For this Nation to remain true to its principles, we cannot allow any American's vote to be denied, diluted, or defiled. The right to vote is the crown jewel of American liberties, and we will not see its luster diminished :-)

Ronald Reagan, 1981

HMM!! Protest Injustice! Resist! Truth Matters!!!

j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina

©Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

New Jersey, USA

Two chicks hatched the day before and we were fortunate to watch their antics up close. Mom (or dad) was still sitting on one egg. When we went back 2 weeks later, there were the two chick much larger and very active. Two chicks are typical of American Oystercatchers, so the egg did not hatch, was abandoned so the adults could care for the other two, or the third chick didn't survive.

Nikon D7200 with 500mm f4 G ED VR lens

1/2000 f7.1 ISO 500

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

©Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

Tree Swallows almost always use white feathers as nest construction material. I’ve found as many as a dozen in one nest. I see this in the nest boxes I tend at Pennypack Trust. I have no idea where the birds find the feathers. The feathers in tree swallow nests provide survival insurance — insulation and protection from parasites.

Feathers keep temperatures higher inside nest boxes. This is thought to be important when the adults, in cold spring weather (such as this week), have to choose between brooding chicks or taking extra time to hunt for food.

Nikon D7200 with Nikon 500 mm f4 G VR ED lens with 1.4 converter and fill flash.

1/320 F8 ISO 500

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

©Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

New Jersey, USA

Found in small numbers along the beach or on jetty's, sometimes mixed in with other shorebirds in late summer or early fall. Easy to identify along the east coast (USA) as it's the smallest "peep" with greenish/yellowish legs.

Nikon D7200 with Nikon 500mm f4 G VR lens and 1.4 converter

1/2000 f7.1 ISO 640

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' - Isaiah 41:10

+

I'll share a creative journey captured at Navy Pier, Chicago. Behold the original photo of the iconic Lighthouse on my website at

www.artfullygiving.com/high-art

But wait, there's more. Using AI, I added a water reflection. Controversy or innovation? Let me know! I used Photoshop beta

AI Enhancement: A New Level?

Now, the debate. Does AI editing ignite controversy or unveil creative brilliance? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Embracing Innovation and Ethics:

As technology advances, we must remain ethical.

Transparency and integrity are vital when manipulating images. Let's maintain trust and uphold authenticity.

Conclusion: Evolving Artistic Landscape

Art knows no bounds. With AI, we push creative limits, redefine art, and share our visions. What do you think? Join the conversation!

#ArtisticExpression #AIinPhotography #ControversyOrInnovation #EthicsInArt

one very sad response ..........

and this was what was said in return.....

'......unfortunately, I do see this as a personal attack my unknown one who writes me emails!

My interests in Flickr have always been with people of good intentions and like minds - and as you do not hold to this I see no reason why you spend time in writing offensive things about me!!

I give you this because your great ability to destroy someone’s confidence which has been hard earned is an intolerable a thing to do in the scheme of a great site which upholds people's best interests at heart.

I feel really really sad that you have done this .

Indeed, if it were you, receiving comments such as the ones you have offered me – I wonder how would you feel?? You might like to place yourself in this position – it actually hurts!!!!

In the interests of Flickr and good relations I do not wish to hear from you ever again .

\

PS. I have added this in translation for you and your best interests.

S.E.RE'....................

Thanks goes to my Grandmother for teaching me about Faith.

This Prayer is for the lives lost on December 7 1941. On all side's of the war.

My Lord Jesus Christ take the brave men and women that lost their lives on December 7 1941 and bring them into your home and hold them for they gave their all to uphold the freedom so that each person can believe and in their God in a way that fits them They also kept so many people safe and gave the ultimate sacrifice and left holes in every ones hearts. Son and daughters lost their daddy and wives lost their Husband's Mothers and Fathers lost their son's and daughters the reach was far the loss was big and the pain hasn't stopped yet so let them lay and rest and give them ever lasting Peace. Amen

Wissahickon Creek, Phila. PA USA

©Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

Splashing it up for the girls.

Nikon D500 camera with Nikon 500mm f4 G VR lens and fill flash.

1/250 f5.6 ISO 640

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' - Isaiah 41:10

A simple symbolic image of "No Fear"

And a bible verse I thought I'd add, something I have applied to my life that goes along with no fear. Not letting fear consume you.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Thanks guys for visiting, I truly appreciate all the encouragement!

Have a great weekend....

we cannot allow any American's vote to be denied, diluted, or defiled. The right to vote is the crown jewel of American liberties, and we will not see its luster diminished :-)

Ronald Reagan, 1981

Protest Injustice! Resist!! Vote!!!!

flowering quince, j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina

The Melina Merkouri Foundation was established to uphold and promote Greek Culture in Greece and abroad.

Located on Polygnotou Street in Plaka, the 19th-century manor housing the foundation is a neoclassical building, which was fully restored and restructured in the late 20th century.

The foundation has organised numerous international exhibitions, produced a variety of historically relevant publications and sponsors other important social, environmental and artistic causes.

Howard Marsh, Curtice, Ohio USA

©Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

Rare east of the Mississippi, we found two males in the reeds. They would fly a short distance in and out of the reeds. constantly teasing us. A few miles down the road from Magee Marsh, is the newly opened, 1000 acre, Howard Marsh-one of the many fantastic Ohio Metroparks. It was a wonderful place to bird and photograph birds. We spent several mornings here and had a blast.

Nikon D500 camera with Nikon 500mm f4 G VR lens with 1.4 converter.

1/2000 f5.6 ISO 640

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

The LORD upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season.

The LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth - Psa 145:14,15,17,18

Give me rust over gold like a strength when I'm old

A balance between the light and dark and a cause to uphold

Give me love over hate, a meaningful fate

And an honest and humble ability to appreciate

Taken @ memento mori

Two stories: The rather unexceptional house on the left was once the residence of one of WWII's most reviled individuals; so despised was he that was hung by the British for his deeds in 1946. This, you see, was the childhood home of William Joyce, who broadcast Nazi propaganda on German radio throughout the war years. Popularly known as 'Lord Haw Haw' he was born in America and raised in this house in Co. Mayo. During the Irish War of Independence, Joyce was recruited while still in his mid-teens to work as a courier for military intelligence personnel stationed in County Galway. He was also suspected by the Irish Republican Army of working as an informant for the Black and Tans.

Subsequently moving to England, Joyce became a member of Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists (BUF) from 1932, before finally moving to Germany at the outset of the war where he took German citizenship in 1940.

At the end of the war, after capture, Joyce was convicted in the United Kingdom of high treason in 1945 and sentenced to death, with the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords both upholding his conviction. He was hanged in Wandsworth Prison by Albert Pierrepoint on 3 January 1946, making him the last person to be executed for treason in the United Kingdom. More here if you're interested: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Joyce

Now, on to the abandoned bar on the right. Thirty years ago while working in Southern California, the fellow I worked for would tell yarns about a character named 'Digger Jay' who he'd known, and who had eventually moved on to run a bar in Ireland. His nickname had come from his occupation... Jay, it seemed, earned his living digging graves. Now, I have no idea if bar was owned by the same man, but the odds of having two bar-owning Digger Jays seems rather remote, wouldn't you agree? EDIT: Turns out there ARE two Digger Jays!

Glistening upon the shimmering sunlight, the majestic living sheen their beauty… evermore :))

Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

Fran and I were taking a break on a log after hiking up a pretty steep trail, when a momma Black bear and 2 cubs came up the same trail towards us, We backed up to give them room and they put on quite a show for us. Fortunately there was nobody else around.

Nikon Z9 camera with Nikon Z 180-600mm f6.3 lens @490mm

1/2500 f 6.3 ISO 11,400

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

The Urnes Stave Church is a 12th-century stave church at Ornes, along the Lustrafjorden in the municipality of Luster in Vestland county, Norway.

The church is listed as World Heritage site by Unesco. The name stave church refers to the wooden columns that are used as corner posts to uphold the overall architectural structure.

Pic By Pammy

Black And White

Oh Lord You've searched me

You know my way

You fail with my failure

I know You love me

Your holy presence

Surrounded me

In every season

I know You love me

I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knees

Where Your blood was shed for me

There's no greater love than this

You have overcome the grave

Glory fills the highest praise

What can separate me now

You go before me

You shield my way

Your hand upholds me

And I know You love me

You tore the veil, You made a way

When You said that it is done

You tore the veil, You made a way

When You said that it is done

And when the earth fails

Falls from my eyes

And You stand before me

I know You love me

Oh, I know You love me

Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

Delaware State Forrest, PA.USA

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

Look for Yellow Warblers near the tops of tall shrubs and small trees. They forage restlessly, with quick hops along small branches and twigs to glean caterpillars and other insects. Males sing their sweet, whistled songs from high perches.

Nikon Z9 camera with Nikon Z600mm f 6.3 PF lens.

1/1000 F6.3 ISO 720 with fill flash

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

In the recesses of buried dreams and unrequited love resides a lady of longing.

She is adorned and anchored with confidence, boundries, and compassion.

It was her fashion to uphold her standards. She was not desperate and held onto her virtues.

One fine day, she heard on the waves of the winds of change a faint song.

It resonated intensly with her inner core. It made her plain petals light up once more and turn them into a rich velvet.

She decided to no longer dine on meager handouts. She made up her mind to wait for a full course meal and a rare wine. She had not the stomach to endure anymore of just the bare minimum that kept her alive. She wanted to thrive! She wanted generosity, yes, but more than this; to be cherished and chosen.

She was a gift waiting to be given yet she was also recieving a gift: A gift of hope.

Thank you all for your kind favs and comments. Tend your gardens well for your roses are a gift to not be taken for granted.

Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

Delaware Water Gap, PA.USA

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

Active and agile, Black-throated Green Warblers primarily forage for small insects hiding in the bases of the leaves of tall trees. Breeding males sing on exposed perches where their bright head is conspicuous. In fall migration and winter, they often join mixed-species flocks with resident birds.

Nikon Z9 camera with Nikon Z600mm f 6.3 PF lens.

1/250 F6.3 ISO 3600 with fill flash

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

Cape May County, New Jersey. USA

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

The Dunlin (Calidris alpina) is a small shorebird known for its distinctive breeding plumage (reddish-brown back and black belly) and its non-breeding plumage (grayish-brown above, white below). It has a slightly down-curved black bill and black legs. Dunlins breed in the Arctic and subarctic regions and winter along coastlines worldwide, including both coasts of North America.

Nikon Z9 camera with Nikon Z600mm f 6.3 PF lens.

1/3200 F6.3 ISO 800

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.

—Psalm 37:16-17

Upholding a beloved family tradition, she works tirelessly from sunup to sundown, preparing for the County Fair with her impressive pumpkin harvest. With a proud smile from above, she knows the legacy continues. 🎉🎃

credits

skin & shape DS'ELLES Chandra

hair Stealthic Slumber

Backdrop Synnergy

Pose & Props Luanes

Clothing Addams Sweater & Jeans

boots Promagic

If you enjoy the world class public access rights in Scotland, ScotWays is the charity which upholds those rights. To mark its 175th anniversary, it has created a virtual challenge fundraiser - to walk (cycle, ride or paddle) 203 km in 86 days, learning about ScotWays and Access history at key milestones. So, if you are looking for a target to mark up those miles (woops kilometres), then take a look. Find out more at www.myvirtualmission.com/missions/52846/scotways-175th-an...

Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

Montgomery County, PA. USA

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

The small bird with the BIG mouth. Carolina Wren's can be found in the undergrowth of deciduous or mixed woods, and in thickets along forest edges. They also lives in suburban areas, especially where some dense low growth and tangles have been left undisturbed.

Nikon Z9 camera with Nikon Z600mm f 6.3 PF lens.

1/12500 F6.3 ISO 720 with fill flash

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.

Isaiah 41:10-11

Insects, you will know, have an exoskeleton to give them form and to uphold their organs, and moreover to protect them from outside Evils. That exoskeleton is made of a durable mixture of chitin and sclerotin (the latter is strengthening and also gives them that dark color). It's strong stuff and hard for enemies to penetrate except for some nematodes, and notably it can be attacked, softened and destroyed by some kinds of fungus. Once infected, ill is that insect's fate...

Our really very pretty Triple-Belted Shaggy Hoverfly - as far as I know there's not an English name, so I've made up this one - , Dasysyrphus tricinctus, is gravely ill. Her exoskeleton has been fungally infected; see the brownish spot on the last sections; she's probably not got very long to live. Regardless, Her Shagginess is enjoying the last nectar of also quickly fading Wild Parsnip, Pastinaca sativa.

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes

his steps firm; though He stumble, He will not

fall for the Lord upholds him with His right hand."

PSALM 37:23-24

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

(Proverbs 29:23)

Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

Montgomery County, PA. USA

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

Our first wave of warblers have arrived; Pine, Palm and Yellow-rumped. For me, it is my favorite time of the year but also the most challenging. We have a short 6 week window here in the mid-Atlantic region to see and photograph 30 different species of warblers. Few come down low and out in the open for more than a second or so. I need to be on my "A" game this spring.

Nikon Z9 camera with Nikon Z600mm f 6.3 PF lens.

1/1250 F6.3 ISO 450 with fill flash

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Balance is a precarious thing that must be perserved. Whether in times of bounty or strife, certain tasks must be done, upholding care and reverence in places of great importance.

As such, even the jobs that seem most simple on the surface, must be done with a diligence and precision that mankind could never possess.

Fantasy Faire is finally open, and is bigger than ever! Twenty experiences are here for you to lose yourself in, to write and imagine stories of your own, if only for a short time. Who knows, perhaps it'll be the small inspiration for you make something that lasts. All the better that it's for a good cause!

Why not start with Opet, a striking place where Gods and men collide to meet eye to eye, if only for a moment. Beautifully crafted by Alia Baroque of Fallen Gods fame!

Come drop by here!

Picture shows but a small corner of the sim for you to enjoy.

Pictured Items:

Hair: ~Mythril~ Mythic Unicorn Hair v.2 BOX *REDS*

Collar and Hands: TURB - Inquisitor Armor and TURB - Aether Crystal Arm

Tattoo: Nefekalum - Nyssa

Non Fantasy Faire items:

Skin: EDERIGON - Guhu Skin [Snow]

Outfit: Aii - + Seductress Celest Outfit +

Cloth Drapes: :MoonAmore: EgyptianTales/ Flying Cloth & Glyphs

Well ..I think I found the perfect frame work .. it upholds the natural beauty of the Lighthouse, and keeps the respect and beauty of this noble structure that has served so many ...I just love to slip my camera into the smallest of places and find the perfect window. I hope you find it pleasing ... :).

Picture was taken at the beautiful sim of Sandi Benelli

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Quararibea%20Cordata%20Isl...

Today was Martin Luther King jr. Day and public offices were closed and the LBJ Library was free. So, I took my meetup group there and we toured the place. It's a massive building with lots of memorable things inside. Kinda like taking a walk back in time. Here's more info on LBJ

ohnson was strongly supported by the Democratic Party, and as President designed the "Great Society" legislation upholding civil rights, public broadcasting, Medicare, Medicaid, aid to education, the arts, urban and rural development, public services, and his "War on Poverty". Assisted in part by a growing economy, the War on Poverty helped millions of Americans rise above the poverty line during Johnson's presidency.[2] Civil rights bills signed by Johnson banned racial discrimination in public facilities, interstate commerce, the workplace, and housing; and the Voting Rights Act banned certain requirements in southern states used to disenfranchise African Americans. With the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the country's immigration system was reformed and all national origin quotas were removed. Johnson was renowned for his domineering, sometimes abrasive, personality and the "Johnson treatment"—his aggressive coercion of powerful politicians to advance legislation.

WHO DOES IT SERVE?

Who does it serve?

You ask me

Well, let me tell you

It is rather like

Taking up the Cross

I am on my own personal crusade

It can be sometimes lonely

When you are compared

To a holy fool

In a unique army of one

But the sting in those words

Might just be a fair assessment

God knows it is sometimes cruel

But you could be right

After all, it did not stop

Joan of Arc and her angelic rule

I will not let false words stop me

There is proof in my actions

If you care to look

Not just in the words I write

But in the visual connections

Left like clues in a book

So who does the Grail serve?

Does it serve you or me?

The truth is that it serves everyone

Open your eyes and see

The unspoken partnership between faith and sovereignty is the deep bond that keeps that country and its people from becoming a wasteland. It was always the Fisher King’s responsibility to protect the Grail, as told in the many tales of the Grail Corpus.

This then, is why the Grail and its many meanings, has become a legacy to uphold for those who seek and follow the Grail.

I have loved and followed the Grail for much of my life. I wrote this poem about two weeks ago. It seemed fitting to me, to release this work today.

God Bless The Queen,

Long Live The King.

This image was taken within Glynde Church, East Sussex, UK, and this particular Grail, came into my world in 2019 and changed my life.

If you would like to see more of my images and poetry have a look at my website:

www.shelleyturnerpoetpix.com

Hey hey hey.

There's no story yet, I'll get to that on a later day.

Pretty straight forward build; I got to try a new wall out, I like it. Those plants were fun, I love the colors. However, the ground looks worse and worse the more I look at it. Yikes.

Thanks for looking and be sure to check out the public Mission 20 event on the Rebellug Discord server!

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

The Royal Tern never asked for a title. One day he was just another seabird with a fish in his beak; the next, some human naturalist had declared him “royal.”

It sounded flattering at first, but it came with expectations. Gulls now bowed mockingly whenever he landed, and pelicans inquired whether he had a flag. Worst of all, the wind would ruffle his crown feathers into a crest more clown than king.

“Royalty,” he muttered, shaking out another fish scale, “is a terrible thing to uphold when your throne is a piling and your scepter smells like mackerel.”

Moral: Titles impress humans more than they help birds.

...I am not so weak and old yet that you need to uphold me ;o)

Thank you for the nice photo shoot Lona and your idea.

He Reigns by The Newsboys

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -Isiah 41:10

Copyright© 2008 Kamoteus/RonMiguel RN

This image is protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

A friend sent me an interesting link to a John Oliver segment on Artificial Intelligence and how it is taking over many facets of our lives very quickly. Of course, we could use this for good things like early diagnosis of diseases but most likely we'll use it in ways that discriminate against people and uphold our classist, racist system. It's a lot to be worried about in my opinion.

In addition, it really got me thinking about artificial intelligence like Chat GPT now writing everything from college papers to condolence letters after a mass shooting and mimicking songs, poems, and even photographs. It really got me thinking about what can't or doesn't an AI currently do and so this is what I came up with. This is also from the Snooper set on Saturday at Music Frozen Dancing (The green guy behind the moshers was with this band).

I also think it's pretty counter-intuitive for humans to deliberately put themselves in harm's way just to feel alive (my guess). I have never related to it at all, mainly because I don't enjoy physical pain and bleeding on random strangers or having escalated medical bills or broken camera equipment. But, I do kind of feel like it's a very anti-AI sort of thing to do. AIs probably won't ever be programmed to participate in their own self destruction...what would be the point? And...what exactly is the point again with humans doing this?

Anyway, if you want to watch the John Oliver segment, it's up on youtube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqa8Zo2XWc4

**All photos are copyrighted**

From 4 to 9 every morning, different types of fish caught from the Bay of Bengal and other sources -- are brought to the port city's Karnaphuli ghat from wholesale depots. The business is the busiest during night times, taking the numbers to millions.

At the break of dawn, hundreds of massive trawlers and fishing ships emerge from the seas and rivers at the shores carrying their catches for the day. Each large trawler can carry about a tone of fish. About 220 bazars and six warehouses are set to sell their fish every day.

On the side of the bank of Karnaphuli river, this colossal ghat upholds the biggest fish market for marine and native fish in the port area known as the Chattogram Fishery Ghat. Almost every district of the country imports fish of different categories from here on wholesale and starts their trading amongst the locals.

Founded by the Portuguese almost 200 years ago, this fishing ghat is now thriving in the heart of this city. Located in Lusai Kanya, at the mouth of the Rajkhali and on the bank of the Karnaphuli, it has been made its official location recently from the former location on Iqbal road in Patharghata.

Hilsa makes a festive entrance to the markets of the ghat during its peak season. The ghat also sees the busiest trade at this time of the year. Fish weighing even up to 200 kilos are brought to the market and sold either in whole or in pieces.

© Zakir Hossain

☎ +8801611266162

📧 zakir1346@gmail.com

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Cold, dark, quiet. Dawn breaks on the wilderness of the Upper Peninsula. It's a few days short of Christmas, winter's bitter wrath solidly in effect, in a snow-capped landscape devoid of sound, save for the anomalous (for these times anyway) chanting and chugging, drawling and droning, low-noted gargling of industrial machinery. Peering around a sharp bend wedged tightly between two crudely-carved walls of solid rock, that familiar pattern of three distinct points of light reveals the source of the clatter--32 cylinders of 4-stroke FDLs sheathed in faded cascade exoskeletons reminiscent of a fallen northwestern giant. So emerges Lake Superior & Ishpeming's 7-Weigher, on this daybreak in charge of empty steel hoppers interchanged sometime in the previous night's darkness from the CN, shuttling this "all-rail" movement from Eagle Mills to the Tilden Mine for loading with a fresh batch of taconite pellets. The Weigher's pair of horses are quite venerable: a -7 and a U-boat each in service since the seventies when they rolled out of the factory doors in Erie, more pack mules than derby winners throughout their days spent lugging whatever bulky raw materials their masters could drum up for them to pull. Their habitat now confined to a measly 10 route miles, more or less, engaged in a repetitive, perpetual line of work hauling the product out of the last iron ore mine in Michigan, these pug-nosed brutes are undoubtedly not living out their golden years in glamour. But they are among the last of their respective types still in existence, serving with two brethren on a fleet comprising one of the last thin threads upholding a species dangling dangerously close to extinction.

Proud of the Canadian truckers and the Canadian people who uphold civil liberties, democracy and freedom against unjust tyrannical government.

Political Science does not over rule Medical Science!

Beware of the #JAB_JUNKIES and their propaganda.

FAVE if you support the Canadians!

Location: Land of Lunaria

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Graham%20Estates/78/148/22

VIKINGS

or, The Saga of LoftyTangles and GrumbleShortarse - The Two Bold Adventurers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Viking

-Steve D'Beard-

stand fast

raise your warrior arm

in splendour and dissent

carve the path

besieged on all sides;

the penance of deviance

awaits with open arms

embrace the battle cry

let it ring in the ears

of your foes and their kin

fulfill the oathes

uphold all that is good

in a world of devilment

that crawls beneath the skin

You are a Viking

in this life and the next

do not falter

your name depends on it;

resolution and absolution

await only the brave

the Viking exists in you

do not ignore your dreams

until your grave

your last breath

will be the final kiss

upon this world;

make it count.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An attempt, however feeble, to portray the glory of God the Son, our creator, sustainer and upholder, in a graphic.

Background: morning sun through trees, vacant lot.

Isn't God a great artist? Thanks for looking.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

This is the first time I've seen the hind flippers of a seal relatively up close. Albeit through a glassed sea enclosure, but what a fascinating and unique body apparatus to uphold!

Thank you for viewing. If you like please fav and leave a nice comment. Hope to see you here again. Have a wonderful day 😊

Brighton 🇬🇧

30th October, 2019

Since 1927 the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway has been an integral part of the landscape of the Romney Marsh.

Known as “Kent’s Mainline in Miniature”, our world famous one-third full size steam & diesel locomotives have powered their way along the 13½ miles of track from the Cinque Port town of Hythe, terminating in Dungeness; a National Nature Reserve. With 4 stations in between, all within walking distance of a beach, our railway provides you with an opportunity to explore this unique corner of Kent. Coast & country walks, with all manner of wildlife & flora to be seen, cycle rides, medieval churches and iconic lighthouses are all on our doorstep.

With excellent catering facilities available at some stations, our ever-popular Model Railway Exhibition, play parks, good station shops, free car parking and facilities to assist our disabled visitors, RH&DR is the perfect any-weather, all-generations great day out.

The RH&DR was the culmination of the dreams of Captain J. E. P. Howey — a racing driver, millionaire land owner, former Army Officer and miniature railway aficionado and Count Louis Zborowski — eminently well-known racing driver of his day (famous for owning and racing the Chitty Bang Bang Mercedes).

BUILDING THE RAILWAY

The Count was keen to build a fully working railway using the 15" gauge and Howey was inspired by the vision also. To try to fulfil their ambition the pair attempted to purchase the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway in the Lake District, but to no avail.

Despite this setback, the Count ordered two Pacific locomotives (Green Goddess and Northern Chief), to be designed by the leading model engineer of his day, Henry Greenly and built in Colchester by Davey, Paxman and Co.

Before they were delivered the Count was killed while racing at Monza in the Italian Grand Prix. Howey was left with two locos and the task of finding somewhere to run them. He commissioned Greenly to help him, and it was he that came up with the Romney Marsh.

The official opening took place on 16th July 1927, with Hercules hauling that inaugural train from Hythe to New Romney. When first opened to the public the line only covered, in double track, the eight miles between Hythe and New Romney. Owner Captain Jack Howey soon had his eye on extending the line and in 1928 double tracks carried the trains to Dungeness via Greatstone.

During those early years, the railway became famous and people came to ride on the 'Smallest Public Railway in the World'. The locomotive fleet was extended to nine main-line express engines and a fleet of luxurious coaches were built. The war years took their toll, the line being requisitioned by the War Department — they even created the only miniature armoured train in the world — and was used extensively during the building of PLUTO (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) which fuelled the Allied invasion force.

POST-WAR

As peace-time returned, the RH&DR were keen to re-open which they soon did; Hythe to New Romney in 1946 and the Dungeness section following a year later with Laurel and Hardy cutting the ribbon. But the cost of hostilities were obvious; New Romney to Dungeness was now single line only, as the raw materials to re-build were scarce and the cost high.

The post-war years were good, and the publicity gained from being a front-line railway paid some dividends. The fifties and early sixties saw a boom in tourism and the Kent coast and the RH&DR benefited greatly, but the arrival of cheap package holidays to sunnier climes soon saw the passenger numbers fall.

Owner Howey was also ageing (he died in September 1963) and investment in the railway was not all it could have been. As new owners took the concern on and then passed to yet other new owners, the extent of this lack of investment became apparent. Bridges were in poor condition, rolling stock was ageing and uncomfortable, locomotives were costly to maintain.

After a near-death experience a new consortium, headed by Sir William McAlpine, saved the day in 1973 and much investment has taken place over the intervening years to ensure the railway maintains its title as Kent's Mainline in Miniature and continues to uphold a high standard of customer service.

For further information please visit www.rhdr.org.uk/history-and-heritage/

Taken for the Macro Mondays theme of 'Card'

I placed my National Trust Membership Card on the Members Handbook to take this shot.

In 1895, the National Trust founders, Octavia Hill, Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley pledged to preserve our historical and natural places. Their aim was not only to save important sites, but to open them up for everyone to enjoy.

The National Trust is committed to promoting and preserving those places of natural beauty and historic interest for which it has the privilege to be responsible for the benefit of the nation, for everyone for ever.

The Trust is proud of what has been achieved over the last 126 years and is determined to maintain those high standards of conservation, stewardship and curatorial care for which it has been recognised throughout the world.

Its achievements have enabled the general public and the Trust’s members and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the countryside, coastline, gardens, historic buildings and collections, all of which encapsulate so much of the history of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is a duty to tell that history in a complete, balanced and accurate way, and without judgement.

The National Trust continues as a guardian of the past, and for the future, to uphold its duty to maintain and enhance what has been entrusted to its care. (taken from the National Trust website)