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sissyjerrad · 4 months

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Enjoy the latest Eric's Trains Video...

An Introduction

Welcome to Eric's Trains! My name is Eric Siegel and this is my 3-Rail O-Gauge/O-Scale train website. My train adventure started around 1990, when I was about 14 years old and inherited my father's old postwar Lionel set. The set had been in storage for many years in a dark and damp basement, so much of it was is pretty bad shape. However, with a little work, I was able to get the majority of the set back into operating condition. Additionally, I was able to add a large amount of new equipment to the set, resulting in decently sized 16'x8' layout.

By the late 80's and early 90's, Lionel had been reduced to making stuff that really wasn't all that great and the selection of highly detailed scale trains was fairly limited. Although several innovations had been made during Lionel's MPC years, quality and detail was still a little lacking, as was selection. All the new pieces that I bought during this time were a bit flimsy and the plastic pieces broke very easily in the event of a train wreck or even under normal wear and tear. The low level of craftsmanship in the new trains was something of a disappointment, but what could I do? The internet as we know it today was not around yet, so finding Postwar trains was both time consuming and expensive. I was forced to make do with what was readily available. This low point for Lionel was truly a time when a father could say to his son, "They don't make 'em like they used to". But that would soon change.

In 1994 I went off to college. My mother sold her house and I had to put the train back into storage in my father's basement. I took a great deal of care in packing it away, as I knew I would one day take it out again. Jump ahead to 2005. I graduated from UGA in 2000 and was living in a big loft apartment in downtown Atlanta and the arrival of my son prompted me to pull the set out and start the adventure all over again! I've since discovered that the new century has ushered in a new "golden age" for O-Gauge trains. In the early `90's, Lionel once again started to make quality products again. Additionally, serious competition entered the O-Gauge train scene and Lionel began to lose it's near monopoly of the O-Gauge train market as manufacturers like Atlas, MTH, Weaver and others brought a level of quality and realism to O-Gauge never seen before. Competition between the train makers has led to great leaps in technology and realism. Hooray for capitalism! Some of the new Lionel die-cast cars that I've recently acquired are even more beautiful than the original postwar versions! MTH and Atlas are making incredible trains and accessories that give Lionel a serious run for their money and even surpass Lionel in many areas. In addition to the return to quality construction, modern technology has taken over and completely revolutionized model railroading. Computerized train systems, such as MTH's DCS system or Lionel's Legacy system, allow train enthusiasts to control the ENTIRE train set via a single hand-held remote control! With multiple companies now making high quality O-Gauge trains again and technology taking model railroading to new heights, it's a great time to get back into the hobby! Things have certainly changed from when I was a kid and with my son now getting into the hobby for himself I can say to him, "Son, they sure don't make 'em like they used to, and thank heavens for that!"

The first new layout that I created in our old loft apartment was a modest 12x8 size. Soon after I started building the layout I decided to abandon the postwar style of train layout and go for a highly detailed scale layout. This meant shelving most of my smaller O-27 trains and purchasing new 1:48 scale pieces. I never completely finished the 12X8 layout because in late 2006 we bought our first house. Our house has a basement that's around 900 square feet (roughly 25x36) and it's 100% for the trains! You can keep up with the latest layout progress by following Eric's Triains on Facebook. My expected completion time for the new layout is now sometime in 2020, though that may change. Layouts are never really done, are they?

My current layout, which I've named The Appalachian & Western Railroad, is an O-Scale layout which uses MTH's Digital Command System (DCS) as well Lionel's Legacy command sytem. The trains all run on Atlas O 3-rail track and I use a combination of Atlas and Ross switches. The layout is, and will continue to be, a modern themed scale pike. I did not grow up in the steam era, nor did I grow up in the streamlined diesel era. I grew up in the 80's and 90's when it was all modern diesel power. Just like anyone who grew up with steam or early diesels, I too have fond memories of the trains of my era. I can remember sitting in my parents' car at a crossing and watching with fascination as those big ugly diesels thundered by with a long stretch of battered and weathered freight cars. While I have a few diesels here and there that are from the 50's and 60's, the majority are 70's and later model diesels and rolling stock. Occasionally I will also run some older steam power and rolling stock just for fun, but the layout itself is modern themed. The roads that I try to concentrate on are the ones that are still around today and that I see around where I live: Union Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern and BNSF. I'm also getting into some of the older roads that have been merged into the previously mentioned roads, like Southern Pacific, Conrail, Santa Fe and the like, since it's still possible to see engines and rolling stock with the livery of those older roads on the rails today. Basically, anything that might be seen on the rails today is fair game. For more information on the current layout, check out this page.

In addition to my large O-Scale layout, I also dabble in a couple other types of trains. I have a growing collection of O-Gauge and Standard Gauge tinplate trains like those made by Lionel, Ives and American Flyer in the early 20th century. I also have a small amount of On30(narrow gauge O-Scale) equipment and there is a small narrow gauge line in the mountains of the Colorado Room on my layout.

If you'd like to keep up with my model railroading adventures, check out my YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, or follow me on Twitter.

Enjoy,

Eric Siegel

This page last updated: January 25th, 2024 Contact me at: [email protected]

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driverdefens · 5 months

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Luxury Student Apartments in Athens GA For Living

Lark Athens offers student apartments in Athens, GA, near the University of Georgia. Choose from studio to 4-bedroom floorplans and enjoy amenities like a fitness center, business center, resort-style pool, and more. Apply now!

#Student Apartments Athens GA

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spacetimewithstuartgary · 3 years

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NEW THEORY ABOUT VESTA The asteroid Vesta is the second largest asteroid in our Solar System. With a diameter of about 330 miles, it orbits the sun between the planets Mars and Jupiter. Asteroids have long played a part in building popular fascination with space. "Marooned off Vesta" was the first story published by American writer Isaac Asimov, the third story he wrote, appearing in the March 1939 issue of the science fiction magazine Amazing Stories. "When we think of asteroid belts, we probably picture Han Solo maneuvering the millennium falcon through a dense set of irregularly shaped gray rocks in space," Christian Klimczak, associate professor in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences department of geology. "While most rocks are indeed irregularly shaped and gray, they are far apart and NASA's Dawn spacecraft did not have to maneuver around any other asteroids to reach and explore Vesta." Dawn was the space probe launched by NASA in September 2007 with the mission of studying two of the three known protoplanets of the asteroid belt, Vesta and Ceres. Vesta, like Earth, is composed of rock in its crust and mantle, and it has an iron core. Because of its large size (for an asteroid) and because Vesta has a crust, mantle and core, it is considered a planetesimal. Planetesimals are building blocks out of which planets form. Earth formed by accretion of several such planetesimals. "Vesta was on the way to becoming an Earth-like planet, too, but planet formation stopped along the way there early in the history of our solar system," Klimczak said. "Therefore, studying Vesta helps us understand the very early days of our planetary neighborhood and how our own planet formed." Klimczak is co-author on a new study that examines the large-scale troughs and impact basins on Vesta. What created those giant troughs on Vesta? Vesta was hit by two other large asteroids which left large impact craters so big they cover most of the southern hemisphere of Vesta. These impacts are thought to have ejected rocky material into space. Some of these rocks reached Earth as meteorites so scientists now have actual rock samples from Vesta to study its geochemistry. "Rock properties are influenced by environmental conditions like surrounding stresses and the presence of water," said Jupiter Cheng, doctoral candidate in the department of geography and co-author on the study. "Since Vesta is much smaller than Earth, or even the moon, it has a weaker gravity, and rock would deform differently near the surface than what we see on Earth." According to Cheng, one big question is what triggered the formation of these large troughs. The two troughs are concentric around the two massive impact basins, Rheasilvia and Veneneia, respectively, and widely considered to be simultaneously formed by the impact events, though this assumed age relationship has never been tested before. "Our work used crater counting methods to explore the relative age of the basins and troughs," Cheng said. Crater counting is a common method for estimating the age of a planet's surface, a method based upon the assumptions that when a piece of planetary surface is new, then it has no impact craters; impact craters accumulate after that at a rate that is assumed known. "Consequently, counting the number of craters of various sizes in a given area allows us to determine how long they have accumulated and, consequently, how long ago the surface formed," she said. "Our result shows that the troughs and basins have a similar number of the crater of various sizes, indicating they share a similar age. However, the uncertainties associated with the crater counts allow for the troughs to have formed well after the impacts. The origin of the troughs has long been a point of conjecture within the scientific community. Klimczak hopes their new geologic evidence can promote a more-durable theory about the troughs on Vesta. The study is published in the September issue of the journal Icarus. A new theory is proposed in an upcoming paper "The leading hypothesis suggests that these troughs are fault-bounded valleys with a distinct scarp on each side that together mark the down-drop (sliding) of a block of rock. However, rock can also crack apart and form such troughs, an origin that has not been considered before," said Cheng, who is investigating the origin of the troughs as part of her dissertation at UGA. "Our calculations also show that Vesta's gravity is not enough to induce surrounding stresses favorable for sliding to occur at shallow depths, instead, the physics shows that rocks there are favored to crack apart," she said. "Therefore, the formation of these troughs must involve the opening of cracks, which is inconsistent with the leading hypothesis in the scientific community. Taken all together, the overall project provides alternatives to the previously proposed trough origin and geological history of Vesta, results that are also important for understanding similar landforms on other small planetary bodies elsewhere in the solar system."

#space #science #Astronomy #physics #news #vesta

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pacquiaovsugasliveonline · 3 years

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Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas fight: Five biggest storylines to watch ahead of the PPV showdown

At the age of 42 and following a two-year layoff, eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring on Saturday in a PBC on FOX pay-per-view bout against WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas.

Pacquiao vs Ugas Live Boxing Stream

Pacquiao will be once again fighting for the 147-pound title he won in his last outing, an impressive decision win over then-unbeaten Keith Thurman. But this weekend's showcase from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas won't be against the original opponent, unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr., who withdrew last week due to a torn retina.

Manny Pacquiao vs Yordenis Ugas fight

Let's take a closer look at the biggest storylines entering the Filipino icon's much-anticipated return.

1. How is it possible Pacquiao is still doing it at this level?

Pacquiao certainly won't be the first legendary fighter past the age of 40 to come back for yet another big fight. But when you consider Pacquiao is the betting favorite against an active champion despite his long layoff, and you consider how much the "PacMan" still relies upon speed and explosion as a boxer, what he is doing at 42 is simply remarkable. To put things into perspective, rising welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz Jr., who won his biggest step-up fight to date last Saturday by knocking out Egidjius "Mean Machine" Kavaliauskas before calling out Pacquiao afterwards, was still three years away from being born when Pacquiao made his pro debut in 1995. Yet here we are, 26 years and many in-ring miles later after Pacquiao has consistently matched himself against the most dangerous foes available, he's still at it. Even Pacquiao's contemporaries like Floyd Mayweather, if they are still active at all, are largely returning for circus fights against MMA fighters and social media influencers. History offers very little for comparison sake to what Pacquiao continues to do, which is what made his initial intention of fighting the pound-for-pound ranked Spence all the more impressive.

2. Ugas is a downgrade from Spence, but not by much

Certainly, everything from the betting odds to the commercial expectations for Saturday's PPV fight shifted dramatically once Spence's name was removed from the marquee. Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs), who is more technician than destroyer compared to Spence (who is both), is also less likely a threat to send Pacquiao disastrously into retirement via knockout. Yet Pacquiao-Ugas is still an incredibly intriguing fight, particularly for hard-core fans of the game who have watched Ugas, a 35-year-old former Cuban amateur star, quietly transition from journeyman to contender, and now champion. Large for the weight class, Ugas will hold height and reach advantages against Pacquiao and is an incredibly disciplined counterpuncher with good defense and the ability to walk forward when he senses an advantage. While Ugas' experience against elite fighters isn't anywhere near that of Pacquiao (or even Spence, for that matter), he holds a handful of strong wins against Jamal James, Thomas Dulorme, Omar Figueroa Jr. and Abel Ramos. His best performance, however, likely came in a disputed loss when he was robbed of what should've been scored a 12th-round knockdown against Shawn Porter in 2019, which played a key role in his split-decision defeat. Although adapting to Pacquiao's speed and awkward angles is never easy, Ugas has the technical savvy to make key adjustments that could give Pacquiao fits. The Porter fight alone showed why Ugas should be considered just outside of the elite 147-pound core of Spence, Terence Crawford, Porter and Pacquiao.

Can't get enough boxing and MMA? Get the latest in the world of combat sports from two of the best in the business. Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell for the best analysis and in-depth news.

3. Will the two-year layoff be a negative or a positive for this version of Pacquiao?

Yes, it's hard to look on the surface at Pacquiao taking off as much time off as he has during the pandemic as anything that can be called a positive, particularly at his age. Timing is everything inside the ring and one of the only ways a fighter can properly maintain that is by staying active. Looking back, activity has to be considered a key part of Pacquiao's most recent comeback when, in 2018, he emerged from a one-year layoff following a disputed loss to Jeff Horn by fighting three times over the next 12 months and riling off age-defying victories against Lucas Matthysse, Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman. Regardless of if he were facing Spence or Ugas, taking this much time off has the potential for Pacquiao to come out flat. But if there's a silver lining to the hiatus, it's that Pacquiao wasn't taking any damage and was able to heal up any nagging injuries. One thing that has allowed Pacquiao to maintain such incredible longevity has been his passion for training and the intensity in which he works out, even between fights. While this is by no means a preferred scenario to come back to the PPV level without a tuneup, there doesn't appear to be a lack of motivation in terms of the preparation, even with the late opponent change. Not only was the danger that Spence brought to the table reason enough for Pacquiao to leave no stones unturned in training, the fact that he's threatening a run for president of the Philippines in 2021 means doing so fresh off of a resounding win is a much more strategic scenario. Simply put: don't expect Pacquiao to be anything less than the best he can still be at this age.

4. Win or lose, this could be the final time we see Pacquiao in a big fight

Given his age, Pacquiao appears one bad loss away from retiring for good at any point, which he more or less agreed with during a recent interview with "Morning Kombat," where he remained focused on a wait-and-see philosophy regarding his future. Given his political aspirations, it's just as easy to imagine Pacquiao not having the time to train and compete should he fulfill his goal of becoming president of his native country. Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach shared a different opinion, recently stating he believes one of Pacquiao's remaining goals to be accepting and winning a fight as a sitting president. But Pacquiao stayed noncommittal. Either way, we are a whole heck of a lot closer to the end than the beginning of Pacquiao's incredible boxing journey, which makes this week that much more worth celebrating that he's still at it making big fights on the sport's grandest of stages, even though he and Mayweather have long handed off the baton to Canelo Alvarez as the biggest face of boxing's current era.

5. There's no shortage of huge fights remaining if Pacquiao still wants them

Spence's eye injury, just two years removed from miraculously surviving a dangerous car accident, certainly creates some questions regarding his future. Given Pacquiao's equal level of uncertainty due to age, the biggest lament of seeing Pacquiao-Spence fall apart this weekend is the fear that the window for this action-packed fight may have closed right before our eyes. But boxing fans have learned time and again to never say never and if Pacquiao can prove against Ugas that he's still got it and desires to keep making the biggest fights available, his options will be overflowing. Being the rare network and promotional free agent helps Pacquiao huge in this case. Not only would welterweight fights against Spence, Crawford, Porter, Ortiz, Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia or a rematch with Thurman be huge, there's a new crop in waiting of young fighters in and around 135 pounds who appear poised to take over the sport in the coming years. Imagining Pacquiao welcoming the likes of Gervonta Davis, Teofimo Lopez Jr., Ryan Garcia or Devin Haney for a dramatic move up two divisions to challenge him is a mouth-watering proposition for fans.

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frontproofmedia · 2 years

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What next for Kell Brook and Amir Khan?

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

By Sina Latif

Follow @Frontproofmedia!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id))(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');

Published: February 26, 2022

When Kell Brook (40-3, 28 KO’s) reflects on his career, Saturday night’s sixth round stoppage of Amir Khan (34-6, 21 KO’s) will be looked back at as a real career highlight. If Brook was to call time on his career, there will have been no better way to leave the sport than a conclusive victory against his career-long, bitter rival of nearly two decades, especially after the lows against Gennadiy Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr earlier in his career.

At this juncture, staying grounded is essential for all concerned with Brook. We cannot lose sight of who it was standing opposite Kell that made him look so devastating. Amir looked a shadow of his former self. The speed, movement, rapid combinations, all gone. Khan’s punch resistance, always viewed as his biggest weakness, was now entirely non-existent. Only Khan’s tremendous heart kept him in the fight until the sixth round.

Since Brook’s brilliant victory on Saturday night, names chucked in the hat for consideration as Brook’s next opponent have been Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn. These would be big pay per view bouts, but Brook would be facing fighters in their respective primes, whilst Brook is no longer in his. That would be a disadvantage for Kell which may see him suffer the same fate as Khan last Saturday.

Aside from the Porter win, this was Brook’s most impressive and emphatic victory. The occasion was huge, the anticipation was colossal, and Brook delivered in style. After his previous fight when he was devastatingly took apart by Crawford in four rounds, this was an assertive response by Brook.

Brook’s win was utterly dominant and brutal. However, he will most likely never be involved in a fight of such magnitude again. He is under no illusion this is the case either.

Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Brook said: “I think this grudge match is the icing on the cake for me. I can live at peace with myself and my career, I’ve tried my best. I’ve tried to do everything. Do I want to carry on? I feel like a 23 year old today. I’m going to sit down with my dad, my mum and my immediate family, and see if we want to carry on.”

This sounded like a Brook who felt in good shape coming off his win, whilst simultaneously aware that retirement may be a very real, sensible next option.

The options for Brook are limited if he was to pursue boxing. The big-money domestic fights against the likes of Eubank and Benn would be his most likely next moves if he decided to carry on. Challenging for supremacy against the champions at welterweight or super welterweight is near impossible for ‘Special K’ now.

At welterweight, he has previously been stopped by the division’s top two in Crawford and Spence. Would you back this version of Brook against the division’s other top fighters such as Yordenis Ugas, Jaron Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr? 147 lbs contains special pound for pound fighters and young guns who are hungry and very talented.

Factor in the damage Brook has suffered in the ring over the years, his back-to-back broken eye sockets, the inevitable beatdown inflicted by the undefeated Father Time, and fighting any of the aforementioned fighters should, sensibly, be nowhere near the table for consideration.

World title options at 154 lbs are equally unlikely. There is no need to delve into that further, as a title shot at super welterweight is just as unlikely, if not more so, than at welterweight.

After the lows, many will hope Brook retires on top after this huge win, with plenty of memories and money in the bank.

Khan’s future seems more certain. Retirement is the only real option. His legs were abandoning him from the first round after the first meaningful shot Brook landed, and that may be the biggest sign of all that Khan’s days in the sport are finished.

In the immediate aftermath, Khan told Sky Sports that ‘the love of the sport is not there anymore and that this is ‘a sign’ that he should perhaps call it a day.

The manner in which Khan looked like a shell of his former glory, not many would dispute this decision.

If Brook and Khan do both retire after this final humdinger, what great careers, and what a way to go out. An electric atmosphere at Manchester’s AO Arena will have paid a final homage to two British greats who never ducked a challenge in their careers and perfectly epitomized Tyson Fury’s quote of “Any time, anywhere, any place”.

During a time in boxing where politics, networks, and all the rest of it prevents the big fights from being made, Brook and Khan left no doubts as to their warrior status.

(Featured Photo: Lawrence Lustig)

#SL #Kell Brook #Amir Khan #Boxing

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sixmorningsafter · 6 years

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Future Scene: the Salvatore sisters find out about Caroline

Hey guys, I know it’s been forever since I updated and believe it or not, I’m still chipping away at the latest chapter whenever I find time, but I have an inordinate amount of asks about the Salvatore family in my inbox (lol I’m lowkey convinced you’re all one person but I see you and I love you), so I figured I’d post this snippet I wrote awhile ago for a fun look into that family dynamic. This is set during the Christmas chapters where everyone’s finally home and Stefan’s getting grilled about his bummer attitude. Mildly spoilery since it’s set in the near future. Opening line based on this gifset because I think the idea of Lexi as a wedding photographer is hilarious.

“I take wedding photos for a living—capturing regret and self-loathing is what I do.” Freya snorted and Lexi shot her a flat look. “What?”

“You’ve photographed two weddings—I’d hardly call that a living.”

“Um, everyone starts somewhere, Freyabot.”

“Yeah, usually in college when they pick a degree.”

Lexi groaned. “Are we seriously going back to the degree thing? I graduated five years ago.”

“Yeah—you couldn’t pick a major then and you can’t pick a job now.”

“Of course I picked major—I got a degree, hello.”

“In interdisciplinary studies,” Freya said pointedly, and Lexi raised her hands in askance.

“And?”

“And everyone at UGA knows that’s the slacker degree,” Rebekah supplied as she blew at her nails, though she promptly broke into a squawk at the pillow Lexi had launched at her. “You’re such a mongrel!”

“I’m a delicate dandelion.”

“Dandelions are a weed.”

“MOM, REBEKAH KEEPS TALKING ABOUT WEED,” Lexi yelled toward the kitchen and Rebekah rolled her eyes.

“Grow up.”

“Seconded,” Freya chimed in.

“Y’all are rude,” Lexi drawled, settling back against the couch in a lazy sprawl. “Stefan’s the only one who believes in me—right, Stef?” At the lack of response, she turned to find the brother in question staring into space, brows drawn into their token furrow. She waved a hand around. “Earth to broseph.”

He glanced over with a vague look, as if breaking from a trance. “What?”

“What’s with you, dude?”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I mean you’ve been a gloomy little space cadet ever since you got here.” She paused to reconsider her words. “Well, gloomier, anyway. What’s wrong?”

His shoulders lifted into a shrug. “Nothing’s wrong. Just tired, I guess.”

“Tired from what?” she pressed. “Haven’t you been sitting around doing nothing all week?”

“Lexi knows a lot about sitting around doing nothing,” Rebekah chimed in and Lexi launched another pillow at her face without breaking eye contact. “Rude!”

“Spill, baby bro.”

His brow furrowed. “I already told you, nothing’s wrong.”

“Try again.”

He lifted a puzzled hand. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“The truth’s a good start.”

“The truth is that I’m tired.”

“From what?”

“From—I don’t know, jetlag.”

“From Boston?” she snorted. “Did you make a pit-stop in Tokyo on your way here?”

“Lex,” he sighed and Rebekah ruffled in her seat.

“Leave him alone,” she snipped, likely more out of a desire to fight than save him, but he appreciated the effort all the same. “It makes sense that he’s tired—spending time with people can be draining.”

“Oh, don’t I know it,” Lexi offered back sweetly, and the two promptly fell into their seventy-fifth squabble of the hour. Stefan eyed them for a resigned beat before glancing away, and his stare landed on an unexpected Freya tucking herself into the seat beside him on the couch.

“Hey,” she offered innocently and he sighed—living with his sisters was like living in a 24/7 interrogation unit.

“I’m fine, Freya.”

She shrugged as she settled her computer onto her lap, gaze focused on the screen. “If you say so.”

“I do say so.”

“Well, your mouth says so but your face doesn’t.”

His eyes veered ceiling-ward. “And what’s my face saying?”

Her face pulled into a cartoonish look, voice knocking up a few pitch levels. “Help me, sister, I’m sad.”

He let out a dry laugh. “Did I turn into Pinocchio over the past five seconds?”

She glanced away from the screen and flicked her glasses down to peer at him. “Well, you’re lying and your nose isn’t growing, so I guess not.”

“I’m not lyi—”

“Stefan, I’m an incredible lawyer and an even better sister—I know when you’re lying to me,” she cut in, though something about her delivery always managed to sound softer than Lexi’s blunt attacks. “Plus, these pregnancy hormones are giving me all these supernatural maternal instincts so I’m basically a human lie detector test. Did I tell you I made a CFO break down crying on the stand just by staring at him because he knew I knew he was lying?”

He smiled briefly, glancing down at his hands. “You have an interesting definition of maternal.”

“It was badass.”

“Sounds like it.”

He felt her staring at him for a beat. “Look, it’s totally fine if you don’t want to talk about it, okay? I get it. I just wouldn’t pretend nothing’s wrong because even if me and Dad and Mom are willing to overlook it, Lexi and Rebekah are going to be on you like bloodhounds.” She shot a glance at the pair—Rebekah was gesturing wildly and Lexi was mimicking her every move. “I mean, assuming they don’t kill each other first.”

He nodded vaguely, stare still fixed on his hands. Christ, he wished he could just shake this. He hadn’t been home all year, not even for Thanksgiving, and now that he finally was, his head was somewhere else. He couldn’t even really blame them for prying.

“Was it Bonnie?” she ventured after a few seconds, testing the waters. “Did you guys get into a fight or something?”

He shook his head. “Nah.” He chuckled after a second. “I mean we did, actually, but we’re all good now.”

She nodded, sorting the information into the digital filing system that was her hyper-efficient brain. “School?”

He shrugged. “School’s good.”

He wasn’t sure why he was fighting telling them the truth so badly. Part of it was annoyance, sure—he loved his sisters, but they were nosy and entitled as all hell—but if he was being honest with himself, a larger part of it felt more like guilt. He didn’t want to unload another drama on them. He didn’t want to be the idiot who got carried away with another girl and ruined a holiday over it. He was so damn tired of being that guy.

He could handle this on his own.

“Internship?”

He shook his head at the well-meaning prompt. “Just got promoted, actually.”

Her brows drew up. “Big case?”

“Huge case.”

“That’s my little brother.”

He smiled and she returned it for a beat before chewing her lip. “Is it…” she hesitated and he glanced up at her, brows drawing in a bit. Freya wasn’t the hesitating type. After a few seconds, she sighed and met his gaze with her typically frank look. “Stefan, is it Elena?”

He broke into a dry laugh. “What?”

“Elena,” she repeated, eyes humorless with concern. “Did she, I don’t know, get in contact with you or something?”

He opened his mouth to say no before suddenly remembering that yeah, she had gotten in contact with him. They were meeting for coffee in a few days. He’d almost forgotten.

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “Or, I mean, not in the—that’s not what—” He shook his head again, waving his hand to dismiss the notion, and her brows drew up.

“Then is it some other girl? Because the only other time I’ve seen you act like this is—”

“Caroline!” a voice suddenly rang out in triumph, as if it’d just discovered the cure for cancer, and his gaze immediately snapped over to Rebekah. Her eyes were bright and eager on his, hair a mess from struggling to get her phone back from Lexi. “It’s Caroline, isn’t it?”

He felt his stomach filling with lead.

“Who the hell is Caroline?” Lexi scoffed, and Rebekah grinned at her, too excited to remember her hatred from three seconds ago.

“Stefan’s future wife.”

“What?”

Rebekah rolled her eyes. “Bonnie’s friend from college! The other girl stuck in the apartment.”

Lexi’s eyes lit up like a ping-pong machine as she turned to look at him. “Bitchy Roommate!?”

Stefan sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face—he could feel all three of their gazes boring into his profile.

“I thought you guys hated each other.”

“They did, but then they fell for each other.”

He let out a groan of resignation. “No, we didn’t.”

“They totally did.”

“Is that true?” Freya asked, her voice gentler than Rebekah’s, more curious. “Did you meet someone?”

“I didn’t meet her—I’ve known her for three years,” he offered in irritable reply, and Freya’s eyes took on a glint of humor.

“You know what I mean.”

“He’s avoiding a direct answer ‘cause it’s true,” Rebekah simpered and wow, he really wished he was an only child.

“Hold on, I’m so confused—so we like Bitchy Roommate now?” Lexi pressed, and Freya shot her an amused look.

“Her name’s Caroline.”

“Bitchy Roommate, Bitchy Carol, same difference—Stefan.” She snapped her fingers at him to get his attention in the most obnoxious way possible. “What’s going on here, dude?”

“Nothing,” he replied stubbornly and Freya gave him a knowing look.

“Stef, I think it’s pretty clear that something’s—”

“No, you know what, enough,” he cut in, lifting a hand in a silencing wave, and all three of them straightened a bit at the outburst. “Freya, you said if I had a problem, all I had to say was that I didn’t want to talk about it so this is me formally telling you guys that yeah, some things in my life aren’t great right now, and while I appreciate the concern, I don’t want to talk about it.”

They blinked at him, surprised, and he panned his gaze across each of their faces with a serious look.

“Understand?”

Freya lifted her palms in surrender, easing back against the couch, and he glanced back at Lexi and Rebekah. They were chewing their lips and peering at him with identical expressions, and God, he really hated them sometimes.

“It’s definitely Bitchy Carol.”

“Totally.”

“What do you think he did?”

“I don’t know, but the last time I talked to her she seemed fine.”

“Tell me everything you know.”

Correction—all the time. He hated them all the time. He shot a harassed stare at Freya and she shrugged, returning her gaze to her laptop. “I don’t claim them.”

Aaaaand now you know why Stefan doesn't always want to go home, lol. Anyway, the mammoth chapter to end all chapters that is 17 will at the very least be up this summer when I get a modicum of a life back. Maybe sooner, but honestly, probably not because I have cardio and renal blocks to get through first. But I’m still here! World’s still going! Ideas are still flowing! Just limited time. Anyway, thanks so much for sticking with me if you’re still here and know that no matter what, unless I specifically say something, I’m still here too. Just slow and busy af ;)

#steroline #stefan salvatore #caroline forbes #six mornings after #drabble #the salvatores #sma lexi #sma freya #sma rebekah #sma steroline #who knows what chapter this would even be #22?#let's go with 22

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knollcreekathens · 2 years

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knollcreekathensga · 11 months

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Best UGA Apartments

Student Apartments Near UGA: A Guide For Prospective Renters

Finding the perfect student apartments near the University of Georgia (UGA) can be an exciting journey, and Knoll Creek is here to assist you every step of the way. With a diverse range of apartments to choose from, we cater to different lifestyles and preferences. Whether you seek a bustling location near campus, a serene retreat, or a perfect balance of both, our community offers the ideal apartment to complement your college experience. When it comes to the best UGA apartments, it's all about finding the perfect blend of location, amenities, and affordability. With careful consideration, you can secure an apartment that complements your student lifestyle while providing an ideal environment for academic success.

Why Live Off Campus?

Living off campus provides numerous advantages for students:

More independence and privacy to create a personal living environment.

More space and amenities for enhanced comfort and convenience.

More flexibility and choice in selecting your ideal accommodation.

More opportunities to explore Athens and its culture beyond the campus borders.

However, it is essential to be aware of some challenges that come with off-campus living, such as higher costs, additional responsibilities, less proximity to campus resources, and potential transportation issues. Consider your preferences and priorities when deciding whether off-campus living aligns with your lifestyle and goals.

How To Find Student Apartments Near UGA

Searching for student apartments near UGA can be made effortless through various resources:

Online Platforms: Utilize websites like ForRentUniversity or Apartments.com to explore hundreds of listings near UGA. Filter by price, bedrooms, distance to campus, pet policies, and amenities. View photos, videos, floor plans, reviews, and availability for each apartment.

Campus Resources: Visit the University Housing website or office to discover off-campus housing options and services. Attend the Off-Campus Housing Fair held each semester to connect with landlords, property managers, and fellow students.

Word of Mouth: Seek recommendations from friends, classmates, professors, or advisors who have experience living off campus. Join online UGA student groups or forums to find roommates, sublets, or available rentals.

Local Newspapers: Explore ads or classifieds in local publications like The Red & Black or Flagpole Magazine. Check their online versions or social media pages for up-to-date rental information.

What To Look For In Student Apartments Near UGA

As you embark on your apartment search, consider essential factors:

Location: Evaluate the apartment's proximity to campus, downtown, grocery stores, restaurants, public transportation, and other frequented places. Assess the neighborhood's safety, noise levels, and overall ambiance.

Size and Amenities: Determine the space you need and the amenities you desire. Choose from options such as studio apartments, one-bedroom units, two-bedroom units, or larger configurations. Explore apartments with private or shared bathrooms, balconies, patios, or yards.

Amenities: Compare the features and facilities offered by different apartments. Check for essential appliances like dishwashers, microwaves, washers/dryers, and air conditioners. Inquire about utilities such as water, electricity, gas, internet, or cable included in the rent. Explore amenities like pools, gyms, clubhouses, parking lots, and pet-friendly policies.

Price and Lease Terms: Determine your budget and review the lease agreement thoroughly. Understand rent amounts, payment schedules, renewal options, and any additional fees or penalties. Consider your financial situation, eligibility for financial aid or scholarships, income, savings, and the need for a co-signer or guarantor.

Lease Agreement: Carefully read and understand all terms and conditions of the lease agreement before signing. Ensure you agree with the rent amount, deposit amount, payment method, due dates, late fees, penalties, lease duration, renewal options, subletting rules, maintenance responsibilities, and termination clauses.

Conclusion

At Knoll Creek, we are committed to helping you find the ideal student apartment near UGA. Our diverse range of apartments caters to various tastes and budgets. Explore our website to discover apartment features, locations, and availability or contact us to schedule a tour. We are confident that you will love living with us and creating cherished memories during your college years. Don't wait; apply today and secure your dream student apartment near UGA with Knoll Creek!

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puritanmillathens · 11 months

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UGA Student Housing

How To Find The Best Student Apartments Near UGA

A Comprehensive Guide to Help You Find Your Ideal Student Housing Near the University of Georgia Campus

Introduction: Are you a prospective student at the University of Georgia (UGA) looking for the perfect place to call home? If so, you should consider Puritan Mill Athens, one of the best UGA off campus housing options available. Puritan Mill Athens offers a wide range of benefits over dorms or other options, providing you with more independence, space, and flexibility. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of finding the best student apartments for rent near UGA, ensuring you make an informed decision that complements your student experience.

Why Choose UGA Off Campus Housing Over Dorms or Other Options

Living off campus offers numerous advantages, such as:

Increased independence and privacy, allowing you to establish your own space and routine.

More spacious apartments with various amenities, providing a comfortable and enjoyable living environment.

Greater flexibility and choices in terms of apartment types, locations, and features.

Opportunities to explore Athens' vibrant culture and community beyond the campus boundaries.

What to Look for in Student Apartments for Rent Near UGA

When searching for student apartments near UGA, consider the following factors:

Location: Assess the proximity of the apartment to campus, essential facilities, and recreational areas.

Size: Determine the ideal apartment size that meets your space requirements and preferences.

Amenities: Look for apartments with amenities such as modern appliances, utilities, recreational spaces, and more.

Price: Evaluate the rent cost and compare it with your budget and financial aid options.

How to Compare Different Student Housing and Apartments Near the University of Georgia

Use online platforms, visit university resources, and seek referrals to explore various student apartments for rent near UGA. Compare factors like location, size, amenities, and cost to narrow down your options.

How to Visit and Inspect Potential Apartment Rentals Near UGA

Once you've shortlisted potential apartments, schedule visits to inspect them in person. Pay attention to the apartment's condition, surroundings, safety, and any additional features that cater to your lifestyle.

How to Negotiate and Sign a Lease for UGA Apartments for Rent

After selecting your ideal apartment, understand the lease terms, negotiate if needed, and clarify any doubts with the landlord before signing the lease agreement.

How to Enjoy Apartment Living Near UGA and Make the Most of Your Student Experience

Take advantage of the perks of apartment living near UGA by exploring the local community, engaging in campus events, and creating lasting memories with your neighbors and friends.

What are the Benefits of Living in Student Apartments Near UGA?

Living in student apartments near UGA provides increased freedom, comfort, and opportunities to experience Athens' diverse culture.

2. How Can You Find Student Housing for Rent Near the University of Georgia Campus?

Utilize online platforms, university resources, word of mouth, and local newspapers to find the best UGA student housing options.

3. What are the Features and Amenities of the Best UGA Apartments for Rent?

The best UGA apartments for rent offer modern amenities, spacious layouts, and convenient locations.

4. How Can You Save Money and Time on Apartment Rentals Near UGA?

Research, plan ahead, and consider sharing the apartment with roommates to save money on rent and utilities.

5. What are the Tips and Tricks for Living in Student Housing and Apartments Near the University of Georgia?

Get involved in campus activities, communicate openly with roommates, and manage your budget effectively to make the most of your student housing experience.

By following this guide, you'll be well-equipped to find the perfect student apartment near UGA, ensuring a comfortable and enriching university life. Embrace the best of Athens, GA, both on and off campus, and create unforgettable memories during your academic journey with Puritan Mill Athens!

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driverdefens · 8 months

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Options to Explore When Looking into Student Apartments In Athens GA

Lark Athens' student apartments in Athens, GA, offer independence and well-being. Off-campus living at Lark provides modern amenities, a community vibe, and proximity to campus. Its spacious layout and student services ensure a balanced academic and relaxation experience for holistic well-being.

#Student Apartments In Athens GA

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racingtoaredlight · 6 years

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2018 College Football Commenter Preview: Lil LOIC - LSU Tigers

Team Outlook

Not Good Jim. Not Good!

LSU plays in the hardest division in the most competitive conference in football. And, they are coached by a barely literate, possibly mentally disabled Shrek wanna be. His Cajunisms were cute until the world realized he can’t coach. Maybe this is why they were picked to finish fifth in their division at SEC media days, above only scandal ravaged Ole Piss (h/t Arky Badger R.I.P.), and Arkansas (points and laughs at Bert).

LSU has not finished as low as fifth in the division since the Gerry Dinardo era. Give me a moment to wipe away these tears.

In reality, this might actually be optimistic. I mean, look at this schedule. In division, LSU plays: Alabama, Auburn, Miss. St., and Texas A&M. Their crossover games against the East include UGA and Florida. Out of conference, they start the season with The U. That is a legitimate potential for seven losses right there.

And this from a team that lost to Troy last year!

On top of all of this, they are working in a new offensive coordinator – Steve Ensminger. Doesn’t this just scream excitement? Granted, it can’t get much worse than the Matt Canada experiment last year (have fun with that tire fire in College Park). While Ensminger promises to open up the offense with multiple wide receivers and spread concepts, at heart he is an old school pro-style guy who likes to play smash mouth. Except LSU does not have a bell cow RB this year.

In short – Fuck!

Players to Watch

As usual, LSU has some NFL ready talent. Particularly 2nd Team All American ILB Devin White who led the SEC in tackles in 2017. The LSU defense also features CB Greedy Williams who led the SEC in interceptions and passes defensed as a freshman.

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What is notable however, is that unlike years past when LSU was a virtual pipeline of players to the NFL, after White and Williams the cupboard is bare. A couple of years of recruiting neglect under Les Miles means the Tigers are very young and as a result, Coach Orgeron has begun to rely on transfers. LSU’s starting QB is likely to be OSU transfer Joe Burrows. The team’s best wide receiver may be Jonathon Giles, a transfer from Texas Tech. The CB spot opposite Williams will probably be manned by Stanford transfer Terrence Alexander.

While LSU has some young talent with potential, like K’Lavon Chaisson a rush linebacker in the mold of Barkevious Mingo and Arden Key (begins sobbing again), there are no sure things this year.

Something the Gambling Public Should Know

DO NOT let Soused near the LSU Tigers with his Bodog account!!! The man ruins careers.

Seriously, if you bet LSU this year (and I would advise strongly against this), pound the under. LSU should have a very good defense under DC savant Dave Aranda, but the offense will be hot garbage.

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Historical Tidbit

The LSU campus is being gentrified and it makes me sad.

The Bayou, a bar prominently displayed in the break out Steven Soderbergh movie, Sex, Lies and Videotape is no longer there. A classic dive that was frequented by students and junkies alike has been replaced by an upscale coffee shop. The bike shop and record store around the corner have been replaced by a Five Guys. The strip mall across the street that housed the bar Murphys and various other low rent establishments was torn down and replaced with luxury high rise apartments. I mean, even the official book store is a three story Barnes & Noble.

With that said, the tailgate scene is still on point! LSU Tiger Stadium is centrally located on campus. There are several dorms in very close proximity and a very large parking lot that services the dorms and campus parking during the week. On Fridays, the students are required to clear out and by the afternoon, the RVs start rolling in. Realizing that they are displacing students, the vast majority of tailgaters are VERY good to the students and passers-by. And we ain’t talking just burgers and ribs, but jambalaya, boiled crawfish, gator and other Cajun delicacies.

Oh, and the Campus likes to drink. A LOT!

Rival

Despite the SEC’s attempt to create regional rivalries with Arkansas (get the fuck out of here with that boot) and Texas A&M, LSU has only one real rival.

Fuck Bama – Geaux Tigers. On a side note, Alabama stole our coach*. Imagine seeing a dynasty being built to the East and knowing it should have occurred at your school. Again – Fuck Bama.

I may need therapy!

*The Miami Dolphin years never happened.

Prediction

4-8 (2-6 in SEC).

LSU will beat Arkansas and Ole Miss in conference, but then mess around and lose to someone like La. Tech., a la the Troy game last year. Coach Orgeron will get fired after the season and every hot young coach will leverage the LSU job for another job somewhere else (Fuck you Tom Herman), and LSU will eventually hire Dale Brown out of retirement to coach the football team.

(editors note: I still like the over on wins)

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#LSU #LSU fans smell like corndogs #SEC Football #2018 CFB #Geaux Tigers #Coach O

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maureenmc1 · 6 years

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A Story About Bears and a Dying Friend

August 28, 2017

I want to tell you a story. This past week, Wednesday through Sunday, I went camping at Fort Mountain State Park near Chatsworth Georgia. The description of the park included that it has an 800 feet “mysterious stone wall” constructed by Native Americans probably during the Woodland Period, a Civilian Conservation Corps stone fire tower that was erected during the New Deal, a lake with a beach, scenic overlooks, and hiking trails. Since I have been on a kick to expand my camping experience, I decided to opt for platform camping. Of course, I have never platform camped in my life. It seemed like a fun thing, so I signed up for four nights of sleeping on a platform. My first clue about platform camping probably should have been that the platforms - unlike every other thing you can imagine - did not show up on the park map. When I arrived at the park office to check in, the first thing a ranger told me was, “We have a very active bear population. You can have absolutely NO SCENTS at your camp. This includes shampoo, bug spray and sunscreen. No coolers. No food, except what you cook and eat right away. We do have bear safes, where you can store part of your gear, but don’t put food or anything with a scent in there either.” Um. OK. Like a fool, I signed the form entitled “BEAR RELEASE FORM” that said I would not sue Georgia State Parks if a bear killed me. The Ranger whisked that form away as soon as I signed it, and told me that I would have to hike half a mile to get to the platforms. She gave me the REAL map of the park, which included the platforms. I already knew from checking the reservations page on the Internet that for Wednesday and Thursday nights, I would be the only person in the platform camping area. Since I had already signed the release, I decided to go and find the platform area, conveniently located about three miles away from the office. (“So they won’t hear my screams,” I thought at the time). Since I have absolutely no sense of direction, it took me a few times of looping around the Lakeside campground to find the Squirrel’s Nest, a cutesy but entirely apt name for my new home. I put on my backpack, loaded myself down with gear, and went to find my perfect campsite. After stumbling down the trail, I arrived at the platforms and opted for Platform Two. It had the best feng shui of all the sites. Built into the side of the hill, the platform faces out into the forest about two thirds of the way up in the trees. I could see all the way down to the lake, where the water shimmered and I could faintly hear the sounds of children playing. There were also two trees on the far side of the fire ring that were a perfect distance apart for hanging my hammock. There is nothing like lying back in a hammock and watching the trees sway above you. Nap time inevitably ensues. It took me two more trips to get the rest of my gear to the camp. By that time, I was tired and got in the hammock for a while. It did not disappoint. I strategized about how I was going to manage with the hot meals I had been planning on cooking, because no way in hell was I going to sleep in a place infused with the delectable odor of campfire cooking. Easy peasy: I would go to a picnic area and cook the hot meal that would have been dinner for lunch, and make the lunch sandwiches be dinner. That first night, I ate baked beans out of the can along with half a pimento cheese sandwich and felt well pleased with myself. After dinner I went to the bathhouse. On the bulletin board just outside, I saw a happy little poster entitled, “Fun Facts about Bears.” The fun facts included: some bears can run 30 M.P.H. (translation: run and the bear will eat you); bears can climb trees and swim (translation: you idiot – try to climb or swim and the bear will eat you); and my very, very favorite: the bear’s sense of smell is 2,100 more powerful than a human’s!!! (Exclamation points theirs, not mine.) Then and there, I knew I was done for. If I spilled food on my shirt, bears would smell it. If I ate some grapes and threw the stems into the woods, bears would smell them. My sense of paranoia was 2,100 times greater than before I arrived at Fort Mountain. Generally when camping, I get up and go to bed with the sun. Wednesday night, when daylight started to turn to dusk, light disappeared under the tree canopy before it did in the sky above. I got into my sleeping bag and watched the dark approach, unsure of what my night alone in the woods was going to be like. At first I was scared. I was afraid that bears were going to converge on me, especially since the platform was open on two sides, and easily accessible to big bear paws. Then I started thinking about the two bear friends I have had in my life. Then I thought of Francis Allen, who is preparing to transition off the earthly plane. I decided that if I asked for protection from the spirits of the Black Bear and Brown Bear and wrote this account for Francis, then I just might make it out alive. Our story of the bear friends begins with me in the third grade. My father’s job transferred him to Athens for a year. We rented out our house in Atlanta and my parents found a house to let in Athens on Milledge Circle, which filled the bill. It was in easy walking distance of the grocery and drug store at Five Points, and also of Memorial Park, which has a duck pond, zoo, swimming pool, and other amenities. For me, the move was miserable. I was used to my librarian, Miss Edith Wyatt of the Peachtree Branch of the Atlanta Public Library, who encouraged me to become a voracious reader and led me to types of books that I might never have found on my own. The Athens library was in a tiny building down from the post office and was staffed by a librarian who refused to let me check out books above my grade level: that meant a year of reading nothing but Beverly Cleary. At Barrow Elementary, things weren’t much better. My sister and I transferred in after school started and I did not make a single friend in the third grade class. My solace became visiting the zoo at Memorial Park after school. They had a black bear cub there who was chained to a tree by a manacle on one of his hind legs. I named him Sammy and he became my one and only confidant. Most days, I could be found between 3:45 and 5:00 at the zoo with Sammy. He was very affectionate and always greeted me with “Aahoooha.” I scratched him behind his ears, and told him my girlish troubles with the uncaring kids and the mean librarian. Sammy loved when I talked to him and also enjoyed my singing Girl Scout songs to him. As the months went on, Sammy and I grew at approximately the same rate. He was shorter than me, but we probably weighed about the same. One day after a visit with my bear friend, I stood up to leave and Sammy stood up, too. He put his arms around me and hugged me. I had hugged him many times, but this was the first time he had reciprocated. We lost our balance and fell down, with Sammy on top of me. Some stupid woman started screaming that I was being attacked by a bear. A zookeeper came up, and I tried to explain what happened. He had no interest in what I had to say and upset Sammy terribly. Sammy started crying and I started crying. The adults told me to go home, so I did. The next day when I went to see Sammy, he was in a concrete cage with iron bars. I could talk to him, but we weren’t allowed to touch and both our hearts were broken. I did not see Sammy again until I was a freshman at UGA. One of my first days back in Athens, I went to the zoo on the off chance that Sammy might still be around. In his cage, I found an enormous bear. When he saw me, he said, “Aahoooha,” and I knew it was Sammy. He remembered me. I talked to him and sang to him, oblivious to the stares of the other zoo visitors. I only went to see Sammy that one time. I got busy with school, and like most seventeen year olds was more wrapped up in myself than anything else. Not too long after that, I read in the Banner-Herald that he died. I wasn’t entirely sorry to hear it, because he was miserable in that cage and knowing that he had to spend his life there made me very sad. Between the time Sammy was first caged and I when saw him for the very last visit, I met another bear. After that wretched year in Athens my family moved back to Atlanta. I finished elementary school at Spring Street and went to Grady High. The year I turned sixteen, my friends and I spent one summer hanging out at the Grant Park Zoo. It was a much fancier affair than the zoo in Athens. Atlanta had many bears, segregated by type, and each group had its own enclosure. In the brown bear section, there was a cub that I named Sugarbear. Every time I went to the zoo, I went to see him. After some time, he began coming when I called him. We became a sort of ad hoc attraction. I would sing out, “Sugarbear!” and he would come running. He would stand on the side of the moat that separated us, and when I said, “Clap,” he would clap his paws together. We would play clapping games, and a crowd would gather. After a few minutes, I would say, “Everybody clap for Sugarbear.” The crowd would clap, thrilling Sugarbear to no end. I called him Sugarbear, because he was a glorious caramel color that made me think of brown sugar. Although I only knew him for that one summer in 1966, the political environment in Atlanta and the situation within my own family were so dark, for a brief time Sugarbear was the light of my life. So… back at Fort Mountain, I was freaking out, trying to calm myself down by remembering Sammy and Sugarbear. Then I would remember that I was lying in a sleeping bag on a platform in the middle of the woods with “a very active bear population” and freak out all over again. At that point, I decided to ask for the protection of the spirits of the Black Bear and the Brown Bear. I left my stinky walking shoes and sweaty clothes in a camping chair at the entrance to the platform. If any bears should happen to come by, I thought, they would smell my clothes and know that I was the girl who sang to the bears. I didn’t hear any bears the first night, but around 3:00 a.m. the next two nights, I heard a bear cub making a familiar sound over and over: he was trumpeting, “Aahoooha, aahoooha.” The spirits of the bears sang to me, and I was afraid no more.

I pray that as Francis transitions from this world to the next, he will achieve great peace, surrounded by the people who love him. One day soon, perhaps he will encounter a black bear who gives great hugs, or a brown bear who likes to clap. I like to think that could happen. May all beings be well and happy, upon whatever plane they may dwell.

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