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Mick

@mickpic.bsky.social
1.9K followers 1.9K following 2.3K posts

Everything #RoadTrip #MickTrip #PNW Mountains, rivers, ocean, nature, dogs. #ECK #WCK NO AI. NO politics. All pictures by me #MickPic unless noted. #MrCalvin

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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 16/10/2026
#PalacesandGardens & #LastWords "For some reason this memorial to Calvin had been taken off of my timeline. I have restored it and I hope it stays this time." -mick #MementoMori but #MementoVivere #CalvinWasHere #CalvinIsThere ❤️‍🩹🌈 #Dogs #Calvin #DogsOfBluesky #MickPic
Text reads: Pinned
Mr. Calvin and Mick 
There are many good dogs, but they say you only get one really great dog in your life. Mr. Calvin has been that amazing dog. But we have to say goodbye. He gave us the best 14 years any human could ever ask for.
We will miss him so much.
#Dogs #Rainbow Bridge
#MrCalvin
#DogsOfBluesky #BestFriend
The image shows a senior tan and white dog resting its head with graying fur around the muzzle, shared in a Bluesky post by a user mourning the loss of their 14-year-old dog named Mr. Calvin.
• The post is from April 2, 2026.
• Actor Mark Hamill replied to the post with a broken heart emoji.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
#PalacesandGardens & #LastWords, by #MrCalvin "Okay, having to jump in here. This whole theme seems kind of grim. Death and all. But it's about Life. Guess what My People will see when they look at this old rock. Yep. Same with headstones." #MementoMori yes but #MementoVivere #CalvinWasHere
Shows a beach scene at Haystack Rock. Two hands hold a picture of the same scene but with their dog, since passed, running on the beach. It is captioned:
#CalvinWasHere
 #CalvinIsThere 
 ❤️‍🩹🌈 #Dogs #Calvin #DogsOfBluesky #MickPic
Belgian Malinois-Labrador mix, often called a "Belgiador," is a high-energy, intelligent, and loyal hybrid, blending the intense work ethic of a Malinois with the friendly, driven nature of a Labrador. They typically weigh 40–80 lbs and require substantial daily mental and physical stimulation to prevent destructive boredom. These dogs are highly trainable, often suiting active owners, search and rescue, or protection roles, but they require consistent, firm, and early training due to their potential for high-drive, protective, or intense behavior.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords "It's #AboveGround too. Some choose to have their final resting place in a #Mausoleum. While individuals with resources can have a mini palace, many chose this neighborly colective." -mick #MickPic #MementoMori #SkylineMemorial #MountainViewMemorial
An above-ground mausoleum is a freestanding architectural structure designed to entomb caskets or urns above the earth rather than in a subterranean grave.

Practical Advantages

• Flood and Soil Protection: Elevated chambers protect remains from high water tables, sandy soils, seasonal flooding, and unstable ground that can shift underground vaults.
• Weather-Protected Visits: Indoor community corridors or sheltered structures allow year-round, dry visits regardless of rain, snow, or frozen winter ground.
• No Vault Requirement: Individual crypts are self-contained concrete or stone structures, eliminating the need to purchase a separate subterranean burial vault.
• Space Efficiency: Multi-story and vertical stacking allow cemeteries to honor thousands of individuals on a small geographic footprint, conserving urban green space.
• Generational Legacy: Private family mausoleums group multi-generational relatives together into a single, permanent monument.An above-ground mausoleum is a freestanding architectural structure designed to entomb caskets or urns above the earth rather than in a subterranean grave.

Practical Advantages

• Flood and Soil Protection: Elevated chambers protect remains from high water tables, sandy soils, seasonal flooding, and unstable ground that can shift underground vaults.
• Weather-Protected Visits: Indoor community corridors or sheltered structures allow year-round, dry visits regardless of rain, snow, or frozen winter ground.
• No Vault Requirement: Individual crypts are self-contained concrete or stone structures, eliminating the need to purchase a separate subterranean burial vault.
• Space Efficiency: Multi-story and vertical stacking allow cemeteries to honor thousands of individuals on a small geographic footprint, conserving urban green space.
• Generational Legacy: Private family mausoleums group multi-generational relatives together into a single, permanent monument.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords "Of course there are the #FamilyPlots that go beyond just one extra spot. This takes togetherness to a whole new level." -mick #MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens #MountCalvaryCemetery
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
#PalacesandGardens #LastWords & #HumansOfBlueSky "I've included 'Humans' because what could be more human than wanting to talk to your loved one after they have passed on. I noted many benches, like this one, dedicated to such an idea." -mick #MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The image shows a gray granite memorial bench placed in a cemetery plot near a heart-shaped headstone and flat grave markers.• Material: Usually crafted from durable, weather-resistant natural stone such as gray, pink, or black granite.
• Purpose: Serves as both a permanent personal monument or headstone replacement and a functional seating area for visiting family and friends.
• Customization: Often feature sandblasted or laser-etched engravings, including names, dates, epitaphs, or custom artwork.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords "And then there are the final resting spots that resemble a tiny palace. Elias K. Wiley (who died on the Oregon Trail on June 10, 1852). I do wonder why three locks are needed. Answer in alt text." -mick #MickPic #MementoMori #MountCalvaryCemetery
The image shows the Elias K. Wiley stone mausoleum located at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Portland, Oregon
Elias K. Wiley (who died on the Oregon Trail on June 10, 1852).
Choosing an above-ground mausoleum instead of a traditional underground grave involves distinct differences in daily maintenance, environment, committal services, and costs.

Environment and Protection

• Clean and Dry: Crypts keep caskets isolated from direct contact with dirt, mud, groundwater, and weeds, which is particularly beneficial in areas with high water tables, heavy rainfall, or unstable soil.
• Weather-Protected Visits: Indoor community mausoleums let families visit year-round in a climate-controlled, covered hallway—avoiding snow, rain, mud, or extreme heat.
• Accessibility: Walkways around mausoleums are typically paved, level, and equipped with nearby seating, making them easier to navigate for elderly visitors or those with mobility challenges.
• investment.
• Longer Construction Phase: Building a custom private mausoleum takes roughly 12 to 18 months, whereas a traditional ground plot can be prepared immediately.
• Additional Fees: Some facilities charge ongoing maintenance or association fees for structure upkeepThe selected region shows a close-up of rusted iron decorative gates secured with a thick chain and three Master Lock padlocks tangled together.
This setup is a classic example of a "buddy system" or multi-lock daisy chain. This specific locking configuration allows multiple individuals or authorized entities (such as family members, cemetery groundskeepers, or historical preservationists) to open the gate using their own unique key. By interlocking the padlocks through separate loops of the chain or with each other, unlocking any single padlock breaks the chain's continuity and permits access without requiring everyone to share the same key
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords "But if we're talking about actual Last Words, I think David Hill, #TenMinutesFromHome really has the winner for around here. As the founder OF Hillsboro, he has a whole city named for him. More in alt text." #MickPic #MementoMori #Hillsboro #DavidHill
David Hill (1809–May 9, 1850) was a Connecticut-born pioneer, farmer, and prominent politician who arrived in the Oregon Country in 1841 and established the 640-acre land claim that later became downtown Hillsboro.

Early Life and Arrival in Oregon

• Journey: Hill traveled via wagon train over the Oregon Trail to the Oregon Territory, arriving around October 1841.
• Tualatin Valley: He wintered with Joseph L. Meek before securing a 640-acre donation land claim in what was then called Twality (Washington) County.
• Family: In 1846, he married Lucinda "Lucy" McWilliams Wilson Hill Simmons, who brought four children to the marriage.

Political and Civic Career

• Provisional Government: Hill was active in early Oregon governance, participating in the historic May 2, 1843, Champoeg Meeting where he voted for the Provisional Government.
• Executive Committee: He served as chair of the Legislative Committee and was elected to the three-man Executive Committee for 1843–1844, acting in effect as part of Oregon's first executive leadership ("co-governor").
• Legislatures: He served in the Provisional Legislature (1844–1849) and later in the Oregon Territory House of Representatives (1849–1850).
• Naming and Townsite: He set up the area's first post office inside his cabin in 1843 and named the locality Columbus. When Washington County was established and designated a county seat in 1849–1850, Hill sold a portion of his land claim to the county for the townsite and courthouse in exchange for $200 (which was later paid to his widow).

Death and Legacy

• Passing: David Hill died on May 9, 1850, at age 41.
• Hillsboro's Name: To honor his foundational role, the community—briefly called Columbus and Hillsborough—was named after him.
• Memorials:
	• He is buried at the Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery on his original land claim.
	• His legacy is recognized in the Oregon State Capitol frieze.
	• David Hill Elementary School, Named for his legacy
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords "Magnificent memorial in granite, or a simple placeholder. It is still about having that last memory." #MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The object in the image is a cemetery lot marker (also known as a plot marker or survey disc).

What It Is Used For

• Plot Identification: These round, low-profile discs are installed flush with the ground so that lawnmowers can easily pass over them without causing damage.
• Mapping Grid: They correspond directly to the cemetery's official master map kept in the main office. They allow groundskeepers and surveyors to precisely locate and identify specific burial plots, section boundaries, or block intersections.
• Marking Unmarked Graves: They are frequently used to permanently identify gravesites that do not have a traditional raised headstone or vertical monument.

Materials and Finding Them

These markers are typically manufactured out of heavy-duty stainless steel, brass, or aluminum. Because they are designed to sit flush at the ground surface, they often get covered over by falling pine needles, leaves, dirt, or grass over time. Cemetery caretakers regularly look for them by gently probing the soil or using a metal detector to locate them when they become buriedThe image shows two vintage cast-metal stake grave markers, commonly known as Marsh & Mixon or metal slot-plate markers, featuring sliding or insertable metal lettering and date plates mounted on vertical metal posts in a cemetery.
• Design: These arched metal headstones were widely used from the mid-to-late 20th century, featuring a slot-in panel system where individual metal letters, numbers, and plaques could be arranged to display the name, birth year, and death year.
• Durability: Many of these markers were produced as temporary or low-cost permanent cemetery markers, and over time the paint chips, the metal corrodes, or the individual sliding/inset plates go missing or become weathered.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords "Then there are the placeholders. Maybe a family plot, bought with the idea of holding space for one person." #MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The image shows a red granite slant marker or slant headstone set on a matching stone base in a cemetery.
• Material: Red or pink-toned granite (often referred to as North American Red or similar vibrant granite varieties).
• Style: A slant-face marker, which features a sloped front face that makes the text easier to read while standing or walking compared to a flat ground.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords "Up at the Mountain View there are many new and newer spots, but then there were these three sitting off to the side. the one to the far left could not be read, but still it stands. A memorial." #MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The image shows a row of three weathered, upright 19th-century marble or limestone gravestones set into a grassy cemetery grounds scattered with fallen autumn leaves.
• Left Marker: A taller, rectangular tablet headstone showing a diagonal crack and dark lichen or staining along the middle and base.
• Center Marker: A smaller, rounded-top (tablet and base) marker that is heavily worn and weathered, with the face nearly illegible.
• Right Marker: A taller, upright tablet headstone with a rounded or arched top that clearly reads "CORDELIA..." followed by "Wife of..." with the rest of the text faded or obscured.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
#PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords "Maybe not actual last words (hopefully) but ones he loved enough to take with him. The technique of etching an image has improved to the point of photos in granite." #MickPic #MementoMori #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The image shows a black granite upright headstone memorial for Charles L. (1956–2012) featuring a laser-etched portrait, a motorcycle engraving, and the quote "Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
 Note: It is tradition not to show the full name of non-famous people who passed on less than 50 years ago.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Join us today (Thurs 15 October) for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords The thing that inspired me for this them was the phrase, "We are gone only after the last person tells our story." From a Palace to a tiny marker, it is all about memories. -mick #MickPic #MountainView #MemorialGardens
The image shows a granite memorial marker set into the ground at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, dedicated to Henry F. Holzmeyer and Emma Holzmeyer Nixon for spearheading the restoration of the cemetery in 1958
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Drop a witch
 "Well, she does enchant me."
 Woman standing in the ocean as a wisp of a wave forms next to her, seeming to try to get her attention. She is not impressed. 
 Quote under picture:
 "She is a mermaid, but approach her with caution. Her mind swims at a depth most would drown."
 -J Iron Word
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
#31daysofhalloween "Among the many talents of my better half, her custom sewing skills are legend within the costume community. She also does quilts. This cozy wrap comes out with the cold. Technique details in alt text." -mick #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #Oregon #Quilt #Quilting #Art
This is a custom-made, scrappy Halloween patchwork quilt constructed from a variety of distinct holiday-themed cotton prints.
The blanket utilizes a traditional square-block grid assembly interlaid with playful, off-kilter angled cuts (such as the striped triangles at the bottom right). It stands out through its meticulous free-motion machine quilting, visible as meandering swirls and custom textures stitched across the blocks to secure the layers together.

Fabric Pattern Breakdown

The quilt showcases a rich mix of classic "spooky season" elements and jewel tones:
• Central Focal Block: A distinct spooky nature print featuring a bare, silhouette-style tree set against a cloudy, sepia-toned sky with a graveyard wrought-iron fence lining the bottom.
• Novelty Holiday Prints: Highly detailed illustrations including glowing orange Jack-o'-lanterns, decorative sugar skulls (Dia de los Muertos motifs), and spiderwebs stretched across a solid orange backdrop.
• Geometric Coordinates: High-contrast filler fabrics like the black-and-orange striped pattern, alongside vertical blue and black ribbed bars that provide striking pops of color against the darker squares.
• Textured Blends: Deep purple and forest green prints that ground the brighter imagery and establish a classic, cohesive autumn aesthetic.
The image shows a handmade patchwork Halloween quilt featuring an arrangement of orange, purple, black, and green fabrics with seasonal prints like pumpkins, spiderwebs, and bare trees
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Good morning, Susan! Happy middle of it all #ECK. A #BlueBrew request please. More scouting today for #LastWords. Excellent results yesterday, with this sunset preview. A Note (I was not aware of): For not famous folks less than 50 years gone, they ask names be obscured. #Opaque filter line.
Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery: The image shows an outdoor cemetery with numerous headstones and markers scattered across grassy hills under a golden sunset.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
For #ThickTrunkTuesday "Whille scouting for Thursday's theme, I saw this old guy. Once again being drawn to the stumps. But it is a graveyard, so appropriate." -mick #31DaysOfHalloween #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #Oregon #Samhain #WorldBetweenWorlds #Stumps
The image shows a large, weathered, and decaying tree stump with deep vertical grooves, gnarled root flares at the base, and a hollowed-out, textured core.

Key Features

• Decay and Texture: The outer bark and inner wood show significant weathering, deep grain patterns, and hollowed compartments typical of an old hardwood or large specimen tree.
• Root Flare: The base exhibits prominent, fluted root buttresses anchored into the lawn.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
#7SyllableSquad #7SyllableSentence #Rose She can have a Roses most days. Maybe she wants one with bite. #MickPic #31DaysOfHalloween (Note: Sorry for the sort of repeat. I didn't see today's 7 sentence prompt until today.)
The image shows a Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) labeled as the 'Mammoth' cultivar, featuring green leaves and relatively large, fanged traps.

Quick Care Guide

• Light: Needs lots of direct sunlight—aim for at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sun daily.
• Water: Keep the soil consistently moist using distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water. Do not let it dry out, and avoid tap water with high mineral content.
• Soil: Plant in nutrient-poor, acidic soil like a 50:50 mix of peat moss and perlite or silica sand. Skip regular potting soil and never fertilize.
• Feeding: They catch their own bugs (flies, ants, small spiders). Do not feed them human food or force traps to snap shut without prey
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
#31DaysOfHalloween "Some women love roses. Mine loves plants that eats things." -mick #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #Flowers? #Bloomscrolling? #VenusFlytrap #Sundew #CarnivorousPlants #Oregon
The image shows a Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) with its signature jaw-like snapping traps on top, and a sundew (Drosera species) covered in sticky, glandular tentacles on the bottom.

Key Care Tips for Carnivorous Plants

• Water: Use only distilled water, reverse osmosis (RO) water, or collected rainwater. Tap water contains minerals that will kill these plants over time. Keep the soil consistently moist (often by placing the pot in a shallow tray of water).
• Soil: Plant them in a nutrient-poor medium like a 50/50 mix of peat moss and perlite. Never use standard potting soil or Miracle-Gro, as fertilizers will burn their roots.
• Light: They need full, direct sunlight (at least 6 hours a day) or a strong grow light to stay healthy and develop deep red color inside their traps.
• Feeding: Do not fertilize the soil. They catch their own bugs, or you can occasionally feed them a tiny live or thawed frozen insect (like a small flightless fruit fly) only if they are grown outdoors.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
#BlueSkyMonday Skys were envious of her eyes so try many shades never matching. #Haiku #WritingCommunity #Poetry #poem #HaikuPrompt (blue) #MickPic #MickTrip
Woman at the beach wearing a blue shirt and dark blue shorts. Her feet are bare and she is standing on the sand. The ocean is mostly calm and the skies are clear. Only two other people can be seen in the far distance.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
#AlphabetChallenge #WeekOforOpaque "When becalmed and clear in the mountains, a mirror or window deep into another world. When angered or thrashed about by the winds, a solid wall, clawing you to a watery end." -mick #Yachats #ThorsWell #ImageAndVerse #Photo #MickPic #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips
The image captures the intense, exploding sea spray and churning foam characteristic of Thor's Well, a fascinating natural wonder located on the Oregon Coast within the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area.
 Often referred to as the "Drainpipe of the Pacific," Thor's Well looks like a bottomless sinkhole endlessly swallowing the ocean. In reality, it is a bowl-shaped feature carved into the rugged volcanic basalt shoreline.
• Geological Origins: Geologists believe it began as a subterranean sea cave. Over thousands of years, continuous wave erosion caused the cave's roof to collapse, creating openings at both the top and bottom.
• True Depth: While it looks like an endless abyss from certain angles, it is actually only about 20 feet (6 meters) deep.
• The "Maelstrom" Effect: During high tide or severe storms, ocean water surges powerfully into the underwater cave from underneath, compressing air and forcing a massive geyser-like eruption of water out of the top. As the wave recedes, the water rapidly drains back down, creating the illusion of a giant plug being pulled from the sea.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Good morning, Susan! Happy Friday #ECK worldwide. Some #BlueBrew would be lovely, please. An interesting surprise awaited me this morning. AnnaLois and Queen Sabine chose my #WhatsNext idea for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #LastWords coming Thursday 15 October. Details in the poster poster post.
#PalacesandGardens
Thursday, 15 October 2026

Theme: #LastWords

This week, Mick (@mickpic.bsky.social) invites us to explore the places, words and legacies of those who have gone before us. Who—or what—gets the last word?

• Resting in Style: Royal mausoleums, elaborate tombs or modest graves—someone’s final resting place, whether famous or locally remembered.

• The Last Address: A palace, manor house, cottage or ordinary home. Where did someone spend their last days? Tell us their story.

• Famous Last Words: A memorable quotation, farewell letter, testament or legendary final remark. Share the story that brings the photo to life.

• Gone, but Not Forgotten: Statues, commemorative gardens, memorial trees or named buildings. How do we remember people long after they’ve gone?

Everyone is welcome. #ECK
**************************************************************

Note on "Poster poster post."
 (I did not stutter.)
Yes, "poster poster post" is grammatically correct as a playful play on words, though it is a slang or joke phrase rather than standard formal English.

Why It Works

• First "poster": The person (the original poster or OP) who created the content.
• Second "poster": The noun referring to the printed or digital graphic/image they made.
• Third "post": The verb (or noun) for publishing it online (e.g., to a forum, social media, or blog).
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
NOT a winner for #AlphabetChallenge #WeekNforNeon "Downtown #Portland is always up for lighting the holidays. This is an archive vid I tried to run through 'stabilizer'. It ended up looking like a 1902 restored newsreel. Don't give old guys too many tech options." #MickPic #Video #Holidays #Yule
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
#31daysofhalloween "I guess it depends on the family, right?" #MickPic
The image shows the Fun World Pumpkin Pro 20-Piece Family Carving Kit (Model #94650), which includes 12 stencils, saws, a scoop, and carving tools.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
#Stunday #ImageAndVerse "I hear the train a-comin', it's rolling 'round the bend". -Jonny Cash #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #Oregon
light rail platform on the TriMet MAX Blue and Red lines located in  Hillsboro, Oregon. Sunrise this morning.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
#ImageAndVerse & #BlueBrewBooks In the book I cowrote with best friend Michael D. Poe, the character of Ncon is this dark, way too serious former assassin. Michael, as with the character he created for the book, Figment, has ways of making the scene lighter. Cartoons by Poe
Shows a lunchbox cover with the name BLACKSENT and the three characters from that book: Figment, a mage; Ncon Barsin, a former assassin; Zandor, a wizard. Cartoon style of the Powerpuff girls.A cartoon of the character, Ncon Barsin, from the novel BLACKSENT Book of The Umbra by Michael A LaFlamme and Michael D. Poe. Cartoon in the style of the Powerpuff girls.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
"There were some piles of snow left over, but it didn't seem like a big deal. I finally asked what those 12' poles were all about. 'Oh, that's so the snowplow doesn't drive off the side of the mountain. Guide sticks. If they can't see the tops, they don't plow.' Oh. " #MickPic #WCK #ECK #MickTrip
 NOT Crater Lake, but up near Lassen and the plowed road as an example of the snow you get in the mountains. This snow cut is about six feet high.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
#BlueSkyArtShow #Weather "As a mid-West kid, I've had some fun at the reactions to folks and snow around here. Valley snow is rare and light. So I was not prepared for what we saw the first time up to Crater Lake. It was June, and we were puzzled by the tall sticks along the road up the way." cont>
My better half and I first time to Crater Lake before we moved here. Back in 2007. Summer.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
#31DaysOfHalloween "A visit to best friend a few years back near Detroit. The businesses do love to put on a show." -mick #Photography #MickPic #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #Michigan
The image shows an outdoor Halloween prop or street display featuring a skeleton styled as the iconic painter Bob Ross, complete with a large afro, mustache, button-down shirt, paintbrush, and artist's palette.
Two people are posing next to the unique prop outside a storefrontThe image shows a life-sized Halloween skeleton horse and driver attached to a red racing cart (sulky), set up as part of the annual seasonal street decorations in Northville, Michigan.The image shows a Halloween scarecrow or skeletal figure dressed as a construction worker or woodworker, wearing a white hard hat, safety goggles, a tan t-shirt, and holding a hammer.The image shows a Halloween skeleton decoration styled as Marilyn Monroe in her iconic white dress blowing upward from a grate, displayed outdoors as part of a seasonal community exhibit
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
#BlueSkyArtShow #Weather "You can also be Above the weather if you're willing to take the drive. My better half captures the epic view of the Olympic National Park Mountains." -mick #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #WashingtonState #NationalParks #HurricaneRidge #Snow
The image shows Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, Washington, where a person in a dark winter jacket and red beanie looks out over snow-covered peaks and a low-lying cloud layer.
You are looking at Hurricane Ridge, a highly popular mountainous area perched at an elevation of 5,242 feet (1,598 m) within Olympic National Park in Washington.
The image perfectly captures the stunning, panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains peeking out from above a heavy layer of inversion clouds. This area earns its name from its intense, sweeping gales and is famous for receiving an immense average of 400 inches of snowfall annually, making it a prime destination for snowshoeing and winter sports.You are looking at Hurricane Ridge, a highly popular mountainous area perched at an elevation of 5,242 feet (1,598 m) within Olympic National Park in Washington.
The image perfectly captures the stunning, panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains peeking out from above a heavy layer of inversion clouds. This area earns its name from its intense, sweeping gales and is famous for receiving an immense average of 400 inches of snowfall annually, making it a prime destination for snowshoeing and winter sports.You are looking at Hurricane Ridge, a highly popular mountainous area perched at an elevation of 5,242 feet (1,598 m) within Olympic National Park in Washington.
The image perfectly captures the stunning, panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains peeking out from above a heavy layer of inversion clouds. This area earns its name from its intense, sweeping gales and is famous for receiving an immense average of 400 inches of snowfall annually, making it a prime destination for snowshoeing and winter sports.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
#Blueskyartshow & #Weather, by #MrCalvin "My dudes and dudette! What were you thinking?! I was a rescue from Hawaii! Ha! Why! Eeee! And you toss out in that stuff to make my piddle? I won't even mention the icicles! Eesh." #CalvinWasHere #SnowDog #Snow ❤️‍🩹🌈 #Dogs #Calvin #DogsOfBluesky #MickPic
Labrador and Belgian Malinois mix (often called a "Malador") reacts to the snow with a unique combination of high-energy playfulness and intense focus.
Because both parent breeds are highly active working dogs, a mix like this usually shows a few key reactions when introduced to a snowy environment:
The cold air and new texture often trigger an instant burst of high-speed running, jumping, and standard "dog zoomies."
Driven by the herding instincts of the Belgian Malinois and the hunting instincts of the Labrador Retriever, they love to dive face-first into snowbanks or dig after hidden objects or footprints.
Many mixes will curiously bite at falling snowflakes or scoop up mouthfuls of fresh snow while tracking scents that are trapped or magnified by the cold moisture.
Rather than shivering, their athletic build and double coats (if inherited from the Lab) allow them to stand tall and alert, eagerly watching for the next snowball to be thrown.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
#Blueskyartshow #Weather "If you are on the edge of the storm, You might as well dance." -mick #ImageAndVerse #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #Oregon
The image shows a person wearing a dark outfit and a flowing purple scarf or shawl, standing on a rocky coastal path near the ocean.
 Friend Desiree from a photoshoot years past.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
My water witch.
Woman in the ocean with waves crashing in the background. She seems to command them.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
#Blueskyartshow #Weather "Our first winter in Portland was the year of the Snowpocalypse. (2009?) The folks at work didn't know how to handle the blocked roof drains. The brave (re: dumb) mid-west kid jumped in. (There was a big balcony just below. No danger.)" -mick #Photography #MickPic #WCK #ECK
The image shows a man holding a red snow shovel on a snowy rooftop in Portland, Oregon, with the prominent glass-facade tower of Twelve West visible in the background.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Today's #BlueskyArtShow theme is #weather. "The Oregon coast is usually up for showing off her rocky slopes. Even without thunderous rain, the churning waters will kick up crashing waves, letting you know who is boss." mick #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #Oregon #Ocean
The image shows large ocean waves crashing against rocky basalt cliffs and a blowhole on the Oregon Coast, around areas like Cape Perpetua, Depoe Bay, and Devil's Churn near Yachats, Oregon.
• Basalt Rock Formations: Dark, jagged volcanic rock typical of the Pacific Northwest shoreline.
• Wave Action & Spray: High-energy whitecaps and powerful water plumes erupting through coastal crevices or blowholes.
• Overcast Conditions: Gray skies and turbulent sea conditions characteristic of winter storms or king tide events along the Oregon coast.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
#7syllablesquad #7syllablesentence #wind Why blame the dog for your wind? #MickPic #MrCalvin
Labrador Belgian mix looking guilty for something 
Belgian Malinois-Labrador mix, often called a "Belgiador," is a high-energy, intelligent, and loyal hybrid, blending the intense work ethic of a Malinois with the friendly, driven nature of a Labrador. They typically weigh 40–80 lbs and require substantial daily mental and physical stimulation to prevent destructive boredom. These dogs are highly trainable, often suiting active owners, search and rescue, or protection roles, but they require consistent, firm, and early training due to their potential for high-drive, protective, or intense behavior.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
#ForestFriday "From the archives, but in keeping with the creepy season. Stumps, fog, and goblin mossy woods." -mick #31DaysOfHalloween #Samhain #WitchSky #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #Oregon #Lassen #WashingtonState #California
The image shows a collage of four nature and forest scenes featuring weathered tree roots, gnarled wood, and misty evergreen or deciduous woodland landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.
• Top-left: A close-up view of weathered, grain-textured driftwood or a fallen log near a calm body of water reflecting trees.
• Top-right: An upturned or broken tree root system standing amidst autumn foliage and a wooded slope.
• Bottom-left: A sparse, tall forest shrouded in thick morning fog or mist over a muted ground.
• Bottom-right: A dense, moss-covered forest floor with ferns, decaying logs, and tree trunks fading into the fog
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Why so facinated With all things ghoulish? Skulls and and movies Things that jump out of the Dark? Horror is a rehearsal For the Dark of the Year For thinning of the Veil For the Final Rest. We are scared so we are not Scared. #31DaysOfHalloween #Samhain #Poety #WitchSky #MickPic
The image shows gothic Halloween and seasonal tabletop decor, including a black crow perched on a carved skull, winged skull figures, and crystal ball accents on a retail shelf.
The selected region shows the Custer National Cemetery located at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Crow Agency, Montana.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
#PalacesAndGardens, by #MrCalvin "A new theme #WhatsNext? and you forget your best friend? So how about #DogHouse? (Cat House? Oh, nope.) Your favorite furry, feathered, or scaley friend must certainty have a cool hut you have customized." #CalvinWasHere 💝 #DogsOfBluesky #MickPic #HouseIsNotAHome
The image shows a tan dog lying upside down on a couch with its paws up in the air, displaying a classic sighthound-style or slender-build frame Belgian Malinois-Labrador mix, often called a "Belgiador," is a high-energy, intelligent, and loyal hybrid, blending the intense work ethic of a Malinois with the friendly, driven nature of a Labrador. They typically weigh 40–80 lbs and require substantial daily mental and physical stimulation to prevent destructive boredom. These dogs are highly trainable, often suiting active owners, search and rescue, or protection roles, but they require consistent, firm, and early training due to their potential for high-drive, protective, or intense behavior.The image shows a tan and brown medium-sized dog with a graying or white muzzle looking out through a flexible vinyl flap of a pet door installed in a sliding glass or exterior patio door.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
#PalacesAndGardens #WhatsNext? "This one may have been done already, but how about #NatureReclaimed or #ReclaimedByNauture?" -mick #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #Oregon #WashingtonState #Woods #Forest #Trees #NatureWins
Old, abandoned house, half claimed by the woods and bushes.Rusted out car, overgrown by trees and vines.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
#PalacesAndGardens theme we get to suggest #WhatsNext? "How about #NewMoney? Those lumber or newspaper barons with newly acquired riches, but still learning taste. The Molly Brown House, Denver." -mick #Photography #MickPic #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #Denver
The image shows the front steps and exterior facade of the Molly Brown House Museum (also known as the House of Lions) located at 1340 Pennsylvania Street in Denver, Colorado.

Key Details

• Location: Capitol Hill neighborhood, Denver, Colorado
• Significance: The historic 1889 Victorian home of American philanthropist, activist, and Titanic survivor Margaret "Molly" Brown.
• Notable Features: Distinctive stone and brick masonry, a red-tiled roof, an ornate wraparound porch, and stone lion statues flanking the front staircase.
The image shows a stone sphinx statue guarding the porch of the Molly Brown House Museum located at 1340 Pennsylvania St in Denver, Colorado.
 Added text reads: "Hey! Riddles up here!"
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
#31DaysOfHalloween "Our pumpkins have witchy hats this year. Big thanks to roommate for the extra decoration touches. Just outside our door." -mick #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #Samhain #Oregon
The image shows a black jack-o'-lantern luminary wearing a pointed witch's hat and glowing with an internal orange light.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
#PalacesandGardens #WhatsNext "How about #LastWords? Final resting place or palace of a famous or known person. Maybe include last words. I don't always go for the joke, and as an old man this is forward on my mind." -mick #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #California
Text reads: NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL GROVE
WE MUST CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER AS A NATION TO FURTHER OUR PROGRESS AGAINST THIS DEADLY EPIDEMIC AND WHILE WE DO SO WE MUST REMEMBER THAT EVERY PERSON WHO IS LIVING WITH HIV OR AIDS IS: SOMEONE'S SON OR DAUGHTER BROTHER OR SISTER PARENT OR GRANDPARENT THEY DESERVE OUR RESPECT AND THEY NEED OUR LOVE
PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON
The image shows the 7-ton Sierra granite boulder at the main portal entrance of the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California.
• Location: de Laveaga Dell in eastern Golden Gate Park
• Inscription: Features a quote by President Bill Clinton and details about its designation as a national memorial
• Designation: Created in September 1991 and signed into a U.S. National Memorial in November 1996
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
#PalacesandGardens #WhatsNext "If I'm understanding the assignment correctly, we are supposed to suggesting the next topic? How about #WHAT? as in #WhatWereTheyThinking? 'Dare to Fail' you can only see six floors up. Or a business name that looks like a feminine care product name." #MickPic #PDX
The image shows the "Dare to Fail" rooftop mural painted by artist It's a Living (Gabriel Alcala) in downtown Portland, Oregon, located near the corner of SW 11th Avenue and Harvey Milk Street (with Powell's Books visible in the background)Text reads: "TANPEX"
"Why it is not always wise to mix business and city name."
 (Hint: It looks like Tampax.)
The image shows the storefront of TANPDX, a former tanning and teeth-whitening salon located at 1511 SW 12th Ave in Portland, Oregon.
Naming a local business after a city code or abbreviation (like "PDX" for Portland) can backfire for several reasons:
• Geographic Expansion Limits: If the business wants to open a branch in another city or state, the name instantly becomes out-of-place and confusing to new customers.
• Domain and Trademark Issues: Local acronyms are often hard to trademark broadly or secure clean, matching digital handles and domain names.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
#7SyllableSentence #7SyllableSquad #Chill You can chill in sun or shade. #MickPic #MickTrip
The image depicts a serene beach scene where a person wrapped in a patterned blanket sits on a rock, facing away from the camera and looking out toward the ocean. They are positioned in the cool, shaded foreground of the beach, right next to a small, detailed sandcastle built in the sand.
Beyond the shadow line, the beach transitions into bright, sunlit golden sand, leading down to the wide, blue shoreline. Soft white waves are rolling in from the ocean under a clear sky, creating a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
How charming.
Snow carved through a road to Lassen Volcanic Park. I measured it at about six feet.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
#31DaysOfHalloween #Moon "Full moon photo by me some years ago with the good camera near North Hillsboro. Unsure where original joke came from, so I can't cite a credit." -mick #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #MickTrip #RoadTrips #Oregon #WitchSky #BlueskyWitches
Photo shows an orange full moon rising over the hills. Text over picture reads:

SAMHAIN

A GAELIC WORD MEANING 'SUMMER'S END' IT IS PRONOUCED:

'SOW-IN' IN IRELAND.

'SOW-EEN' IN WALES.

'SAV-EN' IN SCOTLAND.

And "Give Me Candy!" in America.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
#7syllablesquad #7syllablesentence #Rain There is no "bow" without "rain". #MickPic #MickTrip
Along side a road, a lake and receding clouds. Mist in the air. A rainbow has formed, with a half-seen second rainbow over it, a shadow, a rumor of a rainbow.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Excerpt from "The Witch and the Tsar" ― Olesya Salnikova Gilmore for #BlueBrewBooks, my current read and an excellent choice for #31DaysOfHalloween. #Photography #MickPic #PNW #WCK #ECK #TheGrotto #TheGoddess
Picture shows a tile representation of the holy Mother, Mary, at the Grotto, a Sanctuary in Portland.

Text reads: "“My usual reaction to icons was a stab of jealousy. This god was exalted, celebrated in resplendent wealth; my gods were forgotten, prayed to in shameful, guilt-ridden secrecy. He had triumphed while my gods had lost. But Our Lady of Vladimir was different. Though I was a stranger in this church, a heathen, the Lady seemed to speak to me, to convey such tender sorrow, such a depth of suffering, that I wanted to weep. I realized why the Lady was suddenly so dear to me; she reminded me of my mother.”
― Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, The Witch and the Tsar
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
What is the story behind the story? I’ve dropped little hints and tidbits about the novel that my friend and I self-published twenty years ago. This is a condensed history that led to that, and a short clip of one of the characters, Figment, talking about telling stories around #TheCampfire. (alt)
 Picture shows a scene of a far off shore. The sky is green and sickly. Four characters are on the deck of a ship. In the foreground: a dark warrior kneeling over his sword. In the background: An older woman looks on. The mage stands by, and the wizard seems pleased with his handiwork. It is a moment of anticipation.
****************************************************************

Cover to the novel BLACKSENT: Boof of The Umbra, by Michael A LaFlamme and Michael D. Poe
 Cover art by Angela Sasser

*****************************************************************

 Short excerpt from book on story telling around the campfire:

“I take it you have a story to spin?”
	“Oh, so many. So many. Where to begin?” The mage tapped his front tooth with a fingernail. “‘Once upon a time?’ ‘A long time ago, in a …kingdom far away?’ Nah! Those are how you start children’s stories. It’s dark now and children sleep. Grownups forget about stories in the daytime. But I think it’s why they stay up late. They want to remember and can only do that when the sun goes down. Why else do they tell stories around a campfire? So, anyway, I have a different way of starting my stories.”
	He paused. A branch in the flames crackled slightly, releasing a few glowing embers into the air. In the distance, a kyote barked a lonely howl.
“Listen,” Figment said, “the night is here…”

  Picture shows a man dressed in light, violet robes with swirling mists at his feet and around him. He holds a staff with feathers and a small crystal on the end. He has a goatee and is bald. He is grinning, a travelling wizard.
Commissioned art by Sam Hogg of Jeffery Barker as his character Zandor, a wizard from the novel, BLACKSENT.

******************************************************************  
We were young creatives, fifty-three years ago in Muskegon, Michigan.  Aspiring comic book artists, singers, tellers of tall tales, with big personalities and more ambition than experience.  We were all almost instant friends.  We worked together: Michael, Jeffery, Scott, me and some others to put out a self-published comic. (We called them 'zines' back in those days.)  It never went far, but it was more about having fun and fellowship. We would gather at Denny's after a movie and chat about stories to the middle of the night and into mid-morning sometimes.
    We would also play D&D: Wizards, warriors, mages, and paladin.  Those games helped to inspire the stories for the comics, and eventually those comics worked their way into the novel BLACKSENT: Book of The Umbra. Though their names are not on the title page of our book, their input and late-night tales were essential to its creation.
    I’ve been thinking of our little group of creatives, recently, probably because that is the job of old men. But especially of Jeffery, who passed on 8 years ago. He created the character of Zandor, a wizard. Though Zandor and BLACKSENT were fictional, Jeffery was a mystic in every way.  He lived his life as a series of possibilities, potential, and wonder. Nature was his church; trees, rivers and lakes, his sacramental pool; love, his holy book. 
   Picture shows three guys, two kneeling over a map and pointing in different directions, the third guy standing and pointing in a different direction too. 
Three old friends, dressed as their characters from a book, undecided on which way to go next. Picture shows three guys, two sitting one standing, dressed in identical T-shirts with the logo "Blacksent.com" printed on them. One guy is holding the Book in mention.  
Jeffery, Michael, and I at a convention ages ago selling our book.
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Mick @mickpic.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
#Abstractia #ArtChallenge Mon 05 Oct prompt #EYES "It is such a wonder to be owned by a dog, to look into the eyes of this amazing creature, and to know that they are looking back and recognizing another soul." -mick #MickPic #MrCalvin #DogsOfBluesky 💝
The images show close-up views of a brown and black-muzzled dog's face, focusing on its textured black nose and dark, expressive brown eyes.
• Facial Features: The dog has a short tan coat with dark pigmentation around the eyes and muzzle.
• Breed Possibilities: Based on appearance, it shares visual characteristics with mixed breeds like a hound or cur mix, though a definitive breed identification is difficult from photos alone.
Belgian Malinois-Labrador mix, often called a "Belgiador," is a high-energy, intelligent, and loyal hybrid, blending the intense work ethic of a Malinois with the friendly, driven nature of a Labrador. They typically weigh 40–80 lbs and require substantial daily mental and physical stimulation to prevent destructive boredom. These dogs are highly trainable, often suiting active owners, search and rescue, or protection roles, but they require consistent, firm, and early training due to their potential for high-drive, protective, or intense behavior.
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