Cover of Dream by Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez' cover of Dream at the SiriusXM Hits 1 Soundcheck. It's an incredible cover at that. The song was originally written and recorded by Priscilla Ahn in 2008. Here are performances of the song by Selena Gomez and the original by Priscilla Ahn.



Here's the original version of the song by Priscilla Ahn:

Chinese Traditions Involving Autumn and Other Seasons

The other day i was reading this excellent article titled A Chinese perspective on autumn over at EarthSky. I know little about Chinese cultures, ancient or modern, but they (as the article states) differ from the cultures of the western world, as they do not throw out old ideas to be replaced with new ones. They build onto old ideas and intelligently create deeper roots. That's not to say that there aren't subcultures in the western world that do this but, by and far, mainstream western culture does its best to wipe out old knowledge and unfortunately replaces it with the inferior knowledge of a fleeting nature. "Knowledge" that's based in entertainment media these days.

As for Chinese traditions, here's a short summary of part of the article linked above. Many of their traditions and observances are worth thinking about. Research your family history and find the equivalent meanings amongst the culture of your ancestry.

It is said that five seasons are observed by some in Chinese tradition. Spring being the rise, sprouting of life, summer being the igniting of the blooming of nature, late summer being the completeness of the blooms of the season, autumn being when nature begins to dry/wither and settle in, and winter is when nature is at rest. These five phases/five elements come with the understanding that the cycle always repeats and that it is a new beauty that is meant to be looked forward to.

In terms of emotion, summer is expectedly associated with joy.

Autumn is associated with courage and sadness as nature begins to wither and the days become shorter. These seasons tend to give some a sense of sadness. Perhaps it explains Seasonal Affective Disorder, with some, but that is another subject. Sadness is just seen as a natural reaction to the changing season.

Here's how Chinese traditions observe the season and give it meaning. In Chinese tradition west is seen as the direction of autumn. Face west and think about your dreams, what you look to achieve, the visions of such things, and the path you look to be on in your life.

White is seen as the color of the autumn season. So you can light white candles, to light up the season, and/or place white flowers anywhere you choose in your room or around your home. Allow yourself, if need be, to express the emotions over what/who you've lost over the previous seasons. Allowing yourself to cry and release these emotions. According to tradition it is weeping that is the sound of the autumn season. And within it, after the tears have fallen, is where you permit yourself the courage to face the times, events, and what's ahead of you.

The realizations you reach, in understanding the seasons, is also a path that leads you towards understanding the cycle of life itself. Towards finding peace and handling life better. You can use these traditions to combine or find the equivalent of that of your ancestry or find the equivalent within your current beliefs. Be they Christian or otherwise. Nature is our connection, not the worship of nature itself, per se, but the recognition of its patterns and how it supports us whether we realize it or not. How it is a part of finding our own peace away from the worldly, the fleeting, material creations of humankind.

To learn about more Chinese traditions just visit this link

Witness Trees of Manassas National Battlefield Park in Virginia

Witness Trees are trees that are old enough to have been alive and growing during the times when notable events in U.S. history have occurred. Those witness trees that had been around when the events of the Civil War occurred, and still living today, are over 150 years old. It is said that there are hundreds of Witness Trees at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Many of which are oak trees that can live for hundreds of years. Many of which, such as white oaks, can live beyond 500 years. To just imagine the events that occurred around that tree during the battles at Manassas or even just ordinary events before and after the war. Soldiers that sat in its shade or for defense during battle. Or the witnessing people that walked through the battlefield site, post-war, in the latter 1860s. Back when many artifacts from the war still existed. These trees would've even witnessed the early days of the park's founding in May of 1940. They've been around an incredible history.

As of 2017 there are at least ten witness trees that have been found and identified along the trails. All of which are marked by brown signs along the trails. The trees are found at these locations in the park:

One tree near Thornberry House, along Sudley Loop Trail
Three trees along the Unfinished Railroad Trail
Three trees along the Stuart's Hill Loop Trail
One tree along the Chinn Ridge Loop Trail
One tree along the Henry Hill Loop Trail
One tree along the Stone Bridge Loop Trail


In addition to the Witness Trees there are plenty of other notable sites along the trails and throughout the park. Visit the National Park Service site for the park and their Facebook page for updates about the park and upcoming events.

Tradescantia Pallida - Purple Heart Flower

Tradescantia Pallida
By SKsiddhartthan (Own work)
[CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Tradescantia pallida, commonly known as purple heart, (more) is a beautiful and versatile plant that is native to Mexico and Central America. It is a member of the Tradescantia family, which includes over 600 species of plants and it is perennial flower.

Purple heart is a trailing plant that can grow up to 2 feet long. The leaves are oval-shaped and pointed, and they are typically purple or green, but there are also variegated varieties available. The flowers are small and pink or purple, and they bloom in the summer.

Purple heart is a relatively easy plant to care for. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant, but it will do best with regular watering. Purple heart can be propagated by cuttings or division.

Purple heart is a popular plant for use as a groundcover, hanging basket, or container plant. It is also a good choice for indoor plants.

Here are some additional things to know about purple heart:

- It is a fast-growing plant and can become invasive if not kept in check.

- It is deer-resistant.

- The leaves can be used to make a tea that has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, sore throat, and intestinal issues

Growing Purple Heart

Purple heart is a relatively easy plant to grow. Here are some tips:

- Plant it in full sun to partial shade.

- Water it regularly, but do not overwater.

- Fertilize it monthly with a balanced fertilizer.

- Propagate it by cuttings or division in the spring or summer.

- Control its spread by pruning or mowing it back.

Purple Heart Care

Purple heart is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but there are a few things you can do to keep it healthy and thriving:

- Water regularly, especially during hot weather.

- Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer.

- Pinch back the tips of the stems to encourage branching.

- Repot every few years as the plant grows.

- Protect from frost in cold winter areas.

Purple Heart Pests and Diseases

Purple heart is generally a pest- and disease-resistant plant. However, it can be susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. If you notice any pests, you can treat them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Purple Heart Uses

Purple heart is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas:

Groundcover: Purple heart is a great choice for groundcover in shady areas. It will spread quickly and form a lush mat of foliage.

Hanging basket: Purple heart is also a good choice for hanging baskets. The trailing stems will cascade over the edge of the basket, creating a beautiful display.

Container plant: Purple heart can also be grown in containers. It is a good choice for patios and decks, as it can tolerate some wind and sun exposure.

Houseplant: Purple heart can also be grown as a houseplant. It is a low-maintenance plant that can tolerate low light conditions.

Tradescantia Pallida. purple heart is a beautiful and versatile plant that is easy to care for. It is a great choice for gardeners of all levels of experience. If you are looking for a plant that will add color and interest to your home or garden, purple heart is a great option.

The Mercantile - Polebridge, Montana

Polebridge, Montana is a small town of around 50 residents that is located a mile away from Glacier National Park. Polebridge is a town that's a throwback to simpler times without all of the modern distractions. There are no wireless networks to connect your devices to, there's no cell service, and the only connections to be made are with the town's residents and the visitors passing through. Most of the town does not have electricity and the buildings that do rely on green energy, mainly solar panels and batteries, and also generators. The 'popular' place in town is the Polebridge Mercantile, which offers up all sorts of baked goods and many other items. Outside of town there's adventure to be found in open nature as all other distractions are not available. If that's your thing, to explore, then a trip to Polebridge, Montana is a must. Perhaps you'll even find yourself never wanting to leave.

Watch this short 2013 documentary, The Mercantile, Directed by Brian Bolster

Photographer Dave Sandford captures Lake Erie during storms

Dave Sandford, a photographer from London, Ontario, Canada, has photographed many subjects over his nineteen years in the business. According to his website, he's done mostly sports photographer but his interest in photography started with photographing nature. Many of his photos can be found his official website and his Instagram account. You can also follow Dave Sandford on Twitter.

Other Photos of Lake Erie

The Story Of Painted Post, New York

Painted Post, New York

What's In A Name?

How does a town get a name of "Painted Post?"  There's an easy answer to that...and a longer story.  The quick answer is the town was named after a post placed there by Indians. The real reason why the post was placed is not exactly known. But one speculation is that is was painted in a color combination suitable for some primitive type of communications. What's also not know is when the original was put in place.

The naming of this community in Steuben County, adjacent to Corning, NY, goes back to the Colonial Days and the Revolutionary War.  At that time, white men visiting the area found, on this very site, (the small park at the Community Square) an oak wood post which was square to a height of four feet and then octagonal to the top.  The surface was painted red and decorated with black figures, about half without heads.  There were numerous references to this "painted post" by the early settlers who found several explanations from the Indians who put it there.  For some it was regarded as a memorial to a fallen chieftain, for others a marker for assemblies and, a "war post" around which dances were held.

That original post endowed this place with a name which will endure as long as recorded history. By 1808, the first namesake had disintegrated and a fitting substitute was put up.  Since then there have been several other replacements and time, wind, and weather have taken their toll.  The present monument goes back to about 1950.

The Indian with the bow waves a greeting to visitors at the Community Square in Painted Post today, which is in the heart of the downtown business district.  It's not far from a major industrial property where an Allegheny field service team was working. During a lunch break, the pictures you see here were taken.

Painted Post, New York

Important Points:

- Painted Post got its name from a post placed by Indians, though the exact reason for its placement is unknown.

- The town is located in Steuben County, adjacent to Corning, NY, and its naming dates back to the Colonial Days and the Revolutionary War.

- The original post found on the site was made of oak wood and had a square base that transitioned into an octagonal shape at the top.

- The post's surface was painted red and decorated with black figures, some of which lacked heads.

- Early settlers referred to the post as the "painted post" and attributed various meanings to its purpose, such as a memorial to a fallen chieftain or a marker for assemblies and dances.

- The original post deteriorated by 1808, leading to the installation of a replacement. Subsequent replacements were made due to the effects of time, wind, and weather.

- The present monument at Painted Post dates back to around 1950.

- In the heart of the downtown business district of Painted Post, visitors can find the Community Square, where an Indian figure with a bow waves a greeting.

- The Community Square is located near a major industrial property where an Allegheny field service team was working, as depicted in the accompanying pictures.

Painted Post History

Source Article

Mugu Rock and Point Mugu, California

Mugu Rock, in Ventura County, California, gets its name from the Chumash word for beach, Muwu. It is a prominent land feature in Point Mugu and took on its current formation during the creation of the Pacific Coast Highway, starting in 1937. Prior to that, a narrow road went around the rock and its erosion was the reason for new route that was cut through the ridge.

More about Mugu Rock and Point Mugu

A Tour of Flintstones Bedrock City in Valle, Arizona

Flintstones Bedrock City was built in 1972 and includes many "stone age" buildings inspired by The Flintstones. Buildings which include a police station, a few houses, a general store, a post office, a beauty parlor, a 'fuel' station and numerous figures of Flintstones characters.

Bedrock City Alliance Facebook
Flintstones Bedrock City - Roadside America

Fort Roberdeau - History of the Original Lead Mine Fort

From the National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form, June 1973.

The location of the Fort is in the Sinking Valley region on the slope of Brush Mountain. The site is in an area of dense growth -- trees, shrubs, weeds -- recently removed by concerned citizens. Removal of the vegetation revealed a concrete foundation outlining the fort, poured between 1939-1941 for the purpose of reconstructing the site. Impetus for reconstruction was begun by concerned local agencies with National Youth Administration workers doing the physical labor. This was based upon the work of Donald A. Cadzow, State Archaeologist, who uncovered the original stone and brick foundation. The only remains above ground surface were the powder magazine walls of stone and brick and a square of masonry work, probably part of a smelting plant. Reconstruction efforts were discontinued in 1941 with the advent of World War II.

By Pubdog [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Few descriptions are available on the forts original appearance. The Columbian Magazine (September 1788) notes the erection of "a large fort of logs." Africa (1883) mentions the log fort upon which were mounted two small cannon, possessing a good armament, and manned by a regular garrison of 10-40 men. He also makes note of a smelting furnace. A sketch appearing in The Columbian Magazine of Fort Roberdeau (December 1788) shows a wall of what appears to be horizontal logs with a gate in the center and various out-buildings outside the wall. Craine (1941) notes the accompanying wording, "a timber fort, used for the same purpose as a blockhouse, but designed to accommodate a greater number of persons. Such a structure was generally made in the shape of a hollow square with various buildings and a watchtower within showing the line of loopholes at shoulder height." Craine notes that the stockade logs were horizontal rather than the customary vertical or up-right position because of the out-cropping of limestone which made it difficult to excavate deeply enough to place the logs in a vertical position.

The Fort site presently comprises 1.978 acres. The outline of the fort itself reveals a square structure with blockhouse-type protrusions on each of the four corners.

With the advent of the Revolutionary War, lead for the Continental Army became of great importance. Lead deposits were discovered in what was then the Sinking Spring Valley region, presently Sinking Valley, in Central Pennsylvania. General Daniel Roberdeau, a prominent Philadelphia merchant, an Associator, and a member of the Committee of Safety, was assigned the task of supervising mining operations in the area. Roberdeau, in order to house the miners of the area and to protect them from both Indians and Tories, erected the Fort in l777-l778 near the lead deposits in what is today Blair County. Eugene Craine, citing an original Roberdeau letter, states that he probably set up some kind of fort on an initial visit during 1777 and strengthened it on a second visit in 1778 by building a stockade.

The amount of lead derived from local mines is unknown. The enterprise was apparently abandoned by 1779 due to lack of assistance and expenses involved in mining operations. However, The Columbian Magazine (September, 1788) notes that the miners were from the old country, unused to the frontier life, and that the "whole undertaking fell to the ground." The Fort nevertheless remained standing even after its abandonment by garrison troops and continued to serve as a refuge for the local settlers. Craine notes that the Fort was occupied at least through 1781.

Fort Roberdeau was one of five frontier forts in Blair County in the 1777-1778 time-period. However, the other four were built by private enterprise, of the block-house type. Fort Roberdeau, commonly known as the Lead Mine Fort, appears to have been the only fort in Blair county built and manned by soldiers of the Continental Army.

Official Website

Fort Roberdeau History

Bibliographical References
Africa, J. Simpson, History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties,
   Pennsylvania, "Blair County," (Philadelphia: Louis H. Everts, 1883).
The Columbian Magazine, September and December, 1788, (Philadelphia: W. Spotswood).
Craine, Eugene R., The Story of Fort Roberdeau, 1777 to 1783,
    (Altoona: The Tourist & Publicity Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce, The City of Altoona,  1941).
Davis, Tarring S., ed., A History of Blair County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1,
    (Harrisburg: National Historical Association, Inc., 1931).
Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, (Clarence M. Busch, State Printer, 1896).

Fort Roberdeau; Lead Mine Fort, The

The Internet is in Bad Need of a Soul

Look at your world, what is your life?

Hour after hour you spend time scrolling screens. You're on your computer scrolling through Facebook. You're on your smartphone or tablet doing the same. You're posting updates about your life to social media. Maybe you spend time streaming random moments of your life to people on the internet. All of which are actions of trying to make a connection to people. When out public you, more than you realize, never look up to make true eye contact with anyone.

Yet, the more social "reach" you get, the less of a connection you feel. Things begin to reveal and you find that none of this is real. It's just not the same as a true connection. There is no soul, no energy, behind these interactions. The internet is a black hole that takes everything in. And what it sends back out is cold data. It is not streaming consciousness. There is no emotion in the data.

Now, don't get me wrong, that's not to say that people can't make meaningful friendships and relationships over the internet, but there's going to be the need real, regular meet ups in the real world. Daily Skype conversations will never be enough. Private messaging, instant messaging, and texting will never be enough. It's as real as that. Your ties to people have to be real, sooner or later, as we're a social species and we crave interaction.

This sentiment is best defined by the quote by Kristen Stewart's character in the film Anesthesia:

"Everyone is plugged in, blindingly inarticulate, obsessed with money, their careers. Stupidly, arrogantly content. I can’t talk to them, I fight them, I want to destroy them even. I crave interaction, I crave it. But you just can’t anymore. They pull their devices out for every little thing. To reinforce their petty, convenient notions, to decide where they’re gonna shop, what they’re gonna eat, what movies they’re going to watch. Everything they ingest."

While blunt, it hits right at the core of the problem of the digital and how it fits into the rest of the "culture" of contentment. People, instead of staring into the world for discovery and interaction, they instead pull out their smartphones and other electronics to discover these things. They're completely pulled into a flat screen and it has become a large substitute for tasks that were once done with true interaction. Again, these interactions are pulled into the black hole that is the internet. You're staring into an abyss. They're victims of false hopes and it's not their fault. Trust me, i've been pulled into this system too.



Think about it, you may too easily be getting yourself stuck into a pattern slowly tearing you down. And if your home situation isn't all that great then it can be even worse. You try and find a connection with people online for support and perhaps catch feelings, there's nothing wrong with that, but you need to understand that video chats and streams are never going to be enough. If you want a true change, you're going to have to go beyond. You're going to have to go beyond the fears that this society has programmed into us. The fears of getting out there. If you know someone across the country that you want to meet, arrange to do so. Even if you're nervous. Because, most likely, the other person is just as nervous. The two of you, or crowd or whoever, can meet up in a busy public place to make those initial connections in the true world, instead of the digital one.

If you want to escape the environment you're in, especially a poor environment, then do everything in your power to fight for an escape. Reach out to people in your local community for help. The helpers are everywhere and can be found in the most unlikely of people. With declining communities and declining society, such as here in the USA, these real connections are going to be more important than ever. You're going to need to have people to trust and people to trust in you. They're going to have to be reliable people. Restore the structure, the community that has quickly become replaced by technology. And get people to go outside.

Technology is a thing that is meant to be a tool and not the structure itself. Remember that. Know that. Use it intelligently to reach out to people. But don't let it be only the beginning and end of your interactions. Always reach beyond and get to know these digital people outside the screens. Don't get stuck in a pattern of accepting the mundane. Live.

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If you see people who need help online, make an effort to actually get them help. Discussions and listening to them are good. But we need to do more. More needs to be done. Don't approach these things in a manner of talking @ someone.

Talk to them, talk with them. Don't expect something from anything and go into online conversations with people in need, or with anyone, with selfish thoughts in mind. Make the interactions real. Social media has guided our mindsets into holding things back, things of emotion, and sometimes even doing things for self-promotion. Avoid this at all costs. Let your communications with people be real, with emotion, and true. Put life into the internet. Abandon public personas on social media and be your true self. Distance yourself from public social media and make it a secondary thing. Make your online communications more personal and stop striving to talk to as many people as you can. It dilutes your meaning, yourself, and your ability to get to know people.

Wild Cat - Biography of Coacoochee, Seminole Chieftain

The exact date nor location of Wild Cat's birth is unknown. Although challenged, it's believed that he was born in 1807 on an island in modern-day Osceola County's Lake Tohopekaliga. There's also information about Wild Cat having a twin sister that died at birth. Wild Cat became a prominent figure during the Second Seminole War at only around nineteen years old. His father was captured by military forces in 1837 and was imprisoned at Fort Marion. His father died some time in 1839 while being sent to Indian Territory alongside a mass amount of Seminoles and other tribes.

By Joshua R. Giddings [Public domain],
via Wikimedia Commons

Later in 1837, in October, Wild Cat met up with American military forces in a peace headdress and said he was a representative of Osceola and he began talks and negotiations with Thomas S. Jesup. The military forces agreed to the peace talks but, once the Seminole arrived at the meeting, they were arrested and imprisoned by Jesup. The story goes that Wild Cat and nineteen other Seminoles escaped after fasting for six days. This was done so they could lose weight and slide between the bars of their cells, to escape.

In the aftermath of the escape, Wild Cat became a major commander of Seminole forces. He worked alongside Alligator (Billy Bowlegs) and Ar-pi-uck-i (Sam Jones) against Colonel Zachary Taylor in the Battle of Lake Okeechobee. This battle is thought of being a 'stalemate' but the Seminole forces successfully stopped Taylor's forces from a win that would've allowed them to advance southward.

In 1841, Wild Cat met with US authorities for another attempt at peace negotiations. After the "negotiations" were over, Wild Cat agreed (more likely pressured into) to be transported to Fort Gibson in Indian Territory in Oklahoma. Along with him would be two-hundred of his people.

Two years later, in 1843, he was a part of Seminole delegation that traveled to Washington DC. He traveled there to secure money for Seminoles after sever floods and raids by Creeks on their settlements. Raids which led to the capture of Seminoles and freemen. Which the Creeks went on to sell to slavers. The situation became even worse for the Seminoles, including black Seminoles, over the years. So, Wild Cat left the reservation, along with around one hundred followers, and they moved on to Texas in 1849. They joined up with around one thousands members of the Kickapoo tribe along the way. It was from Texas where they moved on to Mexico and started a settlement. They were awarded in Mexico, by being given land, for their service against resisting Comanche and Apache raiders. Wild Cat earned a commission of Colonel in the Mexican Army. He would spend the rest of his life in Alto, Mexico, with his people, until his death from smallpox in 1857. After his death, he was succeeded by his by son Young Wild Cat.

Florida's Past, Vol 2: People and Events That Shaped the State

Wildcat, the Seminole;: The Florida war (American heritage) 
- Rarer 1956 book, well worth the read