Old Retainer

How many more winters will this 'Old Retainer' feel.

With snow on it's branches and frost on each bough.

It casts a long shadow as it stands all alone.

With the cold winter sun, present now.

This sentinel, alone, keeps a doleful watch.

Its dark, sullen branches, damaged and torn.

A rest only for corvids that brave its comfort.

As this tree moves and creaks in the grip of a storm.

No ivy clings to warm this lonely soul.

No shawl of life to wrap its aged form.

No evergreen blanket of woven leaves.

For this arboreal figure, course and forlorn.

Broken twigs fall and gather at it's feet.

A branch. A nest. And insect riddled bark.

It's damaged trunk is lain naked and bare.

This beech's deep heart-wood defies the dark.

Will new buds break when spring comes to beckon?

Will leaf and flower grace this old tree once more?

Will it feel the summer's sun and cooling rain?

Will autumn strip its golden leaves as before?

This grand old retainer stands proud on this land.

Of faded grandeur and farmer's field.

Embracing this winter as many before.

And to this cruel season, it will one day yield.

Marianne (copyright)

Christmas was good. Thank you Muk Luks Heat retainer

I made a trip to today to a Silk Mill once known as the Klotz Throwing Company, but also as Lonaconing Silk Mills.

I will have a few more but I'm very tired. I photographed a party the night before, got 4 hours sleep, then drove 4 hours each way to Lonaconing!

Photographed with an Olympus E-PL5 and 17mm f/1.8 lens.

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Mouth furniture.

One of my retainers on Final Fantasy XIV got a makeover from my hand-me-downs

The picture was not titled, location is not known [c1940s] there was no attribution. [RESTORED] I cropped the image, repaired the bottom left corner that was covered by the photo retainer, adjusted the tone and contrast, then sepia toned it.

During the unfortunate war years, when Chinese territory was taken by Japan, the Imperial Japanese Army had occupied a substantial amount of the land along the eastern coast of China for a number of years. Since photography itself knows no allegiance, many photos of course, would be taken by IJA soldiers. Some recorded their startling cruelty and inhumanity to their fellow man; less well known images simply documented mundane daily experience. Many would be of the kind that soldiers (of any flag) take to show one's daily surroundings to those nervously waiting back home for their safe return.

Below is probably such a picture. Found on a Chinese web site dedicated to the war years, it seems to have been taken from a private Japanese photo album. The original picture wasn't scanned, but was directly photographed with a digital camera from an opened album page. One corner of the photo bore a picture retainer (used to hold a photograph onto the display page) typical of home albums during the mid 1900's, and the resultant photograph was clearly evident of Barrel Distortion (a defect phenomenon of modern camera lenses where the middle of the picture seems to bulge outwards toward the viewer), where the camera is held too close to an object being photographed, in this case the album page.

This is a very interesting picture of the Chinese civilian's adaptation to prevent bomb damage. Several of the buildings bore bamboo bomb shields; that is layers of bamboo built elaborately into a mesh atop buildings, with the intent to prematurely detonate falling bombs. This would limit the sustained damage to the outside of a home or building. Otherwise, a bomb would crash through the roof and explode inside, often collapsing a structure and killing all of its inhabitants.

There is also a Swastika painted on one roof (right of photo). The meaning for which is not known to me. Did the dwelling below hold members of the Nazi party, that is German allies of the Japanese, painted there so that the IJA would not bomb it by mistake? Perhaps it was a German embassy or consulate? No way to tell. If anyone knows the history of this photograph, please feel free to add to our collective knowledge.

151129-N-WA993-071 WATERS SOUTH OF JAPAN (Nov. 29, 2015) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Cody Howard, from Sanger, Texas, uses an allen wrench to secure a catapult retainer rail on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Lee/Released)

Batman Burgess Meredith as The Penguin 1966 Vintage Halloween the 1960s - Charles Chas Addams cartoon cartoonist Eccentric holiday Evil creature monster Frankenstein like mask costume creatures vamp undead patchwork man monsters toy toys valet servant retainer manservant nanny domestic portrait climbing up wall batrope side of building TV television show 60s series bat rope screengrab screen grab 2022

My Lynskey Viale Commuting Bike. Built as 6-speed bike with Hope Single speed hub.

* Frame: Lynskey Viale Medium

* Fork: Lynskey Endurance

* Headset: Hope

* Headset Spacers: Chris King and Hope

* Stem: Thomson 90mm

* Handlebar: Raceface Turbine

* Grips: Ergon GS3

* Seatpost: Thomson Elite

* Saddle: Crank Brothers

* Pedals: HT Cheetah

* Shifter: Paul Thumbies & Dura Ace

* Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105

* Crankset: Shimano 105 – Hope Retainer Chainring (44 Tooth)

* Cassette: Shimano SLX 9 Speed (used 14-16-18-21-24-28 Tooth only) 14T is Ultegra CS-6500 first position

* Rims: Velocity Dyad

* Hubs: Hope Pro4 front – Hope Pro4 Trials SS rear

* Spokes: Dt Swiss Competition

* Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 700X32

* Brakes: TRP Spyre

* Brake Levers: Shimano BL-R780

Compare this picture to the pictures of the braces over the black tights. The feet are held straighter and there is no possibility of curving of the feet in the sandals with the bar in place. I have all kinds of size 5 and 6 high heeled sandals (that belong to my model) that are for sale. I also make made to measure leg and body braces as well as any metal and/or leather bondage device or restraint that you can dream up. Contact me at my1970junk@msn.com for more information.

A relatively new wood retaining wall on Miramontes Trail appears to need some TLC.

Why are so many people looking at this picture?

This picture shows the shoes without the extra straps that hold the feet to the platforms. She felt somewhat unsteady being in braces with just the attached sandals to hold her feet so I added the double straps that wrapped the bases of the platforms and bound her tightly in the shoes. I have many pairs of size 5 and 6 high heeled sandals (that belong to my model) that are for sale. I also make made to measure leg and body braces as well as any metal and/or leather bondage device or restraint that you can dream up. Contact me at my1970junk@msn.com for more information.

20"/21" BBS FI-R wheels powder-coated in gloss white

Pirelli Trofeo R tires

Essex Designed AP Racing Pro 5000 R Competition Brake Kit

Carbon Fiber Window Airfoilers

Front Tow Hook

European front Side-Markers

Prototype Titanium Exhaust Center Section

GMG WEC Harness-Rollbar

GMG Billet Harness Retainers

Schroth GT3 6-Point Racing Harnesses

GMG Sub-Strap Mounting Plates

a 15mm drop in factory suspension, aka "GMG Competition Setup"

Full wrap to match the GT3-R race car.

This photo is now available to purchase for commercial usage: ourdream.smugmug.com/Commercial/Orthodontics/

[Our Dream Photography www.ourdreamphotography.com/]

Morticia Frump Addams - Addams Family by Charles Chas Addams cartoon cartoonist Eccentric holiday Evil creature monster Frankenstein like mask costume creatures vamp undead patchwork man monsters toy toys valet servant retainer manservant nanny domestic rubber alligator crocodile portrait mace doll Marie Antoinette Carolyn Jones NYC 2021

Getting in that last minute shot.

Cousin Ophelia Frump - Addams Family by Charles Chas Addams cartoon cartoonist Eccentric holiday Evil creature monster Frankenstein like mask costume creatures vamp undead patchwork man monsters toy toys valet servant retainer manservant nanny domestic rubber alligator crocodile portrait also disguised Carolyn Jones NYC 2018

My Lynskey Viale Commuting Bike. Built as 6-speed bike with Hope Single speed hub.

* Frame: Lynskey Viale Medium

* Fork: Lynskey Endurance

* Headset: Hope

* Headset Spacers: Chris King and Hope

* Stem: Thomson 90mm

* Handlebar: Raceface Turbine

* Grips: Ergon GS3

* Seatpost: Thomson Elite

* Saddle: Crank Brothers

* Pedals: HT Cheetah

* Shifter: Paul Thumbies & Dura Ace

* Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105

* Crankset: Shimano 105 – Hope Retainer Chainring (44 Tooth)

* Cassette: Shimano SLX 9 Speed (used 14-16-18-21-24-28 Tooth only) 14T is Ultegra CS-6500 first position

* Rims: Velocity Dyad

* Hubs: Hope Pro4 front – Hope Pro4 Trials SS rear

* Spokes: Dt Swiss Competition

* Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 700X32

* Brakes: TRP Spyre

* Brake Levers: Shimano BL-R780

Thian Hock Keng Temple, Tanjong Pagar, Singapore, Panagor 35-105/3.5-4.5

2~3 hours per day, until death.

yep, goodbye to those 'lil old buddies - braces.

Toyohara Chikanobu (1838-1912) - Loyal retainer Tadanobu, from the series The vicissitudes of the Minamoto and Taira clans, Japan, 1885 : detail

Do you think you could move while strapped in this tightly? If I was into the "brace fetish" I would have kept these appliances for sure. If my model liked leg braces I am sure she would have wanted these as they fit her like a glove. Somewhere in Alaska a girl wears these braces as her husband bought them for her. I hope they both are having fun! I have all kinds of size 5 and 6 high heeled sandals (that belong to my model) that are for sale. I also make made to measure leg and body braces as well as any metal and/or leather bondage device or restraint that you can dream up. Contact me at my1970junk@msn.com for more information.

Fresh 14 gauge 3/8" flatback quartz glass retainers from Glasswear Studios.

18 gauge 5/16" titanium flatbacks from NeoMetal in the nostril piercings.

I didn't do the septum piercing.

My photo teacher's Nikon film camera. He lent it to me to shoot our "Eyes" assignment. The lens are a 28-205mm Vivitar Macro. (Love the grain here.)

View On Black

Piles of valve spring retainers

i have to wear my retainer a lot more often now!!!!awesome!!!!

edit: WTFZORZ HOW DOS THIS HAVE 528 VIEWS

A view of the braces without the retainer bar in place. The legs are allowed to move independently, the knee joints were placed on top of each other for the picture. I have all kinds of size 5 and 6 high heeled sandals (that belong to my model) that are for sale. I also make made to measure leg and body braces as well as any metal and/or leather bondage device or restraint that you can dream up. Contact me at my1970junk@msn.com for more information.

Aug 2011

A sample of our new gabion retainer wall system. It creates a stunning clean line look

By far not the most attractive shot. Lol. I had gone through the whole day taking photos of birds and carrying on without taking a POTD (photo of the day). So a silly right before bed shot will have to do. I really want to try and miss as little days as possible this year.

My Lynskey Viale Commuting Bike. Built as 6-speed bike with Hope Single speed hub.

* Frame: Lynskey Viale Medium

* Fork: Lynskey Endurance

* Headset: Hope

* Headset Spacers: Chris King and Hope

* Stem: Thomson 90mm

* Handlebar: Raceface Turbine

* Grips: Ergon GS3

* Seatpost: Thomson Elite

* Saddle: Crank Brothers

* Pedals: HT Cheetah

* Shifter: Paul Thumbies & Dura Ace

* Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105

* Crankset: Shimano 105 – Hope Retainer Chainring (44 Tooth)

* Cassette: Shimano SLX 9 Speed (used 14-16-18-21-24-28 Tooth only) 14T is Ultegra CS-6500 first position

* Rims: Velocity Dyad

* Hubs: Hope Pro4 front – Hope Pro4 Trials SS rear

* Spokes: Dt Swiss Competition

* Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 700X32

* Brakes: TRP Spyre

* Brake Levers: Shimano BL-R780

My Lynskey Viale Commuting Bike. Built as 6-speed bike with Hope Single speed hub.

* Frame: Lynskey Viale Medium

* Fork: Lynskey Endurance

* Headset: Hope

* Headset Spacers: Chris King and Hope

* Stem: Thomson 90mm

* Handlebar: Raceface Turbine

* Grips: Ergon GS3

* Seatpost: Thomson Elite

* Saddle: Crank Brothers

* Pedals: HT Cheetah

* Shifter: Paul Thumbies & Dura Ace

* Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105

* Crankset: Shimano 105 – Hope Retainer Chainring (44 Tooth)

* Cassette: Shimano SLX 9 Speed (used 14-16-18-21-24-28 Tooth only) 14T is Ultegra CS-6500 first position

* Rims: Velocity Dyad

* Hubs: Hope Pro4 front – Hope Pro4 Trials SS rear

* Spokes: Dt Swiss Competition

* Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 700X32

* Brakes: TRP Spyre

* Brake Levers: Shimano BL-R780

This teenager wears civilian garb and a red livery jacket with the white ragged staff badge. In his cap is another ragged staff badge probably cast in lead. In his hand is a leather spacer used to hold longbow arrows apart in transit and stop the flights from damaging each other. Essentially this functioned like a 'clip' of rifle bullets. Similar spacers were found in the wreck of the Mary Rose.

***

Back in the summer of 2019 I celebrated my 65th birthday with a visit to Kirby Muxloe Castle, Bosworth battlefield, Warwick Castle, Stratford and Tewkesbury battlefield.

The Warwick portion of the visit was especially important as I am a member of the Lance and Longbow Society and a keen Wars of the Roses wargamer. Warwick Castle now belongs to Madame Tussaud's. Part of the historic castle has been presented as it would have appeared when it was the main home of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, who was known to history as 'Warwick the Kingmaker' due to his pivotal role in getting Edward IV crowned - as the alternate crowned monarch - and then in returning Edward's rival, Henry VI, to the throne when Warwick's over-reaching ambitions were thwarted by his protege Edward.

The life-sized figures presented by Tussauds date from around 1461 to 1471 - pivotal years in Warwick's life. He tried to be the power behind the throne (any throne) but was killed at Barnet in 1471, probably while running for his horse to escape the losing battle in the fog.

One daughter married the feckless George, Duke of Clarence while the other married Henry VI's son Edward, Prince of Wales and then married the future Richard III. Richard's son was therefore half Neville but the child died in childhood. Had the child survived then Warwick's ambition - to get Neville blood on to the throne itself - would have succeeded.