Poem: "The Bones of Chihuly"
Jan. 22nd, 2026 01:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithThis poem is spillover from the March 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from librarygeek. It has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred. This poem belongs to the Big One and Shiv threads of the Polychrome Heroics series.
Warning: This poem contains intense topics that may distress some readers, especially glass artists and fans of glass art. Highlight to read the more detailed warnings, some of which are spoilers. It includes upset friends, crying man, emotional first aid, Shiv's awkward but effective crisis response, Chihuly Garden and Glass destroyed by earthquake, salvage operations, insufficient organization causing emotional upset, reference to clumsiness, sorting broken glass that used to be art, and other challenges. If these are sensitive issues for you, please consider your taste and headspace before deciding if this is something you want to read.
( Read more... )
librarygeek. It has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred. This poem belongs to the Big One and Shiv threads of the Polychrome Heroics series.Warning: This poem contains intense topics that may distress some readers, especially glass artists and fans of glass art. Highlight to read the more detailed warnings, some of which are spoilers. It includes upset friends, crying man, emotional first aid, Shiv's awkward but effective crisis response, Chihuly Garden and Glass destroyed by earthquake, salvage operations, insufficient organization causing emotional upset, reference to clumsiness, sorting broken glass that used to be art, and other challenges. If these are sensitive issues for you, please consider your taste and headspace before deciding if this is something you want to read.
( Read more... )
Tags:
Birdfeeding
Jan. 22nd, 2026 01:32 pmysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy and chilly.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 1/22/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 1/22/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 1/22/26 -- I filled the trolley twice with large branches that I hauled to the ritual meadow. Now all that's left of the brushpile by the driveway is one big forked branch that I can't break down myself, and the leftover twigs that will need to be raked up. \o/
I've seen a large flock of sparrows, a male and a female cardinal separately, and a starling.
EDIT 1/22/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen a pair of cardinals.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 1/22/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 1/22/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 1/22/26 -- I filled the trolley twice with large branches that I hauled to the ritual meadow. Now all that's left of the brushpile by the driveway is one big forked branch that I can't break down myself, and the leftover twigs that will need to be raked up. \o/
I've seen a large flock of sparrows, a male and a female cardinal separately, and a starling.
EDIT 1/22/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen a pair of cardinals.
I am done for the night.
Community Thursdays
Jan. 22nd, 2026 12:15 amysabetwordsmithThis year I'm doing Community Thursdays. Some of my activity will involve maintaining communities I run, and my favorites. Some will involve checking my list of subscriptions and posting in lower-traffic ones. Today I have interacted with the following communities...
* Posted "How to Restart When You've Fallen Off Your Goals" in![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
goals_on_dw.
* Continued checking and responding to Wishlist posts insnowflake_challenge. See my Granting Wishes post.
* Made my 3 nominations for the Rose and Bay Awards: Other Project incrowdfunding. Nominations are still open through January, so if you haven't made yours yet, we could sure use more! Boost your favorite crowdfunded projects and patrons from 2025.
* Posted "How to Restart When You've Fallen Off Your Goals" in
goals_on_dw. * Continued checking and responding to Wishlist posts in
snowflake_challenge. See my Granting Wishes post.* Made my 3 nominations for the Rose and Bay Awards: Other Project in
crowdfunding. Nominations are still open through January, so if you haven't made yours yet, we could sure use more! Boost your favorite crowdfunded projects and patrons from 2025.Superpowers
Jan. 21st, 2026 10:49 pmysabetwordsmithIn this case, gizmology and super-intellect. I went to high school with guys like this.
Poem: "A Scarf of Stars"
Jan. 21st, 2026 10:29 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem was written outside the regular prompt calls. It fills "The Milky Way" square in my 1-1-25 card for the Public Domain Day Bingo fest. It has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred.
"A Scarf of Stars"
In winter,
on a moonless night,
the Milky Way shimmers
like a scarf of stars
wound around
night's black neck.
fuzzyred."A Scarf of Stars"
In winter,
on a moonless night,
the Milky Way shimmers
like a scarf of stars
wound around
night's black neck.
Art
Jan. 21st, 2026 09:53 pmysabetwordsmithpattrose made fanart for Love Is For Children as part of the snowflake_challenge. :D ( Read more... )
Snow
Jan. 21st, 2026 08:11 pmysabetwordsmithmoonhare posted a lovely picture of snow, and a very amusing still life of "Snow Predicted." It got me thinking that occasions would make a great theme for still life in general.Opera Outfits Over 40
Jan. 21st, 2026 06:16 pmysabetwordsmithA friend asked about shopping for clothes over 40, with an eye toward age-appropriate and fashionable wear, given an opera subscription. That's different from my typical needs, but I'm familiar enough with wrangling clothes to have plenty of ideas ...
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Food
Jan. 21st, 2026 02:55 pmysabetwordsmithThe hidden microbes that decide how sourdough tastes
The microbes living in sourdough starters don’t just appear by chance—they’re shaped by what bakers feed them. New research shows that while the same hardy yeast tends to dominate sourdough starters regardless of flour type, the bacteria tell a more complex story. Different flours—like whole wheat or bread flour—encourage different bacterial communities, which can subtly influence flavor, texture, and fermentation.
( Read more... )
The microbes living in sourdough starters don’t just appear by chance—they’re shaped by what bakers feed them. New research shows that while the same hardy yeast tends to dominate sourdough starters regardless of flour type, the bacteria tell a more complex story. Different flours—like whole wheat or bread flour—encourage different bacterial communities, which can subtly influence flavor, texture, and fermentation.
( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Jan. 21st, 2026 12:55 pmysabetwordsmithToday is mostly sunny, breezy, and cool.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows and at least one starling.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- We installed the first of the new latches.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- We installed the second of the new latches.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- I put out a peanut suet cake.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows and at least one starling.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- We installed the first of the new latches.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- We installed the second of the new latches.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- I put out a peanut suet cake.
EDIT 1/21/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
Snowflake Challenge 11: Granting Wishes
Jan. 21st, 2026 11:42 amysabetwordsmithSnowflake Challenge 11: Granting Wishes
This challenge is a follow up to Challenge #5. You've made your own wishlist, now it's time to grant someone else's wish from theirs! This can be as simple as answering a question to creating something from scratch, one wish or many wishes. Let your inspiration run wild!
In your own space, grant someone's wish from Challenge #5. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it and include a link to your own post with the wishes you granted if you feel comfortable doing so.
Be sure to check out other people's creations, whether they're granting your wish or someone else's. If you post any granted wishes elsewhere, we'd love it if you link them to this post.
( Read more... )
This challenge is a follow up to Challenge #5. You've made your own wishlist, now it's time to grant someone else's wish from theirs! This can be as simple as answering a question to creating something from scratch, one wish or many wishes. Let your inspiration run wild!
In your own space, grant someone's wish from Challenge #5. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it and include a link to your own post with the wishes you granted if you feel comfortable doing so.
Be sure to check out other people's creations, whether they're granting your wish or someone else's. If you post any granted wishes elsewhere, we'd love it if you link them to this post.
( Read more... )
Science
Jan. 21st, 2026 12:13 amysabetwordsmithStanford scientists found a way to regrow cartilage and stop arthritis
Scientists have found a way to regrow aging cartilage, raising hopes for arthritis treatments that could make joint replacements obsolete.
Scientists at Stanford Medicine have discovered a treatment that can reverse cartilage loss in aging joints and even prevent arthritis after knee injuries. By blocking a protein linked to aging, the therapy restored healthy, shock-absorbing cartilage in old mice and injured joints, dramatically improving movement and joint function. Human cartilage samples from knee replacement surgeries also began regenerating when exposed to the treatment.
Well, that would be super useful ... if it's not blocked by megacorps making the current arthritis treatments. Then again, most politicians are old and would probably like to have this option, so maybe they'll tell the megacorps to fuck off for once.
Scientists have found a way to regrow aging cartilage, raising hopes for arthritis treatments that could make joint replacements obsolete.
Scientists at Stanford Medicine have discovered a treatment that can reverse cartilage loss in aging joints and even prevent arthritis after knee injuries. By blocking a protein linked to aging, the therapy restored healthy, shock-absorbing cartilage in old mice and injured joints, dramatically improving movement and joint function. Human cartilage samples from knee replacement surgeries also began regenerating when exposed to the treatment.
Well, that would be super useful ... if it's not blocked by megacorps making the current arthritis treatments. Then again, most politicians are old and would probably like to have this option, so maybe they'll tell the megacorps to fuck off for once.
Good News
Jan. 21st, 2026 12:11 amysabetwordsmithGood news includes all the things which make us happy or otherwise feel good. It can be personal or public. We never know when something wonderful will happen, and when it does, most people want to share it with someone. It's disappointing when nobody is there to appreciate it. Happily, blogging allows us to share our joys and pat each other on the back.
What good news have you had recently? Are you anticipating any more? Have you found a cute picture or a video that makes you smile? Is there anything your online friends could do to make your life a little happier?
What good news have you had recently? Are you anticipating any more? Have you found a cute picture or a video that makes you smile? Is there anything your online friends could do to make your life a little happier?
Poem: "A Hurricane of Butterflies"
Jan. 20th, 2026 08:27 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem was written outside the regular prompt calls, inspired by a discussion with a_natural_beauty. It also fills the "WILD CARD: Denial" square in my 2-1-25 card for the Valentines Bingo fest. It has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred.
( Read more... )
a_natural_beauty. It also fills the "WILD CARD: Denial" square in my 2-1-25 card for the Valentines Bingo fest. It has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred.( Read more... )
Website Updates
Jan. 20th, 2026 05:29 pmysabetwordsmithThanks to a lot of work by fuzzyred, you can now read A Poesy of Obscure Sorrows on its own landing page. :D This series of linguistic poetry uses novel words presented in The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.
fuzzyred, you can now read A Poesy of Obscure Sorrows on its own landing page. :D This series of linguistic poetry uses novel words presented in The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.Tags:
Animal Intelligence
Jan. 20th, 2026 02:17 pmysabetwordsmithCow are the latest animals observed using tools, reopening the debate about animal intelligence
Researchers report the first documented case of tool use in cattle, based on a Swiss Brown cow named Veronika who doesn’t just grab an object and rub it against herself.
She chooses the “right” part of a tool for the job, changes her technique depending on where she’s scratching, and repeats those choices in a way that looks consistent and intentional.
( Read more... )
Researchers report the first documented case of tool use in cattle, based on a Swiss Brown cow named Veronika who doesn’t just grab an object and rub it against herself.
She chooses the “right” part of a tool for the job, changes her technique depending on where she’s scratching, and repeats those choices in a way that looks consistent and intentional.
( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Jan. 20th, 2026 02:14 pmysabetwordsmithToday is sunny and cold.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 1/20/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 1/20/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen at least one starling.
EDIT 1/20/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
We brought in more firewood to stack beside the stove.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 1/20/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 1/20/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen at least one starling.
EDIT 1/20/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
We brought in more firewood to stack beside the stove.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
Linguistics
Jan. 20th, 2026 01:08 pmysabetwordsmithHere's an interesting observation:
Hey ding-dongs, let’s have a chit-chat about Ablaut reduplication.
If you have three words, the order usually goes 'I-A-O.'
-tic-tac-toe
If there are only two words, ‘I’ is the first and the second is either ‘A’ or ‘O.’
-click-clack
-King-Kong
I can think of a few exceptions, like "bone-dry," and more rhymes like "helter-skelter." Some like "merry-go-round" seem to follow a similar high to low pattern.
Hey ding-dongs, let’s have a chit-chat about Ablaut reduplication.
If you have three words, the order usually goes 'I-A-O.'
-tic-tac-toe
If there are only two words, ‘I’ is the first and the second is either ‘A’ or ‘O.’
-click-clack
-King-Kong
I can think of a few exceptions, like "bone-dry," and more rhymes like "helter-skelter." Some like "merry-go-round" seem to follow a similar high to low pattern.
(no subject)
Jan. 20th, 2026 08:02 ampshaw_ravenWe've had a couple of nights this week in the 20s, so when spring comes around, we ought to avoid The Bugpocalypse. You know it's cold when I actually sleep with my window closed. But between my weighted blanket and my bedroom being like a meat locker, I've been getting pretty good sleep.
I don't know what else to post because nothing much has been happening. I haven't gone much of anywhere because I've lost most of my desire to go do anything outside of my weekly errands. I've been cleaning up in my office and boxed a lot of books to donate to the Friends of the Library sale, thrown things out, etc. My new desk pad came in, so I'm enjoying that - I have one for the drawing tablet, and now one for the other desk for typing and mouse use.
I can see frost on the deck railing.
I don't know what else to post because nothing much has been happening. I haven't gone much of anywhere because I've lost most of my desire to go do anything outside of my weekly errands. I've been cleaning up in my office and boxed a lot of books to donate to the Friends of the Library sale, thrown things out, etc. My new desk pad came in, so I'm enjoying that - I have one for the drawing tablet, and now one for the other desk for typing and mouse use.
I can see frost on the deck railing.
