Roadside America

Jul. 10th, 2025 04:05 am
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Roadside America lists a lot of quirky attractions.  Here's the list for Illinois.

Activism

Jul. 9th, 2025 03:03 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Scientists host 'science fair of canceled grants' on Capitol Hill to fight funding cuts

The researchers gathered, alongside the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to present posters in a good, old-fashioned science fair, titled “The Things We’ll Never Know: A Science Fair of Canceled Grants.”


It's a great tactic, and one that other fields could use too. "Here are some useful things you could have had, but these specific people took them away from you." That's guaranteed to piss off a lot of people.

It's also among the standard protest techniques in Terramagne. Not only is it sound activism for pounding the perpetrators, it also has a pretty good chance of someone else deciding to sponsor your canceled project if they like your pitch. Feel free to prompt me for that.

Cuddle Party

Jul. 9th, 2025 03:01 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Everyone 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!

Birdfeeding

Jul. 9th, 2025 02:38 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Today is mostly sunny, humid, and hot.  Yesterday it rained for half the day and into the night.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.  They've drained half the thistle feeder but I still need to refill that one.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/9/25 -- I filled the thistle feeder.

I've seen a male cardinal and a fox squirrel.

EDIT 7/9/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 7/9/25 -- I sprayed weedkiller on poison ivy around the yard.

EDIT 7/9/25 -- I potted up two apricot seeds.



.

Sunshine Revival Challenge 3: Food

Jul. 9th, 2025 12:44 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Sunshine Revival Challenge 3: Food

Journaling prompt: What are your favorite summer-associated foods?

Creative prompt: Draw art of or make graphics of summer foods, or post your favorite summer recipes. Post your answer to today’s challenge in your own space and leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so
.

Sunshine-Revival-Carnival-2.png


This is actually from 7/7/25 but it wasn't up when I checked, and then the net was down.

ExpandRead more... )

Wednesday Reading & Recent Books

Jul. 9th, 2025 01:39 pm
seleneheart: a brightly colored bird on a old paper background (Fairy tale bird)
[personal profile] seleneheart
After blacking out my bingo card for Book Bingo, I haven't been updating my recent reading, so here we go.

What I just finished reading:

Night of the Dragon
Night of the Dragon by Julie Kagawa The third book in the Shadow of the Fox series. The ending was satisfying, but took some twists and turns that I didn't expect. I realized that I had to give up my Western concept of what a good ending to a story was, and understand that the culture referenced here has a much different understanding of life and death than what I do. Highly recommend the entire series.



The Lost Story
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer I really, really love this book. Think The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe mashed together with Stranger Things and set in the mountains of West Virginia. Some of the twists and story beats I saw coming a mile away, but some of them surprised me.



Confounding Oaths
Confounding Oaths by Alexis Hall I DNF'd this one after reading the prologue and two pages in. My issues with it: first person, set in 1815 but written in the modern era, yet tries to sound like it was written in 1815. Also told from the POV of Puck (the fairy) and tries to be humorous and arch.


What I'm Currently Reading: Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer. I've seen this one recommended in a lot of places, and I'm aware that it's the start of a second trilogy by her. I've looked at the first trilogy and don't think I plan on reading it.

What I Plan to Read Next: I have a hold for The Half King by Melissa Landers, so that one should come up next.

Today's Adventures

Jul. 8th, 2025 08:38 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
We went up to Champaign-Urbana today.

ExpandRead more... )

Birdfeeding

Jul. 8th, 2025 12:51 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Today is mostly sunny and warm.

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

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/8/25 -- It rained for about half the day and into the night.

(no subject)

Jul. 8th, 2025 11:46 am
pshaw_raven: (Pumpkin)
[personal profile] pshaw_raven
Now I know I'm starting to feel better. I'm obsessing over curry.
Specifically I want lamb vindaloo from Persis on Baymeadows Road. Five out of five chili peppers. "Are you sure you want it that hot?" Light me up, my man.
pshaw_raven: (Good Medicine)
[personal profile] pshaw_raven
I probably should have updated before now, but I've been down with some sort of mystery illness. I started feeling vaguely unwell on Wednesday, and by Thursday afternoon I was feeling truly awful. I've been running a temperature this entire time, and that's been about the only thing I can tell you. I don't seem to have any symptoms, and fever isn't a symptom. Well, right now my ears feel strange, a little like there's cotton in them, or perhaps like when you go swimming and get a little water trapped in there.

Anyway, the only thing I've done all this time is try to rest. I was already exhausted by it on Friday but I feel utterly depleted now. All I have been able to do is try to remember to drink water. I haven't even been able to sustain enough focus to read. Sunday was probably the worst day, because I couldn't actually sleep, but didn't have the energy to do anything, so I sat on the couch and stared into space, or I laid in bed and stared into space. That was extra special fun since my brain took that opportunity to cook up every single worst-case scenario it could.

This morning my AM temperature was on par with pre-crud readings, but I plan to keep taking advil for a while. The body pain that came with this thing was horrifying and I really don't want that to come back. I also managed to perform two tasks without needing to rest in between. I'm finding my mind is clearer and my ability to focus is returning, so I've been trying to catch up on what's happened that's important - and I mean around here, like one of the tomato plants died, and Fox has applied insecticide to my hibiscus because they had aphids. I've also missed some virtual book club posts, haven't written anything, I have no bread, and I need to find out how my neighbor's daughter did in that 5k she wanted to run in. I just don't want to go near the neighbor and possibly give her and her whole family whatever I have.

“Darkness took me and I strayed away through thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and every day was as long as a life age of the earth... But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done."

7/7/2025 Tilden Nature Area

Jul. 7th, 2025 07:54 pm
mrkinch: Erik holding fieldglasses in "Russia" (bins)
[personal profile] mrkinch
U was unavailable this morning and I didn't have much energy, so Chris and I walked up to Jewel Lake on the boardwalk and back on the road, an easy morning. Bird activity is decreasing, although I think this morning the heavy overcast, cold, and wind may have been a factor. We didn't heard Warbling Vireos until we were almost to the Lake, and didn't hear a Black-headed Grosbeak until the sun broke through a little, see above. Highlights of the morning were the Brown Creeper at Jewel Lake climbing the snag and slipping under the bark, so amazing to see; and at least two fledgling Wilson's Warblers making their begging call, which I'm not sure I've heard before, and fluttering to be fed. We heard a mysterious call while we were sitting by the lake that Chris traced to a juvenile Spotted Towhee, so another new call. The Anna's Hummingbird nest was well and truly abandoned. I will be interested to see how quickly and to what extent it disintegrates. ExpandThe list: )

We heard White-breasted Nuthatch again. I guess it's dispersal and I don't expect any to stay, it's only marginally appropriate habitat, but it's fun while they are here.

Poem: "Tomato Seedlings in Tin Cans"

Jul. 7th, 2025 04:48 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
This poem is spillover from the June 3, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from [personal profile] wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "growth" square in my 6-2-25 card for the Pride Fest bingo. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Daughters of the Apocalypse.

ExpandRead more... )

Bee Food Flowers

Jul. 7th, 2025 03:11 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Scientists’ top 10 bee-magnet blooms—turn any lawn into a pollinator paradise

Botanists from the University of Copenhagen and the UK set out to find the best flower combinations for bees and hoverflies.
Danish and Welsh botanists sifted through 400 studies, field-tested seed mixes, and uncovered a lineup of native and exotic blooms that both thrill human eyes and lure bees and hoverflies in droves, offering ready-made recipes for transforming lawns, parks, and patios into vibrant pollinator hotspots
.


Below are the plants recommended for European and United Kingdom uses...

ExpandRead more... )

Monday Update 7-7-25

Jul. 7th, 2025 02:10 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Artwork of the wordsmith typing. (typing)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Poem: "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government"
Poem: "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness"
Poem: "Always Surprised by Consequences"
Poem: "No Such Thing as Finished"
Geology
Birdfeeding
Today's Smoothie
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Government
Fireworks
Writing About Fireworks
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 7-4-25: Historical Fiction
Blazing the Trail: Celebrating Indigenous Fire Stewardship
Birdfeeding
Climate Change
Birdfeeding
Problem-Solving
Hard Things

"Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 41 comments. "Not a Destination, But a Process" has 146 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 95 comments.


[community profile] sunshine_revival is running through July. See the schedule, meet the moderators, and use the master post to navigate the event. Meet new folks in the friending meme. Spread the word!

Sunshine-Revival-2025-Banner-3.png

* Sunshine Revival Challenge 1: Light
Poem: "The Pleasure of Escaping the Responsibility"

* Sunshine Revival Challenge 2: Tunnel of Love
Poem: "Legs of Grass, Feet of Flowers"


[community profile] summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the current themes are Tetris 69 and Body Worship 69.


"In the Heart of the Hidden Garden" is now complete! Lawrence shows Stan more of his favorite places.


The weather has been variable here. It rained yesterday and last night. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a pair of mourning doves, a male cardinal, a gray catbird, a fox squirrel, a skunk, and at least 1 probably 2 bats. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, impatiens, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, snowball bush, yellow squash, zucchini, morning glory, purple echinacea, narrow-leaf mountain mint, black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, chicory, Queen Anne's lace, sunflowers, cup plant. Daylilies are done blooming. Cucumbers, tomatillo, and pepper have green fruit. The first 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomato ripened and some other tomatoes are showing color. Wild strawberries, mulberries, peas, and blackberries are ripe. Black raspberries are done.

Birdfeeding

Jul. 7th, 2025 01:59 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Today is partly sunny and warm. It rained yesterday and last night.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and at least one mourning dove.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I harvested a handful of peapods for supper. :D

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I took some pictures around the yard.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I trimmed brush in the prairie garden.

The first of the gladioli are blooming in the telephone pole garden and notch of the prairie garden. A sunflower is blooming in the telephone pole garden too.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I cut some of the brush into sticks for making bonfire cores.

I've seen at least 2 bats. I've seen several half-grown possums, one deceased, two alive.

Fireflies are coming out. Cicadas are singing.

As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
ysabetwordsmith: Damask smiling over their shoulder (polychrome)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
This poem is spillover from the March 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from [personal profile] wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "Secrets" square in my 3-1-25 card for the Tolkien Bingo Fest. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.

ExpandRead more... )
ysabetwordsmith: Victor Frankenstein in his fancy clothes (Frankenstein)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
This poem came out of the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired and sponsored by [personal profile] janetmiles. It also fills the "close-knit community" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. It belongs to the series Frankenstein's Family; it follows "Signs of Their Trespass," so read that first or this won't make much sense.

ExpandRead more... )
ysabetwordsmith: Damask smiling over their shoulder (polychrome)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
This poem came out of the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from [personal profile] rix_scaedu. It also fills "The Harder They Fall" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by [personal profile] janetmiles. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.

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