Unexpected

A Hummingbird Clearwing Moth enjoying the sweet nectar from the flowers in the gardens of Monticello. An unexpected sight, and a first for me.

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Summers End

Only a few days of summer remain, as the sun sets and nightfall again comes to the land of the midnight sun, we begin to hold our breath. Winter is at hand. May the warm glow of candlelight fill your heart with hope. May the peace that winters stillness brings give you comfort.

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Birthday Bear

A giant Bear and his truck Helena.  

That sure is one hell-(ena)-of-a-truck perfect for a giant Bear.

Happy birthday son! May the next orbit bring you great joy!
 Love you tons!

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Drifting

Drifting in and out of the dream, that dream that I have cleaved to all these years. Should I hold fast or let it glide down river and out to sea?

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Mulberry Row

Mulberry Row on the grounds of Monticello

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Alaska Fire Season 2019

232 fires in Alaska - active, smoldering or in the process of being demobilized 

Snapshot of particulate matter PM 2.5

The Alaska fire season 2019 will go down in my record book as one of the top ten worst smoke-filled summers.  Anchor-town has had smoke and particulate filled air since the Swan Lake fire, on the Kenai Peninsula, was first reported on June 5th at 6:52 am. The Swan Lake fire has consumed 140,949 acres as of today.

An additional two fires that were reported on August 17th, the McKinley fire and the Deshka Landing fire have been adding to the smoky air, and not only consumed acres, but structures as well. There have been road closures along the Sterling and Parks Highways both of which are major transportation roads north and south of Anchor-town.

The good news - as the cooler air of the approaching fall begins to take hold, we should see relief from our extremely active fire season 2019.

The above images are from the UAFSMOKE - Wildfire Smoke Prediction of Alaska website.

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UVA ~ Go Cavaliers

“This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1820

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Strongly Held Beliefs

"​Strongly held beliefs can keep a society from evolving, and can contribute to a societies collapse." Dr. Jared Diamond

Coming across this quote has validated how I was feeling when I wrote this post on Beliefs. Not only is the individual affected by questioning ones beliefs but the societies that we are surrounded by can also be affected. And I for one am aiming for a positive change in my work group and university society.

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Collaboration

"Without collaboration, our growth is limited to our own perspectives." Robert John Meehan

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Earthquake ~ 4.1

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Mer'le-Support

Mer'le-Support - noun - support and encouragement, the effect of which is psychological rather than physical. When you give someone Mer'le-support you encourage them with a quiet expression of approval for what they are doing, rather than giving them practical hands-on help.

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