Books
Jun. 21st, 2025 04:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithA Rainbow of Queer Books for Pride 2025: Turquoise
HAPPY PRIDE 2025! For Pride this year, we’re changing up our usual rec lists. Instead of doing books with specific identities or themes, we’re focused this time on cover color! Throughout the month of June, we’ll be doing 8 rec lists, each with covers inspired by one of the colors of the original Gilbert Baker Pride Flag. We drew a little additional inspiration from the meaning behind the color and why it was included in the original LGBTQIA+ flag (in this case, turquoise = magic), but we prioritized color over meaning. The contributors to this list are: May Barros, Rhosyn Goodfellow, Linnea Peterson, Tris Lawrence, Sebastian Marie, Shannon, Rascal Hartley, and Nina Waters.
HAPPY PRIDE 2025! For Pride this year, we’re changing up our usual rec lists. Instead of doing books with specific identities or themes, we’re focused this time on cover color! Throughout the month of June, we’ll be doing 8 rec lists, each with covers inspired by one of the colors of the original Gilbert Baker Pride Flag. We drew a little additional inspiration from the meaning behind the color and why it was included in the original LGBTQIA+ flag (in this case, turquoise = magic), but we prioritized color over meaning. The contributors to this list are: May Barros, Rhosyn Goodfellow, Linnea Peterson, Tris Lawrence, Sebastian Marie, Shannon, Rascal Hartley, and Nina Waters.
Birdfeeding
Jun. 21st, 2025 12:26 pmysabetwordsmithToday is mostly sunny, muggy, and hot.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/21/25 -- Temperature when we went out shopping was 94°F. Temperature in our yard is currently 88°F. Trees sweat so you don't have to!
EDIT 6/21/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio. The evening has started to cool off a little.
I've seen a mourning dove.
.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/21/25 -- Temperature when we went out shopping was 94°F. Temperature in our yard is currently 88°F. Trees sweat so you don't have to!
EDIT 6/21/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio. The evening has started to cool off a little.
I've seen a mourning dove.
.
Photos: Charleston Food Forest
Jun. 21st, 2025 02:03 amysabetwordsmithThese pictures are from Thursday. I went foraging at the Charleston Food Forest. It's across the parking lot from the Coles County Community Garden.
( Walk with me ... )
( Walk with me ... )
Photos: Coles County Community Garden
Jun. 21st, 2025 12:16 amysabetwordsmithThe Coles County Community Garden is across the parking lot from the Charleston Food Forest. It's not the kind where you rent a bed and grow what you want. It's tended by the community and anyone can come pick things to try.
( Walk with me ... )
( Walk with me ... )
Recipe: "Pretzel Bread Savory Bread Pudding with Ham"
Jun. 20th, 2025 10:18 pmysabetwordsmithWe made this tonight. It was delicious! We used some of the pretzel bread that we got at the Marshall Farmer's Market.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Jun. 20th, 2025 05:09 pmysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy and muggy.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. I also saw a male cardinal and a squirrel up in the trees.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 6/20/25 -- I watered the new picnic table garden. I picked the first 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomato and several 'Toscana' strawberries. I love the Toscanas and will definitely buy more if I see them next spring.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. I also saw a male cardinal and a squirrel up in the trees.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 6/20/25 -- I watered the new picnic table garden. I picked the first 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomato and several 'Toscana' strawberries. I love the Toscanas and will definitely buy more if I see them next spring.
Heat
Jun. 20th, 2025 01:20 pmysabetwordsmithreadera has a post about heat precautions regarding the heat dome. These are my additions...( Read more... )
Password hell
Jun. 20th, 2025 06:18 amused_songsI just spent an hour resetting a bunch of passwords. I didn't do them all, but I did all of the email account ones, my bank, apple, etc. The big ones.Which, ugh, now revisiting the Forbes article, I guess I need to do the FB ones as well. YMMV but it's probably a good idea to change your passwords if you haven't already done so.
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 ... )
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.
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.
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... )