theheartysoul--2020-11-27--Teenager Crushed By Forklift Chooses To Amputate Bottom Half Of Body To Save His Life

18-year-old Loren Schauers and 21-year-old Sabia Mistral-Reiche were , by all accounts , an ordinary young couple .
Living in Great Falls , Montana , the pair had been dating for eighteen months .
Then , a tragic accident changed both of their lives forever .
On September 27 , 2019 , Loren was driving a forklift across a bridge .
He began moving closer to the side of the road to give more space to an oncoming vehicle , when he veered over the edge .
He plummeted fifty feet to the ground , and the massive vehicle pinned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire time , he could see that his right arm and the lower half of his body were completely crushed [ 1 ] .
Sabia received a call saying that Loren had been injured in a workplace accident , and that emergency responders were flying him to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle .
Right away she got on a plane with Loren ’ s mother to be with him at the hospital .
Sadly , there was no way doctors could reconstruct the lower half of Loren ’ s body , or his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survive , doctors would have to amputate all of it .
Loren made the brave decision to have a hemicorporectomy .
AdvertisementA hemicorporectomy , or translumbar amputation , is a radical surgery in which doctors remove the bony pelvis , lower extremities , and external genitalia .
It is a complex , multistep procedure that has significant physiological and psychological effects on the individual .
In many cases , patients die either before or after surgery , This is due in part to the complexity of the surgery , but could also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surgery in the first place [ 3 ] .
Given the high mortality rate of the surgery and Loren ’ s bad condition , doctors wanted to brace Sabia and Loren ’ s family for the worst .
They told her Loren that he wouldn ’ t survive , and she said goodbye to him a total of six separate times , fearing that he wouldn ’ t make it another day .
Loren , however , defied the odds and pulled through .
He says that every medical professional is amazed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , the choice to have the surgery was a no-brainer .
Read : Inspiring teen receives emotional homecoming after having both legs amputated Doctors thought that Loren would be in the hospital for at least a year recovering .
To everyone ’ s amazement , however , he only stayed for three months .
He then did four weeks of rehab before he was able to go home .
Since then , the pair are getting used to their new lives .
Sabia says that Loren has been very innovative in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They have been sharing their story and their new lives on social media , and now have quite a large following .
Currently , they have 250 thousand followers across YouTube , TikTok , Instagram , and Twitter.Advertisement In their videos , they answer viewer questions openly and honestly .
Many of the questions surround details of his amputation , and Loren answers them candidly .
Loren offers clear descriptions of all of the apparatus that help him function normally ( like going to the bathroom ) , as well as his prosthesis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some time racing around in his motorized wheelchair .
They also talk about some of the lingering effects that he deals with post-surgery , especially phantom pains .
According to Sabia .
Specialists in Chicago determined that the phantom pain he was feeling in his left foot was physical , and in his right foot was mental .
When he gets left-side phantom pain , she says , they can alleviate it by stretching his spine with a foam roller .
Closer than Ever Before Loren and Sabia say that this difficult experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has been by Loren ’ s side throughout the entire process , is now his care provider in the home .
Loren has since proposed to Sabia , and the pair plan to marry in 2021 or 2022 .
Loren says that without Sabia , he would not have had the will to survive .
After the accident , Sabia set up a GoFundMe account with a goal of raising fifty thousand dollars to cover medical expenses .
They have far surpassed that number , which has given them day-to-day financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other resources .
In addition , Sabia and Loren are using their platform to educate people on construction safety .
According to Loren , the accident was a combination of him being unfamiliar with how to handle a forklift , and failure by a motorist to stop at a stoplight .
Keep Reading : 707-Pound Man Refused to Lose Weight , Said ‘ I ’ ll Eat ‘ Til I ’ m Dead ’ Where is He Now ?
( Amazing progress ! )

18-year-old Loren Schauers and 21-year-old Sabia Mistral-Reiche were, by all accounts, an ordinary young couple. Living in Great Falls, Montana, the pair had been dating for eighteen months. Then, a tragic accident changed Sabia and Loren forever.
Teen crushed by a forklift
On September 27, 2019, Loren was driving a forklift across a bridge. He began moving closer to the side of the road to give more space to an oncoming vehicle, when he veered over the edge. He plummeted fifty feet to the ground, and the massive vehicle pinned him beneath it.
Being conscious the entire time, he could see that his right arm and the lower half of his body were completely crushed [1].
“I had no pain whatsoever. I was in complete shock,” Loren said. “The hardest part was breathing, because it felt like my breathing was restricted.” [2]
Sabia received a call saying that Loren had been injured in a workplace accident, and that emergency responders were flying him to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Right away she got on a plane with Loren’s mother to be with him at the hospital.
Sadly, there was no way doctors could reconstruct the lower half of Loren’s body, or his right arm. If he wanted to survive, doctors would have to amputate all of it.
A Hemicoporectomy
Loren made the brave decision to have a hemicorporectomy.
A hemicorporectomy, or translumbar amputation, is a radical surgery in which doctors remove the bony pelvis, lower extremities, and external genitalia. It is a complex, multistep procedure that has significant physiological and psychological effects on the individual.
In many cases, patients die either before or after surgery, This is due in part to the complexity of the surgery, but could also be because of the underlying disease that warranted the surgery in the first place [3].
“I knew I’d lose all these limbs pretty much,” Loren said. “The forklift didn’t cut me in half, but crushed every bone in my pelvis down to my feet along with the muscle in my forearm.” [2]
Given the high mortality rate of the surgery and Loren’s bad condition, doctors wanted to brace Sabia and Loren’s family for the worst. They told her Loren that he wouldn’t survive, and she said goodbye to him a total of six separate times, fearing that he wouldn’t make it another day.
Loren, however, defied the odds and pulled through. He says that every medical professional is amazed at his story. For him, however, the choice to have the surgery was a no-brainer.
“It wasn’t a hard choice to have half of my body amputated – it was basically a choice of living or dying,” he explained. “With Sabia assuring to stay by my side no matter what and all my immediate family being around me, it really wasn’t a hard choice for me!” [1]
Read: Inspiring teen receives emotional homecoming after having both legs amputated
Sabia and Loren’s New Normal
Doctors thought that Loren would be in the hospital for at least a year recovering. To everyone’s amazement, however, he only stayed for three months. He then did four weeks of rehab before he was able to go home.
Since then, the pair are getting used to their new lives. Sabia says that Loren has been very innovative in order to be as independent as possible.
“Any time an obstacle presents itself in our new life, he just finds any way around it and comes up with a wild solution that a ‘normal’ abled person wouldn’t normally think of,” she says [1].
They have been sharing their story and their new lives on social media, and now have quite a large following. Currently, they have 250 thousand followers across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter.
In their videos, they answer viewer questions openly and honestly. Many of the questions surround details of his amputation, and Loren answers them candidly.
“We get questions like, ‘does he have any private parts?’” Sabia said. “He’s amputated below the waist. If that doesn’t answer your questions, Google hemicorporectomy.” [2]
Loren offers clear descriptions of all of the apparatus that help him function normally (like going to the bathroom), as well as his prosthesis. Of course, he also spends some time racing around in his motorized wheelchair.
Phantom Pains
They also talk about some of the lingering effects that he deals with post-surgery, especially phantom pains. According to Sabia. Specialists in Chicago determined that the phantom pain he was feeling in his left foot was physical, and in his right foot was mental.
When he gets left-side phantom pain, she says, they can alleviate it by stretching his spine with a foam roller.
“If it’s his right leg,” she noted, “we go through his day and try to pinpoint things that upset or irritated him and work through his emotions about those events to help relieve that pain.” [2]
Closer than Ever Before
Loren and Sabia say that this difficult experience has only made them stronger. Sabia, who has been by Loren’s side throughout the entire process, is now his care provider in the home. Loren has since proposed to Sabia, and the pair plan to marry in 2021 or 2022.
Loren says that without Sabia, he would not have had the will to survive.
“Believe me,” he said, “if I had woken up and she wasn’t beside me, I probably wouldn’t have survived. Having her waking me up and kissing me on the forehead, brought me to terms that this wasn’t the end.” [2]
After the accident, Sabia set up a GoFundMe account with a goal of raising fifty thousand dollars to cover medical expenses. They have far surpassed that number, which has given them day-to-day financial stability until they are able to establish other resources.
“This is the most love and support I’ve ever had in my entire life,” said Loren [2].
In addition, Sabia and Loren are using their platform to educate people on construction safety. According to Loren, the accident was a combination of him being unfamiliar with how to handle a forklift, and failure by a motorist to stop at a stoplight.
“Construction rules are there for a reason,” Sabia said. “Always yield to construction workers.” [2]
Keep Reading: 707-Pound Man Refused to Lose Weight, Said ‘I’ll Eat ‘Til I’m Dead’ Where is He Now? (Amazing progress!)


theheartysoul--2020-11-27--Grandma Is Moved To Tears When She Finds Out She’s Moving in With Her Grandson

Grandparents are very special people in our lives , for those of us who are lucky enough to have them .
Mathew Stewart is one of the lucky ones , and he has an extremely close relationship with his grandmother , Bobbe Windham .
Recently , Stewart was able to thank his grandmother for everything she ’ s done for him in a major way : He ’ s building a house and has invited her to live with him .
The Story of Matt and Bobbe You are likely more familiar with Windham ’ s nickname , “ GB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risen to social media stardom after Stewart posted a hilarious TikTok video of her trying to give him gas money .
Since then , the pair have continued to bless us with a stream of “ GB and Me ” videos .
Today , the pair have amassed 165 thousand Instagram subscribers and 2.9 million TikTok followers .
Stewart says that his grandma is more like a mother to him than a grandmother .
People around the world have fallen in love with the pair , and have even asked if GB could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of course , will welcome any of her followers with open arms .
Advertisement “ She has built a following of people who truly seem like a social media family , ” Stewart explained .
“ She said she wants to adopt all her followers , so she ’ s OUR grandma now.
” [ 1 ] Read : Our Must Buy Gifts For Grandma It is no secret that Stewart loves his grandmother very much , and that the pair have a very special bond .
For this reason , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everything she ’ s done for him over the years .
On October 11 , 2020 , Stewart gave her the surprise of her life when he drove her out to a house that was under construction .
He told her he was building the house for his family , and that she was going to be moving in with them .
GB was so overwhelmed , she was moved to tears .
According to Stewart , GB will have her own sitting room , an accessible bathroom , and a connecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explains that she is getting emotional because “ somebody wants me ” .
That line broke Stewarts heart , but the pair soon got right back to their usual witty banter .
When he asked her if she was ready to move in , she responded “ my bags are already packed ” .
The house is set to be move-in ready by the spring .
Stewart , for his part , is extremely grateful for all of the love and support their followers have sent them .
He hopes that he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their grandparents , especially during this particularly trying time.Advertisement Keep Reading : 4-year-old gives baby brother hilarious advice about grandma

Grandparents are very special people in our lives, for those of us who are lucky enough to have them. Mathew Stewart is one of the lucky ones, and he has an extremely close relationship with his grandma, Bobbe Windham.
Recently, Stewart was able to thank his grandmother for everything she’s done for him in a major way: He’s building a house and has invited her to live with him.
The Story of Matt and Bobbe
You are likely more familiar with Windham’s nickname, “GB”. She and her grandson have risen to social media stardom after Stewart posted a hilarious TikTok video of her trying to give him gas money. Since then, the pair has continued to bless us with a stream of “GB and Me” videos.
Today, the pair have amassed 165 thousand Instagram subscribers and 2.9 million TikTok followers.
Stewart says that his grandma is more like a mother to him than a grandmother.
“We have a very close relationship and love each other very much,” he said in an interview with CafeMom. “I spent much of my childhood with her and my grandfather. “I guess you could say we’re a pretty good team.” [1]
People around the world have fallen in love with the pair, and have even asked if GB could be their grandma, too. GB, of course, will welcome any of her followers with open arms.
“She has built a following of people who truly seem like a social media family,” Stewart explained. “She said she wants to adopt all her followers, so she’s OUR grandma now.” [1]
Grandma’s Surprise
It is no secret that Stewart loves his grandmother very much, and that the pair have a very special bond. For this reason, he wanted to do something to thank her for everything she’s done for him over the years.
His solution? Build her a house.
On October 11, 2020, Stewart gave her the surprise of her life when he drove her out to a house that was under construction. He told her he was building the house for his family, and that she was going to be moving in with them.
GB was so overwhelmed, she was moved to tears. According to Stewart, GB will have her own sitting room, an accessible bathroom, and a connecting bedroom. In the video, GB explains that she is getting emotional because “somebody wants me”.
That line broke Stewarts heart, but the pair soon got right back to their usual witty banter. When he asked her if she was ready to move in, she responded “my bags are already packed”. The house is set to be move-in ready by the spring.
Stewart, for his part, is extremely grateful for all of the love and support their followers have sent them. He hopes that he and GB can inspire people to reach out to their grandparents, especially during this particularly trying time.
“Our grandparents need us,” he says. “Even just a phone call can make their day. They’re not going to be here forever, so we better spend as much time with them while they are still here.” [1]
Keep Reading: Why a Maternal Grandmother Is So Important for a Child
References


theheartysoul--2020-11-27--STEVE may be even less like typical auroras than scientists thought

Most of us have heard of the Aurora Borealis , otherwise known as the Northern Lights .
Every year people travel to remote northern locations in the Yukon , Alaska , Greenland and Iceland to see this magnificent display of lights .
There is , however , another atmospheric light show that you may be less familiar with : STEVE .
Short for Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement , this strange aurora has puzzled scientists for years .
Finally , they are answering some of their questions , and it turns out STEVE is even more atypical than they thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aurora is a result of gaseous particles in the earth ’ s atmosphere colliding with charged particles that the sun releases from its own atmosphere .
In the northern hemisphere , this is called an aurora borealis , and in the southern hemisphere , it ’ s called an aurora australis [ 1,2 ] .
The magnetic field around the earth shields us from most of the sun ’ s energy and particles .
The amount of energy the sun sends out , however , is not consistent .
While there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are solar storms .
Scientists call one type of these storms a coronal mass ejection .
During a coronal mass ejection , the sun sends out a large bubble of electrified gas that travels through space and extremely high speeds .
As it speeds toward the earth , some of its energy travels down the lines of our magnetic field at the north and south poles .
It then enters the earth ’ s atmosphere [ 2 ] .
Once it is in our atmosphere , it interacts with the gases contained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Different gases create different colors .
Oxygen results in a pale yellowish-green color , which is the most common .
Oxygen at very high altitudes ( up to two hundred miles above the earth ’ s surface ) will create an extremely rare all-red aurora .
Nitrogen produces a blue or purple-ish red aurora [ 1 ] .
AdvertisementSTEVE looks and behaves a lot like a typical aurora , however , there are some key differences .
For this reason , this strange celestial phenomenon has intrigued scientists for years .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ STEVE in locations further south than the Northern Lights .
Instead of the typical green color , it appears as a ribbon of pink or mauve , often with green columns of light passing through the ribbon .
Scientists often refer to this as STEVE ’ s “ picket fence ” .
Initially , scientists weren ’ t sure if STEVE was some kind of aurora .
In 2018 , however , one study revealed that it is not due to charged particles raining down into our upper atmosphere , as is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it even more complicated , the study also determined that STEVE can appear at the same time as the most powerful aural lights [ 3 ] .
A later 2019 study determined that the STEVE ’ s mauve streak and green picket fence are actually a result of two distinct phenomena from two separate processes .
They found that the mauve arch occurs when charged particles are heated high up in the earth ’ s atmosphere .
The green picket fence , on the other hand , is more similar to an aurora @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radio signal is coming from inside our galaxy , scientists announce STEVE is More Complicated Than We Thought Fast-forward to 2020 , and scientists are now questioning the results of this research .
Specifically , new research has shown that the green picket fence is not an aurora after all .
While the green streaks do contain glowing oxygen , a lack of nitrogen emissions suggest that it is not the same as an aurora .
Advertisement What ’ s more , researchers along with citizen scientists have identified another strange aspect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with high-resolution ground images , they have noticed small green streaks .
They stick out like feet from the bottom of some of the vertical stripes .
The researchers say that the electron showers that cause auroras can not be responsible for these streaks .
Joshua Semeter , an engineer at Boston University , says that they don ’ t really know what ’ s going on just yet .
They believe , however , that these horizontal streaks must come from some process that is specific to STEVE [ 6 ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his fellow researchers suggest in their study that these streaks only appeared that way because of motion blur and radiative lifetime effects .
This occurs when spherical blobs of glowing gas move through the atmosphere .
Semeter says that one reason these blobs might occur is because of turbulence in the plasma .
This turbulence is what creates STEVE ’ s purple band .
Positively charged atoms in the plasma can travel through the atmosphere easily and form a smooth purple arch .
The electrons in the plasma , however , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the turbulence is more likely to affect them .
These high-energy electrons can get tangled up in the whirling air on the edge of the plasma stream beneath the purple streak .
These particles can then excite the oxygen molecules and cause them to glow green .
This , however , is just a theory .
Right now , the researchers need to confirm whether electrons from the magnetosphere are pouring into the atmosphere in the area where there is a STEVE picket fence .
If future satellite observations don ’ t see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further evidence to support Semeter ’ s theory .
For now , however , we can just enjoy that mysterious beauty of this celestial phenomenon .
Keep Reading : Scientists spot a ‘ kilonova ’ flash so bright they can barely explain it

Most of us have heard of the Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights. Every year people travel to remote northern locations in the Yukon, Alaska, Greenland and Iceland to see this magnificent display of lights.
There is, however, another atmospheric light show that you may be less familiar with: STEVE. Short for Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement, this strange aurora has puzzled scientists for years. Finally, they are answering some of their questions, and it turns out STEVE is even more atypical than they thought.
What is an Aurora?
An aurora is a result of gaseous particles in the earth’s atmosphere colliding with charged particles that the sun releases from its own atmosphere. In the northern hemisphere, this is called an aurora borealis, and in the southern hemisphere, it’s called an aurora australis [1,2].
The magnetic field around the earth shields us from most of the sun’s energy and particles. The amount of energy the sun sends out, however, is not consistent. While there is a constant stream of solar energy, occasionally there are solar storms. Scientists call one type of these storms a coronal mass ejection.
During a coronal mass ejection, the sun sends out a large bubble of electrified gas that travels through space and extremely high speeds. As it speeds toward the earth, some of its energy travels down the lines of our magnetic field at the north and south poles. It then enters the earth’s atmosphere [2].
Once it is in our atmosphere, it interacts with the gases contained within it and causes them to glow. Different gases create different colors. Oxygen results in a pale yellowish-green color, which is the most common. Oxygen at very high altitudes (up to two hundred miles above the earth’s surface) will create an extremely rare all-red aurora. Nitrogen produces a blue or purple-ish red aurora [1].
What is STEVE?
STEVE looks and behaves a lot like a typical aurora, however, there are some key differences. For this reason, this strange celestial phenomenon has intrigued scientists for years.
In the northern hemisphere, you can see STEVE in locations further south than the Northern Lights. Instead of the typical green color, it appears as a ribbon of pink or mauve, often with green columns of light passing through the ribbon. Scientists often refer to this as STEVE’s “picket fence”.
Initially, scientists weren’t sure if STEVE was some kind of aurora. In 2018, however, one study revealed that it is not due to charged particles raining down into our upper atmosphere, as is the case with typical auroras.
To make it even more complicated, the study also determined that STEVE can appear at the same time as the most powerful aural lights [3].
A later 2019 study determined that the STEVE’s mauve streak and green picket fence are actually a result of two distinct phenomena from two separate processes. They found that the mauve arch occurs when charged particles are heated high up in the earth’s atmosphere. The green picket fence, on the other hand, is more similar to an aurora [4].
“Aurora is defined by particle precipitation, electrons and protons actually falling into our atmosphere, whereas the STEVE atmospheric glow comes from heating without particle precipitation,” said study co-author and space physicist Bea Gallardo-Lacourt. “The precipitating electrons that cause the green picket fence are thus aurora, though this occurs outside the auroral zone, so it’s indeed unique.” [5]
Read: Mysterious radio signal is coming from inside our galaxy, scientists announce
STEVE is More Complicated Than We Thought
Fast-forward to 2020, and scientists are now questioning the results of this research.
Specifically, new research has shown that the green picket fence is not an aurora after all. While the green streaks do contain glowing oxygen, a lack of nitrogen emissions suggest that it is not the same as an aurora.
These images show STEVE’s green element and the mysterious green streaks appearing below the “picket fence”
Image Credit: J. Semeter et al. | AGU Advances 2020
What’s more, researchers along with citizen scientists have identified another strange aspect of the picket fence. Using satellite along with high-resolution ground images, they have noticed small green streaks. They stick out like feet from the bottom of some of the vertical stripes.
The researchers say that the electron showers that cause auroras cannot be responsible for these streaks. Joshua Semeter, an engineer at Boston University, says that they don’t really know what’s going on just yet. They believe, however, that these horizontal streaks must come from some process that is specific to STEVE [6].
What is Causing the Streaks?
Semeter and his fellow researchers suggest in their study that these streaks only appeared that way because of motion blur and radiative lifetime effects. This occurs when spherical blobs of glowing gas move through the atmosphere.
Semeter says that one reason these blobs might occur is because of turbulence in the plasma. This turbulence is what creates STEVE’s purple band. Positively charged atoms in the plasma can travel through the atmosphere easily and form a smooth purple arch. The electrons in the plasma, however, are far lighter. For this reason, the turbulence is more likely to affect them.
These high-energy electrons can get tangled up in the whirling air on the edge of the plasma stream beneath the purple streak. These particles can then excite the oxygen molecules and cause them to glow green.
Further Research Required
This, however, is just a theory.
“We found events where these little feet appear before or at the same time as the green column above it,” says Semeter. “It appears that the green emission is actually expanding upward along the magnetic field line.” [6]
Right now, the researchers need to confirm whether electrons from the magnetosphere are pouring into the atmosphere in the area where there is a STEVE picket fence. If future satellite observations don’t see these electron showers, that will provide further evidence to support Semeter’s theory.
For now, however, we can just enjoy that mysterious beauty of this celestial phenomenon.
Keep Reading: Scientists spot a ‘kilonova’ flash so bright they can barely explain it


theheartysoul--2020-11-27--“Natural Beauty” Photo Series Challenges Restricting Female Body Hair Standards

For hundreds of years , women have been subjected to unrealistic beauty standards .
London-based photographer Ben Hopper decided to challenge one of those – body hair – by photographing unshaven women .
These are a few portraits from his Natural Beauty campaign , and they prove that women are stunning – body hair and all .
15 Photos That Show Women ’ s Natural Beauty – Armpit Hair and All “ I ’ ve always been very hairy , as a child , teenager and now woman .
I always felt very insecure about this as a teenager , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was not feminine to display the hair on your arms , legs and armpits .
I used to spend many hours shaving and also spent a lot of money on razors , creams and sticking plasters only to end up with skin irritations and unnecessary infectious spots that take an age to heal until the next time I had to start the cycle all over again .
One day my physical and mental irritation got so intense that I realised that shaving was not healthy for my skin .
I did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it felt really good afterward as I knew that by not shaving was making my skin healthier and what I was doing was in some way liberating me from the stigmas and layers of society that I ’ d been put upon as a child.
” “ There are people who are exceptionally rude and who speak from fear .
People who say it ’ s dirty and that I must be a man .
The more important questions to ponder are rather why and how do we live in a culture/society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to have body hair , and unacceptable for others ?
Isn ’ t it absurd that it is socially acceptable for humans to have lots of hair on their head , but not on other parts of their same body ?
Isn ’ t it ridiculous and ironic that what grows naturally on its own is seen as unnatural ?
How did we get here ?
” “ The first time I removed body hair , I was around 11 years old .
I stole my older sisters razor and attempted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body , not that I had much at the time .
I assumed you needed to use a lot of pressure with the blade against my skin and ended up removing strips of flesh from my legs , which caused profuse bleeding .
I still remember going to school wrapped in bandages and claiming that I had fallen down a tree .
Looking back now , I think of how horrified my mother must ’ ve been that I had already been conditioned to remove the early signs of puberty that had only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then , I had already equated body hair with something monstrous and unnatural that had to be eradicated in order to keep my body effeminate and ‘ pure ’ .
As I grew older , I reflected on this instance a lot and the meaning behind it , and eventually just stopped removing my hair altogether.
” “ I stopped shaving my armpit hair about 5 years ago , and the rest of my body hair 4 years ago .
I was tired of constantly getting rid of my body hair since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Why ?
” – Why do we go through a painful process to get rid of something we were born with that keep growing ?
Why is being shaved considered to be more feminine ?
Why is body hair seen as something dirty ?
… It ’ s all about these ideas society has put into our heads and it doesn ’ t even make sense.
” “ I first stopped shaving while travelling solo around Mexico .
With limited access to showers and too many adventures to be had , shaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once I realised that people didn ’ t care whether I had hair or not in addition to no longer having constantly itchy armpits due to stubble , I never looked back .
Also having fibromyalgia , which is a chronic illness causing general fatigue and pain , I have to prioritise what activities I dedicate my limited energy to on a daily basis and shaving became something I choose not to do in order to save my limited energy for more important and enjoyable things.
” “ From the age of 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , body hair was my worst nightmare .
The fact that I ’ m a brunette with south European descent , living in a cold country without many sunny months was making it even harder .
Body hair was my biggest complex and I just decided to face it and love myself the way I am .
I was tired of the constant struggle .
It made me feel at peace with myself .
I realised that we are responsible for what we like and what we don ’ t like .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the eye of the beholder and that all of us have a choice.
” Hopper ’ s idea behind the Natural Beauty project was to highlight the challenging beauty standards that women face in regards to their body hair .
He wanted to highlight women who chose to openly go against those beauty standards and break down the idea that to be a beautiful , attractive woman you must be cleanly shaven always .
As many of the women mentioned said , it does not make sense as to why women ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men ’ s isn ’ t .
Hopper ’ s project proves that women with their natural hair – natural beauty – are just as desirable as those who shave.Advertisement You can see more of Ben Hopper ’ s work on his website .
Be sure to follow him on his Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter as well .
Keep Reading : More Women Embrace Facial Hair To Show Beards Aren ’ t Just Men ’ s Affairs

The pandemic has created many changes in people’s lives. First, it trapped them at home. Their kitchen table has become their new workspace and their pajamas are their new uniforms. For many women, not going out means a respite from their usual regime. Who cares about hairy legs when you’re not going outside anyway? [1] However, some women have stopped shaving as a personal choice, pandemic or no pandemic.
Women Have Stopped Shaving
Hair-removal used to be as vital for female hygiene as brushing their teeth and washing their hair. However, some women are scrutinizing this beauty standard and even abandoning it. And they are receiving major flak in return.
“It’s been deeply stigmatized — it still is — and cast with shame,” said Heather Widdows, professor of global ethics at the UK’s University of Birmingham. “Its removal is one of the few aesthetic traditions that have gone from being a beauty routine to a hygienic one.
“Today, most women feel like they have to shave. Like they have no other option. There’s something deeply fraught about that — though perceptions are slowly changing.” [2]
Many celebrities and influencers have embraced their body hair. For instance, actress Lola Kirke sported a strapless gown with unshaven armpits on the 2017 Golden Globes red carpet. Later on Instagram, she explains that she got death threats because of her bold choice.
A few years later, actress Emily Ratajkowski posed for Harper’s Bazaar while showing off her dark armpit hair.
“If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me,” Ratajkowski wrote in the magazine. “For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose — a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.”
Some Women Have Stopped Shaving Their Legs
In 2019, “Bachelor” personality Bekah Martinez posted a photo of herself in a mini dress with unshaved legs at a red-carpet event on Instagram. “I’ve finally gotten to the point where I feel (almost) totally comfortable like this. I stopped shaving my legs and armpits about a year ago as a practice of self-love. I grew up HATING the hair on my body...
“It’s not about ‘not believing in shaving’, it’s about believing I AM BEAUTIFUL, ATTRACTIVE AND ‘FEMININE’ NO MATTER WHERE I HAVE HAIR ON MY BODY.” [3]
The History Behind Women Removing Body Hair
According to Rebecca Herzig in Plucked: A History of Hair Removal, the war against body hair began with Darwin’s 1871 book Descent of Man where he claimed that men were intended to be hairy but women were not. [4] Hairy women were considered deviant, and an 1893 study found that females with more facial hair were more frequently insane. These cases also tended to have “thicker and stiffer” hair similar to “inferior races”. If that wasn’t horrible enough, Havelock Ellis, a scholar of human sexuality, believed this kind of female hair growth was “linked to criminal violence, strong sexual instincts … [and] exceptional ‘animal vigor.’”
However, removing unwanted hair didn’t become widespread until the early 1900s where smooth skin became a feature of beauty. Especially as sleeves and hemlines grew shorter. “In a remarkably short time, body hair became disgusting to middle-class American women, its removal a way to separate oneself from cruder people, lower class and immigrant,” writes Herzig.
By 1964, 98% of American women shaved their legs on a regular basis. Many hair removal treatment back in the day were harmful and dangerous, such as sandpaper, shoemaker waxes, creams made from rat poison thallium acetate, and X-rays. At best, women were left with scabbed and irritated skin. Others suffered from muscular atrophy, blindness, ulceration, cancer, and even death from these treatments.
Overall, Herzig argues that stigmatizing female body hair can “produce feelings of inadequacy and vulnerability, the sense that women’s bodies are problematic the way they naturally are.” [5]
Tossing Out the Razor?
To remove hair or not to remove hair is a personal choice. Some women might have kept their shaving or waxing regime throughout this pandemic because that’s what they prefer. However, others might bring their newfound laxness in hair removal into non-lockdown life.
Some women have stopped shaving as an act of self-love and acceptance. As Queerandcurious on Reddit said, “I stopped shaving probably about a year ago. I just decided to stop caring about what other people thought about my body hair, and I became much happier with my body. Plus, I get a lot of ingrown hairs and have sensitive skin, so not shaving makes me physically more comfortable.”
Some women just may not have the time or patience to include hair removal as part of their beauty regime. Meanwhile, others sport their unshaven legs and armpits as statements. For some women, they are just protecting their bodies. Shaving can cause skin irritations like chafing, ingrown hairs, rashes, etc. and they prefer the hair to the infected skin. And some women just don’t mind the hair either way.
Body hair or lack thereof is a personal preference that could change throughout our lives. Or it depends on whether or not we’re going out that night. The point is, the decision should be based on how you feel, not what other people think.
References:


theheartysoul--2020-11-27--Florida man wrestles his puppy from jaws of alligator: VIDEO

Few places in the world do dog owners have to worry about their precious pet getting eaten by an alligator , but in Florida , you do .
Check out this incredible footage caught by wildlife cameras of a man saving his puppy from the jaws of an alligator .
74-year-old Richard Willbanks of Estero , Florida , was out for a walk with his three-month-old puppy Gunner .
While making their way around the pond in their backyard , an alligator shot out of the water and dragged the tiny Cavalier King Charles spaniel into the pond .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the water to save his pup .
He grabbed ahold of the alligator and began wrenching at his mouth to pry open the animal ’ s jaws .
( 1 ) After several moments , he succeeded .
The entire scene was captured by wildlife cameras set up by the Florida Wildlife Federation and fSTOP Florida .
( 1 ) Puppy and Owner Doing Well AdvertisementOnce Gunner was free from the alligator , Willbanks ran carrying the little dog back to the house .
His wife was , not surprisingly , quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Thanks to Willbanks ’ quick reaction , this story has a happy ending .
Gunner only had one small puncture wound in his belly that a quick trip to the vet made better .
The battle with the alligator injured Willbanks ’ hands somewhat , though nothing that a doctor ’ s visit and a cautionary tetanus shot couldn ’ t fix .
( 1 ) Despite his potentially disastrous run-in with the alligator , Willbanks does not want the animal removed from the pond .
He agrees with the wildlife federation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and animals to live together on shared land .
Though it ’ s his backyard , it ’ s the alligator ’ s home , too .
( 1 ) That being said , he is certainly a bit more cautious now than he was before .
He keeps Gunner on a leash when they go for walks throughout the property now , and always maintains a 10-foot distance between them and the pond ’ s edge .
( 1 ) Keep Reading : You Could Now Land In Jail For Leaving Your @ @ @ @ @

Few places in the world do dog owners have to worry about their precious pet getting eaten by an alligator, but in Florida, you do. Check out this incredible footage caught by wildlife cameras of a man saving his puppy from the jaws of an alligator.
Read: Florida votes to keep daylight savings time all year long
Puppy Saved From Alligator
74-year-old Richard Willbanks of Estero, Florida, was out for a walk with his three-month-old puppy Gunner. While making their way around the pond in their backyard, an alligator shot out of the water and dragged the tiny Cavalier King Charles spaniel into the pond. (1)
“it came out of the water like a missile. I never thought an alligator could be that fast. It was so quick.” he explained. (1)
Without hesitation, Willbanks jumped into the water to save his pup. He grabbed ahold of the alligator and began wrenching at his mouth to pry open the animal’s jaws. (1)
“Instinct just took over and adrenaline kicked in and I just went right into the water after the gator and Gunner,” Willbanks recalled. (2)
After several moments, he succeeded.
The entire scene was captured by wildlife cameras set up by the Florida Wildlife Federation and fSTOP Florida. (1)
Read: 10 Dog Breeds That Live a Long Time
Puppy and Owner Doing Well
Once Gunner was free from the alligator, Willbanks ran carrying the little dog back to the house. His wife was, not surprisingly, quite shocked at their state. (2)
“He had the dog and he was covered in blood,” she said. (2)
Thanks to Willbanks’ quick reaction, this story has a happy ending. Gunner only had one small puncture wound in his belly that a quick trip to the vet made better. The battle with the alligator injured Willbanks’ hands somewhat, though nothing that a doctor’s visit and a cautionary tetanus shot couldn’t fix. (1)
No Hard Feelings
Despite his potentially disastrous run-in with the alligator, Willbanks does not want the animal removed from the pond. He agrees with the wildlife federation’s mission that is for humans and animals to live together on shared land. Though it’s his backyard, it’s the alligator’s home, too. (1)
“They’re part of nature and part of our lives,” he said. (2)
That being said, he is certainly a bit more cautious now than he was before. He keeps Gunner on a leash when they go for walks throughout the property now, and always maintains a 10-foot distance between them and the pond’s edge. (1)
Keep Reading: You Could Now Land In Jail For Leaving Your Dog Out In The Cold


theheartysoul--2020-11-27--Kissing Your Kids On The Lips Isn’t Weird. It’s All About Perspective.

Back in 2018 , soccer star David Beckham came under fire after posting an Instagram photo in which he was giving his then seven-year-old daughter , Harper , a kiss on the lips .
While many of his followers thought the photo was cute , others were critical .
This opened up the debate : Is kissing your kids ok ?
This was not the first time people have criticised Beckham for kissing his kids .
In 2017 , he posted another photo of him giving his daughter a little peck on the lips .
Similarly to the 2018 picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ image .
Some , however , were disgusted by it .
On Instagram user commented on the photo saying : Several others commented as well , saying that kids and parents shouldn ’ t “ make out ” , or that kissing your kids is wrong .
Just a year prior , Beckham ’ s wife , Victoria , also posted a photo of herself kissing her daughter on the lips .
Like her husband , the photo stirred up significant controversy .
Of course , celebrities are used to everyone having an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but why is this topic so polarizing ?
The truth is , even experts can ’ t agree .
Back in 2010 , Dr. Charlotte Reznick , a child psychologist from UCLA warned parents that kissing your kids on the lips could be confusing for them .
AdvertisementOther experts , however , heartily disagree with Reznick .
Dr. Fiona Martin from the Sydney Child Psychology Center responded to her statements : Read : A Letter to my Children : You do not come from a Broken Home So why is it that some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal , while others find it repulsive ?
According to Roma Khetarpal , parenting expert and founder of Tools of Growth , it has to do with your personal experiences .
People who grew up with parents who showed outward displays of affection regularly will see it as normal .
Those who didn ’ t will find it strange .
She adds that a lot of families have different cultural habits when it comes to kissing .
For some , even kissing on the cheek is inappropriate .
In European cultures , kissing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even between children and adults .
In the opinion of psychologist Sara Dimmerman , however , lip-kissing is out of bounds for anyone who is not a romantic partner .
“ My association with lip kissing is related to close intimacy between romantic partners .
As a result , I feel uncomfortable when other adults kiss me on the lips and typically turn my head so that their lips meet my cheek , whenever possible .
Although there may be families or cultures within which lip kissing between parents and children is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most people feel more comfortable being kissed on the cheek by people , other than their romantic partners , that I prefer to model this to my children ” [ 4 ] When it comes to kissing your kids , Khetarpal says that teaching your kids boundaries , and more importantly respecting their boundaries is the key .
She recommends asking yourself : is it age-appropriate , and do they want to be kissed ?
Advertisement As you raise your child , she points out , there is a time when you stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shower .
In the same way , there will come a time when your child doesn ’ t want a kiss .
As a parent , your job is to respect that .
When it comes down to it , however , she says we can ’ t qualify kissing your kids on the lips as right or wrong .
As for Reznick ’ s suggestion that kissing your kids on the lips might confuse them about who they ’ re allowed to kiss , Irvine-Rundle has a response for that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then ?
The truth is , it ’ s up to you .
If you want to kiss your kids , do so .
As long as you ’ re respecting both their boundaries and yours , and teaching them about other people ’ s boundaries , there ’ s nothing wrong with it .
If you ’ d prefer to show affection some other way , like a hug , that ’ s fine , too .
Keep Reading : What Our Children Need to Know About Love

Back in 2018, soccer star David Beckham came under fire after posting an Instagram photo in which he was giving his then seven-year-old daughter, Harper, a kiss on the lips. While many of his followers thought the photo was cute, others were critical. This opened up the debate: Is kissing your kids ok?
David Beckham Backlash
This was not the first time people have criticised Beckham for kissing his kids. In 2017, he posted another photo of him giving his daughter a little peck on the lips. Similarly to the 2018 picture, most of his followers loved the image. Some, however, were disgusted by it.
On Instagram user commented on the photo saying:
“You people are sick for defending this. The truth will come out… this may have been acceptable in the 1990s, but times have changed, and we won’t stand for it any longer. Children’s innocence must be preserved.” [1]
Several others commented as well, saying that kids and parents shouldn’t “make out”, or that kissing your kids is wrong.
Just a year prior, Beckham’s wife, Victoria, also posted a photo of herself kissing her daughter on the lips. Like her husband, the photo stirred up significant controversy. Of course, celebrities are used to everyone having an opinion about them and their lives, but why is this topic so polarizing? The truth is, even experts can’t agree.
Is Kissing Your Kids Wrong?
Back in 2010, Dr. Charlotte Reznick, a child psychologist from UCLA warned parents that kissing your kids on the lips could be confusing for them.
“If you start kissing your kids on the lips, when do you stop?” she asked. “It gets very confusing.” [2]
Other experts, however, heartily disagree with Reznick. Dr. Fiona Martin from the Sydney Child Psychology Center responded to her statements:
“It’s absurd really to think a parent kissing their child could be referred to as too sexual,” she said. “It is normal and healthy to be affectionate to your children. It’s communicating to your child that you love them.” [2]
Clinical psychologist Heather Irvine-Rundle agrees with Martin:
“It doesn’t take into account relationships that are safe and trusting. There is nothing sexual about kissing a baby on the mouth,” she explained [2].
It’s All About Personal Experience
So why is it that some people view kissing your kids as completely normal, while others find it repulsive?
According to Roma Khetarpal, parenting expert and founder of Tools of Growth, it has to do with your personal experiences. People who grew up with parents who showed outward displays of affection regularly will see it as normal. Those who didn’t will find it strange.
“It’s prevalent in some cultures and not in others, that is the biggest tell-all,” she says. “It comes down to what your family dynamic is — just like any other cultural habit.” [3]
She adds that a lot of families have different cultural habits when it comes to kissing. For some, even kissing on the cheek is inappropriate. In European cultures, kissing on the lips and cheeks is common, even between children and adults.
In the opinion of psychologist Sara Dimmerman, however, lip-kissing is out of bounds for anyone who is not a romantic partner.
“My association with lip kissing is related to close intimacy between romantic partners. As a result, I feel uncomfortable when other adults kiss me on the lips and typically turn my head so that their lips meet my cheek, whenever possible. Although there may be families or cultures within which lip kissing between parents and children is considered acceptable, I believe that since most people feel more comfortable being kissed on the cheek by people, other than their romantic partners, that I prefer to model this to my children” [4]
Teaching Our Kids Boundaries
When it comes to kissing your kids, Khetarpal says that teaching your kids boundaries, and more importantly respecting their boundaries is the key. She recommends asking yourself: is it age-appropriate, and do they want to be kissed?
As you raise your child, she points out, there is a time when you stop wiping their bottom or stop giving them a shower. In the same way, there will come a time when your child doesn’t want a kiss. As a parent, your job is to respect that.
When it comes down to it, however, she says we can’t qualify kissing your kids on the lips as right or wrong.
“All we can do is draw some sensible boundaries,” she explains. “What’s the big deal?” [3]
As for Reznick’s suggestion that kissing your kids on the lips might confuse them about who they’re allowed to kiss, Irvine-Rundle has a response for that, too:
“You look at toddlers who breastfeed, they don’t walk up to strangers and ask to be breastfed by them,” Dr Irvine-Rundle said. “It’s about being close to a person and wanting to connect with them.” [2]
So what is the answer, then? The truth is, it’s up to you. If you want to kiss your kids, do so. As long as you’re respecting both their boundaries and yours, and teaching them about other people’s boundaries, there’s nothing wrong with it. If you’d prefer to show affection some other way, like a hug, that’s fine, too.
Keep Reading: Frankly, It’s Nobody’s Business When It Comes To How Many Children You Have
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-11-27--Discover the Upside-Down Lakes and Waterfalls at the Bottom of the Ocean

The deepest part of our oceans is not just some of the least-explored places on our planet , but in our entire solar system .
Thanks to hard-working scientists and modern technology we are beginning to be able to explore these places further .
Just a couple of years ago , upside down lakes and waterfalls were discovered on the floor of Mexico ’ s Gulf of California , and they are incredible .
( 3 ) Upside Down Lakes and Waterfalls At the Bottom of the Ocean A team of researchers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute was exploring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This expedition achieved more than they imagined it would : A new vent field that they named Jaich Maa .
( 1 ) Hydrothermal vents are vents or holes in the ocean floor that pump hot , mineral-rich fluids from beneath the ocean floor into the water .
You can think of them sort of like underwater hot springs or geysers .
( 2 ) They form in volcanically active areas where the Earth ’ s tectonic plates are spreading apart .
Here , magma rises up to the surface or just beneath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cracks and porous rocks .
The vent heats up the water which causes chemical reactions to occur that remove oxygen , magnesium , sulfates , and other chemicals .
( 2 ) The fluids become increasingly hotter and leach metals like zinc , copper , lead , and cobalt from the rocks around it .
These heated fluids rise to the surface at temperatures of 400℃ ( 750℉ ) or more .
The extreme pressure from the deep ocean water , however , prevents the fluids from actually boiling .
( 2 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the cold , oxygenated ocean water , more chemical reactions occur .
Minerals precipitate out that build towers and deposits on the seafloor and feed the microbes that live in these deep , dark places .
( 2 ) Hydrothermal vent fields regulate the chemistry of the ocean by pushing heat and chemicals from the Earth ’ s interior out into the water .
They cause valuable minerals to accumulate on the ocean floor , support complex ecosystems of important microbes and organisms , and provide valuable information about our own planet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( 2 ) Two kilometers from the Auka vent field in the Southern Pescadero Basin is Jaich Maa .
It has similar geochemistry and biological community structure to Auka .
Its name means “ liquid metal ” in Kiliwan , a native language to the region .
The name refers to the “ metallic shimmering ” of the upside-down lake .
( 1 ) The most impressive part of Jaich Maa is its largest vent Tay Ujaa , meaning big cave .
Tay Ujaa has a pool of “ shimmering water ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upside-down waterfall .
( 1 ) The most exciting part about discovering a new vent field is the new species that are unearthed .
( 1 ) In an extreme climate such as the Jaich Maa vent field , there are microbes and heat-loving organisms that can give us clues about the formation of the Earth as well as the potential for life on planets that have similar ecosystems .
( 1 ) More To Be Discovered Though scientists like the team from the Schmidt Institute are working hard to explore more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90 % of the ocean floor is still very much a mystery .
( 1 ) As the technology for autonomous underwater vehicles like the one they used to explore Jaich Maa continues to improve , more of these unreachable places will become feasible .
Keep Reading : World ’ s First Complete T-Rex Skeleton Finally Revealed To Public 67 Million Years After It Was Buried

The deepest part of our oceans is not just some of the least-explored places on our planet, but in our entire solar system. Thanks to hard-working scientists and modern technology we are beginning to be able to explore these places further. Just a couple of years ago, upside down lakes and waterfalls were discovered on the floor of Mexico’s Gulf of California, and they are incredible. (3)
Upside Down Lakes and Waterfalls At the Bottom of the Ocean
Image Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
A team of researchers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute was exploring the Auka hydrothermal vent field in 2018. This expedition achieved more than they imagined it would: A new vent field that they named Jaich Maa. (1)
What is a Vent Field?
Hydrothermal vents are vents or holes in the ocean floor that pump hot, mineral-rich fluids from beneath the ocean floor into the water. You can think of them sort of like underwater hot springs or geysers. (2)
Image Credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
They form in volcanically active areas where the Earth’s tectonic plates are spreading apart. Here, magma rises up to the surface or just beneath it, where water sneaks in through cracks and porous rocks. The vent heats up the water which causes chemical reactions to occur that remove oxygen, magnesium, sulfates, and other chemicals. (2)
The fluids become increasingly hotter and leach metals like zinc, copper, lead, and cobalt from the rocks around it. These heated fluids rise to the surface at temperatures of 400℃ (750℉) or more. The extreme pressure from the deep ocean water, however, prevents the fluids from actually boiling. (2)
As this hot water comes into contact with the cold, oxygenated ocean water, more chemical reactions occur. Minerals precipitate out that build towers and deposits on the seafloor and feed the microbes that live in these deep, dark places. (2)
Read: Mystery Meteorite Contains “Impossible to Naturally Exist” Crystal
Why Are Hydrothermal Vents Important?
Hydrothermal vent fields regulate the chemistry of the ocean by pushing heat and chemicals from the Earth’s interior out into the water. They cause valuable minerals to accumulate on the ocean floor, support complex ecosystems of important microbes and organisms, and provide valuable information about our own planet as well as potential life on others. (2)
Jaich Maa: The Upside-Down Lake
Two kilometers from the Auka vent field in the Southern Pescadero Basin is Jaich Maa. It has similar geochemistry and biological community structure to Auka. Its name means “liquid metal” in Kiliwan, a native language to the region. The name refers to the “metallic shimmering” of the upside-down lake. (1)
Image Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
The most impressive part of Jaich Maa is its largest vent Tay Ujaa, meaning big cave. Tay Ujaa has a pool of “shimmering water” that then leaves the cavern into an upside-down waterfall. (1)
The most exciting part about discovering a new vent field is the new species that are unearthed. (1)
The team found (1):
Blue microbes
The sock-looking Xenoturbella
Oasisia tubeworms
Anemones
Bright blue scale worms
Image Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
In an extreme climate such as the Jaich Maa vent field, there are microbes and heat-loving organisms that can give us clues about the formation of the Earth as well as the potential for life on planets that have similar ecosystems. (1)
More To Be Discovered
Though scientists like the team from the Schmidt Institute are working hard to explore more of our oceans, the reality is that 90% of the ocean floor is still very much a mystery. (1) As the technology for autonomous underwater vehicles like the one they used to explore Jaich Maa continues to improve, more of these unreachable places will become feasible.
Keep Reading: World’s First Complete T-Rex Skeleton Finally Revealed To Public 67 Million Years After It Was Buried


theheartysoul--2020-11-27--Man Builds $150 Mobile Tiny Home He Can Tow With His Bike

There ’ s camping in a tent and then there ’ s camping in a trailer .
Paul Elkins put both together to create a $ 150 mobile tiny home that could be towed around on a bicycle .
All you need is some materials and Elkins ’ s printable instruction manual that costs only $ 20 .
You may be able to buy a tent for cheaper but this one is truly a mobile home with a skylight , a bed , and even a mini kitchen .
The home only weighs about 60 pounds , easy to tow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camping for those who don ’ t want to sleep on the ground .
The bicycle camper ’ s design was based on Elkins ’ s previous creation , the homeless emergency shelter .
Both used arched panels to maintain the structure .
This form keeps the building process simple while still being firm enough to function as a home .
[ 1 ] He got the plastic material from recycled campaign signs .
“ Freebies , ” he called them in a YouTube video about the project .
The front of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paint intended for plastic .
Aside from the aesthetics , the paint can help protect from UV rays .
Other than the manual , materials needed include bicycle wheels , wood for the frame , insulation , duct tape , screws , zip ties , paint , etc .
All amounts to about $ 150 .
AdvertisementOnce inside , the walls are strong enough to recline against , and the skylight with small windows draw in natural light .
The skylight can be opened and closed .
In this $ 150 mobile tiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for reading at night .
There are also reflective lights on the back of the camper .
In the center stands a foam sheet that serves as a bed .
Read : Nonprofit Organization Built Homeless Veterans Village of Tiny Homes Instead Of Leaving Them Homeless He added over cabinets to store food and supplies as well as little counters to prepare food on .
One of which includes a single-burner portable stove .
He even attached speakers to both overhead cabinets for a surround sound effect for the person lying in bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t like headphones.
” He also keeps little storage units for books and other supplies , as well as a cooler .
The cabinets also lock in place to prevent messes while traveling .
Air vents flaps lie where the occupant sleeps at the end of the camper .
Aside from enjoying the fresh breeze , the vents help with air circulation and reduce condensation .
Two layers of fluted plastic make up the door , which Elkins covered with yellow and black safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bin underneath the camper for heavier items to maintain the center of gravity while traveling in windy areas .
[ 2 ] If he planned to take the camper on a real road trip , he would install a solar panel to power the batteries for the lights and stereo system instead of relying on batteries .
Other Eklins designs include the shelter the camper was based on , a wooden mini-boat , and a dog house among others .
These manuals are available on his website which ranges from $ 5 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiny home is one of his many amazing projects Paul Elkins considers himself a “ novice artist and designer ” since he had training in art but not in engineering .
He fell in love with innovation when he was a child visiting extended relatives on the countryside .
His cousin ’ s farm and home were covered with hand-made machines and tools .
“ He made whatever he needed , showing me that a person with a little ambition , skill , and imagination could accomplish damn near anything !
” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] His artistic doodles became designs for boats , houses , and cars .
From there , he began developing prototypes of his ideas and posting them on his website and on YouTube .
He used to work for Boeing , but now he focuses on creating mini structures that are weatherproof , lightweight , and often transportable with the help of bicycle pedals .
“ His work is inspiring because he pushes minimalism to an extreme , ” wrote filmaker Kirsten Dirksen on the Tiny House Design .
“ While his tiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portable they are also functional and include all the essentials .
From a tiny house design perspective , his work serves an extreme example that sets the standard for small and outside-the-box thinking.
” His goal is to spread his ideas and inspire others to use their imagination to create something new .
“ And if you get discouraged , don ’ t let it get to you .
Remember , failure is when you learn !
” Keep Reading : California company leases backyards for 99 years to build tiny homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the housing crisis

There’s camping in a tent and then there’s camping in a trailer. Paul Elkins put both together to create a $150 mobile tiny home that could be towed around on a bicycle. All you need is some materials and Elkins’s printable instruction manual that costs only $20.
You may be able to buy a tent for cheaper but this one is truly a mobile home with a skylight, a bed, and even a mini kitchen. The home only weighs about 60 pounds, easy to tow with a bike. This is rugged camping for those who don’t want to sleep on the ground.
A Tour of the $150 Mobile Tiny Home
The bicycle camper’s design was based on Elkins’s previous creation, the homeless emergency shelter. Both used arched panels to maintain the structure. This form keeps the building process simple while still being firm enough to function as a home. [1]
He got the plastic material from recycled campaign signs. “Freebies,” he called them in a YouTube video about the project.
Image Credit: Paul Elkins | YouTube
The front of the shelter is rounded and painted with spray paint intended for plastic. Aside from the aesthetics, the paint can help protect from UV rays.
Image Credit: Paul Elkins | YouTube
Other than the manual, materials needed include bicycle wheels, wood for the frame, insulation, duct tape, screws, zip ties, paint, etc. All amounts to about $150.
Inside the Nomad Bicycle Camper
Once inside, the walls are strong enough to recline against, and the skylight with small windows draw in natural light. The skylight can be opened and closed.
Image Credit: Paul Elkins | YouTube
In this $150 mobile tiny home, he installed an LED light for reading at night. There are also reflective lights on the back of the camper.
Image Credit: Paul Elkins | YouTube
In the center stands a foam sheet that serves as a bed.
Image Credit: Paul Elkins | YouTube
Read: Nonprofit Organization Built Homeless Veterans Village of Tiny Homes Instead Of Leaving Them Homeless
He added over cabinets to store food and supplies as well as little counters to prepare food on. One of which includes a single-burner portable stove. He even attached speakers to both overhead cabinets for a surround sound effect for the person lying in bed. “We got to have that,” he said. “I don’t like headphones.”
Image Credit: Paul Elkins | YouTube
He also keeps little storage units for books and other supplies, as well as a cooler. The cabinets also lock in place to prevent messes while traveling.
Image Credit: Paul Elkins | YouTube
Air vents flaps lie where the occupant sleeps at the end of the camper. Aside from enjoying the fresh breeze, the vents help with air circulation and reduce condensation.
Image Credit: Paul Elkins | YouTube
Two layers of fluted plastic make up the door, which Elkins covered with yellow and black safety tape.
Image Credit: Paul Elkins | YouTube
He attached an extra bin underneath the camper for heavier items to maintain the center of gravity while traveling in windy areas. [2]
Image Credit: Paul Elkins | YouTube
If he planned to take the camper on a real road trip, he would install a solar panel to power the batteries for the lights and stereo system instead of relying on batteries.
Other Eklins designs include the shelter the camper was based on, a wooden mini-boat, and a dog house among others. These manuals are available on his website which ranges from $5 to $20. This $150 mobile tiny home is one of his many amazing projects
About the Designer, Paul Elkins
Paul Elkins considers himself a “novice artist and designer” since he had training in art but not in engineering. He fell in love with innovation when he was a child visiting extended relatives on the countryside. His cousin’s farm and home were covered with hand-made machines and tools.
“He made whatever he needed, showing me that a person with a little ambition, skill, and imagination could accomplish damn near anything!” he writes on his website. [3]
His artistic doodles became designs for boats, houses, and cars. From there, he began developing prototypes of his ideas and posting them on his website and on YouTube.
He used to work for Boeing, but now he focuses on creating mini structures that are weatherproof, lightweight, and often transportable with the help of bicycle pedals.
“His work is inspiring because he pushes minimalism to an extreme,” wrote filmaker Kirsten Dirksen on the Tiny House Design. “While his tiny structures are lightweight, weatherproof, and portable they are also functional and include all the essentials. From a tiny house design perspective, his work serves an extreme example that sets the standard for small and outside-the-box thinking.”
His goal is to spread his ideas and inspire others to use their imagination to create something new. “And if you get discouraged, don’t let it get to you. Remember, failure is when you learn!”
Keep Reading: California company leases backyards for 99 years to build tiny homes and rent them at affordable rates to fight the housing crisis


theheartysoul--2020-11-27--A bittersweet Thanksgiving for the grandmother and teenager who met via an accidental text in 2016

Not long ago , we covered the story of how Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton became unlikely friends when a Thanksgiving text went to the wrong person .
They have been celebrating the holiday together ever since , and 2020 was no exception .
This year , however , wasn ’ t quite the same .
In 2016 , Wanda Dench of Mesa , Arizona , sent her grandson a text message to give him the details of their Thanksgiving celebration .
The only problem was she accidentally sent it to the wrong number .
Instead , she sent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a seventeen-year-old student attending Desert Vista High School at the time .
Once the pair sorted out the mistake , Hinton asked if he could still have a plate anyways .
To his surprise , Dench said yes- and invited him over to Thanksgiving dinner .
Advertisement When he first showed up on Dench ’ s doorstep , he was nervous .
He didn ’ t know if there would be awkward moments when he didn ’ t know what to say .
His fears were soon dashed , however , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
The pair have become the best of friends , and all it took was a single Thanksgiving text .
Hinton has been celebrating the holiday ever since with Dench and her family [ 2 ] .
Read : Let ’ s Embrace a Little “ Scruffy Hospitality ” Because Our Homes Don ’ t Have to be Picture Perfect to Have People Over Even in 2020 , Dench and Hinton continued the tradition .
They even celebrated early so they could all get tested for the coronavirus before having Thanksgiving dinner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , was different , and not because of the earlier date .
Sadly , there was an empty seat at their table this time around .
A seat where Dench ’ s husband , Lonnie , would have sat .
Lonnie passed away in April from COVID-19 after 43 years of marriage .
Knowing that Lonnie would have been upset had they canceled the tradition , Hinton still came over for their annual Thanksgiving meal .
According to Dench , they really enjoyed themselves , and in a time when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was really good for them .
Hinton , who is now 21 , said that they had a photo of Lonnie with a candle , and at first it was sad .
Gradually , the mood lightened , and they told jokes and shared memories of Dench ’ s late husband .
Hinton and Dench likely didn ’ t know it at the time , but that innocent Thanksgiving text blunder would change both their lives .
Since their first dinner in 2016 , the pair have shared many memories together , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dench says it feels as though they knew each other in a past life .
Their friendship does not stop at Thanksgiving dinners , though .
Hinton and his girlfriend have gone on double dates with Dench and her late husband , like the time the four of them visited a pumpkin patch together .
According to Hinton , he has also become Dench ’ s personal tech support [ 3 ] .
As Hinton ’ s friendship with Dench grew , so too did his friendship with Lonnie .
He remembers him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dench and Hinton continue to heal from their loss , they have each other for support .
Their story is a reminder that you can find friendship in the most unlikely places , and even just one Thanksgiving text can change your life .
Keep Reading : After Years of Helping Crow Family , Man Was Left ‘ Mind-Blown ’ Over Their Homemade Gifts in Return

In 2016 Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton became unlikely friends when a Thanksgiving text went to the wrong person, and their story went viral. They have been celebrating the holiday together every year since and 2021 will be no exception.
The Thanksgiving Text Backstory
In 2016, Wanda Dench of Mesa, Arizona, sent her grandson a text message to give him the details of their Thanksgiving celebration. The only problem was she accidentally sent it to the wrong number.
Instead, she sent the message to Jamal Hinton, who was a seventeen-year-old student attending Desert Vista High School at the time. Once the pair sorted out the mistake, Hinton asked if he could still have a plate anyways.
To his surprise, Dench said yes- and invited him over to Thanksgiving dinner.
“People can actually connect and be so nice to each other with people they don’t even know,” Hinton said [1].
When he first showed up on Dench’s doorstep, he was nervous. He didn’t know if there would be awkward moments when he didn’t know what to say. His fears were soon dashed, however, and he quickly connected with Dench and her entire family.
The pair have become the best of friends, and all it took was a single Thanksgiving text. Hinton has been celebrating the holiday ever since with Dench and her family [2].
2020: An Empty Seat
Even in 2020, Dench and Hinton continued the tradition. They even celebrated early so they could all get tested for the coronavirus before having Thanksgiving dinner with their own families.
However, that year was different, and not because of the earlier date. Sadly, there was an empty seat at their table this time around. A seat where Dench’s husband, Lonnie, would have sat. Lonnie passed away in April from COVID-19 after 43 years of marriage.
“I wasn’t looking forward to it at first because Lonnie wasn’t going to be there. The past seven months have been so difficult, but this was really important to me,” said Dench [2].
Knowing that Lonnie would have been upset had they canceled the tradition, Hinton still came over for their annual Thanksgiving meal. According to Dench, they really enjoyed themselves, and in a time when they were all still grieving, the company was really good for them.
Hinton, who is now 21, said that they had a photo of Lonnie with a candle, and at first it was sad. Gradually, the mood lightened, and they told jokes and shared memories of Dench’s late husband.
A Mistaken Thanksgiving Text and Friends for Life
Hinton and Dench likely didn’t know it at the time, but that innocent Thanksgiving text blunder would change both their lives. Since their first dinner in 2016, the pair have shared many memories together, even as their life circumstances have changed. Dench says it feels as though they knew each other in a past life.
“There’s absolutely no generational gap between us. The conversation just flows, we never run out of things to talk about.” [2]
Their friendship does not stop at Thanksgiving dinners, though. Hinton and his girlfriend have gone on double dates with Dench and her late husband, like the time the four of them visited a pumpkin patch together. According to Hinton, he has also become Dench’s personal tech support [3].
As Hinton’s friendship with Dench grew, so too did his friendship with Lonnie. He remembers him fondly, and misses him terribly.
“Lonnie was never the quiet guy. Right when I walked in the door the first time I met him, he didn’t even reach out for a handshake. He just immediately pulled me in for a hug,” Hinton said. “He was the kind of guy to always bring your hopes up whenever you felt down. Losing him was losing a best friend.” [2]
As Dench and Hinton continue to heal from their loss, they have each other for support. Their story is a reminder that you can find friendship in the most unlikely places, and even just one Thanksgiving text can change your life.
Update Thanksgiving 2021: “We are all set for year 6!”
Yes, you read that headline right, Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench will once again be together for the holiday! According to a Tweet they will be spending their sixth straight Thanksgiving together. Please keep this going, we’re all here for it!
We are all set for year 6! 🦃 pic.twitter.com/wEQioizWGd — Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 14, 2021
Keep Reading: Americans explain why they hate cranberry sauce more than any other holiday dish
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-11-27--A Secret Forest Grew for Millennia in North America Without Anyone Noticing

There is a secret forest in Southern Ontario , Canada , that has been hiding in plain sight .
Growing on the cliffs of the Niagara escarpment , the trees ’ precarious positioning has left them completely untouched by humans , despite being mere minutes away from bustling urban areas .
One ecologist found the ancient forest accidentally , and was so shocked he almost didn ’ t believe what he was seeing .
Doug Larson was working on the cliffs of the Niagara escarpment , not far from his home in Guelph , Ontario .
He and his students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cliff faces because they were relatively untouched by humans .
Growing out of these cliffs are small , gnarled cedar trees .
It wasn ’ t until Larson had been working there for three years when he discovered something unexpectedly remarkable : these little trees were hundreds of years old .
This was much older than Larson thought they were.Advertisement Larson first made the discovery back in 1988 when he was working on the outskirts of Toronto .
He was counting the rings of a tree under a microscope and found there to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought that he must be wrong , or that there must be some other explanation .
There was no way that an old-growth forest like that could exist so close to a major city .
The tree ring lab at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory , however , confirmed Larson ’ s initial analysis : the forest was hundreds of years old .
In fact , some of the forest ’ s oldest trees were approximately seven hundred years old .
What is an “ Old Growth Forest ” ?
This secret forest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been so secret .
In fact , at one point Southern Ontario would have been covered with oak trees that were hundreds of years old .
As people moved into the area , however , they cut many of these trees down for lumber , or to make room for farmland .
While there are many areas in North America with thick forests , most of these are very young trees , relatively speaking .
That brings us to the question- what makes a forest an “ old growth forest ” ?
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you might initially think .
This is because there is no universally-accepted definition of an old-growth forest .
In the 1970s , scientists used the term “ old growth ” for forests that were at least 150 years old .
These forests also had to be highly complex with a significant amount of biodiversity .
Environmentalists , however , used the term to describe any forest with large , old trees that had been relatively untouched by humans .
Under this definition , many more forests qualify as “ old growth ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Forest Service research division and professor at Oregon State University ’ s College of Forestry .
He says that the definition can change based on the agenda of the person trying to define it .
The lack of definition , unfortunately , has presented problems when it comes to conserving and protecting forests .
In his book , Eastern Old-Growth Forests : Prospects for Rediscovery and Recovery , Robert Leverett summarized the many ways that scientists have attempted to define old-growth forests : Advertisement Definitions that emphasize lack of disturbance by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are abundant old trees some of which are approaching the maximum old-age for the species .
Definitions that use a minimum age ( typically around 150 years ) combined with presence of old-growth characteristics such as logs , snags ( standing dead trees ) , canopy gaps etc .
; some human disturbance may be permitted .
Definitions that emphasize stand development , in particular climax forest – that is , the forest is in a stable state where trees are dying of old age and being replaced , and may continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that use an economic threshold .
Old-growth stands are past the economic optimum for harvesting – usually between 80-150 years , depending on the species [ 3 ] .
Again , this definition really depends on who is defining it .
Brad Kahn , a spokesperson for the Forest Stewardship Council , says it all comes down to a judgement call .
The trees in this “ secret forest ” on the Niagara escarpment are not formally protected in any way .
Despite the fact that they live in areas with significant human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them protection instead .
Situated high up on steep cliffs , they have been safe from people for centuries .
Most of these trees are Eastern White Cedars , and the Niagara Escarpment has acted as a refuge for them for their entire existence .
It ’ s a challenging environment in which to live , but there are very few predators , no fire , no floods , and very little competition .
But how have these trees survived for so long in such hostile conditions ?
It comes down to how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trees , their roots feed the entire tree .
That means that if one part of the root system sustains damage or dies , the entire tree suffers .
Cedars , on the other hand , connect different parts of their root system to certain parts of the tree .
This way , if one section of roots dies , only the part of the tree dies .
The rest will live on .
This is particularly important for the trees living on the cliffs of the Niagara escarpment .
If one part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water or is damaged , the rest of the tree just keeps growing .
This means that one side of a tree might show ten years of growth , while the other side has been growing for a thousand years [ 1 ] .
The Future of the Forest Just because this area has remained a “ secret forest ” for so long , however , does not mean that they are impervious to change .
Peter Kelly , who worked with Larson to study the trees and the cliffs for 20 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trees , you always have to be worried .
Bugs or blight can wipe out entire forests , and climate change can still impact the trees .
It is impossible to know if trees will continue to thrive in these changing conditions .
Currently , however , Larson says this secret forest appears to be thriving .
These small , gnarly trees just keep bouncing back .
Hopefully , they will continue to do so for many more years .
Keep Reading : Artist Creates Giant Wood Sculptures and Hides Them in Copenhagen @

There is a secret forest in Southern Ontario, Canada, that has been hiding in plain sight. Growing on the cliffs of the Niagara escarpment, the trees’ precarious positioning has left them completely untouched by humans, despite being mere minutes away from bustling urban areas.
One ecologist found the ancient forest accidentally, and was so shocked he almost didn’t believe what he was seeing.
A Secret Forest
Doug Larson was working on the cliffs of the Niagara escarpment, not far from his home in Guelph, Ontario. He and his students were there studying the ecology of the cliff faces because they were relatively untouched by humans.
Growing out of these cliffs are small, gnarled cedar trees. It wasn’t until Larson had been working there for three years when he discovered something unexpectedly remarkable: these little trees were hundreds of years old. This was much older than Larson thought they were.
An ancient tree that was born in 688 AD| Image Credit: Peter Kelly
“They were overtly struggling to survive, but we thought the struggle was 60 years old, not 600 years old,” he said on Atlas Obscura [1].
Larson first made the discovery back in 1988 when he was working on the outskirts of Toronto. He was counting the rings of a tree under a microscope and found there to be hundreds. At first, he thought that he must be wrong, or that there must be some other explanation. There was no way that an old-growth forest like that could exist so close to a major city.
The tree ring lab at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, however, confirmed Larson’s initial analysis: the forest was hundreds of years old. In fact, some of the forest’s oldest trees were approximately seven hundred years old.
Read: Ancient Forestry Technique Produces Lumber Without Cutting Down Trees
What is an “Old Growth Forest”?
This secret forest, at one time, would not have been so secret. In fact, at one point Southern Ontario would have been covered with oak trees that were hundreds of years old. As people moved into the area, however, they cut many of these trees down for lumber, or to make room for farmland.
While there are many areas in North America with thick forests, most of these are very young trees, relatively speaking. That brings us to the question- what makes a forest an “old growth forest”?
That question is more difficult to answer than you might initially think. This is because there is no universally-accepted definition of an old-growth forest.
In the 1970s, scientists used the term “old growth” for forests that were at least 150 years old. These forests also had to be highly complex with a significant amount of biodiversity. Environmentalists, however, used the term to describe any forest with large, old trees that had been relatively untouched by humans. Under this definition, many more forests qualify as “old growth”.
Tom Spies is an emeritus scientist with the U.S. Forest Service research division and professor at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry. He says that the definition can change based on the agenda of the person trying to define it.
“If you approach the issue with a particular agenda,” he said, “you can take a really narrow definition that would exclude a lot of forest from being defined as old growth. Or you can have a very broad definition which would capture a lot of forest conditions.” [2]
The lack of definition, unfortunately, has presented problems when it comes to conserving and protecting forests.
This mosquito tree is 500 years old | Image Credit: Peter Kelly
Multiple Definitions
In his book, Eastern Old-Growth Forests: Prospects for Rediscovery and Recovery, Robert Leverett summarized the many ways that scientists have attempted to define old-growth forests:
Definitions that emphasize lack of disturbance by humans (at least post-colonization); there are abundant old trees some of which are approaching the maximum old-age for the species. Definitions that use a minimum age (typically around 150 years) combined with presence of old-growth characteristics such as logs, snags (standing dead trees), canopy gaps etc.; some human disturbance may be permitted. Definitions that emphasize stand development, in particular climax forest – that is, the forest is in a stable state where trees are dying of old age and being replaced, and may continue to be stable for centuries. Definitions that use an economic threshold. Old-growth stands are past the economic optimum for harvesting – usually between 80-150 years, depending on the species [3].
Again, this definition really depends on who is defining it. Brad Kahn, a spokesperson for the Forest Stewardship Council, says it all comes down to a judgement call.
“If you ask Greenpeace, it’s going to be a different answer than a timber company,” he explained [2].
Is this “Secret Forest” Protected?
The trees in this “secret forest” on the Niagara escarpment are not formally protected in any way. Despite the fact that they live in areas with significant human populations, however, their dwelling offers them protection instead. Situated high up on steep cliffs, they have been safe from people for centuries.
Most of these trees are Eastern White Cedars, and the Niagara Escarpment has acted as a refuge for them for their entire existence. It’s a challenging environment in which to live, but there are very few predators, no fire, no floods, and very little competition.
“There is something wonderful about animals and plants that depend on cliffs,” says Larson. “They’re there because no one else can live there. They have a physiological toughness that allows them to sit out in these places that nothing else can touch, and they thrive there.” [1]
But how have these trees survived for so long in such hostile conditions? It comes down to how they use their roots. For most trees, their roots feed the entire tree. That means that if one part of the root system sustains damage or dies, the entire tree suffers.
Cedars, on the other hand, connect different parts of their root system to certain parts of the tree. This way, if one section of roots dies, only the part of the tree dies. The rest will live on.
This is particularly important for the trees living on the cliffs of the Niagara escarpment. If one part of their root system loses access to water or is damaged, the rest of the tree just keeps growing. This means that one side of a tree might show ten years of growth, while the other side has been growing for a thousand years [1].
The Future of the Forest
Just because this area has remained a “secret forest” for so long, however, does not mean that they are impervious to change. Peter Kelly, who worked with Larson to study the trees and the cliffs for 20 years, says that when it comes to trees, you always have to be worried. Bugs or blight can wipe out entire forests, and climate change can still impact the trees. It is impossible to know if trees will continue to thrive in these changing conditions.
Currently, however, Larson says this secret forest appears to be thriving. These small, gnarly trees just keep bouncing back. Hopefully, they will continue to do so for many more years.
Keep Reading: Artist Creates Giant Wood Sculptures and Hides Them in Copenhagen Forests


theheartysoul--2020-11-27--Can You Solve This Tricky Math Riddle? Only Super Smart People Can

It ’ s nearly the weekend so it ’ s time for a fun little riddle !
You ’ re pretty clever if you can solve this one .
It seems straightforward , but is it ?
Do you think you ’ ve got the right answer ?
Scroll down to find out !
The right answer is 16 years-old .
Some people may have thought nine , however if the older brother is 4 , and the younger brother is two , that means there is a two-year age gap between them .
Want more riddles ?
Check out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) : • What must be broken before you can use it ?
• I ’ m tall when I ’ m young , and I ’ m short when I ’ m old .
What am I ?
• What month of the year has 28 days ?
• There ’ s a one-story house in which everything is yellow .
Yellow walls , yellow doors , yellow furniture .
What color are the stairs ?
• What can you break , even if you never pick it up or touch it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
• A man was outside in the rain without an umbrella or a hat , but not a single hair on his head got wet .
How ?
• I shave every day but my beard never changes .
What am I ?
• What has lots of eyes but can ’ t see ?
• What has one head , one foot , and four legs ?
• All of them .
• There are none , it is a one-story house .
AdvertisementNow that you ’ ve got that one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other riddles : • Can you find the answer to this intricate riddle ?
• Or maybe you can you answer this riddle ?
• Can you solve this puzzle ?
• Can you solve this math problem without using a calculator ?
Make sure you share them with your family and friends !

It’s nearly the weekend so it’s time for a tricky math riddle! You’re pretty clever if you can solve this one.
The Riddle
It seems straightforward, but is it?
Do you think you’ve got the right answer?
Scroll down to find out!
The Correct Answer
The right answer is 16 years old. Some people may have thought nine, however, if the older brother is 4, and the younger brother is two, that means there is a two-year age gap between them.
Other Riddles
Want more riddles? Check out these ones below (answers to follow):
What must be broken before you can use it? I’m tall when I’m young, and I’m short when I’m old. What am I? What month of the year has 28 days? There’s a one-story house in which everything is yellow. Yellow walls, yellow doors, yellow furniture. What color are the stairs? What can you break, even if you never pick it up or touch it? What gets wet while drying? A man was outside in the rain without an umbrella or a hat, but not a single hair on his head got wet. How? I shave every day but my beard never changes. What am I? What has lots of eyes but can’t see? What has one head, one foot, and four legs?
Answers
An egg. A candle. All of them. There are none, it is a one-story house. A promise. A towel. He’s bald. A barber. Potatoes. A bed.
More Mind Games
Now that you’ve got that tricky math riddle figured out, challenge yourself to some of these other riddles:
Make sure you share them with your family and friends!