rocket_to_neptune

This year during Three Weeks for Dreamwidth, I'm writing about reading as a way of becoming an expert in a given subject. Read Part 1: Introduction to Becoming an Expert, Part 2: Architecture, Part 3: Dance, Part 4: Music, Part 5: Painting, Part 6: Poetry, Part 7: Sculpture, Part 8: Conflict Resolution, Part 9: Cooking, Part 10: Coping Skills, Part 11: Gardening, Part 12: Relationship Skills, Part 13: Repairing, Part 14: Survival Skills, Part 15: Archaeology, Part 16: Biology, Part 17: Chemistry, Part 18: Linguistics.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth Part 19: Meteorology

Meteorology is the science of studying the atmosphere, weather, and climate with an emphasis on weather forecasting and the management of information relating to droughts, floods, fire seasons, and other weather-related phenomena. Related fields include aeronomy, biometeorology, climatology, hydrometeorology, and space weather. All of this relies on accurate data, the acquisition and sharing of which is under attack from multiple angles. Here on Dreamwidth, check out

birdfeeding,

common_nature,

environment,

green_joy,

green_living,

localweather,

science,

scienceworld.

hpdrizzle is a weather-themed Harry Potter fanwork fest.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth April 25-May 15

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ysabetwordsmith

Life is full of things which are hard or tedious or otherwise unpleasant that need doing anyhow. They help make the world go 'round, they improve skills, and they boost your sense of self-respect. But doing them still kinda sucks. It's all the more difficult to do those things when nobody appreciates it. Happily, blogging allows us to share our accomplishments and pat each other on the back.

What are some of the hard things you've done recently? What are some hard things you haven't gotten to yet, but need to do? Is there anything your online friends could do to make your hard things a little easier?

Current Mood: busy

silver_chipmunk

Got up at 10:00 and had breakfast and coffee. Then I showered and dressed and went out to Flushing.

While on the 20 bus I got a phone call from

mashfanficchick. That was nice.

Then I got to Flushing. My goal was to buy some inexpensive but nice things to use as raffle prizes at the Al-anon anniversary on Saturday. I decided to go to Marshalls and see what they had.

So that's what I did. I went to the Skyview Mall and went to Mashalls. I ended up getting three things, a mug, a picture frame, and some bag clips in the shape of cats. A little bit more expensive than I planned but not much.

Then I walked back to the center of Flushing, and stopped to get a pork bun at one of the small shops. I was going to eat it there, but decided to take it home instead. Then I went to Duane Reade for wrapping paper and a small gift bag for the mug.

The escalator was out of order again, so I had to use the elevator (there's no stairs) which is kinda creepy, but no problem. I got my stuff and paid.

Then I went back to the bus stop, stopping at the bank to take out money. I took the bus home, collected my mail from my box and came in.

Some good news in the mail, if I understand the paperwork correctly, my DEXA scan has been paid for by the insurance. If you recall, there was some possible doubt that it would be.

Then I ate my pork bun, which is delicious, but messy. Then I went to the bedroom and lay down. First I played solitaire, then I started reading The King's Peace. I'm almost done now.

At 6ish I came out and got back on the computer and at 7:00 I Teamed the FWiB. We talked til my Al-anon meeting at 8:00.

The meeting was quite good, though M didn't come. S was there though.

After the meeting I had dinner, then went to the bedroom again where I played more solitaire until pet feeding time.

Then I fed the pets and started here. Low key but pleasant day.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Got my shopping done.

3. Delicious pork bun.

4. My meetings and the people there.

5. Good books.

6. Nice day.

Current Mood: cheerful

ysabetwordsmith

Some seas may soon be trapped in near-permanent heatwaves, scientists warn

Seas recover. That’s the working assumption behind most marine conservation planning – heatwaves arrive, fish flee or die, then the water cools and the count resets.

A new study of 19 enclosed seas found that resets after heatwaves may stop happening. Some are on track to spend more than 330 days a year locked in heatwave conditions. Not a temporary extreme. A new permanent state.

This isn't "maybe," this is "definitely." The world's oceans are absorbing carbon dioxide and heat. Those sinks will eventually fill up. The oceans will become much more acidic, large parts will become anoxic, and most of the water will get hotter and stay that way until the climate shifts again. We know this because it has happened before.

Does "The Great Dying" ring a bell? The oceans then became hot and anoxic, wiping about almost everything in them. And it's happening a lot faster now than then. The current mass extinction looks to be faster than anything except the massive meteor strike of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction. This might be considered a problem.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is mostly sunny and warm.

I fed the birds. I've seen a small mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a grackle, and a gray catbird.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 5/12/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 5/12/26 -- I planted a white dogwood in the forest garden. I put a jug over it and mulched around it.

EDIT 5/12/26 -- I covered and mulched around a previously planted persimmon seedling.

EDIT 5/12/26 -- I raked the westernmost of the north-south strips through the prairie garden which will get sown with seeds.

EDIT 5/12/26 -- I planted a persimmon tree along the north edge of the forest garden, covered and mulched it.

EDIT 5/12/26 -- I raked the middle of the north-south strips through the prairie garden which will also get sown with seeds. The easternmost one is meant to be the middle path and kept mowed, although I will also sow that with grass and clover seed rather than wildflowers or native prairie grasses.

EDIT 5/12/26 -- I raked the long east-west strip where the Monarch Butterfly Seed Mix will go. This also contains flowers that bees love, and that strip runs near the bee tree. :D

EDIT 5/12/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 5/12/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I raked the notch at the north edge of the prairie garden where I'll sow flower seed later.

EDIT 5/12/26 -- I raked the eastmost of the north-south paths, which is meant to stay mowed as the cross-cut path across the prairie garden. And that's all five of them done! \o/ *goflopnow*

As it is now dark, I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Contemporary Dual States: Israel, US, Russia, China, Turkey, etc.

As Fraenkel explained it, a lawless dictatorship does not arise simply by snuffing out the ordinary legal system of rules, procedures, and precedents. To the contrary, that system—which he called the “normative state”—remains in place while dictatorial power spreads across society. What happens, Fraenkel explained, is insidious. Rather than completely eliminating the normative state, the Nazi regime slowly created a parallel zone in which “unlimited arbitrariness and violence unchecked by any legal guarantees” reigned freely. In this domain, which Fraenkel called the “prerogative state,” ordinary law didn’t apply.

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Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This year during Three Weeks for Dreamwidth, I'm writing about reading as a way of becoming an expert in a given subject. Read Part 1: Introduction to Becoming an Expert, Part 2: Architecture, Part 3: Dance, Part 4: Music, Part 5: Painting, Part 6: Poetry, Part 7: Sculpture, Part 8: Conflict Resolution, Part 9: Cooking, Part 10: Coping Skills, Part 11: Gardening, Part 12: Relationship Skills, Part 13: Repairing, Part 14: Survival Skills, Part 15: Archaeology, Part 16: Biology, Part 17: Chemistry.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth Part 18: Linguistics

Linguistics is the science of studying language, with related branches into neuroscience (how the brain processes language), anthropology (language as a medium of culture), literature (storytelling), and so forth. Aspects include famous people, historical linguistics, language acquisition, language revitalization, psycholinguistics, and others. Xenolinguistics is the study of alien and/or invented languages. Here on Dreamwidth, check out

1word1day,

conlang,

first_nations_freaks,

language_learning,

linguaphiles,

science,

scienceworld.

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Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

dialecticdreamer is hosting Magpie Monday with a theme of "Apologies." Leave prompts, get ficlets!

It’s the usual, 1k words of plot-ish story, per prompt, with the option of adding at least a hundred words to the count for each of the person’s quick signal boost to point new people this way. I’ll keep the prompt call open until Wednesday night because of the chaos around here, which gives people more time to think of something interesting.

The theme is apologies, and while I’ve included a few in stories, I’d love to explore the kinds of apologies that suit each reader, so feel free to be as specific as needful. Some prefer words, some prefer actions, some prefer a quiet, indirect acknowledgement but not an open discussion. Be as specific as one likes for characters, events, and so on, because there are plenty of events in the existing, posted stories which might require either a first apology or a returning one.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today we went up to Danville to run errands.

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Current Mood: busy

silver_chipmunk

Really nothing. Got up at 10:00, ate breakfast and had coffee.

Then for hours I did nothing but putter on line. Eventually I went and read more in The King's Peace.

There was something really weird going on with my email but not on my phone, only in the actually web based version on the computer. 11 pages of non personal email dated January '99 suddenly appeared in the beginning of my inbox. The current emails were all there, after those 11 pages. I finally deleted them and two more pages appeared. I have no idea what was going on. It was weird and freaky. It's back to normal now.

Anyway, at 7:00 I Teamed the FWiB. We talked for an hour and a half, then got off and I had dinner.

Then I went to the bedroom and texted

mashfanficchick to see if ze had had a chance to see Thursday's 911 yet. Ze had not but was going to soon, and I hope ze will call me afterward.

Then I played solitaire and scrolled Facebook til pet feeding time.

And that was the day.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Good books.

3. Quiet day.

4. Email back to normal.

5. My pets.

6. Friends.

Current Mood: apathetic

ysabetwordsmith

Today is partly sunny and mild.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

Current Mood: busy

pushkin666

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Current Mood: good
Current Location: on my Chandler/Joey chair

ysabetwordsmith

common_nature,

environment,

naturaldyes,

science, and

scienceworld.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth April 25-May 15

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Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Economics
Birdfeeding
Artificial Intelligence
Poem: "How Great You Really Are"
Space Exploration
Birdfeeding
Books
Climate Change
Books
Philosophical Questions: World
Poem: "Restoring Them to Their Former Glory"
Buffalo
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 5-8-26: Muse
Wildlife
Birdfeeding
Moment of Silence: Ted Turner
Low Tech
Community Thursdays
Space Exploration
Birdfeeding

Poem: "Walnut Park" has 46 comments. Early Humans has 22 comments. Philosophical Questions: Pregnancy has 80 comments. Safety has 83 comments.

Last week's Poetry Fishbowl went well. I am still writing.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth is running April 25-May 15. People aim to make a new post each day, or participate in various activities to celebrate the platform.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth April 25-May 15

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Introduction to Becoming an Expert
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Architecture
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Dance
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Music
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Painting
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Poetry
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Sculpture
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Conflict Resolution
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Cooking
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Coping Skills
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Gardening
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Relationship Skills
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Repairing
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Survival Skills
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Anthropology
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Biology

"The Worst Thing in Life" opened and closed within a few days. Quain tries calling his friends to talk about recent accomplishments, but the only person willing to talk with him is someone he hasn't contacted in a couple of years.

"No Faster or Firmer Friendships" has 50 new verses. It belongs to Polychrome Heroics and needs $35 to be complete. Josué reads a funny poem to Maria-Vera.

The weather has been variable here. We got some rain the other day. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a pair of cardinals, a male and a female rose-breasted grosbeak separately, a male Baltimore oriole, a brown thrasher, a blue jay, a gray catbird, and a fox squirrel. Currently blooming: pansies, violas, sweet alyssum, alliums, marigolds, honeysuckle, snapdragons, lantana, million bells, blue lobelia, petunias, portulaca, nemesia, wild chives, wood hyacinths, columbine, peonies, irises, mock orange. Green fruit: mulberries, raspberries.

Current Mood: busy

silver_chipmunk

to any and all mothers of any type.

I didn't sleep too well last night, don't know why. Got up at 10:00 anyway, and had breakfast and coffee.

mashfanficchick called to touch base and we talked awhile. Then I took a shower and washed my hair, and dressed for going to see the Kid.

She called and wished me happy Mother's Day and finally told me where we were eating. A restaurant called Off the Hook. Seafood, mostly.

I went to the Starsky and Hutch creative work session and had a good time chatting, and also got some writing done. I left at 4:00 in order to get to Astoria on time. I stopped at the two discount stores on the way to look for a birthday card for the Kid, and got something.

When I got to the bus stop, I ended up waiting about 15 minutes for the bus, longer than I should have. But I got there on time anyway, even a bit early.

It was just starting to rain when I got off the bus, so I made the decision right then to Uber home.

The restaurant was very good. I had shrimp cocktail, and a warm lobster roll. They were both delicious, as was the Island Punch I had to drink.

After we finished dinner, we walked up a block to an ice cream shop called Ample Hills. I had two scoops of a flavor that I don't remember the name of, but that was coffee and cinnamon. Awfully good.

The rain had pretty much stopped, but I called an Uber anyway, and took that home.

When I got here I Teamed the FWiB. It was close to 7:30 by then, so we were still talking at 8:30 when I had him wait and called Middle Brother. Hes fine, but hasn't done anything interesting. He is looking forward to Memorial Day through.

Talked to the FWiB some more til 9:00, then putter online for a bit. Then went and lay down and played solitaire til pet feeding time.

Fed the pets and started here.

Earlier in the day Pieter started a group chat to wish some of the cousins happy Mother's Day and he included me, so that was nice.

All in all a very nice Mother's Day.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. The Kid. (The best Mother's day gift I ever got... her birthday was two days after Mother's day that year)

3. The Starsky and Hutch fandom.

4. My extended family.

5. Good dinner, and ice cream.

6. Middle Brother is well.

Current Mood: good

pushkin666

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Current Mood: good
Current Location: on my Chandler/Joey chair

ysabetwordsmith

When School Taught Me Basic Finance, Badly

The other day I wrote about the question Who should be teaching kids basic finance? Some point to schools and say schools should be teaching it; others point to parents and say it's their job. I noted that one difficulty with asking schools to do it is that they're already overloaded trying to cover basic academics. (And really the reason they're so overloaded on that is public school teachers end up spending, like, 90% of their time trying to manage behavior problems.) I also noted that schools seems ill equipped to teach it because, at least the one time a school I attended did try to teach basic finance, the whole lesson was basically a fail.

I would say that it's useful to teach basic finance BOTH at home and at school. That way if one skips or does a bad job, the other has a chance to pick up the slack.

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Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is mostly sunny and mild.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches, a blue jay, and a fox squirrel. :D Blue jays are fun.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I planted the pussy willow at the north edge of the savanna.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I picked up sticks in the south lot, but only got as far as the birdgift tree. There were a LOT of sticks and they filled the trolley, which I dumped in the firepit. My partner Doug is out mowing a path around the prairie garden.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I trimmed grass around the small garden beside the maple tree. The burgundy iris is open and smells musky-sweet. :D

We walked around the newly mowed parts of the prairie garden path. Much raking to do before anything can be sown there, but the sowing needs to wait for a rain forecast anyhow.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I've seen a gray catbird at the hopper feeder.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I dug a hole for planting in the west hedge of the savanna.

I've seen a male rose-breasted grosbeak in the forest garden.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I planted the sandbar willow in the west hedge.

My partner Doug re-mowed the south lot.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I watered the recently planted things in the savanna.

I trimmed around the goddess garden. I still need to do a lot of work on that one: installing the goddess statue for the summer, digging out weeds, getting moss rose and thyme to plant.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- We burned off the firepit. \o/

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Generative AI vegetarianism

Hello, it’s me: I’m a generative AI vegetarian.

The tech industry is convinced this is the future; every app on my phone and most of the apps on my computer want me to use their new AI features.

I don’t want any of them. I want to write my own emails. I want to write my own (mediocre) software code. I want to learn and think and ponder with other humans, not with a text-prediction system built by consuming all the text on the internet.

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Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

birdfeeding,

common_nature,

environment,

gardening,

naturaldyes,

petchat,

science, and

scienceworld.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth April 25-May 15

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Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Here are the notes for "How Great You Really Are."

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Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This poem came out of the May 5, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by prompts from my partner Doug,

lone_cat, and

see_also_friend. It also fills the "Family" square in my 5-1-26 card for the Greek Myth Fest. This poem has been posted in memory of Shirley Barrette. It belongs to the Antimatter and Stalwart Stan thread of the Polychrome Heroics series.

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Current Mood: busy

silver_chipmunk

Today marks a year since Oldest Brother died. I got up at 9:00, had breakfast and coffee, and took a shower and dressed.

I left fr my Al-anon meeting just after the mail had been delivered so I collected mine from the box but didn't have time to read it. I put it inside my front door and then went off to my meeting.

I was the speaker today. I didn't do that deliberately when I agreed speak today, but when I realized it was the 9th, I was happy I was doing it. I chose the topic of grief. It was very successful and I was told by a lot of people afterward that I was good.

We went to the diner after, I gt a ride with S and G as usual. I also got my usual bacon, egg, and cheese on a toasted English muffin, but I got hot tea, because the weather was so icky it was nice to have hot tea.

The Kid texted while I was there, we are giog to meet at 5:30 tomorrow but she hasn't told me where yet!!

It rained heavily while we were eating but had stopped by the time we left, which was good as I hadn't brought an umbrella with me or a hat. G gave me a plastic rain bonnet she had, so I wore that just in case.

Came home and went to the Starsky and Hutch chat. I missed the episode of course, but enjoyed the chat. We talked til almost 7:30.

Then I Teamed the FWiB. Things were going fine until just after 8:30, when something went wrong with Teams, I think on his end, and kicked us out. We ended up with him phoning me and saying goodbye that way.

Then I read online, and then had a snack. I went to the bedroom and texted

mashfanficchick but ze couldn't talk then. Hopefully ze'll call me later. Then I played solitaire on my phone.

Then it was pet feeding time and I fed the pets, and started here.

One year Oldest Brother has been gone and I miss him every day with every fiber of my being.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. My meetings and the people at them.

3. The opportunity to speak today.

4. The memory of Oldest Brother and the time we had together.

5. The Starsky and Hutch fandom.

6. There was no rain on my way home.

Current Mood: sad

pushkin666

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Current Mood: exhausted
Current Location: on my Chandler/Joey chair

ysabetwordsmith

Surprise! Tiny world with an atmosphere in outer solar system

Astronomers in Japan have just discovered that the tiny world 2002 XV93, orbiting in the icy reaches beyond Neptune, does have a thin atmosphere. That’s despite the fact that this space rock is just some 310 miles (500 km) in diameter. That’s about 7 times smaller than our moon.

The researchers said on May 5, 2026, that they detected the atmosphere when the tiny world passed in front of a star. Using multiple telescopes, they saw that the light from the star gradually faded instead of just suddenly winking. That’s evidence for a thin atmosphere around 2002 XV93.

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Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is mostly sunny and mild. It rained most of yesterday.

I fed the birds. I've seen a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a mourning dove, and a fox squirrel.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 5/9/26 -- We went out to run errands, which included a stop at Rural King for more bagged goods and a few flowers. Sadly they're moving away from the small sizes that I prefer; much of it was big pots and I'm not going spend $15-20 on something I could get elsewhere for $3-4, especially when most of my plantings are mixed. I only bought one big potted thing this season, and that was a pot with 4 different violas (purple-lavender, purple-white, purple-yellow, purple-orange) in it.

We also finished reading Super Smoothies.

EDIT 5/9/26 -- I planted 4 celosia (3 pinkish-red and 1 yellow), a purple wave petunia, and a Bidens flower in the barrel garden. I hadn't seen the Bidens before but it is a yellow-and-orange flower similar to a marigold or coreopsis, so it fits well in the barrel garden. That's almost full -- I've got room to squeeze in a firecracker and maybe some marigolds but that's about it.

A petunia is blooming pale rosepetal pink under the maple tree, and an iris looks to be opening up sort of a chocolate color there too. I'm pleased that the peony has a strong scent; the dark pink one under the apricot tree is nearly scentless.

EDIT 5/9/26 -- I planted 8 yellow marigolds in pots around the new picnic table.

EDIT 5/9/26 -- I dug a whole for an oak seedling at the edge of the savanna.

EDIT 5/9/26 -- I planted a pin oak seedling at the edge of the savanna.

EDIT 5/9/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 5/9/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Bad Ass on a Budget is for Indie Filmmakers

Veteran stuntman and action filmmaker Eric Jacobus (God of War, Man Who Feels No Pain) delivers a tech-agnostic, philosophically grounded roadmap for zero-budget filmmakers to achieve high-impact action by mastering the “human universals” of physiology, psychology, and human relationships.

Badass on a Budget is a masterclass for the “Zero-Budget Action Filmmaker” (ZBAF) by veteran action designer Eric Jacobus, who draws on decades of experience from viral hits (Rope-A-Dope and Blindsided) to indie feature film production (Contour and Death Grip) to global franchises (God of War and Mortal Kombat). Rejecting gear-centric trends, Jacobus focuses on tech-agnostic “human universals”—physiology, psychology, and relationships—to provide a holistic framework for a high-impact “Action Ecosystem” where performance, choreography, camera, and editing work in perfect synergy.

Given the "human universals" I suspect this would work well for writers, artists, etc. who wish to choreograph effective fight scenes. Plus of course, a fun read for anyone who enjoys action flix and is fed up with the overuse of tech. I also like the creative, DIY angle; it reminds me of the book Hang the Cat from Terramagne, which I wish existed in local-Earth.

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Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Climate change is forcing plants to move, but many have nowhere left to go

Plants survive within specific conditions. They depend on temperature, rainfall, and soil.

As climate changes, these conditions shift across geography. Suitable zones move toward the poles or climb to higher elevations.

Plants respond in three ways. They move, adapt, or disappear.

Movement sounds simple, but it is not. Seeds must travel. Landscapes must allow passage. New habitats must exist and support growth.

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Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

11 Reads Starring Queer Asian Americans for AAPI Heritage Month!

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! We’re here with 11 recommendations of books starring queer Asian American characters.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.

What is the most uplifting thing happening in the world right now? What is the most tragic thing?

Most uplifting: The rise of crowdfunded ecological restoration. My favorites include Mossy Earth and Planet Wild. These places let you use your folding vote to push the planet's future toward a better trajectory.

Most tragic: Humanity as a whole is destroying the biosphere. They know why they need to stop. They know what the cost will be if they don't. They know how to fix what they've broken. They just damned well don't want to do it. >_<

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This year during Three Weeks for Dreamwidth, I'm writing about reading as a way of becoming an expert in a given subject. Read Part 1: Introduction to Becoming an Expert, Part 2: Architecture, Part 3: Dance, Part 4: Music, Part 5: Painting, Part 6: Poetry, Part 7: Sculpture, Part 8: Conflict Resolution, Part 9: Cooking, Part 10: Coping Skills, Part 11: Gardening, Part 12: Relationship Skills, Part 13: Repairing, Part 14: Survival Skills.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth Part 15: Archaeology

Archaeology is the science of studying the past, primarily historic human cultures and their artifacts. It overlaps with anthropology, the study of (mostly current) human cultures; and with paleontology, the study of plants and animals from the past. Paleoanthropology is the study of human evolution in particular, one of the more fascinating aspects of the past. Aspects include famous people, famous finds, and important regions. Culture is a delicate issue here, as Europeans have spent centuries trampling over everyone else and often obliterating their past. But other cultures have their own scientists, who have made plenty of valuable contributions. Here on Dreamwidth, consider

archaeology,

first_nations_freaks,

history,

science, and

scienceworld.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth April 25-May 15

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Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Thanks to a donation from

janetmiles, you can now read the rest of "The Worst Thing in Life." Quain finally finds someone to talk with.

Current Mood: busy

silver_chipmunk

I got up at 10:00, had breakfast and coffee, and puttered on the computer for awhile.

Got texts from

mashfanficchick about Dani, who was in a car accident some days ago (I didn't mention here) but went to a neurologist today to be checked out, and is OK for her trip she's taking.

I showered and dressed, and eventually took out a bag of recycling and walked around the block. On the way back in I brought in the mail, including some meds and the letter from Middle Brother's group home about the incident I got the phone call about before. Apparently the anonymous call referred specifically to neglect, but as far as I can tell Middle Brother is doing fine, so I'm not worried.

I got a phone call from my surgeon officially telling me what I already knew, that my mammogram was normal. The email I got had been from the lab.

Around 3:30 I lay down and dozed off, not really falling deeply asleep but drifting off, until 5:00 when I got up and went to my Al-anon meeting in the Bronx.

I had pizza for dinner again as usual, and then the meeting which was very good.

Got a ride to the bus stop from M as usual, didn't have to wait to long for a bus. But when I got to the 25 stop, according to my app there was a 17 minute wait for a bus, so I took an Uber.

Got home and, since I hadn't heard from the FWiB by email I called him. Then we Teamed for about an hour, and all was well.

Fed the pets, and started here. That's about all there was all day.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. My meetings and the people there.

3. Once again, my mammogram was normal.

4. Pizza,

5. Dani OK fr her trip.

6. Bed soon.

Edited to add: Forgot to say, got a text from the Kid. looks like we're getting together on Mother's Day.

Current Mood: good

ysabetwordsmith

This poem is spillover from the May 5, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired and sponsored by

janetmiles. It also fills the "Building" square in my 5-1-26 card for the Greek Myth Fest. This poem belongs to the series Monster House.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: *

ysabetwordsmith

The Trump administration is removing bison herds from public land in Montana

The Trump administration is ordering the removal of hundreds of bison from BLM land in Montana, reversing a 2022 authorization that allowed the nonprofit American Prairie to graze its herds. The bison were allowed to graze on federal land by multiple administrations, including President Donald Trump’s first administration, which faced opposition from some ranchers who preferred the land be used to graze cattle. In a Notice of Proposed Decision issued in January, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that American Prairie’s bison should be managed as wildlife rather than “production-oriented” livestock, making them ineligible for grazing permits under the Taylor Grazing Act.

The hell of it is that buffalo should be recognized as wildlife and thus free to go where they please, just like elk and deer and everything else. But they're not. Every buffalo in America is owned by someone, restricted to land they control, forced to put up with some amount of human interference, and subject to being killed should they stray. That's a problem. It would be bad for any species, but it's especially bad for a keystone species that is urgently needed to fix the human fuckups affecting the Great Plains. >_<

Just in case you hadn't noticed, America is headed for another Dustbowl, and this is one of several reasons why.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

summerofthe69 has its theme poll open. Go vote for your favorite topics in reciprocal smut!

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is cloudy and cool.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 5/8/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 5/8/26 -- I had just gotten started digging a hole to plant things when I had to go deal with other stuff. I realized that I left my trowel out there, and now it's spitting rain so I don't know if I'll get back out. :/

EDIT 5/8/26 -- I planted the white oak seedling at the north edge of the savanna and mulched around it.

It's drizzling, but not enough to stop me.

EDIT 5/8/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

It's up to a light rain now.

I've seen a male cardinal and a gray catbird.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today's theme is Muse.

add_a_writer -- Add A Writer
Connect with other writers.
[Active with one post in May.]

musemostwanted -- Muse Most Wanted - A Home for RP Enablers and the
A place to find canonmates, request muses, and enable others.
[Somewhat active with last post in November 2025.]

museslash -- Museslash
Slash fanfiction based around the members of British rock band Muse.
[Low traffic with last post in December 2024.]

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This year during Three Weeks for Dreamwidth, I'm writing about reading as a way of becoming an expert in a given subject. Read Part 1: Introduction to Becoming an Expert, Part 2: Architecture, Part 3: Dance, Part 4: Music, Part 5: Painting, Part 6: Poetry, Part 7: Sculpture, Part 8: Conflict Resolution, Part 9: Cooking, Part 10: Coping Skills, Part 11: Gardening, Part 12: Relationship Skills, Part 13: Repairing.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth Part 14: Survival Skills

Survival skills make up a large assortment of knowledge and activities that keep people alive in challenging circumstances. Mostly people focus on what is called bushcraft or woodslore -- skills for use in the wilderness. However, survival skills also deal in things like first aid that apply to everyday emergencies; and to things like self-defense needed primarily in settled areas. Aspects include emergency preparedness, food (see my Cooking and Gardening posts; you'll also need foraging and hunting), water, shelter, repair and maintenance (see my Repairing post), health care, historic skills (like fire-starting and flint-knapping), self-defense, and self-sufficiency. Some cultures have retained an emphasis on survival more than others; Mormons recommend storing one year of food for your family. Here on Dreamwidth, there are no dedicated communities for survival but you can find subtopics such as

common_nature,

crafty,

creative_cooks,

gardening, or

renew_repair_refashion.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth April 25-May 15

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

silver_chipmunk

I got up at 10:00 and had breakfast and coffee. Then I showered and dressed, wore one of the new bralettes to try it out. Worked out fine, very comfortable.

Then I killed time on the computer til 1:45 when I left to go to the blood donation center. Took the 20 bus to the subway and the 7 train to the F, and there to 71st Ave and it's right there.

I was early but it didn't make any difference, they got me filling out the form immediately and then took me right in. The donation went easily, and really went fast, I was surprised. The center is very attractive and modern and comfortable.

Afterward I had cookies (chocolate chip, and butter crunch) and juice (cranberry and apple) and chocolate pudding. I felt fine, not even the slight dizziness I have sometimes had after a donation.

After I ate and drank and felt safe to leave I walked to Red Mango, which you pass between the center and the subway. I had passion fruit frozen yogurt with stuff for lunch. The only seating is outside though, and it was a little too windy to be totally enjoyable.

I got home around 5:00, and puttered online, making sure my TV was set up for the finale of 911 and 911:Nashville at 8:00 and 9:00.

At 7:00 I Teamed the FWiB. We talked til just before my shows.

The 911 finale was very nail biting. The Nashville finale was very... soapy. But I enjoyed them both.

I called Middle Brother at 8:30 as usual. He is fine, went out yesterday to a store, I didn't catch what he said, and 7-11 for treats. He's happy.

At 10:00 I fed the pets and made myself dinner, and started here.

And that was the day.

Oh, I have forgotten to say for several days that at 11:30 pm on Monday I got the email with the results of my mammogram and sonogram. They were normal. So all is well on that front.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. The new blood donation center.

3. Red Mango frozen yogurt.

4. Good TV.

5. Middle Brother is happy.

6. The mammogram was good.

Current Mood: cheerful

ysabetwordsmith

svgurl has posted a list of current fandom events in DW communities.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Why are scorpion stings so painful? Metal stingers!

In the scorpion stingers, the researchers found zinc at the tip of the needle-like structure. But many of the scorpions had a sharp transition to manganese below this point.

Meanwhile, in the outer part of the pincers, called the tarsus, the researchers found zinc. In addition, some scorpion pincers also contained iron. Interestingly, the metal only reinforced the cutting edge of the pincer. That’s the side of the tarsus that endures the most stress from struggling prey.

Well no, it's the venom that makes a sting painful. The metal is there for structural support and armor-piercing capacity. Many scorpions hunt primarily chitinous prey and need a way to defeat that armor. It's also why some larger scorpions can sting through heavy cloth or even leather. O_O

Anyhow, this has terrific potential for speculative fiction and speculative evolution. So don't tease people who design species with metallic components, because there is hard science behind how some extant wildlife uses metal.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is partly sunny, breezy, and cool.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches plus a fox squirrel.

I put out water for the birds.

I set out a few potted plants to get some sun.

More white peonies are blooming, along with deep pink ones under the apricot tree.

EDIT 5/7/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I've seen a male Baltimore oriole eating the orange I put out. :D 3q3q3q!!!

EDIT 5/7/26 -- I planted the tulip poplar from Douglas-Hart at the north edge of the savanna. This species hosts multiple moths as well as the tiger swallowtail butterfly.

I've seen a male rose-breasted grosbeak, a male and a female cardinal separately, and a gray catbird.

EDIT 5/7/26 -- I did some bushwhacking to clear the mow space between the flowerbeds and the Midwinter Grove.

EDIT 5/7/26 -- I did more bushwhacking and stick pickup along the path around the prairie garden. I dumped a trolley of sticks into the firepit. There is still one sapling-sized branch too big for me to handle alone. Frustrating.

EDIT 5/7/26 -- We moved the big branch from the prairie garden to the ritual meadow.

I did more work around the patio.

I can see rain to the northwest, so I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Ted Turner has passed away. He is best known for founding CNN, TBS, and TNT but he also created the famous cartoon Captain Planet and the Planeteers.

Carry on the Work

4 Ways to Become an Environmentalist

How to Become an Activist and Advocate for Worthy Causes

How to Become a Broadcast Journalist (with Pictures)

How to Start a Cartoon Show

Institute for Nonprofit News Startup Guide

Current Mood: nostalgic

ysabetwordsmith

This Alberta Startup Sells No-Tech Tractors for Half Price

Ursa Ag, a small Canadian manufacturer, is assembling tractors powered by 12-valve Cummins engines — the same mechanically injected workhorses that powered combines and pickup trucks decades ago — and selling them for roughly half the price of comparable machines from established brands. The 150-horsepower model starts at $129,900 CAD, about $95,000 USD. The range-topping 260-hp version runs $199,900 CAD, around $146,000.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This year I'm doing Community Thursdays. Some of my activity will involve maintaining communities I run, and my favorites. Some will involve checking my list of subscriptions and posting in lower-traffic ones. Today I have interacted with the following communities...

* Posted "Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Repairing" in

renew_repair_refashion.

* Commented on "Just One Thing" in

awesomeers.

* Commented on "May Day Full Flower Moon" in

common_nature.

* Posted "Birdfeeding" in

birdfeeding.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This year during Three Weeks for Dreamwidth, I'm writing about reading as a way of becoming an expert in a given subject. Read Part 1: Introduction to Becoming an Expert, Part 2: Architecture, Part 3: Dance, Part 4: Music, Part 5: Painting, Part 6: Poetry, Part 7: Sculpture, Part 8: Conflict Resolution, Part 9: Cooking, Part 10: Coping Skills, Part 11: Gardening, Part 12: Relationship Skills.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth Part 13: Repairing

Repairing comprises a huge range of skills for maintaining and fixing tools, toys, and anything else that needs care. Most folks think of this regarding big machines like cars, but it used to be the case that small things were designed for repair too, like sewing machines or mixers. Nowadays, much is meant to be disposable, which wastes resources. Repairs may be divided into large equipment, small equipment, toys, and clothes among other categories. Different cultures have different things to repair and methods they like to use. Some of these are distinctive, like Japanese kintsugi (repairing pottery with golden seams) or boro (repairing clothes, often reinforced with sashiko stitches). Here on Dreamwidth,

renew_repair_refashion is low traffic, but posting is open to all members so feel free to pitch in. Also check out related communites such as

awesomeers,

crafty,

everykindofcraft,

get_knitted,

goals_on_dw,

green_living,

sewing101,

sewing, and

softtoys.

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth April 25-May 15

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

mirrorteru posting in

addme

( You're about to view content that the poster has marked as potentially inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. )

Current Mood: cheerful

silver_chipmunk

Got up this morning at 11:00 and had breakfast, then put in a Shipt order, and then had coffee.

The Shipt order came and I put it away. I puttered around, did a little cleaning, then at 2:30 I got the notice that my copy of the new Jim Butcher Harry Dresden novella, Out Law, had been delivered. I ordered it Tuesday after midnight so this was next day delivery.

I collected it and immediately started reading it. It's just as good and enjoyable as the rest of the series. It's 194 or so pages, so longer than you would expect. I finished it around 5:00.

Then I put on some clothes and took out the garbage and walked around the block. It had been raining but was stopped.

My psychiatrist called and we talked. Then I puttered on the computer until 7:oo when I Teamed the FWiB. I idn't think there was a D&D game tonight but I popped into Discord on my phone at 8:00 and again at 8:10 to make sure and no one else was there. So we talked til 8:40.

Then I had dinner, and went to the bedroom. I got started thinking about a book I read back in the 70s that I would like to read again, and took a guess at the title. I looked up that title an I was right! I found it in Thriftbooks for about $13 so I ordered it. Star Rider by Doris Piserchia.

Then it was pet feeding time so I fed the pets, and started here.

Tomorrow I go and donate blood.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Got the new Harry Dresden.

3. Avoided the rain when I took out the garbage.

4. Remembered the title of that book.

5. Thriftbooks.

6. My psychiatrist.

Current Mood: cheerful

witchybrowneyes posting in

addme

( You're about to view content that the poster has marked as potentially inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. )

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