cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/2265319

Some highlights:

The earthworks, an archipelago of eight sites sprinkled through central and southwestern Ohio, were built 1,600 and 2,000 years ago by the Hopewell tradition, a sophisticated network of Native American cultures that extended from southern Canada to Florida.

The earthworks are the largest set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world, many extending for hundreds of feet in the shape of circles, squares, or animals. Some are built in alignment with the movements of the sun and moon.

...

The eight sites include the Great Circle and Octagon Earthworks in Licking County, the Fort Ancient Earthworks in Warren County, and the Mound City Group, Hopewell Mound Group, Hopeton Earthworks, Seip Earthworks, and High Bank Works in Ross County.

...

As white settlers moved into Ohio after the Revolutionary War, many destroyed parts of the earthworks. Some plowed mounds under to plant crops; other earthworks were destroyed by railroads or canals built through them.

But others were saved by landowners, including the eight World Heritage sites.

...

The World Heritage designation didn’t come without some controversy. The Octagon Earthworks near Newark is on a country club golf course, and in 2018 the Ohio History Connection, as the state’s historical society, used its eminent-domain powers to break its lease with the country club.

The country club sued, claiming the Ohio History Connection low-balled its offer to break the lease. In 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the History Connection could break the lease, but there’s still ongoing legal action about how much money the country club should be compensated.

...

The Great Circle Earthworks today are surrounded by a residential neighborhood, as well as a sprawl of businesses along nearby State Route 79. But inside the Great Circle, it’s easy to forget about those modern distractions, said Sarah Hinkelman, the site’s manager.

“I think that’s exactly what it was intended to be,” Hinkelman said. “A sacred space, very separate from the everyday.”

❤️

I haven't been to any of the mounds in 20+ years, definitely past time for another visit!

Some highlights:

The earthworks, an archipelago of eight sites sprinkled through central and southwestern Ohio, were built 1,600 and 2,000 years ago by the Hopewell tradition, a sophisticated network of Native American cultures that extended from southern Canada to Florida.

The earthworks are the largest set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world, many extending for hundreds of feet in the shape of circles, squares, or animals. Some are built in alignment with the movements of the sun and moon.

...

The eight sites include the Great Circle and Octagon Earthworks in Licking County, the Fort Ancient Earthworks in Warren County, and the Mound City Group, Hopewell Mound Group, Hopeton Earthworks, Seip Earthworks, and High Bank Works in Ross County.

...

As white settlers moved into Ohio after the Revolutionary War, many destroyed parts of the earthworks. Some plowed mounds under to plant crops; other earthworks were destroyed by railroads or canals built through them.

But others were saved by landowners, including the eight World Heritage sites.

...

The World Heritage designation didn’t come without some controversy. The Octagon Earthworks near Newark is on a country club golf course, and in 2018 the Ohio History Connection, as the state’s historical society, used its eminent-domain powers to break its lease with the country club.

The country club sued, claiming the Ohio History Connection low-balled its offer to break the lease. In 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the History Connection could break the lease, but there’s still ongoing legal action about how much money the country club should be compensated.

...

The Great Circle Earthworks today are surrounded by a residential neighborhood, as well as a sprawl of businesses along nearby State Route 79. But inside the Great Circle, it’s easy to forget about those modern distractions, said Sarah Hinkelman, the site’s manager.

“I think that’s exactly what it was intended to be,” Hinkelman said. “A sacred space, very separate from the everyday.”

❤️

I haven't been to any of the mounds in 20+ years, definitely past time for another visit!

Porcine Incredible Genius Museum Of Modern Art

should probably preface by saying that comedy is one of my special interests, improv and stand-up comedy being my favorite flavors

I saw a thing in the paper today about a local comedy collective offering classes.

From the snooping I've done online, it seems like it's led by a guy who did comedy elsewhere but now lives here in rural shit-hole Ohio and is trying to create a community for it. It's a PoC leading it, which instantly gives me more faith in the endeavor.

The pictures they've posted from previous improv workshops give me the impression that these are my favorite flavors of weirdos.

But - presumably like most of you? - I am a very specific flavor of strange that most people don't like, and tbqh, I'm going through an particularly difficult period in which a strong dose of negative feedback could be extremely harmful.

but I'm also desperately lonely and struggling to figure out if there's anywhere I fit in at all anywhere in the world

Engaging with this opportunity seems like a big risk - maybe I could meet some people with similar interests with whom I could get along, but maybe also I could feel terribly rejected in a way that might be horrifically harmful for me right now

I tried to bring it up with my husband in the hope that I could get him to do it with me, but before I even got that far in the conversation, he was scoffing at the very existence of the class, so I feel like a real dumbass for even being interested

is this stupid?

yeah you are 🤩 you're amazing

I have become allergic to some component of the dust in my environment, and when it directly contacts my skin, I get an almost instantaneous rash that gets worse the longer I ignore the itch and wait to remove the hoodie/shirt/socks/whatever (or stop petting the dog) that collected dust that then touched my skin.

like, actual huge visible welts, and they Itch like fire omfg, but they go away in 15-20

I thought it was something from the chickens or guineas, but then I reshuffled some ancient stored stuff in the basement that hasn't been touched since long before they arrived, and it broke me out so fucking bad! It looked like someone had been whipping my forearms, it was nuts.

I have never seen anything visible on my skin or on my clothes to show what is causing it. If I am obsessive about cleaning my dog and my floors and not letting anything sit out before it goes on me and not letting anything I'm going to wear to bed touch any other furniture, then it's fine, but that's exhausting

idk what the point of this is. Have you suddenly become allergic to anything? What was it and how is that going for you?

Their crazy songs are one of my favorite things about living in a rural area. They sound like a roving dog rave! So much yipping and screaming, so much energy, it's thrilling every time I hear them.

What crazy shit are they getting up to out there?!? Why do they sometimes sound like they're just a roving party and other times like they're the actual Wild Hunt?!

I know they want to eat my chickens, guineas, and probably also my cats, but they're just having such a good time out there that I can't be mad about it.

He is so much cooler than I will ever be, jfc

I read it as fart/fart noise

Someone Very Close to Me apparently reads it as blowing a puff of air or a kiss (even though there's 🌬️ and 😘), or going really fast, or sending something, and doesn't think Fart at all

this leads to frequent text messages that are meant to be very sweet or indicate haste but at first glance read to me as full of farts

It's Amazing 😂

What does 💨 mean to you?

Do you have a different interpretation of another emoji someone you know uses often?

of course, the weight of hellworld always gets to me eventually (whether it takes a couple minutes or a couple hours)

and dealing other humans can be Challenging

and my aging Elder Millennial body seems to like to be difficult

BUT before all that oppresses my spirit, I am cheerful as fuck, singing to my pets, chattering to myself, giggling about nothing

Where's my Sunny Disposition Crew?

Hello, cis mom of trans kid here with a question about medical care.

Do any of you cross state lines to receive care in a less restrictive state? Could you speak on that at all or point me towards any resources about it?

Ohio is trying hard to ban hrt, but I will drive his ass to Michigan for every appointment before I let DeWine decide my son's fate.

I know once he's an adult next summer, he can do diy if he needs to, and I saw some links here about that while I was searching for posts and comments about crossing state lines. It doesn't seem like something I should help him with while he's a minor, though, considering the climate. I fear my bigoted family reporting us and the state making an example of us.

Thank you ❤️