World Book Day

Apr. 23rd, 2025 12:10 am
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The official theme for World Book Day 2025 is:

"Read Your Way: Diverse Books for Every Mind"

This theme emphasizes the importance of inclusion and diversity in reading. It encourages readers to explore different voices, perspectives, and cultures through literature, promoting empathy and global understanding
.

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Good News

Apr. 23rd, 2025 12:09 am
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Good news includes all the things which make us happy or otherwise feel good. It can be personal or public. We never know when something wonderful will happen, and when it does, most people want to share it with someone. It's disappointing when nobody is there to appreciate it. Happily, blogging allows us to share our joys and pat each other on the back.

What good news have you had recently? Are you anticipating any more? Have you found a cute picture or a video that makes you smile? Is there anything your online friends could do to make your life a little happier?

Today's Adventures

Apr. 22nd, 2025 11:08 pm
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Today we went out shopping.

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Insect Apocalypse

Apr. 22nd, 2025 10:29 pm
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Insects are disappearing due to agriculture -- and many other drivers, new research reveals

New paper highlights 500+ interconnected drivers behind global insect decline.
Insects are disappearing at an alarming rate worldwide, but why? Agricultural intensification tops the list of proposed reasons, but there are many other, interconnected drivers that have an impact, according to new research
.

Read more... )

We’re going on an egg hunt

Apr. 22nd, 2025 08:05 pm
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So the last few days have been eventful so it’s time, again, for a general post.

So on Sunday I started watching The Residence. I saw a trailer for it on twitter about a month or so ago and I was instantly intrigued. It’s a murder mystery and someone has gotten killed at a large house while a party is going on downstairs. Which yeah, sounds like dozens of other murder mysteries, except this is no ordinary large house: it’s the white house.

I watched the first two episodes and, so far, it’s really great so far! I love the detective as she’s so quirky and has absolutely no respect for any of the guys trying to tell her what to do (or what not to do). The cast is also wild as there’s been a lot of people I’ve recognised (The FBI agent from Ant Man and Wandavision, Tilly from Star Trek Discovery, Jane Curtain from 3rd Rock from the sun, one of the guys from OG Charmed, hughJackman and Kylie Minogue! Oh and the guy that plays Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian is in it too.) I really love it and wanna watch more cause I wanna know what happened!

The rest of Sunday was kinda low energy but I did end up starting a game pass game, Planet Of Lana. It came to gamepass last year and I wanted to play it cause it looks so pretty but alas I got sidetracked. It really is so pretty though and there’s a cute lil guy called Mui who is like a lil black cat thing. It’s pretty good so far, though some parts are tricky.

I found out on insta that there’s gonna be an indie horror short film thing at a cinema in Birmingham (here’s the list) and I’m kinda tempted to check it out even though I dunno exactly where the cinema is and it’s on a library day. We’ll see if I do it (they’re also doing full showings of Twin Peaks which is kinda cool but they’re on Sundays)

There wasn’t gonna be any plans Monday, but then when I was looking at the tv guide I saw there was a film I’d wanted to see for awhile on. It was The Private Life Of Sherlock Holmes and I’d heard of it cause there’s a section at Loch Ness (which resulted in a prop being lost to the loch only to be found again a few years back). And honestly? It was a wild ride. It had Christopher Lee as Mycroft an opening story mostly unconnected to the rest (with Sherlock implying to someone that he was gay and Watson was his lover), a finale at Loch Ness and a closing scene that was so sad. (It’s on Sky Arts again Saturday afternoon.j I’m so glad I spottted the listing, though also so sad when I looked up later that there was intended to be more scenes to it but they got cut.

Since money, finally, turned up I decided to go to sainsburys this morning to look for eggs. As I posted on insta I did find some, in sainsburys and Aldi, but there really weren’t many options and it was mainly more expensive eggs left. M and S’s food also didn’t have anything which was a shame as I wanted to try some of their hot cross buns. I did get a lil Lego Yoshi and the new radio times from sainsburys though.

(Also Pets at home had the cutest lil Guinea pigs they were so adorable😭)

I did manage to get a Lindt eggfor mum though as thanks for all the issues, though the box could easily have been half the size it was. We also had dominos, which was good though I’m sure the price has gone up since we last had some.

Also today Elder Scrolls Oblivion has been remastered and was out today! It’s on game pass too so I might try it sometime but it’s 120GB thst means I have to figure out a way to make space (damn xbox and memory card things being so small)

Also today the local cinema put up the Episode III showing times and it looks like it’s only from Friday-Sunday which is a bit annoying. It’s also annoying it’s only one showing, 3:45 which means I can get there on bus, but have to walk back if I go. I’ll see what the weather is like, but I know Saturday is out cause of Doctor Who.

Anyway! I think that’s everything but I’m probably missing something super obvious.

Birdfeeding

Apr. 22nd, 2025 02:17 pm
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Today is mostly sunny and warm with a light breeze, a beautiful spring day.  :D

I fed the birds.  I've seen several sparrows and house finches, two brown-headed cowbirds, a mourning dove, and two fox squirrels.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 4/22/25 -- We went out shopping.  I picked out roughly 5 flats of plants at DeBuhr's.  We found a garden hose, nozzle, and reel plus a gas can at Home Depot.  Also at Home Depot I spotted a modular garage storage system that looks very promising.  It has mounting rails for shelves and a wide variety of hooks.  That ought to combine well with a pegboard.

EDIT 4/22/25 -- I planted a 'Sugar Snack' cherry tomato and a 'Yellow Pear' tomato in the large pots by the septic garden, each with 4 marigolds around it.

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

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The following is a growing reading list for the ReadPalestinianSpecFic challenge. This is a work in progress to create a list of all available Palestinian speculative fiction.
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Recently I bought a little fern, so I'm making a new terrarium. You can also see the previous Antique Jar Terrarium.

Read more... )

Monday Update 4-21-25

Apr. 21st, 2025 01:36 pm
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These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Birdfeeding
Spring Friending Meme
Intro to the Web Revival #1: What is the Web Revival?
Books with Queer Autistic Characters for Autism Awareness Month
Today's Adventures
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Immigrants
Creative Jam
Vocabulary: Ladramhaiola
Join the Fictionfolk Webring
Safety
Read "The Greater Good"
Birdfeeding
Safety
Food
Where are the trans people toilets?
Jug Crafts for Gardening
Frugal Friday
Never Forget
Follow Friday 4-18-25: Graphics
Reality Imitating Art
Navajo Peaches
Birdfeeding
Anosognosia
Hobbies: Creative Writing
Gilda and Meek and the Un-Iverse
Success!
Transgender
Birdfeeding
Cuddle Party

"Not a Destination, But a Process" has 127 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 75 comments. Joann Fabrics going out of business has 56 comments.


Watch for Three Weeks for Dreamwidth coming April 25-May 15. People will celebrate the anniversary of the platform by posting things only on Dreamwidth and doing other blog activities. Think ahead about what you'll want to post while the traffic is higher.


"Babes in the Pineywoods" belongs to the Big One. It belongs to the Big One thread of Polychrome Heroics. Bo-Art and Creamjeans talk with the Black Doctor.


The weather has been variable and wet here. It rained last night Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a flock of grackles, a flock of brown-headed cowbirds, several blue jays, several starlings, two mourning doves, a male cardinal, a brown thrasher, a robin, and Nipple Squirrel. I've heard red-winged blackbirds and woodpeckers. Squills, pear, forsythia, and serviceberry are done. Currently blooming: daffodils, violets, blue grape hyacinths, tulips, dandelions, trilliums, snowbells, crabapples, lilacs, bleeding heart, redbud, columbine. Peonies have flower buds.

Birdfeeding

Apr. 21st, 2025 01:32 pm
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Today is cloudy, breezy, and cool.  It rained for hours last night.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a few sparrows and house finches, plus a brown-headed cowbird.

I put out water for the birds.

The single yellow violet (which might be a hairy yellow violet) that I planted in the forest garden has seeded a whole new plant!  :D 3q3q3q!!!!  I am so excited.

We measured from the spigot to the old picnic table and the new picnic table.  We'll need to acquire a 75-foot hose.

EDIT 4/21/25 -- The plumbers have come and gone.  We have a working outside spigot!  \o/  It has low water pressure for reasons that are not feasible to fix, but at least water comes out of it.  

We dug up the old hoses.  The yellow ones were in pieces so we threw those away.  The green is still attached to a different spigot that it won't come off.  But at least the yellows are gone.  Progress.

I started working on a new cookie jar terrarium for the potted fern, but other things intervened so I haven't gotten very far yet.

I've seen the tufted titmouse!  :D  I haven't seen him in weeks, so I'm glad he's still around.

EDIT 4/21/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 4/21/25 -- I picked up more sticks for the firepit.

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

Voter Suppression

Apr. 21st, 2025 01:28 pm
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Indivisible reports that these Democratic senators in particular need to hear from their constituents right now to oppose HR22, a bill which would disinfranchise millions of people, mostly women, from voting.

(no subject)

Apr. 20th, 2025 05:27 pm
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Busy day at my parents' house today. I tried a new recipe on them and it was a hit.I also made them ham, sauteed asparagus and corn. I always try to give them lots of veggies.

I did a lot of little jobs (changing light bulbs, cleaning, packing up things they want to donate, etc.) and then I also cut down 4 biggish trash trees, chopped them up, and put them in the green waste bin.





Birdfeeding

Apr. 20th, 2025 02:12 pm
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[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Today is mostly sunny, humid, and warm. It rained off and on yesterday and last night.

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

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 4/20/25 -- I walked around the yard taking pictures.

EDIT 4/20/25 -- We had a friend over to help with yardening and picked up sticks from the house yard.

I am done for the night.

Spring Friending Meme

Apr. 20th, 2025 01:30 pm
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[community profile] icons is hosting a Spring Friending Meme. Fill out the form and/or read other people's entries to find new friends.
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Intro to the Web Revival #1: What is the Web Revival?

The Web Revival is about reclaiming the technology in our lives and asking what we really want from the tools we use, and the digital experiences we share. The Web Revival often references the early Internet, but it's not about recreating a bygone web; the Web Revival is about reviving the spirit of openness and fresh excitement that surrounded the Web in its earliest days. The Web Revival is not one single movement, but a loose collection of ideas and groups that fall under many names.


I heartily approve of this movement. I can't code, but I can boost the signal. So if you're involved in Web Revival, feel free to share your favorite links or other resources. Because we deserve better than enshittification.

Do you want to code your own website, or support others who do? Check out the FujoGuide.
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April is Autism Awareness month, and we’re here to share (more) of our favorite queer autistic or autistic-coded characters! Last year we shared six books; three of those are back this year, and we’ve got 5 more.

Don’t make me laugh

Apr. 20th, 2025 12:24 pm
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The past few days have been semi less stressful than before, but mostly because it’s a bank holiday so nothing can really be done (so money still isn’t in and I don’t expect it to be until Tuesday at the earliest which I’m trying not to be frustrated about)

The main source of stress was yesterday morning cause my glasses have gone completely awol. I honestly have no idea where they are. The problem is I can’t remember if I took them off downstairs Friday night before bed (and so they’re somewhere down here) or if I took them up and they’re in my room. I had thought it was the latter but they’re not under the pillows or either side of the bed so I’m at a loss. (Mum looked too and had no luck either.) the only good thing is that they’re in the house somewhere it’s just… where. (I just hope Naryu hasn’t hid them she did that with mums before but not for awhile)

Thankfully mum knew where my old pair was but… they’re an old pair. They’re good enough that I can see but when I was on ESO last night I couldn’t read half of the in game text which is irritating (Especially when I was gonna get back to Stranger Things this week and I just know there’ll be subtitles.) If it comes down to it I might have to contact my opticians for my prescription and sort a pair out but… ugh.

Anyway there’s also been Star Wars celebration but I’ve not been able to watch or properly able to catch up with the official streams. However there’s been some good things:

*The Mandalorian and Grogu is coming out next year (the title is so clunky though) and there’s gonna be Zeb from Rebels, a fight on an AT-AT and Sigourney Weaver is gonna be a New Republic commander and pilot
*There’s gonna be a new film in two years called Star Wars Starfighter, not much info other than it has Ryan Gosling and it’s set a few years after IX
*Other films are in development but I’ll believe them when there’s actual details
*The Hasbro panel announced new figures but not too many. There’s Dash Rendar (it still feels odd there’s a sudden big Shadows Of The Empire push) and stuff from Jedi Survivor including a two pack with Turgle and Cal (though his alternate head is…) the coolest looking thing is a furry bantha! (Still no Qimir figure though)
*Hayden and Manny were there and both got massive amounts of love which is so deserved
*The animation panel announced a new series, Maul Shadow Lord. A Darth Maul series was not on my bingo card but it does sound cool, though it’s another new Rise of the empire era thing.
*Theres a new Clone Wars era turn based strategy game called Zero Company which looks pretty cool
*Ahsoka season 2 is filming soon (damn why so long)but I love the idea of a Thrawn/Ackbar face off(and ahhh Loth kittens!)
*Visions was the only panelI saw and that’s coming in Octoberand the concept art looks so cool (and the was a clip of someone that’s very friend shape. The new volume has sequels to volume 1 stuff so I’ll have to rewatch them (and one is getting a limited series too)
*The next Fortnite season is confirmed to be a five week Star Wars one with Palpatine, Mace Windu, Poe, Phasma and Darth Jar Jar coming (at least) which is a crazy line up.I’m surprised they didn’t announce a Cassian cause surely there is one

I think that’s all the big announcements (and obviously Andor is coming this week and Tales Of The Underworld Star Wars day.)

Despite not fully being in the hype this time it has made me wanna get back to Star Wars stuff. I still have a massive pile of Star Wars books to get round to so I might actually pick one to read after the current books. (And even if not there’s a bunch of graphic novels that will be easier to check out instead.) There’s also Visions volume 2 and the other Tales Of The Empire stuff to watch so I might watch them (and Young Jedi Adventures and Bad Batch, fuck I’m so far behind). And the black series figures have made me wanna get back on Jedi Survivor which I might do this week if I’m not too tired.

But ahhhh Star Wars!

But of course last night was one of my other main loves, aka a new Doctor Who ep so thoughts on Lux under the cut.

Read more... )

Today’s plan! Start The zresidence, have another root around for my glasses, watch Shoto’s spooky stream, Grace and then a Wendigoon vid (and maybe more who knows?) I also wanna see if fic brain will work and read the Stranger Things comic that came the other week but I was too stressed to read.
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