andrewducker (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
andrewducker) wrote2025-08-13 02:07 am
andrewducker) wrote2025-08-13 02:07 am
Photo cross-post
Day 1 of P1/P3
Original
is here on Pixelfed.scot.
conuly (conuly) wrote2025-08-15 02:30 am
conuly) wrote2025-08-15 02:30 amCaged Bird by Maya Angelou
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
********
Link
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Link
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-12 05:58 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-12 05:58 pm
Entry tags:
Sufficiency and Wellbeing Magazine
This is an online magazine that is anti-capitalist and degrowth. It's something you can read when you get disgusted with enshittification and planned obsolescence and all that crap.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-12 03:03 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-12 03:03 pmBirdfeeding
Today is partly sunny and sweltering.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/12/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/12/25 -- I potted up 12 sweet cherry seeds.
EDIT 8/12/25 -- I did some work around the patio.
EDIT 8/12/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/12/25 -- I watered some plants on the old and new picnic tables that were wilting, then did the telephone pole garden and a few of the savanna seedlings. I'm annoyed that some plants are wilting so soon after copious watering, because I can't haul that hose around every day, or even every few days. >_<
I've seen a skunk on the patio.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/12/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/12/25 -- I potted up 12 sweet cherry seeds.
EDIT 8/12/25 -- I did some work around the patio.
EDIT 8/12/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/12/25 -- I watered some plants on the old and new picnic tables that were wilting, then did the telephone pole garden and a few of the savanna seedlings. I'm annoyed that some plants are wilting so soon after copious watering, because I can't haul that hose around every day, or even every few days. >_<
I've seen a skunk on the patio.
I am done for the night.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-12 12:55 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-12 12:55 pmEntry tags:
Recommendations
I came across this post on Dreamwidth discussing a rant from John Scalzi. I'd like to say a few things about reading and writing. To establish my credentials for the below remarks:
* I have a degree in Rhetoric, that is, writing.
* I'm a professional writer across multiple fields and types of writing.
* I'm a professional editor.
* I have read many tens of thousands of books over the decades. I have inhaled whole libraries. Our house is lined with books; we counted once, it was well over 10,000 then and that was many years ago.
* I am an activist.
( Read more... )
* I have a degree in Rhetoric, that is, writing.
* I'm a professional writer across multiple fields and types of writing.
* I'm a professional editor.
* I have read many tens of thousands of books over the decades. I have inhaled whole libraries. Our house is lined with books; we counted once, it was well over 10,000 then and that was many years ago.
* I am an activist.
( Read more... )
andrewducker (andrewducker) wrote2025-08-12 12:00 pm
andrewducker) wrote2025-08-12 12:00 pmInteresting Links for 12-08-2025
- 1. Oh god, Edinburgh Council has a section on Freeman on the Land and Sovereign Citizens conspiracy nonsense
- (tags:law Scotland Edinburgh conspiracy )
- 2. Apparently AOL are still running a dial-up service! For another month, anyway.
- (tags:aol internet EpicWTF )
- 3. Why you shouldn't recommend Classic science fiction to kids
- (tags:children recommendation scifi )
Sholio (sholio) wrote2025-08-11 10:20 pm
sholio) wrote2025-08-11 10:20 pmEntry tags:
Murder in the Trembling Lands (Ben January #21)
Working on belatedly writing up some books I've read lately.
A new Ben January book came out in July, and I had tremendous fun with it! This is one of the books in the series where Hambly goes Full Pulp with the plot, and she is delightful at it - buried treasure, pirates, abandoned houses crumbling in the swamp, identity shenanigans, long-lost relatives ...
( Spoilers )
A new Ben January book came out in July, and I had tremendous fun with it! This is one of the books in the series where Hambly goes Full Pulp with the plot, and she is delightful at it - buried treasure, pirates, abandoned houses crumbling in the swamp, identity shenanigans, long-lost relatives ...
( Spoilers )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-11 04:47 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-11 04:47 pmBasic Income
In a new pilot program, this city will give homeless young adults $1,200 in cash every month for two years
According to the Stanford Basic Income Lab, universal basic income is a periodic cash payment that is given to individuals unconditionally, requiring no work requirement or sanctions to access.
And as various nonprofits and cities across the country experiment with basic income programs, most have found that the money received is largely used to pay for the basic essentials many Americans struggle to afford.
A new pilot program in Boston, Massachusetts wants to find out if the same trend applies for a specific demographic: young adults facing homelessness.
( Read more... )
According to the Stanford Basic Income Lab, universal basic income is a periodic cash payment that is given to individuals unconditionally, requiring no work requirement or sanctions to access.
And as various nonprofits and cities across the country experiment with basic income programs, most have found that the money received is largely used to pay for the basic essentials many Americans struggle to afford.
A new pilot program in Boston, Massachusetts wants to find out if the same trend applies for a specific demographic: young adults facing homelessness.
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-11 03:03 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-11 03:03 pmMonday Update 8-11-25
These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Spider Apocalypse
Activism
Fossils
Birdfeeding
Safety
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Thinking
Safety
Moment of Silence: Jim Lovell
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 8-8-25: Icons
Today's Adventures
Inventions
Fossils
Birdfeeding
Bigotry
Birdfeeding
Good News
Food has 34 comments. "Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 48 comments. "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness" has 75 comments. "Not a Destination, But a Process" has 148 comments.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
summerofthe69 is open! You can see the calendar here and the current themes are Alternate Sexy Parts 69 and Kinky 69.
There are no open epics at present.
The weather has been sweltering agan. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a mourning dove, a house wren, a male cardinal, and a fox squirrel. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, yellow squash, zucchini, morning glory, purple echinacea, black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, chicory, Queen Anne's lace, sunflowers, cup plant, gladioli, firewheel, orange butterfly weed. Tomatillo and pepper have green fruit. Wild strawberries, mulberries, tomatoes, and cucumbers are ripe. The second crop of blackberries and the ball carrots are ripe.
Spider Apocalypse
Activism
Fossils
Birdfeeding
Safety
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Thinking
Safety
Moment of Silence: Jim Lovell
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 8-8-25: Icons
Today's Adventures
Inventions
Fossils
Birdfeeding
Bigotry
Birdfeeding
Good News
Food has 34 comments. "Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 48 comments. "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness" has 75 comments. "Not a Destination, But a Process" has 148 comments.
summerofthe69 is open! You can see the calendar here and the current themes are Alternate Sexy Parts 69 and Kinky 69.There are no open epics at present.
The weather has been sweltering agan. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a mourning dove, a house wren, a male cardinal, and a fox squirrel. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, yellow squash, zucchini, morning glory, purple echinacea, black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, chicory, Queen Anne's lace, sunflowers, cup plant, gladioli, firewheel, orange butterfly weed. Tomatillo and pepper have green fruit. Wild strawberries, mulberries, tomatoes, and cucumbers are ripe. The second crop of blackberries and the ball carrots are ripe.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-11 02:49 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-11 02:49 pmEntry tags:
Magpie Monday
dialecticdreamer is hosting Magpie Monday with a theme of "Change." Leave prompts, get ficlets!Change is an immutable element of the universe.
Today, let’s make change our goal. Call it the theme. Big or small, quiet and subtle or dramatic and incontrovertible, what change do you want to see? In the world? In a story with an unsatisfying moment (or worse, ending)?
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-11 02:10 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-11 02:10 pmBirdfeeding
Today is mostly sunny, humid, and hot. The sky is blue with fluffy white clouds.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/11/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/11/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 8/11/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/11/25 -- We reeled up the garden hose. Yay. Yay.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/11/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/11/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 8/11/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/11/25 -- We reeled up the garden hose. Yay. Yay.
I am done for the night.
andrewducker (andrewducker) wrote2025-08-11 03:53 pm
andrewducker) wrote2025-08-11 03:53 pmEntry tags:
Life with two kids: movements in the night
I went to the toilet at 4am a few days ago, and bumped into Gideon coming back from a toilet trip. Apparently he just takes himself if he wakes up in the night. No idea how long this has been going on for!
(Sophia comes and gets me, for company.)
(Sophia comes and gets me, for company.)
andrewducker (andrewducker) wrote2025-08-11 12:00 pm
andrewducker) wrote2025-08-11 12:00 pmInteresting Links for 11-08-2025
- 1. Torn Apart: Robot Crab Meets Terrible Fate When Its True Nature Is Discovered by Real Crabs
- (tags:robot crabs )
- 2. One of the things I'm enjoying about parenthood is being introduced to new music by the kids. In this case "Golden" from the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack
- (tags:music korea video )
- 3. Shirley Temple Shares Her Experience with Naked Producers At MGM (when she was twelve)
- (tags:video history movies Child_abuse interview )
- 4. Against Sundials
- (tags:time society technology poetry )
- 5. New open letter demands change to latest RSHE guidance to prevent another Section 28
- (tags:UK school bigotry LGBT transgender )
- 6. Always ignore the fun police
- (tags:fun society advice )
- 7. Denying unanimous consent (one way the Democrats are slowing down Trump)
- (tags:politics usa )
conuly (conuly) wrote2025-08-12 02:23 pm
conuly) wrote2025-08-12 02:23 pmA few unrelated questions
(Some of which I may have asked before, in which case, forgive me.)
1. People often do say that the English subjunctive is in decline. However, literally nobody I've ever heard say this has provided any sort of evidence. Is there any data on this other than "yeah, feels that way to me"?
1a. I've also heard that the subjunctive, or at least some forms of the subjunctive, is more common in USA English than UK English, from somewhat more authoritative sources but with roughly the same amount of evidence.
2. I got into it with somebody on the subject of "flammable/inflammable". I am aware that there are signs that warn about inflammable materials, and also signs warning about flammable materials. Is it actually the case that anybody has ever been confused and thought they were being warned that something could not catch on fire? Or is that just an urban legend / just-so story to explain why the two words mean the same thing and can be found on the same sorts of signs?
3. Not a language question! I've recently found one of the Myth Adventures books in my house. Gosh, I haven't re-read these in 20 years. Worth a re-read, or oh god no, save it for the recycle bin?
*****************************
( Read more... )
1. People often do say that the English subjunctive is in decline. However, literally nobody I've ever heard say this has provided any sort of evidence. Is there any data on this other than "yeah, feels that way to me"?
1a. I've also heard that the subjunctive, or at least some forms of the subjunctive, is more common in USA English than UK English, from somewhat more authoritative sources but with roughly the same amount of evidence.
2. I got into it with somebody on the subject of "flammable/inflammable". I am aware that there are signs that warn about inflammable materials, and also signs warning about flammable materials. Is it actually the case that anybody has ever been confused and thought they were being warned that something could not catch on fire? Or is that just an urban legend / just-so story to explain why the two words mean the same thing and can be found on the same sorts of signs?
3. Not a language question! I've recently found one of the Myth Adventures books in my house. Gosh, I haven't re-read these in 20 years. Worth a re-read, or oh god no, save it for the recycle bin?
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-10 10:45 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-10 10:45 pmEntry tags:
Spider Apocalypse
This article mentions seeing no grass spiders in a place that typically has them.
Then I realized that I haven't seen any this year either. Usually we have one every couple of feet here, so many it's hard not to step on the webs. They're barely visible most of the time, unless covered in dust or rain or dew. I may simply not have noticed them. But with the ongoing insect apocalypse, it is concerning. I have have seen other spiders spinning webs, though.
What are your spider populations like?
Then I realized that I haven't seen any this year either. Usually we have one every couple of feet here, so many it's hard not to step on the webs. They're barely visible most of the time, unless covered in dust or rain or dew. I may simply not have noticed them. But with the ongoing insect apocalypse, it is concerning. I have have seen other spiders spinning webs, though.
What are your spider populations like?
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-10 09:10 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-10 09:10 pmEntry tags:
Activism
How To Make Your City Stronger With 4 Hours and a Shovel
Last month, members of Livable Lynchburg, a Strong Towns Local Conversation group, joined a walk audit alongside city staff, regional planners, and transit officials. At the corner of 12th and Polk, they noticed two stretches of sidewalk that were so overgrown they were nearly impassable.
( Read more... )
Last month, members of Livable Lynchburg, a Strong Towns Local Conversation group, joined a walk audit alongside city staff, regional planners, and transit officials. At the corner of 12th and Polk, they noticed two stretches of sidewalk that were so overgrown they were nearly impassable.
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-10 04:40 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-10 04:40 pmFossils
Stunning “wonder reptile” discovery rewrites the origins of feathers
An international team of researchers has published a breakthrough study in the journal Nature showing that early reptiles from the Triassic period had unique structures growing from its skin that formed an alternative to feathers.
The newly described Mirasaura grauvogeli from the Middle Triassic had a striking feather-like crest, hinting that complex skin appendages arose far earlier than previously believed. Its bird-like skull, tree-climbing adaptations, and pigment structures linked to feathers deepen the mystery of reptile evolution.
An international team of researchers has published a breakthrough study in the journal Nature showing that early reptiles from the Triassic period had unique structures growing from its skin that formed an alternative to feathers.
The newly described Mirasaura grauvogeli from the Middle Triassic had a striking feather-like crest, hinting that complex skin appendages arose far earlier than previously believed. Its bird-like skull, tree-climbing adaptations, and pigment structures linked to feathers deepen the mystery of reptile evolution.