ysabetwordsmith: Damask smiling over their shoulder (polychrome)
ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-22 09:55 pm

Poem: "The Bridge of Mist"

This poem came out of the March 17, 2026 Bonus Fishbowl. It was inspired and sponsored by [personal profile] librarygeek for Gwinnie, a pit bull mix and a good dog. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.

Warning: This poem features impending animal death of natural causes. HANKIE WARNING.

Read more... )
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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-22 08:04 pm

Poetry Fishbowl Update

If you're still shopping the Bonus Fishbowl, now's the time to make your selections.  I've already finished 7 poems besides the freebie, and I've still got a couple left to do. 
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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-22 07:25 pm
Entry tags:

Science

Depression fatigue appears at the cellular level in brain and blood

Scientists have identified an unusual energy signature in young adults with depression: cells in both the brain and blood appear highly active at rest but lose ground when demand rises.

The finding recasts fatigue as a measurable feature of the illness, one that may surface before treatment choices become clearer
.


One of the biggest challenges with mental health is that almost all diagnoses rely on abstract rather than concrete assessments. It's usually done by self-reporting or observation, which is neither precise nor objective, unlike most illnesses that have scientific tests. So finding any kind of biomarker is extremely useful.

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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-22 02:12 pm

Birdfeeding

Today is sunny and hot. It is 85°F already. >_<

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, several brown-headed cowbirds, and a mourning dove.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 3/22/26 -- We hauled the first three garden bags to the old picnic table. It's 86°F now and too hot to do everything at once. :/

EDIT 3/22/26 -- We hauled the next three garden bags to the old picnic table.

The first grape hycacinth is blooming randomly in the middle of the house yard, pollinated by tiny native bees.

EDIT 3/22/26 -- I did a bit more work outside.

It's 87°F now, which is just ridiculous for March.

EDIT 3/22/26 -- We hauled the giant bag of raised bed soil to the side of the garden shed, where it's meant to fill in a hollow area.

EDIT 3/22/26 -- I put a few scoops of composted manure in each of the top and bottom row of large pots along the north side of the new picnic table. This bag wasn't broken down as fully as usual. :/

I stepped out the door and it was cold. I checked the temperature: 57°F. Yes, it dropped 30 degrees is another an hour. For fucksake.

The first purple violet and the apricot tree are blooming.

EDIT 3/22/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

It is now 47°F with howling wind. 0_o

EDIT 3/22/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I am done for the night. The weather has been two different kinds of crappy all day.
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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-21 11:42 pm

Select Seeds Order

My seeds arrived from Select Seeds.


Painted Tongue 'Select Superbissima Mix' (seeds)

Yarrow 'Flowerburst Red Shades' (seeds)

Coreopsis 'Corusco Cream-Red' (seeds)
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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-21 11:37 pm

Prairie Moon Order

My Prairie Moon seed order arrived today. :D


Early Figwort (seed)

Late Figwort (seed)

Common Ironweed (seed)

Purple Love Grass (seed)

Lead Plant (seed)
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Asp ([personal profile] senmut) wrote2026-03-21 06:32 pm

10trueloves: loss

AO3 Link | Distraction from Grief (200 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Birds of Prey
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Sandra Wu-San, Dinah Lance
Additional Tags: Double Drabble, +Modern Age (1986-Present), Post-Crisis, [Birds of Prey Vol. 1 - 1999-2009]
Summary:

Shiva pushes, so Dinah can put it behind.



Distraction from Grief

Move. Evaluate. Decide. Commit.

Shiva was making her work through her grief for Sensei in the way that mattered, now that they had foiled Cheshire's plan. Both of them excelled in the Arts, but the difference was being felt in every muscle, joint, and tendon as Dinah worked through the spar.

Shiva was a master, effortless in blending her many forms to always meet any rally that Dinah made, preventing Dinah from winning. Yet, Dinah also recognized that Shiva was having to rely on that blending to keep the upper hand.

In a formal, single style spar, Dinah and Shiva would likely be evenly matched.

Like this?

Dinah had to smile, a genuine one, to be pushed so far, so hard, so long.

Was that what Shiva had been waiting for? As the next move saw Dinah on the mats and Shiva pinning her, full length, hand in knife-strike pose at her throat.

"You choose life, not dwelling on death," Shiva purred, and damned if that didn't make Dinah remember other aspects of living that were worthwhile.

"Care to live a little with me, grab a hot soak, some good food?"

"Sensualist."

And yet, they moved together in that plan.

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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-21 02:39 pm

Fossils

This crocodile ran like a greyhound across prehistoric Britain 200 million years ago

A newly discovered Triassic reptile from the UK looked more like a racing greyhound than a crocodile, built for speed on land. With long legs and a lightweight body, it hunted small animals in a dry, upland environment millions of years ago. Scientists identified it as a new species after spotting key differences in its fossils. It’s also a tribute to an inspiring teacher who helped spark a future scientist’s curiosity
.


Peculiar Obligations has several such species called galloping crocodiles, hoofed crocodiles, or hoofers.
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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-21 02:10 pm

Birdfeeding

Today is sunny and hot.

I fed the birds. I've seen a small mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 3/21/26 -- I put topsoil in the four large pots that sit on the ground along the north side of the picnic table.

I also put the indoor flats of tree sprouts and squash sprouts outside to get some sun and air.

It is so hot outside as to limit my activity. In mid-March. This annoys me.

EDIT 3/21/26 -- I put topsoil in the four large pots that sit on the ground along the south side of the picnic table. There is just a little left now.

It's 81°F now. :/

EDIT 3/21/26 -- I spread the last of the topsoil in other pots around the new picnic table.

It's 82°F now. Fuck climate change.

EDIT 3/21/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I've seen two mourning doves in the forest garden.

EDIT 3/21/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I am done for the night.
ysabetwordsmith: (moment of silence)
ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-21 11:59 am

Moment of Silence: Nicholas Brendon

Actor Nicholas Brendon has passed away. He is most famous for playing Xander on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but also appeared on Criminal Minds and Private Practice.


Carry on the Work

5 Ways How To Steal The Show As The Comedic Relief In A Drama

Acting -- how to articles from wikiHow

Acting in Horror Films: Why You Need It And How to Pull It Off
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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-21 12:30 am

Philosophical Questions: Marriage

People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.

Does marriage as an institution need to be updated or is it fine how it is?

Read more... )
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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-20 09:16 pm
Entry tags:

Follow Friday 3-20-26: Magic

Today's theme is Magic.

Read more... )
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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-20 05:36 pm

Friday Five

These questions come from [community profile] thefridayfive.

Read more... )
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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-20 01:03 pm

Birdfeeding

Today is mostly sunny and quite warm. It's already 78°F outside. 0_o

I fed the birds. I've only seen a few sparrows and house finches, but lots of birds are singing all around the yard. I suspect they're more interested in foraging.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 3/20/26 -- I sowed 3 troughs with 'Sugar Ann' snap peas and 3 with 'Avalanche' snow peas. I put 2 peas in each end of a trough, leaving the middle open to plant other things. That makes 24 pea plants. These are bush types and did well last year.

EDIT 3/20/26 -- I sowed one trough with 'Lovely Lettuce Mesclun Blend' and one with 'Thumbelina Baby Ball' carrots. I plan to sow more of those 2 weeks later.

EDIT 3/20/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 3/20/26 -- I trimmed a few spray bits of brush in the parking lot, and followed up with weed spray. My partner Doug is trying to find someone to come install a load of gravel.

A large flock of several dozen blackbirds has gathered high in the trees.

EDIT 3/20/26 -- I watered the six troughs on the benches of the new picnic table garden.

EDIT 3/20/26 -- I used the last partial bag of compost & manure to spread a little over the eight big pots atop the new picnic table garden. So I'm out of that and nearly out of the American Countryside potting mix.

EDIT 3/20/26 -- I put topsoil in four of the big pots atop the new picnic table. They're not completely full yet; there's room to add a bit of potting soil.

EDIT 3/20/26 -- I put topsoil in the other four of the big pots. I still have a partial bag left.

I am done for the night.
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Azure / Bede ★ ([personal profile] bedes) wrote2026-02-12 06:03 pm

Childhood Trauma Motifs (Cookie Run)

You know how Shadow Milk has many childish mannerisms and ways of thinking? How he has many themes and motifs that deal with play, such as plushies, stick puppets, and arts and crafts?

Have you even seen those drawings made by children who have been through trauma or abuse, and who were asked to draw the situation or person that hurt them?

Shadow Milk's sad, scribbly sprite Shadow Milk's manic, scribbly sprite The scribbly sprite of one of the Fount of Knowledge's followers

Did you know that, in the original text, Shadow Milk calls Pure Vanilla a "doll" instead of a "puppet"?

And have you heard that children with trauma often recreate their trauma while playing with dolls to process it?

A screenshot, showing Shadow Milk transformed into a dying cookie, talking to Pure Vanilla. He says, 'You promised... I'd be fine... *Cough* ... But... I'm going... to crumble… aren't I?’
A screenshot, showing Pure Vanilla in the flashback where he experiences what the Fount of Knowledge did. One of his followers says, 'O Fount of Knowledge! My dough grows colder and colder... They say there is no cure… Perhaps, you can help? Will I live?'
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Azure / Bede ★ ([personal profile] bedes) wrote2026-01-17 05:57 pm

Riku's Character Design Change

Now, if I were writing the Kingdom Hearts series, I would make it so that Riku cut his hair while undercover at the Organization, so that his hair would grow out again and go down to his upper back by the time Dream Drop Distance comes around. Instead of cutting it short and then associating his longer hair with "Dark Riku" and his flawed past and such.

I mean, the writers can do whatever boring shit they're doing too I guess. All I'm saying is that every time a queercoded male villain is made to cut his hair during his redemption arc, an angel loses its wings.

Jan 22nd update: My feelings on this matter have only intensified since learning that the sole reason that Riku's hair was changed was because ""fans"" kept complaining about it.
bedes: (ivan)
Azure / Bede ★ ([personal profile] bedes) wrote2026-02-01 04:56 pm

Shadow Milk "Mommy Issues" Cookie Confirmed

But jokes aside, I’m pretty sure that The First Cookies are the Beast’s “mothers” in the same way that God is “the father”. It’s meant to mean that they are their creators in a religious context, not their literal parents. Especially since The First Cookies were once witches that are now in cookie form, and witches are very clearly worshiped as religious figures. (Shadow Milk even refers to them as “gods” quite blatantly.)

The implication is intended to be that The First Cookies made the Virtues when they were witches — thus, why First Milk is still a human when depicted with Fount of Knowledge.

Anyways, Shadow Milk’s creator being a healer and his other half being a healer and the Beast he’s arguably closest to being a healer is so funny because that freak has never healed from anything in his LIFE
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Azure / Bede ★ ([personal profile] bedes) wrote2026-01-17 04:52 pm

Plural Shadow Milk Headcanon

System: OSDD-1b (lacks amnesia between alters). Unaware that they are a system. They all believe that they are Shadow Milk, who has different “mindsets” he takes on.

Shadow Milk Cookie: Current host. Originated as a protector, now a persecutor. Initially split when Fount was attacked by the angry mob depicted in Dominion of the Beasts 2.

Fount of Knowledge: Ex-host and core. Infrequent solo-fronter, occasional co-fronter.

Young Shepherd Cookie: Syskid and innocence-holder. Only fronts when by himself. Initially split during their imprisonment in the Silver Tree, partially to make up for the system’s lack of a childhood.
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ysabetwordsmith ([personal profile] ysabetwordsmith) wrote2026-03-19 11:44 am

Birdfeeding

Today is mostly sunny and mild. :D

The stump grinder guy has come and gone. He did an excellent job. The stump in front of the garden shed is gone and the hole mostly filled, though I'll add some top soil to smooth it out more. The east path is nearly smooth, might need a bit of raking. I'm particularly impressed that a ring of daffodils around the plump stump is still there! I had expected to lose those, so the precision is noteworthy. The parking lot is also nearly smooth. He got right up to the edge of the sidewalk and rock wall, although he advised there are some buried rocks and concrete that we didn't know about. I may need to rake some areas, and certainly need to see about removing the last stubs from the sidewalk to recreate that defensive zone. My partner Doug plans to drive over the parking lot to press it down some before ordering a load of fresh gravel to top it. Progress!

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. Cardinals are singing.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 3/19/26 -- I put about half a bag of topsoil into the hole in front of the garden shed to smooth it out. That may need more later after it settles, but it'll do for now.

EDIT 3/19/26 -- I filled a flat of 12 pots with potting soil and in each pot I planted 5 seeds of short landrace marigolds. These are similar to Shithouse Marigolds but shorter. If I can get them growing well, I can save money buying nursery marigolds. I covered them with a plastic tub to serve as a greenhouse. I still need to label them though.

EDIT 3/19/26 -- I labeled the marigolds.

I checked the east path. It doesn't really need anything but grass seed. We'll need to buy a big bag of that. Recommended time for spring sowing is late March to mid-April.

I checked the parking lot. I picked up a few pieces of junk that were churned up, but it's also pretty good. I do need to work on clearing more of the sidewalk, but a lot of that will just be brushing dirt off it.

EDIT 3/19/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 3/19/26 -- I started working on the sidewalk again. Much of what covers it is just loose dirt that needs to be scraped off. Some is still packed dirt and roots.

EDIT 3/19/26 -- I watered the seeds under tubs.

It's 71°F now. Over the next few days, it's supposed to reach 80°F. 0_o

EDIT 3/19/26 -- I started the process of topping up troughs on the new picnic table. I want to finish those first six with the self-mulching potting soil.

EDIT 3/19/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 3/19/26 -- I finished topping up the troughs. I'll need to get more American Countryside potting mix. I like how it self-mulches. Soon I'll be planting peas in these. My plan this year, instead of putting the peas in their own container, is to space them out so they fertilize other plants. We'll see how that works.

While the deep freeze killed a fair amount of things, much has survived. Crocus have already put out new flowers. The bluebell leaves weren't as damaged as I expected. More squills are blooming.

It is 7:20 PM and not quite full dark. This was my first after-supper yardening session. :D

I am done for the night.
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Reeby ([personal profile] reeby10) wrote2026-03-19 12:00 pm
Entry tags:

Wednesday What I'm...

Reading
  • Read some more of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It largely seems to be just a collection of little stories, which are interesting, but it does feel like slow going.
  • Read some more of Demon Fish by Juliet Eilperin. The stuff about shark calling was very interesting, especially because I was surprised to have not heard of it before!
  • Ficwise, I'm all over the place. Read quite a bit for Private Property and Never Let Me Go, with some PondPhuwin RPF in the mix. Currently rereading a JunDylan fic again because I needed some comfort food lol
Watching
  • The roommate and I finished MuTeLuv. I enjoyed the Dew in Japan story, though once again, the het romance did not work for me. But the SurfJava story was just as good as everyone had been saying! Possibly my favorite one in the bunch. It was nice to see Surf getting to do more than he did in Head 2 Head, as well as Java playing a much less pathetic character. (I just had to ignore that this was supposed to be the OhmLeng story...)
  • The roommate and I started watching Century of Love. The production value is a bit iffy, but Daou and Offroad are delightful so far. Very interested to see where it's going.
  • The roommate and I watched more of Running Man Thailand. Well, attempted. Idk what's going on, but the app we stream it through keeps freezing up a few minutes in and won't load anymore. It's just for this show, none of the others we watch there, but it's happened on episodes 2, 3, and 4! We're waiting for episode 3 to make it to youtube so we can actually finish it.
  • The roommate, best friend, and I watched the latest episode of Cat for Cash. Very sweet episode! And Winny did show up just like I'd seen spoilers for, which was kind of sad considering he and Satang recently broke up. So this is their last role together. We'll see if he shows up in any other episodes.
  • The roommate, best friend, and I watched the latest episode of Duang With You. It's getting steamy! I was surprised that kind of scene was happening already, which makes me wonder, especially with the preview for next week, if things are going to start falling apart for them.
  • The roommate, best friend, and I watched the latest episode of Only Friends: Dream On. Some machinations happening that seem to be heading in interesting ways, both positively and negatively. Looking forward to more of the fallout. Especially with Rome seeming so disappointed with Raffy's choices, which didn't even work out for him.
  • The roommate, best friend, and I watched the latest episode of Yesterday. I am refusing to believe Lalit is dead lol But ooh, Kelvin! I hope he goes insane over thinking Vier's dead. The preview for next week is very puzzling in that regard though...
  • The roommate, best friend, and I watched the latest episode of My Romance Scammer. And it all comes tumbling down! Poor Tim and poor Pai, they really went through it. Excited to see how they manage to rebuild things!
Listening
  • Still making my way through the LYKN tour videos.
Writing
  • Started on my fic for [community profile] songkranexchange . Not sure if I love the concept, so we'll see if I finish it or try something else.
  • Wrote more on the omegaverse ArmTae fic. I think maybe I'm about halfway through? Maybe? They're taking their sweet time...
Learning
  • I took my laptop to the cafe to write on Saturday, but it ended up not being charged and they don't have outlets, so I worked on Japanese since the roommate had her workbook with her! I practiced hiragana, which was honestly a lot more longhand writing than I've done in a long time lol