'Mr. Replogle will no longer be employed by Bixby Schools'

'All Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters'

Rain has long been one of the most evocative symbols in art, spanning across all mediums from music and film to television and painting. It carries a depth of meaning that can range from cleansing and redemption to sadness and loss. In cinema, rain often punctuates a turning point—think of the iconic downpours in classic films like Blade Runner or The Shawshank Redemption, where water serves as a visual metaphor for transformation and release. In visual art, rain can be captured as either gentle or torrential, often reflecting the emotional landscape of both the artist and the observer. Music, too, The post 10 Essential Songs About Rain appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

Companies and organizations are descending on affected communities in North Carolina with donations and volunteers as they begin to dig themselves out of a 100-year storm. Hurricane Helene “wiped out whole communities” according to Governor Roy Cooper, leaving over 200,000 people without power and causing exceptional destruction even far inland from the Atlantic. The response, […] The post North Carolina Sports Come Together to Support Victims of ‘Unprecedented’ Hurricane Helene appeared first on Good News Network.

The post Do Cats Grieve When Another Pet Dies? 7 Signs Your Cat is Grieving & How to Help by Matt Jackson appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Do Cats Grieve? Signs Your Cat Is Grieving How to Help a Grieving Cat Cats can form very strong bonds with their humans, other cats in their household, and even other family pets including dogs. While your cat can’t use words to tell you they are grieving, they are expressive animals that have other ways to convey their emotions. You may notice a change in eating habits, toileting habits, and even the mood of your cat after another pet dies. Below, we look at how to determine whether a cat is grieving and the steps you can take to help your cat get over the loss. Do Cats Grieve? We don’t really know whether cats understand the concept of death or the idea that something has died. Instead, we have to extrapolate what they’re feeling from their behaviors. These often include changes in appetite, litter box use, or activity level. Cats that experience the loss of a pet that they were close to may show changes in behavior for varying periods of time following the loss, something that we would typically consider grieving. Image Credit: Julia Cherk, Shutterstock The 7 Potential Signs Your Cat Is Grieving The signs of grieving in a cat are similar to those seen in people. And, just like with people, different cats seem to deal with grief in different ways. 1. Appetite Changes Some cats will eat less when they are stressed or anxious, while others may eat more. You should have a good idea of how much food your cat typically eats, whether they are a free eater or have set meal times. A small change in food levels isn’t typically much cause for concern unless it goes on for a long time, but if your cat is refusing to eat or refusing to stop eating, this can become a problem that needs addressing. 2. Sleeping Pattern Changes Cats that have lost a companion may sleep more, which can be hard to tell as most cats spend the majority of their day sleeping. They may also sleep less, choosing to prowl around the house at all hours of the day and night. They may appear restless and wake up more frequently as well. 3. Restless Behavior If your cat is missing a person or other animal, you may find them roaming the house, appearing to be looking for them. This may happen in the middle of the night or even during the day when you would usually find them playing or napping. They may also appear more on edge or jumpy, rapidly exiting the room any time there is a loud noise or sudden movement. They may also not feel like playing as much or hanging out in their favorite places. Image Credit: Kristi Blokhin, Shutterstock 4. Increased Or Reduced Vocalization This restlessness might be accompanied by increased vocalization as your cat calls out to try to get a response from their missing confidant. Cats who are normally vocal may use their voice less as well. 5. Change In Exercise Levels Your grieving cat may not feel like getting up to scratch on their scratching post as often and may not want to head outside for exercise. This will be particularly noticeable if your otherwise playful cat turns their nose up at a favorite wand toy or ignores the light toy they usually relish. 6. Sadness Cat owners can generally tell how their cats are feeling even through subtle changes. It might be a change in tail position or a change in the pitch of a meow. Trust your gut and use your experience with your cat to help determine if they seem to be feeling lonely or missing their feline friend. Image Credit: Andriy Blokhin, Shutterstock 7. Wants More Attention Grieving cats may look for reassurance from those they have a strong bond with. Hopefully, this means you. While some cats will hide in their favorite cat cave, others will come and look for reassurance and the familiarity of your lap. How to Help a Grieving Cat Time really is the greatest healer when it comes to loss, in most cases. However, there are steps you can take to help ease the anxiety the loss is causing your cat. If your cat doesn’t respond to your help and continues to grieve for long periods, consult your veterinarian. Speak To a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch! If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price! Click to Speak With a Vet 1. Stick to a Routine Cats are creatures of habit, and they thrive on routine. If you’ve lost a cat, dog, or family member, it can be very easy to let routine slide. What your cat might be missing is their normal routine of set meal times, long play sessions, and napping. Try to keep the same routine as you had before as it will help your cat come to terms with the changes in their life. 2. Give Them Space If your cat wants to grieve alone in their favorite spot, you should give them time and space to do so. Your cat needs to process the loss, just like you do, and as much as you want to make everything okay and likely want the companionship of your cat, space might be exactly what they need for the time being. Ensure they’re fed and watered, provide a comfortable spot, and wait for them to come to you for attention and love. Image Credit: avi_acl, Shutterstock 3. Give Them Time Time does heal, or at least helps the pain of loss subside. Your cat needs to process the loss and get used to the changes they are enduring in their life, and this means giving them time to do that. Don’t try pushing things. 4. Give Treats… Sparingly If your cat is eating less as a result of their grief, you can try giving them additional treats. A small amount of tuna on top of their usual food, or a few extra cat treats might make them feel better, at least for a little while. 5. Play Cats use play in a variety of ways. Not only does it hone their hunting skills, but it is also a good way to let off steam and release anxiety. A grieving cat can benefit from having some extra playtime so grab the wand toy, throw the stuffed mouse, get out the catnip ball, and let your four-legged friend unwind. Conclusion Cats are emotional little animals and while we can’t definitively say how they are feeling, their response to loss is often similar to grief in humans. Whether your cat has lost a feline friend, a human family member, or even the family dog, they might be feeling the same sense of loss you are. Give them time and the space they want, but be prepared to play, offer reassurance if they come to you, and keep an eye on their feeding and exercise levels over time. Sources VCA Hospitals Featured Image Credit: Greerascris, Shutterstock The post Do Cats Grieve When Another Pet Dies? 7 Signs Your Cat is Grieving & How to Help by Matt Jackson appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Blog Front Lines and Frontiers No Terra and No Firma: The Integral Trees by Larry Niven Let’s revisit one of the most fascinating settings in science fiction: the Smoke Ring. By Alan Brown | Published on October 1, 2024 Comment 0 Share New Share In this bi-weekly series reviewing classic science fiction and fantasy books, Alan Brown looks at the front lines and frontiers of the field; books about soldiers and spacers, scientists and engineers, explorers and adventurers. Stories full of what Shakespeare used to refer to as “alarums and excursions”: battles, chases, clashes, and the stuff of excitement. Today we’re going to take a look at one of the single most interesting books I’ve ever read, The Integral Trees, set in a peculiar solar system whose most habitable area is a torus around a neutron star, where people live among floating trees and jungles, surrounded by all manner of strange creatures. To make matters even more intriguing, the spaceship on which the original colonists arrived is still lurking in the system, with ideas of bringing this world back under control of the totalitarian State. By the 1980s, Larry Niven was well along in a productive and popular career as a science fiction author, and could have easily been resting on his laurels and writing sequels to earlier works. But while sequels were part of his output in those years, he was also looking for new ideas—one of the most audacious of those ideas was the Smoke Ring, which became the setting for two novels. The first was The Integral Trees, serialized in Analog magazine in 1983 and published by Del Rey in 1984. My copy came to me via my then-new membership in the Science Fiction Book Club, and featured a beautiful and evocative cover by Michael Whelan, featuring a lean and elfin woman with prehensile toes, hovering in mid-air. The sequel, The Smoke Ring, was published in 1987. About the Author Larry Niven (born 1938) is a prolific and prominent American science fiction author. I have reviewed his work in this column before, looking at the seminal book Ringworld, the books A Mote in God’s Eye and The Gripping Hand, which he wrote in collaboration with Jerry Pournelle, and his short story collection, Neutron Star. Those reviews contain biographical information about Niven, with the review of Ringworld containing not only a more extensive biography, but also a description of the Known Space universe in which many of his stories are based. The Smoke Ring and Other Strange Environments Science fiction thrives on stories set in strange and exotic environments. Between these environments and the futuristic technology, characters can sometimes be overshadowed. But that isn’t a problem when the setting is fascinating in its own right. Our robotic probes have shown that all sorts of interesting environments exist within our own solar system—worlds with different gravity, different temperatures, and different chemical compositions—places that would present unique challenges to explorers. And in the realm of science fiction, even more exotic settings can be imagined. In the early days, some of those settings were downright preposterous. There were tiny asteroids with breathable atmospheres, comets that brushed the Earth and broke off chunks of the planet, and Earth-like environments in even the furthest reaches of the solar system. But as science fiction became more scientific and our knowledge of other worlds increased, those environments grew more realistic. Science fiction authors tend to enjoy challenging the ordinary and coming up with ever stranger new worlds. They have created giant technological environments like Niven’s own Ringworld and Arthur C. Clarke’s Rama. And even keeping within the bounds of scientific possibility, they have created some exceedingly peculiar natural environments. One of the first of these I encountered was the high-gravity planet Mesklin from Hal Clement’s Mission of Gravity; over the years Clement created many a strange world. Larry Niven has followed in Clement’s footsteps and become a master of strange environments himself. If you’d like to dig into this topic a bit further, you can find an engaging article on the other worlds of science fiction here in the online Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. The Smoke Ring, the setting of The Integral Trees, is perhaps Niven’s greatest achievement in worldbuilding. It is set among his stories of the State, a totalitarian government dedicated to spreading humanity throughout the stars with slower-than-light ramships that scoop hydrogen out of the void and use it as fuel. They use human beings as tools, copying their personalities, then using them to guide their ships, as well as freezing prisoners as “corpsicles,” utilizing them as involuntary explorers. The strange world of the Smoke Ring was discovered by Discipline, a ramship piloted by Sharls Davis Kendy, a human personality transferred to a computer, who serves not only as ship’s commander, but also as the political officer and representative of the State. It was crewed by rebels that the State hoped to rehabilitate. They found a star orbited by a unique system. That system is centered on a neutron star, Voy, orbited by a former gas-giant planet, Gold, whose atmosphere has been stripped away by the gravity of Voy, and trails in the orbit in the form of a giant gas torus. In the center of that torus, there is a ribbon of breathable atmosphere, rich in life. The ramship is equipped with organisms that can be seeded to terraform unsuitable environments, but they find the flora and fauna here surprisingly compatible with life from Earth. While the Smoke Ring is full of free-floating forests and ponds that exist as spherical globes, the humans are attracted to large trees that look like mathematical integral symbols, whose midpoints center in the torus, but which are long enough that their outer and inner tufts have tidal forces which simulate the gravity humans find comfortable. The native animals are strange—most of them are able to fly, and most exhibiting trilateral symmetry that allows them to see in all directions at once. Kendy’s plans to plant a colony for the State are dashed, however, when the still-rebellious crew flee in the eight Cargo and Repair Modules, or CARMs, that allow operations beyond the ship. In the centuries since the crew escaped and struggled to establish colonies throughout the Smoke Ring, Kendy and Discipline have lurked behind Gold, patiently plotting a way to reestablish the power of the State. The Integral Trees The Quinn tribe is in trouble. They live in the tuft at the end of a gigantic integral tree, where tidal forces provide a comfortable low-gravity environment. But the tree they live on passed close to the planet Gold, and since then the tree and its ecology has been deteriorating. They don’t realize it, but their tree has been slowly falling out of the Smoke Ring toward Voy. The Chairman of the slowly starving tribe has decided to send a team of hunters and explorers up the trunk. He has picked people he feels are expendable, like the hunter Clave, who angered him by leaving the Chairman’s daughter for the two young sisters Jayan and Jinny. There is the young and inexperienced Gavving, who has just survived a battle with a swordbird that killed one of his hunting companions. There is the legless woman Merril, and Jiovan, who lost one of his legs in a hunting accident, as well as sour old Alfin, who suffers from a fear of heights. But the tribe Scientist does not feel this mission is a forlorn hope, because he has sent his assistant, the Grad Jeffer, along with a precious computer and data cassettes. The team makes their way up the trunk, aided by the fact that the tides decrease as they climb to the center of the tree. They find new flora and fauna, but as they reach the center, they’re attacked by warriors from the Dalton-Quinn tribe which inhabits the far tuft of their tree, warriors who are celibate women pledged to service. During the battle, the tree fractures apart, and the survivors of the battle float away, clinging to a large piece of bark. It turns out integral trees have a means of surviving falling from orbit, sacrificing the inward part of the tree to gravity to save the rest. This means that the former Quinn tribe is doomed, and the members of the expedition must now become the tribe, with Clave as Chairman and Jeffer as Scientist. It becomes apparent that the previous Scientist expected something like this, which is why he let Jeffer take his computer. Gavving acquits himself well in the battle, killing two of the enemy. The only survivor from the other tribe is Minya, who was not happy with her celibate life and, seeing it as an avenue toward acceptance, proposes marriage to Gavving. The survivors harpoon a giant moby, or air whale, and it tows them toward a cloud where they hope to find some water. Inside the cloud is a zero-gravity jungle, inhabited by the Carther states, a tribe even taller and leaner than the Quinns. Before they even have a chance to adapt to this new situation, the jungle is attacked by warriors from London Tree, a very large tribe who have a functioning CARM. The Quinn tribe is separated, with some staying with the Carther group and the rest becoming “copsiks,” or slaves on London Tree. As the slaves are adapting to their new and unpleasant life, it turns out the jungle also has a means of propulsion, and soon the tables are turned on London Tree, as the Carther warriors swarm aboard their tree, and with help from the Quinns, take control of their precious CARM. As the tiny Quinn Tribe struggles to learn how to control the CARM, they encounter the malevolent Kendy, and their lives hang in the balance right up until the end of the story. Final Thoughts The Integral Trees is an exciting book whose setting is the best part of the tale. The idea of living in an environment where there is no ground is genuinely fascinating. And if the characters are overshadowed by the environment, in this case it is not because they are poorly imagined, but simply because the setting is so creative and compelling. And now it’s your turn to talk: If you’ve you read The Integral Trees, I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts. And I’m also interested in hearing what other books that you have read with fascinating science fictional settings.[end-mark] The post No Terra and No Firma: <i>The Integral Trees</i> by Larry Niven appeared first on Reactor.

Christmas decorations didn’t used to be so stressful and needn’t be today! Forget about fancy decorations because old school is the way to go for me this holiday. Find out how you too can use native plants for a fresh and traditional way to decorate for the holidays as you read on. Natural Christmas Decorations On A Budget Fancy store-bought decor stuff can make a pretty big dent in my budget. So now, I’m using garden plants for my Christmas decorations not only for their beauty but for their practicality too. The scent and aroma of native plants are just lovely around the home. And I can just throw the wilted or dried greens into the compost pile after. So join me as I explore once again our native plants and how to use them creatively for Christmas decorations.   Look For Christmas Decoration Ideas Christmas decoration ideas aren’t hard to come by, especially online. Although my imagination works pretty fine, it’s nice to get a helping hand. Check out for more Christmas decor ideas here and some of my few samples below.   1. Christmas Tree Decoration Pine cones may be simple but there’s just something rustic and cute about them, making them great for decorations. Adding some paint pretties them up some, but they do just as they are or with bits of pretty ribbons. 2. Front Porch Balance is important in design especially in decorating front door and porches. Create identical decor design on either side of a porch step or door for some curb appeal. 3. Fresh Christmas Wreath Our good old wreath can never be outdated for holiday decorations. Whether it’s the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and even Halloween, a wreath has to adorn a door or any part of the house. 4. Garland Garlands are one of the traditional Christmas decorations that date centuries back. So, how else are Christmas garlands best made than with organic and natural resources found around you? 5. Container Make use of planters and containers stripped bare of plants in this cold winter season. Using native plants, arrange a Christmas container garden for an organic look. Which you won’t have to water every now and then, by the way. 6. Front Door image via Enchanted Home Whether you want your decorations simple or over the top, nothing beats natural decorations, especially for your front door. Take this boxwood wreath decor idea and a mistletoe to go! 7. Table Centerpiece | Make your holiday feast scrumptious with a lovely table setting. Nothing will make your table look more festive than native plants, such as trusty evergreen and red berries to accentuate.   Now this is a good idea for a surprise gift! #Christmas #giftideas #igdaily A post shared by Homesteading (@homesteadingusa) on Nov 25, 2014 at 9:09am PST   Where To Find Native Plants image via Dawns Wild Things Native plants are practically accessible around you. Your very own garden may boost of plants great for decor purposes. Some native plants outside your garden may be more attractive but don’t take any without permission. Parks and public places are especially off limits. If you still can, plan ahead and plant what you're hoping to use by Christmas.   Types Of Native Plants Native plants boost a variety of leaf forms, structure, and color. Use these factors to make organic and unique decorations. 1. Evergreens Evergreens can have broad green leaves while some have blue to silvery, needle-like leaves. Fir, Spruce, and Pines are some of the most common evergreens used for Christmas decorations. Other evergreens are Cypress, Juniper, Magnolia, and Boxwood. 2. Colors A variety of colors in Christmas decorations can be achieved. Although lesser plants make it throughout winter, some native plants give a better color display this season. The red twig dogwood, for example, is stripped of its leaves in winter, revealing attractive twigs which are fiery red in color. The ripened berries of native plants such as holly and firethorn give off a beautiful color display as well. 3. Texture To add attraction to your decorations, use other plant parts like seed pods, twigs, and berries. Seed pods from magnolia, lotus, acorns, and pine cones add drama to any decor arrangement. You will find the red twig dogwood interesting in Christmas containers just as Winterberry – twigs, berries, and all. 4. Alternatives When using native plants for your decorations, learn to improvise when some plant species are hard to come by in your area. Herbs such as rosemary, sage, and laurel can substitute for evergreen fir and pine. Holly can be substituted with boxwood and winterberries with nandina berries.   Preparing Plants For Decoration As appealing as plants are as a holiday decoration, you must be aware plants are fire hazards when prepared improperly. Use plants with high moisture level or those which retain moisture longer like evergreens. You can also follow these tips for preparing native plants properly. Use pruning shears when cutting plants. Use only fresh plants and avoid placing them under the sun or other heat sources. Crush the base of woody stems to better absorb water and soak the fresh plant pieces in water overnight. Check your plant decor’s freshness and replace them once dried up. Use anti-transpirant for low moisture plants.   Use Native Plants Safely Remember, most native plants you may use like ivy, mistletoe, yews, and hollies have poisonous berries. Make sure to keep them out of reach of curious children and pets. Pick up after fallen berries to avoid poisoning hazards. Watch out also for prickly plants like Firethorn and Holly, and prepare the plants with care. When using the discarded plant decor for compost, make sure no paint was used which can be toxic to microorganisms.   Planning For A Christmas Garden There are some plants which you may like but got no access to for decor uses now. But you can always plan for next year. Knowing about native plants which are great for holiday decorations will allow you to make plans for planting in spring. With winter plants added, I can just imagine your garden with a year-round appeal.   Learn how to make your own fresh Christmas garland in this video from Garden Answer: Whether for the main pieces or just to accentuate, native plants are perfect for holiday decorations. Pretty inexpensive and even free if you know your garden. Knowing your plants will totally save you a lot of trouble and money when decorating for the holidays! Did you find the topic useful for your own Holiday decoration plans? We would be delighted to know how you are getting about with yours. Tell us about it by posting in the comments section below. Up Next: 9 Natural Ways To Decorate A Tree This Year Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!   Editor’s Note – This post was originally published in December 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

Why Tonight's Veep Debate Might Actually Matter

BREAKING: Iran Launches Over 100 Ballistic Missiles At Israel

Charon’s surface has signs of carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide.