Poem: "Trying to Be Better"
Nov. 20th, 2025 09:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithThis poem is spillover from the October 2025 ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crowdfunding Creative Jam. It was inspired by a prompt from readera. It also fills the "Do you trust me?" square in my 10-1-25 card for the Fall Festival Bingo. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the Frank the Crank arc in the Big One thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "The Clearest Signal" and "Set on Continuous Improvement," so read those first or this won't make as much sense.
( Read more... )
crowdfunding Creative Jam. It was inspired by a prompt from readera. It also fills the "Do you trust me?" square in my 10-1-25 card for the Fall Festival Bingo. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the Frank the Crank arc in the Big One thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "The Clearest Signal" and "Set on Continuous Improvement," so read those first or this won't make as much sense.( Read more... )
Poem: "Set on Continuous Improvement"
Nov. 20th, 2025 08:45 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem is spillover from the October 2025 crowdfunding Creative Jam. It was inspired by a prompt from readera. It also fills the "Dark Side" square in my 10-1-25 card for the Fall Festival Bingo. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the Frank the Crank arc in the Big One thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "The Clearest Signal," so read that first or this won't make as much sense.
( Read more... )
crowdfunding Creative Jam. It was inspired by a prompt from readera. It also fills the "Dark Side" square in my 10-1-25 card for the Fall Festival Bingo. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the Frank the Crank arc in the Big One thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "The Clearest Signal," so read that first or this won't make as much sense.( Read more... )
Science
Nov. 20th, 2025 02:01 pmysabetwordsmithEarth's magnetic field has a weak spot — and it's getting bigger, putting astronauts and satellites at risk
This could be bad news for satellites and spacefarers.
A weak spot in Earth's protective magnetic field is growing larger and exposing orbiting satellites and astronauts to more solar radiation, according to more than a decade of measurements by three orbiting observatories.
This could be bad news for satellites and spacefarers.
A weak spot in Earth's protective magnetic field is growing larger and exposing orbiting satellites and astronauts to more solar radiation, according to more than a decade of measurements by three orbiting observatories.
Birdfeeding
Nov. 20th, 2025 01:37 pmysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy and cool. It drizzled a bit yesterday and last night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 11/20/25 -- I planted 6 pots of switchgrass, 6 pots of sideoats grama, and 4 pots of river oats in the prairie garden. These are pots I started from seed earlier in the year, but then it got too hot and dry to plant them. While some had died, others had surprisingly robust rootballs in their little pots, and a few had wisps of green at the crown. :D
EDIT 11/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 11/20/25 -- I planted 6 pots of switchgrass, 6 pots of sideoats grama, and 4 pots of river oats in the prairie garden. These are pots I started from seed earlier in the year, but then it got too hot and dry to plant them. While some had died, others had surprisingly robust rootballs in their little pots, and a few had wisps of green at the crown. :D
EDIT 11/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
.
Hobbies: Quilting
Nov. 20th, 2025 12:14 amysabetwordsmithFolks have mentioned an interest in questions and conversations that make them think. So I've decided to offer more of those. This batch features hobbies.
Quilting is a fibercraft hobby of sewing layers of fabric together, usually to make colorful designs. If you feel frustrated by planned obsolescence, artificial intelligence, and other current issues then consider quilting as a form of protest. Make something beautiful that will last.
On Dreamwidth, consider communities likecrafty, cross_stitch, everykindofcraft, get_knitted, intertwined, justcreate, quilting, quilters_chat, sewing, and sewing101.
( Read more... )
Quilting is a fibercraft hobby of sewing layers of fabric together, usually to make colorful designs. If you feel frustrated by planned obsolescence, artificial intelligence, and other current issues then consider quilting as a form of protest. Make something beautiful that will last.
On Dreamwidth, consider communities like
crafty, cross_stitch, everykindofcraft, get_knitted, intertwined, justcreate, quilting, quilters_chat, sewing, and sewing101.( Read more... )
Self-Care
Nov. 19th, 2025 10:59 pmysabetwordsmith53 Best Self-Care Gifts for Peak Pampering
Meaningful self-care goes beyond a simple bubble bath or at-home facial (though, those are really nice, too), and we all need support and resources to maintain self-care routines that truly benefit us.
If you’re looking to be that support for someone else, self-care gifts can make a major impact.
Stock up for Self-Care Wednesday! Or pack these as host/ess gifts for your relatives at Thanksgiving, with a card explaining that followup holiday.
Meaningful self-care goes beyond a simple bubble bath or at-home facial (though, those are really nice, too), and we all need support and resources to maintain self-care routines that truly benefit us.
If you’re looking to be that support for someone else, self-care gifts can make a major impact.
Stock up for Self-Care Wednesday! Or pack these as host/ess gifts for your relatives at Thanksgiving, with a card explaining that followup holiday.
Birdfeeding
Nov. 19th, 2025 12:36 pmysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy and cool. It's been raining off and on.
I fed the birds. I haven't seen much activity today.
I put out water for the birds.
I fed the birds. I haven't seen much activity today.
I put out water for the birds.
Good News
Nov. 19th, 2025 12:36 pmysabetwordsmithGood 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?
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?
Conservation
Nov. 18th, 2025 04:45 pmysabetwordsmithNew directory of 125+ tree-planting nonprofits makes it easier to contribute to reforestation around the world
The Global Reforestation Organization Directory provides standardized information about the public commitments and transparency of more than 125 major tree-planting organizations, making it easier for donors to compare groups and find the ones that match their priorities.
Save the world, plant some trees! :D Coming into the holiday season, watch for organizations that offer gift options where you can plant trees in someone's name.
The Global Reforestation Organization Directory provides standardized information about the public commitments and transparency of more than 125 major tree-planting organizations, making it easier for donors to compare groups and find the ones that match their priorities.
Save the world, plant some trees! :D Coming into the holiday season, watch for organizations that offer gift options where you can plant trees in someone's name.
Birdfeeding
Nov. 18th, 2025 01:58 pmysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy and cool. It rained most of last night and into this morning. :D
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
It's been raining on and off.
EDIT -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
It's been raining on and off.
EDIT -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
stirs on the earth
Nov. 18th, 2025 12:40 amfrausorgeHi! Apparently I only post in November anymore, but it is November, so. It's card poll time!
Poll #33846 a thousand voices
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: Just the Poll Creator, participants: 4
What's your mailing address?
What kind of wishes do you like?
Celebratory
2 (66.7%)
Specifically Christmas-y
1 (33.3%)
is it the thunder?
a pang more thrilling
1 (25.0%)
a hope more sweet
1 (25.0%)
the sign of your fulfilling
1 (25.0%)
the flaming of your feet
4 (100.0%)
Pool Open!
Nov. 18th, 2025 12:01 amysabetwordsmithfuzzyred is hosting a pool for the half-price sale in Polychrome Heroics. Targets include the whole Finn Family thread and whatever else will fit in the budget from the Big One thread. The latter includes a triptych about Josué and Aidan, as well as two poems about Frank the Crank, for those of you following either of those characters.Climate Change
Nov. 17th, 2025 04:44 pmysabetwordsmithSatellite images reveal the fastest Antarctic glacier retreat ever
Hektoria Glacier’s sudden eight-kilometer collapse stunned scientists, marking the fastest modern ice retreat ever recorded in Antarctica. Its flat, below-sea-level ice plain allowed huge slabs of ice to detach rapidly once retreat began. Seismic activity confirmed this wasn’t just floating ice but grounded mass contributing to sea level rise. The event raises alarms that other fragile glaciers may be poised for similar, faster-than-expected collapses.
Just because something is big, doesn't necessarily mean it's always slow. Climate change can move blindingly fast.
If I were there, I'd be crawling over that exposed plain searching for signs of life. Antarctica is waking up.
Hektoria Glacier’s sudden eight-kilometer collapse stunned scientists, marking the fastest modern ice retreat ever recorded in Antarctica. Its flat, below-sea-level ice plain allowed huge slabs of ice to detach rapidly once retreat began. Seismic activity confirmed this wasn’t just floating ice but grounded mass contributing to sea level rise. The event raises alarms that other fragile glaciers may be poised for similar, faster-than-expected collapses.
Just because something is big, doesn't necessarily mean it's always slow. Climate change can move blindingly fast.
If I were there, I'd be crawling over that exposed plain searching for signs of life. Antarctica is waking up.
Birdfeeding
Nov. 17th, 2025 01:50 pmysabetwordsmithToday is partly sunny and cool.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 11/17/25 -- I trimmed brush along the south edge of the house.
EDIT 11/17/25 -- We cleared the rest of the brush from in front of the garage.
EDIT 11/17/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a goldfinch on the thistle feeder.
EDIT 11/17/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 11/17/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 11/17/25 -- I trimmed brush along the south edge of the house.
EDIT 11/17/25 -- We cleared the rest of the brush from in front of the garage.
EDIT 11/17/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a goldfinch on the thistle feeder.
EDIT 11/17/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 11/17/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
Monday Update 11-17-25
Nov. 17th, 2025 12:26 amysabetwordsmithThese are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Cyberspace Theory
Poem: "Better Than a Million Dollars"
Food
Birdfeeding
Wildlife
Creative Jam
Today's Adventures
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Censorship
Politics
Communities
Education
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 11-14-25: Kink
Food
Birdfeeding
Vocabulary: Carcinization
New Crowdfunding Project: "Monsterotica"
Read "An Old Diversion"
Cyberspace Theory
Conservation
Birdfeeding
Cuddle Party
Shopping has 28 comments. Trauma has 42 comments. Affordable Housing has 61 comments. Robotics has 98 comments.
"An Inkling of Things to Come" belongs to Polychrome: Shiv and needs $191 to be complete. Maiara and Arthur discuss taking notes.
The weather has been variable here. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, a young fox squirrel, and an adult fox squirrel. Most of the flowers have died off. I brought in the ceramic pots. Harvest is pretty much done, except a few random fields that may not get done.
Cyberspace Theory
Poem: "Better Than a Million Dollars"
Food
Birdfeeding
Wildlife
Creative Jam
Today's Adventures
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Censorship
Politics
Communities
Education
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 11-14-25: Kink
Food
Birdfeeding
Vocabulary: Carcinization
New Crowdfunding Project: "Monsterotica"
Read "An Old Diversion"
Cyberspace Theory
Conservation
Birdfeeding
Cuddle Party
Shopping has 28 comments. Trauma has 42 comments. Affordable Housing has 61 comments. Robotics has 98 comments.
"An Inkling of Things to Come" belongs to Polychrome: Shiv and needs $191 to be complete. Maiara and Arthur discuss taking notes.
The weather has been variable here. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, a young fox squirrel, and an adult fox squirrel. Most of the flowers have died off. I brought in the ceramic pots. Harvest is pretty much done, except a few random fields that may not get done.