#rocky douglas

[raging-violets]

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Literally no one other than us two (and maybe a few others) cares about the 3 Ninjas movies/fandom but this is something I've wanted to talk about after having talked about it/realized it with Rhuben and is something that I'm going to bring up in the Between A Rock and Hard Place fic series that focuses on Rocky to explain the highs and lows of being the eldest child and being his father's namesake as well as a well knonw ninja.

Ahem.

The boys' ninja names are obviously important. Rocky = cool and solid as granite rock. Colt = wild and free as the spirit of a young horse. Tum-Tum = energy begins and ends with his stomach. We know that.

BUT!

Their actual names are really important as well.

Rocky aka Samuel Jr. off their father, Samuel Sr. Rocky being the first born was named after their father. If he was a girl, his name would've more than likely been Samantha to keep the 'Sam' part of their names. He still would've been a Jr. You can tell in some instances that there's a very good chance he was parentified in some ways. You can kind of see it in Kick Back when he immediately speaks like a parent to tell Colt and Tum-Tum to go into the house when Darren and the rest of the Mustangs are antagonizing them. But in all movies it's clear he takes his responsibility as the eldest seriously and despite not being especially close to the adults in the films, you could bet that he's closest to their father because of his namesake.

Colt aka Jeffrey off their mother, Jessica. If Colt were born a girl, chances are he would be Jessica Jr but since he was a boy, he's named Jeffrey, which is the male version of 'Jessica' with the same number of letters compared to being called 'Jesse'. He is also shown to have a close relationship with their mother because she immediately comes to his defense anytime something is antagonizing him (re: Samuel Sr.) and also works hard to reassure him when he gets his new ninja name and when it's clear the boys are effected with their dad's absence/workaholic tendencies.

Tum-Tum aka Michael off of their grandpa Mori. In every 3 Ninjas movie you see that Tum-Tum is the closest to their grandpa. He's the only one of the boys that has a nickname from Mori other than their ninja name, as he's called 'Little One' once in every movie (I believe). Being the youngest, he tends to be sidelined by his brothers and not listened to but Mori is clearly very fond of Tum-Tum and believes in him considering he trains the young boy in ninja and doesn't get too upset or annoyed by Tum-Tum's preoccupation with food. Especially as I feel his food preoccupation is filling an emotional hole left behind by his father consistently being gone.

The boys were named after the three most important adults in their lives and it wasn't a coincidence.

[jadeseadragon]

Kim Douglas Wiggins (American, b. 1959, Roswell, New Mexico), The Rockies in Autumn, oil, 24" x 18".

[thecreativemillennial]

Then and now: the og 3 Ninjas

[rabbitcruiser]

Rain Day 

Take a trip to Waynesburg, PA and join the celebration of life-giving rain. Delve deeper into patterns of rainfall and its importance to farming.

Throughout human history, people and cultures all over the world have celebrated rain and it’s life-giving power. All life is dependent on rain, and rain is what keeps our world green and fresh and beautiful. Rain is no less important today than it has been in the past, and now people around the world have Rain Day, a day to celebrate all things wet and wonderful.

You don’t have to be a farmer with your eye on the latest batch of crops to be concerned with rain, and there are many things the ordinary person can do to celebrate. If you’re lucky enough to be somewhere where it rains on Rain Day, you can head outside to dance, sing, or just walk in the rain. If it doesn’t happen to be raining, you can serve up a delicious meal of fresh greens and other things that depend on the rain to grow, and reflect on how lucky we are to live in a rainy world.

Learn about Rain Day

Depending on where in the world you live, rain may be something that you are very much used to! For some people, they see more rain than sun, and this can cause them to become a bit frustrated by it. After all, no one likes being caught in the middle of a massive downpour, do they? However, there are a lot of reasons why we should love rain!

Yes, rain is important for certain industries, but you do not need to be a farmer in order to appreciate rain. Rain can be incredibly soothing. Have you ever laid in bed and listened to the raindrops hitting your window? It is so soothing and relaxing.

In fact, a lot of people play audio of raindrops to try and help them get to sleep at night. If you are someone who has trouble sleeping, give it a try! Rain is widely associated with relaxation. How many of you have used a rainy day as the perfect excuse to have a snug and cozy duvet day?

Rain also gives us the opportunity to show off our stylish rainwear! However, from a more technical and scientific point of view, rain is a vital part of the water cycle. Rain is vital to all life on Earth. Rainfall represents the main way in which water in the skies comes down to earth, providing drinks for animals and plants, recharging the underground aquifers, and filling our rivers and lakes.

When you think about it from this perspective, you see why rain is so critical, and why it is something that should be cherished and celebrated, which is what Rain Day is all about.

History of Rain Day

This is a day that has been celebrated for quite some time now. In fact, Rain Day first took place in the late 1800’s. We have a pharmacist, known as William Allison, to thank for this. He had a drugstore, which was located on High Street, which is the main street in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. He remarked that it always seemed to be raining on the 29th of July.

Because of this, he decided that we would keep a yearly record of the rainfall on this specific date. After the 1920’s, his brother, Albert Allison, continued to record the results. The late Byron Daily recorded this mystical event, which kept happening every year. It would have remained a local event if it was not for a newsman from the area.

In the 1930’s, John O’Hara decided that he would send stories about Rain Day to other newspapers. Because of this, Rain Day ended up spreading to all corners of the world. Every year, newspapers and other media outlets will often call into Waynesburg to find out if it is raining on this date.

Of course, other people have started to celebrate this date in their own areas by simply learning about rainfall and the importance of it, as well as spreading this awareness.

How to celebrate Rain Day

There are a number of different ways that you can celebrate Rain Day. If you happen to live near Waynesburg, you will definitely want to consider making a trip to the town and celebrating. There are bound to be a number of different events that are going on.

If you don’t live anywhere near this part of the world, this does not mean you cannot celebrate. If it is raining in your area, why not do a bit of dancing in the rain? There is something incredibly invigorating about this!

Why not treat yourself to a new jacket on Rain Day? There are so many different options to choose from. Biker jackets, macs, caps, blazers, swing coats, fur jackets, bomber jackets, parkas… to name a mere few! And that is without even mentioning the various materials, colours and designs on the Internet.

Of course, the choice is a great thing, but it can definitely make it difficult when it comes to buying a jacket or coat. You find yourself torn between an array of gorgeous styles. The last thing you want to do is make a quick-fire purchase and then end up with a jacket you never wear because it does not protect you from the rain outside!

Before you go for the out-there pink patterned mac, you need to ensure you have your wardrobe staple, i.e. something that goes with most of your outfits and you can wear again and again. Colour is always an important consideration. Classic colors, such as navy, cream and black, never go out of fashion.

You can’t go wrong with one of these shades. That’s not to say you can’t go for a vibrant or bold color! Red raincoats have been at the height of fashion for many years – the perfect way to brighten up a winter day.

You can also spend Rain Day learning more about rain and the importance of it. Thanks to the Internet, it is easier than it ever has been to get our hands on information and learn more about the world. You can find out about parts of the world that have the most rain, as well as those parts of the world that barely get any rain at all.

There are also a lot of interesting facts about rain as well, some of which may surprise you. For example, did you know that there is such a thing as phantom rain? This refers to raindrops that do not reach the ground.

You can also spend some time learning about how rainfall is predicted from the different types of clouds. It really is a fascinating subject that is worth delving deeper into. Why not share some of your knowledge with your friends, family members, and followers on social media too? We are sure that they will be fascinated to learn more about your findings, and this will help to spread awareness about the day in general as well, which is always a good thing.

Source

[kaelula-sungwis]

🇨🇦🌲🌲Moraine Lake | Banff🌲🌲 by Dave Wong

[cabinporn]

Located on the non-ferry served Obstruction Island, the site was completely untouched and only occupied by a mature montane forest of Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock, and spruce. Before any construction was done on site, Carsten and his family camped on the property for two years to understand the hidden moments and seasonal changes of the place. During this time much care was taken to clear dead and fallen trees to only discover a church-like outdoor space, a mossy clearing surrounded by 150-foot-tall trees. This became the permanent location for the cabin, tucked inland so the building wouldn't be visible from the jaggy and rocky shoreline. The design and construction of the cabin was done together as a family. Aiming to strike a balance of simplicity and basic comfort in this weekend retreat, you get a feeling as though you are immersed in the natural elements of the forest. The materials for the cabin were carefully chosen and economized to fit onto two small lumber trucks coming in on barge. All materials were dropped at the top of the 2.5-acre site and carried down by hand, piece by piece, to the mossy clearing. The finishes are durable and simple. The 2x4 framing was left exposed on the interior with fire-resistant mineral wool insulation applied to the exterior, then clad with Alaskan yellow cedar boards with a Sho Sugi Ban finish. In the interior, a second life was given to a 1960 Danish fireplace and 100-year-old steel windows. The kitchen equipment is movable and interchangeable, just enough to cook healthy and tasty meals. The electrical and plumbing was kept as rudimentary as possible so to not rely on technicians coming in from the mainland. Architect - Carsten Stinn Photographs by @seanair More photos on @cabinporn.

[la-femme-au-collier-vert]

IWTV Season Three Influences & References (so far) 😉

The First 21: How I Became Nikki Sixx by Nikki Sixx

Black Metal Rainbows edited by Daniel Lukes & Stanimir Panayotov

The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx

The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth by John Robb

Set the Night on Fire by Robbie Kreiger

The Dirt: True Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band by Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, Vince Neil and Nikki Sixx

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

Mentioned at the SDCC24 panel by Rolin Jones and Daniel Hart:

David Bowie (particularly mid 70s/ Ziggy Stardust)

Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones

Jim Morrison of the Doors

John Cale of the Velvet Underground

Freddie Mercury of Queen

Nick Cave of the Bad Seeds

David Lee Roth of Van Halen

Nicki Sixx of Motley Crue

Iggy Pop

Prince

Otis Redding

Mark Sandman

Ryan Kattner

Chappell Roan

Brandon Flowers of The Killers

Bjork

Fiona Apple

Daniel Hart 

T-Rex

Beastie Boys

Redd Kross

Tim Rose

Serge Gainsbourg

Electric Light Orchestra

Sweet

Florence Welsh

Saint Vincent

Raleigh Ritchie

Benjamin Clementine

Moses Sumney

Douglas Dare

Jeff Magnum

Paul Westerberg of the Replacements

Franz Liszt

Shostakovich

Gustave Mahler

Lang Lang

Martha Argerich

Gustavo Dudamel

Maurice Ravel cited by Daniel Hart on X

Nirvana cited by Daniel Hart during Reddit AMA

Season 2 here

Season 1 here

[riverthylacine]

My new son, I have named him Rocky, he is a Douglas cuddle toys Ozzie DLux, I love Douglas’s DLux plushes they’re so high quality! His fur is so soft I love it!! His fall is also curled and can be stretched straight I think it’s made with mochi minky, at least from what I can tell,

[shoshiwrites]

Band of Brothers Ages: IRL vs. Actors

Did you know that according to a 1947 study, almost half the men who served in WWII were still under age 26 by the end of the war?

What this is : A (very long) post comparing the ages of the actors in Band of Brothers vs. the IRL figures they are portraying.

Background: Did I need to do this? No. Did anyone ask for this? Also no. Did I do it anyway? Yes.

Disclaimers: This is SUPER approximate for the most part. I based IRL ages off of D-Day unless otherwise noted, and actor ages off of January 1, 2000, the year filming took place (the latter is where the most variation will be because I didn't try to figure out what month filming started). I also didn't fact-check birthdays beyond googling. Most are sourced from the Band of Brothers and Military Wikis on fandom.com, Wikipedia, and IMDb.

I broke them up into rough categories, which are, again, approximate. I know I often forget how young the real life people were here, and this was a good reminder of that. I also found it interesting to see which actors were actually younger than their roles!

Check it all out under the cut ⬇️

~10+ years older

Dale Dye (55) as Col. Robert F. Sink (39) (~16 years)

Michael Cudlitz (35) as Denver "Bull" Randleman (23) (~12)

Marc Warren (32) as Albert Blithe (20) (~12)

Rocky Marshall (33) as Earl J. McClung (21) (~12)

Frank John Hughes (32) as William J. Guarnere (21) (~11)

Neal McDonough (33) as Lynn D. (Buck) Compton (22) (~11)

Dexter Fletcher (33) as John W. Martin (22) (~11)

~5+ years older

Simon Schatzberger (32) as Joseph A. Lesniewski (23) (~9)

Richard Speight Jr. (30) Warren H. (Skip) Muck (22) (~8)

Jason O'Mara (30) as Thomas Meehan (22) (~8)

Ron Livingston (32) as Lewis Nixon (25) (~7)

Donnie Wahlberg (30) as C. Carwood Lipton (24) (~6)

Matthew Settle (30) as Ronald C. Speirs (24) (~6)

Nolan Hemmings (28) as Charles E. "Chuck" Grant (22) (~6)

Douglas Spain (25) as Antonio C. Garcia (19) (~6)

George Calil (26) as James H. "Mo" Alley Jr. (21) (~5)

Rick Gomez (27) as George Luz (22) (~5 year)

Scott Grimes (28) as Donald G. Malarkey (23) (~5)

Stephen Graham (26) as Myron "Mike" Ranney (21) (~5)

~less than 5 years older

Shane Taylor (25) as Eugene G. Roe (21) (~4)

Tim Matthews (23) as Alex M. Penkala Jr. (19) (~4)

Matthew Leitch (24) as Floyd M. "Tab" Talbert (20) (~4)

Peter O'Meara (30) as Norman S. Dike Jr. (26) (~4)

Tom Hardy (22) as John A. Janovec (18) (~4)

Rick Warden (28) as Harry F. Welsh (25) (~3)

Kirk Acevedo (28) as Joseph D. Toye (25) (~3)

Eion Bailey (25) as David Kenyon Webster (22) (~3)

Craig Heaney (26) as Roy W. Cobb (29) (~3)

Damian Lewis (28) as Richard D. Winters (26) (~2)

Robin Laing as Edward J. "Babe" Heffron (~2, 21/23)

Ben Caplan (26) as Walter S. "Smokey" Gordon Jr. (24) (~2)

David Schwimmer (32) as Herbert M. Sobel (33) (~1 year)

Michael Fassbender (22) as Burton P. "Pat" Christenson (21) (~1)

Colin Hanks (22) as Lt. Henry Jones (21) (~1) (age around Bastogne)

Bart Ruspoli (23) as Edward J. Tipper (22) (~1)

~Same age

Peter Youngblood Hills as Darrell C. "Shifty" Powers (21)

Mark Huberman as Lester "Les" Hashey (19)

Younger

Lucie Jeanne (23) as Renée Lemaire (30) (age around Bastogne) (~7)

Ross McCall (23) as Joseph D. Liebgott (29) (~6)

Simon Pegg (29) as William S. Evans (~33) (~4)

Philip Barantini (19) as Wayne A. "Skinny" Sisk (22) (~3)

James Madio (24) as Frank J. Perconte (27) (~3)

Stephen McCole (25) as Frederick "Moose" Heyliger (27) (~2)

Matt Hickey (~16) as Patrick S. O'Keefe (18) (~2)

Incomplete/not found

Phil McKee as Maj. Robert L. Strayer (34)

Rene L. Moreno as Joseph Ramirez (30)

Doug Allen as Alton M. More (24)

David Nicolle as Lt. Thomas A. Peacock (24)

Rebecca Okot as Anna (Augusta Chiwy) (24) (age around Bastogne)

Alex Sabga-Brady as Francis J. Mellet (23)

Mark Lawrence as William H. Dukeman Jr. (22)

Nicholas Aaron as Robert E. (Popeye) Wynn (22)

Peter McCabe as Donald B. Hoobler (21)

Marcos D'Cruze as Joseph P. Domingus (not found)

[art--harridan]

[Image description: A digital painting based on the film The Deadly Spawn. It depicts a large spawn creature - which is a mix between a slug and an earthworm, with a mouth like a leech - looming over a three storey blue house. The house is sat in a field next to a rocky hill, which the spawn rises out of, more than double its size. Its bottom teeth blend into the hillside. There's an empty road near the hill, which is visually blocked by shadow. Near its end, there's a telephone pole, which is linked by many wires to a more prominent one by the house. All of the house's windows are lit up in warm light. The night sky is light, though stars can be seen. A few clouds litter the sky. The leaves of large trees frame both sides of the pieces. The piece is mostly yellow and green tones, with a few reds for the spawn. The other main colour is blue, which is used mainly for the sky and house.]

Inktober - Day 29 (Massive)

Film - The Deadly Spawn (Douglas McKeown, 1983)

[raging-violets]

16 for rocky

giving your love interest a trinket before a “battle”

A/N: This is actually a (potential) future scene from my 3Ninjas fic Walking The Other Way’, so, light spoilers. Took me long enough, right?

Whif, whif, whif.

Rocky repeatedly punched the bag in front of him, focusing on the rotation of his wrist to ensure the punch landed squarely. When he fatigued on one fist, he switched to the other and back again. All until he felt a warm chill run down his spine.

Usually, he enjoyed the feeling, knowing what it was coming from. This time, he felt a momentary flash of annoyance. Breathing out a heavy sigh, Rocky lowered his hands to his sides, turned, and started to take off his gloves.

“Don’t say it,” he said, addressing Riley before looking at her.

“Don’t say what?” She asked, following him with her eyes.

“That I’m making a mistake,” Rocky replied. “That it’s a bad idea to go up against Snyder.” He rolled his eyes at her statement of, “No need, yeah, you already did it for me.” And went back to unwrapping his hands. Boxing was never really his thing, but he needed something to get out his aggression, help him get some practice in, and take his mind off his upcoming…potential death. He glanced at her. “You know I have to do it.”

She tilted her head, studying him quietly. “He said he wanted revenge on ‘Sam Douglas’.”

“And I can’t let my dad take that fall.” Rocky lifted his chin. Took a deep breath through his nose. Knew he was going to have to explain himself at some point, since he had decided on what he was going to do. “It’d kill mom—”

“You think outliving her son wouldn’t do that?” Rocky moved to walk by her, but she reached out and pressed her hand to his chest, firmly pushing him backwards so he was forced to look at her. “Are you suicidal? Or just bloody insane? I get you’ve done ninja things like this before, but this is serious.”

“I noticed.”

She shook her head, dropped her hand from his chest. Defeated. In so few words she knew she wouldn’t change his mind. “What happened to the only thing you had to worry about being getting your homework in on time to graduate?”

Rocky managed the briefest of smiles. Graduation was the last of his worries. Nevertheless, he felt the pins and needles start in his fingers once more. Another panic attack he’d managed to stave off for the last few…days? Weeks? Everything made him worry now. A future he needed to decide on…and a future he may not even get if he faced off against Snyder.

“You can worry about all that for me,” Rocky replied. He sat down on the bench and grabbed a towel, mopping sweat off his forehead. He took in a deep breath, closing his eyes. Focused. Breathed. Focused harder when she sat next to him, close enough that her thigh pressed against his. “Someone’s gotta watch out for everyone else.”

“Yeah, but who’s going to watch out for you, Sam?” Her eyes bore into the side of his face. He studiously kept his gaze away from hers, knowing how easily he’d be swept away if he did. Just like always. “I guess, before this happens, I should say thank you.”

“For what?” he replied automatically, knowing her answer of, “For everything,” was coming seconds after. Smiled when he heard it. “I think I should be thanking you. For not trying to talk me out of this.”

The side of her mouth turned up into her smirk-smile. “Would I have been able to?” She gently nudged him with her shoulder.

He smiled. “No.”

“Should I threaten to beat you up then? Kidnap you? I can tie a mean knot but…” Her gaze swept over him. “Something tells me you’d break out of it too easily,” she teased saucily. “Which is no fun, by the way.”

Silence stretched between them. Rocky took in another deep breath, a different thought coming to mind. He leaned over to his bag and reached inside. His fingers clamped around the brim of it hat, which he pulled out and held toward her. “Can you hold this for me?”

Riley eyed it for a minute before taking it in her hand. She dropped her hand to her side, curling her fingers around his hat protectively. Almost as if it were supposed to be curling around his hand. “Your mind’s really made up then, yeah?”

His blue eyes locked directly on hers. “Wouldn’t you do the same thing…if it were your family?”

She pressed her lips together, looking away. Rocky knew she’d do the same, knew before he even asked the question. Whether it was the ‘eldest child’ role they were both put in, or just the sheer sense of protectiveness she felt for everyone in her life, he knew she would make the same decision. Because she’d made a similar one before.

Not to the same extent, but with the same motivations.

And, if he were being honest, it was easier for him to make that decision than ask her out to the prom. He was probably the only person in the world who had that problem; facing certain death enough times before had made him so de-sensitized that he wouldn’t even entertain the thought of losing.

“Rocky?”

“Hm.” He finally looked at her.

She looked back at him, the smile had fallen from her face. “If you die, I’ll fucking kill you.”

[thunderxleafart]

headcanon for Douglas x Oliver. And also, Douglas is so beautiful

Ohhhh yes, Douggie and Oliver, I think I've got at least a few for them! x'D Buckle up, I'm boutta ramble LOLL ~ Headcanons for 10x11 ~ - They were pretty much smitten when they first met; Douglas thought Oliver was incredibly brave, strong and "an enterprising engine", while Oliver, ofc, was extremely grateful to Douglas for his rescue.

(Also cuz I mean look at "Escape", did you see the way they looked at each other? Instantly smitten for sure. xD) - Toad was/is the ultimate wingman (or wingvan?) for them.

-Things were a little rocky at first; Oliver was still unpacking quite a traumatic experience and dealing with a rough-ish start on Sodor. And he struggles with the nagging question of whether or not he liked Douglas because of who he was or just because he rescued him.

-Though it's a little awkward and uncertain, once they overcome the initial bumps and start talking they hit it off very well, easily becoming good friends. After that everything just sort of... falls into place.

-Literally everyone knew they liked each other (there were many a gushing rant from both of them about the other lol). - They don't really use "pet names" for each other. Though Oliver is one of only two engines on the island that's allowed to call Douglas "Douggie".

-Ironically, Oliver is way more protective of Douglas then vice versa, though Douglas does still have his moments.

-They spend whatever time they can get together just... talking. They talk endlessly about anything and everything. They love sharing in each others experiences, both past and present, and enjoy a solid sense of comradery.

-They understand each other better then almost anyone else, especially when it comes to their fears about scrap. They know they can always confide in the other about pretty much anything.

Their favourite things about each other are;

Douglas about Oliver: His determination, his unbreakable spirit, how reliable and trustworthy he is. Plus he's got such an adorable face. (and eyes that are very easy to get lost in xD)

Oliver about Douglas: His husky laugh (especially with the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles), the way he laughs at pretty much anything, how level-headed and patient he is, and especially that softer, sentimental side to him.

-Donald still teases Douglas to no end about "makin' goo-goo eyes at wee Ollie", but he's still incredibly supportive. He's mostly just happy his brother found someone who makes him so happy. uwu

-Donald has also told Oliver exactly what he'd do if he hurts his brother, but they were mostly just jokes... mostly. xD

~~~~~~~~~~~

There's probably more but it's safe to say that I think they're absolutely adorable! x'3

They can really understand each others traumas and experiences, and I 100% see them as just one of the sweetest, most affectionate, couples. (At least as far as trains can go xD)

But aw yeah, Douggie is quite a cutie, isn't he? <3

Just had to doodle him after all that LOLL

And one of these days I'll get around to drawing them together... probably. xD

Thank you for the question!! <3

[sleepyfan-blog]

Forest Wanderings

Author’s note: This is the next part in Mer-Cedric wandering with Reader! Thank you to @egrets-not-regrets for letting me borrow her oc Erriox! First. Next

Warnings: brief talk about the American foster care system, please ask me to tag something if it bothers you/I missed it

Tagged: @egrets-not-regrets @kit-williams @bleedingichorhearts @the-pure-angel

Summary: Cedric continues to accompany you on your backpacking travels through the forest near the sea he popped out of. 

Cedric flew alongside you through the air with an effortless ease that you were trying very hard not to be jealous over. The rocky, hilly terrain covered in trees and underbrush was difficult for you to traverse on foot, and the path that you were taking to the nearby town for your next stop in civilization was poorly maintained in this part of the forest you were walking in. He stayed close to you, while not being so close as to feel as if he was crowding you.

You also got the distinct feeling that he could move much much faster than the pace he was… Flying? He looked as though he was swimming through the air somehow, from the way his fins and tail flexed and shifted in the slight breeze that blew through the trees and felt nice on your face and hands. “How are you able to do that?” You ask, pausing and sitting on a large boulder as you’ve decided to take a break from hiking. 

The point of backpacking in your opinion wasn’t necessarily the destination that you had in mind - as you weren’t planning on going anywhere in particular, but the breathtaking journey. Like now. On one side of the rocky and grass-covered path was a steep cliff drop, where you could see the rolling waves of the ocean, the salt-sea air refreshing. On the other side, was the same deep forest that you were traveling through. Many of the trees were spruce and douglas fir, though there were also cedar trees growing wild as well. 

You’d seen deer wandering through the underbrush, nibbling on the new-growth leaves and half-ripe berries growing on some of the bushes and vines earlier today. You’d taken a couple of pictures of them with the camera you’d brought with you. You’d been tempted to take pictures of Cedric as well as the large white and black patterned mer flew through the forest, but you’d decided to wait for an appropriate time to ask him first. 

“Do what?” Cedric asks, tilting his head a little at you as he sits down next to you. 

“Fly through the air?” You answer. He’s so big, you can’t imagine that his bones are hollow… And he doesn’t have any sort of wings that you’re familiar with, to allow for flight. 

“Oh! It’s an ability granted to us by-” Cedric stops talking for a moment, fidgeting with his hands “It’s an inborn ability, though flying itself is a skill that one needs to practice. I’ve met some brothers who are very good at flying. Others… Not so much.” It was a gift that the god-emperor had gifted each mer-ine, along with the ability to swim through the sea of stars and the raging warp for prolonged periods of time. But it was forbidden to say such things to the mortals of Ancient Terra, lest they learn of things too early. 

You squint up at him. His ears were a fascinating shade of pink and he was fidgeting with his hands, which meant that he was either lying to you or hiding something. As many tales you’d heard about how terrifying and mysterious the Astartes were, Cedric was neither of those things. He was big and strong, but had a curious joy with which he explored the world. You silently wondered whether or not he was young for an Astartes. Perhaps like you, a young adult, having left home for the first time and searching for one’s place in the world… “Uh-huh. We’ve been traveling together for several hours now. What do you think of backpacking?”

“I find it to be an interesting practice. To enjoy the journey for what it is, rather than because you are trying to get somewhere.” Cedric answers with a small smile “I’ve told my brothers that I will be traveling with you for some time… It’s definitely possible that at least one of them will come to see us, and pester me.” He sighed a little, shaking his head a little.

You were about to say something, a question on your lips when the device attached to one of Cedric’s wrists crackled to life. 

A low, masculine voice rumbled “I just got your message. What’s this about traveling overland with a human?”

“They’re traveling the nearby forest, close to the waters’ edge, and I asked if I could join them, at least until they get to the next human settlement, and they agreed.” Cedric answered with a small grin directed at you.

“Alright. Be sure to use your common sense and exercise caution, alright? You’ve got some healing potions on you, right? If you’re going to be traveling away from the pod for some time, you better be properly kitted out for it.” The other rumbled.

“Yes papa, I have healing potions in my bag. A couple of regular ones and a couple of high-strength ones, just in case something happens. I’ll be sure to vox in regularly, too.” Cedric answered with a sigh, a small smile still lingering on his face.

“Good. Your mom is in the area, trading with her inland cousins, and foraging for some ingredients for Amelia. She’ll probably stop by and say hello.” Cedric’s dad responded, a sigh in his voice.

“Okay dad. I’ll keep an eye out for mom.” Cedric answered, rolling his shoulders a little. 

“Good. Talk to you again soon. Have fun wandering, pup.” The older mer answered.

“I’m not a pup! I’m full grown!” Cedric groused, pouting at the communicator on his wrist.

“Yes, yes. I know. Goodbye for now.” With that, the machine stopped making noise.

The large white and black mer chuffed grumpily and glowered at the machine for several seconds before shaking his head a little. He smiles at you and apologizes “Sorry for ignoring you, but my dad voxxed me.” 

“I’m glad that you’ve got family who care for you, Cedric. It’s good to be cared for.” You answer, a wistful smile of your own tugging up the corners of your lips.

“... Do you not have a family?” The mer asked, startling you a little.

You hadn’t expected that he would pick that up “Well… Sort of? It’s complicated. I was left in the baby box at the hospital I was born in, and was never told anything about either of my birth parents. I grew up in the foster-care system, traveling from family to family every couple of years… I was almost adopted a couple of times but… After I hit thirteen, the younger kids were focused on as potential adoptees as most parents looking to adopt aren’t interested in teenagers.” You sigh deeply, shaking your head a little “I suppose that’s where I got my love for travel… Although I enjoy it a lot more now that I get to decide where to go, and how long the journey takes. A couple of my fellow foster siblings I really connected with, so we stay in contact with each other when we can.”

“... Oh…” Cedric managed out. You see tears in his light blue eyes, and his lower lip wobbles a little. “Would you… Mind if… Would you be uncomfortable if I gave you a hug?”

You smile a little and shift so that you’re facing him more on the boulder you’re sitting on, opening your arms wide “Sure thing, Cedric.” Part of the reason why you’re wandering like this is to process all of the feelings about your… Varied childhood without being watched and pressured by other people to be what they think of as normal. You also have weekly video chats with a therapist, who has been helping you… You think. You cry at least once during the sessions, but you tend to feel better afterwards.

Or at least hollow and tired, which is better than the bitter rage that still festers under your skin from time to time. 

He smells like sea salt as he hugs you tightly, almost to the point of driving the air from your lungs. Cedric’s hug is warm and comforting, and you hide your face in his broad chest. You can hear his heart… Hearts? Beating in his chest. It’s a comforting if somewhat strange sound. You hadn’t expected to run into a mer-ine, but Cedric has been a wonderful companion so far.

He also doesn’t seem to mind that you hug him as tightly as you can for several minutes. You hadn’t realized how touch-starved you were until Cedric started hugging you.

Maybe mer-hugs lasted for several minutes? They were deeply mysterious creatures after all. Or so you’ve been told. You do eventually let go of him, and he lets you go a moment or two later, and makes no comment on the fact that his chest is damp with tears.

“Right, then. Let’s… Shall we get moving? I’d rather not sleep this close to the edge of a cliff, as I don’t think I could survive such a long fall. Besides, we’ve got several hours before sun-down.” You say, smiling a little.

“... What does sun-down have to do with stopping traveling?” Cedric asks curiously, tilting his head a little at you again. “It’s a clear night, and the moon is nearing full. More than enough light to continue to travel by if you wish.”

“See, humans don’t really see well in the dark, like at all without having a much closer or much brighter source of light to see by then the moon and stars. I do have a flashlight, but I try to save the battery for emergencies only. Besides, I’ve been traveling for most of the day and pushing myself to walk overnight will only exhaust me, possibly dangerously so, for the next leg of the journey.” You explain, shrugging a little.

“Oh… So humans do need to sleep every day/night cycle. I thought so! Hah, I’ll be sure to tell Jophi that when I see him next.” Cedric responded, wriggling a little in delighted vindication.

“Do… Do you not need to sleep?” You ask your new traveling companion, curious as to whether or not that rumor was true.

“I mean… We should, and we can. But we can travel for months if not years on very little sleep in much more dangerous conditions than this terrestrial walk we’ve been doing. But we only do that in dire circumstances, and in much larger shoals, with those who are resting in the middle of the shoal, so that everyone else can move them while they sleep.” Cedric answered with a playful grin. 

“What would cause a shoal of mer-ines to migrate like that?” You ask.

Cedric shifts a little, ducking his head a little “If we received a call for help, because of dangerous predators attacking or causing troubles. I cannot say more about this without permission. Certain dangers can listen in if they are spoken about, and we wish to spare this world from their view.”

Well… That was a deeply ominous thing to say, Cedric. Thank you very much. Now you’re imagining space-cthulhu attacking random planets as mer-ines like Cedric swarm after them like a bunch of angry wasps or bees. “Gotcha! No asking about mysterious predators. Ready to get going?”

“I am ready when you are.” The mer nodded, smiling a little as he started to float, content to travel alongside you.

[twoiafart]

DRAGONSTONE Artwork by Allen Douglas

The First Men and then the Andals both settled the rocky isles of Blackwater Bay, making themselves lords and living by piracy and fishing. The largest of these islands, dominated by the volcanic Dragonmont, would come to be known as Dragonstone.

Two hundred years before the Doom, the Freehold of Valyria sent an expedition to seize Dragonstone and make it the westernmost outpost of its vast empire. The citadel that they raised there to guard their new possession was shaped by Valyrian magic into an imposing structure impossible to create by any other means—with towers shaped like dragons, doorways that gaped like the mouths of dragons, and hundreds of gargoyles adorning the wall, forming a menagerie of fanciful beasts that bristled from the stone.

Twelve years prior to the Doom, Aenar Targaryen moved his kin, treasures, and dragons to Dragonstone after his maiden daughter, Daenys the Dreamer, foretold the destruction of Valyria. The Targaryens thus became the only dragonlords to survive both the Doom and the war-torn years called the Century of Blood that followed. Over that century, the Targaryens looked more to the east than to the west, however, busy with the various machinations and wars between the Free Cities in the aftermath of the Doom.

[rabbitcruiser]

International Day of Forests

International Day of Forests is celebrated on the 21st day of every March. Forests cover the dominant terrestrial ecosystem of the planet and are distributed across the globe. It is a large area that usually has hundreds and thousands of trees, herbs, shrubs, other living organisms and more. The term forest usually defines the presence of trees in ample number, and the Earth has different types of forests and a wide variety of trees present in it. Trees are playing a significant role in maintaining the environment and living beings surviving on it. They are solely responsible for producing the vast majority of air or oxygen without which life would be impossible. For various reasons, forests are being depleted, destroyed and several millions of hectares of forests are cut down. With the increase in deforestation activities, the ecological system has been degraded completely. International Day of Forests or Forest Day is an awareness Day celebrated in such a way to let people understand the importance of forests and the essential role of trees in our lives. The international Day will also address on issues such as deforestation.

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

History of International Day of Forests

The International Day of Forests (IDF) has been celebrated since the year 2013. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21st March as IDF on November 28, 2012. Since then, the Day has been observed with various events and activities to raise the awareness about the importance and benefits of the forests, its types, trees outside the forests to the people of current and future generations. Earlier to this IDF, World Forestry Day had been observed which has originated in 1971 at the 23rd General Assembly of the European Confederation of Agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had established it and started celebrating it from the year 1972 till 2012. IFD is created to raise awareness about the forests and issues of deforestations as a whole. Each year, IDF or Forest Day is celebrated with a theme which is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.

On each Forest Day, countries from all over the world are encouraged to undertake useful efforts to organize any local, national, or international activities or events involving forests and trees. Also, the United Nations works together with the governments, community organizations, and the general public as a way to promote both local and global activities for the IDF. Activities include tree planting campaigns, photo exhibits that portray the importance forests and trees, and sharing infographics, videos, news messages via social and other media. As human society and forests are influencing each other in both positive and negative ways, it is vital to promote awareness about the role of forests as with the humankind. Forests are providing the ecosystem services to humans and are serving as tourist attractions.

However, human activities like harvesting forest resources, deforestation, and more have negatively affected the forest ecosystems and which in turn are affecting the human life indirectly through natural disasters and environmental changes. The forests account for about 75 percent of the gross primary productivity of the Earth’s biosphere. It contains about 80 percent of the Earth’s plant biomass. According to the survey by FAO in 2006, forests covered four billion hectares, i.e., 15 million square miles or approximately 30 percent of the world’s land area in total. It contains more than 60,000 tree species and in which many as of them are yet unidentified species. Forests are actively contributing to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity in the air and they also protect the watersheds, which supply fresh water to the rivers.

Forests are the primary source of food, fibre, water and medicines for about 1.6 billion of the world’s poorest people approximately. It also included the indigenous peoples with unique cultures. More than 13 million hectares, i.e., 32 million acres of forests are lost every year which is an area roughly the size of England. Forests are providing shelter for 80 percent of the terrestrial species including animals, plants and insects. It is essential to know that the forests are playing a critical role in the climate change including the global warming. According to the UN, deforestation results in 12 to18 percent of the world’s carbon emissions which is almost equal to all the CO2 from the global transport sector. Equally crucial, the healthy forests are found to be one of the world’s primary ‘carbon sinks.’

How to Celebrate International Day of Forests

Celebrating the International Day of Forests is quite simple. Get to know more about the forests, their role in ecological balance and different types of forest ecosystems. On this awareness Day, you can start planting a tree and encourage people around you to do so. Spread information regarding the positive effects the environment gains with proper maintenance of the forests. Make an initiative to save the planet from greenhouse emission, pollution, climate changes and more by planting as many trees as you can. You can start campaigns joining with any organization to work towards saving the Planet actively.

Source

[turtlesandfrogs]

One big thing that gets missed in the conversation about native plants is that when considering a plant, you really should ask two questions:

1. Where, specifically, is it native to?

2. Within that region, what ecosystem conditions does it live in? Will it thrive where you intend to plant it?

I cannot tell you how many times I've come across a plant labeled as native that doesn't even grow in my state. Sure, it's native to the continent, but not this side of the rocky mountains! That's not nearly specific enough if your goal is to support endemic animal species and the overall ecosystem.

You also need to consider what conditions that plant needs to thrive. One example I see a lot of here is planting understory plants in full sun. They're stressed out, they're getting sunburnt, and they're slowly dying. People will also try the reverse, planting praire plants in deep shade, and wonder why they're all floppy and anemic looking. Plants may be native to your area, but they still have specific needs and you will have much greater success if you match the conditions you have to a plant that will thrive there.

A third, extra credit question is a two parter: is it endemic (aka, unique to your region) or does it have a a broader, or even circumpolar distribution? I mean, check out the range maps for Henderson's shooting star & twinflower:

Twinflower is found across the northern portions of Eurasia as well.

The second part is, are any of the vulnerable species in your area depending on it? An example from my area is Viola Adunca, which has a pretty broad range,

But is also host to multiple fritilary butterfly species in my area, some of which are on the decline and some of which are no longer found in my state. Due to habitat loss. Both due to human activity (agriculture, subdivisions, etc) and human inactivity (banning the intentional burns the Native peoples did, that maintained the Oak savanna ecosystem, leading them to be "invaded" by non-fire adapted Douglas firs, another native species. Also at the same time making the region more vulnerable to bigger and more devastating wild fires).