encountered and was forced into twenty-one unceasing loops. Trapper wanted this guy gone because this new face was overstaying his welcome in the Trapper's territory. He even tried to carry Dwight to a hatch and would have succeeded if not for the Entity declaring the end of the trial via spidery impalement through Dwight's brain. When the survivor FINALLY managed to escape with his newfound allies (Meg, Claudette, and Jake), the killer slouched in relief.

((That relief would turn into rage when not even two cycles later, Dwight appears again. This was orchestrated to serve as a punishment for not sacrificing any survivors in the last trial and also because the Entity found it funny. Poor Dwight suffered, but managed to escape come the next loop. More like Trapper let him go.))

Trapper treats every trial like a job. He'll give one or two sacrifices to the Entity and will hunt down the ones his father (*cough* the Entity *cough, cough*) wants dead. Occasionally, he'll allow one survivor to escape when he feels like he's done enough with gore and trauma. Dwight gets a 50/50 chance at escaping because you know, Trapper hates him. More than often Dwight gets the murder treatment for being a pain in the ass.

[bookcoversonly]

Title: Never | Author: Ken Follett | Publisher: Pan Macmillion (2022)

[bluebell-winter]

Tastes Like Poison OCs

"We made a little family because our families are crap." - Belladonna O'Riley

Introducing...

Jessamine "Jessy" Potter

Face-Claim: Felicity Jones

House: Slytherin

Wand: Blackthorn, phoenix feather

Family:

Petunia Dursley

Vernon Dursley

Dudley Dursley

October Hansley

Belladonna O'Riley

Azalea McKenna

Friends:

"Who needs friends when I have my family with me?"

Pairing:

Theodore Nott (Briefly)

October Hansley

Quote: "I say that sometimes you need to walk in darkness to get to the light."

Jessamine Potter, also known as Jessy, grew up cold and emotionless because of the way the Dursleys treated her. It left her feeling isolated, until she befriends another outcast loser like her. For the first time in her ten years of life, she finally feels like she has a friend - family.

She decides that she will do anything for this boy. This person who treats like how she wants to be treated. An equal, someone who wants her around. She was shocked yet delighted when she found out that October is going to Hogwarts too.

At least she's not going in alone. Then she meets two other girls, Belladonna O'Riley, and Azalea McKenna who all seem to come from the same family-less background like her. Who's to say that they can't form their own family?

October Hansley

Face-Claim: Devon Bostick

House: Gryffindor

Wand: Aspen

Family:

Jonas Hansley (Father)

April Hansley (Mother)

Jessy Potter

Belladonna O'Riley

Azalea McKenna

Friends:

"I don't need friends when I have the girls with me."

Pairing:

Lily Moon

Jessamine Potter

Quote: "I'm not scared of walking in the dark. I live in it."

October Hansley is British-American, British on his mother's side, American on his father's side. He moved to Magnolia Crescent when he was ten-years-old.

Due to strange things happening around him, his parents become scared of him and start their anger out on 'that freak of nature'. It led to him becoming withdrawn and he once ran away from home for a week before he was brought back to them.

He ends up meeting Jessy Potter, a strange girl just like him. Due to their oddity, it sparks a friendship and they become the family that they don't have. He would do anything for her, including going with her when Vernon takes off to escape the overflood of letters. Then he meets two other girls and they decide to become the family they don't have.

Belladona "Bella" O'Riley

Face-Claim: Sorcha Groundsell

House: Hufflepuff

Wand: Chestnut

Family:

Emily O'Riley (Mother)

Lionel O'Riley (Father)

Jason O'Riley (Brother)

Jessy Potter

October Hansley

Azalea McKenna

Friends:

Jason O'Riley

"What? I say my brother is my friend. I wouldn't exactly call him family, but he is a friend."

Pairing:

Ernie MacMillion

Wayne Hopkins

Quote: "It's time to kill a bitch." She giggled, "Who would expect a Hufflepuff to have a little darkness in her?"

Belladona O'Riley hates her parents. When she went to her dad to tell him what Emily was doing to her, he brushed off and looked the other way when Emily kept going into her daughter's room at night.

She was glad when she started to go to Hogwarts. She meet Jessamine Potter, the Girl-Who-Lived! She wasn't expecting how cold and detached Jessy seemed to be, but her best friend, October, was outgoing and friendly to make up for it. Azalea McKenna was aloof. However, Bella can tell that there was sadness in them. That was okay, because there was sadness in her too, desite how she tried to be outgoing.

The finale straw came when she went home for the winter holiday, her mother tried to suffocate her with a pillow when she went to bed. She went back to Hogwarts and told her real family what happened. It was relieving that they believed her and they agreed to her decision to kill the bloody witch.

Azalea McKenna

Face-Claim: Jessica Biana Sula

House: Ravenclaw

Wand: Pine

Family:

Maria McKenna (†)

Kevin McKenna (†)

Jessy Potter

Bella O'Riley

October Hansley

Friends:

"Who needs friends nowadays? I sure don't!"

Pairing:

Dean Thomas

Ron Weasley (?)

Quote: "What can I say? I make intelligence look sexy."

Azalea was raised by ghosts. She was eight when her parents died. She's not entirely sure how they died, but she buried them in the backyard and no one knew. She would go shopping on her own and no one seemed to notice. Her parents refused to accept death and they would 'raise' her like they had died.

Keeping her parents death a secret, she pushed anyone and everyone away in case they take her away from them. However, something about Jessy, October, and Bella intrigued her. They seem to be hiding secrets of their own, and she can't help but branch out to them.

Then Bella comes back to Hogwarts in tears over what happened to her over the winter holidays, saying she wanted to kill her mother. Angry over what that witch did to one of her 'sisters' she started to look into poisons in the restricted section.

These people won't replace her parents, but it would be nice to have someone living to talk to for once. She would do anything to protect her family, even if she had to help kill anyone that harmed them.

"They look so close. It's rather sweet to see members of the four Houses interacting and thinking of each other as family."

"There's something...dark about them, though."

Taglist: @arrthurpendragon, @wordspin-shares, @jurassicobsessor, @hoqwaarts, @nixdragon, @mariedemedicis, @carlylynnlaufeyson, @fuckitup-in-style, @raith-way, @ocs-supporting-ocs, @eddysocs, @malafvma, @thelittledarkrose

[welcometomy20s]

September 14, 2022

Part 1 - Steady Start

Elizabeth was crowned as Queen on June 6 of 1953, and Churchill would have retired like Baldwin but Eden got sick, Churchill got sick too, but he decided to push for another two years. Churchill in his later year was basically trying to keep Britain afloat in the post-war scene, and he was relatively successful at that. His only domestic policy was to increase housing under MacMillion, another future PM, and he did that, so overall a pretty good last run…

Winston Churchill - B

Eden took power in 1955, and around the same time Attlee stepped down in opposition and Gaitskill took over. Eden called an election, won himself a good majority, and everything looked fine until there was trouble in the Suez, and Eden botched it basically. To briefly summarize, Nassar took over Egypt in 1952 and this caused a break between Britain and the US, because Nassar was friendly with the CIA and did not like Britain, for obvious reasons. He wanted to buy arms but well Sharon bombed Gaza and so Nassar was not conducive to Israel and so America could sell the arms, so he bought Soviet arms instead. America was not letting Nassar off at this point, as he was becoming more erratic, and the US stopped building the Aswan dam.

In response, Nassar nationalized the Suez canal. France and Britain were incensed about this and started to make military actions, while America and Canada were more cautious. But France and Britain, along with Israel, invaded Egypt anyway. Israel got some good deals, but really nothing much came in the force. All the worries in the summer of 1956 were subsided since the Suez canal had no effect in the change of leadership (why would it?), and while there was a large support, it wasn’t overwhelming. And the US definitely did not like this. 

So Eden pulled out just as he pulled in, and really it was this hastiness that really caused him his job. He could have managed a better job if he was a bit more considerate but he didn’t listen to all the assurance from elsewhere and just went trigger-happy. These young leaders with trigger-happy solutions led to quite the tumult in the early 60’s (I’m looking at you, Kennedy!)

Anthony Eden - D+

So the UK had a complete reversal of course with the next PM, Harold MacMillian. Diplomatic, witty, but at times pompous, he governed under the highest boom of the post-war era. He tried to fix the mess made during the Suez, but continued to develop Uk’s nuclear capabilities. Labour tried to go against but people didn’t buy the threat at the time. Oh, I guess I should also mention Winds of Change which marked the beginning of decolonisation.

MacMillian garnered a large majority in 1959 and it was going… oh, economy is sinking again and now it was MacMillan’s time to panic with a really large shuffle sometimes known as Night of the Long Knives, which is a nazi reference… seem a bit harsh, but okay. Then it was a series of crisis, Skybolt crisis, Vassall affair and Profumo affair, that did MacMillian in, and with a convenient prostate scare, MacMillan resigned and gave the job to Sir Home.

Harold MacMillan - C+

[keegan1232123]

24 hour cancer charity stream from CommieGamer.com

CommieGamer are running a 24hour charity stream to raise money for MacMillian Cancer Support. You can donate at : https://www.justgiving.com/team/commiegamer0 Streaming at the below channels from 6am GMT on the 10th of July. In order of appearance.

Ready Cally One steaming Dead Space 2 https://twitch.tv/readycallyone

RikuNoct streaming Resident Evil 8 Speed run. https://twitch.tv/rikunoct

LazyCatto streaming Minecraft https://twitch.tv/lazycatto99

King Krust Streaming Sea of Thieves https://twitch.tv/king1krust

And the graveyard shift RikuNoct streaming Bloodborne + FF7 when he's sick of dying. https://twitch.tv/rikunoct

[tessatalksbooksblog]

Happy Friday! I can’t believe it’s already the end of the week, and I will be waving for a weekend trip soon. . Yesterday, I attended a zoom webinar hosted by Macmillan Books between the author Tamsyn Muir and her editor as they talked about Muir’s necromancer series of which book 3 will be coming out in a few months- Nona the Ninth. . The way they described the series and all that has gone into it makes me excited to read all 3 - the second of which is written in 2nd person…that alone intrigues me. And I enjoy this virtual events so much. They always fascinate me and I love that they are free - at least the ones I attend. . 📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚 . Do you enjoy virtual author events? . 📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚 . . . . #allthebooksmay22 #nonatheninth #tamsynmuir #macmillion #tordotcompublishing #necromancy #necromancer #fantasybooks #fantasy #fantasyfridays #fantasyfriday #fantasyreads #fantasyreader #fantasyreaders #fantasyseries #yafantasy #yafantasybooks #yafantasyseries #tessatalksbooks #bookblogger #bookbloggersofinstagram #bookbloggerlife #bookbloggersofig #bookandflower #bookandflowers #booksandflowers #weekendvibes #authorevent #authorevents #bookdragon (at Lake Davidson) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdOZrr2riSg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[brennanbookblog]

All the Impossible Things

by Lindsay Lackey

“There is nothing like clean middle-grade fiction,” my Aunt recently told me. 

I have long eschewed the genre finding it overly trite, predictable, and patronizing. Then I received the ARC for All the Impossible Things in the mail and with my Aunt’s wisdom ringing in my ears, I started reading.

Finally, a middle-grade story that is sweet without being saccharine and heartwarming without being cloying. The characters are nuanced and conflicted, their stories concurrently fantastical and realistic without feeling contrived or heavy-handed. 

With an addict mother in jail, Red, our tween protagonist, counts down the days until her Mom’s release and their reunion. In the meantime, she is unceremoniously shuttled between foster homes, leaving unidentifiable destruction in her wake, because, well, her emotional life is connected to the wind.

Could her latest home at the curiously fascinating Groovy Petting Zoo tame her wuthering ways? Or is she destined to destroy everything in her path just like her mother? 

This book offers parents and children a plethora of opportunities to discuss what happens when we keep all of our turmoil bottled up inside. Because if Red’s wind were a ubiquitous phenomenon among young people, I suspect that our disconnected culture would find itself with much stormier weather...

With notes of The Great Gilly Hopkins and All the Bright Places, an added touch of magic makes this lovely little novel a worthy addition to the cannon of children’s delightful and discussion-worthy reads.  

*B3 received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

**All the Impossible Things will be released September 3, 2019. 

[incorrect-blue-bloods]

Eddie: (licking her fingers) mm, Jamie, hurry up. I’m hungry.

Jamie: (astonished) you just ate nine dollars worth of take out linguini! How can you be hungry?

Eddie: have you ever eaten nine dollars worth of take out linguini?

[goldenhovrr]

close starter for @altrcistics​

there was nobody -- cars on the road, people working in the shops, adults and teens alike; anybody not on those busses. gone. home was not the first place tripp had gone too, no it was the hockey rink.  where else would he have ran to fix his problems?  Thinking always came easier to him on ice, it basically ran through his blood at this point.  his father, uncle, everyone he knew on his dad’s side had played hockey in one form or another.  but now the problem was getting in, it was locked.  a simple rock could fix the issue, but before he could commit he heard footsteps of someone who could only be one person. esme. he turned to face her, “you don’t have a key by chance, do you?  I was just going --” he held up the rock.

[netpreneur-blog]

- 👉🏽 Goo.gl/f6be7f 💵👍🏽👊🏽💪🏽 #earnmoneyonline #hustle Rated #1 for #Entrepreneurs Since 2007 The best place to learn #entrepreneurship from real #entrepreneurs Fox #Business.#macmillions RepostBy @secretentourage: "If someone tells you with a straight face that they can't afford something, it's by far and away the most honest objection to your sales pitch you're going to get... and a huge indicator that you fucked up early in the sales process by not pre-qualifying your customer. Now, you do have an opportunity to make your product affordable for them, but if it really is too much of a stretch your best bet is to not shove it down their throat and make them buy something they can't afford. Head to the link in my @secretentourage bio to unlock the other 160+ minutes and 50 pages of content designed to help you master the art of sales for a massive discount. - #secretentourage #teamentourage #successtips #successmindset #startabusiness #smallbusiness #hardwork #productivity #wedothework #mostwontiwill #businesslesson #foreverlearning ⠀ #garyvee #dailyvee #millionaire_mentor #macmillions #tailopez

[sc1-f1-gx1tar-h3r0]

Otis Info:

Name: Otis Vince MacMillion

Age: Early 20’s

Pronouns: He/They/It/Cash

Aliases: Hero, Diamond, T-man, Backstabber, Traitor, Boss, Star, Geek, Mr. Model

Sexuality: Bisexual Polyamorous

Height: 6’1

“Talks like this.”

Appearance:

Artist credit: LiuGT on Twitter

Bio:

Pico’s cousin. Works as a model and a YouTuber as well as a part time mercenary. Diamond is a supernatural nerd and tends to be a bit of a fanboy over those things though this is a side few see now. He’s comes off as outgoing and friendly. Just a genuinely passionate and helpful guy. The ideal golden boy. That’s just a fascade. An act that few can see through. Truly? He’s sadistic, apathetic, manipulative and smug. He fears little to nothing and will not hesitate to take out anyone in his way. Oh his family is absolutely LOADED thanks to his father’s multiple successful businesses. He tries to be friendly but will break you the moment you prove to be useless. He’s taken down Piconjo, Cassandra, Damien, and the goth punks many times. Space absolutely despises Pico, wishing the ginger was dead. He won’t let anyone else kill him, though. Otis wants to kill him, himself. His self esteem is definitely on the high side of things, harsh to criticize everything about anyone else that dares try to insult him. Insults fuel his ego anyways. He acts trusting of others but in reality? He trusts absolutely no one. He won’t allow someone the opportunity to harm him. His kindness used to be genuine but ever since the incident? Never again. He will kill Pico, no matter the cost.

[cosmos-system]

member list:

 ezekiel 思追 ( 🐚 )  - he/fae - ?? (following the body’s age, 16) - bi-ace - current host

evie 胡桃 ( 🦋 ) - they/she - 16? ish. following body’s age - lesbian - current co-host

skiff 雪儿 ( 😑 ) - he/it - ageless?? - not interested in dating - emotional support shapeshifter who is usually a cat

scaramouche (-s. 😈 ) - he/fie - 17 (?) - gay - protector ???

albedo ( 🌻 ) - he/they - 18 (????) - pansexual - why are you here

macmillion ( 💀 ) - it/skele - cryptid age - no. not interested - protector

ramuda (- R 🍭 ) - he/him - 24 - pansexual - protector

paimon ( 🐞 ) - they/it - baby. technically ageless but baby - NO.  - what are you

--

yes, some of us are fictives/demi-fictives. yes we have non-human alters.

[trashforazriel]

#ProdigalSon not so deep thoughts #brightwell

*There are people on tumblr mad Dani was mad LOL.  Can I just point out she is speaking to Malcolm as a friend at the start and he is kind of sharp when he says he doesn’t want to talk about it.  Dani looks hurt/disappointed.  He literally shuts her down whenever she tries to check in with him.  I know Malcolm has issues, and Dani is allowed her own feelings.  I do like that she is there with/for him.  Hopefully we see a change in a month.

*I love Martin’s freakishly pleasant nightmare.  I would have totally gone to his house, I am lucky to be alive quite frankly.  

*Dani’s curls are on point right now.  I think they shot the ending close to 1x13, it looks like they recurled her straightened hair.  IDK, I think I’m a normal amount obsessed with her hair.  

*The posed body is the stuff of my nightmares.

*LOL Edrisa smiling at Bright all dreamy when he discusses the reasoning for necrophilia.

*JT, you go ahead and check. Sketchy lol.

*That’s Rutherford Sterling MacMillions esq to you Jessica.  Total villain.  I demand a lap cat.

*The embalming discussion is killing part of my soul.  I’ll miss it.

*Gil looks like a stud in his turtleneck sweater.

*LMAO Ainsley making Malcolm think their dad died.  Dude.  She deserves to know.

*It bothers me he doesn’t tell Dani about this.

*Jessica is so gorgeous.

*Was this shot out of order? Dani’s hair grew.

*Poor Dani, omg her sad eyes.  I think we should split up, my actual heart just plopped out of my chest.  I LOVE them.  Malcolm, get your ish together.  

*I love Ana Gasteyer, great casting.  How do Dani and Bright do police business with all this under lying angst? HOW?  Am I the only one with angst? That is some bull.

*Ainsley, brought the evil lawyer.  He seems like he sold his soul in 1988.  Creepy music..ooo.

*EYELINER LINE ftw

*Still policing like nothings wrong.  Cool guys, I’m just over here making gifs of your every move.  NBD.

*Edrisa being not confident makes me sad.  You can do anything, you have great hair Edrisa.  Never forget that.

*Edrisa drinking that bottle, LOL.  

*Gil and Dani discuss Bright.  “Keep an eye on our boy,” brb crying forever.

*Girl in the box is missing, uh oh.  YAY STAB HIM! Best nightmare ever.  

*Jessica tenderly playing with Ainsley hair, I love them.

*Malcolm telling Dani he owes an apology to someone was like FU Laura.  That’s what I heard.

*Edrisa, you in danger girl.

*Steve.  Why?  Why? Do not discuss Malcolm’s demons you yet to be revealed as evil lady.  He does not need your help.  Infact, no thank you.  I speak for the fandom.

*Bright wait for backup. Like shitting into a fan.

*LeAnn, girl..eharmony is a thing.

*OMG her mom story.  I cannot.  Nope.

*Once again, the criminal allows themselves to be soothed by Malcolm’s baby blues.  

*Edrisa, a thank you would be nice.  LOL

*JT, I see you LOLLOLOL

*…Brightwell…Malcolm puts his head to the side like a Labrador when saying something sweet to Dani.  It’s magical.  I will believe it when I see it Malcolm.

*Of course, he figures out he is dreaming and gains control.  

*My boy, dude.  3/16, are you kidding me?

[husheduphistory]

Top of the World: Matthew Henson and the First Frozen Steps

By 1887 Matthew Henson thought his days of adventure were behind him. After an unconventional early life he found himself working as a shop clerk until one fateful day when a certain customer came inside the shop. By the time the customer left Henson had a new job and was on his way to the history books.

Henson was born in Charles County, Maryland on August 8th, 1866, one year after the end of the Civil War. His parents were free sharecroppers, but both died when he was very young leaving him in the care of his uncle, who also died within a matter of years. Before the age of ten Henson was orphaned, leaving him to make his way through life relying on his own wits, skills, tenacity, and courage. They served the young boy well and at the age of twelve he walked his way to Washington D.C. and signed up to be a cabin boy on the sailing ship the Katie Hines. The next six years spent on the ship were extremely beneficial for Henson and under the wing of the captain, Captain Childs, he received a thorough education on life at sea becoming a skilled sailor, developing an arsenal of technical skills, and traveling all over the world.

Given his experience, when Captain Childs died in 1887 one would have assumed that Henson would resume his life of exploration and adventure on another ship, but that was not the case. Henson found a job at a Washington D.C. clothing store and probably expected a normal, quiet life. It all changed with one customer, a naval officer named Robert Peary, who was looking to sell pelts he accumulated on his latest expedition to Greenland. The stories sparked an old fire in Henson and undoubtedly the conversation swayed to his previous life at sea. The officer was impressed by Henson’s past and immediately offered him a new job, being his personal assistant and accompanying him on his next excursion to the jungles of Nicaragua.  

Robert Peary. Image via Britannica.com. 

The trip to Nicaragua was no small undertaking for Henson and Peary, the officer’s task was to map the wilderness to find a way to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans with a canal. Henson’s previous experiences were hugely beneficial to the two-year long excursion and his abilities stood out among the forty-five man crew. A friendship was cemented between the two and upon their return from Central America Peary secured Henson a job as a messenger at the League Island Naval Yard in Philadelphia. Their time in Nicaragua was over but it was far from the last time the pair would explore the world together. In 1891 Peary was again heading out and wanted Henson to join him. This time it was not to the jungles of Central America, it was to the frozen expanse of Greenland.

Later photograph of Matthew Henson.

When Henson and Peary set out for the top of the world it marked the beginning of an eighteen-year-long partnership that would include seven trips to the frozen tundra. Time and time again Henson proved that he was the backbone of the excursions. Upon their first trip to Greenland Henson threw himself into the Inuit culture, learning their language, trading with them, and learning their techniques for survival in the harsh atmosphere. In addition to absorbing and learning the Inuit ways of life, Henson honed and expanded his skills as a craftsman building the houses where they lived and maintaining all the sleds and equipment that were critical to their mission.

The second venture to Greenland from 1893 to 1895 barely avoided tragedy when the exploration team hit a string of bad luck that nearly caused them to starve to death. The objective of the trip was to map the entire ice cap but on their way to the northernmost corner snowfall hid their food supplies and suddenly all attempts at hunting went cold. On their return trip the explorers were forced to eat their sled dogs in order to avoid death. On the last leg of their torturous march back to base camp a member of the team, exhausted and starving, laid down in the snow and told Henson and Peary to leave him behind. Henson told them they were all making it back or none of them were making it back. Two weeks later they staggered into base camp with only one of their dogs left alive.  

Matthew Henson and Robert Peary.

The harrowing experience did not deter them from going north again and in 1896 and 1897 the pair returned to Greenland, this time returning home with their hands full. On previous expeditions the explorers found three massive meteorite fragments and upon their return home with them they were sold to the American Museum of Natural History in New York for $40,000. The largest fragment, called the Cape York fragment, weighs thirty-one metric tons, is the third largest intact meteor ever discovered, and the largest ever transported by humans. The hefty sum of money would go towards funding their future excursions, and there was one particular trip they had in mind. They wanted to go where no others had gone before, they wanted to be the first to set foot in the North Pole.  

The ultimate goal may have been the North Pole, but the road there would be difficult, sometimes bordering on catastrophic. Henson continued to be a vital part of the exploration using his many technical skills to advance and train the most elite members of Peary’s teams and continuing to learn the Inuit culture and language. Over time the Inuit people gave him a nickname, “Matthew the Kind One.” As incredibly skilled and well-versed in the arctic as the team was, there were some things they could not prepare for. During the 1902 expedition the path north was blocked by melting ice and their supplies ran out before they could return to base. Six of their Inuit team members died on the venture.

Matthew Henson.

The 1905-1906 expedition seemed backed with promise for success. Each trip brought them closer to the North Pole and this time they had support from President Theodore Roosevelt and use of a new three-masted steam-powered schooner called the Roosevelt, specifically built to travel through ice. They got within 174 miles of the North Pole, but they were again kept from their goal by melting ice. Forced to turn back Peary knew they were getting closer and wrote in his journal, “When my observations were taken they showed that we had reached 87°6′ north latitude, and had at last beaten the record, for which I thanked God.”

It was two years before Henson and Peary could once again head out to attempt the feat that had alluded them for so long and taken so many lives with it. A team was assembled including Peary, Henson, Dr. John W. Goodsell, Donald B. MacMillion, Ross G. Marvin, George Borup and Robert Bartlett, captain of the Roosevelt. The strategy was made up of many intricate parts. The team would sail to Cape Sheridan on the northern-most part of Ellesmere Island, Canada, spend several months amassing food and supplies, and then travel to Cape Columbia where they would build a base camp for the main objective of getting to the North Pole. Knowing that all of them could not travel the entire way through, the push to the pole was set up as a sort of relay with certain members of the team going as far as a specific point then caching the supplies where the next team could find them and use them to get to the next point along the path. Peary knew he was going the entire distance to the North Pole, and he knew Henson was going with him. He stated before the excursion began, “Henson must go all the way. I can't make it there without him." He was absolutely correct. During the entire endeavor Henson built the sleds, built the shelters, built igloos to cache supplies for members of the “relay” team, worked with the Inuit people, and trained people on how to handle the sled dogs. Donald MacMillon later stated that Henson “was indispensable.”

Matthew Henson.

On September 5th, 1908, the Roosevelt reached Cape Sheridan and the team began the first step of a grueling journey, surviving the winter months. Sleds were built, large numbers of musk ox, rabbit, and deer were hunted, and several Inuit members of the team had their wives and children meet them and work on making clothing that would keep them alive in an environment that could drop to over sixty degrees below zero. In February 1909 Henson and some of the Inuit traveled by sledge to Cape Columbia and began setting up base camp by building igloos and gathering supplies. It was from here that they would officially launch the attempt for the North Pole on March 1st 1909.

The entire ordeal took five weeks with teams traveling ahead of the core group of Henson, Peary, and their Inuit companions, dropping supplies for them, and turning back to all meet at the Roosevelt and hope that they would see their friends again one day. The first team to turn back and return was led by McMillan with Dr. Goodsell, followed by the Borup team, then the Marvin team, and lastly the Bartlett team. Once they all returned to the Roosevelt the captain readied the ship for the anticipated return of “The Pole Team” of Peary, Henson, and their small crew. All they could do was wait.

Diagram of each team and their route. Image via unmuseum.org.

For days Henson, Peary, Inuits Ooqueah, Ootah, Egingwah, Seegloo, and five dogs charged headfirst into the elements, traveling in stretches of twelve and fourteen hours in a desperate, raging attempt to get to the North Pole. Traveling 170 miles, by early April Henson was certain their end goal was near. He later wrote:

“We crawled out of our igloos and found a dense mist hanging over everything. Only at intervals, when the sun’s rays managed to penetrate the mist, could we catch even a glimpse of the sky. Estimating the distance that we had come during the last four days, we figured that, unless something unusual happened to us during the course of this day, we should be at the Pole before its close.”

On April 6th 1909 Henson was leading the pack when Peary, who was approximately fifty yards behind him, called ahead and said they should set up camp. It was misty and impossible to figure exactly where they were standing so the group went about their normal routine of building igloos, eating, and settled in to get some much needed sleep. By the next morning the mist had lifted, and Peary began to calculate their location. He was probably shocked to realize that the precise location of the geographical center of the planet lay just behind the igloos they had been sleeping in all night. The men had officially, and finally, reached the North Pole.

The mood should have been ecstatic. The men were the first to reach the top of the world, but it was the word “first” that quickly soured the astounding victory. Henson was the leader of the group as they traveled so realistically, Henson was the first man to ever walk on the North Pole. When they trekked back Henson’s footprints were clearly marking the site first. When the team turned to return to the Roosevelt there was allegedly a marked difference in the bond between Peary and Henson. As Henson later recalled:

“From the time we knew we were at the Pole, Commander Peary scarcely spoke to me…It nearly broke my heart … that he would rise in the morning and slip away on the homeward trail without rapping on the ice for me, as was the established custom.”

Photograph of members of the Pole Team.

If Peary was harboring bitterness toward Henson he may have secretly enjoyed the reception when the team returned home. The feat of walking on the North Pole was an astronomical, seemingly impossible human achievement, and the victory was not one that people were willing to award to the African American Matthew Henson. The praise and accolades went chiefly to Peary with Henson’s role being greatly downgraded to the important assistant to Peary. The success was not totally easy on Peary though. Amid the praise was a heavy amount of skepticism that the crew had actually reached their destination and he was required to testify before Congress that they had reached the North Pole despite a lack of indisputable proof. Another blow to the story came in the form of a man named Frederick Cook who claimed he reached the North Pole a full year before Henson, Peary, and their crew. His claims were quickly proven to be a hoax, but it still left tarnish on the massive accomplishments of Henson, Peary, and their teammates.

Newspaper featuring Peary telling the story of the expedition.

Peary was promoted to Rear Admiral and lived out the rest of his life as an acclaimed hero. The same could not be said for Henson who took a job as a clerk with the federal customs house in New York City. Unlike his time at the Washington D.C. clothing store, this time Henson was truly finished with exploring and he remained at the customs house for thirty years. He adopted a quiet life but he never forgot his pursuit of the North Pole and in 1912 he published his account of the endeavor, A Negro Explorer at the North Pole: The Autobiography of Matthew Henson.

Henson did not receive any official recognition of his vital role in the first human steps on the North Pole until 1937 when he was made an honorary member of  The Explorers Club of New York at the age of seventy years old. He was presented with a Congressional medal in 1944 and in 1954 President Dwight Eisenhower invited him to the White House where he was honored for his work as an early American explorer.

Matthew Henson died in New York City on March 9th, 1955 at eighty-eight years old and he was initially buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. He continued to be honored after his death and on April 6th, 1988 the remains of he and his wife were relocated to Arlington National Cemetery and laid to rest with full military honors on the 79th anniversary of Henson’s first steps on the North Pole. In 2000 the National Geographic Society posthumously honored Henson with their most prestigious award of the Hubbard Medal.

Grave of Matthew Henson in Arlington National Cemetery. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

On March 1st 1909 a team of people set out to accomplish a seemingly insurmountable task, set foot on a frozen corner of the planet where humans had never tread before. While it was a team effort that led to the steps set on the North Pole on April 6th 1909 it is undeniable that Matthew Henson was the main force in the effort. With his multitude of skills constantly accumulated and honed from a young age, his respect and utilization of Inuit culture and practices, and his unswayable courage, Henson was far from being an assistant. He was, and is, the first man to set foot on the North Pole.

********************************************************************

Sources:

The Legacy of Arctic Explorer Matthew Henson, National Geographic.com, James Mills.

Matthew Henson. Biography.com

A Negro Explorer at the North Pole: The Autobiography of Matthew Henson by Matthew Henson, 1912.

[tometender]

The Queen of Raiders

My Rating: 5 stars

Written by: Sarah Kozloff

Sarah Kozloff

Series: The Nine Realms (#2)

FRONTLIST | On Sale Date: February 18, 2020

Trade Paperback | 512 pages

Fiction / Fantasy / Epic 

ISBN 9781250168566, 1250168562

Sarah Kozloff, author of A Queen in Hiding, continues the breathtaking and cinematic epic fantasy series The Nine Realms with book two, The Queen of Raiders, and all four books will be published within a month of each other, so you can binge your favorite new fantasy series.

The soliders of Oromondo have invaded the Free States, leaving a wake of misery and death. Thalen, a young scholar, survives and gathers a small cadre of guerilla fighters for a one-way mission into the heart of an enemy land.

Unconsciously guided by the elemental Spirits of Ennea Mon, Cerulia is drawn to the Land of the Fire Mountains to join Thelan's Raiders, where she will learn the price of war.

The Queen of Raiders by Sarah Kozloff

Kozloff immediately immerses the reader in the magical war-torn world of The Nine Realms.

Queen Cressa is missing, presumed dead and Cerulia, her daughter, is in hiding. In The Queen of Raiders, Cerulia is now an adult and leaving her adoptive family to avenge Queen Cressa. While on her trek she adopts a bird name each place and transitions her travels make her take. She uses her ability to communicate with the animals to help her plight.

Thelan and his gang of rebels are trying to help the people left in the wake of death and destruction of the invading hordes. Thelan has built up quite a strong network of spies and resistance throughout the realms.

Kozloff has woven complex, multiple points of view tale that rivets the reader to the pages. Intense action, great character development, and growth and an epic fantasy world all readers strive to find, The Queen of Raiders is a fantastic addition to The Nine Realms series.

I received this ARC copy of The Queen of Raiders from Tor Books - Macmillion. This is my honest and voluntary review. The Queen of Raiders is set for publication Feb. 18, 2020.

[sapphichoneyfan]

Hello folks! I came back with something a little different and made a post on my favorite lgbtq+ webcomics/comic books/graphic novels. Below is going to be a little bit more information about the story and where to find them! 

Favorite Lesbian Films

Favorite Lesbian/Gay books

High-Class Homos

Momozerii is incredible!! Such a cute drawing style and the story is awesome! Every main character is a part of the LGBT+ community and is so lovable. I highly recommend this one. The comedy and the characters are so well done and if you want some angst? It’s there and you can find that story on Momozerii’s Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/momozerii/

Their Story

Lesbians??Gays?? Respecting women juice AND comedy?? I love this story so much and it’s still ongoing. I can’t wait to read the rest of it!! The art style is beautiful and the friendships/relationships between the characters are so charming. This manhua has made me double over in laughter many times before.  Another highly recommended series. You can actually find it on Tumblr! But there are other locations as well.

Dynasty Reader: https://dynasty-scans.com/series/their_story

Tumblr: https://tanjiu-theirstory.tumblr.com/

Hex

I have been a fan of Hootsweet’s works for a while now so I might be a little biased BUT she has an incredible style and always creates charming characters. Not only that I am a sucker for her backgrounds and set design (it always sets the right mood). It is currently in hiatus but Hootsweets made a post on how she is getting back to it! She was planning on some revisions but if you’re still curious to dive into this magical world you can read it on the official website here: http://hexcomic.com/

You can also find Hootsweets here on Tumblr and Instagram!

Tumblr: https://hootsweets.tumblr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hootsweets/

Bloom

Oh boy, let me tell you this one is just too cute for its own good. The color style is just perfect for the story and the characters are written realistically and lovingly. You know when it’s a rainy day and you just have that warm feeling in your chest cause you’re cuddled up next to the window just watching the rainfall (maybe it's just me) but this comic radiates that feeling. Sadly I don’t believe there is an online source for it but you can buy it elsewhere. It is available on Amazon but if you’re against Amazon there are these other locations as well:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bloom-Kevin-Panetta/dp/1250196914

Thrift Books: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/bloom_kevin-panetta/19110476/#isbn=1626726418&idiq=31037037

Macmillion: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250196910

The Prince and the Dressmaker

This book was talked about for a little bit on Tumblr but it still deserves recognition! When I make a post like this I really like to include more stuff with gender instead of just sexuality or lack thereof. According to the author, she has always described Sebastian as Genderqueer but she has said: “If a reader feels that this story is just the first step to Sebastian discovering they’re trans, or if they feel Sebastian is a cis male that likes to dress up I’m happy with all of that!” Source

That aside it is a wonderful book that still deserves support!

Jen Wang’s website: http://jenwang.net/archives/939

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Dressmaker-Jen-Wang/dp/162672363X

Princess Princess After Ever

This was so cute!! Another WLW comic that is good for kids as well! Same thing with The Prince and the Dressmaker. Katie writes such cute stories and I highly recommend checking out her other stories like The Tea Dragon Society.

PDF: https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Princess-Princess-Ever-After/Full?id=91309#57  ( Kind of buggy and has a lot of ads on it but it works)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Ever-After-Katie-ONeill/dp/1620103400

Thriftbooks: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/princess-princess-ever-after_katie-oneill/11306353/#isbn=1620103400