#venture builder

[uniultraxyz]

Unicorn Ultra (U2U)

powers the construction of global blockchain unicorn chains, assist an ecosystem, promote decentralization, and proactive investment community growth for community investors and businesses.

[jjvelasco]

Clases, colaboraciones y seminarios del segundo trimestre de 2023

Al final siempre me acaba pasando lo mismo y acabo compartiendo el material de mis clases entre uno y dos meses más tarde del final del trimestre… La verdad es que tengo que volver a recuperar la rutina de escribir en el blog pero este semestre ha sido muy intenso en trabajo y también fuera de éste (entre otras cosas, seguí el programa de certificación de UX de Google en Coursera). Como viene…

[sktthemes1]

How Can the StartUp WordPress Theme Transform Your Business Website?

Launching a startup comes with a unique set of challenges—from attracting early adopters to building credibility in a competitive market. One of the first and most impactful investments any new business can make is a professionally designed website. But with limited resources and time, how can you ensure your website works for you, not against you?

Enter the StartUp WordPress Theme—a powerful, purpose-built solution designed specifically for early-stage companies and fast-growing businesses. Whether you're a founder, marketing lead, or digital strategist, this theme gives you the tools to build a strong digital presence that converts.

What Makes SKT Enterprise Pro Stand Out?

The SKT Enterprise Pro theme, branded as the StartUp WordPress Theme, isn’t just visually appealing—it’s functional, fast, and optimized for performance. It strikes the perfect balance between design and utility, giving startups an edge when establishing their digital footprint.

Here’s what sets it apart:

Easy-to-use customization options

Speed and SEO optimization

Elementor and Gutenberg compatibility

Mobile-responsive and retina-ready design

WooCommerce integration for eCommerce needs

Lifetime access with a one-time payment

Each of these features works in synergy to provide you with a startup website that’s scalable, search-friendly, and audience-focused.

Built for Founders with a Vision

Time and resources are limited when you're building a company from the ground up. You shouldn’t have to spend weeks on web design. SKT Enterprise Pro is perfect for founders who want a launch-ready, professional website that reflects the quality of their product or service.

With a one-click demo import, you can set up a pre-designed website layout in minutes and then simply swap in your branding, images, and text. Even without any coding knowledge, you’ll be able to create a site that looks like it was custom-built for your brand.

Impress Investors, Clients, and Customers Alike

Your website often serves as a pitch deck, sales platform, and brand hub all in one. With this theme, you can highlight every aspect of your business, from your mission to your product features, team, and success metrics.

Some key layout elements include:

Team member profiles with headshots and bios

Customer testimonials and reviews

Visual service or product showcases

Process walkthroughs with icons and animation

Lead capture forms for demo bookings or inquiries

This layout isn’t just about looks—it’s engineered for conversions.

Marketing-Ready from the Start

When you’re just starting out, marketing is everything. The SKT Enterprise Pro theme comes with all the sections you need to support your campaigns:

Dedicated blog pages for SEO and thought leadership

Contact forms integrated with email platforms

Newsletter signups for lead generation

Social media buttons to extend your reach

This means your website doesn’t just function as a brochure—it actively supports your growth strategy. Startups can’t afford to waste traffic, and this theme helps turn visitors into leads.

Designed for Speed, Optimized for Search

Load times matter. A slow website can ruin user experience and negatively impact your search engine rankings. Fortunately, this theme is built with lightweight code, minimal dependencies, and smart caching in mind.

It also adheres to modern SEO best practices:

Mobile-first design

Clean and structured code

Schema markup for better indexing

Meta tag support

Optimized image loading

This gives you a head start when competing for visibility in Google and other search engines—a critical asset when you're trying to grow brand awareness.

Flexible Enough to Grow With You

What happens when your business starts scaling? You’ll need a website that can grow alongside your operations. SKT Enterprise Pro makes this easy. Whether you’re launching a new product, adding a new service, or creating campaign-specific landing pages, the theme’s flexibility ensures your website can adapt quickly.

You’ll benefit from:

Multi-page navigation

Custom widget areas

Drag-and-drop builder compatibility

Expandable menus and headers

WooCommerce pages for monetization

You never know what’s next in the startup world. With this theme, you’re always ready.

Designed for Trust and Professionalism

People judge businesses by their websites. A poorly designed site can undermine even the most innovative product. The SKT Enterprise Pro theme exudes trust and professionalism, with design principles that mirror those used by industry leaders.

From clear typography and consistent branding to intuitive navigation and strategically placed call-to-actions, every detail builds credibility and confidence. When customers and investors visit your site, they’ll immediately see you mean business.

Value That Scales

Instead of spending thousands on a custom design or monthly subscriptions, you can own this premium theme for a one-time fee. That includes:

Full access to theme features

Free installation assistance

Regular updates for compatibility and security

Support from SKT’s expert team

For startups operating on tight budgets, this value is hard to beat.

Final Thoughts: Ready to Scale Your Vision?

Your startup deserves a website that tells your story, converts your visitors, and grows with you. The StartUp WordPress Theme from SKT Themes checks every box—from design and performance to scalability and value.

Instead of starting from scratch or relying on generic templates, this purpose-built theme gives you the tools to look polished and professional right from day one. It's time to move fast, think big, and scale with confidence—your website should do the same.

[yazhii]

Joint Venture Construction Experts in Chennai – Partner with Prajha Group

Unlock the full potential of your land with a strategic construction joint venture through Prajha Group, a leader among real estate joint venture companies in Chennai. Specializing in joint venture property development, Prajha Group ensures profitable outcomes through transparent agreements and expert execution. As one of the most trusted joint venture builders, the company offers seamless collaboration in both residential and commercial joint venture building construction projects. Their structured construction partnership agreements are designed to align mutual interests and maximize returns. Recognized among top joint venture construction companies, Prajha Group is redefining landowner partnerships within the construction industry. With each building joint venture, they bring unmatched experience, innovation, and commitment to timely project delivery. Partner with a name that understands every facet of joint venture in the construction industry—where your land becomes a foundation for mutual growth. VISIT US : https://www.prajhagroup.com/joint-venture/

[technohands]

Real Estate Laws Every Homebuyer and Seller Should Know 

Introduction

In real estate transactions, legal knowledge is necessary. Buyers and sellers have to know the legalities involved in the transaction. Walking the laws ensures smooth transactions, preventing them from spending more money. In this blog, we lead you through the essential real estate laws that every home buyer and seller should be well versed in.

Understanding real estate laws

The real property laws help control the selling, purchasing, and holding of property. The laws are implemented to protect the rights of buyers and sellers. They ensure the deal is honest and open to all parties. Real property laws include controls over contracts, property titles, taxes, and how disputes are handled. Therefore, if you know these laws, you can avoid legal complications and make the right choices. Having an idea of the law behind property dealings gives you confidence and saves you from fraud. Whether you are buying a new home or selling a house, being informed about the rules will help you smoothen the process and knowing about the best construction company in Vadodara will be a good option. It is always wise to be informed or take legal help whenever required. However, your property experience will be safeguarded and successful.

Key legal documents in real estate transactions

Real estate deals involve various legal documents that should be familiar to both buyers and sellers. Some of the most critical documents are

Sale Agreement: A deal between buyer and seller that has the terms included.

Title Deed: Defines ownership of the house and legal status.

No Objection Certificate (NOC): Confirms the property has no legal issues or liabilities.

Transfer Deed: Transfers ownership legally from the seller to the buyer.

Encumbrance Certificate: Confirms the property has no legal liabilities.

Being aware of these documents is required to protect yourself in a transaction.

Rights and obligations of homebuyers and sellers

Both buyers and sellers have specific rights and obligations under real estate laws.

Homebuyers’ Rights:

Right to receive clear and marketable title of the property.

Right to examine the property before closing the transaction.

The right to have full disclosures as to the property’s condition.

Sellers’ Rights:

Right to receive payment for the property as agreed.

The right to rescind a sale in case the buyer cancels the agreement.

The right to sell the property free and clear.

But both should keep themselves in check so that no confusion occurs.

Important real estate laws every buyer should know

Homebuyers need to understand the following real estate laws in order to protect their interests:

Title Verification: Homebuyers should ensure that the seller owns clear title to the property prior to purchase. Inconsistencies in the title can lead to disputes.

Land Use and Zoning Regulations: Such regulations determine how the property is used. For instance, residential houses cannot be used for business purposes unless zoned.

Consumer Protection Regulations: These laws protect the customers from fraudulent activities and ensure equity throughout the process.

Apart from these regulations, one should also be familiar with local property location regulations.

Real estate laws for sellers: what you should know

Sellers are also required to be informed regarding their rights and responsibilities. Important seller laws are

Disclosure Laws: Sellers must disclose known faults or problems of the property. Non-disclosure has legal implications.

Tax Implications: Sellers may be subject to capital gains tax based on the sale price and profit made from the property.

Right to Rescind: The seller can rescind the agreement in case the buyer defaults in satisfying the agreement.

Guidelines for sellers to make no complications and lawsuits.

Dispute resolution in real estate transactions

It is common in real estate transaction conflicts but may typically be resolved amicably. The buyer and seller can follow the below steps:

Negotiation: The first thing is always to try to resolve the issue by way of negotiation.

Mediation: If negotiation fails, mediation may help the two sides to reach a compromise with the help of an external third-party mediator.

Arbitration: If mediation does not work, arbitration may settle the dispute without going to court.

Litigation: As a last resort, the dispute can be taken to a court for a final judgment.

Knowledge of the process: In order to effectively resolve conflicts, an understanding of the process of resolving the conflict is most important.

Common mistakes to avoid in real estate deals

There are several common mistakes that buyers and sellers both encounter while making real estate transactions. They are:

Avoiding Legal Consultation: Failing to hire an attorney to review contracts and documents might lead to costly blunders.

Not Verifying Property Titles: Not ensuring the property title is clear can mean purchasing disputed land.

Not Researching the Area: Not understanding the area or the future prospects of the property can lead to regrettable investments.

Neglecting the Paperwork: Not completing or turning in the paperwork required can cause legal problems.

Being cautious and observant along the way can keep you from making these mistakes.

How to protect your interests in real estate transactions?

To protect your interests, do the following:

Hire a Real Estate Attorney: Having an experienced attorney at your side ensures that all the documents are right.

Get a Property Inspection: Never skip an actual inspection to identify any problem.

Read the Contract: Make sure that you read the terms well before you sign any agreement.

Know Your Rights: Educate yourself about real estate law so that you are protected in the transaction.

Furthermore, you can secure your investment and enjoy a good transaction.

Conclusion

Understanding real estate law is crucial to any person who buys or sells property. Selling a property or purchasing your first property, understanding the law will save you dollars. Therefore, always ensure you get titles, include your attorney, and become familiar with the papers.

However, if you wish for good real estate firms in Vadodara, it is important to do the best research among the best options. For example, if you are looking for the top 10 real estate developers in Vadodara, make sure you choose the best developers that have good developments. Additionally, consultation from the best construction company in Vadodara can be done for you to sell or buy.

Finally, being well-educated and well-informed about real estate law will make you make well-thought-out decisions. Remain informed about new laws to protect your rights and enjoy a hassle-free real estate experience.

FAQs

What are real estate laws?

Real estate laws are regulations that govern property purchase, sale, and ownership legally and justly.

Why should I know real estate laws?

Knowledge about these laws is necessary to protect your rights and avoid any problems while handling property.

Do I need a lawyer for property transactions?

Yes, a lawyer helps to confirm documents, deter fraud, and ensure a hassle-free legal process. 

What documents are important in purchasing property?

The most crucial papers are the sale agreement, title deed, NOC, and encumbrance certificat

[qhsetools2022]

What Type of Corporate Venture Builder Are You?

By Praveen Arivazhagan, Raju Sarma and Sachin Lulla The largest US companies have a $9 trillion deficit in shareholder value. That’s the gap between the market capitalization of the bulk of the S&P 500 in January 2025 and the value those companies need to achieve first-tier total shareholder return growth of at least 15% annually through 2029, according to an EY-Parthenon analysis (Figure 1).…

[ppppppppppprafaffffffffffffffff]

Best Builders in Chennai | Rohaan Constructions Pvt Ltd

Introduction:  

The kitchen, often hailed as the heart of a home, deserves meticulous attention when it comes to design and functionality. In a world of constrained spaces, modular kitchens emerge as the saviors, enhancing not just the visual appeal but also the efficiency of your cooking heaven in Rohaan constructions. However, the prospect of turning your kitchen dreams into reality often comes with a price tag. In this guide, we break down the costs of kitchen interiors in India, catering to various preferences and budgets. 

Factors Influencing Cost: 

Kitchen Size: 

Larger kitchens require more modules, leading to higher costs compared to smaller counterparts. 

Kitchen Layout: 

Limited space might necessitate maximizing storage, introducing smart features that contribute to an elevated cost. 

Personal Preferences: 

Cooking enthusiasts may opt for more functional layouts with increased storage and fluid movement. 

Materials & Finishes: 

The choice of materials, such as laminates, acrylic, or lacquered glass, significantly impacts the overall cost. 

Breakdown of Cost Structures: 

1. Cost Of Budget-Friendly Kitchen Interiors (INR 1.5 Lakhs - 2 Lakhs) 

Kitchen 1: 

Stone finish laminates, open and closed cabinets, petit breakfast counter, and wall-mounted bar unit for a chic look. 

Kitchen 2: 

Vibrant color laminates, minimal cabinets, floating shelves, and hooks for added display space. 

Kitchen 3: 

Budget-friendly U-shaped kitchen in light wood-like laminates with overhead and base cabinets for organization. 

Kitchen 4: 

Simple U-shaped kitchen with a small breakfast counter, microwave unit, pull-out units, and handle-less overhead cabinets. 

Kitchen 5: 

White and yellow laminates, open box shelves, drawers, and pull-out units for a pop of color and organized space. 

2. Cost Of Mid-Range Kitchen Interiors (INR 2.5 Lakhs - 3.15 Lakhs) 

Kitchen 1: 

Urban Greens, Chennai kitchen with stone finish and white high gloss laminates, frosted glass shutters for a lavish look. 

Kitchen 2: 

Shangrila red high gloss laminates, pendant lights over the breakfast counter for a stylish and luxurious appeal. 

Kitchen 3: 

Acrylic finish for a seamless look, handle-less shutters, open box unit for organized utensils, and crockeries. 

Kitchen 4: 

Acrylic kitchen in white and olive green, tall unit for extra storage, handle-less base and overhead cabinets for a clutter-free experience. 

Kitchen 5: 

Combination of acrylic and laminates, darker shade for base cabinets, lighter shades for overhead cabinets, and a foldable dining table with hidden storage. 

3. Cost Of High-End Kitchen Interiors (INR 3.5 Lakhs - 4 Lakhs) 

Kitchen 1: 

White and grey kitchen in Embassy Pristine, Chennai, with lacquered glass finish, heavy-duty chimney, and built-in hob for a spacious vibe. 

Kitchen 2: 

Duco finish with a subtle combination of vintage and modern look, appliance garage, heavy-duty chimney, and modern storage mechanisms. 

Kitchen 3: 

Uber-cool mechanisms like magic corner, pantry pull-out, appliance garage, and handle-less overhead and base cabinets for a seamless cooking experience. 

Kitchen 4: 

L-shaped kitchen in dual color tone, frosted glass front for base cabinets, and multiple storage and display solutions. 

Kitchen 5: 

Large kitchen with ample storage options, kitchen island doubling as a dining table, and a bar cabinet for showcasing your wine collection. 

In conclusion, achieving the kitchen of your dreams involves a thoughtful consideration of factors influencing cost, personal preferences, and the desired level of sophistication. With these insights, embark on your journey to transform your kitchen into a functional and visually stunning space. 

rohaanconstructions  

casagrand  

thenestbuilders  

kg builders  

navins  

Anu Builders India Pvt Ltd  

SUN Builders  

VGK BUILDERS PVT LTD 

 The above companies are best builders in Chennai. 

[howlingmod]

your writing is gorgeously thought out, making me awe struck even at the singular paragraph. its something that genuinely makes me reread every single word in the book despite already knowing how the end will be played out <<)).

could i acquire a builderman x reader (that has a stun ability, or lead the killers attention to the other teammates to them) one where throughout the match the reader tries to protect builderman at all cost, whether or not when building a sentry/dispenser, and he thinks of if as a sign of affection. when in reality it isnt; the reader protected him because he was a survivor that could give the killer a debuff. though reader finds it sweet that he found it as a gesture of affecrion <<))3

ah! or perhaps, a similar one, a chance x reader one? includes some 'damn, do they ever gaf💔' moments whereas the reader shrugs the action of chance trying to impress / save them at any cost, because they, too, are a stunner. but then theres this moment that the reader genuinely needs his help —stun on cooldown, low health, whatever— and for once, appreciates it..heart emoji

ALL /NF,, TAKE YOUR TIME AND NAPS THUG,,

-glaggle anon

summary - builderman x reader, more pining than anything

misc - might be written a little strangely, first time doing hcs on my fone ..... :smile: , reader is some kind of swordfighter

-You weren't particularly close with any of the survivors. after excursions, you'd sneak off to your own little corner of the world without so much as a peep until the next venture had to be made. This wasn't to say you went unseen, though. During trips out, you'd stick to a select few a majority of the time, hovering over them while they finished a generator and peeking around corners for the killer.

-Builderman was frequently one of your targets. At first, he thought it was just chance you seemingly paired up with him, randomly selecting him as your choice of company. That was until you kept pairing up with him, routinely finding his side over and over again.

-He'd grown accustomed to you sticking by him, instinctively walking off and expecting you to follow as soon as you got somewhere. He'd make small talk with you, often going unreturned, listing off the things he planned on making, where they'd go, why- you weren't spared his vision. Instead of keeping an eye on you as you hovered around him, he fully trusted you to alert him of the killer, keeping his head down and focusing on rewiring a generator.

-I mean, he'd seen you in action. Maybe you hadn't cut down the killer before, but you definitely pushed them off your guys' trail a few times, holding your own when it came to a swordfight. Where he'd start running off and trying to lose the killer, you faced them more head on, unafraid to clash with them. It was something he'd grown to admire, your ability to face your fears and challenge the killers.

-Instinctively, he'd start to come find you after excursions, checking in on you and making sure you didn't have some secret, mortal wounds you were shaking off the entire outing. He wouldn't be surprised, you didn't exactly stick around long enough for people to assess your condition. So, he'd taken it upon himself to worry about it, keeping an eye out for you the way you did him. If you were looking around a corner, he'd check behind the two of you. If you were going to move, he'd try and shield you from view, claiming it was harder to see him in his attire. It was the little things he started picking up that built over time, feeding his fondness for you.

-It came to a head not long after. You'd both been blindsighted, caught off guard by the killer. A blade came down and Builderman only narrowly avoided it by you yanking him out of the way. While he stumbled back and watched in awe, you took your own weapon up to knock them back, whipping around on your heel and running away dragging Builder with you.

-Eventually, you found what you deemed a suitable hiding spot, slumping against the wall in front of a generator for Builder to work on. He'd gone to check it out before he stopped, looking at you for a few moments longer. You were still holding onto your sword, at the ready for another attack, but your hand hovered around your other arm, halfheartedly pressing down on a wound, barely glistening in the lowlight. You'd made a noise of surprise when he stepped towards you instead, moving your hand aside to try and get a better look.

"Here, why dont you take it easy?" Builderman hummed, smiling at you, "It seems like most of the generators are up. we can wait out here for a signal from the others."

-He pushed beside you, grabbing materials out of his bag for a health dispenser. You could only stare at him. You hadn't expected this from him. It was his voice that'd given away this was more than just a gesture of platonic appreciation, tone too sweet, too genuine in its delivery. Neither of you said anything else, sitting in a quiet rare moment of peace you (hesitantly) allowed yourself to soak in.

-From then on he stuck to your side like glue after outings, finding whatever odd corner you holed yourself up in and sitting beside you quietly. You allowed him to stay, if only because he was quiet and, admittedly, his company felt grounding. He would sit and work on blueprints as you sat and sharpened your blade, paying the other no mind and simply existing together. It felt right.

[roach-works]

Why did wheat become a widespread staple crop given that it's difficult to harvest/transport/etc? This is not meant to be snarky or combative in any way, it's a genuine question. Are there any books you'd recommend for learning more about this kind of economic and technological history? Thanks.

sorry, i've long since forgotten all the actual books i've read about it, but i will always recommend This Guy:

also as very much a non-expert, my semi-informed opinion on Wheat is that growing complicated and difficult compared to going to the grocery store, and doesn't stack up very well to living in a food forest like north and south americans managed, either.

however, wheat is a grass, and grass grows in a lot of places that people also like to live in, and so wheat farming isn't as crazy a venture as it might otherwise seem.

in a lot of climates, it's possible to plant the grass, harvest the grass seeds, and store the seeds long enough to get you through the part of the year where there's nothing much to eat. if you manage your social and material technology right, you can store a lot of the seeds, and you can even transport them around before they rot, meaning you can now export the seeds from places where grass grows into places where it doesn't. the stalks of the grass that you can't eat provides food for the animals you need to help you grow the grass. and transport the seeds, too.

the social structure required to grow wheat in bulk (a steep and violent hierarchy) does three things: feeds everyone in it with enough extra that the guys on the bottom of the organization can survive to grow more wheat next year, and allows the guys on the top can sequester the rest as profit, consolidating their power. the third thing is that as land is converted to wheat fields, it stops yielding any other food but wheat, which locks people into the system for good. once a people depend on a staple cereal grain for their main source of calories, there isn't an easy way back: forests are chewed away for more wheat fields and those woodlands that remain are shifted towards hardwoods for agricultural tools, rather than food forests with fruit/nuts/shrubs, and even those maintained as game preserves still can't support the needs of entire villages.

in arid and semi-arid conditions, it's even harder to step away from dependence on grain farming because there the agricultural development is along rivers where the land can be irrigated, and the population of people supported by grain production is extremely concentrated into those small areas rather than spread across the entire biome.

in the northern parts of eurasia where grain couldn't be produced at scale because it was too rocky and too cold, people mostly went fishing, and when they grew stuff it was hardy root crops like beets and turnips.

DISCLAIMER: this is all very approximate. but now you know as much as i know.

P.S actually here's the last thing about wheat: it probably all started as a way to reliably source and produce beer, which was invented a long time before bread. bread was invented from wheat when the guys who were producing the beer seeds wanted to start exporting beer seeds to people who wanted beer far away, so they baked the seeds into tablets you could easily transport and then ferment with water once you got to your destination. eventually the traders who were transporting the beer kits started eating them, too, and crackers as a snack food really took off. look up the wikipedia article on beer if you don't believe me.

[soursuki]

─── ★     NEW SIMBLR  .  .  .   !

Sul Sul! I am Sour (she / they) my username is dedicated to the memory of my beloved cat Suki. I’m excited to introduce my little corner of mischief from the Sims community with you all. I’m a 21 year old black writer. I like maladaptive daydreaming, horror & sci-fi films, gaming and have a hot cocoa addiction that keeps me fueled! While I've spent plenty of time lurking, this is my first venture into creating a Simblr. I plan to share my love for the Sims 4 and my OCs through storytelling, CAS posts, interior builds (I'm not the best builder, but I absolutely adore cluttering), legacy challenges, lore ramblings, and so much more! I tend to lean towards a Maxis-match aesthetic, but I enjoy frying my limited storage by mixing in a variety of styles. Please don’t hesitate to interact! I’d love for you to follow, like, comment under or reblog my posts—every little bit is appreciated. I’m excited to connect with other fellow simmers, so feel free to reach out!

☆     Looking forward to sharing with ya’ll ( ๑ ˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و ♡

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Campfire

Materials Needed to Start a Fire

Matches, lighter, or flint stick: Every fire needs a flame. Use matches or a lighter to light the tinder. In the absence of matches or a lighter, a flint stick can help you get a fire going.

Tinder: Tinder material can take many forms. When looking to nature for tinder, pine cones, birch bark, dry grass, leaves, and pine needles are best. You can also use a knife to make sawdust or wood shavings for tinder. Household items, like cotton balls, dryer lint, newspaper, and cardboard are good options as well.

Kindling: Soft woods are the most ideal types of wood for kindling—think pine or cedar. Soft wood burns quickly and is useful for the initial phases of the fire. Use a knife or hatchet to break the wood into small pieces.

Firewood: You’ll need firewood of various sizes. Use smaller pieces during the initial fire-starting phase, and use larger pieces to maintain the fire over time.

Fire extinguisher: Though not essential for building a fire, having a reliable method to extinguish a fire is recommended—whether that be a fire extinguisher or bucket of water.

How to Start a Campfire

Follow this effective method for building a fire.

Create a fire ring. Choose a level spot on the ground to build your fire. Use your hands to create a circular area that is free of rocks and debris. Use any rocks you’ve cleared away to form a ring around the cleared area. If you have a shovel, you can use it to dig a fire pit. (A fire pit may be necessary in poor weather conditions.)

Use small sticks to create a platform. Place several small sticks or twigs flat against the ground to cover the base of your fire ring. This creates a platform that allows airflow beneath the tinder.

Build up tinder. Next, gather dry grass, leaves, birch bark, and/or pine needles and place them on top of the sticks. You can also use cotton balls, dryer lint, or sawdust if you have it.

Light the fire. If you have matches or a lighter on hand, use them to light the tinder. Alternatively, you can use flint or a bow drill to light the fire.

Slowly add kindling. Use a hatchet or knife to break down small pieces of wood. Add a few small pieces of firewood to the lit tinder. Slowly add larger pieces until you have a sizable flame.

Add larger logs. Begin to add larger logs in a teepee or log cabin formation. Use dry wood to avoid excessive smoking and smoldering.

Tips for Starting a Fire

Whether you’re an avid camper or a beginner fire-builder, improve your fire-making skills with these tips.

Keep a flint stick on hand when camping or backpacking. When venturing into the wilderness, it’s wise to keep a flint stick on hand. A flint stick is made of combustible magnesium. The tool comes with a steel striker. Use the striker (or a knife) to make magnesium shavings on top of dry tinder. Knock the striker against the stick to make sparks over the shavings. The sparks will ignite the shavings and catch the tinder on fire.

If the ground is wet, build an upside-down fire. When a wet forest floor threatens to soak your kindling, build your fire upside down. Place three to four larger logs on the bottom, then rotate smaller logs at a ninety-degree angle and stack them on top. Repeat this with increasingly smaller pieces of wood. Top with your tinder and kindling.

Practice the bow drill method. The bow drill method uses friction to create an ember. It consists of a fireboard, hand drill, and bowstring. Rapidly rub the hand drill against the fireboard until enough heat is made to create an ember, which you can then use for starting a fire.

Use the battery and steel wool method. If you have a nine-volt battery and steel wool, you can easily start a fire. Place a small bundle of steel wool in the middle of your tinder. Make contact with a nine-volt battery and the steel wool should immediately ignite.

Create a fire using a magnifying glass. In a pinch, a magnifying glass can harness heat from the sun in order to start a fire. Hold the magnifying glass up to the sun so that a concentrated beam of light is produced on your tinder. If weather conditions are right, it should produce enough heat to create an ember.

Source ⚜ More: References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[margaritastation141]

"Rekindled" - John Price x Divorcee mom of teens

Chapter 4 summary: Some time out of the house with the kids should be relaxing, right? Masterlist ✖︎ Ao3 Read this fic on Ao3 (priority uploads/chapter 5 out now) Playlist Previously

A full weekend off from work turned into a weekend at a lake house before Felicity could so much as blink.

Logan had spent the entire car ride staring out the window, his earphones in his ears, arms crossed over his chest. Toby was wearing out his thumbs on his Nintendo switch. Jackson was the only one who talked to her—not that it was for much other than school and “how much longer? Are we there yet?”

The car doors closing echoed across the lake, birds stirring at the foreign arrivals. Felicity stared up at the house in awe, mouth slightly agape.

“Didn’t exactly get around to the landscaping yesterday,” Price chuckled, cheeks flushed in the crisp morning air, “but everything’s cleaned up and in working order. I’ll show you around before I leave you to it, yeah?”

“This place is huge,” Jackson murmured just behind Felicity, eyes just as wide as hers.

The moment the front door was unlocked, the boys all rushed on ahead. Price called out after them, “there’s only three bedrooms, so one of you will have to share or take the couch!”

If anything, their footsteps sped up, thundering up the stairs. Felicity smothered her amusement behind a hand.

“So,” John began again, leaning against the front door, arms crossed as Felicity turned to face him, “what d’you think of the place?”

She scoffed a laugh, disbelieving that he’d need a second opinion when he already wore such a pleased look on his face, “its lovely John.” She ran a hand down the arm of a dark corduroy couch, a plush knit throw over the back. The pilling fabric spoke of use, raising a question and her brow, “did you used to live here?”

“A long, long time ago, yeah.” He ran a hand over his cheek, his beard. Perching on the arm of the seat, Felicity tried her best not to stare at his granite-hewn knuckles, riddled with scars she’d never noticed before. Builders’ hands. Life-saving hands. Hands with a story. “Moved to the suburbs round the same time as you, d’you remember? I was renovating and you—”

“And I told you off because Logan couldn’t sleep with the noise,” a hot flush rose to her cheeks at the memory, frowning up at him, “wow, has it really been that long?”

——————

She was one stubbed toe away from throwing all these damn boxes out into the street. Overwhelmed, overheated, and overtired, Felicity pulled her hair into a ponytail and ventured into the scarcely furnished living room where a pink-faced bundle wore a quivering pout and large glossy eyes, squirming in his cot. “Hi bubba,” she cooed, scooping him up right as he began to hiccup, “I know, I know. We’re gonna go tell that meathead to knock off right now, aren’t we? Yes we are!” With a little struggle, she maneuvered Logan into his carrier, facing her chest. These days it was the fastest way to get him to sleep, with a hand gently patting his bottom through the woven cloth.

It was hot, the middle of summer, and quite frankly, an ice bath sounded better than being outside for so much as ten seconds. Though, even inside with the air conditioner and an extra fan next to Logan’s cot, she was still gathering sweat under her boobs.

There was a lull in the power drill, or sander, or whatever the hell was making that damn noise, and Logan finally stopped his squirming, content to instead made tiny little squeaking noises as he was tucked safe against his mother’s chest. 

Marching around the fence which was well due for repair on her side—pulled down (hopefully for repair) on her neighbor’s side—she found the culprit out on the front porch—

Well, rather she found him waist-deep in the front porch, measuring something by the looks of it. 

At the sound of gravel crunching underfoot, the man looked up, squinting before he raised a hand to shield his eyes from the scorching sun high above them. “Uh, hi?”

“Hi, my name’s—” he suddenly hoisted himself up to his feet, triceps and back flexing fiercely under a generous coating of sweat. He tossed the measuring tape and pencil in his hands off to the side, landing thankfully on the carpet just inside his open front door. He was a mass of brawny, tan muscles, chest coated in trimmed hair. A tattoo across his right pec stamped two pairs of dates under a couple of swallows. Another tattoo sunk low on his waist, twisting with the jut of his v-line, nearly disappearing into the waistband of his boxers above his shorts, was a dark number six. Much like font of a sports jersey, she supposed. He cleared his throat and Felicity’s attention snapped back up to his face with a jolt. There was a small smile toying with the corners of his lips, amusement in his face, but his eyes had strayed to the bundle on her chest. “My name’s Felicity. We just moved in next door,” she said, pointing to her house needlessly.

His eyes followed the stretch of her arm, brows raising, “s’that so? Just you two?” He asked, nodding to the baby.

“Oh, no,” she huffed a small laugh, “no, my boyfriend is at work—”

“Boyfriend?”

Ah, there was the tone. She’d heard the same from the ladies from her mother’s church who’d just happened to be in the area when she’d visited her childhood home in the city. Her hackles raised instantly, the corners of her mouth setting in a downwards tilt.

“Yes. Look, I know it’s a lot of me to ask from you, but this renovation stuff you’ve got going on has made it really difficult for me to get Logan down for his naps, and—”

“What time are his naps?” he pulled a pen from his back pocket, holding it out to her, extending his bare inner forearm, “I’ll work around them when I’m home, if that’s better?” 

She’d prefer he didn’t do any more renovations at all and save her the headaches, but he was already being quite accommodating, so she couldn’t protest much further. So, she wrote down his naptimes (or at least when they were supposed to be) on his arm, ignoring how match-strikingly hot his skin was under her touch, ignoring the thick, torn-looking purplish scar across the rippling muscle on the back of his forearm. “Oh, I try to take him for walks before his last nap, so maybe you could get some work done then, since we’ll be away from the noise?”

His smile pushed at young crow’s feet either side of his eyes, “sounds perfect. Sorry ‘bout the noise—had no idea I was next door to such precious cargo.”

Felicity laughed, looking down at the boy bundled up against her, now blinking owlishly up at her, gummy and smiley for no reason other than the mere sight of her. “Can’t blame you if you didn’t know. Thank you for being so nice about this, just trying to catch up on all the sleep we can get these days,” she said, offering a smile up at the man, sweeping some fly away hair behind her ear before shifting Logan in his carrier, rearranging the cloth so that his head was tucked under the fold over her shoulder, simultaneously shielding him from the sun. He fell asleep in minutes whenever he was positioned like that, a hand patting him, her voice and heartbeat under his ear. 

“Not a problem,” he waved her off, “hey, if you ever need something fixed around your place, just give me a shout, yeah?”

“Oh, are you a repairman?”

“Nah, firefighter. But I’m good with my hands,” he grinned, brows wriggling.

She scoffed, a laugh escaping her despite herself, “wow. Just wow.”

His smile was as bright as the sun they stood sweating under, good-natured and teasing, “well, you could call the station, but I think you’d get a fine for a non-emergency call.”

“And what name am I supposed to shout, exactly?”

“Price, or John if you feel like it.”

Rolling her eyes she began backing up, shaking her head, though her smile was still lingering, “I’ll be sure to let my boyfriend know we have such a generous neighbor. Thanks Price.”

——————

“Guess it has,” John shrugged. “Time looks good on you,” he adds, his smile quick to bloom across his lips.

A snort of laughter escaped her, “smooth.”

“No, I’m serious, Effie. We should get coffee sometime.”

Her lips parted, eyebrows rising softly in surprise at the earnestness in his tone. “Oh. I didn’t think—”

“Hey, Mr. Price?” Jackson’s voice preceded his arrival downstairs, cutting off their conversation before it even got started. “Are you using this camera? It’s in really great condition; do you know what the film’s like?”

And just like that, John’s attention was elsewhere, but Felicity could still hear his words.

We should get coffee sometime.

◆◆◆

“I don’t think they’re gonna get married,” Toby said, startling Logan out of scrolling for different music. They’d been out on the lake for twenty minutes already, the boat hardly swaying with the wind, lines cast far away.

“What?”

Toby looked at him over his shoulder, “Dad and Kim. It’s not gonna work. Besides, she’s so annoying, right?”

Logan couldn’t believe what he was saying, “they’ve been together for like, two years. They’re getting married. Dad’s not coming back—fucking knocked her up—”

“No, he didn’t,” Toby bit out, glaring now at his brother, “she’s just—”

“Getting fat?” Logan laughed but it was all bite, dry and sardonic, “they’re a family now,” he murmured, “he’s not a part of ours.”

Thinking about it now, fishing was something they used to do. Him, Toby, and their dad, they used to make a day of it. Should’ve known he was useless when he was the one to fall in. At the time they’d laughed. Now, Logan had a bitter taste in his mouth when he remembered they were even related.

“But what about mom?”

Logan looked back out into the distance. Jackson was on the shoreline with his camera pointed right at them, rolling his eyes Logan stuck up his middle finger. The camera pointedly moved away to a nearby tree. He was talking to their mom, laughing about something. They were always talking, those two. “What about her?”

“She’s so…” he heard Toby shift, looking in the same direction as him. She waved at them, noticing their attention, and Toby waved back. “Different now.”

Across the lake, she sighed, raking a hand through her hair before heading back inside. Logan could see her looking around the place through the window. “She’s never here. That’s what’s different. Always fucking working—you know, we’re probably poor now.”

“What?”

“Just saying,” Logan shrugged, a mite of regret weighing on his shoulders. He probably shouldn’t have said that to him—they probably weren’t even broke…but what was he supposed to think when their mom was so strict with her money all of a sudden?

Toby sniffled, wiping his nose on the sleeve of his jacket, squinting back out over the lake. “I didn’t see you at lunch yesterday.”

“Lunch?”

“Yeah, you always sit with Trent and Nick in the cafeteria, but you weren’t there yesterday—”

“What, are you keeping tabs on me or some shit?”

“No! You just always sit at, like, the loudest table!”

Bristling, Logan decided to be petty, “d’you remember the trick Dad taught us for catching fish?”

“No.”

“It’s called shutting up.”

“Ha ha, fuck you.”

“I’m serious!”

❀❀❀

John left not long after getting Jackson set up with his old film camera, “give me a ring if you need anything, yeah?” he’d said, emphasis on “anything.” Then Toby and Logan left out on the lake not much longer after that. So, Felicity was left ashore with Jackson.

Her question-asking child.

“So…” he loitered in the kitchen, only looking up from the tiny dials of the camera for a second before looking down again, “what’s with you and him?”

“Me and who?” she laughed lightly, buttering up thick slices of bread, prepping for toasted sandwiches.

He looked up from the camera finally, brow raised, head tipped toward the door that had been shut for over an hour now, “Mr. Price.”

Felicity looked up at that, brows drawn low, “there’s nothing going on Jackson, seriously. He’s just a nice guy. A good friend. Lord knows I don’t have many of them,” she sighed, leaning her hip into the counter as she returned to her buttering.

“He is nice….really nice. Let us have his lake house for the weekend…” he dragged on his words, begging to be asked an exasperated, “what are you getting at?” by his mother. “I saw him hug you the other week. When Logan dented his car—”

“Logan didn’t—it wasn’t like that—” her face burned, gut churning that the feeling of the memory. Not entirely pleasant or miserable.

“Are you okay mom?”

Her smile felt too tight when she pulled it up in face of the question, nose wrinkling, “yeah, of course sweetheart. Why?”

Jackson shrugged, a weird little expression on his face, “just…I don’t know. I figured you’d be more upset.”

“…about?” her laugh tumbled out, a nervous, delicate thing, butter knife set down on the cutting board as she looked up at him.

“Kim being pregnant,” he shrugged again, “I mean, if you don’t care then I guess I don’t either but I just…it’s kind of weird, you know? Like…actually, it’s really weird. And she’s nice-ish, so I don’t want to say it’s gross, or that they’re gross—Dad and Kim, I mean. But like, if I think about it too long I kind of want to die a little, or throw up, I’m undecided—”

“She’s pregnant?” God, it felt like she’d just been gutted. A knife drawn across her stomach to let her soul fall and splatter on the tiles below.

Jackson blinked, eyes going wide, face falling, “you—you didn’t know?”

“No,” she blurted, heart in her throat, she blinked quickly, shaking her head, “no—no, it’s fine. That’s great,” her voice cracked, and she looked down at the food she was preparing, “really. Great. Good for them. They’re happy. I’m glad.”

“Shit—I didn’t—I thought he’d told you by now, I’m sorry.”

She waved him off with a hand, sniffling, nose staying wrinkled, a display of carelessness, “you have nothing to be sorry for Jackson. How—” she bit her lip, hesitating. Did she even want to know? She shouldn’t ask her own child— “how far along is she? D’you know?”

He pulled a face, gesturing with his hands, arms forming the shape of a circle in front of him, “maybe halfway? I’m not—I’m not sure.”

Oh.

“Mom?”

“I’m okay. I’m okay. I just—I’m gonna head upstairs, my slippers—my feet are cold,” she rambled, washing her hands robotically, eyes blurring by the second.

If he said anything more, she didn’t know. She just went upstairs, closed her bedroom door, and dropped her head into her hands, hiccupping sobs into a room that wasn’t her own, belonging to a man she didn’t know the first thing about.

What happened to the man she fell in love with? To the man she married? The father of her children?

She wasn’t sure what this feeling was, but it cut, twisted, buried itself deep in her chest. It just hurt. How was he still hurting her nearly three years after their marriage had fallen apart?

Was it made worse that he was still with the woman he’d chosen over them?

She stared down at her phone. When had she sat on the bed? When had she pulled up his contact? His face swirled in her vision, smile crooked, spoiled like milk now. She hated that photo, just days before she’d found them—she swiped out, picking a different number.

The phone rang once, twice, then— “Effie, hi sweetie!”

“Mom,” she croaked, sniffling, “mom, they’re having a baby.”

“What? No, really? That son of a bitch—“ all the brightness from her voice had dropped away.

“Y-yeah,” she sobbed, wiping her face with the cuffs of her sleeves. “Jackson just—just told me. He thought I knew already. It’s been m-months. Before he proposed. The boys all know and—and I didn’t.”

“Want me to come see you? Sounds like you need a good hug right about now. I miss you.”

Felicity sniffled, loud and snotty, utterly childish, “I’m—we’re not home. The neighbor let me and the boys use his lake house for the weekend. This was supposed to be fun,” she added, voice turning pitchy all over again, face screwing up. She hated falling apart like this for something she should already be over by now. She hated ruining good things.

“The neighbor? What was his name now,” she muttered, “Jonah—Johnathan! John, right? Oh, now he’s a good man. Hear about him all the way in the city, you know. He’s a bit of a big guy, right? That’s the one?”

Felicity huffed a laugh, her voice sounding thick and still awfully choked up. “Yeah,” she murmured, wiping her face again, “that sounds like him.”

“A lake house,” she hummed, “that’s very nice of him.”

Already rolling her eyes at the tone of voice, she dared ask, “what’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s just…it’s been a while now. Maybe testing the waters with this John is what you need! He sounds nice, respectable, so I already approve—”

“Noted,” Felicity mumbled drily.

But her mom kept going, not hearing (or ignoring) her, “you know the saying. To get over someone you have to—”

“MOM! That is so not where this conversation should be going. Look, I’m grateful that John did this, that he shared his space with us so we could get out and do stuff as a family but—but I just wish it didn’t take someone’s generosity for me to spend time with my own kids—to find out things about my own f—things I should’ve known.”

A soft sigh sounded through the phone, apologetic, “I got ahead of myself, sorry. I want you to be happy, you know. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you really happy—it’s been a while since I’ve seen you at all.”

“Wow, I feel so much better, thanks for that,” she mumbled, dragging a hand through the end of her ponytail, tugging on the dark curls.

Her mom laughed softly, “look, all I’m suggesting, is how about we cuss out the idiot over lunch some time soon? Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

They hung up after another minute or two and Felicity pulled it together enough to go back downstairs to help Jackson—who’d taken up the mantle in her absence—finish making lunch.

The rest of the day hardly improved, Toby and Logan came in just as clouds were rolling in overhead, the first raindrops hitting the roof just seconds after they’d stepped inside. They hadn’t caught anything.

By the next morning, the rain was heavy and persistent, a grey haze outside the ever-blurry window, and they all decided to just go home after breakfast. At least the pancakes were pretty good. They blasted old CDs the entire way back—she tried not to remember the way Sam would croon along to some of the tracks and how she used to laugh and join in—until they pulled into their own driveway a whole twelve hours too early. Everyone got out, grabbing their things from the back and quickly darting up to the house to get out of the rain, shaking themselves out in the hallway like a group of wet dogs.

She gave John a ring after changing into dry clothes. The boys had all fallen back into their routines in a matter of minutes. The TV speakers thundered in the living room with artificial explosions from whatever game Toby was playing, Jackson was on the phone to someone, and Logan’s door was pulled shut.

“Hey Effie, everything all right down there?”

“Oh, we decided to call it quits,” she admitted, “had some rough news yesterday and that totally spoiled my mood, been tough going since but the morning drive was alright—rain didn’t help much either but we’re home safe. Thank you again for letting us stay there, it’s such a beautiful house John, honestly. The quiet must be so nice to escape to whenever you like.”

“Sorry to hear that sweetheart. You know, you can join me whenever you like. I meant it when I said you guys can go up whenever you like—not just the one trip.”

Her eyebrows rose, then furrowed, “is this some kind of ploy to get me to agree to get coffee with you?”

“Only if it’s working,” his grin mellowed the corners of his words, softening them through the phone, “…is it?”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“It’s nice hearing your voice Effie, you should call me more often.”

“I’m going to revoke nickname privileges real soon.”

“Alright—alright,” he was laughing now, “goodbye.”

She rolled her eyes, something dangerous fluttering in her chest when she smiled to herself, offering a small, “bye John,” in return.

Catching sight of her smile in her phone’s reflection when she pulled it from her ear made her stomach drop. No, no, no.

Too soon.

…This was all obviously too soon.

Her mother has never been divorced, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.

She did not need to sleep with John Price. It wouldn’t make her feel any better. It would make things worse—so much worse—they’re neighbors! Things never work out with neighbors; it’s a terrible idea bound for heartache.

“Ugh,” she groaned, palming her forehead. She needed a nap.