roses & clover

from your first breath to the last, we have only ever seen a glimmer of what should be

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RE || what would you give-up for everlasting peace || Matthew 18:9

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Chocolate S’mores Cake || via fullcravings

To say I am obsessed with this black cocoa cake is an understatement. It goes with literally everything because the texture is perf. I have so many plans for this cake and the first was this chocolate s’mores cake.

I'd nix the honey, it's sweet enough already, I don't like sweet on sweet on sweet

Not sure where the crunch is going to come from, with all this syrup This recipe needs tweaking, unless you're serving this at a retirement home..

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walking in the valley of death || via cleverwordsandotherstuffilike Nothing Is Wasted: While You Sleep, GOD Is Building || Atmosphere of Grace

Does it feel like nothing in your life is moving rn—same waiting, the same unanswered prayer, the same unfinished season sitting exactly where it was yesterday? This is a long, slow prayer watch built entirely around one truth: while you sleep, GOD is still building. Drawing from the Valley of Dry Bones, Noah's ark built years before the rain, the stone cut without human hands, and more, this watch moves through nearly forty movements naming every reason a season can feel stalled—and answering each one with the same promise. Nothing under construction in your life has been abandoned. Nothing has been set aside. 💬 What feels unfinished in your life rn? Tell us below, we're praying over every comment.

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RE || DFW: Your Mind is an Excellent Servant, but a Terrible Master || After Skool https://www.youtube.com/@AfterSkool/videos - https://youtu.be/OsAd4HGJS4o This is why I refer to it as the pinball effect, any number of events can send us from one extreme to another: Pain & suffering robs life of meaning/purpose, but then luxury/perks causes us to see how others benefit us in aggressive ways. Regardless the default mode that the world revolves around us is reinforced by every experience bc of our essential neediness (as opposed to YHWH's self-sufficiency) which only highlights our inability to die to self. Point is, every minor annoyance/setback has a way of causing us to make choices that will make us prefer modes of isolation to allow us more time play catch-up or to focus on our needs/desires/goals/projects. Modern day inconveniences will be replaced by any # of luxuries, which will still test our ability to think about the needs of others & find real meaning in life through sacrifice. It can be as small as directing our attention towards understanding the pov/pain of ppl in our immediate sphere. Unfortunately life has a way of rewarding individual achievement, causing us to turn further inward bc of the temporal rewards that enslave us to chase after things that effectively bring about tunnel vision—narrowing our interests to "getting more & more selective about what we see & how we measure value w/o ever being fully aware that that is what you're doing."

This particular excerpt made a lightbulb go on:

That's what this "Heat Dome is!" a greater testing of our resolve to put others ahead of our own needs. And tbh everyone is going to fail hard, bc when I hear this speech once again (three years later), I am not getting any better at this & I realize we're screwed.

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Flows of Blue and Gold gifs by riverwindphotography June 2026

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Crystal Falls spills gracefully into the Yellowstone River | via riverwindphotography

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turning over a new leaf | via riverwindphotography

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The Strange Life Lessons of Charles Bukowski: "Don't Try" || Mark Manson This is hilarious, I like this rejection letter the best. They dare call themselves nicer? The truth hurts, so rather than attempt to get wounded before his art, Bukowski was damned in the process of trying to fly up to the skies? Spent most of his paycheck on booze & gambled away the rest at the race tracks, uh oh sounds faintly like what we are seeing. The heart wants what the heart wants, but until we get it we're damaged by the not getting—life is a tragic piece of work. I'm seeing the advice floating around that "we need to limit what we want, so we can be happy." <facepalm>

Most of it a meaningless blur of alcohol/drugs/gambling/prostitutes, when Bukowski was 50 after a lifetime of failure & self-loathing, an Editor at a small independent publishing house took a strange interest in him.. (John Martin)

He wrote back to the Editor, "I have one of two options: Stay in the post office & go crazy, or stay out here & play at writer & starve. I have decided to starve."

Post Office by Charles Bukowski

I like the next bit about not understanding why we can't get along [1:56] "we're all gonna die..what a circus, that alone should make us get along but it doesn't" & don't try. [2:32]

Bukowski was a loser & he accepted it.. Just live. Find what you love & let it kill you

This guy was grounded to reality unlike his cohorts..

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It hasn't escaped my attention that the direction of the wind has long been on ppl's minds, especially when it comes to the oceans and how it decides the ultimate destination of its seafaring travellers—who itch to find somewhere far away that will turn out to be a wellspring of happiness. Like a secret hideout one can sneak off to replenish one's batteries, the same way in the past ppl never dared to tell strangers of their favourite <blank>, hesitant at losing exclusivity. But these days it is as though no one believes there is any such everlasting fountain, so in exchange for their time & knowledge ppl willingly exchange a constant stream of ideas/places/things to try to secure momentary enjoyment. The same way I was revolving thru hobbies & people, we are all trying to contain the wind in our own way.

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Neighbourhood Watch, feel any safer with these pair of eyes bearing witness to your routine waywardness? And what breakfast item did you name it after: Marmalade..

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Turbith - Globularia alypum | via icardamome This image showcases a close-up of Globularia alypum, an eye-catching perennial subshrub commonly referred to as the Alypo Globe Daisy or Shrubby Globularia.

Botanical Characteristics

Globe-Shaped Blooms: The flowers grow in dense, spherical heads. They fade from a deep purple-blue center to light, feathery lavender-white outer petals.

Mediterranean Origin: Native to the Mediterranean Basin, it is well-adapted to rocky limestone soils, coastal areas, and sunny, dry environments.

Ecological Value: These vibrant flower heads are highly attractive to local bees, butterflies, and other wild pollinators during their blooming season.

Conservation Note: While common in parts of Southern Europe, specific regional variants of this plant are facing modern environmental challenges. For instance, populations of Globularia alypum in northwest Saudi Arabia are considered critically endangered due to continuous overgrazing and land degradation. [1, 2] If you are interested in exploring similar decorative garden flowers or related flora, you can browse through variations of globe-shaped blooms: Want to learn about traditional medicinal uses of this plant, or are you interested in how to cultivate it in a garden setting? [1, 2]

Medical Uses

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The phrase "worth much more than many sparrows" takes on an even deeper meaning when viewed alongside the timeless resilience of a forest ecosystem, much like the mature Eastern White Pine canopy (Pinus strobus) framing this quiet paved road. [1] Just as a single bird holds individual significance amidst a vast flock, each towering tree plays an irreplaceable role in keeping this entire woodland habitat alive.

Ecosystem Dynamics and Value

Keystone Support: Eastern White Pines act as critical biological anchors. They scale the tallest heights in the forest canopy to buffer wind, shield the understory, and provide essential high-altitude nesting sites for birds.

Interconnected Lifelines: Beneath the quiet pavement, the root systems of these trees intricately weave together. They share vital nutrients and chemical warnings through subterranean fungal networks to support weaker trees nearby.

Habitat Diversity: The dense, evergreen structure provides a year-round microclimate. It offers crucial thermal shelter and nutrient-dense pine seeds that small woodland creatures rely on for survival during freezing winter months.

If you'd like to plan a visit to explore serene, pine-lined canopy pathways in person, consider looking into these preserved coastal woodland destinations:

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You can see just how adorable these tiny birds are right? | via besidethepath I am reminded of a write-up s/o made to draw a link with “you are worth much more than many sparrows,” but then he went ahead & told his readers what an avid bird watcher he is—that when it comes to sparrows—he has little to no regard for them simply bc they look so plain & uninteresting. I'm like wow, way to make us seem worthless if what we are being compared to is a boring species, not worth paying any attention to. He even went so far as to say in the Middle Eastern culture they actually sell sparrows by the dozen for pennies a glass, it's like “if you're broke but still gotta eat, buy a few sparrows for dinner to tied you over...” I guess that makes sense but it's not helping me or you with our sense of self-worth here (see answer below). I'm actually starting to like this ai query summary, though I'm sure I'd eventually arrive at the same conclusion through basic search engine results. I am currently listening to a few podcasts on the life & work of DFW this morning, and in one particular recording DFW says how strange it is to feel this emptiness like there is s/o he dearly misses but whom he has yet to meet!? He just described YHWH. I might attach that specific clip later, but this person makes me cry more than anyone I've ever heard before.

This image features a juvenile Dunnock (Prunella modularis), also commonly known as a hedge sparrow, soaking wet and cooling off inside a stone bird bath.

Bedraggled Plumage: The young bird's streaky brown and grey feathers are entirely saturated from bathing, giving it a spiky, wet appearance.

Juvenile Identification: Its distinct streaked chest, dark eyes, and slightly broad, yellowish gape at the corners of its beak indicate it is a fledgling or young bird.

Behavior: Small songbirds often use shallow water fixtures like stone bowls to bathe, clean their feathers, and lower their body temperature during warmer seasons.

Despite looking somewhat like a typical house sparrow, the Dunnock belongs to a completely separate family of birds (the accentors). They are modest, quiet birds typically found hopping along ground cover, hedges, and garden beds across Europe. [shutterstock] If you're looking to attract more young songbirds like this to your yard, you can read about optimal water depth & placement tips via Bird Bath Setup Guide.

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Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey used occupied land as a film set | Mohamed Sleiman Labat

This headline feels very much like the fallout of Starbucks, but as s/o who tries to accept that everything happens for a reason—I think it helps bring up their cause thru international coverage on their plight bc s/o like Nolan has made a film that splashes their homeland on the forefront of international media frenzy. Nothing could be better for them who have no rights under Moroccan dictatorship.

Matt Damon: The Odyssey/Beard maintenance/Toes in Public | BBC Radio 2 This is hysterical the quirky questions this host is asking Damon haha! Toes/potatoes/sleep/age/excitement levels, I think I've seen more of his films than any other actor.. besides Tom Cruise of course. But I've never watched interviews prior to last year, I dunno it is fun if they get personal, great job Matt, unmasked. ..wait, no I did, I used to watch some interviews but I switched-off bc every interview was the same pre-set Q&A as though they have a rider of what they want to answer. That's so boring, you're wasting your time & ours by doing that bc it comes across as stilted. This anchor practically almost outshines Damon with her Jason Bourne moves! But Matt is like "It all depends on where we put the camera, we can make it look good I promise." LOL this is the best interviewer/interview

Matt Damon was interviewed by Sara Cox, who anchors the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2. The interview took place during his press tour for Christopher Nolan's epic film, The Odyssey. [1, 2, 3]

OK this I have not seen. This image is a screenshot from the 1997 legal drama film The Rainmaker, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the John Grisham novel. [1]

The Character: Matt Damon stars as Rudy Baylor, a young, idealistic attorney freshly out of law school. The Moment: This specific screenshot captures a high-tension deposition scene. The Line: Rudy is speaking to an executive from the corrupt insurance corporation, Great Benefit. He introduces his question with the sarcastic remark captured in your subtitles: "My congratulations, Mr. Lufkin, on your miraculous survival of the carnage of late here at Great Benefit."

WHAT!? He met Ken Jannings?? We watched his winning streak on Jeopardy, this is fun

Actor Matt Damon and Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings teamed up to win $1 million on ABC's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. They played the game to benefit Water.org, a charity Damon champions to provide clean global water. Their highly-rated episodes were hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. [1, 2, 3] The pair famously answered the final, million-dollar question: “Which of these words is often used to describe one of the most beautiful auditory effects on Earth: the sound made by the leaves of trees when wind blows through them?” The correct option they locked in was Susurrus. [1]

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I champion those who know what is turning to dust in society, I don't actually care that most are only paying lip service while they continue on in their deals as double agents—that is between them & their god. I believe the true wisdom discussed in Ecclesiastes 8 has everything to do with being a vessel of YHWH, this brings peace & good judgment, even when life feels unfair. It advises us to respect authority & follow the rules, though it admits the future is a mystery, but reminds us to enjoy simple gifts of life. Continuity of the wisdom in O&NT is found in v.11-14, there is no doubt the onslaught of what is coming bc corruption has reversed the natural world order—I feel we're about to find out.

Wisdom Over Anger: Wisdom brightens a person's face and takes away a harsh look. Wise people stay calm and know the right time to do the right thing. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Respecting Rulers: Bible tells us to obey leaders & keep promises to them. Rulers punish evil, so it is smart to be careful & avoid joining rebellious plots. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Limits of Human Control: Nobody can control the wind, and nobody can stop the day of their death. Because we cannot predict the future or understand everything GOD does, life can feel confusing or unfair. [1, 2]

Enjoying the Present: Because we can't figure out all the mysteries of the world, the writer says we should just enjoy the good things GOD gives us. Eating, drinking, and being happy with the work we do is a great way to live. [1] marnadalvalley

Adagio: Classical Music for Moments of Solitude | Cello, Violin & Piano | 24&7 Live

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RE: Tiger Bars, I think this is funny, I don't know why it came to me yesterday to ask if there were any other chocolate bar named after a cat? Well it's easy to see why they call it the tiger bar, it has the colour & design of the fur pelt for a wild tiger. I'm sure you could easily squeeze these into tiger head shaping mould & insert a lolipop cake pop stick then go to town with the swirls of chocolate. It's basically a dressed up Rice Krispies square, which ties back to Claire Saffitz's homemade crispy rice while she made her version of Star Crunch Cookies.

In these crispy tiger butter bars, a sweet swirl of chocolate, butterscotch, and peanut butter is paired with little bits of Rice Krispies cereal—quick and easy to make and you won't be able to eat just one

I just asked Claire if she would make a LION BAR

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via lorirocks