ysabetwordsmith (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 07:35 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 07:35 pm
Entry 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... )
i did it all for the robins (musesfool) wrote2025-07-18 08:12 pm
musesfool) wrote2025-07-18 08:12 pm
all arms and legs
I mentioned I've been reading a bunch of DCU/PJO crossovers, and mostly I like it when nobody is related to the Waynes and no Waynes are secretly demigods and it's just Percy et al in Gotham and rolling with their weirdness (or vice versa, I guess, but I haven't seen any like that yet), though I have enjoyed those other types. For me, the big key to making the crossover work, aside from the fact that I want it to so I'm primed for it (i.e., buy the premise, buy the joke), is how Wonder Woman is handled (and to a much lesser extent, Wonder Girl), even more so than Aquaman and Atlantis.
Like, for me as a reader, you can't pretend that the Batfamily is totally ignorant of the Greek pantheon or demigods if you've got Diana around. And I realize that some folks are basing their Batfamily stuff on other people's fic (I'm not making that call - some of them state it outright in their notes), which may not contain any info on Wonder Woman or the Amazons etc. but Wonder Woman is not an obscure superhero! Even if you ignore the retcon that she's a daughter of Zeus (and you should! Even the comics have walked that back, though I can see why it might be interesting to work into this kind of crossover), she was made of clay and had life breathed into her by Greek goddesses.
I mean, it complicates things to some degree, because where was she during all of Percy's adventures, but 1. she was in space/another universe etc., or 2. she'd been stripped of her powers for trying to help, or 3. she was back on Themyscira, and unaware, or, or, or... And those are just off the top of my head. Mostly I've seen Percy and friends angry that she didn't participate and that's a fine way to go, but like, I feel like something has to be said, even if just in passing, unless it's set very very early in Batman's career and he hasn't met her/she isn't public yet. And the ones I've found so far are not set in that timeframe, because the fun of the crossover is having all the kids interacting with each other and with Bruce.
Anyway, I'm always interested in how other people make crossovers work, because for me, skipping over most of the nitty-gritty of trying to make incompatible worlds/magical systems etc. work together is the way to go - choose one or two details to set the vibe and handwave the inconsistencies.
***
Like, for me as a reader, you can't pretend that the Batfamily is totally ignorant of the Greek pantheon or demigods if you've got Diana around. And I realize that some folks are basing their Batfamily stuff on other people's fic (I'm not making that call - some of them state it outright in their notes), which may not contain any info on Wonder Woman or the Amazons etc. but Wonder Woman is not an obscure superhero! Even if you ignore the retcon that she's a daughter of Zeus (and you should! Even the comics have walked that back, though I can see why it might be interesting to work into this kind of crossover), she was made of clay and had life breathed into her by Greek goddesses.
I mean, it complicates things to some degree, because where was she during all of Percy's adventures, but 1. she was in space/another universe etc., or 2. she'd been stripped of her powers for trying to help, or 3. she was back on Themyscira, and unaware, or, or, or... And those are just off the top of my head. Mostly I've seen Percy and friends angry that she didn't participate and that's a fine way to go, but like, I feel like something has to be said, even if just in passing, unless it's set very very early in Batman's career and he hasn't met her/she isn't public yet. And the ones I've found so far are not set in that timeframe, because the fun of the crossover is having all the kids interacting with each other and with Bruce.
Anyway, I'm always interested in how other people make crossovers work, because for me, skipping over most of the nitty-gritty of trying to make incompatible worlds/magical systems etc. work together is the way to go - choose one or two details to set the vibe and handwave the inconsistencies.
***
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... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 04:35 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 04:35 pmBirdfeeding
Today is mostly sunny, muggy, and sweltering. :P It rained yesterday evening.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/18/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/18/25 -- I picked 2 yellow pear and a round yellow tomato from the septic garden. The yellow pears are considerably bigger than last year's which were more cherry size than salad size.
Zinnias and garlic chives are blooming. :D
The white Toscana strawberry pot got knocked over, so I had to put more potting soil in that. The pink one has sent out a runner! :D I'll have to keep an eye on it and see about propagating that.
EDIT 7/18/25 -- I planted a wild senna and a purple coneflower beside the barrel garden. These were rescued from the lawn near the wildflower garden.
EDIT 7/18/25 -- I filled a couple more pots with several wild senna plants from the lawn around the wildflower garden.
The mower is back, but the forecast still calls for days of rain.
EDIT 7/18/25 -- I refilled the hopper feeder and walked around the yard a bit.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/18/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/18/25 -- I picked 2 yellow pear and a round yellow tomato from the septic garden. The yellow pears are considerably bigger than last year's which were more cherry size than salad size.
Zinnias and garlic chives are blooming. :D
The white Toscana strawberry pot got knocked over, so I had to put more potting soil in that. The pink one has sent out a runner! :D I'll have to keep an eye on it and see about propagating that.
EDIT 7/18/25 -- I planted a wild senna and a purple coneflower beside the barrel garden. These were rescued from the lawn near the wildflower garden.
EDIT 7/18/25 -- I filled a couple more pots with several wild senna plants from the lawn around the wildflower garden.
The mower is back, but the forecast still calls for days of rain.
EDIT 7/18/25 -- I refilled the hopper feeder and walked around the yard a bit.
I am done for the night.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 01:21 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 01:21 pmEntry tags:
Current Events
Israeli settlers beat U.S. citizen to death in West Bank
Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank beat a U.S. citizen to death, according to local officials, during a Friday confrontation between a group of Israelis and Palestinians.
A municipal official and a relative of 21-year-old Sayfollah Musallet confirmed his death to NPR. Musallet was born in Florida and was in the village of Sinjil this week visiting family.
( Read more... )
Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank beat a U.S. citizen to death, according to local officials, during a Friday confrontation between a group of Israelis and Palestinians.
A municipal official and a relative of 21-year-old Sayfollah Musallet confirmed his death to NPR. Musallet was born in Florida and was in the village of Sinjil this week visiting family.
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 03:56 am
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 03:56 amEntry tags:
Fireflies
TRANSFORM Your Garden To A FIREFLY Habitat!
* Avoid pesticides and other agrochemicals.
* Protect from light pollution.
* Plant native species.
* Leave some tall grass.
* Provide moisture.
* Leaf litter and woodpiles also offer cover.
* Avoid pesticides and other agrochemicals.
* Protect from light pollution.
* Plant native species.
* Leave some tall grass.
* Provide moisture.
* Leaf litter and woodpiles also offer cover.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 01:42 am
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 01:42 amEntry tags:
Permaculture
We crossed 25 watermelon varieties and got this!
These are landrace watermelons grown in a food forest permaculture. David the Good is one of the few people other than myself who seems to grow what I would consider laissez-faire permaculture, which turns the yard into a messy but productive jungle. :D
Remember that when you're growing landraces or even open-pollinated crops that you save, your plants will adapt to what you do. If you don't want to weed or water, then select for plants that can beat the competition. I throw garlic chives and other alliums all over the place. Comfrey can take care of itself. The vegetables are still in pots to minimize weeds, but I'm hoping to get a sunflower landrace going eventually because I am having crap luck with commercial ones. I get a few that bloom but not many. I'm getting a few volunteers, though, so I'm encouraging that.
These are landrace watermelons grown in a food forest permaculture. David the Good is one of the few people other than myself who seems to grow what I would consider laissez-faire permaculture, which turns the yard into a messy but productive jungle. :D
Remember that when you're growing landraces or even open-pollinated crops that you save, your plants will adapt to what you do. If you don't want to weed or water, then select for plants that can beat the competition. I throw garlic chives and other alliums all over the place. Comfrey can take care of itself. The vegetables are still in pots to minimize weeds, but I'm hoping to get a sunflower landrace going eventually because I am having crap luck with commercial ones. I get a few that bloom but not many. I'm getting a few volunteers, though, so I'm encouraging that.
Sholio (sholio) wrote2025-07-17 10:44 pm
sholio) wrote2025-07-17 10:44 pmEntry tags:
Temperature Flash fic reveals
Terrible Temperature Flash authors were revealed this evening, and I wrote two not at all predictable fics:
A Touch of Warmth (Biggles books, Biggles/EvS, 1000 words)
This was entirely for the mental image of Erich wrapping his coat around a chilled Biggles. ♥
Taking the Heat (Babylon 5, Vir & Londo gen, 2500 wds)
Londo gets heatstroke on Centauri Prime. This was a treat for the h/c of it all.
A Touch of Warmth (Biggles books, Biggles/EvS, 1000 words)
This was entirely for the mental image of Erich wrapping his coat around a chilled Biggles. ♥
Taking the Heat (Babylon 5, Vir & Londo gen, 2500 wds)
Londo gets heatstroke on Centauri Prime. This was a treat for the h/c of it all.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 12:35 am
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 12:35 amEntry tags:
Volcanoes
The Deadly Cascade Volcanoes Are Waking Up! Is A Mega Eruption Coming?
The Cascade Range, stretching from Northern California to British Columbia, is home to some of the most dangerous volcanoes in North America. Towering over cities like Seattle and Portland, these volcanoes sit silently now—but silence, in geology, is never a guarantee of safety. In 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted with the force of hundreds of atomic bombs, flattening forests, choking skies, and shocking a nation. That was just one volcano. There are over a dozen more. And recently, subtle signs—swarms of earthquakes, shifting ground, whispers of gas from hidden vents—have begun to stir beneath their surface. Could this be a sign of what is to come? Are the Cascade volcanoes waking up? Let’s find out!
Well, that's alarming -- especially in context of the Cascadian Subduction Zone with its ability to cause earthquakes and tsunamis.
The Cascade Range, stretching from Northern California to British Columbia, is home to some of the most dangerous volcanoes in North America. Towering over cities like Seattle and Portland, these volcanoes sit silently now—but silence, in geology, is never a guarantee of safety. In 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted with the force of hundreds of atomic bombs, flattening forests, choking skies, and shocking a nation. That was just one volcano. There are over a dozen more. And recently, subtle signs—swarms of earthquakes, shifting ground, whispers of gas from hidden vents—have begun to stir beneath their surface. Could this be a sign of what is to come? Are the Cascade volcanoes waking up? Let’s find out!
Well, that's alarming -- especially in context of the Cascadian Subduction Zone with its ability to cause earthquakes and tsunamis.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 12:15 am
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-18 12:15 amEntry tags:
Follow Friday 7-18-25: Homestuck
Today's theme is Homestuck.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
100quadrantedships -- Because We Don't Have Enough Of Quadrants
Quadrants, homestuck, shipping.
[Somewhat active with last post in May.]
addme_fandom -- addme fandom
Find friends who share your fannish obsessions.
[Active with one post in July.]
unconventionalcourtship -- Unconventional Courtship
Brooding Strangers! Secret Pregnancies! Enigmatic Rakes! All those tropes (or conventions, if you will) you love to hate (until you discover their secret, tragic backstory and fall head over heels for them) are here, ready to be used for humour and awesomeness in a new fic about your favourite star-crossed lovers. 'Unconventional Courtship' is a panfandom challenge that aims to produce fics longer than 1,000 words based on a Mills & Boon/Harlequin novel summary.
[Active with multiple posts in July.]
100quadrantedships -- Because We Don't Have Enough Of QuadrantsQuadrants, homestuck, shipping.
[Somewhat active with last post in May.]
addme_fandom -- addme fandomFind friends who share your fannish obsessions.
[Active with one post in July.]
unconventionalcourtship -- Unconventional CourtshipBrooding Strangers! Secret Pregnancies! Enigmatic Rakes! All those tropes (or conventions, if you will) you love to hate (until you discover their secret, tragic backstory and fall head over heels for them) are here, ready to be used for humour and awesomeness in a new fic about your favourite star-crossed lovers. 'Unconventional Courtship' is a panfandom challenge that aims to produce fics longer than 1,000 words based on a Mills & Boon/Harlequin novel summary.
[Active with multiple posts in July.]
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-17 11:52 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-17 11:52 pmEntry tags:
Sunshine Challenge 5: Carnival Barker
Sunshine Challenge 5: Carnival Barker
Journaling prompt: Be a carnival barker for your favorite movie, book, or show (or any other of your choice - game, comic, anything else)! Write a post that showcases the best your chosen title has to offer and entices passersby to check it out.
Creative prompt: Write a fic or original story about a character reluctantly doing something they are hesitant about.
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: Be a carnival barker for your favorite movie, book, or show (or any other of your choice - game, comic, anything else)! Write a post that showcases the best your chosen title has to offer and entices passersby to check it out.
Creative prompt: Write a fic or original story about a character reluctantly doing something they are hesitant about.
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) wrote2025-07-17 08:38 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-17 08:38 pmEntry tags:
Hobbies: Makeup Art
Folks 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.
Makeup art is a hobby that spans branches such as facepainting, bodypainting, cosplay, special effects, theatrical makeup, drag, kink, otherkin, gyaru, boudoir, glamour, and more. It all depends on what you want to make up yourself or a playmate as.
On Dreamwidth, consider communities likedaily_gyaru, edgoreyanfashion, justcreate, sw_costumes, andthefreaksclub.
( Read more... )
Makeup art is a hobby that spans branches such as facepainting, bodypainting, cosplay, special effects, theatrical makeup, drag, kink, otherkin, gyaru, boudoir, glamour, and more. It all depends on what you want to make up yourself or a playmate as.
On Dreamwidth, consider communities like
daily_gyaru, edgoreyanfashion, justcreate, sw_costumes, andthefreaksclub.( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-17 08:23 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-17 08:23 pmEntry tags:
Conservation
The Thunder of Bison Finally Returns to the Osage Prairie
60 million American bison, commonly known as buffalo, once thundered across the prairies of North America — until 1889, when they were almost driven to extinction.
These mighty giants terraformed the land, diversified prairie ecosystems, and sustained many native tribes across the continent. Now, tribes and conservationists join forces to bring the species back from the brink, finally returning the American bison to their native grasslands.
The Osage Nation in Oklahoma, with help from allies at the Nature Conservancy and the Bronx Zoo, are reviving their cultural and spiritual connection to buffalo by rebuilding a herd that once shared their land. By reigniting traditional land management practices like prescribed fire, the Osage support the herd as it continues to grow, which in turn, restores natural balance that helps the entire prairie ecosystem thrive.
As a keystone species, buffalo restore prairie habitat to health. They also help restore the tribal nations who depended upon them.
60 million American bison, commonly known as buffalo, once thundered across the prairies of North America — until 1889, when they were almost driven to extinction.
These mighty giants terraformed the land, diversified prairie ecosystems, and sustained many native tribes across the continent. Now, tribes and conservationists join forces to bring the species back from the brink, finally returning the American bison to their native grasslands.
The Osage Nation in Oklahoma, with help from allies at the Nature Conservancy and the Bronx Zoo, are reviving their cultural and spiritual connection to buffalo by rebuilding a herd that once shared their land. By reigniting traditional land management practices like prescribed fire, the Osage support the herd as it continues to grow, which in turn, restores natural balance that helps the entire prairie ecosystem thrive.
As a keystone species, buffalo restore prairie habitat to health. They also help restore the tribal nations who depended upon them.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-17 07:47 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-17 07:47 pmEntry tags:
Safety
Cognitive collapse and the nuclear codes: When leaders lose control
A shocking study reveals that many leaders of nuclear-armed nations—including US presidents and Israeli prime ministers—were afflicted by serious health problems while in office, sometimes with their conditions hidden from the public. From dementia and depression to addiction and chronic diseases, these impairments may have affected their decision-making during pivotal global crises.
Hardly a surprise. Sanity isn't often a requirement of leadership. Venereal transmission only requires falling out of the right vagina; election only requires being popular.
Have you ever wondered how you'd handle the gold-madness of Thror? Consider that in this context. And then compare the effects of a dragon to those of a bomb.
A shocking study reveals that many leaders of nuclear-armed nations—including US presidents and Israeli prime ministers—were afflicted by serious health problems while in office, sometimes with their conditions hidden from the public. From dementia and depression to addiction and chronic diseases, these impairments may have affected their decision-making during pivotal global crises.
Hardly a surprise. Sanity isn't often a requirement of leadership. Venereal transmission only requires falling out of the right vagina; election only requires being popular.
Have you ever wondered how you'd handle the gold-madness of Thror? Consider that in this context. And then compare the effects of a dragon to those of a bomb.
i did it all for the robins (musesfool) wrote2025-07-17 08:45 pm
musesfool) wrote2025-07-17 08:45 pm
Entry tags:
after the money's gone
I made this fancy lemonade with what I learned from minoanmiss's tags is called oleo saccharum, which is sugar syrup made with the oils in the citrus peels. I had 8 lemons, and some leftover frozen strawberries and blueberries, so I let the berries defrost in the fridge overnight and then this morning I did all the juicing and the dicing and then let it sit for several hours (5, I think?) before straining the syrup and adding the juice etc. It's very good, though I need to try it with lemons only, I think, and maybe less sugar. Because I do like my lemonade on the tarter side.
Anyway! I dug out my potato masher and my citrus reamer with carafe for this, so it was nice to be able to use them. I do kind of wish I had a food mill but I've never been able to justify the expense to myself - I used a large fine mesh strainer and it worked fine.
In other news, I watched the most recent season of GBBO and I LOVED EVERYONE IN THE TENT, but especially Dylan! Nelly! Gill! and Georgie! ( spoilers, I guess ) And Allison is so great. I hope she sticks with the show for a long time.
*
minoanmiss's tags is called oleo saccharum, which is sugar syrup made with the oils in the citrus peels. I had 8 lemons, and some leftover frozen strawberries and blueberries, so I let the berries defrost in the fridge overnight and then this morning I did all the juicing and the dicing and then let it sit for several hours (5, I think?) before straining the syrup and adding the juice etc. It's very good, though I need to try it with lemons only, I think, and maybe less sugar. Because I do like my lemonade on the tarter side. Anyway! I dug out my potato masher and my citrus reamer with carafe for this, so it was nice to be able to use them. I do kind of wish I had a food mill but I've never been able to justify the expense to myself - I used a large fine mesh strainer and it worked fine.
In other news, I watched the most recent season of GBBO and I LOVED EVERYONE IN THE TENT, but especially Dylan! Nelly! Gill! and Georgie! ( spoilers, I guess ) And Allison is so great. I hope she sticks with the show for a long time.
*
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-17 07:43 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-07-17 07:43 pmInvasive Species
These dogs are trained to sniff out an invasive insect—and they're shockingly good at it
Virginia Tech researchers discovered that everyday dogs can be trained to effectively sniff out destructive agricultural pests.
Dogs trained by everyday pet owners are proving to be surprisingly powerful allies in the fight against the invasive spotted lanternfly. In a groundbreaking study, citizen scientists taught their dogs to sniff out the pests’ hard-to-spot egg masses with impressive accuracy. The initiative not only taps into the huge community of recreational scent-detection dog enthusiasts, but also opens a promising new front in protecting agriculture. And it doesn’t stop there—these canine teams are now sniffing out vineyard diseases too, hinting at a whole new future of four-legged fieldwork.
If you feel helpless against environmental threats, here's one thing you can do about it, if you're a dog lover. Dogs excel at finding things -- pretty much anything with a scent can be made interesting to a dog if you attach a reward to it.
Also, when it comes to invasive species? Never underestimate humanity's ability to destroy things.
Virginia Tech researchers discovered that everyday dogs can be trained to effectively sniff out destructive agricultural pests.
Dogs trained by everyday pet owners are proving to be surprisingly powerful allies in the fight against the invasive spotted lanternfly. In a groundbreaking study, citizen scientists taught their dogs to sniff out the pests’ hard-to-spot egg masses with impressive accuracy. The initiative not only taps into the huge community of recreational scent-detection dog enthusiasts, but also opens a promising new front in protecting agriculture. And it doesn’t stop there—these canine teams are now sniffing out vineyard diseases too, hinting at a whole new future of four-legged fieldwork.
If you feel helpless against environmental threats, here's one thing you can do about it, if you're a dog lover. Dogs excel at finding things -- pretty much anything with a scent can be made interesting to a dog if you attach a reward to it.
Also, when it comes to invasive species? Never underestimate humanity's ability to destroy things.