Conservation

Jun. 10th, 2025 03:37 am
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Farmers are creating a brighter future for Bolivia’s red-fronted macaws

Once rural landowners learned they could generate income by protecting macaws, the endangered birds went from burdens to boons.


Progress!

Magpie Monday

Jun. 10th, 2025 03:05 am
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[personal profile] dialecticdreamer is hosting Magpie Monday with a theme of "recovering from nightmares."


For each person who sends at least one prompt, I’ll write a story, send it via private message or (for too long fills) an email, then write a brief thumbnail summary and post that in reply to the comment, and move on.

The prompt call will be open until around midnight local time on late Tuesday/early Wednesday, which gives everyone time to join in
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Today I started making liquid fertilizer from Russian comfrey. Begin with Part 1: Jugs. With those done, I harvested leaves.

Walk with me ... )
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Today I started making liquid fertilizer from Russian comfrey. This plant fills a lot of guild roles in permaculture including fertilizer, miner, mulcher, protector, attractor. I have been using it primarily as a bee plant that I can also slash-and-drop several times a season. I grow it under many of my trees and there's some in the prairie garden too.

There are various ways to make liquid fertilizer from comfrey. I will be testing two: 1) a small amount of comfrey leaves in a large amount of water, and 2) only comfrey leaves crammed tightly in a jug. (See Part 2: Leaves.)

Walk with me ... )

Brains

Jun. 9th, 2025 09:08 pm
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Krakencoder predicts brain function 20x better than past methods

Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine have developed a new algorithm, the Krakencoder, that merges multiple types of brain imaging data to better understand how the brain s wiring underpins behavior, thought, and recovery after injury. This cutting-edge tool can predict brain function from structure with unprecedented accuracy 20 times better than past models and even estimate traits like age, sex, and cognitive ability.


That ... sounds pretty exactly like something over in Terramagne. It's part of Thalassia's health care system, although they've had theirs for a while. *ponder* I think the ~20 year gap between here and there is holding steady.

Summer of the 69

Jun. 9th, 2025 09:03 pm
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[community profile] summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the comment prompt post.  The initial theme is "First Time 69: Everyone has to start somewhere."

Welcome to Summer of the 69, an event focused on creative works about the sexual position, open to all fandoms and to original works. Participation is through two means: A comment meme and weekly themes, running from June 9th through September 6th.


Poke a bigot in the eye, make some sexy stuff!

Call for Themes

Jun. 9th, 2025 08:28 pm
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We've reached the end of scheduled themes for the Poetry Fishbowl project. It's time to brainstorm some new themes! These are a few that I've jotted down earlier, ones that I've thought up or people have suggested, to give you an idea what kind of stuff might be suitable:

* Angels and Demons
* Apocalyptic Visions
* Emotional Regulation
* Faeries and Fey
* Fixit
* Pirates, Rascals, and Rogues
* Time Travel
* Westerns

What other themes would you like to see me write about? What would you like to buy? Suggest them in a comment below this post.

Read more... )

History

Jun. 9th, 2025 04:27 pm
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New evidence reveals advanced maritime technology in the philippines 35,000 years ago

In a bold reimagining of Southeast Asia s prehistory, scientists reveal that the Philippine island of Mindoro was a hub of human innovation and migration as far back as 35,000 years ago. Advanced tools, deep-sea fishing capabilities, and early burial customs show that early humans here weren t isolated they were maritime pioneers shaping a wide-reaching network across the region.

Monday Update 6-9-25

Jun. 9th, 2025 01:39 pm
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These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Pride Month
Birdfeeding
Early Humans
Today's Adventures
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Looks
Today's Adventures
Poem: "The Result of Your Own Bad Behavior"
Poem: "When Warmth and Gentleness Are Needed"
Poem: "Emodox"
Birdfeeding
Skate Park
Follow Friday 6-6-25: Active Communities on Dreamwidth Spring 2025 J-Z
Recipes
New Crowdfunding Project: "Aces and Aros"
Poem: "All It Takes to Be Invulnerable"
Poem: "The Bond with a Dog"
Birdfeeding
Read "Do you ever dream of land?"
Books
Wildlife
Birdfeeding
Good News

"Not a Destination, But a Process" has 138 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 89 comments.


Last week's Poetry Fishbowl went well. I actually finished a draft of the last obligatory poem yesterday, just need to get that tallied, proofread, and thumnailed. \o/


[community profile] summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the initial theme is "First Time 69: Everyone has to start somewhere."


"In the Heart of the Hidden Garden" belongs to the Antimatter and Stalwart Stan thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It needs $86 to be fully funded. Lawrence shows Stan around the campus at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.


The weather has been warm and wet here. It rained again last night. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, two mourning doves, a male cardinal, a catbird, and a fox squirrel. Astilbe, snowball bush, and daylilies have flower buds. Peonies are done blooming. Privet and mock orange are winding down. Currently blooming: dandelions, honeysuckle, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, impatiens, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, red coreopsis, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, dogwood, Asiatic lilies, cucumber. Raspberries, blackberries, and tomatoes have green fruit. Wild strawberries and mulberries are ripe.

Whales

Jun. 9th, 2025 01:34 pm
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Whales blow bubble rings--And they might be talking to us

Newly documented behavior in a recently published paper by SETI Institute and UC Davis team members may offer insights into nonhuman intelligence--and help shape the search for life beyond Earth.
Humpback whales have been observed blowing bubble rings during friendly interactions with humans a behavior never before documented. This surprising display may be more than play; it could represent a sophisticated form of non-verbal communication. Scientists from the SETI Institute and UC Davis believe these interactions offer valuable insights into non-human intelligence, potentially helping refine our methods for detecting extraterrestrial life. Their findings underscore the intelligence, curiosity, and social complexity of whales, making them ideal analogues for developing communication models beyond Earth
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Birdfeeding

Jun. 9th, 2025 01:15 pm
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Today is partly sunny, mild, and damp.  It rained thoroughly last night.

I fed the birds.  I haven't seen much activity today though.

I put out water for the birds.

On the old picnic table, a cucumber is blooming.

EDIT 6/9/23 -- I did the indoor setup for the two jugs I'll be using to make comfrey liquid fertilizer, and took pictures.

EDIT 6/9/23 -- I tore up a handful of comfrey leaves for the first jug, put them in it, and filled the rest of the way with water.  If it works, this will produce a dilute solution of liquid fertilizer.

EDIT 6/9/23 -- I started filling the second jug.  This one needs to be entirely full of comfrey leaves.  I only got about halfway before I ran out of energy.  I'll have to work on it more later.

I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches plus two mourning doves.

EDIT 6/9/23 -- We went out to Fox Ridge and Lake Charleston.  So many things are blooming!  :D

EDIT 6/9/23 -- I added more comfrey leaves to the second jug.  It's mostly full now, but not tightly packed, so it still needs more leaves stuffed in.

EDIT 6/9/23 -- I added more comfrey leaves to the second jug.  While it's possible to push down the mass, it springs back immediately, making it hard to keep additional material inside.  I'll call it done for now.  If the stuff wilts down by tomorrow, I may add more then.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Pride Month

Jun. 8th, 2025 07:39 pm
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31 Ideas To Take Action & Celebrate Pride Month In 2025

June is Pride Month! This month-long celebration is an opportunity to celebrate the very human and very beautiful spectrum of gender and sexuality, all while coming together to fight for widespread equality and justice in the LGBTQ+ community.


Birdfeeding

Jun. 8th, 2025 02:48 pm
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Today is mostly sunny, humid, and warm. It rained yesterday and last night.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I dropped the Java moss into the trough pond. It floated. If it doesn't sink after absorbing water, I may need to find a rock to put on it.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 6/8/25 -- I did a bit of weeding in the septic garden and new picnic table.

EDIT 6/8/25 -- I did some work around the patio.

EDIT 6/8/25 -- I sowed cypress vine seeds around the support wire and in the septic garden.  Some of the earlier ones have sprouted, but I plant extra because they often get eaten.

I gathered a few poppy seeds.

The first Asiatic lilies are blooming, white with pink tips, around the telephone pole.  :D  Daylilies have buds.

I've seen a male cardinal at the hopper feeder.

Lots of things are sprouting in the septic garden.  \o/

EDIT 6/8/25 -- I picked half a bag of mulberries in the south lot and along the front fence.

I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches plus a mourning dove.

EDIT 6/8/25 -- I picked half a bag of mulberries along the front fence and in the savanna.

EDIT 6/8/25 -- I pulled weeds from the tulip bed.

EDIT 6/8/25 -- I pulled weeds along the strip garden.

The sky clouded over in the afternoon and feels like it might rain again.

EDIT 6/8/25 -- I pulled weeds around the edge of the house yard.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Early Humans

Jun. 7th, 2025 11:57 pm
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3,500-year-old graves reveal secrets that rewrite bronze age history

Around 1500 BC, radical changes occurred in people's lives: they ate and lived differently, and the social system was also reorganized.
Bronze Age life changed radically around 1500 BC in Central Europe. New research reveals diets narrowed, millet was introduced, migration slowed, and social systems became looser challenging old ideas about nomadic Tumulus culture herders
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Today's Adventures

Jun. 7th, 2025 07:12 pm
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Today we went to the Fairy Market in Effingham. :D

Read more... )

Hello there!

18 Jun. 7th, 2025 10:07 pm
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( You're about to view content that the poster has marked as potentially inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. )

Birdfeeding

Jun. 7th, 2025 01:13 pm
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Today is cloudy, mild, and damp.  It rained yesterday, and probably more last night.

I fed the birds.  I haven't seen much activity though.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 6/7/25 -- I did a bit of work on the patio.

It's been spitting or drizzling for much of the day, and is picking up again now.

EDIT 6/7/25 -- I put out more food for the birds.

I've seen several sparrows and house finches, a catbird, and at least one mourning dove.

The 'Mr. Stripey' tomato has green fruit.  :D




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Philosophical Questions: Looks

Jun. 7th, 2025 12:18 pm
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People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.

Would the world be a better or worse place if everyone looked the same?


Much worse. It would be difficult to tell people apart. That would require doing something to make artificial distinctions, which has a lot of drawbacks. We know that problems occur when people are difficult or impossible to distinguish, because those things happen under conditions where people's normal distinctions are obscured. One of the most common is that it runs up the crime rate, because people are more likely to misbehave when they can't be punished because nobody can tell for sure who did it.