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mickpic.bsky.social
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords
"Of course there are the #FamilyPlots that go beyond just one extra spot. This takes togetherness to a whole new level." -mick
#MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens #MountCalvaryCemetery
October 15, 2026 at 5:57 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
Join us today (Thurs 15 October) for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords
The thing that inspired me for this them was the phrase, "We are gone only after the last person tells our story." From a Palace to a tiny marker, it is all about memories. -mick
#MickPic #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The image shows a granite memorial marker set into the ground at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, dedicated to Henry F. Holzmeyer and Emma Holzmeyer Nixon for spearheading the restoration of the cemetery in 1958
October 15, 2026 at 12:52 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#PalacesandGardens & #LastWords
"For some reason this memorial to Calvin had been taken off of my timeline. I have restored it and I hope it stays this time." -mick
#MementoMori but #MementoVivere
#CalvinWasHere
#CalvinIsThere
❤️‍🩹🌈 #Dogs #Calvin #DogsOfBluesky #MickPic
Text reads: Pinned Mr. Calvin and Mick There are many good dogs, but they say you only get one really great dog in your life. Mr. Calvin has been that amazing dog. But we have to say goodbye. He gave us the best 14 years any human could ever ask for. We will miss him so much. #Dogs #Rainbow Bridge #MrCalvin #DogsOfBluesky #BestFriend The image shows a senior tan and white dog resting its head with graying fur around the muzzle, shared in a Bluesky post by a user mourning the loss of their 14-year-old dog named Mr. Calvin. • The post is from April 2, 2026. • Actor Mark Hamill replied to the post with a broken heart emoji.
October 16, 2026 at 2:46 AM
mickpic.bsky.social
#PalacesandGardens & #LastWords, by #MrCalvin
"Okay, having to jump in here. This whole theme seems kind of grim. Death and all. But it's about Life. Guess what My People will see when they look at this old rock. Yep. Same with headstones."
#MementoMori yes but #MementoVivere
#CalvinWasHere
Shows a beach scene at Haystack Rock. Two hands hold a picture of the same scene but with their dog, since passed, running on the beach. It is captioned: #CalvinWasHere #CalvinIsThere ❤️‍🩹🌈 #Dogs #Calvin #DogsOfBluesky #MickPic Belgian Malinois-Labrador mix, often called a "Belgiador," is a high-energy, intelligent, and loyal hybrid, blending the intense work ethic of a Malinois with the friendly, driven nature of a Labrador. They typically weigh 40–80 lbs and require substantial daily mental and physical stimulation to prevent destructive boredom. These dogs are highly trainable, often suiting active owners, search and rescue, or protection roles, but they require consistent, firm, and early training due to their potential for high-drive, protective, or intense behavior.
October 15, 2026 at 10:44 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords
"Then there are the placeholders. Maybe a family plot, bought with the idea of holding space for one person."
#MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The image shows a red granite slant marker or slant headstone set on a matching stone base in a cemetery. • Material: Red or pink-toned granite (often referred to as North American Red or similar vibrant granite varieties). • Style: A slant-face marker, which features a sloped front face that makes the text easier to read while standing or walking compared to a flat ground.
October 15, 2026 at 1:15 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords
"Maybe not actual last words (hopefully) but ones he loved enough to take with him. The technique of etching an image has improved to the point of photos in granite."
#MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The image shows a black granite upright headstone memorial for Charles L. (1956–2012) featuring a laser-etched portrait, a motorcycle engraving, and the quote "Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul." Note: It is tradition not to show the full name of non-famous people who passed on less than 50 years ago.
October 15, 2026 at 1:04 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#PalacesandGardens #LastWords & #HumansOfBlueSky
"I've included 'Humans' because what could be more human than wanting to talk to your loved one after they have passed on. I noted many benches, like this one, dedicated to such an idea." -mick
#MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The image shows a gray granite memorial bench placed in a cemetery plot near a heart-shaped headstone and flat grave markers. • Material: Usually crafted from durable, weather-resistant natural stone such as gray, pink, or black granite. • Purpose: Serves as both a permanent personal monument or headstone replacement and a functional seating area for visiting family and friends. • Customization: Often feature sandblasted or laser-etched engravings, including names, dates, epitaphs, or custom artwork.
October 15, 2026 at 3:29 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords
"But if we're talking about actual Last Words, I think David Hill, #TenMinutesFromHome really has the winner for around here. As the founder OF Hillsboro, he has a whole city named for him. More in alt text."
#MickPic #MementoMori #Hillsboro #DavidHill
David Hill (1809–May 9, 1850) was a Connecticut-born pioneer, farmer, and prominent politician who arrived in the Oregon Country in 1841 and established the 640-acre land claim that later became downtown Hillsboro. Early Life and Arrival in Oregon • Journey: Hill traveled via wagon train over the Oregon Trail to the Oregon Territory, arriving around October 1841. • Tualatin Valley: He wintered with Joseph L. Meek before securing a 640-acre donation land claim in what was then called Twality (Washington) County. • Family: In 1846, he married Lucinda "Lucy" McWilliams Wilson Hill Simmons, who brought four children to the marriage. Political and Civic Career • Provisional Government: Hill was active in early Oregon governance, participating in the historic May 2, 1843, Champoeg Meeting where he voted for the Provisional Government. • Executive Committee: He served as chair of the Legislative Committee and was elected to the three-man Executive Committee for 1843–1844, acting in effect as part of Oregon's first executive leadership ("co-governor"). • Legislatures: He served in the Provisional Legislature (1844–1849) and later in the Oregon Territory House of Representatives (1849–1850). • Naming and Townsite: He set up the area's first post office inside his cabin in 1843 and named the locality Columbus. When Washington County was established and designated a county seat in 1849–1850, Hill sold a portion of his land claim to the county for the townsite and courthouse in exchange for $200 (which was later paid to his widow). Death and Legacy • Passing: David Hill died on May 9, 1850, at age 41. • Hillsboro's Name: To honor his foundational role, the community—briefly called Columbus and Hillsborough—was named after him. • Memorials: • He is buried at the Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery on his original land claim. • His legacy is recognized in the Oregon State Capitol frieze. • David Hill Elementary School, Named for his legacy
October 15, 2026 at 1:31 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords
"Up at the Mountain View there are many new and newer spots, but then there were these three sitting off to the side. the one to the far left could not be read, but still it stands. A memorial."
#MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The image shows a row of three weathered, upright 19th-century marble or limestone gravestones set into a grassy cemetery grounds scattered with fallen autumn leaves. • Left Marker: A taller, rectangular tablet headstone showing a diagonal crack and dark lichen or staining along the middle and base. • Center Marker: A smaller, rounded-top (tablet and base) marker that is heavily worn and weathered, with the face nearly illegible. • Right Marker: A taller, upright tablet headstone with a rounded or arched top that clearly reads "CORDELIA..." followed by "Wife of..." with the rest of the text faded or obscured.
October 15, 2026 at 1:09 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords
"And then there are the final resting spots that resemble a tiny palace. Elias K. Wiley (who died on the Oregon Trail on June 10, 1852). I do wonder why three locks are needed. Answer in alt text." -mick
#MickPic #MementoMori #MountCalvaryCemetery
The image shows the Elias K. Wiley stone mausoleum located at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Portland, Oregon Elias K. Wiley (who died on the Oregon Trail on June 10, 1852). Choosing an above-ground mausoleum instead of a traditional underground grave involves distinct differences in daily maintenance, environment, committal services, and costs. Environment and Protection • Clean and Dry: Crypts keep caskets isolated from direct contact with dirt, mud, groundwater, and weeds, which is particularly beneficial in areas with high water tables, heavy rainfall, or unstable soil. • Weather-Protected Visits: Indoor community mausoleums let families visit year-round in a climate-controlled, covered hallway—avoiding snow, rain, mud, or extreme heat. • Accessibility: Walkways around mausoleums are typically paved, level, and equipped with nearby seating, making them easier to navigate for elderly visitors or those with mobility challenges. • investment. • Longer Construction Phase: Building a custom private mausoleum takes roughly 12 to 18 months, whereas a traditional ground plot can be prepared immediately. • Additional Fees: Some facilities charge ongoing maintenance or association fees for structure upkeep The selected region shows a close-up of rusted iron decorative gates secured with a thick chain and three Master Lock padlocks tangled together. This setup is a classic example of a "buddy system" or multi-lock daisy chain. This specific locking configuration allows multiple individuals or authorized entities (such as family members, cemetery groundskeepers, or historical preservationists) to open the gate using their own unique key. By interlocking the padlocks through separate loops of the chain or with each other, unlocking any single padlock breaks the chain's continuity and permits access without requiring everyone to share the same key
October 15, 2026 at 2:10 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords
"It's #AboveGround too. Some choose to have their final resting place in a #Mausoleum. While individuals with resources can have a mini palace, many chose this neighborly colective." -mick
#MickPic #MementoMori #SkylineMemorial #MountainViewMemorial
An above-ground mausoleum is a freestanding architectural structure designed to entomb caskets or urns above the earth rather than in a subterranean grave. Practical Advantages • Flood and Soil Protection: Elevated chambers protect remains from high water tables, sandy soils, seasonal flooding, and unstable ground that can shift underground vaults. • Weather-Protected Visits: Indoor community corridors or sheltered structures allow year-round, dry visits regardless of rain, snow, or frozen winter ground. • No Vault Requirement: Individual crypts are self-contained concrete or stone structures, eliminating the need to purchase a separate subterranean burial vault. • Space Efficiency: Multi-story and vertical stacking allow cemeteries to honor thousands of individuals on a small geographic footprint, conserving urban green space. • Generational Legacy: Private family mausoleums group multi-generational relatives together into a single, permanent monument. An above-ground mausoleum is a freestanding architectural structure designed to entomb caskets or urns above the earth rather than in a subterranean grave. Practical Advantages • Flood and Soil Protection: Elevated chambers protect remains from high water tables, sandy soils, seasonal flooding, and unstable ground that can shift underground vaults. • Weather-Protected Visits: Indoor community corridors or sheltered structures allow year-round, dry visits regardless of rain, snow, or frozen winter ground. • No Vault Requirement: Individual crypts are self-contained concrete or stone structures, eliminating the need to purchase a separate subterranean burial vault. • Space Efficiency: Multi-story and vertical stacking allow cemeteries to honor thousands of individuals on a small geographic footprint, conserving urban green space. • Generational Legacy: Private family mausoleums group multi-generational relatives together into a single, permanent monument.
October 15, 2026 at 7:41 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords
"Magnificent memorial in granite, or a simple placeholder. It is still about having that last memory."
#MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The object in the image is a cemetery lot marker (also known as a plot marker or survey disc). What It Is Used For • Plot Identification: These round, low-profile discs are installed flush with the ground so that lawnmowers can easily pass over them without causing damage. • Mapping Grid: They correspond directly to the cemetery's official master map kept in the main office. They allow groundskeepers and surveyors to precisely locate and identify specific burial plots, section boundaries, or block intersections. • Marking Unmarked Graves: They are frequently used to permanently identify gravesites that do not have a traditional raised headstone or vertical monument. Materials and Finding Them These markers are typically manufactured out of heavy-duty stainless steel, brass, or aluminum. Because they are designed to sit flush at the ground surface, they often get covered over by falling pine needles, leaves, dirt, or grass over time. Cemetery caretakers regularly look for them by gently probing the soil or using a metal detector to locate them when they become buried The image shows two vintage cast-metal stake grave markers, commonly known as Marsh & Mixon or metal slot-plate markers, featuring sliding or insertable metal lettering and date plates mounted on vertical metal posts in a cemetery. • Design: These arched metal headstones were widely used from the mid-to-late 20th century, featuring a slot-in panel system where individual metal letters, numbers, and plaques could be arranged to display the name, birth year, and death year. • Durability: Many of these markers were produced as temporary or low-cost permanent cemetery markers, and over time the paint chips, the metal corrodes, or the individual sliding/inset plates go missing or become weathered.
October 15, 2026 at 1:21 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#31daysofhalloween
"Among the many talents of my better half, her custom sewing skills are legend within the costume community. She also does quilts. This cozy wrap comes out with the cold. Technique details in alt text." -mick
#Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #Oregon #Quilt #Quilting #Art
This is a custom-made, scrappy Halloween patchwork quilt constructed from a variety of distinct holiday-themed cotton prints. The blanket utilizes a traditional square-block grid assembly interlaid with playful, off-kilter angled cuts (such as the striped triangles at the bottom right). It stands out through its meticulous free-motion machine quilting, visible as meandering swirls and custom textures stitched across the blocks to secure the layers together. Fabric Pattern Breakdown The quilt showcases a rich mix of classic "spooky season" elements and jewel tones: • Central Focal Block: A distinct spooky nature print featuring a bare, silhouette-style tree set against a cloudy, sepia-toned sky with a graveyard wrought-iron fence lining the bottom. • Novelty Holiday Prints: Highly detailed illustrations including glowing orange Jack-o'-lanterns, decorative sugar skulls (Dia de los Muertos motifs), and spiderwebs stretched across a solid orange backdrop. • Geometric Coordinates: High-contrast filler fabrics like the black-and-orange striped pattern, alongside vertical blue and black ribbed bars that provide striking pops of color against the darker squares. • Textured Blends: Deep purple and forest green prints that ground the brighter imagery and establish a classic, cohesive autumn aesthetic. The image shows a handmade patchwork Halloween quilt featuring an arrangement of orange, purple, black, and green fabrics with seasonal prints like pumpkins, spiderwebs, and bare trees
October 14, 2026 at 2:47 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
For #ThickTrunkTuesday
"Whille scouting for Thursday's theme, I saw this old guy. Once again being drawn to the stumps. But it is a graveyard, so appropriate." -mick
#31DaysOfHalloween #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #Oregon #Samhain #WorldBetweenWorlds #Stumps
The image shows a large, weathered, and decaying tree stump with deep vertical grooves, gnarled root flares at the base, and a hollowed-out, textured core. Key Features • Decay and Texture: The outer bark and inner wood show significant weathering, deep grain patterns, and hollowed compartments typical of an old hardwood or large specimen tree. • Root Flare: The base exhibits prominent, fluted root buttresses anchored into the lawn.
October 13, 2026 at 6:24 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#7SyllableSquad
#7SyllableSentence
#Rose

She can have a Roses most days.
Maybe she wants one with bite.

#MickPic
#31DaysOfHalloween
(Note: Sorry for the sort of repeat. I didn't see today's 7 sentence prompt until today.)
The image shows a Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) labeled as the 'Mammoth' cultivar, featuring green leaves and relatively large, fanged traps. Quick Care Guide • Light: Needs lots of direct sunlight—aim for at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sun daily. • Water: Keep the soil consistently moist using distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water. Do not let it dry out, and avoid tap water with high mineral content. • Soil: Plant in nutrient-poor, acidic soil like a 50:50 mix of peat moss and perlite or silica sand. Skip regular potting soil and never fertilize. • Feeding: They catch their own bugs (flies, ants, small spiders). Do not feed them human food or force traps to snap shut without prey
October 13, 2026 at 12:27 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#31DaysOfHalloween
"Some women love roses.
Mine loves plants that eats things." -mick
#Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #Flowers? #Bloomscrolling? #VenusFlytrap #Sundew #CarnivorousPlants #Oregon
The image shows a Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) with its signature jaw-like snapping traps on top, and a sundew (Drosera species) covered in sticky, glandular tentacles on the bottom. Key Care Tips for Carnivorous Plants • Water: Use only distilled water, reverse osmosis (RO) water, or collected rainwater. Tap water contains minerals that will kill these plants over time. Keep the soil consistently moist (often by placing the pot in a shallow tray of water). • Soil: Plant them in a nutrient-poor medium like a 50/50 mix of peat moss and perlite. Never use standard potting soil or Miracle-Gro, as fertilizers will burn their roots. • Light: They need full, direct sunlight (at least 6 hours a day) or a strong grow light to stay healthy and develop deep red color inside their traps. • Feeding: Do not fertilize the soil. They catch their own bugs, or you can occasionally feed them a tiny live or thawed frozen insect (like a small flightless fruit fly) only if they are grown outdoors.
October 13, 2026 at 3:05 AM
mickpic.bsky.social
#BlueSkyMonday

Skys were envious
of her eyes so try many
shades never matching.

#Haiku
#WritingCommunity
#Poetry
#poem
#HaikuPrompt (blue)
#MickPic #MickTrip
Woman at the beach wearing a blue shirt and dark blue shorts. Her feet are bare and she is standing on the sand. The ocean is mostly calm and the skies are clear. Only two other people can be seen in the far distance.
October 12, 2026 at 1:52 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
NOT a winner for #AlphabetChallenge #WeekNforNeon
"Downtown #Portland is always up for lighting the holidays. This is an archive vid I tried to run through 'stabilizer'. It ended up looking like a 1902 restored newsreel. Don't give old guys too many tech options."
#MickPic #Video #Holidays #Yule
October 12, 2026 at 12:59 AM
mickpic.bsky.social
#Stunday #ImageAndVerse
"I hear the train a-comin', it's rolling 'round the bend". -Jonny Cash
#Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #Oregon
light rail platform on the TriMet MAX Blue and Red lines located in Hillsboro, Oregon. Sunrise this morning.
October 11, 2026 at 2:56 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#31daysofhalloween
"I guess it depends on the family, right?"
#MickPic
The image shows the Fun World Pumpkin Pro 20-Piece Family Carving Kit (Model #94650), which includes 12 stencils, saws, a scoop, and carving tools.
October 11, 2026 at 11:44 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#AlphabetChallenge #WeekOforOpaque
"When becalmed and clear in the mountains, a mirror or window deep into another world. When angered or thrashed about by the winds, a solid wall, clawing you to a watery end." -mick
#Yachats #ThorsWell #ImageAndVerse #Photo #MickPic #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips
The image captures the intense, exploding sea spray and churning foam characteristic of Thor's Well, a fascinating natural wonder located on the Oregon Coast within the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. Often referred to as the "Drainpipe of the Pacific," Thor's Well looks like a bottomless sinkhole endlessly swallowing the ocean. In reality, it is a bowl-shaped feature carved into the rugged volcanic basalt shoreline. • Geological Origins: Geologists believe it began as a subterranean sea cave. Over thousands of years, continuous wave erosion caused the cave's roof to collapse, creating openings at both the top and bottom. • True Depth: While it looks like an endless abyss from certain angles, it is actually only about 20 feet (6 meters) deep. • The "Maelstrom" Effect: During high tide or severe storms, ocean water surges powerfully into the underwater cave from underneath, compressing air and forcing a massive geyser-like eruption of water out of the top. As the wave recedes, the water rapidly drains back down, creating the illusion of a giant plug being pulled from the sea.
October 12, 2026 at 12:57 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
#Blueskyartshow #Weather
"If you are on the edge of the storm,
You might as well dance."
-mick
#ImageAndVerse
#Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #Oregon
The image shows a person wearing a dark outfit and a flowing purple scarf or shawl, standing on a rocky coastal path near the ocean. Friend Desiree from a photoshoot years past.
October 10, 2026 at 2:36 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
"There were some piles of snow left over, but it didn't seem like a big deal. I finally asked what those 12' poles were all about. 'Oh, that's so the snowplow doesn't drive off the side of the mountain. Guide sticks. If they can't see the tops, they don't plow.' Oh. "
#MickPic #WCK #ECK #MickTrip
NOT Crater Lake, but up near Lassen and the plowed road as an example of the snow you get in the mountains. This snow cut is about six feet high.
October 11, 2026 at 12:57 AM
mickpic.bsky.social
#Blueskyartshow #Weather
"Our first winter in Portland was the year of the Snowpocalypse. (2009?) The folks at work didn't know how to handle the blocked roof drains. The brave (re: dumb) mid-west kid jumped in. (There was a big balcony just below. No danger.)" -mick
#Photography #MickPic #WCK #ECK
The image shows a man holding a red snow shovel on a snowy rooftop in Portland, Oregon, with the prominent glass-facade tower of Twelve West visible in the background.
October 10, 2026 at 1:46 PM
mickpic.bsky.social
Today's #BlueskyArtShow theme is #weather.
"The Oregon coast is usually up for showing off her rocky slopes. Even without thunderous rain, the churning waters will kick up crashing waves, letting you know who is boss." mick
#Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #Oregon #Ocean
The image shows large ocean waves crashing against rocky basalt cliffs and a blowhole on the Oregon Coast, around areas like Cape Perpetua, Depoe Bay, and Devil's Churn near Yachats, Oregon. • Basalt Rock Formations: Dark, jagged volcanic rock typical of the Pacific Northwest shoreline. • Wave Action & Spray: High-energy whitecaps and powerful water plumes erupting through coastal crevices or blowholes. • Overcast Conditions: Gray skies and turbulent sea conditions characteristic of winter storms or king tide events along the Oregon coast.
October 10, 2026 at 12:39 PM