Reading

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Nature

New study finds exercising outdoors is 'superior' to the gym or city: 'Our brain loves nature'

A major finding is that exercise in nature provided far greater mental benefits than urban and indoor environments, with participants reporting much higher levels of joy, calm, satisfaction, and optimism after working out in the outdoors.

On a physiological level, researchers measured that the participants’ heart rates dropped more quickly after a walk in nature. Additionally, heart rate variability, which shows how well the body’s nervous system goes into recovery, was 20-30% higher than the indoor walk.

Participants also reported lower levels of anxiety, irritation, and boredom after exercising in nature. Boredom levels actually increased after walking indoors, the researchers shared.

( Read more... )

Current Music: Tom Cardy - "H.Y.C.Y.B.H"

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medical

They checked it

The worst part of colonoscopy prep turned out to be the sheer number of trips to the bathroom, which knotted up my legs something fierce. The second worst part was the taste of the solution, even with added flavorings. It was salty! (I got the huge jug rather than the Miralax version. Miralax at least isn't salty.) Next time, probably either green unsweetened Kool-Aid or lemonade Crystal Lite or whatever.

( Off topic for FFA )

I did make the planned gallon of orange jello, but since it was a little late for me to actually eat it, I put mandarin orange slices in it. Since that's often part of Belovedest's lunch. Today I packed it into smaller boxes to help with that effort and to decrease the crowding in the fridge.

I got a slight nap after everything was about finished. The split prep schedule meant that I started the second half around 12:30 am. Appointment check in time 6 am.

The distance in the facility wasn't super bad, although we brought my chair just in case. (Speaking of the chair, I have decked it out with retroreflective tape and electroluminescent wire. It looks much safer. The cup holder went on Friday.)

( The procedure wasn't bad. )

I got dressed again. I had picked a cute nightgown for the outing, black with flowers and butterflies. Instead of a coat (it's getting chilly at night) I wore my dramatic black velvet robe, the one with lace trim and bell sleeves. I received a compliment. And as soon as I proved I could stand up without excessive wobbling, we were off.

Belovedest gathered breakfast for me on our way home, and I took a much needed nap (interrupted a few times to confirm that I could be made conscious and accept hydration).

And that was that.

We did our usual Friday shopping on Saturday. I was still sore. Today my legs are thankfully feeling normal.

Current Mood: accomplished

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#7 Interference (part 3 of 4, complete)

Interference
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 3 of 4, complete
Word count (story only): 1824
[May 5, 2020, midday]

:: The trio’s plans to be invisible are shattered when a deputy in uniform knocks on the door. Chaos ensues. Part of the Edison’s Mirror arc. ::

:: Pay Special Attention: Ed has a severe panic attack, and Vic basically uses magic to sedate him. Heavily. It doesn’t help enough. The deputy calls in a doctor, but travel takes time. ::

Back to Interference, part three
To the Edison's Mirror Index
On to Interference, part four

“Cut the guy some slack, Deputy,” Vic smirked. “He’s so old that to him, just last week, the best doctors of the day still thought that four humors controlled a person’s health.”

“I disagreed with them,” Aidan protested. “It didn’t match what I understood even…” He shifted in place, rolling his shoulders in an expressive hug. “Time for teasing is done. Someone’s outside.”

“What? I didn’t hear a car in the driveway, just at the road,” Win began. A knock on the door made her sigh. “Henry? Come on in.”
( Read more... )

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Birdfeeding

Today is partly sunny and hot.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.

EDIT 9/21/25 -- I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 9/21/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 9/21/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 9/21/25 -- I watered the old picnic table, irises, patio plants, and a few more around the house yard.

EDIT 9/21/25 -- I watered the new picnic table, septic garden, telephone pole garden, and a few of the savanna seedlings.

Cicadas and crickets are singing.

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

Current Mood: busy

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Cyberspace Theory

Protect your peace: How to avoid disturbing content on social media

Social media platforms are designed to maximize engagement, not protect your peace of mind. The major platforms have also reduced their content moderation efforts over the past year or so. That means upsetting content can reach you even when you never chose to watch it.

You do not have to watch every piece of content that crosses your screen, however. Protecting your own mental state is not avoidance or denial.

( Read more... )

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Creative Jam

The September

crowdfunding Creative Jam is open with a theme of "Journalism." Come give us prompts, or choose some for your own inspiration.

What I Have Written

From My Prompts

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Neurodiversity

The Science Finally Catches Up: New Research Confirms ADHD as an Evolutionary Advantage, Not a Disease

For over three decades, I’ve been saying what the medical establishment didn’t want to hear: ADHD isn’t a disease, disorder, or defect. It’s an inherited trait that served our hunter-gatherer ancestors well for hundreds of thousands of years—and continues to benefit many people today. Now, groundbreaking research is finally proving what I’ve long called the “hunters in a farmer’s world” theory.

The latest study, published in the prestigious Proceedings of the Royal Society B just a few months ago, provides compelling experimental evidence that people with ADHD traits are superior foragers. Using an ingenious online berry-picking game, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that participants who scored high for ADHD characteristics consistently outperformed their neurotypical counterparts at gathering resources—exactly what we’d expect from evolved hunters suddenly dropped into sedentary, agricultural societies.

( Read more... )

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Books

Author outfits old pickup truck to be traveling banned bookstore: 'A rolling rebellion in the Deep South'

The work she’s doing now? Converting a rusty 1940 Ford pickup truck into a traveling banned bookstore. She calls it “The Banned Wagon.”

“I was originally thinking of opening a regular bookstore, but after the fight over banning books in Fairhope, I was inspired to go this route instead,” Fugett shared with the Alabama Political Reporter.

Her goal with The Banned Wagon is to put banned and challenged books “back into the hands of the people who need them the most.” That includes LGBTQ+ youth, and other marginalized communities. But Fugett also knows that everyone needs access to books that challenge their worldview.

This is a replicable tactic for dealing with censorship.

Another option is to stash diverse titles in Little Free Libraries, in BookCrossing, in any swap shelf you see, and so on. Poke a bigot in the eye, share banned books! Here are some ideas.

Current Mood: amused

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#6 Interference (part 2 of 4, complete)

Interference
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 2 of 4, complete
Word count (story only): 1818
[May 5, 2020, midday]

:: The trio’s plans to be invisible are shattered when a deputy in uniform knocks on the door. Chaos ensues. Part of the Edison’s Mirror arc. ::

:: Pay Special Attention: Ed has a severe panic attack, and Vic basically uses magic to sedate him. Heavily. It doesn’t help enough. The deputy calls in a doctor, but travel takes time. ::

Back to Interference, part one
To the Edison's Mirror Index
On to Interference, part three

Aidan cleared his throat. “Excuse me, madam, but did our presence bring you here, or something else?”

“You mean, am I here to arrest you for trespassing?” Win sighed, her eyes on Ed’s limp form. “I’m not sure yet. Actually, I was checking all of the empty homes in the area because there was a break-in last night. If it was you three, it was the complete opposite of what’s going on here, and left a terrible mess.”

She raised a brow. “What were you doing last night?”

Aidan gestured toward the kitchen. “The doors on the cabinet under the sink were misaligned. I took them off the hinges, filled in the holes with a mix of glue and wood shavings, and reseated the doors.”

Her expression flattened to complete blankness. “What?”
( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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Birdfeeding

Today is partly cloudy and mild. It rained a little yesterday, enough to leave small puddles in the road, but the ground is still bone-dry here. Further predictions for rain continue to fluctuate wildly, but hopefully we'll get some more eventually.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 9/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 9/20/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 9/20/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 9/20/25 -- I watered the old picnic table, patio plants, irises, and a few others around the house yard.

EDIT 9/20/25 -- I watered the new picnic table, septic garden, telephone pole garden, and a few savanna seedlings.

EDIT 9/20/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

Cicadas and crickets are singing.

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

Current Mood: busy

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Philosophical Questions: Society

People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.

Has social media been a net positive or a net negative for our society? Why?

( Read more... )

Current Mood: amused

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Books

10 Queer Pirate Books for Talk Like a Pirate Day

Ahoy, mateys! Today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and we be celebratin’ with a heapin’ pile of queer piratey books we fished up outta Davy Jones’ locker. Aar, I be shuttin’ up now, so as not to be subjectin’ ye’ll to more of me aaaatrocious pirate talk. The contributors to this here list be: Nina Waters, Dei Walker, Terra P. Waters, theirprofoundbond, Rascal Hartley, Linnea Peterson, Neo Scarlett, and Sebastian Marie.

Current Mood: busy

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Today's Adventures

Today we went to the Autumn Fest in Marshall. It was an evening event, and the day had cooled off considerably, so it was quite pleasant. We were lucky to miss the rain there -- it rained a bit at home and we drove through several showers. This event continues on Saturday and Sunday if you want to catch it, and it is well worth attending if you're in Illinois this weekend looking for something to do.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: accomplished

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# 5 Interference (part 1 of 4, complete)

Interference
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 4, complete
Word count (story only): 1560
[May 5, 2020, midday]

:: The trio’s plans to be invisible are shattered when a deputy in uniform knocks on the door. Chaos ensues. Part of the Edison’s Mirror arc. ::

:: Pay Special Attention: Ed has a severe panic attack, and Vic basically uses magic to sedate him. Heavily. It doesn’t help enough. The deputy calls in a doctor, but travel takes time. ::

Back to Determined Exploration
To the Edison's Mirror Index
On to Interference, part two

Aidan sat tailor-style, his ankles crossed close to his hips and his knees nearly touching the floor. In his lap, Edison sat quietly, gripping his knees with white knuckles, while the older man ran a dry washcloth over the strawberry blond’s scalp. “Does that help?” Aidan asked slowly.

“A little.” Ed sniffed. “I just miss… I miss so much. People. Routines. Flavors. Even the air smells funny here.”

Victor crouched, putting a cup of vegetable broth beside the boy’s knee. He put a second cup on Aidan’s right side. “You need to drink more, Aidan. The local water isn’t yet safe for you to drink. I’m working on ways to boost your immune system.”

“My… what?” Aidan’s brow furrowed.
( Read more... )

Current Mood: amused

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indices

The Edison’s Mirror Index

The Edison’s Mirror Index

This arc began as an AU, an answer to a prompt idea from a reader. Three years later, I am shaping a novel-length arc to show the readers the characters' hard-earned happy ending.
( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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Birdfeeding

Today is partly cloudy and warm.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 9/19/25 -- I did a bit of work around the yard.

I picked half a dozen groundcherries.

EDIT 9/19/25 -- I watered the irises.

EDIT 9/19/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

The sky has clouded over, air is cooling a little, and I heard thunder. I'm not sure it'll amount to anything, though.

EDIT 9/19/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

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Follow Friday 9-19-25: J-pop

Today's theme is J-pop.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: accomplished

Entry tags:

food,
recipe

Corncob Broth

I finished making the corncob broth. \o/ It tastes delicious -- delicate, slightly sweet, summery, sunny, with notes of corn and grass. This is sooo much better than regular vegetable broth! If you dislike vegetable broth, this is well worth a try. I now regret every corncob that I tossed straight onto the compost pile. Also I'm annoyed that I only discovered this at the end of the season.

I started with this recipe for inspiration. This time I used the 6 corncobs that I had, some dried onion chips, about 1/4 teaspoon white peppercorns, and three large sprigs of flat-leaf parsley.

Anyhow, I filled a tray of large ice cubes because I want to try this in stir-fry sauce to add volume. I got three cartons that are about 1 1/2 cup each, plus a big one that is probably about 4 cups and suited for crockpot use. I expect it will work anywhere I would normally use regular vegetable broth, possibly also chicken broth.

Next time I make this, and there will be a next time, I will make it in a large crockpot as usual. I'll use a quartered onion, and I might throw in something else. I suspect that lemongrass would work great, and celery or celery leaves might. Broths are flexible; you can toss in whatever you have or like. With a large crockpot I can get a great deal of broth with minimal effort.

Current Mood: accomplished

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Recipe: "Three Sisters Succotash"

I made this tonight. It's a summer favorite, so I wanted to write up our version.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: accomplished

Entry tags:

food,
personal

Today's Cooking

Today I made Three Sisters Succotash. I want to write up my version because it's a bit different than the Iroquois-inspired one that I started with.

Then it occurred to me that I had half a dozen fresh corncobs, so I am making corncob broth to see if that's any good.