Photos: Thrifted Paintings
Jun. 17th, 2025 05:11 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithI found these three paintings at the Thrift'n'Sip Indoor Rummage Sale. There is a seascape, a forest, and a flower garden with a birdbath.
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The Great Farting Oxygen Event
Jun. 17th, 2025 12:02 amysabetwordsmithThis is the earliest mass extinction we know of on Earth, and it may well have been the worst. However, it usually doesn't appear on the standard lists of major mass extinctions.
Currently we are in the Anthropocene, whether people want to admit it or not. We are also in the midst of the Anthropocene Extinction, whether people want to admit it or not. See the insect apocalypse, amphibian apocalypse, and bird apocalypse.
Despite these grim statistics, humanity is not the most destructive species the Earth has ever known. That honor goes to whatever organism first discovered fire, harnessed the power of the Sun, and farted so much oxygen that almost everything else died.
Currently we are in the Anthropocene, whether people want to admit it or not. We are also in the midst of the Anthropocene Extinction, whether people want to admit it or not. See the insect apocalypse, amphibian apocalypse, and bird apocalypse.
Despite these grim statistics, humanity is not the most destructive species the Earth has ever known. That honor goes to whatever organism first discovered fire, harnessed the power of the Sun, and farted so much oxygen that almost everything else died.
(no subject)
Jun. 16th, 2025 08:18 pmravena_kadeThe weekend was okay. The rain cleared up late Saturday.
We stopped at Sabbaday falls first and Dad walked up a bit with me. There is a climb, but there are also benches at regular initials. We were the only ones there. I showed Dad how to use the camera and we said we would come back when the skies cleared. When we returned to the parking lot an older couple were getting out of their car. The man was carrying his artist wife's basil and paints. The intrepid artist had planned a day of plein air painting. They were very sweet.
The rest of the da was spent shopping and going out to eat. Since Sunday was to be clear we thought we'd take photos then. Sadly Dad slept wrong and had a stiff/sore neck all Sunday so he did not take any photos. Instead he drove around and I got out of the car alone. Not fond of that Makes me feel like I am being chauffeured. I dont. like that.
I found a new beautiful place. Echo beach. A beautiful glacial formed lake at the foot of a cliff. I was stunned when the small trail opened up. It is a place that I would love to paint. I also found a new waterfall for me.
I haven't downloaded my photos yet. I am procrastinating. I know the camera phots aren't perfect. I need to find out when the best light is at these spots to get good picks and go back/ Mountains are different than the beach. Too early and the sun doest make it through the trees. Non photographers dont like waiting for the light to finally make it there.
We stopped at Sabbaday falls first and Dad walked up a bit with me. There is a climb, but there are also benches at regular initials. We were the only ones there. I showed Dad how to use the camera and we said we would come back when the skies cleared. When we returned to the parking lot an older couple were getting out of their car. The man was carrying his artist wife's basil and paints. The intrepid artist had planned a day of plein air painting. They were very sweet.
The rest of the da was spent shopping and going out to eat. Since Sunday was to be clear we thought we'd take photos then. Sadly Dad slept wrong and had a stiff/sore neck all Sunday so he did not take any photos. Instead he drove around and I got out of the car alone. Not fond of that Makes me feel like I am being chauffeured. I dont. like that.
I found a new beautiful place. Echo beach. A beautiful glacial formed lake at the foot of a cliff. I was stunned when the small trail opened up. It is a place that I would love to paint. I also found a new waterfall for me.
I haven't downloaded my photos yet. I am procrastinating. I know the camera phots aren't perfect. I need to find out when the best light is at these spots to get good picks and go back/ Mountains are different than the beach. Too early and the sun doest make it through the trees. Non photographers dont like waiting for the light to finally make it there.
Conservation
Jun. 16th, 2025 05:25 pmysabetwordsmithThis 5-star island paradise doubles as a sea turtle rescue
In Malaysia, five islands form Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a glittery turquoise oasis filled with coral reefs, parrotfish, seahorses, and green sea turtles.
Gaya, the largest of the five islands, is also home to the Gaya Island Resort: a luxury 5-star retreat nestled in an ancient rainforest that boasts stunning sea views, swim-up pools, and a spa village hidden amongst the mangroves.
But when guests have free time — between relaxing on massage tables and eating teppanyaki, shabu-shabu, and nabe — the resort challenges visitors to partake in local marine conservation efforts.
Ecotourism is a good way to get people involved, and maybe they'll want to stay involved.
In Malaysia, five islands form Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a glittery turquoise oasis filled with coral reefs, parrotfish, seahorses, and green sea turtles.
Gaya, the largest of the five islands, is also home to the Gaya Island Resort: a luxury 5-star retreat nestled in an ancient rainforest that boasts stunning sea views, swim-up pools, and a spa village hidden amongst the mangroves.
But when guests have free time — between relaxing on massage tables and eating teppanyaki, shabu-shabu, and nabe — the resort challenges visitors to partake in local marine conservation efforts.
Ecotourism is a good way to get people involved, and maybe they'll want to stay involved.
Remigration vs. Refoulement
Jun. 16th, 2025 05:14 pmysabetwordsmithI've seen a lot of vocabulary abuse recently.
Remigration is the voluntary return to country of origin. If it's not voluntary, it's not remigration. This term covers things like freed slaves moving from America to Africa, or Syrian refugees going back to Syria now that some of them deem it safe. We need this term for such purposes, which right now means defending it from people who use it wrongly.
Refoulement is the forcible movement of refugees from the place they fled to back to the dangerous place they fled from. This is what the American government has done many times, such as sending boats full of Jewish refugees back to Nazi-infested Europe during World War II or the current transfer of refugees back to their country of origin. Call it what it is and cite the historic comparisons, where we've got evidence of people dying because of it.
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Remigration is the voluntary return to country of origin. If it's not voluntary, it's not remigration. This term covers things like freed slaves moving from America to Africa, or Syrian refugees going back to Syria now that some of them deem it safe. We need this term for such purposes, which right now means defending it from people who use it wrongly.
Refoulement is the forcible movement of refugees from the place they fled to back to the dangerous place they fled from. This is what the American government has done many times, such as sending boats full of Jewish refugees back to Nazi-infested Europe during World War II or the current transfer of refugees back to their country of origin. Call it what it is and cite the historic comparisons, where we've got evidence of people dying because of it.
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Jun. 16th, 2025 04:29 pmysabetwordsmith![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
everykindofcraft Created on 2025-06-12 23:43:59 (#4232910), last updated 2025-06-16 (41 minutes ago)
I know there are many crafters on Dreamwidth but it seems nothing devoted to it has been updated in eons or has no admin or both. So I decided to open
everykindofcraft for what it says in the name. A community where people can share their projects, either in process or completed, as well as ask for assistance with craft-related things.[Found via
yourlibrarian]Monday Update 6-16-25
Jun. 16th, 2025 01:32 pmysabetwordsmithThese are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Reverse Benchmarking
Recipe: "Pretzel Bread Grilled Cheese Sandwiches"
Worldbuilding
Today's Smoothie
Listen to "The Singing, Ringing Tree"
Poetry Fishbowl Themes for Late 2025
Read "Time Off"
Poem: "Fatherhood Is Support"
Poem: "Born and Found and Made"
Poem: "The Way a River Is Made"
Read "A Change in a New World"
Birdfeeding
Poem: "Strange Angels"
Poem: "Meant to Get Dirty"
Poem: "Where We All Meet"
Recipe: "Santorini Stir-Fry with Chicken and Patty Pan Squash"
Today's Adventures
Conservation
Birdfeeding
Creative Jam
Philosophical Questions: Avoidable
Today's Adventures
New Communities
Russian Losses
New Crowdfunding Project: "Take Us North"
Birdfeeding
Politics
Follow Friday 6-13-24: Hetalia
Insect Apocalypse
Sunshine Revival
Books
Birdfeeding
Hobbies: Ceramics
Photos: Dark Gardening
Birdfeeding
Moment of Silence: Brian Wilson
Insect Apocalypse
Hard Things
"Not a Destination, But a Process" has 139 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 89 comments.
summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the initial theme is "First Time 69: Everyone has to start somewhere."
"In the Heart of the Hidden Garden" belongs to the Antimatter and Stalwart Stan thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It needs $86 to be fully funded. Lawrence shows Stan around the campus at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
The weather has been warm and wet here. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, two mourning doves, a male cardinal, a catbird, a phoebe, a skunk, a fox squirrel, and at least 2 probably 3 bats. I've heard a red-bellied woodpecker but didn't see it. Privet, dogwood, and mock orange are done blooming. Privet and mock orange are winding down. Zucchini has flower buds. Currently blooming: dandelions, honeysuckle, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, impatiens, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, red coreopsis, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, astilbe, daylilies, snowball bush, yellow squash. 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomatoes are starting to show color. Blackberries, and tomatoes have green fruit. Wild strawberries, mulberries, and black raspberries are ripe.
Reverse Benchmarking
Recipe: "Pretzel Bread Grilled Cheese Sandwiches"
Worldbuilding
Today's Smoothie
Listen to "The Singing, Ringing Tree"
Poetry Fishbowl Themes for Late 2025
Read "Time Off"
Poem: "Fatherhood Is Support"
Poem: "Born and Found and Made"
Poem: "The Way a River Is Made"
Read "A Change in a New World"
Birdfeeding
Poem: "Strange Angels"
Poem: "Meant to Get Dirty"
Poem: "Where We All Meet"
Recipe: "Santorini Stir-Fry with Chicken and Patty Pan Squash"
Today's Adventures
Conservation
Birdfeeding
Creative Jam
Philosophical Questions: Avoidable
Today's Adventures
New Communities
Russian Losses
New Crowdfunding Project: "Take Us North"
Birdfeeding
Politics
Follow Friday 6-13-24: Hetalia
Insect Apocalypse
Sunshine Revival
Books
Birdfeeding
Hobbies: Ceramics
Photos: Dark Gardening
Birdfeeding
Moment of Silence: Brian Wilson
Insect Apocalypse
Hard Things
"Not a Destination, But a Process" has 139 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 89 comments.
summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the initial theme is "First Time 69: Everyone has to start somewhere.""In the Heart of the Hidden Garden" belongs to the Antimatter and Stalwart Stan thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It needs $86 to be fully funded. Lawrence shows Stan around the campus at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
The weather has been warm and wet here. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, two mourning doves, a male cardinal, a catbird, a phoebe, a skunk, a fox squirrel, and at least 2 probably 3 bats. I've heard a red-bellied woodpecker but didn't see it. Privet, dogwood, and mock orange are done blooming. Privet and mock orange are winding down. Zucchini has flower buds. Currently blooming: dandelions, honeysuckle, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, impatiens, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, red coreopsis, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, astilbe, daylilies, snowball bush, yellow squash. 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomatoes are starting to show color. Blackberries, and tomatoes have green fruit. Wild strawberries, mulberries, and black raspberries are ripe.
Birdfeeding
Jun. 16th, 2025 01:11 pmysabetwordsmithToday is partly cloudy and warm.
I haven't fed the birds yet, but I've seen a few sparrows and house finches. Despite not always seeing them in action, they continue to drain the hopper feeder daily.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I fed the birds.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I did some work around the patio.
The 'Ambrosia' melon is blooming. The tomatillo has a tiny green lantern fruit. :D
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I picked half a baggie of mulberries in the south lot and savanna.
Yellow pear tomato has green fruit. Daylilies are blooming.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I picked half a baggie of black raspberries, mostly along the south edge of the prairie garden.
Pinks, coreopsis, and black-eyed Susans are blooming in the prairie garden.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I trimmed overhanging brush in the ritual meadow.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I picked half a baggie of mulberries along the road and in the savanna.
The first of the yucca flowers are open in the white garden. :D
In the wildflower garden, purple and yellow coneflowers are forming. Narrow-leaf mountain mint is blooming.
EDIT 6/16/25 --Out of 4 pots of switchgrass, 3 had several seedlings each. I planted those in the prairie garden. They kind of fell apart though. I have some more started. I may wait to plant those until I see roots at the bottom holes.
.
I haven't fed the birds yet, but I've seen a few sparrows and house finches. Despite not always seeing them in action, they continue to drain the hopper feeder daily.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I fed the birds.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I did some work around the patio.
The 'Ambrosia' melon is blooming. The tomatillo has a tiny green lantern fruit. :D
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I picked half a baggie of mulberries in the south lot and savanna.
Yellow pear tomato has green fruit. Daylilies are blooming.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I picked half a baggie of black raspberries, mostly along the south edge of the prairie garden.
Pinks, coreopsis, and black-eyed Susans are blooming in the prairie garden.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I trimmed overhanging brush in the ritual meadow.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I picked half a baggie of mulberries along the road and in the savanna.
The first of the yucca flowers are open in the white garden. :D
In the wildflower garden, purple and yellow coneflowers are forming. Narrow-leaf mountain mint is blooming.
EDIT 6/16/25 --Out of 4 pots of switchgrass, 3 had several seedlings each. I planted those in the prairie garden. They kind of fell apart though. I have some more started. I may wait to plant those until I see roots at the bottom holes.
.
Reverse Benchmarking
Jun. 16th, 2025 12:42 amysabetwordsmithThis video describes an instance of reverse benchmarking in restaurants. Instead of trying to mimic what other people do well, identify what they do badly and do that well.
I routinely use this in my writing. I look for things that other people do badly or not at all, then I write those things. Also I never have the patience to wait around for 20 years while other folks work through the whole identity literature process. New trait? Trait-having hero! Done. This is how I wind up with things like An Army of One (neurodiverse characters making their own culture), The Bear Tunnels (Native American time travelers), The Moon Door (women with disabilities who become werewolves), The Ocracies (everything but monarchy), The Origami Mage and Path of the Paladins (ace heras), P.I.E. (a hera who doesn't fall for a jerk), Polychrome Heroics (superpowers that involve more than crime and crimefighting), and The Steamsmith (a black, genderqueer, British, steampunk engineer).
Go ahead, throw me prompts for things that nobody is doing well, or doing at all, in any relevant prompt call. We can fill that gap together.
I routinely use this in my writing. I look for things that other people do badly or not at all, then I write those things. Also I never have the patience to wait around for 20 years while other folks work through the whole identity literature process. New trait? Trait-having hero! Done. This is how I wind up with things like An Army of One (neurodiverse characters making their own culture), The Bear Tunnels (Native American time travelers), The Moon Door (women with disabilities who become werewolves), The Ocracies (everything but monarchy), The Origami Mage and Path of the Paladins (ace heras), P.I.E. (a hera who doesn't fall for a jerk), Polychrome Heroics (superpowers that involve more than crime and crimefighting), and The Steamsmith (a black, genderqueer, British, steampunk engineer).
Go ahead, throw me prompts for things that nobody is doing well, or doing at all, in any relevant prompt call. We can fill that gap together.
Worldbuilding
Jun. 15th, 2025 11:32 pmysabetwordsmithHow to Color Your Map Using SCIENCE!
Sketching out a map for a setting can be a lot of fun. Drawing a map gives you a bird’s-eye view of the world, a way to spatially organize plot arcs, and can be a great piece of artwork in its own right. But like most works of fiction, the creator should remember to keep it as believable as possible. This might be less important or less possible for unrecognizably alien worlds. Maps of Earth-like settings, however, can benefit from following some basic rules. Forests, tundras, deserts and plains don’t appear arbitrarily. These biomes are located where they are on Earth due to the way air and water circulate in the atmosphere – and any Earth-like world should follow the same basic rules for its atmosphere that Earth does.
But who wants to spend time researching atmospheric science just to know which parts of their map to color green, brown, or beige? Well, I do, so let me save you some trouble by relaying what I’ve learned.
( Read more... )
Sketching out a map for a setting can be a lot of fun. Drawing a map gives you a bird’s-eye view of the world, a way to spatially organize plot arcs, and can be a great piece of artwork in its own right. But like most works of fiction, the creator should remember to keep it as believable as possible. This might be less important or less possible for unrecognizably alien worlds. Maps of Earth-like settings, however, can benefit from following some basic rules. Forests, tundras, deserts and plains don’t appear arbitrarily. These biomes are located where they are on Earth due to the way air and water circulate in the atmosphere – and any Earth-like world should follow the same basic rules for its atmosphere that Earth does.
But who wants to spend time researching atmospheric science just to know which parts of their map to color green, brown, or beige? Well, I do, so let me save you some trouble by relaying what I’ve learned.
( Read more... )Recipe: "Pretzel Bread Grilled Cheese Sandwiches"
Jun. 15th, 2025 11:55 pmysabetwordsmithTonight we made grilled cheese with the pretzel bread that we bought recently at the Marshall Farmer's Market. It turned out really well. :D
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( Read more... )
Today's Smoothie
Jun. 15th, 2025 11:09 pmysabetwordsmithToday we made a smoothie with:
1 cup Brown Cow vanilla yogurt
about 1 to 1 1/2 cups fresh seedless watermelon chunks
about 2/3 cup frozen strawberries
1 teaspoon lime juice
The result is bright pink and on the thin side, with a notable watermelon flavor. I think next time I'll add a frozen banana.
1 cup Brown Cow vanilla yogurt
about 1 to 1 1/2 cups fresh seedless watermelon chunks
about 2/3 cup frozen strawberries
1 teaspoon lime juice
The result is bright pink and on the thin side, with a notable watermelon flavor. I think next time I'll add a frozen banana.
Listen to "The Singing, Ringing Tree"
Jun. 15th, 2025 10:41 pmysabetwordsmithThis sculpture is made of pipes that sing when the wind blows over them. It's weird to see one made out of metal. I'm used to live ones that open their holes as a means of summoning their pollinators.
Poetry Fishbowl Themes for Late 2025
Jun. 15th, 2025 09:18 pmysabetwordsmithBased on an audience poll, these are the Poetry Fishbowl themes for late 2025:
July 1 -- Weaponized Incompetence and Malicious Compliance
August 5 -- Books and Learning
September 2 -- Communication Styles
October 7 -- Witches and Wizards
November 4 -- Fairies and Fey
December 2 -- Sentient and Self-Aware Machines
Please mark your calendars, and I hope to see you then!
July 1 -- Weaponized Incompetence and Malicious Compliance
August 5 -- Books and Learning
September 2 -- Communication Styles
October 7 -- Witches and Wizards
November 4 -- Fairies and Fey
December 2 -- Sentient and Self-Aware Machines
Please mark your calendars, and I hope to see you then!
Read "Time Off"
Jun. 15th, 2025 05:56 pmysabetwordsmith"Time Off" by badly_knitted
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Summary: SG-1 have been given two days off, and Daniel doesn’t know what to do with himself.
A/N: Double drabble.
I have had exactly that kind of conversation. Also ones like:
Friend: "I just want to KILL something!"
Me: "I have a functionally endless supply of weeds. You are welcome to come massacre them."
badly_knittedFandom: Stargate SG-1
Summary: SG-1 have been given two days off, and Daniel doesn’t know what to do with himself.
A/N: Double drabble.
I have had exactly that kind of conversation. Also ones like:
Friend: "I just want to KILL something!"
Me: "I have a functionally endless supply of weeds. You are welcome to come massacre them."
Poem: "Fatherhood Is Support"
Jun. 15th, 2025 04:38 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem was written outside the regular prompt calls. It fills the "support" square in my 6-2-25 card for the Pride Fest Bingo. It is posted as a gift to Anthony Barrette for Father's Day. This is the last of that batch. Check the Poem tag to see the others; it's a batch of 6 total, all with that red gift icon. \o/
"Fatherhood Is Support"
Fatherhood is
more than just DNA,
more than just being
married to a mother.
Fatherhood is
about support.
It's a treetrunk leg
for a baby to cling to,
strong arms tossing
a toddler into the air.
It's a hand on the back
of the bicycle right after
the training wheels come off --
and knowing when to let go.
It's clapping at recitals,
at school plays, at all
of the sporting events
or other performances.
It's a calm voice from
the passenger seat
while learning to drive.
It's paying for college
and going to graduation.
It's the everyday words
that become an inner voice,
heard and remembered,
absorbed and echoed:
I knew you could do it.
"Fatherhood Is Support"
Fatherhood is
more than just DNA,
more than just being
married to a mother.
Fatherhood is
about support.
It's a treetrunk leg
for a baby to cling to,
strong arms tossing
a toddler into the air.
It's a hand on the back
of the bicycle right after
the training wheels come off --
and knowing when to let go.
It's clapping at recitals,
at school plays, at all
of the sporting events
or other performances.
It's a calm voice from
the passenger seat
while learning to drive.
It's paying for college
and going to graduation.
It's the everyday words
that become an inner voice,
heard and remembered,
absorbed and echoed:
I knew you could do it.
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