Tags:
Today we cooked up the mixed carton of fancy mushrooms from the Champaign Farmer's Market. They included pink oysters, blue oysters, lion's mane, and some little brown things with long stems and caps the size of a thumbnail. We sauteed them in sunflower oil, seasoned them with garam masala, and added some chopped bacon.
The result tasted good, but not much better than our usual mix of mushrooms, and it was twice as expensive. The oysters were good, but don't taste notably different from the usual white to light brown ones. We did not care of the stringy texture of the lion's mane. Also, they cooked way fast and shrank way down, which left a small amount of stir-fry. They might have worked better in something like wild mushroom spaghetti sauce. So it was interesting to try, but not worth repeating.
The result tasted good, but not much better than our usual mix of mushrooms, and it was twice as expensive. The oysters were good, but don't taste notably different from the usual white to light brown ones. We did not care of the stringy texture of the lion's mane. Also, they cooked way fast and shrank way down, which left a small amount of stir-fry. They might have worked better in something like wild mushroom spaghetti sauce. So it was interesting to try, but not worth repeating.
This post has the funniest argument I have seen against AI: "A computer can never be spiteful or horny. Therefore a computer must never make art."
Now from an anthropological perspective, anything decorative rather than purely functional is "art" -- a contrasting color around the rim of a jug, for instance. From a cultural perspective, however, art is about emotion. It's how we express our human feelings about things we have seen or imagined as a way of communicating with other people. So by that definition, a computer cannot make art, even if it can mash around colors and images. An interesting point.
Now from an anthropological perspective, anything decorative rather than purely functional is "art" -- a contrasting color around the rim of a jug, for instance. From a cultural perspective, however, art is about emotion. It's how we express our human feelings about things we have seen or imagined as a way of communicating with other people. So by that definition, a computer cannot make art, even if it can mash around colors and images. An interesting point.
Tags:
Today is mostly sunny and hot.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches at the feeders. Blackbirds and catbirds are mobbing the mulberry tree in the house yard.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/10/25 -- I did some work around the patio.
.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches at the feeders. Blackbirds and catbirds are mobbing the mulberry tree in the house yard.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/10/25 -- I did some work around the patio.
.
Tags:
There is much to look at in the sanctuary, but let us start with the altar. It recreates the altar where drugged captives were once placed before undergoing the Rite of Death, which represented their entry into a Living Death. It was at this stage that new slaves had iron masks locked securely onto their heads, which could not be removed except in the unlikely event that they survived long enough to be freed.
Here on the altar, if you wish, you may place a piece of the jackalfire tree, representing your wish that the evils of the past may be transformed by all of us in the present, bringing about rebirth.
[Translator's note: Yet again, Death Mask is the place to learn more about such matters.]
Tags:
Scientists host 'science fair of canceled grants' on Capitol Hill to fight funding cuts
The researchers gathered, alongside the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to present posters in a good, old-fashioned science fair, titled “The Things We’ll Never Know: A Science Fair of Canceled Grants.”
It's a great tactic, and one that other fields could use too. "Here are some useful things you could have had, but these specific people took them away from you." That's guaranteed to piss off a lot of people.
It's also among the standard protest techniques in Terramagne. Not only is it sound activism for pounding the perpetrators, it also has a pretty good chance of someone else deciding to sponsor your canceled project if they like your pitch. Feel free to prompt me for that.
The researchers gathered, alongside the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to present posters in a good, old-fashioned science fair, titled “The Things We’ll Never Know: A Science Fair of Canceled Grants.”
It's a great tactic, and one that other fields could use too. "Here are some useful things you could have had, but these specific people took them away from you." That's guaranteed to piss off a lot of people.
It's also among the standard protest techniques in Terramagne. Not only is it sound activism for pounding the perpetrators, it also has a pretty good chance of someone else deciding to sponsor your canceled project if they like your pitch. Feel free to prompt me for that.
Everyone needs contact comfort sometimes. Not everyone has ample opportunities for this in facetime. So here is a chance for a cuddle party in cyberspace. Virtual cuddling can help people feel better.
We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!
We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!
Tags:
Today is mostly sunny, humid, and hot. Yesterday it rained for half the day and into the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. They've drained half the thistle feeder but I still need to refill that one.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I filled the thistle feeder.
I've seen a male cardinal and a fox squirrel.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I sprayed weedkiller on poison ivy around the yard.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I potted up two apricot seeds.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. They've drained half the thistle feeder but I still need to refill that one.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I filled the thistle feeder.
I've seen a male cardinal and a fox squirrel.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I sprayed weedkiller on poison ivy around the yard.
EDIT 7/9/25 -- I potted up two apricot seeds.
Sunshine Revival Challenge 3: Food
Journaling prompt: What are your favorite summer-associated foods?
Creative prompt: Draw art of or make graphics of summer foods, or post your favorite summer recipes. 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.
This is actually from 7/7/25 but it wasn't up when I checked, and then the net was down.
( Read more... )
Journaling prompt: What are your favorite summer-associated foods?
Creative prompt: Draw art of or make graphics of summer foods, or post your favorite summer recipes. 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.
This is actually from 7/7/25 but it wasn't up when I checked, and then the net was down.
( Read more... )
Tags:
Tags:
I haven't updated since before I left for the US (which I should also write up soon). I got my kitchen installed! It took the nice Ukrainian man 2 evenings (about 7.5 hours) and only cost me 450 Euros. He also installed my ceiling lights, which required drilling.
Honestly, it seems like it would be so much easier on the structural integrity of buildings if Germany would just ... provide kitchen cabinets and ceiling fixtures. But that's just me.
Today I'm gathering my kitchen stuff and clothes and toiletries and packing them into a rental car with my computer & cat, and we'll be sleeping at the new place starting tonight! Then Friday the moving company is coming (at 9 am).
There are still a bunch of things that need to go into boxes, but I've run out of space to put boxes (and I'm too short to stack them more than 2 high). So after I get my daily use stuff out, I can move things around a bit and make more space. That'll be tomorrow's project.
Honestly, it seems like it would be so much easier on the structural integrity of buildings if Germany would just ... provide kitchen cabinets and ceiling fixtures. But that's just me.
Today I'm gathering my kitchen stuff and clothes and toiletries and packing them into a rental car with my computer & cat, and we'll be sleeping at the new place starting tonight! Then Friday the moving company is coming (at 9 am).
There are still a bunch of things that need to go into boxes, but I've run out of space to put boxes (and I'm too short to stack them more than 2 high). So after I get my daily use stuff out, I can move things around a bit and make more space. That'll be tomorrow's project.
Tags:
Today is mostly sunny and warm.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/8/25 -- It rained for about half the day and into the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/8/25 -- It rained for about half the day and into the night.
Tags:
This poem is spillover from the June 3, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "growth" square in my 6-2-25 card for the Pride Fest bingo. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Daughters of the Apocalypse.
( Read more... )
wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "growth" square in my 6-2-25 card for the Pride Fest bingo. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Daughters of the Apocalypse.( Read more... )
Tags:
Scientists’ top 10 bee-magnet blooms—turn any lawn into a pollinator paradise
Botanists from the University of Copenhagen and the UK set out to find the best flower combinations for bees and hoverflies.
Danish and Welsh botanists sifted through 400 studies, field-tested seed mixes, and uncovered a lineup of native and exotic blooms that both thrill human eyes and lure bees and hoverflies in droves, offering ready-made recipes for transforming lawns, parks, and patios into vibrant pollinator hotspots.
Below are the plants recommended for European and United Kingdom uses...
( Read more... )
Botanists from the University of Copenhagen and the UK set out to find the best flower combinations for bees and hoverflies.
Danish and Welsh botanists sifted through 400 studies, field-tested seed mixes, and uncovered a lineup of native and exotic blooms that both thrill human eyes and lure bees and hoverflies in droves, offering ready-made recipes for transforming lawns, parks, and patios into vibrant pollinator hotspots.
Below are the plants recommended for European and United Kingdom uses...
( Read more... )
These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Poem: "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government"
Poem: "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness"
Poem: "Always Surprised by Consequences"
Poem: "No Such Thing as Finished"
Geology
Birdfeeding
Today's Smoothie
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Government
Fireworks
Writing About Fireworks
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 7-4-25: Historical Fiction
Blazing the Trail: Celebrating Indigenous Fire Stewardship
Birdfeeding
Climate Change
Birdfeeding
Problem-Solving
Hard Things
"Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 41 comments. "Not a Destination, But a Process" has 146 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 95 comments.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sunshine_revival is running through July. See the schedule, meet the moderators, and use the master post to navigate the event. Meet new folks in the friending meme. Spread the word!
* Sunshine Revival Challenge 1: Light
Poem: "The Pleasure of Escaping the Responsibility"
* Sunshine Revival Challenge 2: Tunnel of Love
Poem: "Legs of Grass, Feet of Flowers"
summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the current themes are Tetris 69 and Body Worship 69.
"In the Heart of the Hidden Garden" is now complete! Lawrence shows Stan more of his favorite places.
The weather has been variable here. It rained yesterday and last night. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a pair of mourning doves, a male cardinal, a gray catbird, a fox squirrel, a skunk, and at least 1 probably 2 bats. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, impatiens, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, snowball bush, yellow squash, zucchini, morning glory, purple echinacea, narrow-leaf mountain mint, black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, chicory, Queen Anne's lace, sunflowers, cup plant. Daylilies are done blooming. Cucumbers, tomatillo, and pepper have green fruit. The first 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomato ripened and some other tomatoes are showing color. Wild strawberries, mulberries, peas, and blackberries are ripe. Black raspberries are done.
Poem: "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government"
Poem: "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness"
Poem: "Always Surprised by Consequences"
Poem: "No Such Thing as Finished"
Geology
Birdfeeding
Today's Smoothie
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Government
Fireworks
Writing About Fireworks
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 7-4-25: Historical Fiction
Blazing the Trail: Celebrating Indigenous Fire Stewardship
Birdfeeding
Climate Change
Birdfeeding
Problem-Solving
Hard Things
"Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 41 comments. "Not a Destination, But a Process" has 146 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 95 comments.
sunshine_revival is running through July. See the schedule, meet the moderators, and use the master post to navigate the event. Meet new folks in the friending meme. Spread the word!* Sunshine Revival Challenge 1: Light
Poem: "The Pleasure of Escaping the Responsibility"
* Sunshine Revival Challenge 2: Tunnel of Love
Poem: "Legs of Grass, Feet of Flowers"
summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the current themes are Tetris 69 and Body Worship 69."In the Heart of the Hidden Garden" is now complete! Lawrence shows Stan more of his favorite places.
The weather has been variable here. It rained yesterday and last night. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a pair of mourning doves, a male cardinal, a gray catbird, a fox squirrel, a skunk, and at least 1 probably 2 bats. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, impatiens, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, snowball bush, yellow squash, zucchini, morning glory, purple echinacea, narrow-leaf mountain mint, black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, chicory, Queen Anne's lace, sunflowers, cup plant. Daylilies are done blooming. Cucumbers, tomatillo, and pepper have green fruit. The first 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomato ripened and some other tomatoes are showing color. Wild strawberries, mulberries, peas, and blackberries are ripe. Black raspberries are done.
Today is partly sunny and warm. It rained yesterday and last night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and at least one mourning dove.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I harvested a handful of peapods for supper. :D
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I took some pictures around the yard.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I trimmed brush in the prairie garden.
The first of the gladioli are blooming in the telephone pole garden and notch of the prairie garden. A sunflower is blooming in the telephone pole garden too.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I cut some of the brush into sticks for making bonfire cores.
I've seen at least 2 bats. I've seen several half-grown possums, one deceased, two alive.
Fireflies are coming out. Cicadas are singing.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and at least one mourning dove.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I harvested a handful of peapods for supper. :D
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I took some pictures around the yard.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I trimmed brush in the prairie garden.
The first of the gladioli are blooming in the telephone pole garden and notch of the prairie garden. A sunflower is blooming in the telephone pole garden too.
EDIT 7/7/25 -- I cut some of the brush into sticks for making bonfire cores.
I've seen at least 2 bats. I've seen several half-grown possums, one deceased, two alive.
Fireflies are coming out. Cicadas are singing.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
This poem is spillover from the March 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "Secrets" square in my 3-1-25 card for the Tolkien Bingo Fest. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.
( Read more... )
wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "Secrets" square in my 3-1-25 card for the Tolkien Bingo Fest. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.( Read more... )
This poem came out of the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired and sponsored by janetmiles. It also fills the "close-knit community" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. It belongs to the series Frankenstein's Family; it follows "Signs of Their Trespass," so read that first or this won't make much sense.
( Read more... )
janetmiles. It also fills the "close-knit community" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. It belongs to the series Frankenstein's Family; it follows "Signs of Their Trespass," so read that first or this won't make much sense.( Read more... )
Tags:
.