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Heat
Jun. 20th, 2025 01:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithreadera has a post about heat precautions regarding the heat dome. These are my additions...( Read more... )
Photos: Charleston Library Butterfly Gardens
Jun. 20th, 2025 03:58 amysabetwordsmithWe visited the butterfly gardens at the Charleston Library, on June 19 although this is dated 20 because it's after midnight. They were filled with birds, although I didn't manage to catch any pictures of them.
( Walk with me ... )
( Walk with me ... )
Tags:
FIC: The Royal Sanctuary: Jackalfire Grove (Tempestuous Tours)
Jun. 19th, 2025 09:01 pmduskpetersonThe best place to start your visit to the royal sanctuary is at Jackalfire Grove, just outside the door leading to the sanctuary. At one time, this grove of jackalfire trees was smaller, overlooking the so-called burning ground, where some of the worst events in Koretian history took place.
It is here, from the time of Koretia's earliest days, that god-cursed men and women were stoned to death. It is here that, in recent centuries, disobedient slaves were burned alive. And it is here that, during the ninth, the King of Koretia was slain by a rival in one of the many blood feuds that rent the fabric of Koretian society.
All of these atrocities – stoning, burning alive, and blood feuds – were abolished by the Emorians during their occupation of Koretia. Their abolition was confirmed by Koretia's present ruler, the Jackal, when he ascended the throne. Yet only two generations have passed since the outlawing of the most pernicious aspect of the Koretian gods' law. Many residents of Koretia's capital still remember the festive crowds that used to gather here when a god-cursed man or woman was stoned, or when a slave was burned alive.
Not surprisingly, most Koretians today avoid visiting this grove. Paradoxically, the Jackal encourages visits here, especially by families with children who like to play amidst the trees. It is his way of turning evil to good.
Before leaving, be sure to pluck a twig or leaf from one of the jackalfire trees. Bring it with you to the royal sanctuary.
[Translator's note: One of the terrible events in Jackalfire Grove occurs in Death Mask.]
[Daf Yomi] Hadran Alach, Maseches Shevuos!
Jun. 19th, 2025 05:55 pmlannamichaelsOaths are over, on to Strange Work! I'm very excited for Avodah Zarah, because I failed out of Avodah Zarah last cycle so that means that the beginning part is going to be review. Also because "I'm doing Avodah Zarah" jokes never ever get old. I also anticipate not quite Kesuvos levels of not spelling the masechta name consistently, but those ending h's are a deliberate choice made for consistency for this paragraph that may not ever get repeated.
Here are my remaining notes on Shevuos:
( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Jun. 19th, 2025 01:18 pmysabetwordsmithToday is partly sunny and mild. It rained yesterday.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- We went out for a while and saw the library wildflower meadow, Fox Ridge, and the Charleston Food Forest.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I refilled the thistle feeder that was half empty.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I sowed 5 pots with yellow raspberries.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I picked up sticks from the south side of the driveway and dumped them in the firepit.
Lots of fireflies are coming out. :D
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I picked up sticks from the North side of the driveway and dumped them in the firepit.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- We went out for a while and saw the library wildflower meadow, Fox Ridge, and the Charleston Food Forest.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I refilled the thistle feeder that was half empty.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I sowed 5 pots with yellow raspberries.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I picked up sticks from the south side of the driveway and dumped them in the firepit.
Lots of fireflies are coming out. :D
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I picked up sticks from the North side of the driveway and dumped them in the firepit.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
Wildlife
Jun. 19th, 2025 01:16 pmysabetwordsmithNew butterfly species wows scientists: 'This discovery reveals a lineage shaped by 40,000 years of evolutionary solitude'
The Satyrium semiluna, or half-moon hairstreak, is a small gray butterfly that looks like a moth at first glance. The wildflower lovers are widespread across North America, from the Sagebrush steppe to the montane meadows of the Rocky Mountains.
But tucked away in the southeastern corner of Alberta, Canada, another colony of butterflies flaps across the Blakiston Fan landform of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Until now, they were thought to be a subpopulation of half-moon hairstreaks — until scientists made a phenomenal discovery: They were a new species of butterfly that had hidden in plain sight for centuries.
The researchers, who recently published their findings in the scientific journal ZooKeys, defined the new species as Satyrium curiosolus.
The Satyrium semiluna, or half-moon hairstreak, is a small gray butterfly that looks like a moth at first glance. The wildflower lovers are widespread across North America, from the Sagebrush steppe to the montane meadows of the Rocky Mountains.
But tucked away in the southeastern corner of Alberta, Canada, another colony of butterflies flaps across the Blakiston Fan landform of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Until now, they were thought to be a subpopulation of half-moon hairstreaks — until scientists made a phenomenal discovery: They were a new species of butterfly that had hidden in plain sight for centuries.
The researchers, who recently published their findings in the scientific journal ZooKeys, defined the new species as Satyrium curiosolus.
More tiny excitements
Jun. 18th, 2025 09:31 pmazurelunatic* Shelves are fairly well stuffed. The other brackets have arrived, so we can go get more boards and tiny hardware at our convenience.
* There is now Shelf in the living room. Things are going in it.
* Household tidying progresses.
* Today I filled boxes for 13 weeks of my morning and evening pills. It feels like it took less time than usual, but I think that's a trick of the light. I think I usually start later in the day, and keep going until it's dark. It took about four and a half hours; I try to allocate at least 5.
* This means that I've got pills packed until sometime in September. Go, me?
* Juneteenth is tomorrow!
* Turns out that being a director at a certain kind of non-technical organization means that you spend evenings face-down in the user interface level of a misbehaving database. I am chockablock with sympathy.
* Yellface is adorable, and likes to spend the part of the day when I'm awake but still in bed sitting on my legs.
* Had games and pizza with friends last week; they've got a young-ish teeneager placed with them right now. She wasn't up for games but she did appear to fill her water bottle. Luna-cat is very curious about new people and apparently charged her, which was off-putting. I faded early.
* I got some new bras; I'll have to add pockets but the test wear was promising!
* Nobody told me about the dragons in The Priory of the Orange Tree, everyone just mentioned the lesbians.
* There's a new serial atthe_comfortable_courtesan!!!
* There is now Shelf in the living room. Things are going in it.
* Household tidying progresses.
* Today I filled boxes for 13 weeks of my morning and evening pills. It feels like it took less time than usual, but I think that's a trick of the light. I think I usually start later in the day, and keep going until it's dark. It took about four and a half hours; I try to allocate at least 5.
* This means that I've got pills packed until sometime in September. Go, me?
* Juneteenth is tomorrow!
* Turns out that being a director at a certain kind of non-technical organization means that you spend evenings face-down in the user interface level of a misbehaving database. I am chockablock with sympathy.
* Yellface is adorable, and likes to spend the part of the day when I'm awake but still in bed sitting on my legs.
* Had games and pizza with friends last week; they've got a young-ish teeneager placed with them right now. She wasn't up for games but she did appear to fill her water bottle. Luna-cat is very curious about new people and apparently charged her, which was off-putting. I faded early.
* I got some new bras; I'll have to add pockets but the test wear was promising!
* Nobody told me about the dragons in The Priory of the Orange Tree, everyone just mentioned the lesbians.
* There's a new serial at
the_comfortable_courtesan!!!Things
Jun. 19th, 2025 01:01 pmvassBooks
Started Freya Marske's A Power Unbound.
Fandom
I'm mostly reading Nine Worlds or The Goblin Emperor fanfic right now.
Recs:
A Nuisance Though Thou Art, by![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
wedgetail. (The Goblin Emperor, complete.) Setheris dies when Maia's eleven.
Wheel and turn or bleed and burn byDrel_Murn. (Nine Worlds, WIP) Pern fusion. The fire lizard character is a delight. Mind the rape/noncon warning: that's not just because of the dubcon nature of mating flights.
fake a smile, byariex09, crownedrooster, fire_eyes_chica, and rattyjol (Nine Worlds. Series: five complete stories and two WIPs.) crownedrooster wrote an upsetting fic back in late 2023 in which Fitzroy, during ROFA, makes a bad bargain with a memory-stealing creature. Since then, various people (including crownedrooster) have written follow-ups, fix-its, make-it-worses, and complicate-it-furthers.
Music
Listened to the Doors' song 'The End'. Did no one in the recording studio try to help that poor man? During the bridge, I mean, when he stumbled into that giant hornet nest and they all started stinging him.
Crafts
Didn't actually do a craft, but I did go to the introductory safety talk at a library's maker space, so now I can go there and use the equipment.
Things I learned there:
- The Cricut's pressing plate (operating temperature 200'C) is not an elbow rest. (The librarian giving the talk reported that it used to be located in another part of the room, but they kept on leaning their elbow near or on it. It wasn't turned on at the time, but their supervisor saw the writing on the wall and made them relocate it somewhere harder to touch accidentally.)
- The word "Cricut" is pronounced "cricket", not "cry, cut" as I'd thought.
Games
Still slaying the spire. I've now gotten every character up to at least two ascension levels, three for Clad and the Defect.
Weather
So fucking cold. So of course my hot water boiler went on the blink this week. Fortunately it just needed power cycling. Unfortunately I didn't think of this for myself. I'll know next time.
Nature
I saw a kangaroo in my backyard on Monday.
What was it doing there? Hopping.
How did it get there? Through the driveway.
What kind of roo? Eastern grey.
How big was it? Standing upright, I think about as tall as me, but it was too far for me to be sure.
Male or female? I didn't ask. There was something dangling, but I didn't get close enough to see if that was genitals or a joey. Given the height, probably a boomer?
What did you do? Stared at it, took photos, did not approach.
How did you get it out? I didn't. I watched it to make sure it wasn't hurt or sick or stuck, then went to the library for the safety talk. It hopped out again before I got home.
Pics or it didn't happen? For privacy reasons, I am not posting pictures of the kangaroo in a public Dreamwidth post. But I did take photos.
The kangaroo's privacy? Yes. I don't want to antagonise it.
Started Freya Marske's A Power Unbound.
Fandom
I'm mostly reading Nine Worlds or The Goblin Emperor fanfic right now.
Recs:
A Nuisance Though Thou Art, by
Wheel and turn or bleed and burn by
fake a smile, by
Music
Listened to the Doors' song 'The End'. Did no one in the recording studio try to help that poor man? During the bridge, I mean, when he stumbled into that giant hornet nest and they all started stinging him.
Crafts
Didn't actually do a craft, but I did go to the introductory safety talk at a library's maker space, so now I can go there and use the equipment.
Things I learned there:
- The Cricut's pressing plate (operating temperature 200'C) is not an elbow rest. (The librarian giving the talk reported that it used to be located in another part of the room, but they kept on leaning their elbow near or on it. It wasn't turned on at the time, but their supervisor saw the writing on the wall and made them relocate it somewhere harder to touch accidentally.)
- The word "Cricut" is pronounced "cricket", not "cry, cut" as I'd thought.
Games
Still slaying the spire. I've now gotten every character up to at least two ascension levels, three for Clad and the Defect.
Weather
So fucking cold. So of course my hot water boiler went on the blink this week. Fortunately it just needed power cycling. Unfortunately I didn't think of this for myself. I'll know next time.
Nature
I saw a kangaroo in my backyard on Monday.
What was it doing there? Hopping.
How did it get there? Through the driveway.
What kind of roo? Eastern grey.
How big was it? Standing upright, I think about as tall as me, but it was too far for me to be sure.
Male or female? I didn't ask. There was something dangling, but I didn't get close enough to see if that was genitals or a joey. Given the height, probably a boomer?
What did you do? Stared at it, took photos, did not approach.
How did you get it out? I didn't. I watched it to make sure it wasn't hurt or sick or stuck, then went to the library for the safety talk. It hopped out again before I got home.
Pics or it didn't happen? For privacy reasons, I am not posting pictures of the kangaroo in a public Dreamwidth post. But I did take photos.
The kangaroo's privacy? Yes. I don't want to antagonise it.
Birdfeeding
Jun. 18th, 2025 08:57 pmysabetwordsmithToday was warm and muggy. It stormed midday, then cleared up somewhat later.
I fed the birds.
I put out water for the birds.
At dusk, loads of fireflies are coming out. :D I've seen at least one bat too.
I fed the birds.
I put out water for the birds.
At dusk, loads of fireflies are coming out. :D I've seen at least one bat too.
What I'm Doing Wednesday
Jun. 18th, 2025 05:59 pmsagebooks
The Art & Science of Happiness by Swami Mukundananda. 2025. Mix of science and religion. Some interesting texts, but a lot of "come to Krishna", which was not really a surprise.
All His Spies: The Secret World of Robert Cecil by Stephen Alford. 2024. Interesting bio. Good job including the women. A very negative view of Elizabeth I. (I've never read a positive view of her that wasn't the shallowest of surveys.)
currently reading The New Cambridge Medieval History, Volume 5: c.1198 - c.1300 by David Abulafia (Editor), et al. 1999. A slog through ecclesiastical history before it gets to more interesting stuff.
dirt
The volunteer catnip is blooming! And growing 2 new stalks! That means I can collect the seed and plant more. The leaves are the largest I've ever seen on catnip, nearly 3 inches long. The peperomia red stem in the terrarium is taking over. I found more thrips in the rattlesnake beans, dammit, and sprayed them yesterday. Also did a hard prune of another jade plant because it was falling over due to the weight of its leaves. Still on the verge of buying a tiny orchid but haven't done it yet. Maybe in the next grocery run? We'll see.
( healthcrap & food )
yarning
Didn't make it to yarning AGAIN, thanks to a migraine. I've managed to make a bunny arm, which is nothing in the grand scheme of crocheting. I want my motivation back. It doesn't even have to be yarning, it could be anything, anything at all. I just am so unhappy sitting here feeling crummy. I'm not even motivated to repot the plants that need it because it's hot outside...and it isn't even 95F yet. Augh. /o\
media
I caught up on Murderbot and I mostly love it! Even though I have the attention span of a gnat and had to pause it every few minutes. (I am so bad at visual media!)
#resist
June 19: Juneteenth Protest
June 27: Stonewall Anniversary Protest
June 24 to 30: McDonald’s Boycott
July 4: Independence Day Boycott and Silent(?) Protest
July 17: the next big demonstration (in honor of John Lewis, who died 7/17/2000), per Axios.
I hope you're all doing well! <333
The Art & Science of Happiness by Swami Mukundananda. 2025. Mix of science and religion. Some interesting texts, but a lot of "come to Krishna", which was not really a surprise.
All His Spies: The Secret World of Robert Cecil by Stephen Alford. 2024. Interesting bio. Good job including the women. A very negative view of Elizabeth I. (I've never read a positive view of her that wasn't the shallowest of surveys.)
currently reading The New Cambridge Medieval History, Volume 5: c.1198 - c.1300 by David Abulafia (Editor), et al. 1999. A slog through ecclesiastical history before it gets to more interesting stuff.
dirt
The volunteer catnip is blooming! And growing 2 new stalks! That means I can collect the seed and plant more. The leaves are the largest I've ever seen on catnip, nearly 3 inches long. The peperomia red stem in the terrarium is taking over. I found more thrips in the rattlesnake beans, dammit, and sprayed them yesterday. Also did a hard prune of another jade plant because it was falling over due to the weight of its leaves. Still on the verge of buying a tiny orchid but haven't done it yet. Maybe in the next grocery run? We'll see.
( healthcrap & food )
yarning
Didn't make it to yarning AGAIN, thanks to a migraine. I've managed to make a bunny arm, which is nothing in the grand scheme of crocheting. I want my motivation back. It doesn't even have to be yarning, it could be anything, anything at all. I just am so unhappy sitting here feeling crummy. I'm not even motivated to repot the plants that need it because it's hot outside...and it isn't even 95F yet. Augh. /o\
media
I caught up on Murderbot and I mostly love it! Even though I have the attention span of a gnat and had to pause it every few minutes. (I am so bad at visual media!)
#resist
June 19: Juneteenth Protest
June 27: Stonewall Anniversary Protest
June 24 to 30: McDonald’s Boycott
July 4: Independence Day Boycott and Silent(?) Protest
July 17: the next big demonstration (in honor of John Lewis, who died 7/17/2000), per Axios.
I hope you're all doing well! <333
april booklog
Jun. 18th, 2025 08:10 pmwychwood( 38. The Interior Life - Dorothy J Heydt ) I will be re-reading this forever.
( 39. The Fellowship of the Ring - JRR Tolkien ) An excellent start to an epic adventure; I enjoyed re-visiting this a lot, although I had forgotten quite how many poems there were.
( 40. The Poisoned Chocolates Case - Anthony Berkeley ) The gimmick was a fun idea but it got a bit personal for me; still, mostly this was pretty entertaining.
( 41. Encore in Death, 44. Payback in Death, and 45. Passions in Death - JD Robb ) I gobbled all of these down and thoroughly enjoyed them, as ever.
( 42. Venomous Lumpsucker - Ned Beauman ) Bleak and kind of funny and also depressingly ridiculous; this is more towards the literary end of things than I usually go, but I did rather enjoy it.
( 43. Artificial Condition - Martha Wells ) Mostly I wish novellas were longer, but I can't deny that Wells manages to pack a lot into them!
( 39. The Fellowship of the Ring - JRR Tolkien ) An excellent start to an epic adventure; I enjoyed re-visiting this a lot, although I had forgotten quite how many poems there were.
( 40. The Poisoned Chocolates Case - Anthony Berkeley ) The gimmick was a fun idea but it got a bit personal for me; still, mostly this was pretty entertaining.
( 41. Encore in Death, 44. Payback in Death, and 45. Passions in Death - JD Robb ) I gobbled all of these down and thoroughly enjoyed them, as ever.
( 42. Venomous Lumpsucker - Ned Beauman ) Bleak and kind of funny and also depressingly ridiculous; this is more towards the literary end of things than I usually go, but I did rather enjoy it.
( 43. Artificial Condition - Martha Wells ) Mostly I wish novellas were longer, but I can't deny that Wells manages to pack a lot into them!
Cuddle Party
Jun. 18th, 2025 12:36 amysabetwordsmithEveryone needs contact comfort sometimes. Not everyone has ample opportunities for this in facetime. So here is a chance for a cuddle party in cyberspace. Virtual cuddling can help people feel better.
We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!
For the upcoming 4th of July, enjoy some of my previous posts about fireworks. Watch a video of fireworks going off and fireworks fail.
( Read more... )
We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!
For the upcoming 4th of July, enjoy some of my previous posts about fireworks. Watch a video of fireworks going off and fireworks fail.
( Read more... )