Peanut Butter Blossoms-soft peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss candy in the center. These easy peanut butter cookies are a holiday favorite!
What are your go to Christmas cookies? I want to know because I am always looking for new cookie recipes to try. BUT I do have my classics that I HAVE to make every year or it just isn't Christmas. Peanut Butter Blossoms are one of those cookies that I make every single Christmas. They are a tradition and it isn't Christmas until I eat at least a half dozen.
If you haven't had a peanut butter blossom, let me introduce you. They are soft peanut butter cookies coated in sugar and topped with a chocolate kiss candy. Yep, cookie perfection!
And a little history lesson for you because I found this interesting:) This perfect peanut butter cookie was created by Mrs. Freda F. Smith for the ninth Pillsbury Bake-Off competition. Mrs. Smith's recipe was a finalist, but failed to win the grand prize. And fun fact, she originally named her cookies Black-Eyed Susans, but Pillsbury changed the name to Peanut Blossoms. In 1999, Peanut Blossoms received their overdue recognition and were entered into the Pillsbury Bake-Off Hall of Fame, honoring the contest's most popular recipes.
Peanut butter blossoms are easy to make and I am going to share a few tips to make sure you get them perfect every single time!
Start with the peanut butter cookie dough. All of the ingredients are basic cookie ingredients. Make sure you use creamy peanut butter and not natural peanut butter. Go with regular old peanut butter for this recipe… JIF, Skippy, or your favorite brand.
Make sure your butter is at room temperature and not too soft or melted. You don't want the cookies to spread. When you touch the stick of butter it should leave a slight indent, but it should not be super soft or mushy.
I use my stand mixer to make sure the butter, peanut butter, and sugars get nice and creamy. You can use a hand mixer or mix by hand, but make sure you really mix the ingredients together until they are smooth.
This recipe has a little milk in it to keep the dough soft and moist. I use whole milk, but any milk will work.
After you add the dry ingredients, don't over mix the dough. Beat on low just until the flour disappears.
You do need to chill the peanut butter dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. You can chill the dough for up to 72 hours.
While the dough is chilling, unwrap the chocolate kisses and put them in the freezer. This will prevent the kisses from melting when you put them onto the cookies. This is an important step!
When you are ready to bake, roll the cookie dough into small balls, about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie. Roll the cookies into the remaining sugar until the cookies are well coated.
Place the cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet that has been lined with a Silpat or parchment paper, leaving about 2-inches between each cookie. Bake the cookies for 8 or 9 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and quickly press a frozen chocolate kiss in the center of each cookie. Press until the cookie crackles. Place the baking sheet back in the oven and bake for an additional 2 minutes. Don't leave the cookies in the oven for longer or the kisses will start to melt. Don't over bake the cookies, you want them to stay nice and soft. They will set up as they cool!
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes or until they are set up enough to transfer to a wire cooling rack. Let the cookies cool completely, until the chocolate kiss is hard. To speed up the process, you can put the cookies in the refrigerator or freezer.
Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Can You Freeze Peanut Butter Blossoms?
Yes! To freeze peanut butter blossoms make sure they are completely cooled and the kisses are hard. Place the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container. If you need to make two layers, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper on top of the bottom layer. Add another layer of cookies. Seal and freeze the cookies for up to two months. You can also freeze the cookies in a freezer bag, just make sure you don't set anything on top of the cookies in the freezer. You don't want to smash the kisses.
Peanut Butter Blossoms are a traditional Christmas cookie and always make an appearance at cookie exchanges, parties, and on Santa's plate. I like to add them to our neighbor cookie plates and they are always a hit! Our friends look forward to them every year!
And if you want to mix things up, you can use different Hershey's kisses…dark chocolate, caramel, almond, or even Hugs.
Make Peanut Butter Blossoms part of your Christmas traditions. They are guaranteed to be a family favorite!
Looking for more Christmas cookies? You are in luck because I teamed up with Tessa to bring you a FREE Christmas Cookie Guide! Download it NOW and get baking!
Soft peanut butter cookies with a chocolate kiss in the center. Everyone LOVES these peanut butter cookies!
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream together butter, peanut butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth, scraping down the side of the bowl if necessary.
Add the egg, milk and vanilla extract. Beat until combined. Add the flour mixture and mix on low until just combined. Don't over mix. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Can be chilled for up to 72 hours. Place the Hershey's Kisses in the freezer so they are frozen when you put them on the cookies. This will help the kisses to keep their shape and not melt.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper. Roll the peanut butter cookie dough into balls, about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie. Place the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl. Roll the cookie dough balls in the sugar until they are generously coated.
Place the cookie dough balls onto the prepare baking sheet, about 2-inches apart. Bake the cookies until they start to crack on the edges, about 8 or 9 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from oven and lightly press a frozen chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie, allowing it to crack slightly. Return to oven and bake for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool until the kisses harden. If you want to speed up the process, you can put the cookies in the freezer so the kisses will harden faster.
Love these iconic holiday cookies!
Any thoughts on cooking these or other cookies at altitude?
I live in Salt Lake City and they turn out great!
Why do you freeze the kiss, put it on and then bake again? My mom would bake them and then out the kiss on when they came out .
Incredible recipe! The cookies turned out really moist. Guaranteed will be making these again!
This has been a Christmas tradition for my husbands family since he was a teenager. However, he always tosses the kiss and eats the peanut butter cookie. I have never thought these cookies were so great, so last year I decided to replace the hershey kiss with a small reeses peanut butter cup. We both liked them so much better this way. So play around with the recipe to your preference!


2002, by OceanCare. Ceased to exist when merged into OceanCare, prior to 2018.
Work with international bodies towards regulation and mitigation of ocean noise pollution.
Collaborates internationally in partnership with governmental, non-governmental and scientific institutions; works in relevant fora, providing information to member states, policy makers and stakeholders.


text:
The 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup was the first Women's Rugby World Cup. The tournament was not approved by the International Rugby Board (IRB), yet it still went ahead despite the disapproval of the sports governing body. France confirmed their participation only minutes before the draw was made on 26 February. Representatives of the IRB, WRFU and RFU attended the final, but it was not until 2009 that the IRB officially endorsed the event as a "world cup" when it published, for the first time, a list of previous winners in a press release.
The tournament, was held in and around Cardiff, Wales. Twelve teams competed for the trophy, divided into four pools of three teams each. Each team played three pool matches on 6 April, 8 April, and 10 April, and the semifinals were on 12 April and 14 April, respectively. This meant that the championship teams played five matches over nine days, with only one day rest between matches.
The tournament champions were the United States who defeated England 19–6 in the final at Cardiff Arms Park before almost 3,000 fans. The teams that failed to qualify for the semi-finals took part in a "plate" tournament between the 11 and 13 April.
The tournament was created and largely organised by four women who were with the Richmond Women's Rugby Club – Deborah Griffin, Sue Dorrington, Alice Cooper, and Mary Forsyth.
The International Rugby Board decided not to sanction or support the tournament. The tournament was run on a very small and tightly controlled budget. The organisers considered a number of host cities, and chose Cardiff, Wales for several reasons — because most of the teams were European it made sense to hold the tournament in Europe; the organisers were looking for a strong rugby community, which Wales possessed; and Cardiff offered help, including paying for the welcome ceremony and closing dinner.
The tournament made a financial loss. Due in some part to the fact that the men's 1991 Rugby World Cup was also being held in Europe that year, with some matches staged in Wales, the women's tournament experienced disappointing attendance revenues and the failure to attract television contracts or sponsorship. Another financial drain was due to the Soviet Union team being unable to pay its hotel and transport bills, as Soviets were not permitted to leave the country with hard currency. The team had hoped to survive by bartering and selling goods such as vodka and trinkets such as Russian dolls; these activities were curtailed after they aroused the attention of HM Customs and Excise, and the Soviets relied on contributions by local Cardiff businesses to survive.
The financial loss was made good. Anonymous businessmen pledged at the post-tournament celebratory dinner to make up a portion of the deficit. The English Rugby Football Union made good on the remainder of the deficit.
The organizers invited multiple rugby unions to participate, and 12 nations confirmed their participation. The teams had varying degrees of international experience. Among the more experienced teams were the Netherlands with 20 caps and France with 18 caps, dating back to their first meeting in 1982. Among the lesser experienced teams were Japan with no prior caps, and Spain with 1 prior cap from a 1989 0–28 drubbing by the French.
1991 USA Rugby's Referee to the WRWC, Laurel Lockett[5] Final: Les Peard (WRU), TJs A. Evans & D. Morgan SFs: Gareth Simmonds (NZvUSA), Ken Rowlands (EvF) Plate Final: A. Evans A. Evans – Holland v USA, Wales v Canada and Italy v Spain D. Morgan – Wales v NZ
Cardiff Arms Park
New Zealand Women v France Women
WRWC 1991 SEMI FINAL.
New Zealand Women v USA Eagles
England Women v France Women
WRWC 1991 PLATE FINAL.
Canada Women v Spain Women
WRWC 1991 PLATE SEMI-FINALS.
Canada Women v Italy Women
Netherlands Women v Spain Women
WRWC 1991 PLATE QUARTER FINALS.
Canada Women v Soviet Union Women
Italy Women v Sweden Women
Wales Women v Netherlands Women
Japan Women v Spain Women
WRWC 1991 POOL 1
1 New Zealand Women
2 2 0 0 48 14 34 8
2 Canada Women
2 0 1 1 17 33 -16 2
3 Wales Women
New Zealand Women v Canada Women
Wales Women v Canada Women
Wales Women v New Zealand Women
1 France Women
2 2 0 0 99 0 99 8
2 Sweden Women
L W
3 Japan Women
France Women v Japan Women
Japan Women v Sweden Women
1 USA Eagles 2 2 0 0 53 0 8
2 Netherlands Women 2 1 1 0 28 7 4
3 Soviet Union Women 2 0 2 0 0 74 0
Netherlands Women v USA Eagles
Netherlands Women v Soviet Union Women
USA Eagles v Soviet Union Women
1 England Women
2 Spain Women
2 1 1 0 13 19 -6 4
3 Italy Women
WRWC POOL D
England Women v Spain Women
England Women v Italy Women
Italy Women v Spain Women

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
About Rod D. Martin
Praise for Rod D. Martin
Book Rod to Speak
The Martin Organization
PayPal Mafia
Articles | Most Recent
Rod's Formal Writings
Great Writings
Technology & Markets
The Rod Martin Report
The Epic Saudi Fail and the Triumph of American Ingenuity
Posted by Guest Author | Aug 4, 2016
As I've said for years now, "Peak Oil" is a ludicrous myth. But I've also said, from the very beginning of the Saudi gambit to bankrupt America's frackers, that fracking was (and is) perhaps the greatest tech story of the decade, that American technology and innovation would prevail, and that OPEC (and Russia) would not only lose but would be left in ugly desperate straits. I wasn't the only one who said this, but I was one of the few.
We were right. Again. — RDM
OPEC's worst fears are coming true. Twenty months after Saudi Arabia took the fateful decision to flood world markets with oil, it has still failed to break the back of the US shale industry.
The Saudi-led Gulf states have certainly succeeded in killing off a string of global mega-projects in deep waters. Investment in upstream exploration from 2014 to 2020 will be $1.8 trillion less than previously assumed, according to consultants IHS. But this is a bitter victory at best.
America's hydraulic frackers are cutting costs so fast that most can now produce at prices far below levels needed to fund the Saudi welfare state and its military machine, or to cover OPEC budget deficits.
US shale oil output has risen exponentially, and the latest dip is
just a temporary setback.
Scott Sheffield, the outgoing chief of Pioneer Natural Resources, threw down the gauntlet last Thursday (7/28) — claiming that his pre-tax production costs in the Permian Basin of West Texas have fallen to $2 a barrel.
"Definitely, we can compete with anything that Saudi Arabia has. We have the best rock," he said. Revolutionary improvements in drilling technology and data analytics that have changed the cost calculus faster than almost anybody thought possible.
The 'decline rate' of production over the first four months of each well was 90% a decade ago for US frackers. This dropped to 31% in 2012. It is now 18%. Drillers have learned how to extract more.
Mr. Sheffield said the Permian is as bountiful as the giant Ghawar field in Saudi Arabia and can expand from 2m to 5m barrels a day even if the price of oil never rises above $55.
His company has cut production costs by 26% over the last year alone. Pioneer is now so efficient that it is already adding five new rigs despite today's depressed prices in the low $40s. It is not alone.
The Baker Hughes count of North America oil rigs has risen for seven out of the last eight weeks to 374, and this understates the effect.
Multi-pad drilling means that three wells are now routinely drilled from the same rig, and sometimes six or more. Average well productivity has risen fivefold in the Permian since early 2012.
Workers at a Statoil USA site in the Eagle Ford formation prepare to tie in a
pipeline extension.
Consultants Wood Mackenzie estimated in a recent report that full-cycle break-even costs have fallen to $37 at Wolfcamp and Bone Spring in the Permian, and to $35 in the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province. The majority of US shale fields are now viable at below $50.
This is a cold douche for OPEC. It has been an article of faith among Gulf exporters that hedging contracts had kept US shale companies on life-support and that there would be a brutal cull as these expired in the first half of this year.
No such Götterdamerung has occurred. A few over-leveraged players have gone bankrupt, but Blackstone, Carlyle and other private equity groups are waiting on the sidelines to buy distressed assets and take over the infrastructure.
The crucial mid-tier drillers have weathered the downturn. Many are still able to raise funds at low cost. Total output in the US has fallen by 1.2m barrels a day to 8.5m since the peak in April 2015 but production has been bottoming out. Today's frackers can just about cope with oil prices in the $40 to $50 range.
OPEC may now have to brace for a longer war of attrition than they ever imagined. Global inventories of crude oil remain near all-time highs, record volumes are being stored on tankers off-shore.
Forest fires in Canada, rebel attacks in Nigeria, and other global upsets took 4m barrels a day off the global market at one stage over the May-June period, masking the continued world glut. These disruptions are subsiding. Lost output has dropped to nearer 2m barrels a day. That is a key reason why US crude prices have fallen 20% to $41 over the last six weeks.
Morgan Stanley says the long-awaited rebalancing of the global markets has been delayed for yet another year until mid-2017.
Worse yet for OPEC, consultants Rystad Energy say that 90% of the 3,900 drilled but uncompleted US horizontal wells – so-called 'DUCs' – are profitable at $50. This implies an overhang of easy supply waiting to hit the market. Citigroup expects an extra 1m barrels a day in late 2016.
Once that is cleared, shale drillers will have to build new rigs. Mr. Sheffield said Pioneer can do this in 135 days flat, a dramatic contrast to deep-water mega-projects that can take seven to 10 years.
This agility has changed the nature of the oil cycle. It means that OPEC faces an unprecedented headwind from mid-cost producers.
Stalwarts Anadarko and Hess say they will wait for $60 before investing heavily, but they are already preparing the ground. The losers are high-cost projects elsewhere: off the coast of Nigeria and Angola, in the Arctic, or the oil sands of Canada and Venezuela's Orinoco basin.
Roughly 4m to 5m barrels a day of future supply has been shelved around the world.
This sets the stage for an oil shortage and a price spike later this decade. Whether OPEC can survive that long is an open question. Most of the cartel need prices of $100 to fund their regimes.
Venezuela is already in the grip of hyperinflation and food riots. Nigeria's currency peg was smashed last month, and the naira has fallen 60%. Angola has turned to the International Monetary Fund, Azerbaijan to the World Bank.
Saudi Arabia has deeper pockets but its net foreign reserves have fallen from $737bn to $562bn, even though it is borrowing money abroad to slow the loss. It burned through another $11bn last month.
Riyadh is trying to curb the country's culture of subsidy and entitlement but was forced to sack a minister and backtrack after a 500% rise in water prices set off an outcry. It is the famous social contract from cradle-to-grave that keeps the House of Saud in power.
But for how much longer? The world is no longer hostage to Saudi oil – thanks to the ingenuity and creative destruction of America's frackers.
— Ambrose Evans-Pritchard is the International Business Editor of the London Telegraph. This article originally appeared at To The Point News.
PreviousSpace News Roundup – July 27, 2016
NextElection Sermon Series: "A Sermon Preached Before A Convention of The Episcopal Church" by William Smith (June 22, 1784)
About Rod Martin
Rod D. Martin is a technology entrepreneur, venture capitalist, hedge fund manager, author and conservative activist from Destin, Florida.
Click Here to Learn More About Rod
Connect with Rod Martin
Praise for Rod Martin
Rod is one of our nation's leading minds. He's smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds. Peter ThielPayPal, Founders Fund, Facebook, Palantir
Rod Martin and [former Howard Dean campaign manager] Joe Trippi are America's two foremost experts on online politics. Annual Bipartisan Conference of George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen. Steve ForbesPresident and CEO, Forbes; Former Presidential Candidate
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling. Gov. Mike HuckabeeFormer Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened. Dr. Gil AmelioExecutive Committee, AT&T; Former CEO, Apple Computer and National Semiconductor
Rod Martin has a proven track record of overwhelming success. I believe in him strongly. Dr. Ronnie FloydPresident, The Southern Baptist Convention
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands. Dick DresnerCelebrated International Political Consultant, Credited With Boris Yeltsin's 1996 50-Point Turnaround Re-Election
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I've been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do. Eric JacksonFormer Chief Marketing Officer, PayPal.com; Author, The PayPal Wars; Founder and CEO, CapLinked.com
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions. Joel BelzFounder, World Magazine; Former Chairman of the Board, Covenant College
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins. Randy TateFormer Deputy Whip, U.S. House of Representatives
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles. José GonzálezPresident, Semila
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally. Dr. Ted BaehrPublisher, MOVIEGUIDE®; Chairman, Christian Film and Television Commission
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum. Dr. Tom AscolExecutive Director, Founders Ministries, Southern Baptist Convention
I am proud to have been Rod Martin's friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success. Hon. Paul PresslerRetired Justice, Texas Court of Appeals; Past President, Council for National Policy
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe. George GilderFounding Father of Supply-Side Economics, Globally-Recognized Technology Guru
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about. Hon. John Paul HammerschmidtU.S. House Republican Leadership, 1967-1993
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word 'outstanding'. Hugh O'BrianLegendary Actor; Founder, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY)
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs. Dr. Harald OttOtt Laboratory for Organ Engineering and Regeneration, Harvard Medical School
Rod's achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can't. He leads when others won't. Jane Russell"40 Most Iconic Movie Goddesses of All Time", Glamour
Rod Martin is one of America's finest young minds. Dr. Edward TellerFather of the H-Bomb


text:
Karabin mierosławka () – polski karabin odprzodowy produkowany w zakładach J.J. Gerard w Liege. Karabin został specjalnie opracowany do wykorzystania w powstaniu styczniowym.  W latach 1863-1864 wyprodukowano 300 szt. tej broni. Projekt karabinu opracował gen. Ludwik Mierosławski. Broń prawdopodobnie nie wzięła udziału w walkach.

Konstrukcja
Karabin jest wzorowany na francuskim sztucerze szaserów z 1859. Mierosławka była krótsza o 16 cm, zwiększono kaliber z 17,8 mm do 18,5 mm. Zmieniono celownik z francuskiego na celownik stosowany w karabinach Enfield 1853/1860. Do mierosławki zastosowano też inny bagnet. Miał być tutaj zastosowany zmodyfikowany austriacki bagnet Augustina 1849 lub zmodyfikowany bagnet Lorenza 1854.

Karabin mierosławka był bronią jednostrzałową, odprzodową, z zamkiem kapiszonowym typu francuskiego, wzoru 1842. Blacha zamkowa montowana dwiema śrubami stalowymi i dwoma nitami. Na blasze napis: "J.J. Gerard Liege". Po przeciwnej stronie blachy zamkowej stalowa blaszka boczna z mocującym zamek nitem stalowym. Spust pojedynczy. Karabin miał lufę stalową, okrągłą, w części dennej ośmiogranną. Lufa gwintowana na pięć bruzd, zamocowana do łoża bączkiem z blachy stalowej, z przednim okuciem i stalową śrubą na warkoczu. W odległości 3 cm od końca lufy stalowa muszka, a 61 cm od końca lufy celownik do karabinka Enfielda 1853/1860. Celownik wyskalowany na części schodkowej na 100-200-300-400 jardów, oraz na ramce do 1250 jardów. Łoże karabinu wykonane z jasnego drewna orzechowego. Pod spodem łoża wyżłobiony kanał na stempel. Stempel długości 69,5 cm na końcu nagwintowany. Główna stempla przewiercona. Trzewik stopy kolby wykonany z blachy stalowej na którym wygrawerowany jest napis "mierosławka". Producent karabinów Gerard nazywał ten karabin jako: "la carabine Mieroslawska".

Amunicja
Sam karabin w swojej konstrukcji niczym się nie wyróżniał spośród broni stosowanej w tamtym okresie. Ludwik Mierosławski jednak z podziwem wypowiadał się o tym karabinie (pisownia oryginalna):

Największym atutem mierosławki miała być amunicja stosowana w tej broni. Z myślą o tej udoskonalonej amunicji powiększono kaliber broni, wbrew funkcjonującemu w tamtym czasie trendowi do zmniejszania kalibru karabinów. Do strzelania zamierzano stosować kilka typów amunicji:
 kule ołowiane pełne, o kształcie walcowo-stożkowym, masa pocisku 48 gramów,
 pociski wydrążone wybuchające, przeznaczone do przebijania pojemników i zapalania ich zawartości,
 kartacze o masie 140 gramów, kartacz miał składać się z sześciu części tak wzajemnie dopasowanych, aby tworzyć kształt walcowo-stożkowy, który po strzale rozdziela się na sześć poruszających się wspólną linią koszących pocisków.

Zachowane egzemplarze
Ludwik Mierosławski uzyskał na swój karabin patent 15 maja 1864 z numerem 16089. Wyprodukowano 300 sztuk tej broni. Broń miała być użyta w wyprawie Morskiej Mierosławskiego na Litwę wiosną 1864. Do wyprawy nie doszło i broń prawdopodobnie nie została użyta w walce. Po upadku powstania styczniowego w sierpniu 1866 w składach belgijskich znajdowało się 280 mierosławek. Zakładano, że mogą być ewentualnie użyte w przyszłym powstaniu. Karabiny te leżały w magazynach do 1877 i później prawdopodobnie zostały sprzedane. Do naszych czasów zachowały się 3 egzemplarze tej broni w:
 Muzeum Broni w Liege
 Muzeum Wojska Polskiego w Warszawie
 kolekcja Fundacji Rodzinnej Blochów w Nowym Jorku

Przypisy

Bibliografia

Linki zewnętrzne
 Prezentacja filmowa mierosławki w Muzeum Wojska Polskiego

Polskie karabiny
Broń powstania styczniowego

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
2019 atmospheric methane increase greatest in five years: preliminary data
By Rachel Frazin - 04/06/20 04:57 PM EDT
© Getty
The average level of methane in the atmosphere increased last year by the highest amount in five years, according to preliminary data released Sunday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that the average level of methane in the atmosphere increased by 11.54 parts per billion (ppb) in 2019 over the level of methane in the atmosphere in 2018.
This is the largest increase since 2014, when the average level of atmospheric methane increased by 12.72 ppb.
Drew Shindell, an earth science professor at Duke University, called the 2019 increase "alarmingly high."
"What we had been really hoping of course, was that emissions of all of the powerful greenhouse gases would be well on their way down by now and instead to see record highs in their growth rate is very alarming," Shindell said in an interview with The Hill.
Methane is a greenhouse gas whose sources include leaks from natural gas systems and raising livestock, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2017, it accounted for 10.2 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
Shindell said that because methane doesn't remain in the atmosphere for as long as carbon dioxide, bringing down its level should be one of the easier ways to combat climate change.
"If you do something about methane, you see benefits in the first decade of action," he said.
He added that this can be done through the use of leak-capturing equipment in the fossil fuel industry and consuming fewer products which come from cattle like beef and dairy.
NOAA's data also showed that in December 2019, the last month for which data was available, the level of methane in the atmosphere was about 1,874.7 ppb.
The data in NOAA's report is preliminary, and the agency said that it is "likely to change significantly." A final value is expected this fall.
Tags Methane greenhouse gases


Senior Madison Ryan (10) moves the puck into the attacking zone.
The two lead dogs in the Bay State Conference Herget Division squared off for the second and final time this season on Saturday afternoon as the Walpole Lady-Rebels (12-3-1, 7-3-1) hosted the Braintree Wamps (12-3-0, 8-0-0) at Rodman Arena.
The Lady-Rebels, who entered the contest on a seven-game unbeaten streak dating back to January 9, when Walpole fell, 4-1, at Braintree, were out to avenge the previous defeat and hand the Wamps their first conference loss of the season.
Senior goalie Kiera McInerney (pictured) hugs the post and keeps an eye on the play down in the corner.
Unfortunately for Walpole, Braintree had no plans of handing over the reigns to the Herget Division. The Wamps outlasted the Lady-Rebs, 3-1, in a very physical affair to snap Walpole's seven-game unbeaten streak.
Following a scoreless first period that featured a big save by Braintree goalie Juliet Barney (20 saves) on a Kiley Hamilton breakaway bid, the Wamps drew first blood on the power play with 11:07 to play in the second. Walpole senior goalie Kiera McInerney padded away the original shot from the point by Mia Zaniboni, but freshman forward Maggie Burchill fired home the rebound to give Braintree the 1-0 lead.
With 4:32 remaining in the period, sophomore forward Katie Meehan responded for Walpole with a wicked wrister from the slot up high to tie the game back up at one. Less than a minute later, however, Abbey Holland gave Braintree back the lead on a bit of a controversial shot up high on a two-on-one that beat McInerney and appeared to hit the crossbar, but was called a goal. The call gave the Wamps back the lead at 2-1 at the second intermission.
Senior captain Audra Tosone (3) carries the puck into the offensive zone on a two-on-one bid.
The third period saw Walpole amp up its intensity on offense to try and tie the game at two, but Barney and the Braintree defensive corps played almost the perfect period by blocking shots and killing off a pair of Walpole power play bids. With 1:30 to play, Walpole yanked McInerney for the extra attacker in a last-ditch effort to knot the game at two. With just under a minute remaining, Ally Decoste fired home the game clinching empty-netter to give Braintree a 3-1 lead, and the Wamps emerged with the two-goal victory.
The Lady-Rebs will look to get back on track against Milton on February 13.


text:
4-Course Dinner Tasting Menu
Taco Bar y Mezcaleria
La Galeria De Arte
Tequila Club ~ Join
The Citizen Hotel Tequila Club Member Deal
Mayahuel.TV
Private Tequila Tasting
Coa Room
The Beautiful Poblano
Written for Señor Ernesto Delgado
The Rich History of the Versatile Poblano
The Poblano Chile originated in Puebla, Mexico, a region in the heart of the country. It is said to have grown wild in the mountainous areas near Puebla – quite possibly in Cholula, which is thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Mexico.
Nature's perfect beauty – the versatile Poblano
Cholula was first settled by indigenous people between 800 and 200 BC. By 100 BC, the Olmecs had made Cholula one of Mexico's most active cities. During that period, a great pyramid was constructed at the center of the city. It was enormous – standing nearly 181 feet tall and over 1300 feet wide, it remains one of the largest pyramids in the world. Predating the Aztec civilization, the Olmecs are considered to be one of the earliest great civilizations in Mesoamerica.
It's likely the wild Poblano Chiles played a large role in the cooking of early peoples. The Aztec diet is well cataloged, and perhaps not surprisingly was quite healthful. The Aztecs ate a varied diet, even domesticating turkeys and ducks. Depending on the region, they enjoyed such foods as amaranth, chia, nopal, sweet potato, jicama, guava, grasshoppers, cacao and even harvested vanilla from orchid pods. They grew maize, squash, and beans. Many types of chiles were harvested – both wild and cultivated – among them the Poblano remained one of the most popular because of its mild flavor. By the 17th century, they were so popular that a number of recipes were created just for the Poblano. Mole sauce was developed during that time using chocolate, cinnamon and nuts. The Spaniards brought chickens with them to the New World, and they were undoubtedly used in some of the first Mole dishes.
Chile Poblano Soup – one of our 'signature' dishes. It's rumored to be very addictive.
The Poblano's wide use in central Mexico resulted in good health for its inhabitants also – just one Poblano pepper contains 95% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.
Today, Poblano Chiles are grown in abundance in California's Central Valley and favored by home gardeners for their versatility in many dishes. They are easily cultivated in most regions of California – as long as they have full sun and the soil temperature is at least 65 degrees.
Ernesto Delgado wanted to showcase the lovely, delicious and versatile Poblano at Mayahuel, not only because it lends itself to so many recipes, but it has historical significance in the Aztec diet. Our Crema de Poblano soup is one of our signature dishes –rumored to be quite addictive. The soup is creamy, slightly spicy, and has the distinct flavor of fresh roasted Poblanos and fresh Cilantro.
At Mayahuel, we celebrate the authentic cuisine of Mexico – those foods which were staples of the Olmec and Aztec diet and are now a part of everyday life in Mexico.
Categories Cuisine
Tags aztec dietchile rellenoshistory of mexicomexican cuisineolmec dietpoblanoPoblano chiles
Frederika Zylstra
Her ability to 'capture the power of words' has earned Frederika Zylstra recognition from business owners across diverse professional areas. Extensive studies in neuromarketing as well as the psychology of linguistics and buying behavior has given her an understanding into how we analyze and perceive what we read. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Frederika Zylstra with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Mexican Cookery is Truly World Cuisine
Gettin' Schooled
A Thank You Letter to Sacramento
Chiles en Nogada – the Pride of México
A Letter to Sacramento
Mezcal events
News, Specials & Events
Please also add me to the Tequila Club
Please give us your address below so we can send you a membership card.
1200 K Street
VIEW MAP • PARKING • EMAIL US
Open for Dine In, Patio Dinning, & Take Out
Mon. – Thurs. 12 – 8
Fri. & Sat. 12 – 10
Sun. 12 – 7
Make your reservations below:
Please note that if you get a message that says that we aren't taking reservations at this time, meaning that we are full for that time period. We would like to invite you to stop by to sit at the bar which has rotating seating.


A phrase that disparages the idea of common learning goals for all children regardless of their interests and abilities. The phrase implicitly advocates the individualizing of education as much as possible - a highly defensible view, since individualized tutorial instruction is, by general agreement, the most effective form of schooling. Simply on grounds of educational utility, then, apart from other grounds such as the value of diversity, a sensitivity to each child's individuality is greatly to be desired.
But like many such battle slogans in the war of progressivists against traditionalists, subtleties and complexities are obliterated in the heat of battle. The slogan makes no concession to the practical need for commonality in the elementary grades, which is required simply to ensure that each child in a classroom is ready to take the next step in learning. In high school, on the other hand, once the fundamentals of math, reading, writing, art, and science have been learned, it makes a great deal of sense for the good of the child, as well as of society, to stress a child's individual interests and abilities.


It really is our responsibility to satisfy your requirements and competently serve you. Your fulfillment is our greatest reward. We're on the lookout forward in your go to for joint progress for 40t Wheeled Excavators , Wheel Excavator , 8 Tons Wheeled Excavator , for more inquires be sure to never hesitate to get in touch with us!
"That has a positive and progressive attitude to customer's interest, our organization consistently improves our products quality to satisfy the demands of shoppers and further focuses on safety, reliability, environmental specifications, and innovation of 40t Wheeled Excavators , Wheel Excavator , 8 Tons Wheeled Excavator , Our company will adhere to "Quality first perfection forever people-oriented technology innovation"business philosophy. Hard work to keep making progress innovation in the industry make every effort to first-class enterprise. We try our best to build the scientific management model to learn abundant professional knowledge to develop advanced production equipment and production process to create the first-call quality products reasonable price high quality of service quick delivery to give you create new value .


House Committee Pushes CPRIT Reforms.
Of course, we all know what CPRIT means, right? But that's not the extent of the sin. The story below the headline uses the CPRIT acronym 11 times in 454 words. Not to mention two uses of CTNeT. The story looks like ants are crawling through it. Capitalized, poisonous, illiterate, unidentified ants that don't want you to read … one … word … further.
ADDENDUM: The Texas Tribune has updated this story with information on testimony before a legislative committee, adding four CPRITs and three CTNeTs and possibly setting a new world record for acronym misuse by a digital nonprofit news enterprise.


text:
Meet Corey
Coaching Questionnaire
Corey Inspires
5 Steps to Creating a Breakthrough
By Corey Haynes May 10, 2018 Breakthrough
Many of us experience moments in our lives that shock us, scare us, change us, catch us by surprise, leave us feeling lost, or change our lives entirely. These experiences can happen in an instant, where a moment in time causes our life to change, or sometimes a series of events occur, and our life completely turns in a different direction. We are left feeling helpless, confused, and even angry because oftentimes we didn't invite this change and we certainly didn't wish for it. These life experiences are called different things: Accidents, problems, stress, emotional breakdowns, among other terms. The connotation is mostly negative because we often see the unknown attached with change as an unwelcome, undesirable thing. We reject it because we don't know it; we don't like it because we didn't choose it.
What if our perception of these events is skewed? What if, all along, we've been assigning a negative label to the onset of one of the greatest gifts we are given in life? What if life isn't slapping us in the face when events happen to us are momentarily difficult, sad, hard, or scary? What if change, in it's most unwelcome and even horrible form, is a breakthrough? Have we been conditioned to reject a series of life events that come to us, not to destroy us, but to save us from a mundane life, from sameness, from predictability, from smothering our potential by walking down the same path forever?
The cycle of life, as we know it, involves birth, life, and then death, but talk to anyone who has experienced a breakthrough and they will likely tell you about the emotional, spiritual, and physical changes they underwent. It is possible we have breakthroughs in our lives in order to have the opportunity to start anew, to shed the life, the activities, and the experiences of our past and start a new series of events to make up our future. We are reborn during a breakthrough; we are shaped and made stronger, more intelligent, and more insightful. We let goof (or lose) what doesn't serve our lives anymore.
Maybe accidents, problems, stress, or emotional breakdowns are not as unpredictable as they might feel. Practically everyone goes through them with many people telling their story of struggle, survival, self-renewal, and especially, of gratitude for the process. A breakthrough has a cyclical nature that can be broken down into rather predictable steps; the contents and the meaning, however, are unique and yours.
Step 1: The Inoculation
There is discomfort in a breakthrough, discomfort in the form of varying degrees of physical and emotional pain. The discomfort sometimes comes quickly and suddenly because in order to experience a true breakthrough we must get used to being uncomfortable, to being blind to what will happen next, and to gradually be able to reach a state of equilibrium despite the sudden change of events in our lives. This step is what many people call rock bottom: It is failure, loss, or despair, but just as with anything physically uncomfortable or even painful, we develop tolerance and even immunity, we get stronger from it through mere, sudden exposure.
Step 2: Mourning
The mourning period is a sort of plateau after the initial shock and shift of change. You are trying to get used to new events, life situations, and feelings, but are rejecting the change at the same time. People in this stage often wish they had their old life back; the predictable life where they (purportedly) knew what was going to happen tomorrow and they believed to be able to control the series of events in their lives. The mourning period also comes with a dose of reality where you may understand and come to terms with the fact you won't get your old life back and you will need to adjust and make plans for this new life, your new reality.
Step 3: Getting Back Up
There is a certain characteristic all humans have (whether they believe they have it or not) and our very existence is proof we have this characteristic within us, which is our ability to adapt. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors faced numerous adversities and those who survived passed on the ability to adapt down to us, which is why we are here today. We have the ability to survive imprinted in our DNA. Nowadays, adversity comes in different forms, but we must face it nonetheless, which is why after we suffer defeat, we mourn, and after we mourn, something else happens: We move on. In moving on after change, we begin to think of ways to adapt to the new norms in our lives. This step also introduces thoughts, ideas, and renewed creativity. The shock and mourning period can cause us to feel mentally and emotionally drained, leaving us essentially devoid of the ability to think of the next step. However, when we begin to recover, we start to think of ways to make the most out of the current circumstance. This provides us with motivation and especially with hope, and we begin to wonder if the initiation of the breakthrough (i.e., the accident, problem, stressor, emotional break down) has the potential to serve a greater purpose, a function to enhance our life. Goals are set, and steps are taken towards building a new life and a new way of living.
Step 4: Making Sense of Change and Taking Action
If there is one step epitomizing a breakthrough, it is the step where you realize why your life took such a drastic turn and best of all; you're glad it did. You feel all of the pain, difficulty, suffering, and torment were worth it and you can make sense of the life-changing events that transpired. In this step, you are taking action towards rebuilding your life and the new, stronger version of yourself. You are achieving your goals and creating new ones, with the bar set higher each time you accomplish an objective. You still face intermittent stress, pain, and difficulty, but you have developed a resistance against such life events only this process could have given you.
Step 5: Looking Back with Gratitude, Looking Forward with Anticipation
In your conversations with others, in your personal thoughts, and in your memories, you will always cite this breakthrough as 'the time when you're life changed for the better.' You look back at the months or years (the time frame varies from person to person) of transition you went through and you are both amazed and profoundly grateful. You now feel like you can do anything, handle anything, because you were able to survive what you once thought impossible. Challenging yourself becomes a continuous part of life, not because you don't fear anymore, but because you can feel fear and move forward with courage and hope.
We are not accustomed to getting excited about change, for problems and stressors and defeat and failure, but these are the signs of an impending breakthrough. Your life will shut down before a breakthrough only to light up brighter and stronger. Rather than dread or fear the supposed unpredictability of change, we should wish for it, as change is what brings joy to our lives and what provides us with the greatest and deepest meaning we've ever known.
About Corey Haynes
How to Be More Assertive and Take Action
Transformational Coach
© 2020 Corey Inspires | PS


text:
Published Favorites
Recent Bylines
Home Recent Bylines Are we asking too much of Houston's volunteers?
Are we asking too much of Houston's volunteers?
Carmen Sisson September 1, 2017 March 24, 2018 Recent Bylines
A man walks through flood waters on Memorial Drive, Aug. 31, 2017, in Houston, Texas. Volunteers have streamed into Houston all week, sacrificing their time, money, and safety to help those affected by heavy flooding following Hurricane Harvey. (Photo by Carmen K. Sisson/Cloudybright)
By Carmen K. Sisson and Patrik Jonsson | Christian Science Monitor
HOUSTON and ATLANTA —Susan Keays stands at the water's edge and shades her eyes to better see an approaching boat. As she holds her cellphone, verifying an address, she quickly counts heads. One volunteer is missing. This morning, they were strangers. Now, they are a sort of family.
She is on Memorial Boulevard, where kayaks and bass boats bob in a river that shouldn't be. At first, she came to the edge of the flood to save horses. She is staying to save people.
As a volunteer, she's amid the jumble of people trying to help the makeshift rescue crews stay safe themselves.
By profession, she is a business consultant. But on Memorial Boulevard, her face streaked with sweat, she exhorts rescuers to wear life jackets, gauges the stream depth, and cooperates with local law enforcement as boats disperse.
"You could cause someone else harm, trying to save you," she explains.
Volunteers flock to Houston for Harvey response
Susan Keays, 49, guides a boat of volunteers as they leave to assist trapped families along a flooded Memorial Boulevard, Aug. 31, 2017, in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen K. Sisson/Cloudybright)
Volunteers helping volunteers save lives. If there has been a theme to the first few days after the 50 inches of rain from hurricane Harvey last weekend, that has been it. Call it the Dunkirk-on-the-bayou: the thousands of heroes of Houston. They are not deputized and trained rescuers. They are salesmen, entrepreneurs, teachers, and mechanics.
And as America witnessed another Katrina-like disaster – the flooding of an estimated 30 percent of America's fourth-most-populous city – civilian responders have shown an unfettered nimbleness, a rising spirit of can-do-ism, and a self-reliant spirit that helped a government overwhelmed by the storm's human impact.
The question is whether the civilian army that showed up in Texas is a sign of what's right or what's broken.
So far, there has been no Katrina-like wave of criticism for the federal response. Earlier in the week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gave it an "A." Volunteers, it seems, have simply helped the government deal with a disaster of tremendous scope.
But the challenge of relying so heavily on volunteers comes into focus when their cellphone communications crackle with the question, "There's looters, should we shoot 'em?" – as happened this week. Or when volunteer rescuers themselves die, as happened when two were electrocuted by a downed wire. How much is it right to ask of Good Samaritans?
To some, the Harvey response bespeaks a lack of government commitment. But to others, it is an echo of an ethic that existed when the federal government loomed less large.
"Remember, there was no federal response to the Great Molasses Spill" that killed 21 people in Boston in 1919, says Northeastern University political scientist Daniel Aldrich, author of "The Power of the People." "The civil defense era, starting in the 1940s, began to change that, and it pendulum-swung into the Cold War, where everyone began to assume that someone is going to take care of them – and it would be the central government, not friends and neighbors. Now, hurricane Harvey will push the discussion of the government's role in disasters back into the spotlight."
Houston volunteers and heroes
The effects of that shift have been on vivid display here in Houston.
"It makes you proud to be a human to watch that work," says Bill Moore, the CEO of Zello, the app used to coordinate much of the Houston response. "You hear real, live stories [on the rescue channels]: 'Hey, there's a dog and three kids and they're on the counter,' and you can hear people whooping when help arrives."
Volunteer Scott Sherman unloads a bag of wet clothes from a boat on Memorial Boulevard, Aug. 31, 2017, in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen K. Sisson/Cloudybright)
"The fact that everyone is out there in their bass boats helping people get out is a silver lining of this tragedy," says Houston resident Mark Jones, a political scientist at Rice University in Houston as he triages emergency shelter for storm survivors.
The response to Harvey has already suggested a change in national readiness and disaster outlook from the all-government approach of civil defense era to a more flexible post-9/11 volunteerism.
It's in part enabled by a Federal Emergency Management Administration that has abandoned strict top-down bureaucracy – a post-Katrina strategy to avoid overall failure when federal resources are overwhelmed.
But it's also enabled by technologies that have turned smartphones into old-fashioned CB radios, helping unleash ingenuity.
In that way, to some, the response offers a way forward.
Civilian involvement in rescue "is not a substitute for government doing its job, nor should it be, but it gets to this notion of a civil society, of people not just waiting around for government to do everything – that notion is the greatest savior of our country, going forward," says former Tulane University President Scott Cowen, a Katrina evacuee and author of "The Inevitable City" about the resurgence of New Orleans.
Politicians, parties, and federal agencies "come and go, but we live in these places, we're here for a lifetime, so let's fix it ourselves," he says. "I love the stories of these faceless heroes: You don't know their names, but they're out there, in the thousands."
Untrained professionals
Scott Sherman is one of them. A Houston resident, he decided to volunteer after seeing the flood footage on television. At the moment, his problem is that every boat is already stuffed with rescuers. He went out on one trip, but the water was too shallow and they had to abandon the rescue.
But he hasn't given up hope. He bounces from group to group with indefatigable enthusiasm.
On one of the chats you heard, 'There's looters, should we shoot 'em?' Someone yelled back: 'No, you can't shoot 'em!' Some of the [rescuers] are not trained, and you can hear that in their voices. ~ Bill Moore, Zello CEO
"Do you need help?" he calls to approaching boaters. They shake their heads and he waits for his next chance.
"On one of the chats you heard, 'There's looters, should we shoot 'em?' " notes Moore. "Someone yelled back: 'No, you can't shoot 'em!' Some of the [rescuers] are not trained, and you can hear that in their voices.
Moments later, it comes. He grins as he slings bags of wet clothes from a truck.
For the rescuers out on the boats, smartphones have offered some measure of coordination, with different volunteer crews talking to one another.
"It has been so effective, where you have thousands of boats and trucks coordinated," says Zello's Mr. Moore. "It's fascinating. You can listen to how it's all resolved, and it's all live, with real lives at stake and real risk. At that scale and with the help and coordination [of government], you see the better half of human nature emerge."
In some cases, however, the communication has only highlighted the challenges that a volunteer rescue force faces.
Part of the risk is when you have helpful individuals in effect pretending to be professionals.
Where Feds fail, volunteers step in
Is this how it should be? Some say it points to a failed federal response.
Former Joint Task Force Katrina Commander Russel Honoré called it "amateur hour" and said the government didn't stage enough resources close to Houston. Where many see local resiliency, Mr. Honoré, often credited with taking control of a lawless New Orleans to begin its recovery, saw a failure by Washington to "come in big," he told CNN's Erin Burnett Thursday night.
"The federal government took their hand off it and went off to fight terrorism – and each time we have a Sandy or Harvey, the solution is different," he said. "It's cooked up locally by the state."
At the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, there are signs of confusion. Some volunteers are turned away when they are desperately needed. Other volunteers are first-timers, with more-experienced volunteers jockeying for leadership.
The biggest danger now is the sunshine. People start to feel like everything is normal again — and it's not. ~ Volunteer James Hahn II
But that's not bothering James Hahn II too much. As long as work is getting done and people are being helped, that's all that counts, he says.
He had been actively involved in the social-media aspect of the disaster, but Monday he realized he had to do more. The first day he came to the convention center, he was told there were enough volunteers and he was not needed. So he returned Tuesday.
Now he's sorting endless bags of donated clothing, separating it by gender and size. Being here has meant missing his son Fulton's sixth birthday. He did his best to explain and promised they would celebrate later, when the waters have receded. But until then, he will show up at the convention center every day and lend his hands wherever they are needed.
"The biggest danger now is the sunshine," he says, squinting as he surveys the hundreds of evacuees milling around the convention center, waiting for assistance.
"People start to feel like everything is normal again – and it's not."
Carmen Sisson
Carmen K. Sisson is an award-winning independent journalist and photojournalist, with three decades of experience covering the Deep South. Published credits include TIME, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press and others.
View all posts by Carmen Sisson →
Christian Science Monitor, disaster, disaster response, flood, Houston, hurricane, Hurricane Harvey, Texas, volunteerism. Bookmark.
Macks lead the way for container drayage company
Houston flood survivors grapple with loss
Pingback: Grit and the gridiron rescue Texas town Refugio | Carmen K. Sisson
After tornado, Alabamians lean on one another
Senate runoff brings Mississippi's painful past to the fore
In Florida, resilience battles uncertain ability to rebuild
Back to school in Texas a year after Hurricane Harvey
Raising men, helping others with free lawn care
Alabama first grader becomes bestselling author
Teens' march to honor King became a deeper journey
J.L. Storedahl and Sons crush it with Mack
Graham Trucking upgrades fleet with Macks
Macks offer clear advantage for Moore Freight
African-American Alabama children Christian Science Monitor Civil Rights Columbus content marketing disaster Disaster News Network disaster response economy education environment fire flood Florida football Huntsville hurricane Hurricane Harvey Hurricane Katrina inspiration Louisiana Mack Trucks military Mississippi New Orleans Obama offbeat oil spill politics racism Randall-Reilly religion South Southern Baptist Disaster Relief sports Tennessee Texas TIME tornado truckers trucking industry volunteerism weather
Archives Select Month March 2019 (1) November 2018 (2) August 2018 (2) May 2018 (1) April 2018 (1) December 2017 (2) November 2017 (1) October 2017 (2) September 2017 (6) March 2017 (1) November 2016 (2) October 2016 (1) September 2016 (1) August 2016 (4) July 2016 (1) May 2016 (2) April 2016 (1) March 2016 (1) February 2016 (1) January 2016 (1) December 2015 (1) November 2015 (1) October 2015 (1) September 2015 (2) August 2015 (3) July 2015 (1) April 2015 (4) March 2015 (3) February 2015 (2) December 2014 (1) November 2014 (1) October 2014 (3) April 2014 (1) March 2014 (3) November 2013 (2) August 2013 (1) May 2013 (1) April 2013 (1) August 2012 (1) June 2012 (1) August 2011 (1) June 2011 (1) May 2011 (1) April 2011 (1) March 2011 (1) January 2011 (1) October 2010 (1) August 2010 (2) July 2010 (1) June 2010 (1) May 2010 (1) April 2010 (2) February 2010 (3) December 2009 (1) November 2009 (1) October 2009 (1) August 2009 (1) January 2009 (4) December 2008 (5) November 2008 (2) October 2008 (2) September 2008 (3) August 2008 (1) May 2008 (2) March 2008 (1) February 2008 (1) January 2008 (1) December 2007 (1) September 2007 (1) July 2007 (2) June 2007 (1) May 2007 (1) April 2007 (1) March 2007 (1) February 2007 (1) January 2007 (1) December 2006 (1) November 2006 (1) October 2006 (1) September 2006 (1) August 2006 (1) July 2006 (1) May 2006 (3) March 2006 (1)
Cloudybright
Photoshelter
All images and text Copyright 2000-2016 Carmen K. Sisson/Cloudybright.


Occupying 2.39% of India's landmass, Assam is the most vibrant of eight states comprising the Northeast. Bounded by these states, West Bengal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, its topographical asymmetry is underscored by the Barail hill range sandwiched between two valleys – Brahmaputra and Barak – named after the dominant rivers.
Assam is synonymous with breathtaking natural beauty, teeming wildlife, immaculate tea gardens and warm, beautiful people. It's strategic location in the northeast of India, and it's accessibility from the rest of the country makes it the gateway to the northeastern states.
Green is the predominant colour of the state with an impressive 35% forest cover and thousands of hectares under tea cultivatation. Assam has five national parks including the World Heritage Sites of Kaziranga and Manas, and 20 Wildlife sanctuaries. The great Indian one-horned rhinocerous is one of Assam's most famous denizens.
Supporting the state's abundant wildlife and luscious vegetation are the monsoons which stretch from late May to September, but there are intermittent rains even in the winters. Winters begin in late November and continue till February. Winter mornings in most parts of Assam are marked by dense fog giving the land an aura of ethereal beauty.
The Brahmaputra Valley is an alluvial plain about 724 kms in length and 81 kms in breadth. It is enclosed on the north by the mighty Himalayas, south by the Garo, Khasi, Jaintia and Naga Hills. The Brahmaputra, the lifeline of the valley which shares it's name, floods the nearby land with fertile silt every year to ensure a rich harvest.
To the south of the valley are the charming hills of Karbi Anglong. Further south are the North Cachar Hills. Located here, amidst beutiful orchards, is Assam's only hill station, Haflong. The southern part of Assam is the Barak Valley, which derives its name from the Barak river. This region is a treasure trove of untouched natural beauty.
Brahmaputra, Barak and their 120 tributaries ensure a fertile land dotted with more than 3,500 wetlands, 800 expansive tea estates and 25 major wildlife preserves housing rare species of flora and fauna.
Agnigarh hill is situated in Tezpur in Assam. As per Hindu mythology, fortress was built here by King Banasurawith a view to isolate his daughter Usha. The legend further goes to say that the place derived the name owing to the fire that surrounded the fortress always to avoid movement in and out of the place. The word Agni means fire.
Your trip to Assam will not be complete if you do not cruise river Dividing the city into 2 halves, the majestic flow of the river offers stunning views and great entertainment. Brahmaputra is the longest river in the country and cruising on the river that flows through the rich beauty of Assam is a unique experience. A cruise on Brahmaputra offers tea garden visits, wildlife viewing and exploring villages and towns. You could have a great time experiencing the essence of Assam on your cruise.
Dibru Saikhowa National Park is situated in Tinsukia in Assam. It owns the credit of being one among the major biodiversity hotspots of the world and one among the largestparks in Assam. The park is a blend of deciduous forests, semi- evergreen forests and swamp surface making it bio-diverse. You will find many rare wildlife species here andferal horses are one of the most famous species seen here.
Asia's first oil refinery, which is the second in world, is in Digboi. The not only has refinery, which is over 100 years old but also has number of tea gardens. The place with misty blue hills offers various attractions including Digboi Oil Refinery, Ridge Point and Digboi Centenary Museum. From Ridge Point, you could have a stunning view of snow-clad mountains of eastern Himalayas. Digboi Centenary Museum gives you an insight into the history of the town.
Diphu is situated in Karbi Anglong district in Assam. The town has various tourist attractions. If you love nature, you would love Arboretum, which is located near Diphu. The13-hectare lush greenery offers spectacular views, which soothes your mind. Botanical Garden, which is a 5 km distance from Diphu, houses a variety of species of trees and plants. Boating facilities are available here. If you are keen to learn about the cultural past of the town, you need to visit District Museum. The museum was founded in 1886 and it displays artifacts that have archaeological importance and represent the culture of the land. You could find hunting tools used by the tribes here.
Haflong Lake is situated at the centre of Haflong hill town, which is famously called the'Switzerland of the East'. The picturesque landscape with blue hills, large and beautiful lakes, enthralling streams, waterfalls and abundance of pineapple trees and orange trees earns the title for Haflong town. Haflong Lake is one among the two lakes of the town. It is situated at an altitude of 1683 feet above MSL and no wonder you will find clouds and mists touching your arms as they gently move away. The beauty not only enthralls you but also offers various water sports and hence both your body and mind are rejuvenated.
Kaziranga National Park has been declared a World Heritage park is spread over 430 sq. kms and you will find various wild species such astiger, elephant, rhinoceros, Indian bison, sambar, deer and many more. If you love birds, you need to be here during winter as migratory birds are seen in great numbers. You could go round the park in a jeep or car. If you fancy elephant ride, you are most welcome. The nearest cities from Kaziranga National Park are Jorhat and Tezpur.
Kamakhya Temple is located on Nilachal Hill, Guwahati top feet above sea level. River Brahmaputra flows on the northern side of the hill. The temple is over 2200 years old. Apart from its rich cultural heritage, Kamakhya is beauty personified. It offers a stunning view of rivers and hills. Whatever faith one follows in life, being at this location would make one experience divinity.
Orang National Park is situated on the northern banks of the river Brahmaputra. It is the only National Park in the country, which was created naturally. The tribes who lived there had abandoned 78.81-sq.km area. Some of the animals found here include royal Bengal tiger, one horned rhinoceros, leopard, elephant and many more. The place offers great delight to bird watchers as one could find various local birds and migratory birds here.
Like most of the towns in Assam, Umrangshu is a picturesque beauty with beautiful hills and lush greenery. You would love your journey if you go trekking from Haflong Hill to Umrangshu. If you are planning a perfect holiday in a serene atmosphere that elevates your spirits, you cannot choose a better place than Umrangshu. Nature has blessed certain places on earth abundantly, but Umrangshu gains prominence as it remains untouched by the modern world in the name of so-called civilization. Garampani, the hot spring here attracts many tourists for its medicinal value. Kapili Hydel Power Plant is situated near the border and it is a famous tourist spot being the first of its kind here.