Chocolate Frogs (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
chocolatefrogs) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
icons2025-08-20 02:52 pm
chocolatefrogs) wrote in icons2025-08-20 02:52 pm
Meep Matsushima (matsushima) wrote in ![[site community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/comm_staff.png)
dw_community_promo2025-08-21 05:52 am
matsushima) wrote in dw_community_promo2025-08-21 05:52 am
thankfulthursday
thankfulthursday is a weekly gratitude community. Nothing is too big or too small to share. · Photos are optional but encouraged.
· Check-ins remain open until the following week's post is shared.
· Do feel free to comment on others' check-ins but don't harsh anyone else's squee.
This week's check-in is open.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-20 03:25 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-20 03:25 pm
Entry tags:
Affordable Housing
In this all-women tiny home neighborhood, rent starts at $450. Residents want it to be a nationwide blueprint
Robyn Yerian, 70, used to live in a two-bedroom tiny home that cost just $57,000.
In 2022, she was yearning for more connection — as well as some “passive income.”
So she took some money from her retirement savings, bought a 5-acre plot of land in Cumby, Texas, and is now the landlord and community leader of The Bird’s Nest, an all-women tiny home neighborhood home to 11 women ages 60 to 80.
( Read more... )
Robyn Yerian, 70, used to live in a two-bedroom tiny home that cost just $57,000.
In 2022, she was yearning for more connection — as well as some “passive income.”
So she took some money from her retirement savings, bought a 5-acre plot of land in Cumby, Texas, and is now the landlord and community leader of The Bird’s Nest, an all-women tiny home neighborhood home to 11 women ages 60 to 80.
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-20 03:08 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-20 03:08 pmBirdfeeding
Today is cloudy and cooler. :D
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 8/20/25 -- I watered spaces to put the irises.
EDIT 8/20/25 -- I planted a Dangerous Mood Bearded Iris (lavender standards with near-black falls) in the purple-and-white garden. I planted a Montmartre Bearded Iris (purple with yellow edges) and a Ziggy Reblooming Bearded Iris (yellow standards with burgundy-and-yellow streaked falls) under the maple tree.
.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 8/20/25 -- I watered spaces to put the irises.
EDIT 8/20/25 -- I planted a Dangerous Mood Bearded Iris (lavender standards with near-black falls) in the purple-and-white garden. I planted a Montmartre Bearded Iris (purple with yellow edges) and a Ziggy Reblooming Bearded Iris (yellow standards with burgundy-and-yellow streaked falls) under the maple tree.
.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-20 01:42 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-20 01:42 pmRead "The Bottle Wall" by Smokingboot
This is a lovely romantic fable about a widow who falls in love with a cloud-herder.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-20 04:45 am
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-20 04:45 amEntry tags:
Cuddle Party
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!
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-19 07:41 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-19 07:41 pm
Entry tags:
Robotics
WARNING: Do not watch with mouth full.
Robots race, play football, crash and collapse at China's 'robot Olympics'
BEIJING, Aug 15 (Reuters) - China kicked off the three-day long World Humanoid Robot Games on Friday, looking to showcase its advances in artificial intelligence and robotics with 280 teams from 16 countries.
Robots competed in sports such as track and field, and table tennis, as well as tackled robot-specific challenges from sorting medicines and handling materials to cleaning services
Watching the evolution of robotics on a primitive planet is hilarious.
Robots race, play football, crash and collapse at China's 'robot Olympics'
BEIJING, Aug 15 (Reuters) - China kicked off the three-day long World Humanoid Robot Games on Friday, looking to showcase its advances in artificial intelligence and robotics with 280 teams from 16 countries.
Robots competed in sports such as track and field, and table tennis, as well as tackled robot-specific challenges from sorting medicines and handling materials to cleaning services
Watching the evolution of robotics on a primitive planet is hilarious.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-19 07:44 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-19 07:44 pmEntry tags:
Food
Build an Emergency Food Supply List
There are several ways to build an emergency food supply to stock a survival kit and a “bug out bag”. While you can purchase specialized food products or a self-contained emergency preparedness kit, these can be costly and wasteful.
Instead, you can simply assemble shelf-stable foods that you already buy or preserve at home. Many canned, dried, and pickled foods are quite suitable for use in an emergency kit.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
In particular, watch for sales. Anytime you see a shelf-stable food that you use, consider buying extra if feasible.
There are several ways to build an emergency food supply to stock a survival kit and a “bug out bag”. While you can purchase specialized food products or a self-contained emergency preparedness kit, these can be costly and wasteful.
Instead, you can simply assemble shelf-stable foods that you already buy or preserve at home. Many canned, dried, and pickled foods are quite suitable for use in an emergency kit.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
In particular, watch for sales. Anytime you see a shelf-stable food that you use, consider buying extra if feasible.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-19 04:08 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-19 04:08 pm
American Meadows Order
My fall order from American Meadows has arrived. :D Now I just need the weather to break so I can actually get out to plant things. If you're still shopping, this nursery has some stock of fall bulbs left and some of those are on sale.
Dangerous Mood Bearded Iris (lavender standards with near-black falls)
Montmartre Bearded Iris (purple with yellow edges)
Ziggy Reblooming Bearded Iris (yellow standards with burgundy-and-yellow streaked falls)
Dangerous Mood Bearded Iris (lavender standards with near-black falls)
Montmartre Bearded Iris (purple with yellow edges)
Ziggy Reblooming Bearded Iris (yellow standards with burgundy-and-yellow streaked falls)
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-19 02:38 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-19 02:38 pmBirdfeeding
Today is partly cloudy and sweltering. It rained a little last night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/19/25 -- I put out water for the birds. I've seen a male cardinal.
EDIT 8/19/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 8/19/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/19/25 -- I watered the barrel garden and the old picnic table garden.
EDIT 8/19/25 -- I watered the new picnic table and the septic garden.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 8/19/25 -- I put out water for the birds. I've seen a male cardinal.
EDIT 8/19/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 8/19/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/19/25 -- I watered the barrel garden and the old picnic table garden.
EDIT 8/19/25 -- I watered the new picnic table and the septic garden.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-19 04:24 am
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-19 04:24 amEntry tags:
Poem: "He Who Whispers"
This is the freebie for the August 5, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from siliconshaman. It also fills the "He Who Whispers" square in my 8-1-25 card for the Crime Classics fest. This poem belongs to An Army of One series.
( Read more... )
siliconshaman. It also fills the "He Who Whispers" square in my 8-1-25 card for the Crime Classics fest. This poem belongs to An Army of One series.( Read more... )
Rascal (gimmighoulcoins) wrote in dw_community_promo2025-08-19 05:31 am
gimmighoulcoins) wrote in dw_community_promo2025-08-19 05:31 amEntry tags:
1character: a character-focused fanfic writing community
Description: Pick one character as your focus in this fic writing community in the style of
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif){kind=small}
1sentence, choose from 1 of the 6 theme sets, and make your claim - then, write 50 one-sentence fic inspired by the prompts to share on the comm! This is an ongoing activity, open to writers for all fandoms, as well as original characters. Claims are good for three months, and you can get an extension of one month if needed.Schedule: Ongoing
Links:
On Dreamwidth:
1character
philomytha (philomytha) wrote2025-08-19 09:45 am
philomytha) wrote2025-08-19 09:45 amEntry tags:
hAPPy birthday!
At the last minute I signed up for the hAPPy birthday flash exchange, where we celebrate karanguni's fantastically useful exchange app by writing fic for people's past requests. And I have received two fantastic fics for past requests, one for a request made a long time ago that I instantly remembered and which reminded me all over again of why I love the fandom, and another for a more recent and very fun request. They are:
Reaper at the Festival, a lovely spooky DS9 Odo-centric Halloween story, and in plane sight, a triple drabble for the deeply ridiculous were-plane EvS plot bunny. Thank you to both anonymous authors!
karanguni's fantastically useful exchange app by writing fic for people's past requests. And I have received two fantastic fics for past requests, one for a request made a long time ago that I instantly remembered and which reminded me all over again of why I love the fandom, and another for a more recent and very fun request. They are: Reaper at the Festival, a lovely spooky DS9 Odo-centric Halloween story, and in plane sight, a triple drabble for the deeply ridiculous were-plane EvS plot bunny. Thank you to both anonymous authors!
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-18 07:46 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-18 07:46 pmEarthquakes
Myanmar’s massive quake hints at bigger earthquakes to come
The massive 2025 Myanmar earthquake revealed that strike slip faults can behave in surprising ways. Using satellite data, Caltech researchers found the Sagaing Fault ruptured more dramatically than expected, suggesting faults like the San Andreas could unleash even larger quakes than history shows.
Never assume that the worst thing you know about is the worst thing that can happen.
The massive 2025 Myanmar earthquake revealed that strike slip faults can behave in surprising ways. Using satellite data, Caltech researchers found the Sagaing Fault ruptured more dramatically than expected, suggesting faults like the San Andreas could unleash even larger quakes than history shows.
Never assume that the worst thing you know about is the worst thing that can happen.
oh_what_can_it_mean (oh_what_can_it_mean) wrote2025-08-18 05:13 pm
oh_what_can_it_mean) wrote2025-08-18 05:13 pmThe morning after "Cin Asks Ara"...
The first "big story" of the Ara 'verse: "Cin aska Ara on a date, sort of."
I have rambly ideas (several too-long paragraphs) after that from the past several months, but I've also had other rambly ideas and it's hard to concentrate long enough to concentrate on anything that's just in my head. But I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing for the past month or so, which is just letting the daydreams wander where they may and only writing down what feels worth writing down, and not stressing about how long it's been since the last "big story" because that'd make it worse.
Anyhow, early Cin/Ara seems to be handling at least the polyfuckery well so far. ^_^
1/9-10/25:
Idea for before any appearance by Ara and/or Cin and/or Yoda on Zarra's morning show, there's a meeting in the Temple. Definitely Zara, probably Mann-Gel, and one or two others. Originally I was going to have Ara going into the meeting slightly loopy, because this is one to three days after "Cin Asks Ara." (One of the bits here: "Ara 'verse - new story bits, May/June 2024" GDoc) Quoted here:5/16/24:
The morning after Cin asks Ara.
Ara wakes up alone in Cin's bed. Cin's pillow is cold. She can hear quiet conversation outside the bedroom and sense other Force presences. She opens the door a bit, enough to see Cin at the kitchen table with Feemor, Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Master Monti, then ducks back into the bedroom as Feemor calls out, "No need to get dressed on my account!"
( snip! )
I have rambly ideas (several too-long paragraphs) after that from the past several months, but I've also had other rambly ideas and it's hard to concentrate long enough to concentrate on anything that's just in my head. But I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing for the past month or so, which is just letting the daydreams wander where they may and only writing down what feels worth writing down, and not stressing about how long it's been since the last "big story" because that'd make it worse.
Anyhow, early Cin/Ara seems to be handling at least the polyfuckery well so far. ^_^
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-18 03:11 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-18 03:11 pmBirdfeeding
Today is mostly sunny and sweltering.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few house finches and sparrows.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a hummingbird in the forest garden. I couldn't tell more detail than that, but presumably it is a rubythroat as that is the only kind typically found in Illinois. It may have been attracted to the water, or the robust colony of red salvia blooming in the barrel garden.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I did a more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I potted up 24 sweet cherry seeds.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I watered the old picnic table and the patio plants.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I watered the new picnic table garden.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few house finches and sparrows.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a hummingbird in the forest garden. I couldn't tell more detail than that, but presumably it is a rubythroat as that is the only kind typically found in Illinois. It may have been attracted to the water, or the robust colony of red salvia blooming in the barrel garden.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I did a more work around the patio.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I potted up 24 sweet cherry seeds.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I watered the old picnic table and the patio plants.
EDIT 8/18/25 -- I watered the new picnic table garden.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
ysabetwordsmith (ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-18 02:03 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2025-08-18 02:03 pmMonday Update 8-18-25
These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Writing
Read "For the Many" by Beepbird
How to not build the Torment Nexus
Affordable Housing
Moment of Silence: Terence Stamp
Climate Change
Birdfeeding
Robotics
Genetics
Birdfeeding
Crafts
Climate Change
Creative Jam
Philosophical Questions: Diversity
Today's Adventures
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 8-15-25: Indie
Affordable Housing
Celebrate Love Your Bookshop Day
Birdfeeding
Vocabulary: Unintended Sidequences
Conservation
Birdfeeding
Poem: "To Allow in More Light"
Hard Things
Affordable Housing has 26 comments. Robotics has 46 comments. Food has 34 comments. "Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 49 comments. "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness" has 75 comments.
summerofthe69 is open! You can see the calendar here and the current themes are Kinky 69 and Tropefest 69.
There are no open epics at present.
The weather is still sweltering here. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a mourning dove, a male cardinal, a fox squirrel, a skunk, and a bat. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, 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. Tomatoes, cucumbers, ball carrots, and groundcherries are ripe.
Writing
Read "For the Many" by Beepbird
How to not build the Torment Nexus
Affordable Housing
Moment of Silence: Terence Stamp
Climate Change
Birdfeeding
Robotics
Genetics
Birdfeeding
Crafts
Climate Change
Creative Jam
Philosophical Questions: Diversity
Today's Adventures
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 8-15-25: Indie
Affordable Housing
Celebrate Love Your Bookshop Day
Birdfeeding
Vocabulary: Unintended Sidequences
Conservation
Birdfeeding
Poem: "To Allow in More Light"
Hard Things
Affordable Housing has 26 comments. Robotics has 46 comments. Food has 34 comments. "Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 49 comments. "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness" has 75 comments.
summerofthe69 is open! You can see the calendar here and the current themes are Kinky 69 and Tropefest 69.There are no open epics at present.
The weather is still sweltering here. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a mourning dove, a male cardinal, a fox squirrel, a skunk, and a bat. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, 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. Tomatoes, cucumbers, ball carrots, and groundcherries are ripe.
Amy Innitmarvelous (innitmarvelous_og) wrote in dw_community_promo2025-08-18 01:35 pm
innitmarvelous_og) wrote in dw_community_promo2025-08-18 01:35 pmEntry tags:
Dreams and Mayhem: Hodge Podge!!!
Description:
It's one part dream.
One part disaster.
And absolutely 100% fandom.
It's Your OTPs/Fandoms combined with our chaos.
Schedule: From now until October 12, 2025 when our first challenges closes.
Links:
On Dreamwidth:
innitmarvelous_og | Hodge Podge
monkiainen (monkiainen) wrote in dw_community_promo2025-08-18 11:46 am
monkiainen) wrote in dw_community_promo2025-08-18 11:46 amEntry tags:
thestoryinside
If you're anything like us, you'll no doubt have a mountain of books that you just never get around to reading. Well, that's where thestoryinside comes in - have someone choose your book for you!
The process is simple: join the community, and each month sign up to be partnered with a buddy, who will then choose a book from your 'to read' list. At the end of each month there will be a community post to discuss your thoughts on the book(s) you read!
However, we're putting a twist on the traditional 'pick for me' routine and each month we'll vote on what genre of book we'll be reading; now, of course this is open to personal interpretation, for example, if the genre is horror and you're not a big fan, you could go for a Goosebumps book, or even Twilight. There will be an opportunity in each voting post to ask any questions you might have.
thestoryinside comes in - have someone choose your book for you!The process is simple: join the community, and each month sign up to be partnered with a buddy, who will then choose a book from your 'to read' list. At the end of each month there will be a community post to discuss your thoughts on the book(s) you read!
However, we're putting a twist on the traditional 'pick for me' routine and each month we'll vote on what genre of book we'll be reading; now, of course this is open to personal interpretation, for example, if the genre is horror and you're not a big fan, you could go for a Goosebumps book, or even Twilight. There will be an opportunity in each voting post to ask any questions you might have.