Shadow Flutter

Crimean War The Crimean War brought us glorious cultural icons such as The Charge of the Light Brigade and Florence Nightingale , but the war itself was brutal.  Fought on one side by Russia and on the other by Britain, France, Turkey, and Sardinia, the main causes were religious and economic.  Tensions over access to the Holy Land between Catholic France and Orthodox Russia boiled over into  riots in Bethlehem resulting in the deaths of several Orthodox monks in 1853.  Tsar Nicholas I blamed the "sick man of the empire," Turkey, ruler of the Ottoman empire, for the deaths, and Turkey responded by declaring war on Russia.  Britain and France, concerned over Russian expansion and their seizing control of trade routes, sided with Turkey.   Human toll  (Deaths):  Country ------ KIA ---------  Wounds ---- Disease British             2,700            2,000...

The Couple that gardens together stays together.

Myths attempt to answer questions that are eternal to all civilizations: Where did I come from? How much control do I have over my life? What must I do to survive? How should I live?  They often reflect the political, economic, social, and religious foundations of the culture, and are ensconced in the mystery and mysticism of nature.  Ancient civilizations were so dependent upon the forces of nature for success or failure that these forces were often personified as gods. Fertility Myths Fertility myths respond to a need for economic security in a world dependent upon nature for stability.  Lives in ancient cultures revolved around the agricultural year.  Because a good harvest was central to survival, fertility --  reproduction, birth, growth, abundance -- came to be personified as a powerful fertility god, and the seasons came to reflect the cycle of life.  Spring is the season of birth and summer is the season of growth. ...

Read it here .  Yes, they have been reading and discussing Finnegan's Wake for 18 years.

Admont Abbey Founded in 1074, the abbey's architecture, frescoes, sculptures, and books and manuscripts comprise one of the largest late Baroque works of art in Europe. Admont Church The church was designed by Wilhelm Buchner after the original one was destroyed by fire in 1865. Admont Library The Admont Library, which resides in the monestary, was designed by architect Josef Hueber, and is home to the largest monastic library in the world.  Containing over 200,000 volumes, 1,400 manuscripts — earliest from 8th century — and over 500 incunabula comprise the library jewels.  The library has been called the 8th wonder of the world and is open to the public. Ceiling Frescoes The library's ceiling frescoes were created by  Bartolomeo Altomonte . Sculptures The library's sculptures were created by Josef Stammel