Today's Cooking
Sep. 11th, 2026 11:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithTonight I am making pawpaw quickbread. I'm using my standard recipe for banana bread, but I used pawpaw instead of applesauce, reduced cinnamon to about 3/4 teaspoon, reduced vanilla extract to 1/2 teaspoon, and added 1/4 orange flower water to bring up the floral notes in the pawpaw. The flavor is a bit diluted in the batter but still distinctive -- those high ethereal notes remain, at least before cooking.
I got about 1/2 cup of puree out of the pawpaw, and 12 seeds. \o/ At a total of 25 seeds from the two large pawpaws, and a dollar apiece if I'd bought seeds from a catalog, I think I came out ahead!
I got about 1/2 cup of puree out of the pawpaw, and 12 seeds. \o/ At a total of 25 seeds from the two large pawpaws, and a dollar apiece if I'd bought seeds from a catalog, I think I came out ahead!
Crafts
Sep. 11th, 2026 09:12 pmysabetwordsmithsoc_puppet shared some Hex Quilt Patterns. In addition to standard quilting, these should also work in other hex-based crafts, such as knitting or crochet. These knitted hexagons have raised ribs like a snowflake. These knitted ones are flat. Here are 4 ways to crochet a hexagon, and even more hexagons.
Friday Five
Sep. 11th, 2026 06:59 pmysabetwordsmithThese are today's questions from ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thefridayfive...
1. What is your favorite soup?
"Butternut Squash Soup with Apples and Onions"
2. Have you made your favorite soup yourself?
Yes. I discovered it last year. This year, I planned in advance to make enough to freeze. I have made one batch already. I have enough butternut squash to make at least one more batch.
3. What is your favorite dessert?
Fruit pie or cobbler; I like many kinds including strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, peach, apple, and so on.
4. Have you made your favorite dessert yourself?
Yes, all of the above and then some.
5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream or other frozen treat?
There are so many I love, but we just discovered boxed ice cream cones in Bueno bar and Nutella flavors. Both are the best boxed ice cream cones I've ever had, but I slightly prefer the Bueno flavor.
thefridayfive...1. What is your favorite soup?
"Butternut Squash Soup with Apples and Onions"
2. Have you made your favorite soup yourself?
Yes. I discovered it last year. This year, I planned in advance to make enough to freeze. I have made one batch already. I have enough butternut squash to make at least one more batch.
3. What is your favorite dessert?
Fruit pie or cobbler; I like many kinds including strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, peach, apple, and so on.
4. Have you made your favorite dessert yourself?
Yes, all of the above and then some.
5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream or other frozen treat?
There are so many I love, but we just discovered boxed ice cream cones in Bueno bar and Nutella flavors. Both are the best boxed ice cream cones I've ever had, but I slightly prefer the Bueno flavor.
Nature
Sep. 11th, 2026 04:11 pmysabetwordsmithNature groups may be most effective for people with deeper loneliness
In parts of Europe, a doctor can now hand a lonely patient a referral to a gardening club or a walking group rather than a course of pills. The practice rests on a belief that had never been tested directly: someone who feels alone needs a real group, run by trained facilitators, to feel better.
It is essential for medics to have more options than just pills, because that one method cannot solve many problems. Nonmedical methods are more effective in relieving many issues -- including those like loneliness which can exacerbate illness or injury.
( Read more... )
In parts of Europe, a doctor can now hand a lonely patient a referral to a gardening club or a walking group rather than a course of pills. The practice rests on a belief that had never been tested directly: someone who feels alone needs a real group, run by trained facilitators, to feel better.
It is essential for medics to have more options than just pills, because that one method cannot solve many problems. Nonmedical methods are more effective in relieving many issues -- including those like loneliness which can exacerbate illness or injury.
( Read more... )
Science
Sep. 11th, 2026 12:48 pmysabetwordsmithScientists Recreated Chirps of Jurassic Insects, Simulating a 165 Million-yo Soundscape (Listen)
The sound-producing structures are so clearly visible on these fossils that the biologists were able to reconstruct the pitches and musical units of the mating calls through various analyses, simulations, and AI-assisted evaluations that even produced the specific number of hertz each insect would sound off at.
I was startled to discover that some, but not all, of these calls sounded familiar to me. Maybe from farmemory, but maybe from ancestral memory. That first high-pitched squeak was the strongest: a home/safe/resources sound with clear associations. It was like hearing a familiar clock or train whistle, a sound with context, meaning, relevance. Several of the others were familiar, normal nature sounds. Some I didn't particularly recognize. So that was all very interesting.
I love the branch of science that recreates sounds from the past. :D
The sound-producing structures are so clearly visible on these fossils that the biologists were able to reconstruct the pitches and musical units of the mating calls through various analyses, simulations, and AI-assisted evaluations that even produced the specific number of hertz each insect would sound off at.
I was startled to discover that some, but not all, of these calls sounded familiar to me. Maybe from farmemory, but maybe from ancestral memory. That first high-pitched squeak was the strongest: a home/safe/resources sound with clear associations. It was like hearing a familiar clock or train whistle, a sound with context, meaning, relevance. Several of the others were familiar, normal nature sounds. Some I didn't particularly recognize. So that was all very interesting.
I love the branch of science that recreates sounds from the past. :D
Birdfeeding
Sep. 11th, 2026 12:41 pmysabetwordsmithToday is partly sunny and warm. It rained yesterday.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I processed the pawpaw seeds from yesterday. For inspiration, I used this post about growing pawpaws from seed. Since I had some sphagnum moss left over from a previous project, I put some of that in both bags and wet it down before adding the sand and the seeds. Six of the seeds went in untreated, beyond washing them all in water yesterday. Seven I rinsed briefly with the weak bleach solution to kill any mold, then rinsed in plain water before putting in the bag. Those are all now in the fridge to cold-stratify.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I trimmed brush under the maple tree so I can plant irises there.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I planted one red-and-white 'Twist of Sheree' and one 'Red Masterpiece' iris under the maple tree, then put rocks around them for protection.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I planted the other two irises in the same place, which finishes the first bag. \o/
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I put extra soil on top of the irises.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I mulched around the new irises. I watered them and the purple-and-white garden.
Cicadas and crickets are singing.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I processed the pawpaw seeds from yesterday. For inspiration, I used this post about growing pawpaws from seed. Since I had some sphagnum moss left over from a previous project, I put some of that in both bags and wet it down before adding the sand and the seeds. Six of the seeds went in untreated, beyond washing them all in water yesterday. Seven I rinsed briefly with the weak bleach solution to kill any mold, then rinsed in plain water before putting in the bag. Those are all now in the fridge to cold-stratify.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I trimmed brush under the maple tree so I can plant irises there.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I planted one red-and-white 'Twist of Sheree' and one 'Red Masterpiece' iris under the maple tree, then put rocks around them for protection.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I planted the other two irises in the same place, which finishes the first bag. \o/
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I put extra soil on top of the irises.
EDIT 9/11/26 -- I mulched around the new irises. I watered them and the purple-and-white garden.
Cicadas and crickets are singing.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
Buddy, you can't sing
Sep. 14th, 2026 08:58 amconulyYou also have no friends with you. Singing loudly along to your music (sans headphones) on the train is generally the sort of behavior we expect from people with friends. Were they scared away by your inability to carry a tune, or by your bad manners?
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( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Follow Friday 9-11-26: Opera
Sep. 11th, 2026 01:22 amysabetwordsmithToday's theme is Opera.
beautifulmechanical -- Beautiful Mechanical
Do you love music? We do, too.
[Active with one post in September.]
classical_music -- Classical Music
For fans of classical music.
[Somewhat active with last post in April.]
onesongaday -- One Song A Day
Do you love music? So come share, listen & enjoy.
[Active with one post in August.]
beautifulmechanical -- Beautiful MechanicalDo you love music? We do, too.
[Active with one post in September.]
classical_music -- Classical MusicFor fans of classical music.
[Somewhat active with last post in April.]
onesongaday -- One Song A DayDo you love music? So come share, listen & enjoy.
[Active with one post in August.]
Pawpaw
Sep. 11th, 2026 12:03 amysabetwordsmithTonight I cut open the first pawpaw. They are often said to be small. I picked two of the biggest in the bin, the size of a good potato or Alphonso mango. They're bigger than many temperate fruits, a hint of their tropical family background. When ripe, they seem rotten, squishy with brown patches on the skin. Should you need to disguise a food source growing outside, pawpaw is little known and its appearance relies on knowledge to recognize its value. If warm, an amazing fragrance floats up from the fruit, telling its true condition.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Mad day and Taskmaster s22e02
Sep. 10th, 2026 09:14 pmhamsterwomanThe Worldcon recaps will return. My Wednesday was completely mad, with O waking me up (admittedly at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday night) to tell me he came back from Chicago sick, then texting me at work Wednesday morning to say he had fainted twice and should he go to urgent care (yes!; fortunately it seems he’s probably fine, not Covid or flu, and a blood test should help rule out the more exotic things B immediately jumped to, like West Nile Virus), delayed BART commutes both ways as BART is in the middle of a prolonged meltdown, discovering that yet another pair of fairly new shoes is falling apart, dropping my phone in the toilet (first time ever), which it survived OK but then I couldn’t charge it because of “moisture detected” warnings until it was like down to 3% and I was nearly home, the house being entirely too hot because of a heat wave we’re having, and waking up at 1 a.m. with a cramp I continued to feel in my right leg for the rest of the day. Work is an absolute mess with this giant excursion and (unrelatedly) people asking the same question three times instead of reading the well thought out answers I send them. And when I thought to reward myself with sushi, after like two weeks of craving it, they forgot my miso soup, and I had questions about the green stuff on some of the age dashi tofu, which I’d never observed before.
But at least there’s Taskmaster:
Taskmaster s22e02 – Nina is dressed as a blue muppet XD ( SPOILERS )
But at least there’s Taskmaster:
Taskmaster s22e02 – Nina is dressed as a blue muppet XD ( SPOILERS )
The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI by Cory Doctorow
Sep. 10th, 2026 11:02 amsholioI have always had generally mixed feelings on Cory Doctorow and this book doesn't really make them any less mixed, but it was an interesting, fast read; some of this I already knew, but he made a number of points I found interesting, particularly about the forces driving the AI bubble, and the various ways that how we think about it/react to it.
( Lots more about that under the cut )
( And to summarize )
It's actually very interesting to compare this book to another book I read recently on the AI bubble [among other things], Nate Silver's "On the Edge", which approaches some of the same topics from a different angle (essentially, that book is an explanation of why people gamble professionally and what draws people to risk, with AI being a huge gamble that makes psychological sense for people in Silicon Valley who are inherently drawn to, and addicted to, the rush of gambling). I was going to write them up together, because I think they complement each other without repeating too many of the same points, but this is already huge, so I'll do that in its own post eventually.
( Lots more about that under the cut )
( And to summarize )
It's actually very interesting to compare this book to another book I read recently on the AI bubble [among other things], Nate Silver's "On the Edge", which approaches some of the same topics from a different angle (essentially, that book is an explanation of why people gamble professionally and what draws people to risk, with AI being a huge gamble that makes psychological sense for people in Silicon Valley who are inherently drawn to, and addicted to, the rush of gambling). I was going to write them up together, because I think they complement each other without repeating too many of the same points, but this is already huge, so I'll do that in its own post eventually.
Related to my post on obnoxious polyester clothing
Sep. 10th, 2026 01:30 pmrebeccmeisterHere's an Opinion Piece from the NYT on the current state of affairs with the fashion industry, including the extent to which clothes are thrown away, and how much the average person currently spends on an annual basis on clothing (gift link):
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/opinion/new-york-fashion-week-fast-fashion.html?unlocked_article_code=1.AFE.c-IO.3FXHy8_VQ_m_&smid=url-share
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/opinion/new-york-fashion-week-fast-fashion.html?unlocked_article_code=1.AFE.c-IO.3FXHy8_VQ_m_&smid=url-share
Birdfeeding
Sep. 10th, 2026 12:14 pmysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy and mild. It's been raining a little off and on. :D
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 9/10/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 9/10/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
.
Community Thursdays
Sep. 10th, 2026 12:20 amysabetwordsmithThis year I'm doing Community Thursdays. Some of my activity will involve maintaining communities I run, and my favorites. Some will involve checking my list of subscriptions and posting in lower-traffic ones. Today I have interacted with the following communities...
* Commented on "Canyon Paintings & Fimo Disc Roses" ineverykindofcraft.
* Commented on "Speak Up Saturday" intv_talk.
* Commented on "just create - alien edition" injustcreate.
* Posted "Birdfeeding" inbirdfeeding.
* Commented on "Canyon Paintings & Fimo Disc Roses" in
everykindofcraft.* Commented on "Speak Up Saturday" in
tv_talk.* Commented on "just create - alien edition" in
justcreate.* Posted "Birdfeeding" in
birdfeeding.being back at work is not terrible
Sep. 10th, 2026 12:48 amtsuki_no_baraWhat I just finished reading:
blood, sweat & chrome: the wild and true story of mad max: fury road FINALLY. it's a very interesting read and made me wonder how that movie managed to get made at all, nevermind how it ended up so good. (well, ok, one of the reasons it's so good is probably margaret sixel.)
also real hero shit: harder than it looks, written and drawn by kendra wells, which i helped kickstart because it's the sequel and i contributed to the campaign for the first one (called... real hero shit). it's kind of d&d-ish adventuring fantasy, kind of cozy, really fun.
What I am reading now:
the space between worlds by micaiah johnson which i am really liking.
What I'm going to read next:
i do not know. i said charles delint's yarrow last time i did this but it might actually be the last wolf hall book, the mirror & the light. who knows!
in other news i hope my fellow americans had monday off so they could rest from their labors. i know some workers can't take the day off - medical professionals, bus drivers - but labor day means all labor and if you have to work you should at least get extra pay for it. on sunday i did leave the house and sit around and read and on monday i took the bus to, uh, sit around and read. it was nice! there was also some tv watching because it's me. i started 3 body problem to get away from all the murder and the crime solving and it's a weird, weird show. weird enough to stick with tho.
classes have started and students are back at the u and either i did something or carpal tunnel is catching up to me because i have such pain down the side of my wrist. i can't stretch my thumb out or pick up anything heavy without pain and that makes taking a shower or doing the dishes A TRIAL. so it's been kind of a mixed bag around here. on the other hand i'm working from home tomorrow so i can bake a honey cake and CORN FEST is in friday and both of those things are not only exciting but delicious. i mean, CORN.
check out this donkey race in southern lebanon. not sure what the occasion is but the donkeys are dressed in sunglasses and bows and look very festive.
watch brad pitt and sixteen judgey dogs in an ad for a de'longhi coffee machine. watch for the dogs, seriously. brad's not bad either.
blood, sweat & chrome: the wild and true story of mad max: fury road FINALLY. it's a very interesting read and made me wonder how that movie managed to get made at all, nevermind how it ended up so good. (well, ok, one of the reasons it's so good is probably margaret sixel.)
also real hero shit: harder than it looks, written and drawn by kendra wells, which i helped kickstart because it's the sequel and i contributed to the campaign for the first one (called... real hero shit). it's kind of d&d-ish adventuring fantasy, kind of cozy, really fun.
What I am reading now:
the space between worlds by micaiah johnson which i am really liking.
What I'm going to read next:
i do not know. i said charles delint's yarrow last time i did this but it might actually be the last wolf hall book, the mirror & the light. who knows!
in other news i hope my fellow americans had monday off so they could rest from their labors. i know some workers can't take the day off - medical professionals, bus drivers - but labor day means all labor and if you have to work you should at least get extra pay for it. on sunday i did leave the house and sit around and read and on monday i took the bus to, uh, sit around and read. it was nice! there was also some tv watching because it's me. i started 3 body problem to get away from all the murder and the crime solving and it's a weird, weird show. weird enough to stick with tho.
classes have started and students are back at the u and either i did something or carpal tunnel is catching up to me because i have such pain down the side of my wrist. i can't stretch my thumb out or pick up anything heavy without pain and that makes taking a shower or doing the dishes A TRIAL. so it's been kind of a mixed bag around here. on the other hand i'm working from home tomorrow so i can bake a honey cake and CORN FEST is in friday and both of those things are not only exciting but delicious. i mean, CORN.
check out this donkey race in southern lebanon. not sure what the occasion is but the donkeys are dressed in sunglasses and bows and look very festive.
watch brad pitt and sixteen judgey dogs in an ad for a de'longhi coffee machine. watch for the dogs, seriously. brad's not bad either.
Poem: "Cutting Butternut"
Sep. 9th, 2026 10:54 pmysabetwordsmithA friend gave away some butternut squash, so I decided to make soup. :D While I was working, I thought of this poem. It fills the "touched" square in my 9-1-26 card for the Life Events Bingo fest. I'm posting it here in thanks for the squash.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Water
Sep. 9th, 2026 10:12 pmysabetwordsmithI Restored an Abandoned Mountain Water Source and Filtration Tank
In this remote mountain community, digging wells is not possible because of the local geology. For generations, the villagers have relied on a natural water source high in the mountains to provide clean water for drinking, cooking, and their daily lives.
But when the main water collection and filtration tank was damaged and became blocked with dirt, leaves, rocks, and debris, the water could no longer flow properly down to the village. The community was left without a reliable supply of water.
I decided to restore the abandoned water tank and bring the old water system back to life.
( Read more... )
In this remote mountain community, digging wells is not possible because of the local geology. For generations, the villagers have relied on a natural water source high in the mountains to provide clean water for drinking, cooking, and their daily lives.
But when the main water collection and filtration tank was damaged and became blocked with dirt, leaves, rocks, and debris, the water could no longer flow properly down to the village. The community was left without a reliable supply of water.
I decided to restore the abandoned water tank and bring the old water system back to life.
( Read more... )
Books
Sep. 9th, 2026 09:25 pmysabetwordsmithHumble Bundle is offering a batch of "For Dummies" books on self-reliance and off-grid skills. There are 25 books, available in various electronic formats. Asking price is $25, minimum $18, and proceeds go to charity.