text:
Years ago I remember chatting with my good friend Lila in Northern Ireland about her early days of parenting and having small children. My ears usually perked up if she spoke about these topics because she had six children and seemed to love almost every second of being a mother. I learned so much from watching this incredible woman parent and I am forever thankful for her example.
She said when her children were small connecting with God looked very different and a friend passed on a verse to her that was really helpful in being present in that stage while still feeling connected to God.
“…he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11
In my own early days of parenting I remember reading this verse and finding my own comfort from it’s words. So much so that I wrote it on a chalk board and hung it up in the sunroom at our old house where I would sneak away to if I had any time to be alone.
Recently I shared this verse with a fellow momma of littles. We talked about how the early years of motherhood can feel very disorienting, like you’re living in a dreamland. Never rested enough, not sure if you are even the same person as before you had kids, and the constant struggle to dismantle the old ways of connecting with God in order to be satisfied meeting with him for even 30 seconds. She loved the verse just as I did.
This morning, on Mother’s Day, one of my twins woke me up with his coughing. He came in and asked if I would wake up with him. He is currently sitting next to me. We all have had vicious coughs causing us all to lose sleep lately. At his request I got up and came out to my parents living room with him. He is watching a show while I quickly type, trying to get the words from inside my head and heart out and into this post.
As I pondered this verse and how to share it this is what I came up with. Instead of writing from the perspective of only mommas with littles, I wanted to broaden it. I want to focus on a few key words that bring us back to the truth of who God is and the truth of his character.
He gently leads.
More than focusing on the stage of life we are in, I want us to turn to the constant truth of these words. No matter where you find yourself, blissfully content with your lot in life or locked in a pattern of destructive behavior, the truth is that if you reach out your hand you will find a good shepherd who takes us by the hand and leads us gently. He is not an angry headmaster just waiting to correct our every wrong step. He comes close, ready to lead us through all of life’s dramatic changes and the subtle ones too with gentleness.
For those who do in fact have littles, he is gently leading you through this stage. For those who are empty nesters and miss those littles, he is gently leading you too. Some of you may be dreaming of marriage and babies, he is there too. Others may find themselves in the heartbreaking reality of an infertility journey they never planned on. He is with you, gently leading you through the pain, shadow land, and heartbreak of failed cycles, miscarriages, insensitive comments, and constant awareness of what you lack.
Through the ups and downs of life, the constant shifting and changing, God’s character remains true and solid. He gently leads.
There have been so many times when I have been in turmoil whether from things out of my control or circumstances of my own doing, where he has come alongside me, taken my hand, and gently led me to a new place, with a new landscape, and new hope. This pattern I am convinced will continue till the day I die. I will most likely always come upon situations in life where I feel frantic and will need the calming hand of Christ to lead me out of my own chaos into his wide open spaces where there is room to breathe and my soul can be settled.
Wherever you find yourself today: a recent college graduate, a grandparent, a husband trying to support your sleep deprived wife, stuck in a mid-life crisis, or contentedly sitting in retirement; this truth remains the same, he gently leads.
Let those words settle your wild heart and racing thoughts. Let them sooth, calm, and bring restoration to you today.
(Photo cred: Kirstie Walton. The other three kiddos are hers but I thought this picture represented this particular season of life pretty well.)
The past two and a half years have held a great deal of change for my life. Leaving Northern Ireland, the land where I cut out part of my heart and planted it. My Papa being diagnosed with cancer to his passing from this earth. My mother-in-love being diagnosed with lymphoma and surviving in the most extraordinary way. To my most recent experience of an early miscarriage.
As Bryan and I chatted in bed one night, the tears filled my eyes. I explained to him that my heart had felt so heavy for so long. I reflected on everything that was bright, beautiful, and alive in my life. Then I described something else.
The grey thread.
For the past two and a half years I have carried around a heaviness. I can easily see the charms of my life. I have an incredible husband, two miracle sons, a job that has purpose, family that I love, friendships that go deep like a well. My life is rich and I know it.
Still, in all the richness, in all the vibrant yellows, reds, blues, and purples of life, there is a grey thread. It hides for awhile. Life feels normal, manageable. Then, I see it. The dull color, working it’s way to the surface again. Wrapping itself around the yellow, turning it a muted brown. It takes the other colors too, toning down their brilliance, creating a type of shadow land.
It feels like the opposite of putting on rose-colored glasses. This grey thread takes the shine out of almost everything. It cannot remove that which is solid, thank God. Yet it can change my view and perspective, making it harder to see clearly. It becomes like a fog, covering up the parts of my life that stir me to live.
Through time and effort, I can stand on the thread once again, regaining my life back. However, out of the corner of my eye, I see the end of the thread wriggling. Then I see it disappear beneath my life’s palate again. A sense of relief floods my body. It is gone for now. Yet, in the back of my mind, I wonder for how long?
Five days into 2019 and I find myself accompanied by a familiar friend, grief.
Let me backup to October. This past autumn, as we sat chatting with some of our oldest and dearest friends late into the evening, something happened. A dream I hadn’t allowed myself to dream came forward. There were many logical reasons why I had tried to convince myself I didn’t truly want this dream, yet there it was, staring me in the face, speaking it’s truth to me. I hadn’t allowed myself to dream this particular dream because of one thing, fear. When the truth of that hit me, it stopped me in my tracks. That was not how I wanted to live my life, based on fear.
So on that dark, lovely, cool autumn night, I spoke the dream out loud. Loud enough for myself, my husband, and our friends to hear. I wanted to try for a third baby. There, I had said it, it was real.
For the next month we began dreaming, started appointments, and contact with our fertility clinic in Idaho. The ball was slowly rolling. At that time we allowed ourselves to dream of what our little family could look like with a new member and we took these sweet pics in hope that they may be used in a special way.
I am a dreamer at heart. I am usually optimistic and full of hope so it’s not really strange that I would want to begin preparing for the possibility of a new arrival this way. As November approached we were working with my body and what it was doing. We were making plans to have a natural frozen embryo transfer (FET) which meant my body had to cooperate with the clinics availability. On the 8th of November, the boys and I got in our little Subaru and we made the eight hour drive to Idaho to stay at my Mom’s while we waited for the timeline of November to unfold.
As my period had started and the dates rolled by we realized that even though my body was doing what it was supposed to, it wasn’t in a workable timeline due to the Thanksgiving holiday at the clinic. Once the November window closed, we decided it was best for the boys and I to stay put in Idaho and hope that the December window would work. Once again my body did what it needed to do but this time the window worked.
At this point I need to add that the clinic was not super excited about a natural FET cycle. They preferred having the most control of all the variables but we had decided that a natural cycle was the way we wanted to proceed. I had done enough injections and been through enough hormone craziness over the years that if my body could do it naturally we felt that would be better. They also didn’t see bodies cooperate that often so when my body did, you could actually sense their surprise.
Everything seemed to be lining up perfectly for December. After blood draws, ultrasounds, and ovulating, things were looking positive. My body was moving forward in the ways it needed too, the dates were working for the clinic, and best of all Bryan would be in Idaho by that time for his Christmas break from work. Everything seemed to be coming together for what we thought would most likely be the beginning of our family growing.
On the 14th of December I got the go ahead to give myself the Trigger Shot to help prepare my body for an embryo transfer the following week. I did the shot in the bathroom of a Cracker Barrel with Christmas carols blaring in the background and one of my sons running around the bathroom as I stood behind the stall door on the other side, needle in hand. By the 21st of December Bryan had arrived and it was time for the transfer. We left Kidran and Cohen in my mom’s care while we drove to Boise. On our way there, we received a call from our doctor. The first embryo they thawed was not looking good, only a 20% chance of a pregnancy. We opted to thaw the next embryo. As we continued the drive we chatted about that reality not being something we had considered. Strange to think in a matter of minutes you go from having potentially eleven little lives to ten, just like that.
We arrived, had my bloods drawn again and then I took my valium. As we sat there and the valium took effect, I began rambling about embryos and wondering what percentage of an embryo I was and what Bryan was? It’s crazy to think that each of us starts as an embryo with potentially slim chances of survival and yet here we are.
About twenty minutes after arriving the doctor and embryologist came in. They brought in our embryo, our 45% chance embryo, our potential little girl or little boy. Then we watched them insert the embryo into my uterus, marked by two tiny air bubbles.
There it was, our little embryo. Wrapped up in hopes and dreams, unseen by the naked eye, but seen clearly by the soul. My heart skipped a beat. My dream was taking shape, our dream was happening. The dream that I had been afraid to speak of. Yet speaking this dream out had powerfully led us to this place, taking baby steps each day to make the dream turn into our reality.
Flashback to the transfer we had in 2014 that turned into our two beautiful sons. I wore the same necklace that is now tattooed on my wrist. A gift from a friend and a reminder of God’s promise that we would have a family someday. A promise kept. Yet did the promise extend to one more child? We would have to wait to find out.
Thank goodness the days following the transfer went by rather fast. With Christmas, Boxing Day, time up at my brothers cabin, and New Year’s Eve all between the transfer and the blood draw to test for a pregnancy, we occupied our days and made some very sweet memories. Still if you have ever walked this road yourself, you know how even though you are living your life day to day, the fact that you are waiting for your future is always in the back of your mind. Each day you are measuring what your body is doing. Do I feel crampy? Are my boobs sore? Do I feel more tired than normal? The questions go on and on. The waiting is always the hardest part once you have actually had the transfer.
2019 arrived, we had a lovely evening celebrating with my brother and sister-in-law. It was quiet and I was filled with hopeful anticipation. We drove back to Nampa on the 1st and unpacked. That night I struggled to sleep. I couldn’t relax into rest. I was too anxious for the awaited outcome the next morning. Morning came, my mom and I got ready and headed to Boise for the blood draw. Bryan kindly agreed to stay home and watch the boys so my mom and I could have a day together.
The blood draw was quick and over by 9 a.m. We then spent the day eating and shopping. It was a lovely, sweet day. Around 2:30 p.m, as I was standing in the Macy’s maternity section picking out maternity jeans that my mom was going to buy me as a gift, I got the call. My blood draw had shown that I was pregnant, but my levels were low. This meant that they thought I was having a chemical pregnancy which after I looked it up basically meant an early miscarriage. My vision went a little blurry and I felt hot. I knelt down next to the rack of clothes I was standing by and asked my mom to stop asking any questions, I needed a minute to focus. Everything went into tunnel vision. I was technically pregnant but it wasn’t looking promising.
I told the clinic I would call them back after I spoke to Bryan. As I called him, my hands shook with the news. His silent pause on the other end was enough to undo me. Neither of us had been prepared for this result. We were expecting a yes or no. Not a yes, but wait. We decided to keep our plans to return home the same and that I would get my bloods done on the 7th if my period still hadn’t started.
We celebrated my mom’s birthday the next evening at a fun sushi restaurant with some of the family on the 3rd. Then on the 4th we packed up our car with all the thoughtful and fun gifts we had received for Christmas along with skis and supplies. We hugged my mom tight one last time, said our goodbyes and drove away. The drive home was uneventful and we made it in good time. We arrived home at 7:30 p.m, the boys thrilled to be home and play with their toys. We unpacked our bags and settled some of our belongings back into their familiar homes.
Then at 9:45 p.m, I went to the bathroom and there it was, the marker that told me my body had finally given up the pregnancy. My period had started. In almost an act of denial I still inserted my progesterone suppository in a feeble attempt to reverse what my body was already moving towards…a miscarriage.
I came out and told Bryan. Then I came unglued. Uncontrollable sobs escaped my mouth, and the tears streamed down my cheeks as I wept on his shoulder. Our journey of infertility marked once again by grief and heartbreak. My husband has consoled me so many times in our married life and I am beyond thankful for his presence, calmness, vulnerability in these moments. This was our dream together, now over.
Bryan, being the incredible husband and father he is, took our two miracle sons skiing with him today so that I could have a whole day to be alone and process the past few months. I am so grateful for a spouse who knows me, understands my needs, and graciously loves me in the ways I need when I need them. He is one of my biggest treasures in life. As I drank my coffee slowly, staring out our window at the mountains, the sobs continued.
A whole new kind of grief washed over me. in all our years of infertility we had never experienced a miscarriage until now. It feels so different. We had given that baby a name, for a boy and for a girl depending on the gender. We had made space in our hearts. We had seen our boys as big brothers. We had seen one more grandchild in the arms of their Grandma and Amma. We had seen sleepless nights with a newborn. We had allowed the dream to take root. I also had felt pregnant. I was experiencing many symptoms similar to those of what I felt like when we got pregnant with the boys. I had been so sure that everything lining up so perfectly most likely meant that this dream would become our new reality. Yet it hasn’t. We have miscarried. My period has started and my stomach is cramping while my body is exhausted.
My heart feels crushed. This feels like a very abrupt ending of a chapter in a book. I will never have a pregnant bump again. I will never feel the flutter of movement in my belly again. I will never nurse another newborn. I will never hold the little hands of my toddler as they take their first steps. So many things that will never happen again. And just like that grief floods into my core, and I am rocked. In the last fifteen years of my life I feel like grief has become something I am familiar with. So many moments now that are filled with flowing tears and a breaking heart.
This is real. This is me in grief.
Nothing pretty about it. Tears, anguish, it’s all right there. Yet I won’t hide it. I can’t. I will continue sharing it because I have to find some purpose in it or else it feels like a waste.
I will never regret trying for our third baby. I will never regret dreaming, and giving our baby names. Yet I am not sure my heart will ever totally heal either. That’s what happens with infertility, it leaves a mark that changes you forever.
Tonight I will go to bed heavy with emotion. Knowing that tomorrow is a new day. My husbands warm body will lie next to me and provide a shoulder to cry on again. My beautiful boys will wake me up. The morning will come as it always does and I will once again make coffee. I will drink it like nothing has changed yet so much has. This is what grief, that old familiar friend does. It punctuates the absurdity of normal life while all the time you feel you are being pummeled by the pain and emotion of your new reality.
Then I will stop long enough to once again survey my life. Full with love and family. A husband I love and two unique sons to mother and nurture and my heart will swell. Grief will not have the last word, for life is still worth living.
For anyone else who has walked this path or is walking this path, my heart goes out to you. I hope you have time to heal and people to love and support you through it. May peace eventually come.
Here is a poem I wrote about this painful experience. Writing helps me process and again, if I can help even one more person through sharing then there can be some kind of purpose found in the pain.
With a single drop of blood,
the dream shatters,
into a million little pieces.
Face pale, eyes red.
In exhaustion it begins.
Nature takes it’s course,
My body cooperates
but not my soul.
I stare at the watery grave.
Clumps, red swirls, matter.
Gravity pulls you away.
With each flush, you disappear.
So crude an exit
for such a heavenly dream.
“Writing is really quite simple; all you have to do is sit down at your typewriter and open a vein” (Listening to Your Life by Frederick Buechner p.190).
Friends, I am about to open a vein.
Today, the 1st of September, 2018, my twin sons turned four.
The day was rather unspectacular if I’m being honest. We are having a proper celebration for them in “two more big sleeps.” So there was no big party or presents today. It was like any other day, except it wasn’t.
On this day, four years ago, my swollen belly waddled into Craigavon Area Hospital. A few hours later — our boys were in our arms. This act of birth that happened in mere seconds, had taken nine painful years of infertility to get to.
So today could have felt and seemed normal, except that it wasn’t.
I took the boys to Top Pot donut shop in Bellevue for a birthday breakfast. To everyone in that place I was a normal mom, sitting happily with her twin sons eating donuts. Except I wasn’t.
I was the mom who was sitting, staring, at two walking, talking, laughing miracles. I was looking at my nine years of tears cried, longing to be a mother. I was looking at what seemed like a crazy promise fulfilled. I was looking at my husbands’ and my face staring back at me, seeing both of our families in the faces of our sons. I sat looking at the most tangible proof I have of a God who hears me, sees me, and answers the deepest longings of my soul.
I LOVE being Kidran’s mom and Cohen’s mom. I love the connection that we have fostered these past four years. I love that they give me their best and throw their worst at me too. I love all the crazy ways they make me laugh and at the same time make me want to pull my hair out. I love that they are big lovers, who lavish me with hugs and cuddles. I love, love, love being their mom. My heart is beyond full as I live in this reality of my dream.
Now though, the vein is beginning to open.
After nine years of infertility, we gave birth to our handsome and healthy twin sons, Kidran J Caleb and Cohen V Ryan. We were one of the “lucky” couples who finally became pregnant. What many of you may not know is that our final round of ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) was so successful that we now have eleven remaining embryos.
We don’t know what our future holds. What I do know is I cannot have potentially eleven or more children. That fact slaps me across the face sometimes. I hate that I do not have the capacity or means to give birth to all these miraculous, potential lives. I hate that I feel stretched to the max being a mother to two incredible, energetic sons. I hate that after years of struggling to finally have our family, we are now wrestling with this additional piece of the heartbreaking puzzle of infertility treatment.
Of course I can see that this is where so many others would long to be. I am not stupid or blind. I see others who cannot produce even one viable embryo and here we are sitting with eleven. I also know that the only option for us and these precious embryos is not something I’m sure I will ever have peace about.
Early on in our treatment we made the decision that if we were fortunate enough to have any embryos left that we could not care for, we would adopt them out. We would not discard them, leave them to science, or not pay the storage so that the holding clinic would end up making a decision regarding their fate. (Yes, people are starting to do this more often because they can’t make a decision either.) We decided that they were lives and we would give them the best chance of a life we could, even if that home was not our own.
This is the part of infertility that I was not prepared for or I guess didn’t anticipate. I have cried so many additional tears about this. I have questioned the capability of the family/lies who may adopt our baby embryos. What if they have a baby like Cohen? Will they put him on meds because he seems to have “too much” energy? Will they see the subtle change in their baby’s smile that is similar to Kidran when he gets excited about something he really loves? Will they fill their house with laughter, patience, creativity? Or will it be strict, rigid, full of hardline rules? The questions are endless, and so is the grief.
When I think of not having these babies, it strikes me as one of the biggest points of grief I will ever experience in my life.
Yet, I had another thought.
Maybe, just maybe, these sweet, unborn lives will be placed with people who have exactly what my babies need because I think at the end of the day I will always feel like they are mine. Maybe we will help answer years of prayers for someone else. Maybe, just maybe, someday I will get to meet them.
I have agonized over this very scenario time and time again. Even as I write these words, my eyes are full, tears waiting to be released, to let the next wave of grief hit me. This choice and choosing it feels impossible. My stomach hurts thinking about it. Years of trying, waiting to now be here.
I know I can’t answer this question right now. Instead, I can work on more of the party favors for the boys Star Wars themed birthday party in two days! They recently had a little family party in Idaho that only wetted their appetite for birthday parties and presents. They are now truly excited for this birthday and that excitement is spreading. I even found Star Wars shirts for Bryan and me to wear! Roll on Monday evening! All things Star Wars, light sabers, and cupcakes! May the force be with you!
After living in Northern Ireland for twelve years, I knew how rare a string of beautiful, sunny days were. This was even more pronounced on the third day of our trip. We woke to glorious sunshine again and pinched ourselves! Could we really be experiencing the first heatwave of early summer? Yes!
While Kelly and Molly put on their walking clothes and took off up the Bush road towards town, a journey I had made so many times before and after having our boys, I got ready for a few coffee catch ups with friends. The first on my list was my sweet, justice loving, bold, and incredibly talented chef of a friend Michelle. She not only is my friend but was also my pastor for many years while we lived in Northern Ireland. Michelle and I could “talk for Ireland” as they say. Whenever we get together it literally feels like a speed chatting session. We rarely breathe, we laugh a great deal, and we go deep fast. I am thankful beyond words for her friendship and sister-like presence in my life over the years. She stood by me as I hit rock bottom within my faith paradigm while we struggled through our infertility journey and allowed me to be where I was. We have had some very honest moments in our friendship but I believe that is how true friendship is forged, or any real relationship for that matter. We didn’t have enough time together but we never do. I am thankful all the same!
Next up was a meeting with my very first adopted teen, Laura. Laura has been a part of our family since the early days. One of the first teens Bryan walked alongside of, she was in my small group for years, she accompanied us on our move back to the States a few years ago to help with the boys, and most recently has become a mummy herself to wee Luke. Laura is a stunning woman. She has a determination and fierce strength that is much older than her years. It was such an honor to see her on this trip home and finally be able to cuddle and love on her little boy. He is so happy and content, thanks to the constant love and security his momma brings him. In a way, Laura was one of the first people to open up the mothering heart inside of me and I’m so thankful for that. She also got lots of practice for her own baby by minding ours!
Once the catch ups were done, we showered, packed a small bag each and hopped into our sweet, loaned car.
The North Coast was calling and we couldn’t wait to answer!
The drive to the coast was filled with chat, laughter, and music. I love driving most days anyway but driving in Northern Ireland has always been more fun to me! The winding roads, the rolling hills, green upon green everywhere you look. Fields dotted by old stone churches, sheep, and hedges made to divide the farmland. It never, ever, gets old. My eyes always want more.
Yet, I also can remember making the drive when my heart had been shattered from failed rounds of ICSI. I remember looking out the window, tears streaming down my face, heart caving in. I wasn’t taking in the surroundings those days. I was merely trying to breathe in and out. There was a strange sense of relief though when we would reach a certain point in the drive where I felt a release. The times on the coast of grieving were defining periods for me and I will never forget them or what they did for my soul.
I was so thankful to be making the trip this time up to our friends, the Millen’s, for such a happy occasion as this. You see, the Millen’s prayed, and prayed, and prayed for us, for me, and for our boys to come into being. They invested in such deep ways. They walked through the valley with us and held us up as we cried. They are a beautiful family unit and it is such a joy to have them in our lives. Knowing that I was going to their new home, in the countryside, that they had built themselves, and was a mere shell when we left, felt somehow significant. They had a sweet, little home closer to downtown Coleraine, but decided to build a bigger family home on some family farmland. Now there other home was amazing! Full of memories, love, and lots of TLC. There was nothing wrong with that house outside of their need for more space for their growing girls. In a way this felt similar to our move back to the states. There was nothing wrong with our lives, but in a way we were growing and needed different space. Although we didn’t think it meant leaving Northern Ireland. So seeing them in their new home was profound. Sometimes we change the decor of our lives, other times we change the actual, physical location. Some changes are harder than others to make. In the end, their move and change was worth it and I believe ours has been too. We are all building new foundations, mapping out new spaces, and it’s good.
We arrived to their house around 3:30 and immediately ate them out of fresh fruit as we had basically been on a buns (sweet treats) and bread diet since we landed! Lol!! We sat down for our first cuppa in their new home and I fell in love all over again with them! Their whole family has such a deep rooted place in our hearts and it shows. Lee once again whipped up an amazing CURRY! Yes! One of my favorite meals she cooks, among many I can assure you. Then we changed our clothes and headed to Hope & Gloria for our event that night. If you have time, go and check it out for yourself! I love the heart behind this venue and everything it is about.
I want to tell you a secret. If I’m honest, I had the most hope for this event to be our biggest. In the end, it turned out to be our smallest; but you know what? It was perfect as it was. There was a small group of us that evening. We sat around a table. We chatted like friends chat. We asked questions, we spoke encouraging words to each other. We thanked one another for being honest, vulnerable, for turning up. I know things were happening in that small meeting. Besides, the quantity should never be the focus, the quality should be. That night, the quality was extremely high. I can see ripples coming out of that evening and I was pleased. I was also thankful for the space, for the opportunity to share, and the way in which it was received. I know that Causeway Coast Vineyard will take it and run with it, serving others who are similarly struggling and will do so with love and compassion.
To end the evening, we all sat up drinking prosecco, eating crisps (chips), and chatting late into the night. I was the first to fall asleep on the couch which made my heart happy. You know you are truly at home somewhere if you fall asleep on their couch. As I made my way downstairs, to the new lower level, the room was pitch black, my head hit the pillow, my mouth turned up into a smile, and I was out.
My pipe dream was really happening!
As a kid, summer time felt slow, warm, sleepy, and fun. As a parent, summer feels fast, hot, sleep deprived, and adventure packed. Anyone else feel stretched over the summer months to cram every, last, second with activity, friends, and more calorific treats than usual? Good, I’m glad I’m not alone!
Due to the quickened pace of summer, longer days, later bedtimes, snack meals instead of sit-down dinner, and fewer naps for the boys and me, I have not been writing much. I enjoy and eventually soak up all that summer has to offer. If I’m honest though, I miss routine at times. I miss downtime, I miss the boys napping so I can take time to process our sweet and simple life. This has become a way for me to be more present here and now. I become more thankful for all that my life holds when I stop and take time to ponder it.
As I watch my boys grow daily I can’t help but recall each of their stages. I have loved every stage so far. By loved I mean, each stage seems better than the one before, and I have found so much joy in them. That doesn’t mean I have been 100% joyful all the time. Come on people, I am no saint. My boys whine, kick, and hit each other, I shout at them to stop (sometimes even in public!), and meal times are still painfully long and a test of my endurance and will.
The days have been flying by and I realized that I am still unpacking the book tour to Northern Ireland. I am a slow processor. So for those of you who have kept up with my blog, bear with me as I go backwards to move forwards.
I have already written a bit about our first day and some of the wonderful family members we have in NI. So I am ready to move on to Day 2! Which is so funny that I am only on Day 2 of a 5 day stay on the island.
Day 2 was packed, but with all the good stuff! We started our morning off with a mindfulness session led by Pete. This was so timely for each Kelly, Molly, and me. We all found so much value in slowing our step, to take time to pause, to think. We even carried a bit of the practice with us during the trip which I will share later.
After quieting ourselves, Julie drove us to one of the newer coffee shops in The Moy. (Side note: If you live locally you would never say “Moy”, only “The Moy”.) Brew coffee shop is run by two lovely friends of ours. They create a sense of community that always draws people in and do everything in excellence. They have incredible business heads, great senses of humor, and are always up for a good chat! If you are in the area, definitely go, you will not regret it!
Once we were fed and watered, we loaded into the car and headed up the M1 to the Big Smoke, Belfast. Ahh Belfast, I have such romantic, nostalgic feelings about you. We had date evenings in Belfast. Birthday hotel stays, always the Christmas market + annual shopping trips, concerts, and much more. Belfast is culturally and historically rich. It was often our destination for celebrating life too. We spent many anniversaries there, writing in our journals, reflecting on the past year. Recently Bryan and I were chatting about sitting in the Europa hotel, listening to classical music being played on the piano, with the World Cup on in the background. While this was happening we sat and cried, reading our journals together. We were pregnant. Finally, after so many years, so many journal entries of not being pregnant. Here we were, so close to the boys arrival, celebrating our life together, our ups and downs, hurts and heartaches, and feeling so beyond seen by God. Neither of us will ever forget that anniversary.
What I loved about being back in Belfast was that it still held the same feelings. I still love the Big Smoke. I loved that I got to show my friends around to some of our favorite sites. We hit up Established Coffee which was new to me but had been on my list to visit before we left. We went to Victoria Square, City Hall, Cathedral Quarter, Avoca, eventually landing at Made in Belfast near the City Hall. I have always loved it! We would go any chance we got and had many dinners with friends there too over the years. The food and drinks are always incredible and they source as much as they can locally which I love!
After having an early dinner (or tea for my NI friends), we headed back down the motorway to Lurgan. That evening I shared at Emmanuel Church and it was a very intimate evening. I had no idea how many people would be willing to come and identify with infertility in such an open way. A small crowd came, including two supportive husbands. I thought it was brave and beautiful for these men to stand alongside their wives that evening, showing the solidarity of their shared experience of infertility. What was also amazing was that my contact for the event just happened to be a woman who had stayed at our house in Dungannon ten years earlier. We hadn’t seen each other for years but we had a depth due to our shared past. This happens so often in Ireland. It’s one of the most enchanting things about living in such a small place.
Two of my NI sisters also came to support me as they had done over the years simply by being one of the first families to accept us. One of the sweetest surprises was having my first mid-wife turn up to the evening. When I saw her I got quite emotional. So many people played big and small roles in our journey through infertility. Having these face to face moments with so many of them to say “thank you”, to hug them tightly, and to look them in the eyes years later was soul enriching.
Again, I am thankful for the opportunity of sharing with the people that night. After each event you could almost feel the atmosphere open up and people would share more. As our good friend Brene′ Brown says, “Vulnerability breeds vulnerability.” Or at least I think it was her! Anyway, it’s good practice in life.
So where can you breed vulnerability in your own life? I am not talking about sharing your deepest, darkest secrets. I am talking about acknowledging that maybe you feel like you don’t fit somewhere. Do you feel inadequate? Share that. I guarantee someone else will say “me too!”
A few days ago I was sitting in a dentist chair having work done on my teeth. As I sat there, a tv screen was playing the news in front of me, the radio was on in the background, the dentist and hygienist were chatting, and then they began drilling.
I felt like my head was going to explode with all the noise, distractions, and bombardment of the senses in one tiny little room! So I closed my eyes, tuned out the tv and radio, started taking deep breaths and focused on the real people in the room and the conversation they were having about why they never wanted to go to India. I could barely keep from interjecting my love of this special country and it’s beautiful people, but the drill in my mouth did it for me.
People often ask if I “miss Northern Ireland?” I say “yes”. Then they ask “why?”
Quite plainly, it’s a simpler place to live and I feel at home there, like my lungs can fill up fully when I breathe. There is less of everything in a good way. Less people, less traffic, less choice, stores are open fewer hours, and my list could go on. It feels like there’s more space, more quiet, more room to breathe. More time to live, to connect with people, to explore. Maybe that’s why it felt easier to write The Heart Wants What the Heart Wants there.
One place where I feel this is at our good friends Pete and Julie’s house (not to mention countless others who always invited us in for a cuppa or tea, creating space for us at their table and in their lives). Peter and Julie are visionaries and pioneers. They see the future and they bring it into being. I love this quality about them. We have had so many life changing conversations with them over the years, and I look forward to that continuing. They have been willing to be uncomfortable to pursue change that will in the long run create space for them to dream, live freely, and help others do the same. When you walk into their house you are not overwhelmed by noise, music, or stimulus. It’s a warm home, quiet, lived in, and usually calm. Neither Pete nor Julie are loud people but if you know them well, they both have a wicked sense of humor. They create incredibly delicious and healthy food, will allow you to fall asleep on their couch, and can go deep if you need/want to.
They are like family to us and have been for years.
I am so beyond thankful that on my recent visit back for the book tour we were able to stay at their house for our few Dungannon days. They live a spacious life and help others too as well. While staying at their house we had the privilege of taking in a mindfulness training session with Pete that is still bringing about personal transformation in me and my friends since arriving back home. Their friendship and what they teach us is something that we will always treasure. It’s true and beautiful.
Now going back to the noise of that dentist chair.
I have been seeking out ways of living a more quiet, peaceful life. In many ways it felt easier to do this in Northern Ireland. Yet I am determined to create this way of living here, now. Some of this means doing less, seeing fewer people, not turning music on in the car, carefully choosing the podcasts I listen to, and overall taking mini breaks from social media.
I listened to a Rob Bell podcast recently where he talked about “you listening to you”. So much of what he said rang true to where I currently find myself. I am trying to silence the voices so that I can find out what my own voice sounds like as well as the voice of God. I find both our voices usually whisper an invitation, they don’t come cranking out at top volume like the latest pop single on the radio. In order for me to hear these two very key voices, I need silence.
One thing that has been helping tremendously is my new favorite podcast. Thank you Emily P. Freeman for your wonderful work at The Next Right Thing. Your work is so valuable for those of us with decision fatigue, who are longing for space and room to live, move, and breath in the being God created us to be. As well as this shorter than short podcast (which makes it more poignant) I am writing more in my journal, lighting a candle often in the mornings, and simply trying to take deeper breaths. These are things that I did regularly in Ireland, but also felt easier to do there. However, I want to learn to cultivate these and other practices in this new space and time we live in. Busy with work schedules, fun and demanding children, and daily living, these things will be what creates that margin in my day to day that is so vital.
Do you need some space? Do you need some silence? If so, give it to yourself. You will find yourself in those moments and let’s be honest, that’s probably what you are looking for anyway.

domain: literature


Kevin Stokes will once again be presenting three hours of the usual culprits, forgotten classics, and hidden treasures!
But they're not his choices. It's over to you. Do you want to hear some Mariah? Slade maybe? Something new? Or a Christmas song that not enough people know about?
Let us know below what you want to hear on Express Christmas Requests.
Tune in to Kevin Stokes to hear the tunes you've chosen Friday 23rd December at 10pm and on Christmas Day Morning at 10am!


text:
Campaign launched to reduce suicides among middle aged men in Rotherham
A new campaign has been launched aimed at tackling suicide rates among men in Rotherham.
A joint scheme between Rotherham Council, South Yorkshire Police, NHS Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group and Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, the suicide prevention campaign is an attempt to encourage men to speak about issues troubling them.
It is specifically aimed at middle aged males, as nationally men aged 45 to 59 had the highest suicide rate in 2014 for the second year in a row - a trend which campaign leaders say is also reflected in Rotherham.
In addition, Rotherham Samaritans takes about 14,000 calls every year from people who are having suicidal thoughts or having mental health problems.
Campaign materials carrying the ‘Don’t let silence kill you’ message are being distributed across the borough using various print and online channels to help maximise the reach. In addition there will also be a drive to encourage friends and family to spot the warning signs and to speak out about their concerns.
Councillor David Roche, the council’s cabinet member for public health, said: ”We know that the majority of men who take their own lives aren’t known to mental health services so we are encouraging anyone who is having suicidal thoughts or feeling the pressure to talk to someone before it is too late.”

domain: medical


text:
Used fundamentally to reduce the risk of cardiovascular dieses, control high blood pressure and hypertension, garlic was widely cultivated around the world. As its popularity grew as a spice, its culinary usage also increased. Kausar’s Garlic Powder can be used to create a spice rub for all kinds of meat and in marinades to add a spicy-sweet flavor. It can also be used when making homemade garlic butter or when sprinkled over pasta, pizza or simply bread, it creates magic.
- 500-750 gms cubes of Chicken / Goat / Cow Liver
- 1 tbsp Kausar Ginger Paste
- 2 tbsp Kausar Garlic Paste
- 1/2 cup Ghee / Butter
- 1 packet Kausar Liver Curry masala

domain: food


text:
Did you know it was this easy to make peanut butter at home??
Alton Brown likes peanut Butter….a lot! In fact he loves it so much that he couldn’t stop eating it while making this video, so they had to subtitle it! But he doesn’t just go to the supermarket and buy ready-made peanut butter, ooh no, he makes it himself and improves upon it. In this quick and easy tutorial, he dishes out good advice on how to make it taste better, and even add things like chile oil or chocolate to make it stand out. So what are you waiting for? Start buttering up today!


text:
Kira is an affectionate and Bernese mix who loves going for walks, being outdoors, and playing with other dogs. Although she is initially timid, she quite enjoys meeting and getting pets from most people – she is a bit leery of strange men at the moment. Kira is house-trained, crate-trained, and knows several commands. She should not be left uncrated as she can get into mischief. She is learning leash manners and greeting etiquette. Kira came to us pregnant and will not be available for adoption for few months.
Adoption fee: $550

domain: pet


text:
That’s bad news for homebuyers struggling to enter the housing market. fha loans are targeted for the higher-risk market, offering low 3.5% down payments to homebuyers with FICO scores of at least 580.
In Ukiah, the loan limit for a conventional loan is $484,350. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) – These are often used by first-time homebuyers. They require low down payments and offer competitive.
not the FHA. However, a low mortgage interest rate and small-down-payment loan backed by the FHA do come at a cost. Borrowers with FHA-backed loans pay mortgage insurance premiums " an upfront payment.
That can be especially important when mortgage interest rates are still relatively low. In fact. on their credit score. However, FHA mortgage insurance is required for all FHA loans, regardless of.
For most people, low down payment home loan options include conventional loans with private MI and government-backed loans like those offered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). While.
That’s a big factor when deciding to go with an FHA-insured mortgage. Mortgage insurance protects the lender from borrower defaults, so it’s an additional price you pay for a low-down-payment FHA.
FHA loans have a minium down payment requirement as low as 3.5%. This amount excludes any closing costs, as closing cost payments may not be counted as part of the downpayment: Closing costs (non-recurring closing costs, pre-paid expenses, and discount points) may not be used to help meet the borrower’s minimum required investment.
Fha Approved Lenders CalHFA Approved Lenders – Search for a calhfa-approved lender. academy mortgage 995 tharp ROAD, ste. academy mortgage 2998 douglas BLVD. ACADEMY MORTGAGE 7485 north palm ave., ste. 105 alameda mortgage CO. 1850 MT.Fha Approved Condos Chicago Applying For A Hud Home Loan what are the qualifications to buy a hud home. How much $ down on average? Find answers to this and many other questions on Trulia Voices, a community for you to find and share local information. Get answers, and share your insights and experience.FHA-Approved Condos are communities that have already been certified for use with an FHA Loan in Illinois. Choose one of the 114 cities in Illinois or 13 counties in Alabama with fha approved condominiums. The cities in Illinois with the most FHA condos are Chicago, Aurora, and Schaumburg. Learn more about FHA condominiums.
Conventional loans are the loan products most often issued by lenders. Jonathan Lawless, vice president for product development and affordable housing at Fannie Mae, says today’s low-down-payment FHA.
Qualified borrowers can make down payments as low as 3 percent with private mortgage insurance, or PMI. For most borrowers, PMI costs less than FHA mortgage insurance. But PMI has stricter credit.
Sometimes an FHA backed mortgage is the best option, but many lenders are offering low down payment conventional mortgages." Homebuyers may be missing their chance to purchase a home because.
FHA Loans (Low Down Payment Home Loan) Getting a mortgage used to require large down payments and good credit, most Americans couldn’t buy. The Federal Housing Administration was created in 1934 to encourage homeownership by reducing the requirements to get a mortgage loan.

domain: finance


text:
A 26-year-old man has admitted being concerned in the offer to supply drugs.
Neil Emmett Deery, of Glenabbey Gardens, pleaded guilty to being concerned in an offer to supply cannabis on November 9, 2013.
Sentencing was adjourned for a probation pre-sentence report to be compiled.
Derry Crown Court heard the 26-year-old has six previous drug convictions.
Deery was released on bail with conditions including a curfew. He will appear in court again on March 18.

domain: news


text:
Many a times, audiences who invest their time, energy and emotions in a show, feel cheated due to such abrupt changes. But in many cases, they couldn’t care less. All too often, the actors who come as replacements try to reflect the mannerisms of their predecessors in an attempt to fit into their shoes, but gradually incorporate their own idiosyncrasies.
It wouldn’t be wrong to term actor Hiten Tejwani as a ‘replacement expert’. A while ago, he replaced Rajput to play the role of Manav in Pavitra Rishta. Tejwani feels that if he fits the bill and the audience accepts him, his job as an actor is done. After all, like they say, the show must go on.

domain: entertainment


text:
Gleason, Robert (Class of 1954, faculty), August 10, 1995
Scope and Contents
2 audio cassette tapes containing interview with Robert W. Gleason, Middlebury College Class of 1954 and Professor of Chemistry, conducted by Allison Kirk. Gleason discusses college counseling; how he got the job; Painter hall; Warner science hall; Physics department; gender segregation at Middlebury; fraternities; Alpha sigma psi; social structure; fraternities discrimination; sororities; faculty relations; open faculty student relations; student activities; deciding his career in medicine; Grant Harnest; Doctural candidate at MIT; Chemistry department; grant proposals; research programs; jobs for Chemistry majors; becoming department chairman; becoming division chairman; President Armstrong; Dean of Science; Bruce Peterson; balancing being dean of faculty and teaching; Donald Ballou; faculty administration issues; Olin Robison; politics; President staff meetings; Steve Rockefeller; Alpha Sigma Psi drug use; recruiting minority students; student's personal issues; and what makes Middlebury special.
- Creation: August 10, 1995
Language of Materials
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research without restriction.
Biographical / Historical
Robert W. Gleason (1932-) was born to Isaac Willard Gleason and Fraces Elizabeth (Henderson) in Santiago, Chile, and graduated from Middlebury College in 1954. He served as Middlebury College Professor of Chemistry from 1960 to 1994, Dean of Sciences from 1982 to 1984, and Dean of Faculty from 1984 to 1988. Gleason married Betsy Brown Heath in 1958 and they had three children: Nancy Lowd, Amy Brown, and Mark Heath.
From the Collection: 147+ Objects
2 audio cassettes
Assigned identifier: a13af19950810-01

domain: library


text:
Ideas & Inspiration
Wedding Entertainment in Cambridgeshire
3 minute Live Speedy Caricatures - The Perfect Ice Breaker! Hilarious, Kind & Loved by All. Caricatures are just what your reception is looking for.
Close Up Magic - for walkabout entertainment during drinks, and Close Up Table Magic - entertaining throughout the wedding breakfast. I also offer a finale performance for everyone.
We help wedding couples create their First Dance; a special moment to share with their family and friends.
Event34 provide games and equipment hire. Our range includes magic selfie mirror, fun fair stalls, crazy golf, giant games or sports tables. Let us help create your perfect entertainment experience.
Two very different styles of photo booth, both built with weddings in mind and two things in common: fantastic image quality and a unique photo booth experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Wayne Goodman is an award winning wedding magician. East Anglian Best Wedding Entertainment Wedding Industry Awards. 2013 - 2014 - 2015
Fun4Events owns and operates a massive selection of indoor games, funfair stalls, outdoor activities all designed to give your guests the time of their lives.
Entertaina is the UK's one-stop entertainment booking site that saves you time and money.
HelloBoothy is a Photo Booth Agency which provides services to both Private & Corporate markets.
Pro Pose Entertainment
Photobooth specialists covering Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire and home to our very own Vintage Photobooth.
Dockerills Entertainment is an event and entertainment business which offers Photo booths, silent discos, light display boards and British post boxes for hire.
The Maltings, alongside the Cathedral, is arguably one of the City’s distinguishing landmarks, set in the beautiful surroundings of Ely riverside, with stunning views over the river Ouse and Marina.
Bouncy Castles,Disco,DJ's,Chocolate Fountain,Popcorn,Candyfloss all available for hire...why not combine them to make your event that little bit special
Chocolate Fountains Hire
Affordable Elegance For Your Event.
Love Candy Floss
Wedding Entertainment and Catering Services. | Dessert Carts| Fun Catering | Entertainers / Performers | Photo Booths, Casinos | Street Food and more...
Ely Ballroom for your Wedding Dance - Let us create that special wedding first dance to a song of your choice, eliminate the stress and make it look unforgettable for you and all your guests.
Grey Goose Archery
Couples often struggle to find ways to keep wedding guests entertained while the official photographs are being taken.
Grey Goose Axe Throwing
Whether you’re organising a party, private event, or your wedding day entertainment we’ve got axes for you.


text:
Steven Singer: Like during that 1995 gathering, today’s media was quick to frame the narrative in a way that silenced legitimate black concerns while benefiting White America.
Cheryl Dorsey: Since the District’s powerful administrators could not quiet me, I was sent to what most in the district refer to as “teacher jail” or in my case “investigator jail” and an LAPD-style task force was convened.
Kevin B. Anderson: Unprecedented character of Gaza massacre of March 30 shows utter depravity of Israeli government, but will not be able to break will of the Palestinian people.
Sharon Kyle: Most of us would consider it immoral or even criminal to withhold a life-saving drug merely to extract a profit. So why do American taxpayers support this practice?

domain: sociology


text: Meg begins to make sense of her history when she reads an account of her Russian grandfather's childhood. Fourteen year old Alexis' life is devastated when gunmen execute his parents and siblings on their estate in Tashkent, from which he flees by train in 1904. She is entranced by his story, which includes a friendship with Benjamin Britten and a tale attached to Constable s painting, Chain Pier, Brighton. When Meg begins to write later in her life, her warm, spirited voice tells a story which will resonate with anyone who has felt strangely alone within their own family. Spanning the 20th century The Sound of Turquoise challenges our perceptions of love and loss. This is a remarkable work of life writing that leads us to explore our ancestry in order to understand the ways in which the past continues to haunt and shape our lives in the present.


US Air Force spends $1.2B to replace its Cold War-era E-3 Sentry AWACS fleet.
This post comes from Interesting Engineering. “According to an official press release, Boeing has been awarded a $1.2 billion contract by the US Air Force to develop new variants of the company’s E-7 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to replace America’s Cold War fleet of 31 E-3 “Sentry” AWACS early warning aircraft.
The E-3 “Sentry,” based on the Boeing 707, entered service in 1977 and became part of the air fleets of the United States, Britain, France, NATO, and others during the Cold War, serving as flying observation and air command centers to detect hostile aircraft, with each Sentry able to monitor air traffic over an area the size of Poland.” Click here to read the rest of this article.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.


L.D Engineering has excess of 16 years working experience in the designing & manufacturing of Pressure vessels, R O Plant, ETP, STP, Heat exchanger & all type fabrication works as per client need.Designing and manufacturing as per International standard design codes.
We are designing and manufacturing Pressure vessel & Heat Exchanger as per international standard design code:
ASME Section –VIII, Div. I,
We are having skilled personals to design the Equipment as per client’s requirement. Our manufactured equipments are undergoing for 3rd party inspection. After purchasing the raw material along with relevant Test certificates, we check up the procured material at our end before fabrication of equipments. We shall submit Radiography Testing, ‘X’ Ray welding Certificates as per requirement of our clients. We never compromise in quality of our products at any stage.
Apart from the above, we are pioneer in the field of manufacturing of Water Treatment Equipments on cost based but superior in quality in the construction of material like S.S., M.S., and M.S.R.L.
OUR COMMITEMENT :
We know a value of our commitment. We always transfer our commitment into reality.
CAPABILITIES TO CREATE :
L.D Engineering has open mind when facing each new challenge and trying to push the boundaries.
OUR COMMUNITIES :
We work for our communities.
|Business Type :
||Manufacturer / Exporters / Wholesale Suppliers
|Year of Estd :
|Company Turnover :
||Rs. 0.5 to 2.5 Crore Approx.
|Business Markets :


text:
Fire Face Corporation (studio)
08 November 2016 (released)
01 December 2016
As film making many years ago embarked on the Art House road, so did games not so long ago. Back in the late 2000’s games like Braid, Limbo and Journey deliver heart felt narratives and inspiring gameplay that interlinked with the story. Now days we get many developers tackling deeper subject matters with surreal, obscure and just plain bizarre aesthetics.
Small Radios, Big Televisions is an indie developed title where players control a nameless and faceless being that oversees and traverses across different locations. These locations resemble abandoned settlements, factories and laboratories which hold many secrets and overall a great mystery. As the being, you must explore these different complexes in order to discover cassette tapes (for younger readers, a 80’s version of MP3 file) to progress further.
The concept is peculiar yet very captivating. Once players acquire these cassette tapes; they can view certain memories from wondering through a forest to riding a train in a continuous loop where melodic tones bless your ears. During these segments you must locate and take small green orbs that unlock certain doors in the complex, allowing you to explore further. This makes up 80% of the game as you explore, find tapes and retrace memories to find keys and progress until you've explored the whole complex.
Other puzzle elements include using a magnetising device to alter the tapes and thus alter the memories to become even more surreal and distorted. But these alterations help to mold and shape the landscapes into something new and find more green orbs as a result. This generally makes up the puzzle aspect of the game with some smaller valve puzzles in one particular level of the game. This idea of watching tapes and altering them is fascinating yet at the same time it’s under played in execution. You can't do anything else other than rotate the camera and discover the key or just to use another magnetising device to alter the tape and find another key.
It would have been nice to have different types of puzzles in the tapes, like finding door codes or just altering the memories themselves to change something the world outside the tapes. The nature of diving into the tapes or altering them is repetitive after the first few stages and it’s a shame as the memories themselves are visually stunning and interesting in many respects.
But the sense of exploration, discovering new paths and finding secrets did keep me invested after my first run of the game. I was drawn back by learning how I missed certain items along the way and the need to go and find them was compelling. I wouldn’t say the narrative really drew me as much as the gameplay, seeing as its very obscure and minimal in execution. It felt more like a gathering of philosophical thoughts on life with hints of the Dooms day scenario aftermath that never gets resolved. But instead you see an eye melting acid trip of an ending that resembles homage to 2001: A space Odyssey. It's more of an emotional experience compared to other indie titles such as Inside.
Overall, expect about 3 - 4 hours on total to complete with some gripping replay value once you finished the game (if you've not found everything first time). Small Radios, Big Televisions does well to engage us with a cool concept that sadly not executed well enough to make it shine through so many others like it. It’s a mesmerising and beautiful game that will keep keen puzzle geeks happy. The journey is fascinating and the exploration of these deserted complexes is very engaging. The aspect of diving into memories through tapes is again interesting but underplayed and a missed chance for something truly dynamic.
I hope that a sequel or spiritual sequel comes from this and we get to see an expansion on mechanics and gameplay.
A PS4 copy of Small Radios Big Televisions was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review

domain: game


text:
Written by Phil Brown. badger Bushcraft Monday, 07 March 2011 07:51
Gammon is one of my favourite pieces of meat and I have been looking at new methods of cooking it for a long time. So it was a pleasure to discover a new product that might help me achieve what could become a new glaze to add to an already favourite dish!
Finding HP Guinness sauce was too good an excuse not to have a play in the kitchen! I have always been a big fan of HP and it would be my choice of accompaniment to cheese on toast made with some exceptionally mature cheddar and homemade crusty bread. Having tried the sauce neat, by the spoonful, I had the notion to glaze a joint of gammon cooked in apple juice or cider with the tangy yet sweet HP Guinness sauce.
Now whilst this might not quite fit into the "Wild Food" section of the Badger Bushcraft Blog I thought it would be a nice addition at this stage. Perhaps we need to think about adding a "Just Cooking" or a "Campfire and Backwoods Cookery" section to the blog as the Badger Bushcraft Blog continues to develop?
I have always initially boiled gammon in water, discarded the water and then replaced this with the apple juice or cider, this time I thought it might be interesting to bring the gammon joint to the boil in the apple juice and then use the stock to make a soup with the left over roasted vegetables from this Sundays dinner.
Ingredients I used were:-
- 1 x 750g gammon joint
- 1 litre of apple juice
- 3 fresh bay leaves from the garden
- 2 shallots
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves of smoked garlic
- 1 small handful of whole black peppercorns
- 1 small hand full of whole cloves
- HP Guinness Sauce
- Soft dark brown sugar
I firstly brought the gammon to the boil in the apple juice, cider would work equally as well, and then added the shallots that were pierced with the whole cloves. To this I also added the bay leaves, whole cloves of smoked garlic and the black peppercorns.
I carefully boiled the gammon in the apple flavoured stock for 35 minutes skimming the froth from the surface every once in a while. The large onion I popped into the pan to boil for the last 10 minutes not really for any other purpose than to save some energy and for it to soften so I could add it to the soup I wanted to make with the remaining liquor.
With the boiled gammon placed fat side up on a roasting tray, the fat scored in the traditional diamond pattern and with a whole clove in every diamond it was time for basting. I mixed an exceptionally large “daffy” of the HP Guinness sauce with the strained apple juice liquor to a ratio of approximately 4 parts HP Guinness sauce to 1 part apple juice liquor finally mixing in enough soft dark brown sugar for the concoction to thicken.
I then covered the gammon joint with the experimental HP Guinness glaze into a preheated oven set to 200 degrees C for 40 minutes. Every once in a while I would baste the meat with the glaze ensuring an even coverage.
Suffice to say the “Badgered Gammon” is a great success! The meat was cooked to perfection and absorbed the subtle flavours of the apples and spices before the wonderful, sticky, tangy Guinness glaze worked its magic. I’m sure as the meat cools and sits for the night in the coolness of the fridge it will only get better.
I removed all the shallots and onion with a straining spoon from the remaining apple juice stock so I could take out the whole cloves and peppercorns before adding the remainder of the roast Sunday vegetables, which were excellent quality and purchased from friend and neighbour Helen Missing at The Pluckley Farm Shop which is open on a Sunday and just a short distance from our home in Kent. These included:-
- Sweet potato
- Smoked Garlic
This was then brought to the boil and simmered for twenty minutes before being blitzed through the blender and then being chilled for tomorrow’s lunch.
Why not try Guinness Badgered Gammon for yourselves and do let us know what you think of our recipe? I can't wait to try cooking this "backwoods style" - over a camp fire with the final roasting taking place in a Dutch oven covered with embers from the fire!
As a footnote I think it only right to mention that with ever increasing pressure on Mother Earth I feel that it is so very important not to waste anything wherever possible. The apple juice and left over vegetables have produced a stunning soup and effectively cost nothing to make! So some tasty food for free!
Further information about HP Sauces can be found on here on the Heinz website


text:
Main street shopping for gifts and collectibles, guided walleye fishing charters, full service marinas, sport fishing resorts and state park camping are just a few of the enjoyments available in Marblehead, Ohio.
The most productive fish spawning in the Great Lakes makes the Western basin of Lake Erie and the Marblehead peninsula a popular choice destination for
serious and hobbiest anglers alike.
A visit to the Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest continously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes, should be a must on your to do list as well as a fresh
lake perch or award winning chili dinner at one of Marblehead's great restaurants.
Just minutes from Port Clinton, Marblehead is home to exciting attractions that include a dinosaur forest and mystery hill.
Motels as well as bed and breakfasts, campgrounds and cottage rentals are available for lodging while visiting the Marblehead
Penisula on Lake Erie.
Nestled along the Lake Erie shoreline in Marblehead is the historic, gated community of Lakeside where you can enjoy waterfront concerts, lectures and relaxation on the pier.
Methodist faith roots the charming community of Lakeside in traditional Christian values. Swimming, shuffleboard, tennis, art classes and family
entertainment combined with fellowship and worship services make Lakeside the Lake Erie destination of choice for relaxation and renewal.
The Lakeside Association's summer calendar is packed with events for your enjoyment including the Women's Club Tour of Homes and the Lakeside symphony Candelight Showcase. Lakeside offers special events and
nightly entertainment throughout the summer held at Hoover Auditorium
while art classes are available at The Rhein Center for the Living
Arts. Children visiting Lakeside will enjoy becoming members of the God Squad or Comedy Improv Troupe.
Lakeside has a wide variety of choices for overnight accomodations including dormitory housing for large groups, hotels, cottages, cabins and guest houses as well as a Lakeside campground. You might also rent a golf cart or bicycle while touring Lakeside or enjoy some award winning
pizza at a Lakeside restaurant.

domain: geography


I believe ALL Tundra V8 Models years 2000 thru 2005 have the oil filters in the same location. Therefore it is located on the drivers side front bottom of the engine. It cannot be seen without removing a very simple Plastic(4X2) or Metal(4X4) skid plate. Once the skid plate is removed (8-9 12mm bolts and two plastic push-pull buttons then slide toward the rear to unhook "watch your head") the filter it very visible and accessible. Remember when changing oil filters DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN!!! once the new rubber gasket makes contact with its seat only turn 1/2 to 3/4 turn more and never use a wrench. Good Luck!
The 2005 Toyota Tundra has a V6 engine.
The 2005 Toyota Tundra has 24 valves.
The 2005 Toyota Tundra is a gas-powered vehicle.
The 2005 Toyota Tundra has a 6-speed manual.
6.5 quarts with oil filter replacement
The starter is located under the engine manifold.
Yes Toyota makes the tundra model
The 2005 Toyota Tundra has double overhead cam (DOHC).
The 2005 Toyota Tundra runs on regular unleaded.
The height of the 2005 Toyota Tundra is 5 ft. 10.5 in. (70.5 in.).
The 2005 Toyota Tundra is 18 ft. 2.3 in. (218.3 in.) long.
2005 tundra have clean cabin filter where is it
how do you reset the check engine light on a 2005 Toyota tundra
The drivetrain warranty of the 2005 Toyota Tundra is 5 yr./ 60000 mi..
The 2005 Toyota Tundra has a 10 ft. 8.3 in. (128.3 in.) wheel base.
The ground clearance of the 2005 Toyota Tundra is 0 ft. 10.4 in. (10.4 in.).
The front track of the 2005 Toyota Tundra is 5 ft. 6.2 in. (66.2 in.).
The 2005 Toyota Tundra has a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty.
The 2005 Toyota Tundra has a 4.0 L base engine size.
The rear track of the 2005 Toyota Tundra is 5 ft. 4.9 in. (64.9 in.).
What is the towing capacity of a 2005-06 Toyota Tundra with the 4.7L engine?
The gas tank on the 2005 Toyota Tundra holds 26.4 gal..
It is located within the fuel tank with the fuel pump.
The 2005 Toyota Tundra is 6 ft. 3.2 in. (75.2 in.)12V front power outlet(s) wide.
Under the Air Filter housing.


2015-2018 Mustang Front 15” Brembo Racing Big Brake Kit – Wide annulus
Get Mega stopping power for your 2015+ Mustang. These brakes are not for the faint of heart. This big brake kit is 1 stop below the GT4 Mustang brakes. The only difference is the 4-piston caliper vs 6-piston caliper on the GT4 Mustang.
BREMBO RACING 15” (380mm) BRAKE KIT -FRONT
- Brembo 4-Piston Front Brake Calipers (38mm/42mm Pistons)
- Brembo 380x34mm Front Rotors (65mm wide face)
- Caliper Mounting Brackets (S550)
- Associated Hardware
Due to the various brake pad friction materials available for these brakes, we do not include them in the kits. They are available separately. We recommend PFC.7772.03.28.34 brake pads.


Komorebi for Violin and Vibraphone - 8 Min.; Vibra 4 Schlägel + 2 Bögen; schwer
This work is published for study and performance. The performance set includes a saddle-stitched performance score book for reference and two loose-leaf parts for the performers.
About the work:
Komorebi’s sustained violin harmonics mix with the glow of a repeated three-note vibraphone figure that gently pushes the piece along. Soaring, patiently held violin lines dominate the first half of the piece, punctuated with aching glissandi descents. The second half of the work is a wander through a dream-like senza misura passage, with sonorities intermingling as the vibraphone’s elastic, rolling gestures and bowed keys converse with the violin’s harmonic tremolos and delicately expressive statements.


text:
Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that bring me joy - and that’s a classic bowl of spaghetti and vegan lentil meatballs.
The difference here is that we’re using lentils as our main ingredients, making this an affordable, delicious dinner dish to have any time of the year.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- We’re working with just 11 ingredients, all of which are affordable and relatively easy to find. This includes lentils, spices, tomato paste, and mushrooms.
- It’s a versatile recipe that can be served with a variety of sides, sandwiches, and soups.
- This recipe uses minimal oil, no sugar, or overly processed ingredients.
I wanted to keep the same flavors I grew up with when having Italian-style meatballs. So, for this recipe, I decided to use some familiar ingredients including Italian seasonings, tomato paste, and toasted fennel seeds.
If you love a bit of heat, you may also choose to add red chili flakes.
Additionally, I’ve included 3 cooking methods in this recipe, depending on your preferences: air-fry, oven-cooked, and pan-fried.
What To Eat With Lentil Meatballs
This dish is a considerable protein source that doesn’t only have to be added to pasta.
One of my favorite ways to serve veggie meatballs is on a bed of white rice or yellow rice (probably the Puerto Rican side of me).
To make it kid-friendly, vegan mac and cheese is also a great side dish to include.
How To Make These Veggie Balls Oil-Free
This recipe uses minimal oil - just 1 tablespoon to be exact. However, it’s completely doable to make this recipe oil-free.
In step 2 in the recipe card, you’ll find that is where oil is used. To skip the oil, cook the chopped mushroom and onion in a bit of water instead. About 1 tablespoons worth.
Additionally, you’ll want to use a non-stick skillet or wok to prevent the ingredients from sticking.
Using a non-stick spray is also a great alternative to oil.
What Are Vegan Meatballs Made Of
Vegan meatballs can be made from a variety of plant-based ingredients including mushrooms, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, spices, tofu, TVP (textured vegetable protein), or tempeh.
For this recipe, we’re using lentils and mushrooms as our vegan “meaty” base.
We’ll also be using Italian spices and flavors to bring these meatless balls to life!
How To Keep Veggie Meatballs from Falling Apart
Veggie meatballs need a dry and wet binder in order to create a stable ball.
We’re using homemade oat flour along with tomato paste to help bind these lentil meatballs.
Moreover, we need to make sure they are not too wet and not too dry. Otherwise, they’ll either fall apart or worse, feel like complete mush.
During the shaping process, the vegan meatballs will feel slightly mushy, but as they brown (either from the air-fryer, stove-top, or oven), they will firm up.
Allowing them to cool off post-cook will also help the lentil meatballs’ texture stabilize.
How To Store
Tried out this Vegan Lentil Meatballs recipe?
Vegan Lentil "Meatballs"
- 1 cup green lentils
- 2 ½ cups salted water use 1 teaspoon of salt for salted water or use broth instead
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces mushroom caps chopped
- 1 cup red onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire suace make sure it's vegan
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds toasted, see notes
- 1 cup oat flour see notes
- In a large mixing bowl, add the lentils and smash the pieces. Next, add the mushroom, onion, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and oat flour. Combine well and allow the mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes to cool off and for the oat flour to absorb the moisture.
- Using your hands, scoop one small handful of the mixture, about the size of a golf ball. Repeat until the entire mixture has been shaped. This should yield about 35-38 meatless balls.
- To cook in an air-fryer, cook for 10 minutes at 450 degrees F. To cook in an oven, bake for about 30 minutes at 400 degrees F. To cook on the stovetop, pour some oil into a non-stick pan and fry the lentil meatballs on all sides until browned and firm.
- Gently toss or top with pasta sauce, or serve as-is.
- When shaping the mixture into meatless lentil balls, they will be slightly sticky. That is okay, but it should be dry enough to mold into balls. If the mixture is too wet to shape, add more oat flour.
- To make oat flour, simply pour old-fashioned oats into a blender and blend until flour-like.
- Common mushrooms, mushroom caps, Bella mushrooms, or portobello mushrooms can be used in this recipe.
- Most fennel seeds are sold already toasted. If they are bright green, they are not toasted. Toasted fennel seeds will have a pale green or brown color to them. To toast them, simply heat them in a dry, non-stick pan for a few minutes.
- Store in the refrigerator in an air-tight container or reusable silicone bag for up to 4 days.


text:
We’re making steady progress with the trailer with significant updates since the last blog post.
Two of the three window frames have now been fitted.
Additionally, we have added the metalwork to support the Awning which will sit above the windows.
On the inside, large steel plates have also been added…
On the outside we have made progress with the aluminium moulding around the top of the skirting. A prototype has been made to fit and a series of 2m lengths are now being produced to go all the way round the trailer.
There are a number of other developments. More on them later!!!

domain: design


text:
When you want to development a custom made t-tshirt, you ought to be positive which you can get the design and style ideal. The setting hue of a tank top can produce a positive change in the design of the finished product. An experienced musician will realize how to picture the style and design will look like with a top, and they’re going to know how to operate the coloration background and scheme to make the pattern as interesting as it can be. People who do not have this kind of experience often jump in the pattern process without the need of considering the makeup with the bit.
When you discover a custom made who are able to work with you, on your tailor made capital t-clothing, you’ll be able to check out their portfolio on Behance. Here, you will notice that which musicians have designed, and you can now even call them for the price. It’s also possible to look for developers on preferred independent systems for instance Upwork and Freelancer. Internet websites are excellent destinations to find a superior testosterone levels-tee shirt custom with a collection you are able to check out look. You could make use of a custom made immediately once you see their job.
If you adored this post and you would like to get more facts concerning https://www.thestitchnprintstore.com/new-york-city-custom-tshirt-printing-and-embroidery kindly see our web page.
As you seek to engage a big t-shirt custom made, understand that only a few organizations are created equal. Its not all have the samequality and pace, and customer care, so it’s vital to do some research before choosing an agency. It is worth the further hard work to be certain the design is really what you would like, although it might not help you get nights to consider a layout. You will end up surprised by simply how much variation celebrate if you’ve already made an authentic layout!
When looking for a testosterone-shirt custom, remember to consider Behance. Here, you could read through lots of creators’ portfolios. Beyond this concept, it is possible to call them for a offer. If you’re issues finding someone, you can check out free lance cpa networks including Freelancer and Upwork. If they have got completed other jobs similar to your own, there, it is possible to review their stock portfolio and find out. Alternatively, you can hire a designer then and there and get them to develop assembling your project.
Together with these web sites, you may also consider T-shirtMaker Marketplace. You may search 1000s of before-active styles downloaded by unbiased developers and tailor-make them to meet your needs. Additionally you can locate a made to order capital t-shirt design online of the capital t-shirt company. It is critical to find the style and size of your respective design. Select the material.
A testosterone levels-tee shirt company is the first thing when you will decide to begin with a custom made testosterone levels-shirt company, even if there is a custom made big t-tshirt style to suit your message. You must do your research and look out those reviews. A superb testosterone-tshirt company should possess a good reputation and also be reactive to your wants. A lot more expert you happen to be, the higher quality. You should come with an excellent the appearance of your to-top, and you simply are able to think it is for a industry.
You need to a custom big t-shirt layout, think about the supplies as well as design and style. Pick a material that suits your audience. You should buy a capital t-tank top having atext and custom logo. Otherwise, some other pattern that matches your company. There are many reasons to like made to order testosterone-top making. Additionally it is a powerful way to propagate your concept to fellow workers and associates. It is also an incredible way for you to find more website visitors to know you.
Once you’ve opted for the appearance of your personalized testosterone levels-tshirt, you’ll need to make an amazing graphic. You should use your laptop to create the paintings and include it into a design market. In this way, you’ll be able to look for a pattern to suit your personal style and information. You could make use of a artist for making your customized capital t-tee shirt.
Selecting the right style and design is essential to ensuring you’ll have a fantastic testosterone levels-tshirt layout if you are unsure of your graphics competencies. When you are creating a tank top for an occasion, you’ll want to look at what size your target audience will likely be. Ideally, everybody will use an alternative style and design. It’ll only search odd and can not work for a team should the design is too smaller. The planning looks i’ll-installing.
If you have any sort of concerns concerning where and ways to use new york city custom tshirt printing and Embroidery, you can contact us at our own website.
Continue your pursuit for more associated blog posts:


text:
Written by Rebecca Cobb
Lovereading4kids Price £5.59
£6.99 saving £1.40 (20%)
Please login (or signup) to download the extract
You will need to Sign Up or Login before you can download a book extract.
To Sign Up all you need to do is give us your email address and a password and let us know the types of books you like. Thank you.
The Lovereading4Kids comment
Winner of the Waterstones Best Children's Picture Book 2013 and Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2013
Acclaimed new illustrator Rebecca Cobb injects the unexpected into this pleasingly imaginative and un-preachy story about a little girl who doesn’t want to eat her lunch. Staring glumly at what is on offer, the little girl finds herself joined by a bear, a crocodile and a wolf. Luckily, they are all very hungry! Attractive simple illustrations capture this story of food, friendship and the unexpected.
Lunchtime by Rebecca Cobb
It's lunchtime for one little girl, but she's just not hungry. A visiting crocodile, bear and wolf, however, are starving. It's just as well that children taste revolting!
A beautifully illustrated tale of food, friendship and fun.
Click here to download 2 Lunchtime Activity Sheets!
About the Author
Interest Age: 3
More books by Rebecca Cobb
Macmillan Children's Books an imprint of Pan Macmillan
31st January 2013
I love ‘LoveReading 4 kids’ because they let you read and learn things you’d never dreamed of learning before.Emily Horncastle – age 11
I love Lovereading4kids because I get an opportunity to put my opinion forward and to try new booksElosie Clarkson – age 11
It gives me a chance to read types of books that I would not normally try, and it motivates me to read every night to finish it!Alice Horncastle, age 14
It is fantastic, you get to read lots of books and you always find something new and amazing in them.Erica Motoc, age 7
At @HHSHaringey we love @lovereading4kids because our pupils can practice reviewing & get free upcoming books before anyone else!Helen Swinyard – Heartlands High
I love Lovereading as it provides an honest opinion and showcases a range of fiction. Suited to both parents & kids alike, it’s a must-use.Georgie Rowe – age 16
LoveReading4Kids is a modern and creative way of emphasising the value and importance of books in this digital age #booksforlifeAmrit Bunet – Teen
I love lovereading4kids because I’ve read amazing books I would never have picked up, and its opened doors to new genre’s I now love.Harriet Cunningham


text:
Maikhao, Phuket –
Religious ceremonies were held at the Tsunami Memorial Wall in Maikhao for the 18th year of remembrance for the victims of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in Phuket.
Three religious ceremonies which were Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam were held this morning (December 26th) at the Tsunami Memorial Wall in Mai Khao, Thalang in remembrance of the 18 years since the tragic tsunami on Phuket Island.
In total 45 nationalities of victims are listed on the wall and their bodies were buried behind the wall in a graveyard. Flowers were placed on the wall to remember those lost in the incident.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and get all our news delivered to you in one spam-free daily e-mail Click here! OR, enter your e-mail below!
Subscriber not found, it probably has already been removed. No further actions are required.
Help support The Phuket Express in 2022!

domain: history


text:
Back Of Emblem Has Alignment Tabs For A Perfect Fit
OEM Ford Emblem
Original For 1983-87 Mustang
Dimensions 1 1/2"h x 4"w
Peel And Stick With Double Sided Tape
Chrome Lettering And Trim With Blue Background
What's in the Box
(1) Ford Oval Emblem
A factory OEM Ford emblem for your 1983-87 Fox Body Mustang but many people simply remove the mounting tabs from the back and apply to any flat surface including fenders, and trunk deck lids. All emblems are sold as each unless otherwise noted.
Quick Emblem Removal
Many people heat the orignal Mustang emblem badge with a hair dryer to loosen the double sided tape. Fishing line or dental floss held in each hand can be pulled behind the emblem to finish seperating it from the Mustang body. Once started, the emblem badge can be removed by placing a thin flat object between emblem and body being careful not to scratch paint. Apply light steady pressure to break the seal of the double sided tape and gently pry and pull until the emblem is free of the body.
Factory Application for:
83-86 Front grille, except 84-86 SVO
Bought two of these - one for the trunk lid and one for the front bumper. The trunk fit perfectly, but the front bumper (I have an 86 mustang) required I rip off the mounting tabs with a needle-nose pliers so I could stick it on, which was a piece of cake. After placing it, I feel like it sits a little too high, but that's my fault. Would buy again.
Yes, I would recommend this item to a friend!
Was this review helpful to you?
shayne h. on
I didn't realize how faded my factory grill emblem was, until i put this one for the hatrch beside it.
Ford Motor Company Genuine Parts, Motorcraft® Parts and Ford and Motorcraft Remanufactured Parts are all excellent choices when it comes to performance, longevity and value for your Mustang or SVT Lightning. And they’re all backed by a Ford Motor Company limited parts warranty*, so you know their parts you use are going to perform like they should. Put the same parts on your Lighting & Mustang that came from the factory!

domain: hobby


China Wholesale for cnc machine and parts 02 to Colombia Factories
We offer great strength in quality and development,merchandising,sales and marketing and operation for China Wholesale for cnc machine and parts 02 to Colombia Factories, Our aim is "blazing new ground, Passing Value", in the future, we sincerely invite you to grow up with us and make a bright future together!
Johnford SDMC-11000 2H+5F bridge mill is a dual head 11 meter X-Axis gantry type 5-Face machining center. The X-Axis is divided into two work zones, similar to a pallet changer. Two parts are machined in the active work zone while two parts are loaded in the secondary work zone. The TU35 indicates that this bridge mill is equipped with dual heavy duty high torque 5-Axis milling heads for machining two parts at a time. The video depicts the machine equipped with four fixtures. This machine provides rough machining of complex large landing gear forgings for the aerospace industry.
Absolute Machine Tools, Inc.
7420 Industrial Pkwy Dr
Lorain, OH 44053
Everyone had a first day in RC… EVERYONE! In Episode 009 of our “Get Into RC” video series, we are sending you to school, RC school. In this video we are going to teach you the names of the parts on your RC vehicle. Some of you may be asking why. Others will be excited that they don’t have to walk into a hobby store and ask for a plastic doohickey part. This particular episode will deal just with drivetrain parts with other vehicle sections to follow. We’ll tell you and show you what a driveshaft is, a ball bearing, a differential, an outdrive and so on. There is a lot to an RC car drivetrain, but by the time you are done, you should have a very good general understanding of what the parts are called.
Don’t Miss A Thing! Follow Us:
Home Base: http://www.rcdriver.com/


text:
28 May Distanced Perspective: Living in Colorado During COVID-19
ONLINE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
MAY 29 – JUNE 27, 2020
The Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC) congratulates all the photographers selected for Distanced Perspective.
Photography can be an important tool for documenting the world around us – even more so during a crisis. Distanced Perspective asked local photographers to capture their visual responses to living in Colorado during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Curator Samantha Johnston, Executive Director of CPAC, selected 32 images for the exhibition from a pool of 91 entries.
“I’ve thought a lot about the power of art and photography during this time and how it can bring people together,” she said. “This pandemic has affected all of us in profound ways. All over the world, people are experiencing challenges and hardships, as well as moments of kindness and beauty. Distanced Perspective is another way we can share these moments and move forward together as a community.
While the call was focused on the experiences of artists living in Colorado, I think people everywhere can relate. From Zoom calls, empty spaces, closed parks, self portraits, and contemplative moments, these images reflect a kind of collective experience of this unique time – yet each artist brings a unique and different perspective.
I want to thank everyone who sent in a photo and shared intimate moments with us. It was extremely hard to bring the number of entries down to 32.”
Pictured above: 4/6/2020 Supermoon from my Backyard, by Frank Varney.
“Folks were still howling in my neighborhood just now. Funny, because it’s the first night I’ve heard anyone howling at 8 in my immediate ‘hood. Now they can’t seem to stop.” – Susan Froyd
“Two shadows cast by the settling sun beneath a rainbow of hope leading us on.” – Ray LeJeune
“Ironically, the quarantine has forced and inspired me to get out. My world hasn’t really changed, it just became more enhanced. Focusing on what I can do vs what I can’t has been liberating.” – Megan Self
Click any image below to view photographer’s name and title of work.


text:
By MATTHEW COLE
The U.S. soldier who was the first to come forward about the alleged sport killings of Afghan civilians last year has reached a plea agreement in his case, according to a person familiar with the agreement.
Adam Winfield, a member of the Army's 5th Stryker Brigade, is one of five soldiers charged in connection with the deaths of three Afghan civilians that occurred in southern Afghanistan between January and May 2010. Prosecutors allege that Winfield, Staff Sgt. Calvin R. Gibbs, Cpl. Jeremy Morlock, Spc. Michael S. Wagnon II, and Pfc. Andrew H. Holmes participated in one or more of the murders and staged them to make unarmed Afghans appear to be armed insurgents.
Winfield, who told his parents while deployed that members of his unit had planned and executed the killings for sport, had been charged with murder for his part in the third and final murder in May of last year.
In the deal, Winfield will plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and a minor drug charge. The involuntary manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Winfield's lawyers have argued that their client was ordered to fire on an unarmed civilian but had fired high, and had not been responsible for the death. Winfield's original charge carried a maximum sentence of life without parole.
Military prosecutors are hoping Winfield's testimony in exchange for the plea agreement will help convict Gibbs, who is charged in all three Afghan deaths and believed to be the ringleader of the group.
READ: 'Repugnant' Photos Emerge of U.S. Soldiers Accused of Sport Killings
Winfield and Morlock, who pleaded guilty last March to helping murder the three Afghans, have told Army investigators that Gibbs developed and rehearsed the murder of unarmed Afghans and later ordered his men to help him carry them out. Gibbs, Wagnon and Holmes have each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Lawyers for Gibbs, Wagnon and Holmes have previously assailed Morlock's testimony against their clients, noting he requested investigative documents prior to testimony.
"I was wondering how can you make Morlock any less credible," Colby Vokey, the defense attorney for Wagnon, told McClatchy News. "It would be giving him copies of transcripts and having prosecutors tell him what to say."
Video: Soldier Describes 'Crazy' Sergeant's Plan
In a confession taped last year and obtained by ABC News, Morlock, of Wasilla, Alaska, admitted the team's role in the murders of three unarmed civilians, but told Army investigators that his unit's "crazy" sergeant had hatched the plan.
READ: Confession Video: U.S. Soldier Describes Thrill Kill of Innocent Afghans
Morlock, described how Gibbs had the men in his unit pick out civilians at random and then kill them with grenades and rifle fire.
"He just really doesn't have any problems with f---ing killing these people," Morlock said, and then laid out the scenario he said the sergeant used to make it seem the civilians were killed in action.
"And so we identify a guy. Gibbs makes a comment, like, you know, you guys wanna wax this guy or what?" Morlock told investigators.
"Gibbs called it like, 'Hey you guys wanna, you guys wanna wax this guy or what?' And you know, he set it up, like, he grabbed the dude."
Morlock said that killing people came "too easy" to Gibbs. "He just really doesn't have any problems with f---ing killing these, these people, to be honest."
News of the agreement comes the same day Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, told reporters that American troops in Iraq must be given immunity from any future prosecution as part of any agreement to keep them there beyond the end of this year.
Such a deal, which would have to be passed by the Iraqi parliament, would include "privileges and immunities for our American men and women in uniform," Mullen said, according to a report by The Associated Press.


text:
Bring your knowledge of The Green for this week's Trivia Tuesday!
BIRDS OF PREY: BLOOD AND CIRCUITS
The "One Year Later" story continues in this collection featuring BIRDS OF PREY #96-103! The Birds have a run-in with Black Alice, encounter the Dark Knight, and have a shake-up in their ranks in this action-packed collection!
Looking to pile up your pull list? Click no further!
Check out all the comics dropping in May on DCUI!


Sorry I did the same thing on this one. I just forgot to put o. My 5 stars.
Vader Rules the Galaxy
Don't be turned to the dark side, rule the galaxy instead!
This is a super-soft, baby-knit t-shirt. Choose between Adult Unisex Tee fit and Youth Unisex Tee fit.
- 65% polyester, 35% ring-spun cotton
- Baby-knit jersey
- Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
- Cover stitched and hemmed sleeves