Discovery! 8 ancient Roman shoes of 'exceptional size' discovered at Roman fort in England

How many men do you know with a size 14 sneaker? Recently archaeologists excavating near Hadrian's Wall in England (the site of an ancient Roman settlement) found footwear from soldiers that large!  Here's the story.

 

(Photo: The largest Roman shoe ever discovered has been found at Magna fort in the U.K.   Image credit: The Vindolanda Trust)

8 ancient Roman shoes of 'exceptional size' discovered at Roman fort near Hadrian's Wall

By Kristina Killgrove Live Science, July 3, 2025

Eight XXL leather shoes have been recovered from Magna, a Roman-era fort along Hadrian's Wall.

Archaeologists excavating a Roman-era fort in northern England have unearthed several enormous ancient leather soles that measure more than 11.8 inches (30 centimeters) long. Hadrian's Wall is a former defensive fortification of the Roman province of Britannia, begun in AD 122 in the reign of the Emperor Hadrian.

The finds add to the archaeologists' growing collection of supersized ancient footwear found at the ancient fort, known as Magna. The researchers now have eight of these extra-extra-large shoes — a quarter of the total found at the site.

Hadrian's Wall is located in England and identifies where Roman settlements were located. It spans 73 miles from coast to coast. Hadrian’s Wall was built to guard the wild north-west frontier of the Roman Empire. Discover the remains of the forts, and towns that once kept watch over the Wall.

"I think there is something very different going on here at Magna," Elizabeth Greene, an archaeologist at Western University in Ontario, Canada and a specialist in ancient shoes, said in a statement. "Even from this small sample uncovered, it is clear that these shoes are much larger on average than most of the Vindolanda collection."

The shoes were discovered at Magna — also known as Carvoran — a fort along Hadrian's Wall, which was built around A.D. 122 to demarcate the northern extent of the Roman Empire. Magna is situated about 7 miles (11 kilometers) west of Vindolanda, the large Roman auxiliary fort that's well known for the remarkable preservation of writing tablets, military medals and leather shoes.

In May, 2025, archaeologists unearthed an enormous leather shoe while digging at the bottom of one of Magna's "ankle-breaker" defensive ditches — narrow, deep trenches that, when full of water, could cause an enemy soldier to trip and snap their ankle. The waterlogged conditions in the ditch created an oxygen-free environment that preserved the leather shoe. 

The sole of the giant shoe measured 12.6 inches (32 cm) long, which is the equivalent of a men's U.S. 14 or U.K. size 13 shoe today. For context, the average U.S. men's shoe size is around 10.5, while basketball player LeBron James wears a size U.S. 15 and Michael Jordan wears a U.S. 13.5.

Further excavations revealed the Magna ditch contained a total of 32 shoes in a range of sizes, from children's to adults', which adds to the collection of more than 5,000 ancient leather shoes found at the nearby fort of Vindolanda, according to the statement.

Architecture: Why Old New England Homes Had 2 Front Doors

If you live in New England or have ever visited, you'll notice some older homes have 2 doors side by side. We've seen them in southern New Hampshire and southern Maine. Today's blog shares a story about various reasons why homes were built that way. 

(Photo: Home in Somersworth, NH built in 1900. Credit: Zillow) 

Six Intriguing Reasons Why New England Homes Originally Had Two Doors 

 Jolana Miller, May 12, 2025, Theshark105.3 Radio 

When you see houses with two front doors, do you assume they're duplexes or two-family homes? We have so many around New England, and while they're duplexes now, or have several apartments inside, historically speaking, two front doors had literal reasons behind them.

Living in the oldest part of the country, there's also a good chance that some of those two-door homes you see in Maine or Massachusetts just kept the aesthetic while being a single-family home.

Let's go back to the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, where, according to Family Handyman and The Spruce, there are six reasons homes originally were built with two doors.

DEATH DOOR

In some cases, one door was reserved for the dead, lying in repose in the front parlor, and was only used when someone passed away.

SYMMETRY 

Two Doors Made the Exterior Symmetrical According to an article on Taste of Home.com, symmetry was in style. Georgian-style homes (which were trendy at the time) were designed around balance, order and classical symmetry, often achieved through the use of many windows, two chimneys and a front entry hallway that ran straight through the middle of the house. If a home, for whatever reason, didn’t have this centered hallway, a centrally-placed front door threw things off. The easy fix? Add another door to keep things balanced.

APPEARANCES

Simply put, more than one door looked like you had a home with more rooms.

(Photo: Credit: https://hellofarmhouse.com/) 

HOUSEHOLD FUNCTION

Each door was a separate entrance into the home, with one of the doors being the entrance to the more formal side of the house for parties or important meetings. The other was used for day-to-day living.

Also, if the family had servants, the owners of the home used the right side while servants used the left door.

TEMPERATURE REGULATION

Most homes had one single hallway that stretched the length of the house. However, if you opened the front door, you could send a wind tunnel of hot air or cold air through the house, so two doors helped keep homes temperature-friendly no matter what time of year.

BUDGETARY

Many single-family homes with two front doors did it for budgetary reasons.

Glass was quite expensive, and having it shipped from Europe or literally made onsite in America was not doable, especially since making glass was a specialty trade. That second door was the cheaper alternative since doors don't use nearly as much glass as windows. 

 

DISCOVERY: Changes to the polar vortex that are plunging parts of US into deep freeze

If you live in the U.S. you've noticed more and stronger Polar Vortexes (and hotter summers, more extreme storms, etc.). Science is CRITICAL to explain what's happening on our planet and around the Universe. Sadly, in the U.S., the Republican Party doesn't understand that, and have Defunded Government Science agencies and fired many scientists. Ignorance doesn't help anyone. We need to understand the changing climate, and fortunately MIT Scientists have been studying how global warming (Yes, it's a reality and has been for 100 years) is affecting the Polar Vortex in Winter and bringing brutally cold temperatures to parts of the U.S. Here's the study:

(Image: Credit: NOAA) 

Scientists discover changes to the polar vortex that are plunging parts of US into deep freeze

By Stephanie Pappas Live Science, July 18, 2025

When the polar vortex stretches, North America feels the chill. New research reveals some of the stratospheric patterns controlling these cold snaps.

Though global temperatures are warming, winters in the Northern Hemisphere are still marked by cold snaps and extreme snowfall events — sometimes to an unprecedented extent, such as the 2021 deep freeze in Texas and Oklahoma that caused over $1 billion in damage.

Now, a new study suggests that these cold extremes are due to an increasingly common pattern in the polar vortex, the zone of low pressure that usually circulates over the Arctic. Disruptions to this vortex cause it to deform and stretch, spewing cold air into Canada and the U.S. These disruptions are becoming more common as the Arctic warms.

"Overwhelmingly, extreme cold and severe winter weather, heavy snowstorms and deep snow, are associated with these stretched events," study co-author Judah Cohen, the director of seasonal forecasting at Atmospheric and Environmental Research and a visiting scientist at MIT, told Live Science.

Cohen and his team looked at how these events evolve in the stratosphere, the middle layer of the atmosphere that starts about 12 miles (19 kilometers) up. Understanding how these patterns shift could help meteorologists make longer-range forecasts, said Andrea Lopez Lang, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Wisconsin—Madison who was not involved in the research.

"Knowing this information is useful for a lot of applications in energy [and] applications in insurance or reinsurance," Lang told Live Science. "How cold is it going to get? Are pipes going to burst? Are insurance claims going to spike this winter?"

Usually, the polar vortex circulates around the North Pole like a spinning top. Occasionally, it collapses dramatically, which usually leads to polar air rushing toward northern Europe and Asia. These collapses can sometimes cause cold snaps in North America — but not always.

"There's been this big question mark over what happens in North America," Lang said.

Dash's Respiratory Distress Hospitalization- He's okay now

Dash is our 17 year old Dachshund/Chihuahua mix who followed Tyler (our Dachshund who passed on July 29, 2025) everywhere. Dash has been under tremendous stress trying to figure out life without Tyler, and he's been prone to bronchitis and asthma issues. On Thursday, August 14th the stress finally took a toll on him and he was gasping for breath, so I called our vet's emergency line and they said to rush him to the Vet Emergency Room.That's today's blog.

RESPIRATORY DISTRESS - Dash went into respiratory distress on August 14th around 5:30p. He was bonded to Tyler who passed just 2 weeks before and I understood that was the catalyst of his labored breathing. Dash had been showing signs of depression by not eating and had become increasingly stressed out without Tyler to follow around the house. He wouldn't eat his dinner and then he started breathing heavily. He pulled his stomach in with deep gasping breaths, and I could tell he was struggling. I called the local vet who said to get him to an ER quickly, so I did. 

 VIDEO OF HIS LABORED BREATHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tthUk7nYdSs

A NIGHT IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM -     I  drove Dash to the Veterinary Emergency Critical Care in Newington, NH.  The doctor on staff the evening of August 14th was wonderful. Dash, was still very much in respiratory distress. Xrays were taken at 2 different times, and bronchitis with poss. pneumonia was the diagnosis. I also think he has asthma, because he sounds like me when I have an asthma attack. 

I waited for the radiologist to provide an xray report. The in-house doctor looks at it and they also email it a radiologist on call who reviews it. During that time (it was 5 hours), the doctor explained about the likelihood of what was going on, and his plan for medications, and recommended keeping Dash overnight in oxygen to help his breathing. 

OVERNIGHT AND OXYGEN -  Dash stayed overnight on oxygen and he received prednisone and antibiotics through IV.  Dash received great care overnight, and his breathing returned to near normal the next morning when we picked him up at 10 a.m.

I'm so grateful the the doctor and staff of the hospital. It was the right thing to do to rush him to the ER.  His new meds are working, and he's finally eating his meals and treats again. He's also showing energy and went on a walk on day two.

If you see your dog breathing heavily and their stomach goes in and out your dog is in respiratory distress and needs to go to an ER immediately. 

Idiot of the Week: Another Jan. 6er Imprisoned for Life. He plotted to kill FBI special agents who investigated him

 There's a reason why the criminals who participated in Jan. 6th were imprisoned. Since the felon pardoned them all earlier this year, quite a few have committed more crimes and have been imprisoned again. This week's idiot got life for plotting to kill 2 FBI agents who investigated him. And his co-conspirator's trial is next. Sigh.

(Photo: Edward Kelley at the Peace Monument across from the United States Capitol Building using a cell phone and wearing a red MAGA on Jan. 6, 2021.FBI)

Jan. 6 defendant sentenced to life in prison for plotting to kill FBI special agents who investigated him

President Donald Trump's mass pardon of Jan. 6 rioters did not apply to Edward Kelley's separate plot to murder law enforcement officials, the Justice Department said.

Edward Kelley at the Peace Monument across from the United States Capitol Building using a cell phone and wearing a red MAGA on Jan. 6, 2021.

July 2, 2025 MSNBC, By Ryan J. Reilly

WASHINGTON — A Jan. 6 defendant who plotted to murder FBI special agents who investigated him over his actions at the Capitol was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday.

Edward Kelley was convicted in November of conspiracy to murder employees of the United States; solicitation to commit a crime of violence; and influencing or retaliating against federal officials by threat. President Donald Trump pardoned Kelley, alongside roughly 1,500 other Jan. 6 defendants, in January.

U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan imposed the sentence on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 during a hearing in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Kelley's team argued that Trump's pardon should apply to his conduct in the murder plot. While the Justice Department had argued that the pardons should apply to separate gun cases against other Jan. 6 defendants, they said the pardon did not apply to Kelley's conduct. A federal judge ruled that Trump's pardon did not apply to the murder plot.

Federal prosecutors sought life in prison for Kelley, calling him “remorseless" and writing that he had "shown neither a capacity nor desire" to rehabilitate.

"On the contrary, Kelley not only believes the actions for which he was convicted were justified but that his duty as a self-styled ‘patriot’ compelled him to target East Tennessee law enforcement for assassination,” federal prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo.

Kelley, prosecutors wrote, "committed crimes that are serious, violent, and all designed to achieve the same end: the murder of federal, state, and local law enforcement."

Kelley "formed a self-styled militia to attack the FBI," and "conducted combat drills to realize his plan," they wrote. He "strategized ways to bomb the FBI Knoxville office" and "identified a 'hornet’s nest' at which to store his various weapons at 'arms’ reach.'" Kelley also "devised a kill list of individual agents to be targeted" and then "gave the go-ahead command — 'start it' — to his confederates, noting that 'every hit has to hurt.'"

Kelley's lawyer wrote that "no individual was directly threatened with harm or violence by Kelley, and no one was injured" and that "Kelley does not deserve the same sentence as an actual 'terrorist' who injured or killed hundreds or thousands" of Americans.

Austin Carter, who admitted that he conspired with Kelley in the murder plot and pleaded guilty, is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Heroes of the Week: Firefighters Rescue Dog in W. Virginia House Kitchen Fire

 This week's heroes are firefighters in West Virginia who were called to the scene of a house fire, and broke in, rescuing a dog inside. 

Photo: Fireman from the Nutter Fort Volunteer Fire Department carries a dog out of a burning home. Credit: WBOY TV)

Firefighters rescue dog from house fire in Nutter Fort, W. VA

by: McKenna Galloway, WBOY TV, Aug 10, 2025 / 01:38 PM EDT

NUTTER FORT, W.Va. (WBOY) — Officials have given more information on the house fire that occured in Nutter Fort Sunday afternoon, August 10, 2025.

A 12 News reporter at the scene stated that it was a house on fire next to Roosevelt-Wilson High School. While there, the reporter observed a dog being carried out of the residence.

12 News spoke with Chief of the Nutter Fort Volunteer Fire Department Jeremy Haddix who confirmed that it was a kitchen fire.

“Got the fire knocked, saved a dog, the crews are working with it right now,” Chief Haddix said. “It was awesome just to look down and see that it was still alive and we were able to get it out and get some oxygen and save its life.”

Haddix also confirmed that no individuals were injured as a result of the fire and that the fire will be investigated.

Nutter Fort, Stonewood, Anmoore and Bridgeport fire departments, along with the Nutter Fort City Administration and EMS has responded to this incident.

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Book of the Week: Bookmarked for Death by Lorna Barrett (Booktown Mystery series)

 I recently enjoyed the second book in Lorna Barrett's Booktown Mystery series called "Bookmarked for Death."  Last month I read the first in the series and wanted more. This second book in the series was also 5 of 5 stars!!

The small New Hampshire town of Stoneham has reinvented itself as a vacation spot for bibliophiles. Tricia Miles, the owner of the mystery bookshop, frequently finds herself mixed up in murder. There are a lot of great supporting characters. These books will keep you wanting to read until to finish them! I absolutely loved the second book in the series. The first one was a fantastic introduction (see below). The second one developed the characters further and really made you guess until the end! LOVE this author! I plan on reading all of these. If you like Cozy mysteries, you should consider them, too.- Rob

SOME MAIN CHARACTERS -  Like any small town, Stoneham, New Hampshire is populated with shop owners, business people, and residents. 

 1) Tricia Miles owns the mystery bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue. Along with her employee, Ginny Wilson, and her cat, (scene stealer) Miss Marple, Tricia’s store caters to mystery lovers looking to complete their collection of their favorite authors. Tricia sells rare and out-of-print editions, as well as some new titles, and lives above her store. 

2) Angelica Miles, Tricia’s older sister, who arrived in Stoneham for what Tricia hoped will be a short visit, but stayed on to open the Cookery and Booked for Lunch. Angelica also writes cookbooks. (Try her recipes - in the back of each book) 

3) Bob Kelly: President of the local chamber of commerce and the mastermind behind changing Stoneham from a dying village into Booktown, a tourist destination. Bob also owns Kelly Real Estate. 

4) Mr. Everett, works for Tricia at Haven’t Got a Clue. 

5) Ginny Wilson, works for Tricia at Haven’t Got a Clue. **AND THERE ARE SEVERAL MORE:

**Booktown Mystery: A series by Lorna Barrett The series in order**

1 Murder is Binding (2008) 5 Stars!! Read this in 2025

2 Bookmarked For Death (2009) 5 Stars!! Read this in 2025

3 Bookplate Special (2009) **Have this- On the reading list!**

4 Chapter and Hearse (2010) **Have this- On the reading list!**

5 Sentenced to Death (2011)

6 Murder on the Half Shelf (2012)

7 Not the Killing Type (2013)

8 Book Clubbed (2014)

9 A Fatal Chapter (2015)

10 Title Wave (2016)

11 A Just Clause (2017)

12 Poisoned Pages (2018)

13 A Killer Edition (2019)

14 Handbook for Homicide (2020)

15 A Deadly Deletion (2021)

16 Clause of Death (2022)

17 A Questionable Character (2023)

18 A Controversial Cover (2024)

19 A Perilous Plot (2025)

FOUND: 600-year-old amethyst found in medieval castle moat in Poland

Imagine finding a 600 year old piece of royal jewelry in a moat! That's what one archaeological team did in Poland at Castle Kolno. 600 years ago in the 1400s, Castle Kolno was no longer a ducal or royal residence after being sold by the Duke of Brzeg in the early 14th century. Once sold, it lost its strategic importance as a customs house. It was owned by various knights throughout the 1400s, and was destroyed in 1443. Today's blog is about the jeweled brooch discovered there.

(Photo: An amethyst set in silver was discovered in a castle moat in Poland. (Image credit: Lech Marek; CC BY 4.0)

600-year-old amethyst 'worthy of a duke' found in medieval castle moat in Poland

By Kristina Killgrove Live Science, July 17, 2025

Around 600 years ago, an aristocrat visiting a medieval castle lost an ornate piece of jewelry. But archaeologists recently dredged the unique amethyst set in fire-gilded silver from the muck of the old moat. The amethyst was set in high-quality silver and probably once formed part of a brooch.

"I believe the item was originally part of a brooch or, less likely, a coronet or a crown," Lech Marek, an archaeologist at the University of Wrocław in Poland, told Live Science in an email, "which makes it so unique in a medieval settlement context."

Medieval jewelry is often found in hoards or in tombs, Marek and Beata Miazga, another archaeologist at the University of Wrocław, wrote in a study published online July 11 in the journal Antiquity. But this one was discovered in a more "everyday" situation, they wrote, having presumably been lost by someone traveling to or from Castle Kolno.

Castle Kolno was founded in the early 13th century as a fortress and duke's palace that also served as a customs house controlling the transport of wood. The original owner, Duke Bolesław III of Brzeg, eventually sold the property to some wealthy knights. In 1443, Castle Kolno was burned and destroyed during the civil wars in Silesia. And in 2010, Marek and his team began archaeological excavation at the ruined castle, discovering military artifacts, cavalry items and ceramics typical of the 14th and 15th centuries.

Using Raman spectroscopic analysis, which measures the light emitted from lasers bombarding a substance to determine its molecular composition, the gemstone was identified as an amethyst, and X-ray fluorescence analysis revealed the metal parts were silver and fire-gilded, which involved considerable amounts of mercury, Marek and Miazga wrote in the study.

"Because of their symbolic meaning, availability and aesthetic qualities, amethysts were popular in the medieval period," Marek said.

Medieval folklore suggests that amethysts could protect their wearer from intoxication, venom, gout, bad dreams, treason, deceit, captivity, blindness, enchantment and strangulation, the researchers wrote, and they could also represent faith, modesty and martyrdom.

"In the sophisticated medieval play of symbols, the choice of gems for jewelry always had a deeper reason," Marek said, and "if a jewel was believed to be charged with supernatural powers, its value increased rapidly."

It is unknown who lost this semiprecious gem or how they lost it, but the researchers have no doubt the person lived an aristocratic lifestyle. Similar jewels in similar settings have been found on high-end jewelry of the period, Marek said. But the Castle Kolno amethyst is unusual because it is a high-status jewel worthy of a duke that was likely lost in a very mundane activity several centuries ago.

Part 5: Tyler's Ashes, a BIG Thank you & Fun Tyler Videos Through the Years-

Today's Blog is a collection of videos to celebrate our Tyler's life. Tyler passed on July 29, 2025 from an aggressive cancer, but he enjoyed a lot of fun things in his 14 years and 8 months. On August 6th, his ashes "came home." This is a BIG THANK YOU to all for the kind words of support and sympathy, the homemade treats, toys, cards, flowers, memorials, calls and emails we received. It means so much to us, and to bring YOU a SMILE from Tyler  - Today's blog is a collection of Fun Tyler Videos Through the Years- Agility, Birthday, Siren Howling, Oatmeal Cookies!

MORE SIGNS ABOUT TYLER- Every day, Dolly (the Weimaraner) has sent me signs since she passed. Her Angel number is 1, or 11, 111,1111. After realizing that Buzz's number is 2, Franklin's is 3, and Sprite's is 4, Tyler's number is 5. Whenever any of the numbers are repeating or together, it represents one or several together. 

   On Monday, August 11th, there was a "Dolly/Tyler" combination of 11 and 55, when I happened to pick up the phone! (I don't wait for time to change, it's always 'accidental.'). This tells me they are together on the other side.

TYLER AT AGILITY IN 2015: I'm Tyler. I'm 5 years old and have been schooling in pre agility stuff for almost a year. Tonight I ran a huge course perfectly for a good reason! VIDEO: https://youtu.be/aicnmJIj60k

 FUN VIDEO: Dec 25, 2017 While I was making oatmeal cookies over the holidays I decided to put treats in an empty oatmeal box so Tyler can play with it and he had a great time! Of course, it got stuck on his head so I had to take it off! (LINK: https://youtu.be/a9p1BDsgBPo?si=1LOrvOscPcWpIZxt) 

HOME AGILITY - with Dolly and Tyler!  Tyler went to Agility courses, and when I practiced at home with him, Dolly, our (late) Weimaraner loved to do it, too. 2016: On cold days and after dinner Dolly and Tyler do agility training with Daddy Rob in the house. You can teach your dog to do this. They love it! VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8Gp92ouy9Q&feature=youtu.be

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TYLER ANNUAL BIRTHDAY ADVENTURE - His 14th birthday on Nov. 29, 2024- 

 On November 29th 2024, Tyler (yellow shirt) and his brother, Dash got to pick out birthday treats and a toy as is our tradition. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/FwZqGhPvanE

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TYLER HOWLED AT SIRENS - Tyler loved to howl at sirens, and here he is with his sister, Dolly (passed in 2020) in the backyard, howling away! 

Enjoyed the new Superman Movie

Last week, we finally got to see the brand new Superman movie. Superman was amazing. As a Superman fan, and comic book reader since the 1970s, this movie really embodied the comics and the storyline was captivating. Seeing Superman and Krypto was a thrill for me, because our (late) dog Dolly and I would do events as that duo. Today's blog, though, is about this great movie.

(Photo; Krypto sits while Superman (David Cornswet) asks what was up with Krypto's destructive behavior in the Fortress of Solitude.)

This movie was fantastic. It teared me up several times. 

(Photo: Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor) 

Although I was a big fan of Henry Cavill's Superman, David Cornswet truly embodied Superman and Clark Kent. He provided a distinction between the two characters, similar to the way Christopher Reeve did in the 1970s-80s films. Although I loved Henry Cavill as Superman, he never really got a chance to portray Clark Kent much and wasn't able to make that distinction as David Cornswet did. David's performance was much more like the comic book character I've always loved.

The actor who played Lex Luthor was brilliant. He totally made me me feel anger and loathing toward the Lex Luthor character, who also reminded me of a person in the real world, currently bilking people for his own profits, and trying to rule as a monarch. A true depiction of a villain. 

(Photo: Back in 2006, I dressed up as Superman, and our dog, Dolly dressed as Krypto. We went to several events that way in the Baltimore area and people got to know us!)

Although I thought the selection of the other heroes was odd, I loved the combination by the end of the film. 

Mr. Terrific, a tech genius and a man with the "highest IQ" was critical in figuring out a serious threat. Green Lantern's (GL) Guy Gardner- the cocky, egotistical Green Lantern (not my favorite GL)  added character to the movie. The only one I could've done without was "Hawkgirl." - I love Hawkman, but Hawkgirl has never been a strong character, and she didn't add anything. They could have chosen a different female superhero. Seeing Metamorpho, the element man portrayed on screen was exciting to me, as he's never been in anything but cartoons. 

The portrayals of all in the Daily Planet newspaper were wonderful, and I really warmed to Rachel Brosnahan's portrayal of Lois Lane. It was like reading the Superman comics from the 70s and 80s to see Jimmy Olsen (photographer/reporter), Cat Grant (gossip columnist), Steve Lombard (sports reporter and jerk to Clark),and Perry White the editor. They also used the "Miss Tesmacher" character well. She was created in the Christopher Reeve Superman films of the 70s/80s and had not been a comic book character. 

Krypto stole my heart.  I hope we see more of him in the upcoming Supergirl film coming out in 2026. 

TRAILER: https://youtu.be/0-3_LtHMBCA?si=703LvrTCXY2cBzen

Local: Enjoyed the Maine Lavender Festival

Every year in July, the Lavender Hill Tree Farm in Berwick, Maine hosts a Lavender Festival, so we checked it out this year!  The fields were amazing to see and there were things like a sheep shearing demonstration, lavender-flavored food items, lots of vendors, and a great view of nearby Mount Agamenticus!  You'll also learn what the topographical term "monadnock" means in terms of the mountain. 

(Photo: Pausing for a picture in front of a lavender field)

HERE'S MY VIDEO SWEEP OF THE LAVENDER FIELDS!

(Video: My video sweep of one of the fields at the Lavender festival, Berwick, ME July 19, 2025. Credit: R.G.)  VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_0YgQyKLLI

ABOUT LAVENDER HILL FARM - At Lavender Hill Farm, they grow three main crops: Christmas trees, lavender, and sheep. Their actions are guided by sustainable and regenerative principles. This keeps them focused on the real meaning of their work - to steward this land for our children and future generations. They are a small family farm  open to visitors a few times throughout the year. 

(Photo: The LavYrinth. Credit: Lavender Hill Farm)

There is also a professional, licensed massage therapist who has an office on the farm!   Sounds like something else to try: https://www.lh-farm.com/massage 

Learn more about what they do, when to visit, and more about their story by further exploring this website: https://www.lh-farm.com/ 

LABYRINTH OF LAVENDER -   "The LavYrinth” is a a triple spiral labyrinth of Lavender on a hill on the farm. The lavender maze was planted in early 2025, and it consists of a set of pathways that wind through each other, lined with lavender plants.

 

LAVENDER FLAVORED FOOD - There was Lavender Iced Tea, Lemonade and Iced Coffee. There was also Lavender flavored ice cream available. 

(Picture: A giant field of lavender at the back of the farm.) 

 

SHEEP SHEARING - The farm actively maintains and cares for sheep, so there was a sheep shearing exhibition. Those poor sheep must be sweltering in the summer before being sheared. 

The amount of wool the shearer took off one sheep while we were there, was just amazing!  

ABOUT THE FARMERS - Both James and Silas grew up on and around farms in Newmarket, NH. James comes from a family that moved to rural Newmarket to get out of the city. His grandparents bought a homestead, raised West Highland White Terriers, and this is where he and his brothers were raised in their own family home. Silas comes from a 30+ year family history of Christmas tree farming, and extended family of Vermont dairy farmers. His parents moved to Newmarket, NH and began planting Christmas trees in their yard for Choose-and-Cut operations and began Archambault Tree Farm. Silas and his siblings have many memories in tree plantations.

WHAT IS A MONADNOCK? - In order to know what Mount Agamenticus is, you need to know what a "monadnock" means. A monadnock (/məˈnædnɒk/ mə-NAD-nok) is an isolated rock hill, knob, ridge, or small mountain that rises abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level surrounding plain.

(Photo: View from the summit of Mount Agamenticus in July from the Lavender Hill Farm! Credit: R.G.)

WHAT AND WHERE IS MOUNT AGAMENTICUS? - According to Wikipedia, Mount Agamenticus is a 692 ft (211 meter) high monadnock in the town of York, Maine. The area surrounding the summit is a park reservation which provides habitat for wildlife and a venue for recreation. The greater Agamenticus region covers nearly 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) in the southern Maine towns of Eliot, Ogunquit, South Berwick, Wells and York. Mount Agamenticus was historically a noted landmark for sailors. Mount Agamenticus is also affectionately known by older locals as "Big A," the nickname of a ski slope that once operated on its northeast flank, remnants of which can be seen both near the summit and along the trails.

VENDORS GALORE! There were a lot of vendors set up on one pathway. All were local to southern Maine or southern New Hampshire, and there was some beautiful stuff!

We bought a bunch of beautiful cards from Sheepjunkie LLC ~ commercially-spun, hand-spun and art yarns, needle felted items, notecards, dryer balls, and more! https://www.facebook.com/Sheepjunkie

And I enjoyed talking with the owner of Grey Wolf Studios LLC ~ who sells handmade jewelry, crystals, smudging items, evil eye /protection items & more! - holistic and metaphysical products. She's sensitive, and has an amazing array of things. She had smudge bundles, which I need for paranormal investigations, so I bought some. She's fascinating to talk with and you should check out her store on line. https://www.facebook.com/greywolfstudiosllc

HERE'S A FULL LIST OF LOCAL VENDORS

WITH LINKS TO THEIR WEBSITES (Click name)

Lavender Hill Farm ~ lavender inspired jellies, syrup, sachets, essential oil, room mist, dried lavender bouquets and festival merchandise! LOTS of cool stuff here!!

Kaylie Reads ~ handmade unique pressed floral bookmarks and floral art

Found Sisters Creations ~ magnetic frame art, bookmarks, greeting cards, framed paintings, canvas pieces, and more!

Brisingamen Botanicals ~ small batch tea blends

Crafty Badass Stitch ~ embroidered items, kits, accessories and notions

Wonderfully Whimsical Cakes ~ cupcakes, cake tins, sugar cookies, brownies, cake sandwiches

Lilli Elle Handmade Jewelry ~ jewelry

Rustic Roots Crafts & Cocktails ~ cocktail infusion kits, resin kitchen and barwares, natural art (primarily framed shell and floral pieces)

Tatnic Woods Pottery ~ pottery

Daily Botanicals ~ therapy rice bags, herbal eye pillows, dream pillows, boo boo bags, solid lotion, bath and body products

The Panicked Possum ~ stickers, keychains, magnets, bags, and shirts

Print3D & Paper ~ small creatures, fidget toys and other objects, as well as layered paper designs, bookmarks and cards

The Pumpkin Pouch ~ crocheted and sewn plushies, clay charms, felted items

philputneyprints ~ photography

Made by Jenn ~ pottery

whee made! ~ hand-painted laser-cut wood earrings and home decor, handmade felted wool and handmade leather goods

This & That Felting ~ felted animals and felted pictures

Naples Crafted ~ handmade jewelry, mini resin jars, homemade soaps and chapstick, miniature canvas artwork

BoHAWK Creations & King's Castle Crafters ~ handmade crafts, paintings & prints on canvas, painted bottles, signs, crochet animals

Golden Swan Sweets ~ homemade baked goods

S&E Dairy Goats LLC ~ natural goat milk soaps and skin care

Wildcrafted LLC  ~ sustainably grown and sourced crafts including floral infused oils, skin care products, and sea sponges

Berwick Flower Studio ~ floral art

Mellifera Modern ~ cyanotype art specializing in clothing and accessories including jackets, shirts, overalls, bandanas, patches & more!

New Moon ~ women’s resale boutique

Makes U Wonder ~ wool needle felted paintings, pin cushions, 3D gnomes

Beaded by Chloe ~ beaded bracelets and rings - young entrepreneur!

Pretty Nest ~ candles, small bags, scrunchies