Ctenophora Is this even real?
Dec. 15th, 2025 01:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smoothboresIt might share ancestor with us, meaning we are from the same root although evolution has made us different species eh.
smoothboresIt might share ancestor with us, meaning we are from the same root although evolution has made us different species eh.
Two buses canceled in a row
Dec. 15th, 2025 02:54 amconulyand I had to take a car, which I can not afford. At least the corner store hadn’t shut down and the cashier let me wait inside. Either he’s very friendly and chatty or he’s flirting with me, but the important thing is I still have all my toes.
Update
Dec. 14th, 2025 06:20 pmranunculusAbout 3 weeks ago I ordered 8 fencing panels, plus some stall mats. It was a big chunk of money. Then I found 6 more panels second hand on Craig's List. More money. Then I found some picnic tables on Craig's List. They are 8 feet long with aluminum tops. A nice size. They are out of a park in Napa. I can see why they were being replaced, some are in really rough shape, while others are fairly nice. I ended up with four usable tables and one that needs new legs. The legs that are still usable are quite rusty where they were in contact with the ground. I've spent several hours knocking rust off table legs (the kind that curl around to also support the bench) spraying them with primer and paint. Trying to get it done before it rains. I've got 3 out of four either done or at least painted with primer.
Then there is saddle foo with Firefly. ( Read more with Pics )
Then there is saddle foo with Firefly. ( Read more with Pics )
Christmas Bird Count
Dec. 14th, 2025 06:08 pmranunculusWe had a lovely sunny day again for the annual Christmas Bird Count. Not as many birds as last year, but we did see a kestrel -- And -- a golden eagle twice!!
M recorded the eagle a couple of weeks ago, so I was on the lookout. Yesterday I was up on top of Split Rock with Denise, my farrier. We saw a bird fly by, actually below us because the rock is 4 stories high and up on the canyon wall. My instant though was turkey vulture. We have a lot of them. A fraction of a second later my brain said: nope, wrong wing shape and slightly browner - and it is flapping it's wings. Then a red shouldered hawk attacked it, repeatedly. Hawks don't bother vultures. Today we saw it again and saw it close it's wings as if to dive, another thing vultures never do. Vultures flap a couple of times and then soar. Our group today agreed that it had to be a golden eagle.
I saw a downy woodpecker, which was new for me. We have tons of acorn woodpeckers and some piliated woodpeckers but not downy's at the house. So that was fun. Also the meadowlarks were singing at Split Rock, and I love them. Sadly Duck Lake, which is a vernal pond, had no water in it yet, so no ducks. Last year there were several wood ducks there.
M recorded the eagle a couple of weeks ago, so I was on the lookout. Yesterday I was up on top of Split Rock with Denise, my farrier. We saw a bird fly by, actually below us because the rock is 4 stories high and up on the canyon wall. My instant though was turkey vulture. We have a lot of them. A fraction of a second later my brain said: nope, wrong wing shape and slightly browner - and it is flapping it's wings. Then a red shouldered hawk attacked it, repeatedly. Hawks don't bother vultures. Today we saw it again and saw it close it's wings as if to dive, another thing vultures never do. Vultures flap a couple of times and then soar. Our group today agreed that it had to be a golden eagle.
I saw a downy woodpecker, which was new for me. We have tons of acorn woodpeckers and some piliated woodpeckers but not downy's at the house. So that was fun. Also the meadowlarks were singing at Split Rock, and I love them. Sadly Duck Lake, which is a vernal pond, had no water in it yet, so no ducks. Last year there were several wood ducks there.
The Greensleeves Project
Dec. 14th, 2025 06:06 pmasakiyumeA mutual on Mastodon shared this mind-blowing Youtube video about creating a dress based on the earliest surviving version (1564) of the ballad "Greensleeves." It was fascinating for all the details about Elizabethan dressmaking (and also food--there's a verse about food, too; 18 verses in all). The way the expert creators researched their piece of the overall outfit (silk smock, crimson stockings, pumps as white as milk, gown of grassy green), the decisions they made (e.g., in the whole inventory of Elizabethan garments, there is no extant silk smock or record of one, so they interpreted the lyric as meaning a linen smock embroidered with silk), and then the techniques used to create the items were just fascinating.
So here's that video--long! But worth it, I thought. There are guinea pigs with ruffs! It was filmed at a stately home in Dorset!
They also made a music video--also long! (almost 10 minutes), in which you can seen Lady Greensleeves gradually acquiring her costume while still rebuffing the suitor. Here's a link.
So here's that video--long! But worth it, I thought. There are guinea pigs with ruffs! It was filmed at a stately home in Dorset!
They also made a music video--also long! (almost 10 minutes), in which you can seen Lady Greensleeves gradually acquiring her costume while still rebuffing the suitor. Here's a link.
52/288-289-290: Go
Dec. 14th, 2025 01:22 pmrejectomorphFor the last few days I haven't felt like doing much, and certainly not like writing about the not much I've been doing. I'm pretty sure I've been eating stuff, because I find leftovers in my refrigerator, but I don't remember fixing them. It's hard to tell one day from another when they are all gray and fuzzy. The inside of my brain is gray and fuzzy, too, and I still sleep a lot— more than I'm awake, it sometimes seems. And often I awake in the dim light of foggy day or the nocturnal dark, and I lie in bed, reluctant to leave the warm covers, and I will try to remember things, and too often fail, so it will seem I have no past. But I'm sure I do have past, I just can't remember it anymore. I'm sure it's a future I don't have, but I can't remember if I ever had one of those, so maybe there's nothing to regret.
( Sunday Verse )
( Sunday Verse )
The sun's going down, so Happy Hanukkah pretty soon?
Dec. 14th, 2025 03:46 pmconulyPoll #33957 Chag sameach!
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 26
But really, how do you spell it in English?
Also, please take a poem
Edit: Also, also, two videos
365 Questions 2025
Dec. 14th, 2025 03:26 pmmaju12. What have you lost interest in recently? I haven't lost interest in anything in particular but things I like doing, like sewing and puzzles, are much harder to do while I'm living in my daughter's basement. I do find that I'm less motivated to knit and crochet I guess.
13. What makes life easier? Having enough money to keep yourself adequately clothed, fed, and sheltered. Having reasonably good physical health and fitness. Understanding how the culture in which you're living functions.
14. What was the last thing you furiously argued about with someone? It was a long time ago; the person I was arguing with was S.
13. What makes life easier? Having enough money to keep yourself adequately clothed, fed, and sheltered. Having reasonably good physical health and fitness. Understanding how the culture in which you're living functions.
14. What was the last thing you furiously argued about with someone? It was a long time ago; the person I was arguing with was S.
(no subject)
Dec. 14th, 2025 02:59 pmmajuToday, besides being somewhat snow-centric, has been quite food-centric, especially for my daughter. Yesterday she made a two-ingredient chocolate mousse; the ingredients were canned peaches and dark chocolate, and it was absolutely delicious, smooth and creamy with just a hint of sweetness and peach flavour. So this afternoon she made another batch, as well as making a batch of marshmallows using stewed apples and gelatine. This mixture had to be beaten for 20 minutes and because my daughter only has a hand mixer, I volunteered to do the mixing while reading, after Aria had done some of the work for a couple of minutes. Another food thing was that Aria chopped up a lot of brussels sprouts which my daughter roasted. When they were cooked Aria ate three servings, and my daughter was a bit worried that she would get a stomach ache and go off brussels sprouts altogether.
It snowed for most of the morning and we ended up with about 2 ½ to 3 inches accumulation. There's a slight chance of more snow late tomorrow, but mostly we're in for colder weather for the next few days.
It snowed for most of the morning and we ended up with about 2 ½ to 3 inches accumulation. There's a slight chance of more snow late tomorrow, but mostly we're in for colder weather for the next few days.
A different fic....
Dec. 17th, 2025 08:39 amconuly"He took the Walkman out of his pocket and flipped through the songs in the cassette."
Oh, sweetie. That's... that's just not how cassette tapes work. Not even overseas. You fast forward or rewind - literally winding the tape again - and hope that your timing is amazing. I mean, with practice I guess you can get pretty good, but still.
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( Read more... )
Oh, sweetie. That's... that's just not how cassette tapes work. Not even overseas. You fast forward or rewind - literally winding the tape again - and hope that your timing is amazing. I mean, with practice I guess you can get pretty good, but still.
( Read more... )
Sunday
Dec. 14th, 2025 07:58 amsusandennisPicture 6 cat treats sprinkled on the carpet and two cats sniffing and then going to to their naps. That's zero star review of the approved cat treats. Julio ate one yesterday. Biggie did, too. This morning, Biggie did his usual begging for treats so I sprinkled the 6 out on the carpet. He sniffed at them and then gave me the stink eye and wandered off.
He peed a little - a very little this morning but then hopped out of the litter box and spent five minutes actively playing with Julio. He sure does not seem in pain or even uncomfortable. Just annoyed about the treat situation.
Nothing much going on today at least that I know of. I plan to go for a swim after I finish this. And then watch my usual Sunday morning TV and maybe some puzzling.
He peed a little - a very little this morning but then hopped out of the litter box and spent five minutes actively playing with Julio. He sure does not seem in pain or even uncomfortable. Just annoyed about the treat situation.
Nothing much going on today at least that I know of. I plan to go for a swim after I finish this. And then watch my usual Sunday morning TV and maybe some puzzling.
sunday
Dec. 14th, 2025 11:20 amsummersgate
Yesterday's quick painting. I had to do something by the the end of the day if I was going to keep up art-a-day so this was it. A Cute Puppy.
I spent most of the day yesterday weaving this little piece of cloth. I wanted to try out joining methods for the pin loom blanket I'm going to make for Rowan. When I was done it seemed the perfect size for Little Me.
Passing time till I hear from Jules. I'm going to help him today paint some more in the middle bedroom next door. We did the walls last time but he's decided he wants to do the ceiling and inside the closet too. I helped do the trim last time but afterwards I was shocked at what a bad job I had done. I don't have the control that I used to have with my right shoulder anymore. Especially when I need to do things up high.
I love looking out the window at the snowfall
Dec. 16th, 2025 07:48 amconulyI don't quite relish the idea of going out in it, and god knows where our shovel went, but gosh, I love looking at the snow!
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( Read more... )
( Read more... )
It's always something...
Dec. 13th, 2025 10:21 pmluscious_purpleThis morning after breakfast, I was feeling chilled indoors. My first thought: I must be coming down with something.
My second thought: Check the indoor thermometer. Oh ... it's only 63 degrees inside the Blue and Green Cottage. Furnace thermostat was set at 71 degrees. Hmm.
Fortunately, my landlord was at my door before he got off the phone with me. We checked the thermostat and changed the batteries, which were corroding with age. But that still didn't power up the furnace.
My landlord poked around in the furnace and determined that he needed to call the professionals. (He thinks the problem may be in the gas igniter or in the control board.) In the meantime, he went to Lowe's and got a couple of space heaters, which actually are working quite well. I just hope the pipes don't freeze when the temperatures drop tomorrow.
I am extremely thankful that I live next door to a landlord and landlady who actually care that things work in this apartment. When Prince George's County opened the waiting list for Section 8 housing vouchers (for the first time in TEN YEARS!!!!), someone asked me if I was going to apply. But why? I don't want to sic the housing inspectors on my friends. And I certainly don't want to move to a crummy apartment complex with mice and roaches and unresponsive management, thank you very much.
My second thought: Check the indoor thermometer. Oh ... it's only 63 degrees inside the Blue and Green Cottage. Furnace thermostat was set at 71 degrees. Hmm.
Fortunately, my landlord was at my door before he got off the phone with me. We checked the thermostat and changed the batteries, which were corroding with age. But that still didn't power up the furnace.
My landlord poked around in the furnace and determined that he needed to call the professionals. (He thinks the problem may be in the gas igniter or in the control board.) In the meantime, he went to Lowe's and got a couple of space heaters, which actually are working quite well. I just hope the pipes don't freeze when the temperatures drop tomorrow.
I am extremely thankful that I live next door to a landlord and landlady who actually care that things work in this apartment. When Prince George's County opened the waiting list for Section 8 housing vouchers (for the first time in TEN YEARS!!!!), someone asked me if I was going to apply. But why? I don't want to sic the housing inspectors on my friends. And I certainly don't want to move to a crummy apartment complex with mice and roaches and unresponsive management, thank you very much.
Cat Attitude
Dec. 13th, 2025 05:39 pmsusandennisAccording to the vet, Biggie should be writhing in pain, not eating, not peeing. Biggie, shockingly, is not following the script. I think he's basically miffed about the lack of Temptations. But, he's also not wild about the new food. He'll eat it but he's kind of like 'where's the good stuff, woman??!!' And he's not writing, just crawling all over me so I'll get up and get him some treats.
I broke my rule and volunteered to go to Safeway and get Joan some bananas. It is the very last time. I am not doing that any more. But my mouth did not get the memo so I went and got the bananas because I told her I would. The last time.
I figured out the wifi repeater issue and my signal is really strong and I think I know how to keep it that way.
Oh and Fitbit told me I'd been over doing it and should consider a rest day - hahahaha Oh Fitbit, your algorithm is not made for old fat people but it's sweet that you try.
Now for an evening of TV and knitting.
I broke my rule and volunteered to go to Safeway and get Joan some bananas. It is the very last time. I am not doing that any more. But my mouth did not get the memo so I went and got the bananas because I told her I would. The last time.
I figured out the wifi repeater issue and my signal is really strong and I think I know how to keep it that way.
Oh and Fitbit told me I'd been over doing it and should consider a rest day - hahahaha Oh Fitbit, your algorithm is not made for old fat people but it's sweet that you try.
Now for an evening of TV and knitting.
So, over at /r/Englishlearning there is a weekly "What is this thing" post
Dec. 14th, 2025 01:33 pmconulyThe goal is to herd all the "What do you call this?" posts into the comments there. It never ever works. However, they do occasionally get comments like "Here are the answers to the questions you asked rhetorically as an example" and "Why do you keep posting this and asking the same questions" and "There is no such thing as a pork burger".
Yes, Virginia, there is a pork burger. This is why I have a picture of pork burger patties on my phone, so I can post it every time somebody says that those don't exist, or that they "really" mean a breakfast sandwich or a pulled pork sandwich or a ham sandwich or a BLT.
I always want to ask these people who, I guess, don't get out much why they're so sure that anything they haven't personally heard of before must not exist. It's a big old world, but apparently, not so much for them.
(I suppose I can be forgiven for being a bit snippy this time around, I mean, given everything.)
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( Read more... )
Yes, Virginia, there is a pork burger. This is why I have a picture of pork burger patties on my phone, so I can post it every time somebody says that those don't exist, or that they "really" mean a breakfast sandwich or a pulled pork sandwich or a ham sandwich or a BLT.
I always want to ask these people who, I guess, don't get out much why they're so sure that anything they haven't personally heard of before must not exist. It's a big old world, but apparently, not so much for them.
(I suppose I can be forgiven for being a bit snippy this time around, I mean, given everything.)
( Read more... )
i smile when i feel like crying
Dec. 13th, 2025 03:41 pmsomedayseattleThe high temp in International Falls, MN today is -3. Th wind chill factor is -37 degrees. Unless you are there, be grateful to be where you are.
Saturday
Dec. 13th, 2025 11:21 amsusandennisVolleyball this morning. There were a lot of people and I play on the edge so balls don't get to me frequently which is fine. Today, I spent all of my non-ball time doing various water aerobics. It was great. I did a lot of in place high knee kick marching and twisting and stretching. Made the whole thing more fun.
Elbow coffee was a small crowd. John and Hazel are getting older very quickly. They keep getting locked out of their apartment - forgetting or losing keys. Bonny took them down on Wednesday and they got two new keys. Yesterday morning, when I got back from the pool they were in the hallway waiting for security to let them in because they had forgotten their keys. Today they missed elbow coffee because they had a conference call - their credit union, their son and them. Because they say, the credit union keeps scamming them. The good news is that they are here and not out there on their own.
Biggie does NOT like the new treats. Not one bit. But they both like both the wet food and the dry.
I have a dead wifi spot in my bedroom and I have a wifi extender. I can see that the extender is improving the signal very much but I can't convince my phone to use the extended signal. This will be my project this aft.
Bonny's out of vodka so 'you want to make a Costco run on Monday?' Sure, says I. I'm very low on coffee.
And that's about it for the hot news here. We are, today, a dry day between rains. Still really grateful to live on a hill.
Elbow coffee was a small crowd. John and Hazel are getting older very quickly. They keep getting locked out of their apartment - forgetting or losing keys. Bonny took them down on Wednesday and they got two new keys. Yesterday morning, when I got back from the pool they were in the hallway waiting for security to let them in because they had forgotten their keys. Today they missed elbow coffee because they had a conference call - their credit union, their son and them. Because they say, the credit union keeps scamming them. The good news is that they are here and not out there on their own.
Biggie does NOT like the new treats. Not one bit. But they both like both the wet food and the dry.
I have a dead wifi spot in my bedroom and I have a wifi extender. I can see that the extender is improving the signal very much but I can't convince my phone to use the extended signal. This will be my project this aft.
Bonny's out of vodka so 'you want to make a Costco run on Monday?' Sure, says I. I'm very low on coffee.
And that's about it for the hot news here. We are, today, a dry day between rains. Still really grateful to live on a hill.