Captured at a D Day revival event held in the village of Southwick, Hampshire. Members of the public can take the opportunity to celebrate the event by wearing costumes relating to the 1940's.

ANSH scavenger1 "Any item relating to Halloween"

I'm not quite sure why I like this photograph so much. It's very busy, and has a LOT going on. But perhaps that is EXACTLY why I like it so much.

This is how I've been feeling.. I think a lot of people can relate.

2020 has definitely been hard on all of us, in some way or another.

The Covid-19 lockdown didn't affect me personally, like it did many of you. My job stayed open, as I work at a local Italian meat market / deli/grocery store.. So we had to stay open. Of coarse some things changed at my job, like for a while there we didn't allow customers INSIDE the store, but we were BUSIER THAN EVER. Online orders, call in orders.. curb side pick up, delivery, etc. If anything, most of us got MORE hours and worked harder.. but we never got 'locked down' and had to stay home.

But regardless, it did take a toll on me and my coworkers, and my family. I say my family because any stress that I dealt with at work, of coarse I brought home with me... *even if I didn't want to. It affected my mood.. And I was very scared! Who wouldn't be? I had to go out EVERYDAY and work among people who may or may not have listened to the 'rules' and stayed in.. therefore putting everyone else at risk.. So yeah, the NOT KNOWING, the fear.. the stress of all the extra work.. that took a toll.

Everyone deals with stress different, so as you're dealing with stress your own way.. someone you work near or live with may deal with stress a total different way, and you may not like or understand the way they deal with it and act.. so that can cause issues too.

I'm sure this photo.. is a great representation of 2020 & all of the mayhem we've been dealing with and seeing around the globe.

So, I called it, "craziness 2020"

and It not just about covid-19, because as we all know - 2020 has been a major stressor.. but not just because covid..

This whole world is going crazy..and nobody quite knows what to do or how to fix it..

But if we can all work together, (sounds IMPOSSIBLE) .. maybe we could learn to embrace each other.. and other's feelings.. and listen.. and vent and.. maybe just 'let go' of some of this stress.. that we're all bottling up inside.

*screams!* Ah, much better!

I wish all of you the best.. and I hope that 2021 will be better.. for everyone! ❤💜😁

While I support the artform known as graffiti, I do not condone any act or form of vandalism or any illegal activity relating to such whether it be to private, commercial, or public property.

"she paints her eyes as black as night, now

pulls those shades down tight

yeah, she gives a smile when the pain comes,

the pains gonna make everything alright.."

I have two extremes - I-NEED-IT-RIGHT-NOW-I-CAN-NOT-WAIT-EVEN-FOR-A-SECOND and ... this. :(

Actually this picture was my very old idea, just a self-irony about the story how I was dying from curiosity and I wanted to ask a question for two years in a row, but I never asked, so I still don't get an answer for my question, and I'm still curious.

But the reason why I finally decided to bring this scene to life is that right now the others probably can look at the picture and feel like it's relatable for the reasons that has nothing to do with my original idea.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risley_Moss

Risley Moss is an area of peat bog situated near Birchwood in Warrington, England. It covers an area of 210.5 acres (85.2 ha) and is one of the last remaining fragments of the raised bogs that once covered large areas of South Lancashire and North Cheshire. Natural depressions in the glacial drift left by the ice sheets which covered the Cheshire–Shropshire plain during the last ice age, 10,000–15,000 years ago, filled with water, forming the meres and mosses characteristic of the area today. In some cases, like Risley Moss, peat accumulation filled the depression, allowing colonisation by bog mosses such as the Sphagnum varieties, thus giving rise to the name "moss".

Risley Moss is one of only two mosses in Cheshire where the water level has been deliberately raised in an attempt to encourage the regeneration of an active bog surface.[1] The long-term restoration project to re-wet the moss began in 1978 and was completed in 2002. This scheme was undertaken to create a series of scrapes and bunds to retain water and recreate the perfect conditions for bog flora such as cotton grass and sphagnum mosses to re-colonise the bogs.[2]

It was the former site of a large Royal Ordnance Factory. Today, it is managed by Cheshire County Council as a country park and an educational nature reserve. It was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1986.[1] Risley Moss, together with Astley and Bedford Mosses and Holcroft Moss, is also a European Union designated Special Area of Conservation, known as Manchester Mosses.[3]

Features

The main feature of Risley Moss is the large peat bog flats, overlooked by two observation points: a large watchtower, ideal for bird watching, and a smaller lookout. These points have additional information inside relating to bird species and landscape layouts. The Moss also has several smaller huts located inside the forested area for bird watching and nature enthusiasts.

Tours across the flats and nature reserve are available from the main information centre and are undertaken by local rangers.

In addition to the natural features and landscape, there are several sculptures around the site, usually with a natural theme.

Can anybodyout there relate to this adult burrowing owl (dad)? I feel that I can ... seems to me that it's just looking for a little bit of shade from the heat and a bit of solitude from its routine busy day duties.

See, this dad had numerous burrowing owlets to provide for and a mate that also requires a bit of attention. The owlets can be quite demanding at times ... not to mention noisy. Where better can there be than to fly off to a nearby tree that the young can't quite navigate yet. LOL

It's an absolutely gorgeous day here on the western slope of Colorado, though I honestly wish it would be a bit cooler. Hopefully it won't be that long, though the cold weather from a few weeks ago got me anxious for more.

Happy Weekend everyone. Hope that you're out there enjoying it.

© 2017 Debbie Tubridy / TNWA Photography

www.tnwaphotography.com

Blog: www.tnwaphotography.wordpress.com

Truth be told, I reckon it's because I'm on this diet, and everything relates to food...

EVERYTHING.

Yesterday I went off to do a photo shoot, but it was just one of those days where the sun was not my friend. I am sure many of you can relate. On the bright side, I captured this beauty, and I was able to get a couple good photographs of my model. I guess you have to either love the sun in your photographs or absolutely hate it depending on the objective.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

DAY 3 THE CHAPEL of The HOLY BLOOD…

We go out and take the stairs up to the upper Chapel, actually a minor Basilica.

Legend has it that after the Crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea wiped blood from the body of Christ and preserved the cloth.

The relic remained in the Holy Land until the Second Crusade, when the King of Jerusalem Baldwin III gave it to his brother-in-law, Count of Flanders Diederik van den Elzas.

The count arrived with it in Bruges on April 7, 1150 and placed it in a chapel he had built on Burg Square.

The upper chapel was originally Romanesque as well, but is now Gothic with mostly modern decoration.

It is lit by stained glass windows and covered with murals, including a brightly painted altar backdrop depicting the Trinity and scenes relating to the Holy Blood relic.

The pulpit in the form of a globe dates was made in 1728 by Henry Pulinckx.

I wish you a day full of beauty and thank you for your visit, Magda, (*_*)

For more of my other work visit here: www.indigo2photography.com

Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

Ottawa City Hall - Lunch time

I often walk through City Hall during my lunch time walks. The biggest reasons that I include it in my noon hour walks relate to the open airy architecture, the regular art exhibits, and the fact that it is a public gathering space - always filled with people. If I’m being completely honest, however, I should also add that I appreciate the cool air conditioning on a hot summer day as well. It’s interesting to read exactly how architect Raymond Moriyama envisioned city hall, and to appreciate how successful he was in creating this vision.

“One night, in the late 1980s, architect Raymond Moriyama came to a vacant lot in the heart of downtown Ottawa and traced footsteps in the freshly fallen snow. He was there to envision a new regional government headquarters, where citizens felt welcome and politicians from 11 different municipalities could somehow come together as one. He had been asked to design such a building on Laurier Avenue West. It would be bounded by the Cartier Drill Hall and Lisgar Collegiate to the east and by the provincial courthouse and a former teacher’s college to the west.

The tracks, made after the first snowfall of the season, revealed where people were coming from, where they were going. And, to Moriyama’s eyes, they offered a glimpse of the shape his new project would take. It was here that the idea of a main street — a thoroughfare, with side streets extending in all directions, to all the key buildings and places nearby — came to him.

“If you listen carefully enough, you find the answer,” Moriyama says. “I was amazed how clear it was.” He tells the story today from the atrium of his building, which is now known as Ottawa City Hall. His silver hair is slicked back and his Order of Canada pin adds a pop of colour to the lapel of the master architect’s navy suit. All around him, people hustle to and fro, paying him little mind as he explains his vision for the building that first opened 25 years ago this month [now just over 29 years ago] to house the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton.

Moriyama might be better known in Ottawa as the man behind the angular, emotional Canadian War Museum, but city hall should not be dismissed. Its modesty belies an airy openness. Thousands of people pass through its doors each week. Some are just passing through, or only stay long enough to play a tune on the polished baby grand in the atrium. But countless others come to participate in the political process that ultimately gives the place its purpose.”

Source: Matthew Pearson, (May 2015), Ottawa Citizen. ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-city-hall-turns-...

Season of Touit - picture 13

Week 39 - Wednesday

Today's picture is something that was already shot some time ago. And it was actually taken by Sari, Aura's mother, while me and Aura were playing in the lake. One of my favorites of this summer for sure. There are two reasons why I wanted to include this picture in to 'Season of Touit'. First of all it's a good example how nice the Touit 2.8/50M can be shooting in standard range. Even though it is labeled as a macro lens, many times it works very nicely in standard photography too. The second reason is that the picture also exemplifies the optical quality of this lens: taken straight into sun the Touit 2.8/50M delivers very good colors but also almost non-existent chromatic aberrations. With a SEL50F18 the lake and it's reflections would have screamed of purple and green edges. I understand that it is relatively easy to get rid of it in Lightroom for example, but it doesn't substitute real optical excellence (no corrections done for this picture). The Touit 2.8/50M having a very little chromatic aberrations, almost apochromatic by its nature, means of course better edge contrast and color accuracy.

But what about the compromises regarding the Touit 2.8/50M? As I've already dealt with the Touit 2.8/12 and I didn't found much that would compromise it, I feel I should also write about the compromises regarding the Touit 2.8/50M. Being a makro-planar design the Touit 2.8/50M is very versatile lens that does macro and standard photography very well. However, this versatility comes with couple of compromises which are good to know if you planning to get it for your Sony Alpha system. First of all being able to focus at both macro and standard range means that the focusing system needs to move quite a bit inside the lens barrel. While this doesn't bother much in good light, it makes the Touit 2.8/50M very slow to focus in dim light. If the camera doesn't find the focus immediately it usually moves through the whole focus range and it takes time. For me this is a limitation of this lens that needs to be considered when using it. Another characteristic of the Touit 2.8/50M, which could be seen as a compromise, is the bokeh it delivers. When working in the macro range, the bokeh is superb and there is no question about it. However, in standard ranges it might sometimes turn out to be a bit nervous, depending how far the background is and its characteristics. Don't get me wrong, the Touit 2.8/50M can certainly deliver a nice bokeh in standard use too and I've used it with good results. But if it would be my only option for shallow depth of field pictures, I would certainly crave for more. Part of this relates to maximum aperture being 'only' f/2.8 , but from time to time there is also a bit of nervousness bokeh character.

Year of the Alpha – 52 Weeks of Sony Alpha Photography: www.yearofthealpha.com

I can relate to this surfer's race to beat the setting sun. The big kid in me is always on the lookout for one last adventure before the end of the day. With this kind of daydream/sunset who can resist not getting one last ride before the days end?

Pacific Ocean Sunset

Southern California, USA

Mike D

Behind the Camera:

I'm off today and have loads of chores to do around the house. It's cold and rainy outside. All I care to do is sit around and surf the web or go out on a photo walk. Yes its the winter of my discontent.

I do relate so well to this quote....art is my solace no matter the end result....the only time my brain isn't running at high speed... the only time I'm quiet...it's my meditation.

Thank you to borealnz for the texture.

View On Black

In a split second after I took this photo she walked away, and I couldn't help but wonder what her thoughts were as she had lingered at the artwork for quite a while before I took this photo. The white clothing she wore, plain and simple, made me think she could relate to the minimalistic and simple artwork she seemed to be admiring.

On my last outing I found this Yellow-crowned Night Heron just wanting to sleep in the early morning. I can relate to him/her today and will be a bit slow getting to everyone’s posts. Just as his eyes were drifting shut here, my eyes will need to do the same in order for me to recover from an extremely busy day yesterday. Photo taken on Armand Bayou.

DSC02099uls

A strange original character from a strange show from like thirty years ago.

Here's just a quick shot taken of my newest Christo Flash (with edited boots because WHY DIDN'T CHRISTO GIVE HIM BOOTS?)! It really bugs me that I bought this figure nearly a year ago, and as serviceable as the design is, it was missing that crucial aspect of the costume! So I quickly threw some rough editing together and this was the result :)

Anyway, I shared a handful of other “review-like” bonus post on Patreon FOR FREE (yes you read that correctly) They're all up there now, veiwable by the public just to give you an idea of what my other posts tend to be like!

Well usually they're a little more in-depth than the one's about Pollux, but you get the idea :P

Ultimately, I felt obligated to share this one over here because this is where my Christo Flash collection began and I wanted to make sure he didn’t get forgotten!

Anyway, go check out my Patreon right now to read all of my thought's about this fig :)

***

This week’s newest Patreon is a good friend of mine; A co-worker and fellow Brick Specialist, Mister James Gilchrist! He’s a really cool guy with a great taste in music and doesn’t have any social media at all that relates to Lego but that’s okay! He preferred to stay anonymous otherwise I’d tell you all to go follow him! :P

Anyway, a big thank you to James and his support! I hope you enjoy your stay! :)

***

Patreon: andrewcookston

Instagram: a.cookston.photography

Twitter: @acookston_photo

Facebook: andrewcookstonphotography/

I've been wanting to create an image that would help me express and let go of past mental abuse which I allowed someone to power over me. It was calculated and intentional to make me feel less about myself, confidence and what I create. I no longer hold patience or compassion for people who want others to suffer or feel less worthy than others.

Love or any relationship should never be a dictatorship. After the last words went swimming in circles in my head they rained like knives that cut my self confidence. I wondered if I was really this useless, worthless and doubted my abilities. I had to stop the vicious cycle of being a victim and begin to find the things about myself I thought were worthy and courageous. My journey through photography has always been about self expression and being able to make sense of what's going on inside of me. Not everyone will relate, understand or feel things from my perspective but I still believe expression is valid and valuable.

What I realized this year more than any other is that pain is universal but by sharing my own personal stories with people it creates a reflection in others who have felt the same way. Art is a portal. It's a special space. It's a mirror. It's a river that flows in 2 directions. But whether the artist intends it or not it's a powerful exchange. I think through all the dark we experience there is a counterpart in hope even when we can't currently see it.

I looked around for some objects I thought would relate well with these shadows and in the end looked in my art cupboard - one that rarely gets opened these days. I found a few coloured pencils and similar which I picked up rrandomly to place in the picture..

Thank you everyone so much for sharing your quality photos which is a great way to see and keep in touch with the world from home. Also for your kind comments and favours which are much valued. I am not able to take on any more members to follow or to post to groups. I prefer not to receive invites to groups

This entry relates to the north-eastern most part of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, that receives the first light as the sun rises in the east. This is the landscape during April and the start of the harvst season following the wet, when the earth receives sudden showers during what is meant to be the dry. This artwork was painted on a huge piece of bark and tells the story about a group of spirit women who appear as stars in the night sky.

I met this giraffe doing a feeding type of this and boy was he only there for the food and that’s it which is obviously pretty relatable I think

Also known as bush duiker, Grimm's duiker and grey duiker.

The Duiker gets its name from the Afrikaans word 'duiker' which means diver, and relates to this small, shy antelope's habit of ducking away into bushes when danger threatens. Males have horns and stand approximately 500mm at the shoulder, females slightly higher. They are mainly active from late afternoon into the night.

Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Image © Gerda van Schalkwyk. All rights reserved.

© Attirance

Sorry comments that doesn't relate to the photo & copy paste will be deleted.

I was starting to forget how to actually take pictures that don't directly relate to my dreary life so thought I'd be a swot today to make up for my reckless weekend.

blazer pattern downloaded with undercollar :) pattern pieces cut out, assembled and sellotaped, transferred onto pattern paper and then onto the ironed calico for the toile, test garment, and finally calico edges zigzag stitched ready to be assembled. masking tape on the calico shows it is the reverse side of the fabric, only removed when the blazer is finished

much happier now i have the undercollar :) the other jacket was not the blazer, hence no undercollar flic.kr/p/2qDqSu7 i have the updated edition of the dressmaking book and the instructions i have only relate to the blazer. for now the previous downloaded jacket will be put to one side. it's all a learning curve :)

i'm following the classic blazer pattern downloaded from this reference book flic.kr/p/2q55djV

'the dressmaking book' by alison smith mbe publisher dk

alongside the reference book i use you tube tutorials that i search for when more explanation is needed

How to Sew Darts | Beginner & Advanced www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9x-i-txyfo

5 Tips on how sew non-pointy darts! www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8M_TLn_do4

How to Sew an Invisible Zipper

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaza9t-CAiQ

How to Sew an Invisible Zipper - Updated

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG8CSr11kjA

How To Sew Invisible Zipper On Shirt / Dress | Sewing Technique Tutorial

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHNrRoCSxaE

Invisible Zipper

www.youtube.com/shorts/npDSSAMzNNc

Super clever invisible zip trick

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UyfKL5G-Bw

how to understitch www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFz4tsplENI

what is understitching?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnRDeKqKgto

ten top stitching tips www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDRXfYgkU4k

Top and Dress

Detailed Sewing Tutorial For A Beginner : Simple Linen Top, Bias Binding Neckline【Free Pattern】

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cFiT8UcU54

Download the Pattern

www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/

LINEN DRESS DIY【Free Pattern +Easy Draft】Step by Step Guide for Beginner /back opening /Skirt Pleats

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDFRlF_yEtA&t=0s

Download the Pattern

www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/

BASIC SEAM POCKET

www.madebysachi.com/2022/07/09/basic-seam-pocket/

How to Sew Pleats | Box Pleat, Knife Pleat, Inverted Box Pleat

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRlHcPh38MY

Forming Box Pleats

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNXJ_BIsb1E

Inverted Pleat

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfdE3DlJdFQ

setting the sleeve www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqo-SIy8MXY&t=178s

coat pattern instructions www.sewmag.co.uk/free-sewing-patterns/serena-wool-coat#lo...

How to properly sew a shawl collar jacket/sewing techniques for beginners www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjeqgIfSt9c

Easy Way To Sewing shawl collar | Coat Collar Tutorial Cutting and Stitching | Sewing Tutorial www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUZjA9JErI

my sewing machine JL220 flic.kr/p/2odruLA from john lewis www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl220-sewing-machine-pepperm...

sewing machine maintenance flic.kr/p/2q9GVTh

How to Use your SEWING MACHINE (for Beginners)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmaZBTMzkoY

A Beginners' Guide To Using Your Sewing Machine

www.youtube.com/watch?v=imryOl_LNaw

Beginners Sewing Course - Day 1 - The Basics

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGITrkYdjJs

Seam Finishes

10 SEAM FINISHES Without a Serger || Basic to Couture

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYt7JxC_bIc&t=596s

7 Seam Types and How to Make it- Sewing Lesson for Beginner

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax6JDDP_6O8

French Seam Pockets

How to Add Pockets to a Side Seam using French Seams

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aatWJL_aAYY

Lining

How to add lining to ANY dress pattern | Sewing Tutorial

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENKI3fSBQBo

How To Sew a Slip Stitch by Hand

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjky55Cp1_I

Buttonholes

3 Sewing Tips to Make Buttonholes Neatly and Quickly

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOz28Ybk8I

How to Machine-Sew and Custom-sized Buttonhole

www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6P-TKK3tjg&t=135s

Place and Sew Hooks and Eyes Correctly

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d06GhQx_Wg

How to Fix a Low Neckline

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U-W6W5fh-4

Interfacing

How to fuse iron-on interfacing to fabric

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7idVbAkUBTU

reference books

flic.kr/p/2q55djV

i'm a complete beginner at dressmaking. posting photos of progress to encourage myself to continue www.flickr.com/photos/connect2012/albums/72177720305370633/ i'm not making any recommendations ...

Records relating to the repair of this bridge go back many hundreds of years, indicating how vital it was for access from the lands of Howgill, Sedbergh etc in the old county of North Yorkshire with the parishes of Firbank and Grayrigg on this side of the river.

The lane, bottom left, leads to the old Water-powered Mill & Poole House, then up to Dillicar, Lowgill, Davy Bank and Firbank.

It is a very beautiful old bridge, and very narrow. Only narrow vehicles can get across!!

The river Lune is still in its infancy here, and this scene is to the south of the Lune Gorge and Tebay Gap.

Kingston, JA

Relating objects...a simple comp dedicated to Christian Frölich, a master at his own game.

Appropriate to post an image relating to the railway on rail 200 day

This image depicts Network Rail class 153 '153376' Slowing down through Newcraighall on its way into Millerhill Yard. I was expecting to see at least one other fellow railway enthusiast here as its usually popular with the spotters but this time round it was just me. Not even the passengers waiting on their train into Edinburgh took any notice of it!

This was a really well exposed image and the OHLE provided the perfect frame. and thankfully it was traveling slowly as I don't remember setting the AF to Continuous!

I can relate, Teddy.

I took this shot last fall and made it a B&W for a challenge. I really like the original, though, and I feel a sense of anguish from seeing this little bear up there.

15 years ago yesterday my sweet Momma went on to the next place. As I told my friends yesterday, that's 5,475 days of me missing her. Make that 5,476 now.

Christopher Evgeniou 23rd September 2005 - 17th September 2023 🚳 My 17 year old Motorcycle Warrior 😭

My little big guy wanted to grow up fast, turned into a man overnight and paid the ultimate price 😭

RED relates to the BASE chakra situated at the base of the spine

The organs to which this chakra relates are the kidneys and bladder .(The kidneys are formed within the pelvis and here they link with the base chakra energy, although prior to birth they rise to the position in the loins with which we are more familiar). The vertebral column, hips and legs are also areas related to this chakra. The endocrine gland to which this colour relates is the adrenal gland.

On the psycho-spiritual level, this chakra relates to self awareness. That is to say our awareness of ourselves as human beings and our place on earth. It is the area of survival and relates to our basic human instincts of fight or flight. Red gives us courage and strength. The colour relates to stability and security.

© All rights reserved

I'll bet many of you can relate to this image, huh? Let me make this analogy clearer ... the three birds representing the weekend days, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and the crab representing the abrupt arrival of Monday. Let's try our best to usher it away. LOL. OK, I know, that's quite a bizarre interpretation of the image, but it's the best that I can do on an early Monday morning. :-)

Actually, the least terns are nesting on the sunny Florida beaches ... some still courting, some sitting on eggs, some taking care of their newborns. These little birds are quite aggressive with each other ... and the on-lookers ... as they don't like anything or anyone entering their "home space". Can't blame them either, since it's quite crowded on the inn. ;-)

So if those close quarters aren't enough, enter the ghost crabs which call the area their home as well. These territorial terns, who were infighting just a few moments ago, unite in fight that benefits them all. See, as the ghost crabs emerge and begin to intermingle with the nesting terns, an all-out war is waged ... terns working together ... to eliminate the threat to the colony. Several will make the approach to the crab, wings out and upward, squawking away, puffing up, and jumping around, as the crab tries to defend itself, but eventually retreats. It's 3 against 1! LOL. I can't remember when I've been so amazed at the behavior of birds (OK, it probably wasn't that long ago, seeing how it's baby bird season, but it was quite entertaining).

Nature is quite amazing and birds are quite smart, at least they seem like it to me. I guess "pack behavior" extends in all forms of life. :-)

Hope that everyone, in their own way, can find something to be happy about on this Monday morning. Welcome to another week ... not sure about you, but mine have been flying by!

Thanks for stopping by to view and especially for sharing your thoughts and comments too.

© 2015 Debbie Tubridy / TNWA Photography

www.tnwaphotography.wordpress.com

www.tnwaphotography.com

prehistoric

priːhɪˈstɒrɪk

relating to or denoting the period before written records

A Little Bit Of History Relating To What Was New Brighton Pier

I found this stencil relate to the St Kilda Adnate

San Francisco, California

I felt like I could understand this guy.

I'm having an Icelandic-Horse themed week with my photography, and this guy is a prime specimen of what it means to be an horse of Iceland, in my opinion. Long and luxurious mane, sturdy body, longer hair all around... and friendly! We were struck by how happy the horses were to come up to the fence and hang out with us whenever we came by to visit #horsesoficeland #icelandichorses

This turned out exactly how I wanted it to. I love when that happens.

I didn't realize how powerful this photo is until now. I think a lot of us can relate to this concept of letting go of someone you love.

Formspring | Facebook

The 21st of this month will mark exactly one year since Daisy agreed to spend all of her free time with me as Daisy. The exceptions being her time at work, and anything relating to her family. We see her family in person about twice a month, so that's not much. And though I wondered at first if she could maintain the effort even for a month, she has proven more than up to the challenge. Outside of our twice monthly family visits I have only gone out with "Michael" one time in the last year, and that was to the dealership to purchase our new truck. (ID concerns convinced me to allow it...) Not bad! 😍

Anyway, here is a collage of photos from the first week of her challenge. I made her do makeup and dress fully every day after work and on weekends for the first couple of months, just to see how serious she was, but later I stopped insisting on the full treatment all the time. But if she expects to go anywhere.....she must always be fully dressed and made up. 😁💗💗

She looks pretty composed in these photos...but I'll bet there were countless times in those first few weeks, when she wondered just what the hell she had gotten herself into! 😲

When you look upon a tomb stone, all most people see is just that, an empty grave site. But if you can look closer perhaps another story can unfold. So was the case of a distant relative of mine.

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

Arthur LeClair was Murdered Dec. 22, in 1907 in Neche, North Dakota and was a distant family member of mine. He was murdered by his best friend. It made headlines in the surrounding towns. A very interesting story to read with a "surprise ending".

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

The Pink Paper

Bathgate, Pembina Co, North Dakota

December 25, 1907

HORRIBLE MURDER

ARTHUR LECLAIR OF NECHE

KILLED WITH A HATCHET

Suspect arrested at Bathgate on Monday

Coroner’s inquest to be held today.

On Monday morning this city was greatly stirred up over a phone message to the effect that Arthur LeClair, well known to our young people, had been murdered the previous evening at Neche.

Inquiry at the chronotype office brought the following information. Arthur had been about town on Sunday evening until about 11:15 p.m. when he started home along.

That was the last seen as he did not go home, that night, his father became some what worried over his absence. He called the residence of Robert Faulker, a neighbor, and the two started to look for him. They thought he might have gone to the ice rink on the river near the Great Northern Railroad crossing and perhaps had fallen in some way and injured himself. When within a few hundred feet of the dam they came across a pool of blood but were not especially alarmed, thinking it, that of some animal. They followed the bloody trail and shortly came on a small axe or hatchet covered with blood and as they approached the dam they saw Arthur’s hat at the head of it. By this time they were fully aroused to the seriousness of the situation. There was blood down the apron of the dam and a small opening consequent on the flow of water but the body could not be seen. Mr. Faulker went to his residence near by and secured an axe and enlarged the opening a few feet when they saw the body of Arthur under the water and the remains were quickly recovered and taken to the residence of his parents. His face was not disfigured but there was a large gash in the back of his head through which his blood flowed.

The Lampman family and others of Neche people heard screams the previous evening about the hour Arthur must have started for home but thought it was probably some late roysters from across the line and paid no particular attention to it. At this hour of going to press nothing definite seems to have developed regarding the murderer or the cause of the crime.

As is usual in such cases the air is full of rumors, the most authentic of which connects the name of a Negro transient with the crime. The Negro is said to have been seen in Arthur’s company on Sunday and later in the day was evidently under the influence of liquor. He was in Neche until Monday morning when he left afoot in a southerly direction and stopped at the Vospers, Hicks, Messacres and other places and reach Bathgate shortly after noon. Marshall O’Harra received notice that the Negro was probably in this place and was wanted as a suspect. O’Harra soon rounded him up and he was taken back to Neche by officers. So far as we are able to learn the evidence against the suspect is purely circumstantial. The inquest will probably develop farther facts.

Arthur LeClair resided at Neche since his birth, with his parents and was 21 years of age. He has been engaged for some time past as fireman on the Neche and Walhalla branches of the Great Northern Railroad. He was at home to spend the holidays. The Neche people are aroused and will see that the matter is sifted to the bottom and the murderer brought to justice. It was evidently the most cold blooded and shocking murders ever committed in this county and no expense should be spared on the part of the county officials to make the investigation most thorough.

Coroner Bour of St. Thomas has been notified but not in time to get to the scene of the crime on Monday.

The Pink Paper

Bathgate, Pembina Co, North Dakota

January 1, 1907

The funeral of Arthur LeClair took place on Thursday. The body was taken from the LeClair home to the R. C. church, where a very brief and simple service was said by Rev Fr. Fobes. The casket was covered with floral tributes, and the hearse was followed by a large delegation of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman, of which Arthur was a member, with whom marched a number of other friends of the dead boy, forming quite a procession. Interment was made in the Catholic cemetery here.

The Pink Paper

****Jan. 1, 1907****

Mr. Eli Roy, father of Mrs. Fred LeClair, and Mrs. J. Roy, sister-in-law of same, of St. Jean, Manitoba, arrived on Tuesday, calied by the death of Arthur LeClair.

The Pink Paper

Jan. 8, 1908

NECHE MURDER

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WAS ONE OF THE MOST LAMENTABLE

CRIMES EVER COMMITTED IN

PEMBINA COUNTY

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James O’Brien, of Neche made a complete confession of the murder of Arthur LeClair, the Great Northern Fireman, Sunday. The 16 year old slayer gave up the details of his crime to J. C. Crawford a Pinkerton detective, who had been working on the case.The confession came after he had been confronted with his bloody clothing, hatchet with which the crime had been committed a bloody scarf and other evidences of his guilt. When the news was broken to the father of O’Brien, for years a resident of Neche and Customs Officer there, he broke down completely. Fred LeClair the father of the murdered boy called on him in an endeavor to console him.

Detective Crawford, 18 years in the business, had quite a time getting the murderer to confess. He worked various schemes and was finally successful, after picturing to the boy, the certainty of his conviction, and calling his attention to the great expense with which his father would be burdened, in case he fought the case in District Court.

The following is the complete confession of young O’Brien: To J.C. Crawford Pinkerton Detective.

On Sunday December 22, 1907, LeClair and I went to Gretna twice and drank each time. Coming back the second time both of us were quarreling as to who was the Best Man and LeClair said he could lick three O’Brien’s and I got mad. When we left Cook’s shop, I made an excuse to go out to the closet and I got a hatchet and we started for the rink. When we got down there he made some remarks about fighting me and he put one foot behind me and threw me over. I got up and he hit me and I hit him with a hatchet and after I saw what I had done, I hit him again and took his pocketbook and threw it in the river. I got the hatchet from behind the house where the ice is kept. I threw the body over the bank and followed the body down the bank, I think I had hold of him by the collar and dropped him right at the head of the dam, in the river. James O’Brien-

Witness (to Confession)

J.H. Anderson

J.C. Fielding

George Roadhouse

I James O’Brien, do voluntarily make a statement in my own handwriting and of my own free will before witness, J.C. Fielding and Geo. Roadhouse, that the contents and page no. 2 is a true statement of how I, James O’Brien, killed Arthur LeClair on Sunday, December 22, 1907. I have written this statement for the purpose of telling the truth on my part and have not shield anyone, as there was nobody implicated but myself.

_James O’Brien

Dated Sunday, December 22, 1907

Witness- Geo. Roadhouse

-J.C. Fielding

An effort was made yesterday to locate the money claimed by O’Brien to have been thrown in the Pembina River. Ice was broken but the money was not found. It is thought probable that O’Brien had not told the truth about the quarrel with LeClair and the disposition of the money. LeClair was not of a quarrelsome disposition and it is the general opinion, that he was killed in Cold Blood.

Although the above confession has been since shown by the boy murderer himself to have been in part a lie, it contains at least one horrible truth-James O’Brien foully murdered his friend. Whether he committed the crime as he relates it or whether he stepped behind LeClair and dealt the blow that felled him to the ground-interrupting perhaps a friendly conversation to do this deep most dark and damnable-will perhaps never be known except to him who has forever quitted god’s good sunshine for the light of a felon’s cell, who has forever breathed his last of the sweet air of liberty.

To return to the proceedings of the Saturday session of the coroner’s inquest. James O’Brien was the principal witness. He did not waver as he told states attorney Brynjolfson lie for lie; he did not change color when his gray haired father was forced to undergo the ordeal of accounting for his son’s movements the night of the murder; he did not blush for shame when his sorrow stricken mother was called upon to tell of the hatchet with which he had slain his chum; he did not even shudder when confronted with his own garments in which he knew was dried the blood of Arthur LeClair yet the meshes of the law were already about the boy, and he felt them tighten when he was place under arrest by sheriff Roadhouse Saturday evening. He must have realized that his guilt was known when he was taken to Pembina and place in a cell, in the county jail, but never, do we think, has he realized the enormity of his crime. He sang and whistled in his cell, and managing to lift the window, called to his acquaintances and held converse with them.

Pinkerton detective Crawford was admitted to O’Brien cell on Sunday afternoon, he told the boy that his guilt was known and that the proofs were positive He told him that one or two fates surely awaited him-hanging or life imprisonment. He told him that his crime was of a nature that merited hanging, and that the law had so inexorably provided. O’Brien still maintained his innocence. The detective told him that if the case came to trail and the prisoner entered a pea of not guilty, his guilt would surely be proven to the jury, and the Judge would undoubtedly be obligated, in view of the conclusive evidence submitted, to give him to the gallows. He told the boy that if he plead not guilty his father would, beggar himself in his defense, and all to no end-the result would be the same- a verdict of guilt. Still the boy protested that he had nothing to do with the murder of Arthur LeClair. Then the Pinkerton man told Jimmie that there were others suspected of complicity, and that a confession from him would not only cause sympathy as could be extended a murderer for himself, but would accelerate the ends of justice, while on the contrary if he, the prisoner, remained silent he could expect no mercy if found guilty, and a stigma of doubt would forever attach to the names of some perhaps innocent people. Already, the detective urges, the prisoner’s parents had suffered the pangs and pains of heartbreak, and by maintaining his innocence to the end, they would be further humiliated and their shame and sorrow held up to the gaze of all men, O’Brien was still obdurate. Then, after the detective had presented all these arguments in every light-and sympathy for the unfortunate boy perhaps made him eloquent-Jimmie at last burst into tears, and laying his head on Mr. Crawford knee’s confessed that he “did it alone.” Both the prisoner and the detective were now weeping. The confession followed which the boy-murderer has since himself proven to be a lie with the exception of the one all important fact-his hand, and his alone, dealt the blows that drove the life from the body of Arthur LeClair.

States-attorney Brynjolfson was called at once. O’Brien wrote with a lead pencil the confession which appears foregoing, in the presence of the witnesses whose names are there unto, subscribed. On Monday morning detective Crawford drove to Neche with the confession in his pocket, and proceeded to publish it to the townspeople. Everyone-even the family of the murderer-experience a feeling of great relief. Everyone had been morally certain-as certain as men can be before a trail by judge and jury-that James O’Brien had been the main actor in the hideous drama enacted on the night of December 22, but the demeanor of the murderer and the peculiar character of the trail made by dragging the body from the river bank to the hole below the dam-which indicated to those whose good judgment was recognized and respected that two had dragged the corpse, one at the head and one at the feet-led may to a belief that O’Brien had at least one accomplice. When it was learned that no one else had been in any way concerned in the commission of the crime everyone breathed freer, and to some the knowledge came as a relief from doubt and suspense.

*

*

After the inquest the prisoner made a request that he be allowed to see his parents before he was taken back to jail. The request was granted. In the intervening time, before his father could come to see him, he managed to communicate with one of the town boys to the effect that he would “find something, if he look under the rocks at the dam”. The officers were at once apprised of this statement, and a thorough search was made of the place mentions, which revealed nothing but three lead pencils found hidden under a stone. When the prisoner was allowed to see his father the latter on his knees begged his son to tell what had been done with the money. “I burned it,” was the reply. The search for the money by cutting ice below the dam was now discontinued. Shortly the prisoner left his parents, he told the detective that if he would allow, the place where the money was hidden would be revealed. The officer went with the boy to his father barn, and in the loft from under a handful of twine on a beam the boy took seventy dollars six five and four ten dollar bills. This O’Brien vowed was all the money he had taken from LeClair, the pocketbook he said he had burned in the kitchen stove. Sheriff Roadhouse took his prisoner back to Pembina Tuesday evening. Since then he has further amended his original confession by admitting that he had no quarrel with LeClair. This marks every vestige of the original confession as untruth, with the exception of the bare fact of the murder.

Detective Crawford on Wednesday secured a sworn affidavit from a seventeen year old boy who was a eye witness to the murder. The boy was

going home from Giadue’s rink that night about 11:15, and when coming up the road that runs along the river bank he saw figures ahead of him, and by their conversation recognized them as Arthur LeClair and James O’Brien. He was at this time standing about 60 feet from the spot where the murder occurred. As the boy relates it in his affidavit a conversation like this ensued between O’Brien; O’Brien-”Come on, Goose, let’s go down to the rink.” LeClair-”No, I'm sick; I’m going home and to bed.” O’Brien-”If you’re sick, lets walk to the woods-walk off your jag.” LeClair-”No, “I’m going home to bed.” O’Brien-”What you afraid of the wolves?” LeClair-Not afraid of anything, but I’m going home to bed.” The boy who had over heard this conversation saw the murder done. He ran home in terror, told his father what he had heard and seen, and begged him not to tell for fear “they might do something to him for it .” The affidavit was given on condition that the boy’s name would not be disclosed. It proves that there was nothing like a quarrel or a scuffle just before the murder. The thing was done in cold blood-a murder most foul.

O’Brien was given a preliminary hearing at Pembina Thursday. He plead guilty and was bound over to the session of the District court for sentence. It is believed he will receive a sentence of life imprisonment. The character of his crime would indicate that he can receive nothing less than this-If indeed, he escapes the hangman.

The Pink Paper

Jan. 15, 1908

CRIMINAL CALENDER

James O’Brien, aged 16 years, was sentenced at Pembina to life imprisonment for the murder of Arthur LeClair the Great Northern Fireman at Neche on Dec. 22th.

O’BRIEN PLEADED GUILTY

An appeal for clemency was made by John F. Conmy, attorney for the prisoner. Attorney Conmy pointed to the youth of the prisoner and the fact that he had become intoxicated as a result of saloons being kept open illegally at Gretna (Canada) on Sunday. As attorney Conmy pleaded for him O’Brien broke down and wept.

Judge W. J. Kneeshaw spoke for about 15 minutes to the prisoner and his remarks were intended as much for the great crowd assembled in the court room. He pictured O’Brien as one who had given away to his baser feelings and who was not about to pay the penalty. Bad habit, disregard for the law and the rights of others finally ended in the murder of a friend for a paltry sum of money.

A foul murder has been committed in Neche, by a boy of tender years, only sixteen years of age. He comes of a good family but had previous to

committing this crime built up an unsavory reputation. We do not know why. Whether improper administration of the parent is responsible for the acts of a boy so young can not always be determined. But waywardness and evil tendencies manifest themselves in a character at premature age and then is the time to apply or administer the remedy. Keep track of the boy and try and see that he does not frequent places of questionable demeanor that fill the atmosphere with the fumes of moral perversion. See to it that he selects

Good and Virtuous companions and guide him along the pathway of youth in

such manner that no one can point a finger of scorn at you for delinquency in parental duties. The church, the Sunday school, the home and the Public school have that boy in their care and his future is molded by the influences and environments of youth. “As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined”, if you deem yourself a good father or mother keep your eye on your boy.

O’Brien father was present in the court room with the boy. The old man is over come with sorrow and the disgrace the boy had brought upon him.

O’Brien was taken to the penitentiary Saturday evening.

Before passing sentence Judge Kneeshaw said;

“You are accused of murder in the first degree for the murder of Arthur LeClair, aforethought, with premeditated design to effect the death of Arthur LeClair; then and there assaulted and beat him with a hatchet from which he died. Have you any reason why the court should not sentence you?”

PLEA FOR O’BRIEN

J. P. Conmy, counsel for the defendant, in reply said:

“At this time, before sentence is pronounced, we wish to say a few words. We know just the position in which the court is placed in this case according to the law. However, we throw our self upon the mercy of the court and ask for clemency. Consider the character of the accused. He is not a hardened and unfeeling criminal. We do not mean that there should be no punishment for crime, on account of the tender age-but we do feel that in this case where a boy has confessed. In such a case, your honor, we believe that there is due clemency from this court. However, now that matters have been placed before you in their true light, that the accused stands before you readily, bear in mind the youthfulness of the lad-life is sweet to him-and the heartrending of his parents. Extend to him all the clemency in your power. This confession was not given to obtain the mercy of the court. It was given by James O’Brien with the purpose of removing the doubt, if there was any, from others and to prevent any further torture to his parents. On the circumstances surrounding the crime let me dwell. Let me introduce to you the surrounding which have assailed the life of the accused, the bars, and saloons of Grenta, the one necessary qualification being the price. How easy to pass from one station to the other. Think of the temptations which surrounded your life, of the temptations of any boy at the age of 16. How easy then it was to fall into temptations, which robbed him of his senses from unlawful administration of others. While we ask clemency we know the position in which the court is placed. His confession was made to free all others on whom the shadow of doubt might rest.”

COURT TO THE ACCUSED

Judge Kneeshaw said to James O’Brien:

“The law of this state when a defendant pleads guilty to a charge of murder provides that if he pleads guilty to murder in the second degree it then devolves into murder and the court may then examine witnesses in order to inquire into the enormity of the crime, or he may call in a jury to pass on the punishment, or he may refuse to pass on the plea and submit the case to a jury. In this case I have decided to receive the plea of guilty in the first degree and I will say that by so doing I have been placed in a very trying position. You, James O’Brien, I have known since you were a baby, and I have known your father and mother for 30 years. They are some of the old settlers in the county, and when I say old settlers of the Red River valley I mean they consist of the best people that ever lived. I have known your father when I was a young man, and learned to like him as a brother, and it is indeed, a trying thing for me to pass sentence upon you. I have no doubt that the bars of Gretna are largely responsible for the death of LeClair. No person can realize that a boy your age could ever commit a crime as been developed in this case. No more dastardly deed has ever been committed in this county.

JUDICIAL MURDER

“The penalty provided for such crime is death or imprisonment for life. In this case I will say and I feel proud to be able to say that I consciously do not believe that capital punishment is justifiable. Hanging is nothing but judicial murder. There is no excuse for a state to take a man out in cold blood and hang him by the neck. Most people of the present day believe hanging is a relic of barbarism. Now, Jimmie, you can see what whisky, and bad company have brought upon you. You can realize that in cold blood, you killed your chum and brought him before God and his maker. You can see what trouble rests upon your parents and all on account of whisky and bad company. I have noticed that during the proceedings you have shed many tears. I am glad of that. I believe that when a boy is able to shed tears and show that he is penitent that there is some hope that he may repent. This is indeed not only to you and boys of this country of the bad effects of whisky and I hope that everyone in my hearing will take this home with them. Now, Jimmie, I will have to sentence you. I hope that god’s holy spirit may be with you and help you and guide you in your future life. I think I have expressed to you all I can on this line.

“The sentence of the court is that you James O’Brien, shall be confined in the state penitentiary in the county of Burleigh, state of North Dakota, at hard labor for the rest of your natural life, commencing at 12 o’clock noon today.”

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Epilogue:

When World War I broke out the army needed bodies and promised any one in prison who would serve in the army, and survived, would be offered a pardon when the war ended. As luck would have it O’Brien served throughout the war without a scratch. After the war he returned to Neche. However, the local people would have nothing to do with him and shunned him. After a short time he left and was never seen or heard from again.

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“Urban art is a style of art that relates to cities and city life. In that way urban art combines street art and graffiti and is often used to summarize all visual art forms arising in urban areas, being inspired by urban architecture or thematizing urban live style.

The notion of 'Urban Art' developed from street art that is primarily concerned with graffiti culture. Urban art represents a broader cross section of artists that as well as covering traditional street artists also covers artists using more traditional media but with a subject matter that deals with contemporary urban culture and political issues.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_art

“Wild Flowers are not weeds"

Street Art is the modern, urban wildflowers

What's the difference between Graffiti Tagging and Street Art?

1. Street Art is constructive, Graffiti Tagging is destructive.

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4. Street Art is about the audience, Graffiti Tagging is about the tagger.

5. Street Art says "Have you thought about this?", Graffiti Tagging says "I tag, therefore I exist".

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7. Street Art takes skill, Graffiti Tagging takes balls.

8. We mourn losing Street Art and celebrate losing Graffiti Tagging.

Good Street Art is great, good Graffiti Tagging is gone!

”http://www.graffitiactionhero.org/graffiti-tag-vs-street-art.html

Additional interesting sites

www.osnatfineart.com/urban-art.jsp

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_art

Graffiti_27 LR

Risin og Kellingin are two sea stacks just off the northern coast of the island of Eysturoy in the Faroe Islands close to the town of Eiði. The name Risin og Kellingin means The Giant and the Witch and relates to an old legend about their origins. The Giant (Risin) is the 71m stack further from the coast, and the witch (Kellingin) is the 68m pointed stack nearer land, standing with her legs apart.

A legend tells how, once upon a time, the giants in Iceland were envious and decided that they wanted the Faroes. So the giant and the witch were sent down to the Faroe Islands to bring them back.

They reached the north-westernmost mountain Eiðiskollur, and the giant stayed in the sea while the witch climbed up the mountain with a heavy rope to tie the islands together so that she could push them onto the giant's back. However, when she attached the rope to the mountain and pulled, the northern part of the mountain split. Further attempts were also unsuccessful, and they struggled through the night, but the base of the mountain was firm and they could not move it.

If the sun shines on a giant or witch, it turns to stone. So it was that as they continued to struggle they didn't notice time passing, and as dawn broke a shaft of sunlight put a stop to their efforts by turning them to stone on the spot. They have stood there ever since, staring longingly across the ocean towards Iceland.

The 1890 Empress Flour Mill on Queen Street is category C industrial heritage building, which means that its removal is a permitted activity. There are two plaques on the front of the building, one relating to the 118 year old structure and the other to the 1921 grain silos. With a height of 35 metres the category B listed heritage silos are the town's most prominent landmark. They're still in use and will not be demolished.