The Wordsmith's Forge

Today is partly sunny, muggy and warm, quite windy.  Chance of thunderstorms later.

I fed the birds.  I've seen house finches, doves, and a squirrel today.

We started breaking down the brushpile in the middle of the yard.  Nobody else would get around to it for months, which does not constitute actually solving the problem.  >_<  This society is so broken.

When I was little, people had more tools and more connections.  So it wasn't left just to individuals or professionals.  With the work spread out, it got done faster.  Now, things often don't get done and that can cause problems.

Meanwhile over in Terramagne, most towns have a municipal response to things like storms.  See "Windswept" for an example.

EDIT 6/26/21 -- We filled a wheelbarrow with smaller sticks and hauled it to the firepit.

EDIT 6/26/21 -- Just as we finished supper, it began pouring rain, enough to cover the patio with water, not just a few puddles like usual.  So no more yardwork today.

This article looks for the science in life flashing before your eyes during an emergency.

( Collapse )

For my current set of tips, I'm using the list "101 Small Ways You Can Improve Your City.

78. Smile, particularly at strangers. "If you are feeling Southern enough, actually speak. It instantly makes the world a better place."
— Carol Coletta, senior fellow with The Kresge Foundation’s American Cities Practice

I found this manual on how to keep people company through grief.  It has a lot of great details for when you don't know how to support a grieving person.  It also touches on mourning skills for the bereaved. 

Today we made Chicken Kofta with Yogurt Sauce. It was amazing. The flavor is very authentic Middle Eastern. Highly recommended.

( Collapse )

Today is warm and muggy with a breeze.  It rained off and on for much of last night.

I fed the birds.  I've seen house finches and a squirrel today.

I picked half a bag of mulberries.

I went back out and got half a bag of black raspberries.

EDIT 6/25/21 -- I planted a few more cypress vine around the support wire.  Something keeps eating the sprouts.  >_<

I found a Cope's gray tree frog in the road, and picked him up so he wouldn't get smushed.  He was extremely jumpy and slippery.  I put him down in the barrel garden.  We have both gray and green tree frogs here, but I almost never see them.  I think this is the only the second time I've seen a gray one, and I saw a green one once.

Here's an article about conspiracy theories.

( Collapse )

Here's an interesting article about the brain at death.

( Collapse )

Science: you're doing it right. :D

 ... incorporate metal.  Like the little fuckers needed another way to be badass.