ysabetwordsmith (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 11:23 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 11:23 pm
Entry tags:
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 10:38 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 10:38 pmConservation
The genius invention that made peace with lions
A 12-year-old boy invented a system of lights that mimicked human patrols, thus shooing lions away from homes and livestock. This reduced interspecies conflicts, allowing lions to coexist peacefully with humans and their livestock.
Think about how humans and wildlife interact. Where there are dangerous conflicts as above, seek to understand each other's behavior and how small changes can reduce or eliminate conflicts so that all species can live and let live. Watch for effective solutions and spread them.
A 12-year-old boy invented a system of lights that mimicked human patrols, thus shooing lions away from homes and livestock. This reduced interspecies conflicts, allowing lions to coexist peacefully with humans and their livestock.
Think about how humans and wildlife interact. Where there are dangerous conflicts as above, seek to understand each other's behavior and how small changes can reduce or eliminate conflicts so that all species can live and let live. Watch for effective solutions and spread them.
scrubjayspeaks (scrubjayspeaks) wrote2025-07-20 08:14 pm
scrubjayspeaks) wrote2025-07-20 08:14 pmDone This Week
Please excuse me, I have just spent the last two days up to my eyeballs in succulents and payment processing. It was not bad, but it is always A Lot™, and now I am very tired.
I obtained a relatively sensible number of new plants, provided you ignore the part where I really didn’t need *any* new plants. And I was gifted one huge, competition-worthy specimen as a thank-you from the club for the multi-month effort of setting them up to use barcode scanners. I even have a lovely proper pot for it to live in. If I can keep it happy for a year, I think I might try entering it in the competition. I’ve never had anything suitable before.
For now, though, I have two boxes of plants on the dining room table and a bed that is calling my name.
Lewisia: no new pieces written, but still on track
Day job: 42.5 hours
Gardening: the final scramble on the club’s barcode database, club meeting, day one of the sale
Listening: Dance and Cry by Mother Mother (I’ve had a few tracks from them in mixtapes over the years and finally bought an album, this one has “It’s Alright” on it ;_;), Muminröster (the Swedish version of Moomin Voices, after my “Oops! All Finnish!” purchase)
Clock Mouse: 1271 words
I obtained a relatively sensible number of new plants, provided you ignore the part where I really didn’t need *any* new plants. And I was gifted one huge, competition-worthy specimen as a thank-you from the club for the multi-month effort of setting them up to use barcode scanners. I even have a lovely proper pot for it to live in. If I can keep it happy for a year, I think I might try entering it in the competition. I’ve never had anything suitable before.
For now, though, I have two boxes of plants on the dining room table and a bed that is calling my name.
Lewisia: no new pieces written, but still on track
Day job: 42.5 hours
Gardening: the final scramble on the club’s barcode database, club meeting, day one of the sale
Listening: Dance and Cry by Mother Mother (I’ve had a few tracks from them in mixtapes over the years and finally bought an album, this one has “It’s Alright” on it ;_;), Muminröster (the Swedish version of Moomin Voices, after my “Oops! All Finnish!” purchase)
Clock Mouse: 1271 words
dialecticdreamer (dialecticdreamer) wrote2025-07-20 10:47 pm
dialecticdreamer) wrote2025-07-20 10:47 pm
Entry tags:
A Strange Conversation (part 1 of 1, complete)
A Strange Conversation
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1315
[Saturday, 5 August, 2017, 9:00 a.m.]
:: LaQuinta is trying to find work for the day when a very strange conversation leads to a major turn in events. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::
“I’m sorry, miss, but our delivery drivers have to be bonded to deliver prescriptions,” the pharmacist declared.
LaQuinta winced. “Thanks for listening to my pitch, then.” She turned, and when her stomach began to growl, she hurried toward the front door of the small shop. It didn’t have a sandwich board, like the larger chain drugstores did, that already turned away independent delivery drivers.
She checked the time on her phone, but just as she turned toward the road that led to Jaliya’s Kitchen, a woman near her own age, perhaps older, combed her hand through her honey blonde hair and sniffed at the stern-faced older man at the register. “Lemme guess,” she drawled, “No work for strangers?”
( Read more... )
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1315
[Saturday, 5 August, 2017, 9:00 a.m.]
:: LaQuinta is trying to find work for the day when a very strange conversation leads to a major turn in events. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::
“I’m sorry, miss, but our delivery drivers have to be bonded to deliver prescriptions,” the pharmacist declared.
LaQuinta winced. “Thanks for listening to my pitch, then.” She turned, and when her stomach began to growl, she hurried toward the front door of the small shop. It didn’t have a sandwich board, like the larger chain drugstores did, that already turned away independent delivery drivers.
She checked the time on her phone, but just as she turned toward the road that led to Jaliya’s Kitchen, a woman near her own age, perhaps older, combed her hand through her honey blonde hair and sniffed at the stern-faced older man at the register. “Lemme guess,” she drawled, “No work for strangers?”
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 04:13 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 04:13 pmEntry tags:
Poem: "A New Twist"
This poem was written for the Sunshine Revival Challenge 6: Game Night. It also fills the "Dodge" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo Fest. It belongs to the series Love Is For Children.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 03:31 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 03:31 pmEntry tags:
Sunshine Revival Challenge 6: Game Night
Sunshine Revival Challenge 6: Game Night
Journaling prompt: What games do you play, if any? Are you a solo-gamer or do you view games as a social activity?
Creative prompt: Write a story/fic around the theme "game night".
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.
( Read more... )
Journaling prompt: What games do you play, if any? Are you a solo-gamer or do you view games as a social activity?
Creative prompt: Write a story/fic around the theme "game night".
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.
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 02:24 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 02:24 pmEntry tags:
Early Humans
11,000-year-old feast uncovered: Why hunters hauled wild boars across mountains
Ancient Iranians hosted epic feasts with wild boars that had been hunted and transported from distant regions. These animals weren’t just dinner—they were symbolic gifts. Tooth enamel analysis revealed they came from different areas, suggesting early communities valued geography in gift-giving. The event took place even before agriculture began, hinting at deeply rooted cultural traditions.
Ancient Iranians hosted epic feasts with wild boars that had been hunted and transported from distant regions. These animals weren’t just dinner—they were symbolic gifts. Tooth enamel analysis revealed they came from different areas, suggesting early communities valued geography in gift-giving. The event took place even before agriculture began, hinting at deeply rooted cultural traditions.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 02:22 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 02:22 pmEntry tags:
Creative Jam
The July ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crowdfunding Creative Jam is open with a theme of "Heroism -- Real or Perceived." Come give us prompts, or claim some for your own inspiration.
What I Have Written
From My Prompts
crowdfunding Creative Jam is open with a theme of "Heroism -- Real or Perceived." Come give us prompts, or claim some for your own inspiration.What I Have Written
From My Prompts
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 02:11 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-20 02:11 pmEntry tags:
Birdfeeding
Today is cloudy and warm. It rained yesterday.
I fed the birds. I haven't seen much activity, but heard a squirrel chattering.
EDIT 7/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/20/25 -- It rained copiously this afternoon, and is still thundering occasionally.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I haven't seen much activity, but heard a squirrel chattering.
EDIT 7/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/20/25 -- It rained copiously this afternoon, and is still thundering occasionally.
I am done for the night.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote in crowdfunding2025-07-20 02:10 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote in crowdfunding2025-07-20 02:10 pmEntry tags:
Creative Jam
Welcome to the 145th Crowdfunding Creative Jam! This session will run Saturday, July 19-Sunday, July 20. The theme is "Heroism -- Real and Perceived."
Crowdfunding Creative Jam
Everyone is eligible to post prompts, which may be words or phrases, titles, images, etc. Prompters may request a specific creator, but everyone else may still use that prompt if they wish. Prompts may specify a particular character/world/etc. but creators may use the prompt for something else anyway and post the results. Prompters are still encouraged to post mostly prompts that anyone could use anywhere, as this maximizes the chance of having creators make something based on your prompt. Please title your comment "Prompt" or "Prompts" when providing inspiration so these are easy to find.
Prompt responses may also be treated as prompts and used for further inspiration. For example, a prompt may lead to a sketch which leads to a story, and so on. This kind of cascading inspiration is one of the most fun things about a collective jam session.
Everyone is eligible to use prompts, and everyone who wants to use a given prompt may do so, for maximum flexibility of creator choice in inspiration. You do not have to post a "Claim" reply when you decide to use a prompt, but this does help indicate what is going on so that other prompters can spread out their choice of prompts if they wish.
Creators are encouraged, but not required, to post at least one item free. Likewise, sharing a private copy of material with the prompter is encouraged but not required. Creative material resulting from prompts should be indicated in a reply to the prompt, with a link to the full content elsewhere on the creator's site (if desired); a brief excerpt and/or description of the material may be included in the reply (if desired). It helps to title your comment "Prompt Filled" or something like that so these are easy to identify. There is no time limit on responding to prompts. However, creators are encouraged to post replies sooner rather than later, as the attention of prompters will be highest during and shortly after the session.
Some items created from prompts may become available for sponsorship. Some creators may offer perks for donations, linkbacks, or other activity relating to this project. Check creator comments and links for their respective offerings.
Prompters, creators, and bystanders are expected to behave in a responsible and civil manner. If the moderators have to drag someone out of the sandbox for improper behavior, we will not be amused. Please respect other people's territory and intellectual property rights, and only play with someone else's characters/setting/etc. if you have permission. (Fanfic/fanart freebies are okay.) If you want to invite folks to play with something of yours, title the comment something like "Open Playground" so it's easy to spot. This can be a good way to attract new people to a shared world or open-source project, or just have some good non-canon fun.
Boost the signal! The more people who participate, the more fun this will be. Hopefully we'll see activity from a lot of folks who regularly mention their projects in this community, but new people are always welcome. You can link to this session post or to individual items created from prompts, whatever you think is awesome enough to recommend to your friends.
Crowdfunding Creative Jam
Everyone is eligible to post prompts, which may be words or phrases, titles, images, etc. Prompters may request a specific creator, but everyone else may still use that prompt if they wish. Prompts may specify a particular character/world/etc. but creators may use the prompt for something else anyway and post the results. Prompters are still encouraged to post mostly prompts that anyone could use anywhere, as this maximizes the chance of having creators make something based on your prompt. Please title your comment "Prompt" or "Prompts" when providing inspiration so these are easy to find.
Prompt responses may also be treated as prompts and used for further inspiration. For example, a prompt may lead to a sketch which leads to a story, and so on. This kind of cascading inspiration is one of the most fun things about a collective jam session.
Everyone is eligible to use prompts, and everyone who wants to use a given prompt may do so, for maximum flexibility of creator choice in inspiration. You do not have to post a "Claim" reply when you decide to use a prompt, but this does help indicate what is going on so that other prompters can spread out their choice of prompts if they wish.
Creators are encouraged, but not required, to post at least one item free. Likewise, sharing a private copy of material with the prompter is encouraged but not required. Creative material resulting from prompts should be indicated in a reply to the prompt, with a link to the full content elsewhere on the creator's site (if desired); a brief excerpt and/or description of the material may be included in the reply (if desired). It helps to title your comment "Prompt Filled" or something like that so these are easy to identify. There is no time limit on responding to prompts. However, creators are encouraged to post replies sooner rather than later, as the attention of prompters will be highest during and shortly after the session.
Some items created from prompts may become available for sponsorship. Some creators may offer perks for donations, linkbacks, or other activity relating to this project. Check creator comments and links for their respective offerings.
Prompters, creators, and bystanders are expected to behave in a responsible and civil manner. If the moderators have to drag someone out of the sandbox for improper behavior, we will not be amused. Please respect other people's territory and intellectual property rights, and only play with someone else's characters/setting/etc. if you have permission. (Fanfic/fanart freebies are okay.) If you want to invite folks to play with something of yours, title the comment something like "Open Playground" so it's easy to spot. This can be a good way to attract new people to a shared world or open-source project, or just have some good non-canon fun.
Boost the signal! The more people who participate, the more fun this will be. Hopefully we'll see activity from a lot of folks who regularly mention their projects in this community, but new people are always welcome. You can link to this session post or to individual items created from prompts, whatever you think is awesome enough to recommend to your friends.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-19 11:53 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-19 11:53 pm
dialecticdreamer (dialecticdreamer) wrote2025-07-19 10:55 pm
dialecticdreamer) wrote2025-07-19 10:55 pm
Entry tags:
International Interests (part 1 of 1, complete)
International Interests
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1154
[Saturday, 5 August, 2017, 7:30 a.m.]
:: Italian police officers try to speak to Elisabeth and Graham Finn, and more options are discussed. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::
A policeman with carroty red hair rapped lightly on the front door of the Finn’s two-story house, surprised to see the six other people clustering on the small walkway between the bottom step and the driveway. “You’re leaving me alone to --” he began, hissing, then cleared his throat as Graham Finn opened the door. “Good morning. I know it’s early, I’m sorry. My name is Lieutenant Brandon Rothwell. We’d like to discuss a security matter with you and your wife. It concerns your child in Italy.”
( Read more... )
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1154
[Saturday, 5 August, 2017, 7:30 a.m.]
:: Italian police officers try to speak to Elisabeth and Graham Finn, and more options are discussed. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::
A policeman with carroty red hair rapped lightly on the front door of the Finn’s two-story house, surprised to see the six other people clustering on the small walkway between the bottom step and the driveway. “You’re leaving me alone to --” he began, hissing, then cleared his throat as Graham Finn opened the door. “Good morning. I know it’s early, I’m sorry. My name is Lieutenant Brandon Rothwell. We’d like to discuss a security matter with you and your wife. It concerns your child in Italy.”
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-19 04:18 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-19 04:18 pmBirdfeeding
Today is cloudy, mild, and wet. It rained all morning.
I fed the birds. I've seen motion but the windows were too wet to identify anything.
EDIT 7/19/25 -- Yay, the window dried up enough to see through! Sparrows, house finches, and a mourning dove are mobbing the feeders.
EDIT 7/19/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/19/25 -- I potted up 2 cherry plums and a white peach.
EDIT 7/19/25 -- I added more potting soil to several pots that needed it.
Fireflies are coming out. Cicadas are singing.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen motion but the windows were too wet to identify anything.
EDIT 7/19/25 -- Yay, the window dried up enough to see through! Sparrows, house finches, and a mourning dove are mobbing the feeders.
EDIT 7/19/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/19/25 -- I potted up 2 cherry plums and a white peach.
EDIT 7/19/25 -- I added more potting soil to several pots that needed it.
Fireflies are coming out. Cicadas are singing.
I am done for the night.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-19 02:24 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-19 02:24 pmEntry tags:
Philosophical Questions:
People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.
How should we measure the productivity of a society?
( Read more... )
How should we measure the productivity of a society?
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-19 03:59 am
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-19 03:59 amEntry tags:
Permaculture
THE MINI FOREST - Rewilding using the Miyawaki Method
Terrell Wong is about to plant 100 trees in her small Toronto backyard, a dense mini forest based on the Miyawaki Method. What at first seems like a simple act soon evolves into a complex story about dirt, lawns, fungus, wildlife, native species, and finally the human brain. An anti-lawn anthem from director David Hartman, The Mini Forest explores this innovative form of afforestation and the importance of restoring the native woodlands that once covered so much of Canada and the World.
( Read more... )
Terrell Wong is about to plant 100 trees in her small Toronto backyard, a dense mini forest based on the Miyawaki Method. What at first seems like a simple act soon evolves into a complex story about dirt, lawns, fungus, wildlife, native species, and finally the human brain. An anti-lawn anthem from director David Hartman, The Mini Forest explores this innovative form of afforestation and the importance of restoring the native woodlands that once covered so much of Canada and the World.
( Read more... )
dialecticdreamer (dialecticdreamer) wrote2025-07-18 11:11 pm
dialecticdreamer) wrote2025-07-18 11:11 pm
Entry tags:
Intermission (part 1 of 1, complete)
Intermission
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1084
[Saturday, 5 August, 2017, 7 a.m.]
:: Many small events happen at the beginning of an average work day in California (and elsewhere). Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::
“Mister Durante?” an accented voice asked, just as the man stepped out with travel mug in one hand and his house keys in the other. Alfonso Durante turned, his eyes widening as he recognized the crowd of people standing on the sidewalk. Two Mercedes cops, two men in business suits, a woman wearing several pins on the lapel of her charcoal gray business suit, including a green Esperanto flag, a woman in a black, unmarked jumpsuit with military cut, and a person so androgynous that Alfonso couldn’t make a guess at gender, even in profile.
Alfonso glanced at the local cops, then nodded. “Yes.”
( Read more... )
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1084
[Saturday, 5 August, 2017, 7 a.m.]
:: Many small events happen at the beginning of an average work day in California (and elsewhere). Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::
“Mister Durante?” an accented voice asked, just as the man stepped out with travel mug in one hand and his house keys in the other. Alfonso Durante turned, his eyes widening as he recognized the crowd of people standing on the sidewalk. Two Mercedes cops, two men in business suits, a woman wearing several pins on the lapel of her charcoal gray business suit, including a green Esperanto flag, a woman in a black, unmarked jumpsuit with military cut, and a person so androgynous that Alfonso couldn’t make a guess at gender, even in profile.
Alfonso glanced at the local cops, then nodded. “Yes.”
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 07:35 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 07:35 pmEntry tags:
Survival Skills
Man Builds House Out of ABANDONED PALLETS in the Middle of the Forest in 121 Days
In this video you will see how I built a house from free pallets by myself near the Samotochka River. From start to finish - life in the forest, survival, manual work without power tools. Everything was done only with the help of hand tools and natural materials that I could find around. This house by the river became a place for relaxation, silence and solitude away from civilization.
( Read more... )
In this video you will see how I built a house from free pallets by myself near the Samotochka River. From start to finish - life in the forest, survival, manual work without power tools. Everything was done only with the help of hand tools and natural materials that I could find around. This house by the river became a place for relaxation, silence and solitude away from civilization.
( Read more... )
scrubjayspeaks (scrubjayspeaks) wrote2025-07-18 04:38 pm
scrubjayspeaks) wrote2025-07-18 04:38 pmEntry tags:
Lake Lewisia #1279
The tourist insisted, over breakfast in the local diner, that he was on an arts and culture tour of the region, focused mainly on music. The brochures and hand-written itineraries spread out next to the syrupy remains of his meal, however, made no mention of concert halls or bands playing in barrooms or basements, and instead talked a great deal about hikes in wooded areas and the best kept secret spots around the lake. Fairy forts and the dens of lake monsters might not be the hot music scenes most people thought of, but he seemed eager enough to brave the dangers in pursuit of the next new melody.
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LL#1279
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LL#1279
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 06:18 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 06:18 pmSelf-Care
Tai chi, yoga, and jogging rival pills for beating insomnia
Findings back use of exercise as primary treatment strategy for poor sleep, say researchers.
Yoga, Tai Chi, walking, and jogging may be some of the best natural remedies for improving sleep and tackling insomnia, according to a large analysis comparing various treatments. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) remains effective, exercise-based approaches—especially Tai Chi—were shown to deliver significant improvements in total sleep time, efficiency, and reducing how long people stay awake after falling asleep. Yoga stood out for boosting overall restfulness, and jogging helped ease insomnia symptoms.
( Read more... )
Findings back use of exercise as primary treatment strategy for poor sleep, say researchers.
Yoga, Tai Chi, walking, and jogging may be some of the best natural remedies for improving sleep and tackling insomnia, according to a large analysis comparing various treatments. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) remains effective, exercise-based approaches—especially Tai Chi—were shown to deliver significant improvements in total sleep time, efficiency, and reducing how long people stay awake after falling asleep. Yoga stood out for boosting overall restfulness, and jogging helped ease insomnia symptoms.
( Read more... )