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upperhallpond.bsky.social
Upperhallpond
@upperhallpond.bsky.social
860 followers 910 following 980 posts
Outdoors! Walking the dogs. Open water and Ice fishing. Snow sports, ski, snowshoe, microspike mountain climbing (East Coast mountains).
Independent!
Gardening, yard work, fixing things, projects, maple sugaring.
Retired child advocate!
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upperhallpond.bsky.social
Out on the lake this morning.
Inside my portable bob house.
See the skaters in the distance.
The image shows a frozen lake surface with a freshly drilled circular hole for ice fishing. Dark green water is visible through the hole, and the surrounding ice is dusted with snow and ice shavings. Part of an ice-fishing setup appears around it, including a flasher fish finder, a red bucket at the top right, and a bit of red gear at the bottom. A wide, wintry scene shows a frozen lake covered in fresh snow under a gray, foggy sky. Several sets of footprints cross the foreground toward the distance. Scattered darker patches/holes appear in the snow on the ice, and far away near the tree-lined shore there are a few small figures ice skating, fresh snow give a very white landscape.
January 17, 2026 at 5:57 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Dreaming of warmer times, seeing the fruits of our work is a brief respite from winters cold rain on snow and ice.
A sunny outdoor garden scene on a grassy hillside. In the foreground, a small fenced planting bed contains tall green corn stalks with tassels and a cluster of sunflowers with bright yellow-orange petals and dark centers. Behind the garden is an open lawn that slopes down toward dense, leafy trees and shrubs, creating a lush green woodland backdrop.
January 15, 2026 at 9:12 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
By the early 70s, after hordes of immigrants brought disease and death to the natives, had entered the country through open borders. The immigrants were becoming increasingly violent toward the natives.
viewing a webpage on **bountyfilm.org**. The page title/logo at the top left reads **“Bounty”** in red script, with a link underneath: **“Return to e-book introduction.”** On the left is a navigation sidebar for **“03 The Six Anglo-Abenaki Wars”** and the section **“The First Anglo Abenaki War.”** Menu items include: - Introduction - Guidance for Teaching - **Deeper Dive: More on Pometacomet’s Resistance** (highlighted/selected) - Referenced Accounts - (More items below, including “Introduction to Chapter” and links for the Second through Sixth Anglo-Abenaki Wars) On the right is the main text, discussing events around **1675–1676** in colonial New England, including attacks by Wampanoags and Nipmucs, executions of Native captives on **Boston Common**, the exile of Christian Indians to Boston Harbor Islands, and the capture and execution of **Canonchet** (a Narragansett leader), with his body displayed in Hartford.
January 15, 2026 at 1:20 AM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
A peek at NH snowmobile trail.
Fair conditions for now waiting for more snow. Sure is pretty and a real sense of wilderness.
January 14, 2026 at 4:22 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Nest?
🤔
Took the picture from a snowmobile trail in NH. The trees are beach trees, hint!
A quiet winter woodland scene. The ground in the foreground is covered in smooth white snow with a few thin twigs poking through. Tall, leafless trees with pale gray trunks stand close together, their bare branches forming a web against the sky; a few dark clumps of leaves or nests cling high in some branches. Beyond the trees, low rolling hills stretch across the background, and above them is a cold blue sky with patches of light gray clouds.
January 13, 2026 at 8:03 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Newfound lake, Hebron NH
A wide winter landscape viewed from a hillside lookout: snow covers the foreground and leafless trees fill the slopes, with a tall evergreen on the left framing the scene. In the middle distance, a long lake winds through dark forest. Beyond it, layered mountain ridges stretch across the horizon under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.
January 12, 2026 at 10:42 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
He’s checked all the boxes.
a better word than fascism Finding a "better" word for fascism often depends on whether you are looking for a more precise political term or a general synonym to describe authoritarian behavior. More Precise Political Terms Authoritarianism: A broader term for a government that values strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom, without necessarily sharing fascism's specific revolutionary or nationalist myths. Totalitarianism: Describes a system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life. Ultranationalism: Specifically identifies the extreme, often xenophobic, devotion to one's nation that is a core component of fascist ideology. Autocracy: Refers to a system of government by one person with absolute power. Corporatism: A technical term sometimes used to describe the fascist economic model, where society is organized into "corporations" (major interest groups) subordinate to the state. General Synonyms for Descriptive Use Despotism: Often used to describe the exercise of absolute power in a cruel or oppressive way. Tyranny: Suggests an arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power, particularly by a cruel ruler. Absolutism: Describes a political theory and form of government where unlimited, complete power is held by a centralized individual. Illiberalism: A more modern term for systems that may have elections but lack the protections of a "liberal democracy," such as freedom of speech or an independent judiciary. Contextual Considerations The term "fascism" is frequently debated for its accuracy in modern contexts. For instance: Palingenetic Ultranationalism: Scholars like Roger Griffin define fascism specifically as "palingenetic ultranationalism," meaning a myth of national rebirth following a period of perceived decline. Neofascism: This is the preferred term for post-WWII movements that incorporate significant elements of original fascist ideology.
January 12, 2026 at 1:03 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Is he a time traveler?
A specter infesting our living world.
This screen shot is from 1911 Concord NH city government.
Is that Steven in 1911?🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️
December 28, 2025 at 12:38 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Nearly frozen brook. Rory the Irish setter in the background
A small mountain brook winds through a snowy forest, tumbling over rocks that are rimmed with clear ice. Icicles hang from stones and branches at the water’s edge, and thin sheets of ice glaze the shallows. The ground is patchy with snow, scattered with brown leaves and mossy boulders. Bare deciduous trees mingle with dark evergreens under a cold, blue winter light. On the right bank, a Rory stands alert among the trees, overlooking the frozen cascade. The scene feels quiet and crisp, with the gentle movement of water beneath the ice.
December 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Beavers are amazing. This is their farming at work! The tree provides winter food, she brings the branches to the pond and submerges them in the mud for winter storage.
Yes they eat
A close-up of a tree trunk at ground level in the snow. The bark has been removed in a wide band around the base, revealing pale tan wood covered with overlapping, scalloped tooth marks. The pattern and conical shaping look like beaver gnawing. Dark outer bark remains around the edges, and small wood chips are scattered nearby. A snowy forest scene. The ground is covered in a thin blanket of snow with scattered twigs and brush poking through. Two long, slender logs lie parallel across the snow, their ends sharply tapered and rough, having been gnawed off by a beaver. Small stumps and wood chips are nearby, and faint tracks mark the snow. In the background, a mix of leafless deciduous trees and dark evergreens stand close together, with low winter sunlight casting long shadows. A quiet winter woodland scene. The ground is blanketed in uneven snow, with patches of dry brown brush and twigs poking through. Tall, leafless trees stand throughout, with a few dark green evergreens scattered among them. In the midground, a frozen, snow-covered beaver dam and pond is crossed by several fallen logs. Distant, wooded hills rise in the background. The sky is partly cloudy, with a bright break in the clouds letting pale sunlight spill across the landscape, casting soft, cool tones over the scene. A small pine sapling stands at the right foreground. * Beavers are herbivores. They primarily eat: * - Inner bark (cambium), twigs, leaves, buds, and new shoots of deciduous trees—especially aspen/poplar, willow, cottonwood, birch, alder, and maple * - Aquatic and shoreline plants such as water lilies, cattails, pondweeds, sedges, and grasses * Seasonal pattern: * - Spring–summer: more herbaceous plants, leaves, and fresh shoots * - Fall: cut branches to build underwater food caches near the lodge * - Winter: eat the bark and twigs from those cached branches * They use large wood mainly for building dams and lodges; they don’t eat fish or meat.
December 21, 2025 at 8:38 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
New beaver pond iced over
A quiet winter woodland with a shallow beaver pond frozen over in a smooth, bluish sheet of ice. Bare trees rise from and around the ice, their reflections faintly visible. A fallen tree trunk stretches across the frozen surface toward the center of the scene, with thin branches splayed out. Patches of snow and scattered leaves dot the ice, and a pale blue sky peeks through the trees, giving the scene a cold, still atmosphere. A winter woodland scene with snow on the ground and leafless trees. In the foreground, a yellow birch tree has been heavily gnawed at the base, leaving a smooth, conical “pencil point” shape typical of beaver chewing. The main trunk splits into several stems, one of which is now leaning sharply where it was almost completely cut through. Nearby is a short, fully chewed stump. Soft morning light and a pale blue sky complete the quiet, cold atmosphere.
December 20, 2025 at 10:59 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Ice fishing in the morning and skiing in the afternoon.
Gotta love winter!
A quiet winter scene on a frozen pond. A gray-and-blue pop‑up ice fishing shelter sits on the snow, with footprints leading to it across the ice. Nearby are a red bucket filled with gear, a shovel, and a blue ice auger partly buried in the snow beside a hole. The sky is overcast, and a dark green line of pine trees borders the distant shoreline with low hills and a few buildings faintly visible. The ice surface looks slightly slushy in spots. A quiet winter woodland scene. A narrow, snow-covered ski trail runs up a gentle rise and disappears into a darker stand of trees. The foreground snow is tracked with footprints and a single narrow groove ski track, with scattered leaves and twigs on the surface. On both sides of the path are small saplings holding onto copper-brown leaves, while taller evergreens and bare deciduous trees frame the scene. A tree stump sits to the right. The light is soft and overcast, giving the landscape a calm, muted feel.
December 17, 2025 at 10:10 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Thank you, I will do that on my skis
A quiet winter scene shows a snow-covered trail running straight through a forest. Bare deciduous trees and a few evergreens line the path, their branches dusted with fresh snow. Footprints and two parallel tracks run along the trail, leading into the distance. Light snow appears to be falling, and two dogs are visible ahead on the path. The overall mood is calm and wintry.
December 12, 2025 at 1:18 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Winter in all its glory has gripped this land in ice and snow. Water locked in motion until the spring melt.
This is the outflow brook from a series of beaver ponds.
A quiet winter forest scene shows a small stream frozen into a smooth, silvery ribbon of ice winding between snowbanks. Evergreen and bare deciduous trees stand closely together, their trunks dark against the bright snow. Rounded mounds of snow cap rocks and fallen logs along the banks, and a few delicate shrubs poke through the powder. Soft daylight filters through the branches, casting faint shadows on the ice. In the distance the woods thicken, with scattered brown leaves still clinging to some trees, adding a touch of color to the otherwise white and gray landscape.
December 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
The 1850s were at testing time for the US. We had some bad presidents, Franklin Pierce and then James Buchanan (Mar 4, 1857 – Mar 4, 1861) who was one of the worse.
Historians generally rank James Buchanan among the worst U.S. presidents. He failed to manage the escalating sectional crisis and did little to prevent secession after Lincoln’s 1860 victory. Key points - Dred Scott and sectionalism: He publicly welcomed the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision (1857) and informally encouraged a broad ruling. The decision inflamed tensions and undercut political compromise. - Kansas crisis: Buchanan backed the pro‑slavery Lecompton Constitution for Kansas, splitting the Democratic Party and worsening “Bleeding Kansas.” Congress ultimately blocked it; Kansas entered as a free state in 1861. - Panic of 1857: Faced with a sharp economic downturn, he favored limited federal action, hard‑money policies, and low tariffs. Critics saw this as inadequate. - Utah War (1857–58): Sent troops to replace Brigham Young as territorial governor. The conflict ended in negotiation and amnesty—no large battles—but was costly and dubbed “Buchanan’s Blunder.” - Foreign affairs: Some modest successes (e.g., Paraguay expedition securing an apology/indemnity; defusing the San Juan “Pig War” with Britain), but overshadowed by domestic turmoil. - Secession crisis (1860–61): Declared secession illegal but claimed the federal government lacked constitutional power to coerce states. Took minimal steps to reinforce federal forts; a resupply attempt (Star of the West) failed. Several cabinet members resigned; late replacements (e.g., Joseph Holt, Edwin M. Stanton) were stronger Unionists but came too late. - Corruption/patronage: The Covode Committee (1860) investigated administration corruption and patronage practices, further damaging his standing. Bottom line: Buchanan’s legalistic, nonconfrontational approach and alignment with pro‑slavery positions left him ill‑equipped for a national crisis. His inaction during the secession winter and misjudgments over Kansas are central reasons he’s typically ranked last or near last by scholars.
December 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Our founding father himself George Washington consistently ordered the Continental Army to treat prisoners of war with humanity and kindness
This is a true warrior ethos!
It is a model for today.
George Washington consistently ordered the Continental Army to treat prisoners of war with humanity and kindness, a policy he implemented from the beginning of the war.  His stance was rooted in a belief that the American forces should conduct themselves according to the "rights of humanity" and the accepted customs of war among civilized nations, in stark contrast to the brutal example set by the British army and Hessian mercenaries in their treatment of American captives.  Key instances and quotes include: * Order to Colonel Benedict Arnold (September 14, 1775): Washington issued specific rules for the troops attacking Canada, including a directive that "Any Prisoners who may fall into your Hands, you will treat with as much Humanity and kindness, as may be consistent with your own Safety and the publick Interest". * After the Battle of Trenton (December 1776): Following the capture of nearly a thousand Hessian soldiers, Washington ordered his men to treat them humanely. He explicitly stated, "Let them have no reason to Complain of our Copying the brutal example of the British army in their Treatment of our unfortunate brethren who have fallen into their hands". * General Policy: Washington aimed to show the world that Americans were a civilized people, and his policy of humanitarianism extended to ensuring captured officers were treated with respect appropriate to their rank. He actively worked throughout the war to establish a general cartel for prisoner exchange based on "principles of justice humanity and mutual advantage".  His orders were a significant factor in establishing an American tradition of humane treatment for prisoners of war
December 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Irish Setter side eye😀
A cozy living room scene with two dogs lounging. In the foreground, a long‑haired reddish-brown dog (Irish Setter) is sitting upright in a plush gray recliner draped with a dark blue blanket, gazing off to the side. In the background, a white armchair holds a sleeping spotted dog (English setter). The room is dimly lit with dark wood doors and trim, and there’s a cup or candle at the bottom edge of the frame.
December 8, 2025 at 11:41 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Beaver dam.
A winter forest scene featuring a large beaver dam. Interwoven logs and branches span a narrow stream, all dusted with fresh snow. Patches of dark water and thin ice show through between the sticks. Bare trees and evergreens stand in the background under bright sunlight, which casts long, crisp shadows on the snow. In the foreground, a lichen-speckled tree trunk and a few dry stems poke up from the snow. The overall mood is cold, quiet, and still.
December 6, 2025 at 8:50 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
One of the most climbed mountain in the world Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire. At the top there is a 360° view, just amazing.
Did you know? Mount Monadnock experienced fires in the 1800s, that’s why the mountain's top is bare

www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/94-...
A lone hiker stands on a broad, rocky mountaintop under a low, gray sky. They’re bundled in a tan jacket with the hood up and hold trekking poles, following a crevice across slabs of gray granite streaked with patches of snow and ice. Dark evergreen ridges roll away in the midground, and in the distance a lake and a vast, hazy landscape stretch to the horizon, giving the scene a cold, wind-swept feel. Trail markings are faintly painted on the rock nearby.
November 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Never heard of it, did a search and wow, can’t wait till next years crop to try this delicious drink.
Thanks
November 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Staghorn sumac, native to NH.
Looks like antler velvet
A close-up of a cone-shaped cluster of deep burgundy-red, fuzzy berries/flowers on a leafy shrub. The cluster is dense and velvety, rising from a reddish, slightly hairy stem. Around it are long, pinnate leaves made up of many narrow, serrated leaflets. The plant is set against a green woodland background in bright sunlight. It is the fruiting head of a staghorn sumac.
November 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
I know it’s petty but, I’m so tired of seeing photos of Lindsey Halligan and her hair. Does someone walk in front with a fan or is her hair frozen permanently waving in the wind just like the flag on the moon.
A professional-looking interview scene outdoors. A woman with long, wavy blonde hair walks while speaking, wearing a tailored white textured jacket with gold buttons and small stud earrings. She carries a beige document folder and a smartphone with a dark case. Beside her, a man in a dark suit and light shirt with a patterned tie holds out a handheld microphone toward her and a phone in his other hand. They’re in front of a black metal fence with green trees in the background, suggesting a park or government building setting. The lighting is bright, and there’s a slight breeze moving her hair.
November 23, 2025 at 2:20 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Every time I hear the name Scott Bassett, I think of his name sake.
The man is a loyal hound for dumpy.
A short, low-slung basset hound sits on a leafy path outdoors. It has very long, floppy ears, a wrinkled, droopy face, and soulful eyes. The coat is mostly white with large chestnut-brown patches and light speckling on the muzzle. The dog is wearing a plaid harness, and the background is soft, green foliage, giving a calm, woodland feel.
November 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
1,951 children died from maltreatment in 2022.
How’s your state doing?
See the alt text, there’s a great summary.
It angers me, when I see the data on Child maltreatment fatalities.
Think about how many are currently suffering!
The image is a page titled “Table 2: Child Maltreatment Fatality Trends: 2020–2022.” It lists U.S. states with: - Count 2021 - Count 2022 - Percent change from 2021 to 2022 At the bottom, a national total shows fatalities rose from 1,845 in 2021 to 1,951 in 2022, a 6% increase. Some states have missing data noted (e.g., Arizona, Massachusetts). Notable increases (percent): - Utah +275% (4 to 15) - Oklahoma +93% (15 to 29) - New Jersey +90% (10 to 19) - Michigan +74% (35 to 61) - Washington +63% (19 to 31) - Nevada +44% (27 to 39) - South Dakota +44% (9 to 13) - Illinois +34% (89 to 119) - Alaska +33% (6 to 8) Notable decreases (percent): - Vermont −100% (5 to 0) - New Hampshire −67% (3 to 1) - Oregon −28% (18 to 13) - Kansas −26% (11 to 8) - Virginia −24% (51 to 39) - North Carolina −23% (31 to 24) - New York −17% (126 to 105) - Texas −15% (206 to 176) - Delaware −14% (7 to 6) - Montana −50% (2 to 1) Largest absolute changes: - Biggest increases: Illinois (+30), Michigan (+26), Georgia (+22), Ohio (+17), Oklahoma (+14), Washington (+12). - Biggest decreases: Texas (−30), New York (−21), Virginia (−12), North Carolina (−7), Vermont (−5).
November 14, 2025 at 10:37 PM
upperhallpond.bsky.social
Rory, the red king!
A long‑haired, reddish-brown dog— an Irish Setter—lounges on a plush beige recliner. Its silky coat drapes over its chest and legs, and a thick, feathery tail curls prominently in the foreground. The dog looks back over its shoulder with a calm, slightly curious expression in a cozy indoor setting.
November 12, 2025 at 2:39 PM