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One year ago, in the early hours of the morning, Ukraine saw the end of a peaceful existence, and threat to end their existence as a sovereign nation entirely. Lone border guards were among the first casualties, as the tanks rolled in and the missiles were launched in what Putin had wagered to be a three-day conquest. I am so glad that Russia had quietly become a kleptocracy, and their delusions of success could not be realized against the impassioned and skilled Ukrainian people.
As I sit here contemplating the past year, I am reminded of the kindness of friends, family, and strangers alike who helped our early efforts to support the influx if refugees here in Bulgaria. And I thank those who continue to support our efforts in sending aid to Ukraine. My thankfulness extended to many of the world’s governments, who are stepping up send tanks and long-range weapons to Ukraine. Without this help, Russia would have quickly expanded it’s borders and would not have stopped.
With the bravery of the Ukrainian people, and also the International Legion of foreign soldiers, and all the humanitarian aid workers within the country, Ukraine is on a path to recovery everything. The vast majority of the population say that there should be no territory lost, and I agree. The world is at war with Russia via Ukraine, and Russia will lose.
A few days ago, Putin made a long-winded speech. A few days before that, Russia failed in test-launching a RS-28 Sarmat ICBM. I believe Putin had intended to highlight a successful launch in his speech. Instead, his words echoed the frustration of failures in the military in Ukraine. Those failures continue, with the most modest territorial gains costing many thousands of lives and countless military assets.
As Russia runs short of military resources, Iran and now China are allegedly providing aid. I wouldn’t be surprised if North Korea is doing the same. Allegiances are being made across the world, and Russian natural resources are no longer required by Europe. Just today, the US, Australia and New Zealand announced new sanctions against Russia. The world continues to isolate the once-powerful tyrant who now must rely on the few strong allies it has – all of them non-democratic despotic nations.
I am confident that Ukraine will never give up this fight, and it will end with the destabilization of the Russian Federation. Poland is willing to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, and the first Leopard 2 tanks have arrived on Ukrainian soil. Ukraine will win, that much is a certainty. There’s still a lot of unknowns, however. How long and how many lives will it take? What happens when Russia loses? Remember that China and Russia share a very large border… in a destabilized Russia, would a country like China simply respect all previous international borders? The world is at the largest potential turning point in my generation.
And maybe the world needs a turning point for the better - with the climate crisis and geopolitics, a whole and sovereign Ukraine is the keystone of the next phase of international cooperation. It’s proof that much of the world can come together for a common goal. Beyond borders, continents, language and religion, the world can become aligned with democracy. That’s a scary thought for the despots of the world, and as it should be.
This image is taken with a snowdrop flower, turned upside down (as the flower usually droops downward – in this image it’s facing up). This isn’t a water droplet, but rather a gel-based “water pearl” that absorbs water and maintains a spherical shape. Like a mini crystal ball, it refracts what is behind it – and also stays spherical at much larger sizes than a water droplet. I made a print of the Ukrainian Coat of Arms to place in behind. I dedicate this image to the Public Domain – use it for any purpose you wish, no constraints or obligations.
Слава україні. The only way to peace is through victory. Victory will only be possible because of the heroes fighting for it. Героям слава! May this year of fighting and sacrifice be seen by the world as a beacon of hope.
[Beejay] Babygirl's Devotion Tattoo Omega applier great for all bodys! comes in Fresh and Fade on sale @ Infinity
Taxi maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isla%20Tequila/37/195/4002
Copyright © Gio's Gallery Photography.
This photo may not be used in any form without prior permission. All rights reserved.
On the western shore of the Ganges (Ganga, गंगा). Varanasi (वाराणसी). Uttar Pradesh (उत्तर प्रदेश). India भारत (Bharat).
25.28°N 82.96°E
As might be expected, the attraction of a 'Deltic' making its presence known at York station was likely to be a big attraction, and the devotion to the Class 55 'Deltics' is as strong as it ever was, more than four decades since their demise on the ECML. Including the overall scene at York station, to include both fellow enthusiasts and an 'Azuma' in a contemporary scene, was one of my objectives for this visit. D9009/55009 (bearing the identity of erstwhile classmate 55013 'The Black Watch') stands at York station's platform 3 awaiting the right away, the UK Railtours' charter 'The Coronation Deltic' 1Z56 17:10 Scarborough to Finsbury Park on 19th August 2023. The additional headboard commemorated former 'Deltic' driver Harry Wilson, who celebrated his 100th birthday in May, when the charter train was originally to run, hence the its name. He was travelling on this train and the loco was renumbered and renamed in his honour, 55013 being his favourite 'Deltic' when he was an ECML 'top link' driver during his BR career.
© Gordon Edgar - All rights reserved. Please do not use my images without my explicit permission
Ingresso della Basilica costruita sopra le catacombe di San Sebastiano, Appia Antica, Roma..
The entrance of the Basilica built on San Sebastiano catacombs, Appia Antica, Rome
Learn more about the life, works and Beatification Cause of Irene Mary Taylor at her official website: www.irenemary.com
The Astronist Institution is pleased to publish this, the second official depiction of Irene Mary Taylor in effort of her Cause for Beatification. The depiction was masterfully created by Institutional illustrator David Young from October to December 2021 and marks the seventh commission for Mr Young from the Institution so far. It reflects a real event that occurred which Cometan recollected from his time spent with his grandmother during his childhood.
This intriguing illustration is set during the Summer of 2007 in the grounds of Irene Mary and Derrick Taylor's home at 222 Longmeanygate in Leyland, Lancashire, a unique house which Derrick built himself during the early 1960s. You can see the house in the distant background. In the foreground of the illustration, one sees depicted an enclosed garden of overhanging trees, flowers, a cobbled pathway and trellises.
Indeed, your eye immediately turns to the two figures in the scene, the first is the devout old lady kneeling in what appears to be a small red shed filled with Catholic religious devotional cards, statues and ornaments. The lady's prayers on this hot summer afternoon are interrupted by a young boy who, after running from the field behind, appears at the shed door. This boy is a nine-year old Cometan, the grandson of Irene Mary. In the not too distant background, you can also see a shrine to the Virgin Mary that Irene Mary and her grandchildren built during the mid-2000s to show their devotion to the Mother of God. The shrine is now described "lost" since the death of Irene Mary in 2015 and the subsequent dilapidation of her home 222 and its grounds which were sold to new owners in 2020.
This illustration represents once again the bond shared between Cometan and his grandmother and provides audiences with an insight into one of Cometan's most prominent memories of his time spent at 222 Longmeanygate. The illustration also contributes to the image of Irene Mary for the efforts of her Cause for Beatification as an ordinary grandmother with an extraordinary dedication to her Traditionalist Catholicism. Although bright and summery, this scene depicted holds within it a sense of mystery and intrigue.
© 2021 David Young. All Rights Reserved.
La aparición de los menores en esta galería ha sido autorizada por uno de sus progenitores y su fotografía puede ser retirada en cualquier momento solicitándolo en el correo nikondosh@yahoo.es.
Cualquier persona que aparezca en esta galería puede solicitar que su fotografía sea retirada solicitándolo en la dirección de correo nikondosh@yahoo.es.
The appearance of minors in this gallery has been authorized by a parent and photograph can be withdrawn at any time asking the nikondosh@yahoo.es mail.
Anyone who appears in this gallery may request that his photograph be removed upon request at the address nikondosh@yahoo.es mail.
Rewarding of life...
Never come accidentally...
But come by your devotion...
And firmly intend...
Until we achieve...
Thinking of my beloved flower (again!!) ^____^
Have a wonderful week.. Take good care and keep smiling ;-)!
Jasmine...
***NO INVITES PLEASE***...Thanks so much for your visits and also for any comments and faves. I appreciate for all. All your words are nice awards for me. Thank you..thank you ;-)!
This is a very joyous and colorful festival. Chhath Puja is the holiest Hindu festival of people in northern India. Mostly the Chhath Puja is being observed in Bihar and Jharkhand(INDIA) and the festival comprises rituals for four days. The Chhath Puja begins a week after Diwali. The word Chat denotes the number six in Hindi. The Chhath Puja begins on the sixth day of the Kartik, a holy month as per Hindu calendar. Some people spell Chath Puja as Chat Puja, Chatt Puja, Chhath festival, etc
Chhath Puja is dedicated to worship the Sun God. The Chhath Puja is known as ‘SuryaShashti’. People observe Chhath Puja to thank the Sun for bestowing the bounties of life on earth, as also for fulfilling particular wishes. People believe that by observing the Chhath Puja they can fulfill their desires. The Chhath Puja has been observed since long time in India. On Chhath Puja day, all the people dress up in their best and new clothes are a must. Folk songs are sung both at home and on the riverbank. Millions of people take dip in the holy water of river Ganges, and other rivers.
Pastel painting. Thanks to Crows to Burnaby for letting me paint this emotionally moving photo. I pray for this young man.
I was able to watch this mated pair of cranes interact with each other as the light faded. They frequently performed unison calling; raising both of their bills towards the sky as they did so. This act increases bonding between the two, who mate for life.
I had read that one should hope for some clouds in the sky when visiting Bosque del Apache. We were fortunate to get both clouds and sun. This was (pretty obviously) shot on a cloudy day.
© 2012 Maureen Sullivan
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Member of the Flickr Bird Brigade
Activists for birds and wildlife
Cimetière du Père-Lachaise
Paris, March 2025
All of my photographs are under copyright ©. None of these photographs may be reproduced and/or used in any way without my permission.
© NGimages / Nico Geerlings Photography
Tau Cross, has been chosen from St Francis of Assisi, as a sign of Christian devotion, redemption and salvation.