[28606] in linux-announce channel archive
Precise measurement each and every time
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Winston Mullins)
Thu Sep 2 15:30:38 2021
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2021 15:12:31 -0400
From: "Winston Mullins" <winston_mullins@winteryoghurt.com>
To: <linuxch-announce.discuss@charon.mit.edu>
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** THE WORLD'S BEST TAPE MEASURE **
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<!--This time of year was never fun. It is just a constant reminder of h=
ow everything has changed and there is no going back. The cold crisp air wo=
uld burn my lungs with every breath. The clear blue sky showed no signs of =
clouds, yet the air was filled with falling frost. These extreme temperatur=
es freeze the little humidity there is in the atmosphere. Any small breeze =
cuts through the smallest opening in your clothing. Exposed skin can freeze=
in minutes. Moving water becomes solid on the surface, but it still moves =
underneath. This moving water causes uneven thickness on the river behind t=
he barn. We were always warned not to play there but a dare was a dare.=20
We agreed to meet behind the barn after dinner, sneak out after chores. The=
re were seven of us that evening. The night sky was clear and the full moon=
made it almost as bright as daytime. You could see for miles across the ba=
re frosted prairie fields. The ground was as hard as stone and the grass wo=
uld crunch beneath your every step like dry straw. I was the first to show,=
then came Violet and Steve. We waited a long time before the rest showed u=
p. Edward and little Tommy arrived next, then Willow and Frances. We were a=
ll bundled up to eyeballs. We were good at interpreting our muffled languag=
e through the layers. Steve and I built a fire to warm us up before the cha=
llenge.=20
The dare was simple. How many times can you cross the river. We did it ever=
y cold snap and without fail little Tommy was always the first to go. He wo=
uld chicken out half way across and his older brother Edward would tease hi=
m about it the rest of the year. Not this time, little Tommy made it all th=
e way across. I don?t know who was shaking more, Tommy or Edward. The far s=
ide of the river had a small grove of trees with a large maple close to the=
river. That is where we would carve our initials when we crossed our first=
time. Little Tommy was the only name not on it. He proudly walked up to th=
e tree, pulled out his penknife and added his to the list. We saw him jumpi=
ng up and down down in triumph. We all cheered and whistled. Edward pulled =
his scarf from his face and yelled out to Tommy. ?I guess we can?t call you=
little Tommy anymore!? Tommy pulled his down and yelled back. ?That?s righ=
t! No more little Tommy! Wooo Whooo!? The highlight of the evening, Tommy g=
ained a new level which gave him bragging rights.=20
The rest of us crossed one by one with no problem, until it was Violet?s tu=
rn. She was three quarters of the way across when there was an ungodly rumb=
le from beneath the ice. We all froze in place as we watched her fall throu=
gh. She screamed and managed to catch herself on the edge of the hole. I wa=
s the first to move, followed close behind by Steve. We formed a line and m=
ade our way out to her. I got on my belly and inched my way out to her, Ste=
ve held my feet. I could see the terror in her eyes as she desperately claw=
ed at the ice. When I was within reach, she grabbed coat sleeve with both h=
ands. I grabbed her and started pulling with all my might. I could hear her=
teeth chattering as she slowly crawled out of the hole. I heard Steve yell=
?Pull!? and I felt Violet slip from the sudden jerk. ?Stop!? I yelled, ?No=
body move!? I locked eyes with Violet. ?Violet, listen to me. Are you liste=
ning? You have to climb over me, I will help you.? Violet was shivering and=
half nodded, unable to speak. I could feel her grip fading and I shouted a=
t her, ?Violet! Now!? She started sobbing but inched her way forward out of=
the hole and onto my back. Her wet coat and legs soaked my clothes and I c=
ould feel the cold creeping in. She continued along the chain until she rea=
ched the bank. I looked over my shoulder and saw her sitting by the oak tre=
e with Tommy and Frances. We had to get her warm fast before she lost consc=
iousness. ?Get her over the bridge and to the barn! Now!? I yelled at them.=
?Don?t wait for us! Go!? Steve chimed in, ?Move your asses! Now! Go!?
I saw them get up and hurry to the bridge. Willow followed close behind. I =
saw them go into the barn. There was only Edward, Steve and myself left on =
the ice. ?Ok, slowly back up. Keep your weight spread out.? I called back t=
o them. ?Say when you are clear. We have to go help them.? One by one we in=
ched off the ice. ?Clear? Edward shouted and ran down the bank, over the br=
idge and to the barn.=20
There was only Steve and myself left on the ice. I looked over my shoulder =
at Steve and yelled, ?Keep moving, they need us, go!? I didn?t tell him tha=
t the hole in front of me continued to grow and visible cracks spidered out=
in every direction. I could hear the roar of the river beneath, like it wa=
s calling me. Violet got away and it still demanded a sacrifice. Steve let =
go of my legs and then shouted ?Clear!? That was when the ice gave way bene=
ath me. The water stung and burned against my face. The deafening roar of t=
he river filled my head and I saw nothing but black. I knew they wouldn?t f=
ind me until spring thaw. It is amazing how many things pass through your m=
ind in seconds. The beauty of a sunrise, the smell of fresh baked bread in =
the morning, the smile on Violet?s face when I say hello. Someone grabbed m=
y legs and jerked me out of the water. He grabbed my belt and dragged me to=
the bank. I could barely breathe as he hauled me up across his shoulders. =
?You are not going anywhere Willy, Violet would never forgive you. She woul=
dn?t be able to forgive herself.? I bounced on Steve?s shoulders as he ran =
me across the bridge and into the barn. They had Violet stripped down and w=
rapped in horse blankets, Tommy was stoking the fire in an old cast iron po=
tbelly stove. Steve dropped me next to the stove and called out, ?Come on ,=
help me strip him down!? I heard other voices questioning what happened. S=
teve repeated himself and suddenly hands were all over me stripping off my =
wet clothes. They bundled me up in a couple blankets and propped me up next=
to Violet. I looked at her and said hello, she smiled back.--->=20
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<h1>Get Precise Measurements Every Time!</h1> <p> </p>=20
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mputing Engineers</p> <p>890 W End Ave Apt 2a</p> <p>New York, NY 10025-352=
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<p> </p>=20
<article class=3D"font-alt submission-content space-top-xs-md space-botto=
m-xs-lg">=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">Free. Free and flowing. There's a sli=
ght hint of white noise as the clear, cool stuff runs over the stones and p=
ebbles beneath me. It sounds close to the end of a kiss, right when the lip=
s part and the breath between two lovers resumes again. The trees around me=
shiver in the late afternoon breeze. They speak, too. They tell the others=
of their beauty as that is the only language nature says. The paddle in my=
hands swathes out a path to the side of me, gently pushing me along her bo=
dy. It's beautiful out here. Always was. </span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"> T=
his was where I was born. This is where I live. This is, probably, where I =
will die. This river has become Mother; the trees around me have become Fat=
her. The birds, squirrels, and other groundlings have become brother and si=
ster to me. I am home here. They sheltered me when I was scared and fed me =
when I was hungry. They clothed me when I was naked, washed me when I was d=
irty. It has taken <a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/e036S23U9k5Co86z10z4f67n8ddK40dhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47QQ1o9nQ7i1_UZ0p5B@Lsv/disabilities-chatterer">care of=
me so well, and I can only do so much. I know every inch of this place. I =
need no compass to guide me. The stars and the moon are all that I need her=
e. It is the place where I am whole.</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D"=
http://www.winteryoghurt.com/e036S23U9k5Co86z10z4f67n8ddK40dhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47QQ1o9nQ7i1_UZ0p5B@Lsv/disabilities-chatterer"> I tried living in different=
places. I tried my damnedest. I've lived where others like me crowd on top=
of each other and call it rest. I've gone to areas where I need to ?work' =
to gain succor and success. I've listened to everything, every noise made b=
y metal and wrath. I've heard symphonies there. I have heard the sighs and =
screams of man in all forms; the wrathful, sorrowful, the apathetic, the op=
timistic. They all play notes on the same scale. But it was all noise. No m=
usic was made. I tried to find the harmony in those noises, but there was n=
one to be found. Only the sounds of the dissatisfied and the living dead cr=
owded my ears. I almost went mad. A few times, I did dare tempt my ancestor=
s with an early arrival. I thank them that I finally listened to their plea=
s and escaped.</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D"=
http://www.winteryoghurt.com/e036S23U9k5Co86z10z4f67n8ddK40dhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47QQ1o9nQ7i1_UZ0p5B@Lsv/disabilities-chatterer"> It was them that told me ab=
out this place. Ages ago, when I had not a hair on my head and a word in my=
mouth, they took me here. They sat me alone on the river, who introduced h=
erself to me with lullabies. A few days later, under my grandfather's watch=
ful eye, she brought herself to me and cradled me in her arms. When I grew =
older and required more than they could give me, she sacrificed her offspri=
ng to my relatives, who made</a> sure that her choice did not go in vain. I=
grew up strong, virile. I was more spry and agile and had tons of energy. =
All thanks to her. I could not think of a better friend than this river. I =
spent my days playing with her and nobody else. I could never relate to any=
one my age. The schools they sent me to could never teach me what I learned=
through her and her home. My peers could never understand what my forefath=
ers and I had with this river. I suppose it is because they lost touch with=
her eons ago. I can't blame them, though. How can you love someone that yo=
u don't know? </span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D"=
http://www.winteryoghurt.com/1O14D2395r8GC610r4f68L8ddz40Fhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47UQ1o9nQ7d1moX0Y6FNspv0/descriptive-Ditzel"> Like all the other children=
before me, I did grow rebellious. There was a time where, in search of the=
essence of who I really was, I rejected her. No longer did I allow myself =
to be wrapped in the river's loving embrace. No longer did I allow me to fe=
ed off of what she offered. I ran as far away as I could manage, trying des=
perately to search for who I was. My anger and pain became my masters. The =
realms that I straddled in my life never could be merged together peacefull=
y. For many years, I tried to force them to cohabit. But, that task was for=
ever set up to fail. No matter how hard I struggled, I could never seem to =
find peace inside through hard work or hustling. </a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"> H=
owever, it was not all in vain. I did come to love another. She, like me, c=
ame from two different worlds. Though her worlds and mine were vastly diffe=
rent, we came together out of a mutual sense of failure. In her ebony eyes,=
I saw the same pain I felt in my heart. Her voice had the same countenance=
of a limping animal, something I only heard in myself. Quite quickly after=
meeting, she and I cohabitated. Many times we fell into each other's arms.=
When she took me into her arms, I almost felt the same as I did when this =
river embraced me all those years before.</span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">God, I l<a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" =
href=3D"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/c054y2395YS8m612q4f6m9Hp8ddt40whbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47DQ1o9nQ5b1A0H5C0svq/descriptive-Ditzel">oved her. And she loved me. But the pain. The damn=
ed pain between us was too great. She tried to find relief in many ways. Sh=
e didn't realize, though, that she only hurt herself even worse. There were=
many days that I found her slumped over, crying or near death. Many days I=
cried with her, as well. I shared with her many bitter tears. One day, to =
my shock, the tears ran dry. When that day came, I realized the error of my=
ways. I learned the terror that I had done on myself and what would happen=
if I continued. Without a word said, I left her there. My love for her, to=
this day, is still strong. But, I just could not bear the weight anymore.<=
/a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D"=
http://www.winteryoghurt.com/c054y2395YS8m612q4f6m9Hp8ddt40whbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47DQ1o9nQ5b1A0H5C0svq/descriptive-Ditzel"> IT was here that I came to =
life two times. The river, as if nothing had happened, welcomed me with ope=
n arms. It was here that I found the peace I was looking for. It was here w=
here I could be myself. It was here that I was born again. And it is here t=
hat I will honestly know peace. </a></span></p>=20
</article>=20
<div class=3D"grid align-vertical-middle">=20
<div class=3D"cell-sm-10 cell-md-8 grid gutter-xs-md text-center space-b=
ottom-xs-md no-response">
<span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D"=
http://www.winteryoghurt.com/c054y2395YS8m612q4f6m9Hp8ddt40whbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47DQ1o9nQ5b1A0H5C0svq/descriptive-Ditzel"> </a></span>
</div>=20
<div class=3D"cell-sm-10 cell-md-8 grid gutter-xs-md text-center space-b=
ottom-xs-md no-response">
<span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D"=
http://www.winteryoghurt.com/c054y2395YS8m612q4f6m9Hp8ddt40whbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47DQ1o9nQ5b1A0H5C0svq/descriptive-Ditzel"> </a></span>
</div>=20
<div class=3D"cell-sm-10 cell-md-8 grid gutter-xs-md text-center space-b=
ottom-xs-md no-response">=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/c054y2395YS8m612q4f6m9Hp8ddt40whbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47DQ1o9nQ5b1A0H5C0svq/descriptive-Ditzel">The sound of running water and the crisp breeze brought Marina=
back to her childhood. She kneeled next to the river, stuck a hand in, and=
examined its path as far as she could see. Based on its many curves and su=
rface movement, she estimated where the water flowed fastest or slowest. Pa=
rt of h</a>er considered resorting to her backup plan before dismissing the=
idea. The shallow depth didn't allow for as much movement as she liked. Pl=
us, she didn't want to risk a wanderer spotting her.</span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">As she studied the river through sig=
ht and feel, memories of her mother's teachings filled her mind. Marina had=
been no more than a few years old when she'd traveled with her to the seas=
hore. While not allowed to travel beyond the sand beaches, she'd followed h=
er to the many inlets leading to the sea and soaked in the lessons her moth=
er had provided.</span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">?<em>Follow the current, keep your e=
yes and ears on the water, and remember that everything returns to the ocea=
n.</em>?</span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">The familiar voice in her head broug=
ht a wave of warmth and encouragement, and her words followed Marina as she=
dove into the river. Chilly water engulfed her. Some of the currents slid =
over and around her while others pushed against her. Rather than forcing he=
r way upstream, she drifted with the current and waited to adjust. Despite =
the water's clearness, she had to adjust to the light and sound distortion.=
Then, a faint tingling spread from her chest throughout her, and a dim blu=
e light formed around her. Her visual and auditory surroundings sharpened t=
o the same degree as in the air, and her breathing regulated after the init=
ial pressure in her chest faded. </span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/9e94w2395S86pv10X4f6aA8ddU40lhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47gQ1o9nQ6N1Ky0D6qBlOsv/disabilities-chatterer">She stopped the process once the changes moved to her legs. It=
would allow her to swim or walk as needed.</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/9e94w2395S86pv10X4f6aA8ddU40lhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47gQ1o9nQ6N1Ky0D6qBlOsv/disabilities-chatterer">Wanting to remain underwater, Marina remained crouched with he=
r head beneath the surface. A rough map of the river's pattern and curves f=
illed her mind, and she used it to track her position as she swam downstrea=
m. Nonetheless, she paid attention to the currents and the ground to track =
her position. Aside from when she needed to change directions, she didn't b=
other with kicking her legs, relying on the flow to move her forward. Unlik=
e when she traveled on land, she circled around several bends and spanned a=
section of the river in a breeze.</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/9e94w2395S86pv10X4f6aA8ddU40lhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47gQ1o9nQ6N1Ky0D6qBlOsv/disabilities-chatterer">Although muffled, her voice sounded clear in her ears. ?You we=
re right. We were made for the water.?</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/9e94w2395S86pv10X4f6aA8ddU40lhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47gQ1o9nQ6N1Ky0D6qBlOsv/disabilities-chatterer">Marina rounded the next curve and dug her he</a>els into the r=
iver bed. Smooth rock almost made her slip, and a few rough edges scratched=
her soles, but she stopped. Between the pressure, rushing current, and the=
chilly rocks beneath her feet, she almost missed the faint hum of energy. =
It gave her goosebumps and caused her hair to stand on end. Any doubts she =
might have had disappeared when she pulled her pearl necklace out from her =
shirt and spotted its glow. Smiling to herself, she wrapped the chain aroun=
d her wrist and held the pearl in her fist. She was getting closer, and she=
didn't want to miss her mark.</span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">Switching her route, Marina paced in=
a zig-zag pattern downstream. While the pearl's energy ebbed and flowed, i=
t didn't strengthen enough to indicate that she'd found what she wanted. Ev=
en years later, she recalled how much the family necklaces came to life wit=
h power when placed together. If the signal was this weak, she'd have to tr=
avel much farther to find it. For all she knew, she might have to go farthe=
r inland. The thought increased the weariness in her muscles and bones. She=
wanted nothing more than to follow the river back home to the ocean.</span=
></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">But she wouldn't forgive herself if =
she didn't find her mother's beloved heirloom, nor could she face the pityi=
ng stares of the others as they insisted she was wasting her time.</span></=
p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">All items returned to the ocean. So,=
why hadn't her necklace?</span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">A sudden pressure and chill pushing =
against her side made her turn around. A tributary connecting to the main r=
iver carried a torrent of frigid and foggy water. Marina shielded her eyes =
with a hand and shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. She needed to f=
ocus on her mission instead of allowing herself to get sidetracked. Unfurli=
ng her arm from herself, she prepared to swim away when a tingling in her h=
and made her freeze. Her pearl was glowing again, and it gave off a faint w=
armth when she held it toward the freezing tributary. Marina gulped. Althou=
gh necessary to accomplish her goal, traveling further upstream made her st=
omach churn<a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/8f95l23J95e86lw10F4f6bm8ddX40Jhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47aQ1o9nQ6b1Ai0u6Pqskqv/purifies-battling">.</a></span></p=
>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/8f95l23J95e86lw10F4f6bm8ddX40Jhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47aQ1o9nQ6b1Ai0u6Pqskqv/purifies-battling">Marina gritted her teeth and crouched. Considering that she'd =
learned some of her most valuable lessons from her mother, if she had to go=
against them for anyone, it would be her. </a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/8f95l23J95e86lw10F4f6bm8ddX40Jhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47aQ1o9nQ6b1Ai0u6Pqskqv/purifies-battling">Springing off the rocky bed, she launched herself through the =
opening of the tributary before kicking as hard as she could. Freezing wate=
r made her seize. Instead of allowing it to stiffen her joints, she doubled=
down on her exertion. While not straight, the tributary didn't wind as muc=
h, meaning the current traveled at a much faster pace. Combined with the fa=
ct that she traveled against the current, exhaustion sapped her energy soon=
</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/8f95l23J95e86lw10F4f6bm8ddX40Jhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47aQ1o9nQ6b1Ai0u6Pqskqv/purifies-battling">She emerged with a gasp. While adjusting to breathing in air a=
gain, Marina scanned her surroundings. Clouds covering the sun turned the s=
ky a dull gray. Flat grassland with the occasional tree stretched to the ho=
rizon. She climbed out of the water to take a break and almost collapsed as=
the minuscule energy escaped her. If not for her pearl's aura strengthenin=
g, she might've turned around and returned to the ocean, not so much b</a>e=
cause she didn't care, but because she didn't know how long she could conti=
nue striving with her sparse connection to the ocean growing weaker the far=
ther inland she traveled. Regardless of which path<a style=3D"color: #fffff=
f;" href=3D"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/c054o2395U8w6T12k4hf6OcA8ddB40bhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47iQ1o9nQ7P1wqyL05sWksv/curtails-critics"> she took, she needed to energize herself. Cupping =
her hands together, she gathered some water to splash in her face.</a></spa=
n></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/c054o2395U8w6T12k4hf6OcA8ddB40bhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47iQ1o9nQ7P1wqyL05sWksv/curtails-critics">The necklace in her hand glowed, and the light spread through =
her arm and inside her. Warm energy melted away her exhaustion, leaving her=
refreshed.</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/c054o2395U8w6T12k4hf6OcA8ddB40bhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47iQ1o9nQ7P1wqyL05sWksv/curtails-critics">Despite nobody else to talk to, Marina said aloud, ?What??</a>=
</span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/c054o2395U8w6T12k4hf6OcA8ddB40bhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47iQ1o9nQ7P1wqyL05sWksv/curtails-critics">As soon as she removed her hands, the light and energy faded. =
A thought piqued her curiosity, and she tried dipping the gemstone alone in=
to the river. While not as intense as before, the boost cleared her fatigue=
</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">An idea occurred to her. With it cam=
e the determination to strive forward.</span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">Before long, she was walking alongsi=
de upstream. Her necklace dangled from her ankle, positioned so it didn't d=
rag along the ground or go under her foot. Occasionally, she dipped her foo=
t into the water to gauge her progress. Each time the pearl's reading stren=
gthened served as an encouragement to persevere. Even when the winding rive=
r snaked into an underground cavern and her link to the ocean almost faded =
away, Marina didn't stop or slow her progress. It might've been her imagina=
tion, but she could've sworn she sensed her mother's presence nearby, as if=
she were walking beside her in spirit.</span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">?<em>I'm so proud of you, dear.</em>=
? A warm, soothing voice entered her mind. ?<em>Remember, everything finds =
its way to the ocean somehow. You'll always have a home here.</em>?</span><=
/p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">Marina smiled despite the ache in he=
r feet from climbing over rocks barefoot. <em>I know.</em></span></p>=
=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">A spark and zap against her ankle ma=
de her flinch. The necklace was glowing white with a faint cyan tint. While=
she untied it from her ankle, she crept forward, scrutinizing her surround=
ings. A faint light came from behind a pile of boulders, and it matched the=
one coming from her pearl.</span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;">?Finally.? She smile<a style=3D"colo=
r: #ffffff;" href=3D"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/8bd4L2395V8k6p11Eo4f6dO8ddX40Ghbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47QQ1o9nQ7nIU1h0z6cPsPXv/purifies-battling">d and paced toward the pile. ?Here it is.?=
</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/8bd4L2395V8k6p11Eo4f6dO8ddX40Ghbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47QQ1o9nQ7nIU1h0z6cPsPXv/purifies-battling">Removing the boulders strained her already tired muscles until=
they burned. Her fingers and hands ached from sharp edges digging into her=
skin, and she couldn't find a standing position that didn't leave more roc=
ks jabbing her soles. None of the pain mattered when she unearthed a glowin=
g opal pendant from the debris pile up. Holding them side by side, Marina a=
dmired the matching silver trim and how the gem's energies resonated off of=
each other.</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/8bd4L2395V8k6p11Eo4f6dO8ddX40Ghbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47QQ1o9nQ7nIU1h0z6cPsPXv/purifies-battling">This time, she was certain she could hear her mother's voice. =
?<em>I love you, dear.</em>?</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/8bd4L2395V8k6p11Eo4f6dO8ddX40Ghbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47QQ1o9nQ7nIU1h0z6cPsPXv/purifies-battling">?Love you too.? Marina smiled and held the necklaces to her he=
art.</a></span></p>=20
<p><span style=3D"color: #ffffff;"><a style=3D"color: #ffffff;" href=3D=
"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/8bd4L2395V8k6p11Eo4f6dO8ddX40Ghbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47QQ1o9nQ7nIU1h0z6cPsPXv/purifies-battling">Not wanting to delay, Marina draped them around her neck and s=
ubmerged herself into the underground stream. A stronger light and tingling=
enveloped her, and she allowed it to spread through her entire body. Once =
it faded, she breathed and saw underwater again with ease, and a long fisht=
ail had replaced her legs. With old heirlooms and new lessons, she swam dow=
nstream back to the ocean.</a></span></p>=20
</div>=20
</div>=20
<img src=3D"http://www.winteryoghurt.com/oversights-cork/b524z2395Xm8i511wM4f73N8ddA40hhbr47Ga-Drrs4rGIEHbwG4wwfGaDvsrEibxEIH47XQ1o9nQ7p1guXK05zTTsv" alt=3D""/></body>
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