Moment of Silence: Patricia Crowther
31 Oct 2025 15:38![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithFamous witch Patricia Crowther has crossed over.
And there is much rejoicing in the Summerland!
( Read more... )
And there is much rejoicing in the Summerland!
( Read more... )
ysabetwordsmith
Birdfeeding
31 Oct 2025 15:23ysabetwordsmithToday is mostly sunny and mild.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. They drained the hopper feeder.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 10/31/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 10/31/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. They drained the hopper feeder.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 10/31/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 10/31/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
.
There are many more examples of this trend.
31 Oct 2025 12:46fayanoraSomething that'll never get old for me is discoveries that highlight my tendency to accidentally stumble into something far more clever than I could consciously manage. That is, plot points or names or whatever else in the story that would make the reader think I'm extremely clever at writing, but it was a complete accident.
Today's example: I have a character who is a serial killer / hitman, but he is very charming and funny, and unlike most serial killers he doesn't kill women or children. His name is Orcus Oberst. Now, the Orcus part was intentional, Orcus being a god of the underworld and punisher of broken oaths, in Etruscan and Roman mythology. (Something that becomes a bit ironic at one point in the story.) But I have no idea where I came up with the surname Oberst. It just came to me, the way so many names and new words do, and I kept it because it sounded cool.
While watching a video by YouTuber "Quinn's Ideas" about vampires in science fiction, one of the blurbs of a book caught my attention. He had said "oberst." I looked up the word, which I had never thought to do before after giving Orcus his surname, and apparently it's a German military title. The context of this discovery was somebody running from a Nazi officer.
So the only issue with this is that Orcus absolutely hates fascists. And since "Orcus Oberst" is not his given name, I doubt he would choose a surname that he knew had connections to fascists. Though it is apparently an old title dating back into the feudal era, it's not exclusive to Germany, and does occur as a surname IRL.
So yeah, both his given name and his surname warn you he's dangerous, and only the given name was intentional on my part. Since my dad is a big WW2 history buff, I wonder if I heard the word from him at some point and my subconscious supplied the term as a surname when I was naming Orcus.
Today's example: I have a character who is a serial killer / hitman, but he is very charming and funny, and unlike most serial killers he doesn't kill women or children. His name is Orcus Oberst. Now, the Orcus part was intentional, Orcus being a god of the underworld and punisher of broken oaths, in Etruscan and Roman mythology. (Something that becomes a bit ironic at one point in the story.) But I have no idea where I came up with the surname Oberst. It just came to me, the way so many names and new words do, and I kept it because it sounded cool.
While watching a video by YouTuber "Quinn's Ideas" about vampires in science fiction, one of the blurbs of a book caught my attention. He had said "oberst." I looked up the word, which I had never thought to do before after giving Orcus his surname, and apparently it's a German military title. The context of this discovery was somebody running from a Nazi officer.
So the only issue with this is that Orcus absolutely hates fascists. And since "Orcus Oberst" is not his given name, I doubt he would choose a surname that he knew had connections to fascists. Though it is apparently an old title dating back into the feudal era, it's not exclusive to Germany, and does occur as a surname IRL.
So yeah, both his given name and his surname warn you he's dangerous, and only the given name was intentional on my part. Since my dad is a big WW2 history buff, I wonder if I heard the word from him at some point and my subconscious supplied the term as a surname when I was naming Orcus.
Holiday
31 Oct 2025 14:25ysabetwordsmithI saw this line elsenet and thought it would be fun to share here:
What day does the Christmas season begin?
( Read more... )
What day does the Christmas season begin?
( Read more... )
Happy last day of Kinktober 2025!
31 Oct 2025 15:13petraThis post indexes my Kinktober limericks, all on the theme of Obi-Wan Kenobi/Anakin Skywalker feat. Padmé et al.
It is my ambition for November not to post an average of two poems a day, and thereby hopefully retain the few stragglers who are still subscribed to me on AO3 after the last two months of constant limericks. 对不起不对不起 (Sorry, not sorry.)
If, on the other hand, I have to write drabbles and limericks for people who request them as food bank donation thank-yous, I will spam the crap out of the AO3 and all my subscribers can just deal.
Yesterday, for example, I posted 4 drabbles for people who informed me that they had donated at least 25 USD worth of food or money to food pantries and/or banks in their area. If you like my writing and you can spare a quarter-Benjamin, support the food-insecure people near you and request something from me.
It is my ambition for November not to post an average of two poems a day, and thereby hopefully retain the few stragglers who are still subscribed to me on AO3 after the last two months of constant limericks. 对不起不对不起 (Sorry, not sorry.)
If, on the other hand, I have to write drabbles and limericks for people who request them as food bank donation thank-yous, I will spam the crap out of the AO3 and all my subscribers can just deal.
Yesterday, for example, I posted 4 drabbles for people who informed me that they had donated at least 25 USD worth of food or money to food pantries and/or banks in their area. If you like my writing and you can spare a quarter-Benjamin, support the food-insecure people near you and request something from me.
Books
31 Oct 2025 13:53ysabetwordsmithlibraries as resistance
In a system that wants to dismantle education and undermine critical thought, libraries become sanctuaries of truth, radical hope, and quiet rebellion.
Generously stocked, freely accessible, public libraries are ideal.
However, if the government destroys them, we have another option: private libraries run by actual bookworms. A library can be stocked quite cheaply with used books, hence the Little Free Library movement and swap shelves. But if you have or can afford to rent or buy space in a building, then you can provide a bigger collection. A private library is not at the mercy of the government, and you are free to do things like ban censorship.
In a system that wants to dismantle education and undermine critical thought, libraries become sanctuaries of truth, radical hope, and quiet rebellion.
Generously stocked, freely accessible, public libraries are ideal.
However, if the government destroys them, we have another option: private libraries run by actual bookworms. A library can be stocked quite cheaply with used books, hence the Little Free Library movement and swap shelves. But if you have or can afford to rent or buy space in a building, then you can provide a bigger collection. A private library is not at the mercy of the government, and you are free to do things like ban censorship.
Wildlife
31 Oct 2025 04:44ysabetwordsmithScientists discover a stunning new golden-tongued lizard in China
A new species of mountain lizard, Diploderma bifluviale, has been discovered in the upper Dadu River Valley of China. Its distinct traits and isolated habitat highlight the hidden biodiversity of the Hengduan Mountains.
A new species of mountain lizard, Diploderma bifluviale, has been discovered in the upper Dadu River Valley of China. Its distinct traits and isolated habitat highlight the hidden biodiversity of the Hengduan Mountains.
Garden of Repose
31 Oct 2025 04:28ysabetwordsmithRevisit those who have passed during the year. These entries from my "Moment of Silence" tag highlight those who have died recently. Some of my posts have a "Carry on the Work" section regarding the person's accomplishments in case anyone else wants to explore those.
Browse ways to celebrate Dia de los Muertos.
Here are some things to do for Samhain. See the Greenhaven Coven page for Samhain and its recipes.
Does anyone else have names to remember?
Browse ways to celebrate Dia de los Muertos.
Here are some things to do for Samhain. See the Greenhaven Coven page for Samhain and its recipes.
Does anyone else have names to remember?
New Year's Resolutions Check In
31 Oct 2025 00:46ysabetwordsmithWe made it to the end of October! \o/ If you have completed some of your medium-term goals or subgoals, and/or you're still chugging away at your ongoing goals, then pat yourself on the back. You worked hard for that. We are now well into autumn. If you're doing seasonal goals, share what you're working on for this fall.
This year I'm trying something new, continuing to track goals at the end of each month. So far it seems to be helping, so that's encouraging. I'm looking at my goal list more often and trying to keep ticking off more of them. The main drawback is that this update becomes more of a chore each month.
These are the previous check in posts:
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 4
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 10
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 17
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 24
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 31
New Year's Resolutions Check In February 28
New Year's Resolutions Check In March 31
New Year's Resolutions Check In April 30
New Year's Resolutions Check In May 31
New Year's Resolutions Check In June 30
New Year's Resolutions Check In July 31
New Year's Resolutions Check In August 31
New Year's Resolutions Check In September 30
( Read more... )
This year I'm trying something new, continuing to track goals at the end of each month. So far it seems to be helping, so that's encouraging. I'm looking at my goal list more often and trying to keep ticking off more of them. The main drawback is that this update becomes more of a chore each month.
These are the previous check in posts:
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 4
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 10
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 17
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 24
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 31
New Year's Resolutions Check In February 28
New Year's Resolutions Check In March 31
New Year's Resolutions Check In April 30
New Year's Resolutions Check In May 31
New Year's Resolutions Check In June 30
New Year's Resolutions Check In July 31
New Year's Resolutions Check In August 31
New Year's Resolutions Check In September 30
( Read more... )
Bingo
30 Oct 2025 23:52ysabetwordsmithI have made bingo down the B column of my 10-1-25 card for the Fall Festival Bingo. I also have 8 extra fills.
B1 (wizards) -- "What Wizardry Is All About" (standalone)
B2 (black / orange) -- "The Two Cottages" (Quixotic Ideas)
B3 (magic) -- "Maybe She's Just Singing" (Practical Magic)
B4 (witches) -- "The Unretired Witch" (The Adventures of Aldornia and Zenobia)
B5 (unstable) -- "A Fountain of Energy" (Polychrome Heroics: Rutledge)
I2 (herbs) -- "No Worthless Herbs" (One God's Story of Mid-Life Crisis)
I3 (dark side) -- "Set on Continuous Improvement" (Polychrome Heroics: City Engines)
I5 (broken) -- "The Clearest Signal" (Polychrome Heroics: City Engines)
G1 (Alone in the Woods) -- "The Songwitch" (Practical Magic)
G2 (transformation) -- "The Road to Transformation" (Sleeping Beauty)
O2 (talking dog) -- "The Disappointing Daughter" (The Adventures of Aldornia and Zenobia)
O4 ("That felt weird.") -- "To Understand Water" (Polychrome Heroics)
O5 ("Do you trust me?") -- "Trying to Be Better" (Polychrome Heroics: City Engines)
B1 (wizards) -- "What Wizardry Is All About" (standalone)
B2 (black / orange) -- "The Two Cottages" (Quixotic Ideas)
B3 (magic) -- "Maybe She's Just Singing" (Practical Magic)
B4 (witches) -- "The Unretired Witch" (The Adventures of Aldornia and Zenobia)
B5 (unstable) -- "A Fountain of Energy" (Polychrome Heroics: Rutledge)
I2 (herbs) -- "No Worthless Herbs" (One God's Story of Mid-Life Crisis)
I3 (dark side) -- "Set on Continuous Improvement" (Polychrome Heroics: City Engines)
I5 (broken) -- "The Clearest Signal" (Polychrome Heroics: City Engines)
G1 (Alone in the Woods) -- "The Songwitch" (Practical Magic)
G2 (transformation) -- "The Road to Transformation" (Sleeping Beauty)
O2 (talking dog) -- "The Disappointing Daughter" (The Adventures of Aldornia and Zenobia)
O4 ("That felt weird.") -- "To Understand Water" (Polychrome Heroics)
O5 ("Do you trust me?") -- "Trying to Be Better" (Polychrome Heroics: City Engines)
petraI wrote the drabbles linked in this post for people who donated at least 25 USD in cash or in-kind to food banks. Hopefully the US federal government will not be allowed to stiff food stamp recipients, but if they try, many people will need support. My Wayfinder has good resource coverage near me, and may have useful information near you, too.
At her majesty's pleasure (100 words) by Petra
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Bloody Jack Adventures - L. A. Meyer
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Underage Sex
Relationships: Ching Shih | Zheng Yi Sao/Jacky Faber, Jacky Faber/Jaimy Fletcher
Characters: Ching Shih | Zheng Yi Sao, Jacky Faber
Additional Tags: Drabble, Yearning
Summary:
*
When you lose control, it touches my soul (100 words) by Petra
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: due South
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Benton Fraser & Ray
Characters: Benton Fraser
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Murderbot Diaries Fusion
Series: Part 9 of SecUnit Fraser
Summary:
*
Soup's on (100 words) by Petra
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Locked Tomb Series | Gideon the Ninth Series - Tamsyn Muir
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Gideon Nav & Harrowhark Nonagesimus
Characters: Gideon Nav, Harrowhark Nonagesimus
Additional Tags: Drabble, Awkward Conversations
Summary:
*
I got the sun in the mornin' and the moon at night (100 words) by Petra
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: White Collar (TV 2009)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Elizabeth Burke/Peter Burke/Neal Caffrey
Characters: Elizabeth Burke (White Collar), Peter Burke, Neal Caffrey
Additional Tags: Drabble, Seasonal Affective Disorder
Summary:
At her majesty's pleasure (100 words) by Petra
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Bloody Jack Adventures - L. A. Meyer
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Underage Sex
Relationships: Ching Shih | Zheng Yi Sao/Jacky Faber, Jacky Faber/Jaimy Fletcher
Characters: Ching Shih | Zheng Yi Sao, Jacky Faber
Additional Tags: Drabble, Yearning
Summary:
Jacky wants to go home, but not just yet.
*
When you lose control, it touches my soul (100 words) by Petra
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: due South
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Benton Fraser & Ray
Characters: Benton Fraser
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Murderbot Diaries Fusion
Series: Part 9 of SecUnit Fraser
Summary:
Fraser and Ray reminisce.
*
Soup's on (100 words) by Petra
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Locked Tomb Series | Gideon the Ninth Series - Tamsyn Muir
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Gideon Nav & Harrowhark Nonagesimus
Characters: Gideon Nav, Harrowhark Nonagesimus
Additional Tags: Drabble, Awkward Conversations
Summary:
Gideon attempts to look after Harrow.
*
I got the sun in the mornin' and the moon at night (100 words) by Petra
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: White Collar (TV 2009)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Elizabeth Burke/Peter Burke/Neal Caffrey
Characters: Elizabeth Burke (White Collar), Peter Burke, Neal Caffrey
Additional Tags: Drabble, Seasonal Affective Disorder
Summary:
El, Neal, and Peter reflect on autumn.
Tags:
- character: benton fraser,
- character: ching shih,
- character: elizabeth burke,
- character: gideon nav,
- character: harrowhark nonagesimus,
- character: jacky faber,
- character: neal caffrey,
- character: peter burke,
- drabble,
- food bank thank you,
- pair/group: bitextual (het & slash),
- pair/group: f/f canon,
- pair/group: gen,
- series: secunit fraser,
- story: due south,
- story: jacky faber,
- story: the locked tomb,
- story: white collar
today my most important job was Pointy Objects
30 Oct 2025 22:11kaberettI supplied knives and fine motor control; the toddler supplied art direction; the toddler's resident adults supplied outlines for me to cut around (and candles, and matches, and in fact all of the cutting of the tiny pumpkin).
Climate Change
30 Oct 2025 15:32ysabetwordsmithYale study: Most Americans support climate justice — once they know what it is
Climate change is an omnipresent threat for us all, but its impact disproportionately affects non-white populations.
Inequalities stem from generations of racial injustice and colonization of Indigenous lands, contributing to ongoing marginalization and risk in BIPOC populations.
Climate justice is a movement that seeks to rectify those inequities, with the goals of reducing unequal harms of climate change, producing equitable benefits from climate solutions, and including affected communities in the decision-making process.
Among examples of climate justice are taking steps to stop exploitative actions that worsen climate and environment, and ensuring that people have humane ways to escape environmental foreclosure. The latter is crucial because right now, victims of climate-driven eviction have no rights; they are classified as migrants without even the flimsy protections that refugees of war or discrimination have. And if you look at the Dustbowl, you can see how very badly America has handled that issue in the past.
Climate change is an omnipresent threat for us all, but its impact disproportionately affects non-white populations.
Inequalities stem from generations of racial injustice and colonization of Indigenous lands, contributing to ongoing marginalization and risk in BIPOC populations.
Climate justice is a movement that seeks to rectify those inequities, with the goals of reducing unequal harms of climate change, producing equitable benefits from climate solutions, and including affected communities in the decision-making process.
Among examples of climate justice are taking steps to stop exploitative actions that worsen climate and environment, and ensuring that people have humane ways to escape environmental foreclosure. The latter is crucial because right now, victims of climate-driven eviction have no rights; they are classified as migrants without even the flimsy protections that refugees of war or discrimination have. And if you look at the Dustbowl, you can see how very badly America has handled that issue in the past.
Problems for tomorrow
30 Oct 2025 19:20cosmolinguistYou ever look at all the tabs open on your work computer as you turn it off and think man, that's so much garbage that Tomorrow Me has to sort out, that poor guy, he's gonna hate me?
Had a kinda disappointing day at work today. I didn't get enough done, and next week is going to be busy so I really can't afford to do so little.
Birdfeeding
30 Oct 2025 14:08ysabetwordsmithToday is mostly sunny, breezy, and mild. It drizzled yesterday.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 10/30/25 -- I planted 12 mixed crocuses around the barrel garden.
EDIT 10/30/25 -- I planted 12 Dutch irises around the yard.
EDIT 10/30/25 -- I planted 5 purple-and-white striped crocuses in the purple-and-white garden. This concludes the currently purchased bulbs.
EDIT 10/30/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 10/30/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 10/30/25 -- I hauled a large fallen branch to the ritual meadow.
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 10/30/25 -- I planted 12 mixed crocuses around the barrel garden.
EDIT 10/30/25 -- I planted 12 Dutch irises around the yard.
EDIT 10/30/25 -- I planted 5 purple-and-white striped crocuses in the purple-and-white garden. This concludes the currently purchased bulbs.
EDIT 10/30/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 10/30/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 10/30/25 -- I hauled a large fallen branch to the ritual meadow.
I am done for the night.
Meme question with a serious answer
30 Oct 2025 06:42fayanora"If you could permanently change the price of something to one dollar, what would it be?"
Food. All food. Food in general. Every single thing on the grocery store shelves is just $1 now and will never go up. You're welcome.
Food. All food. Food in general. Every single thing on the grocery store shelves is just $1 now and will never go up. You're welcome.
The Accessibility Nails Collection
29 Oct 2025 21:39cosmolinguistSomebody had brought their not-really-wanted nail polish to the queer social event I was at last night, encouraging people to use or take home anything they liked.
And just because I was sitting at the table near them for a while without much to do, and because I like bright colors, I ended up painting my nails. Bright yellow. (I was drawn to it because it looked like a fluorescent hi-vis yellow in the bottle. Once it was on it's "just" a nice bright primary yellow (someone else looked at it on me and said "I wore that color for a Simpsons drag show once," to give you an idea of what yellow it is), but that's still good.
I used to love nail polish, that and really chunky colorful jewelry were the only "girly" things I ever got excited about. And even then, my mom was always trying to steer me toward soft pinks and stuff and I chose more blue and green and the most "unnatural" colors.
But I haven't done my nails since before I left my old house. I was...busy, and then for a long time it felt too femme, like I struggled so much to get people to stop misgendering me, I didn't want to make that any more likely. And by the time that stopped being a concern I was well and truly out of the habit and all my nail polish that hasn't been touched in five or six years should probably be thrown away.
But here I did my nails very happily. It was nice that it didn't feel weird or feminine at all now. It just felt queer.
Also while making dinner tonight, I realized that when I'm chopping vegetables it's way easier to tell where my fingers end and the peppers or whatever begin if the ends of my fingers are bright yellow.
Not that I usually struggle with this, I'm used to doing it mostly by feel. It was weird that my eyes could help out!
That got me thinking about starting to acquire new nail polish (the old stuff I have needs to be thrown out really) based on what colors are easy for me to pick up!
The yellow has already half chipped off, so I'll have to see if there's any nail polish remover in the house that works! But this probably won't be the last time I paint my nails.
Recommendation: Smile, and Smile, and Be a Lying Punk (MCU)
29 Oct 2025 22:12petraDo you ever miss Marvel Cinematic Universe fandom circa 2014?
So do I.
Let Dira's latest (just posted) take you back, by way of a much more recent development:
Smile, and Smile, and Be a Lying Punk (980 words) by Dira Sudis
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers
Characters: Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes
Additional Tags: The Frozen Smile of a Man Who Does Not Want a Baseball Jersey From His Favorite Team's Most Hated Rival, Post-Movie: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Summary:
So do I.
Let Dira's latest (just posted) take you back, by way of a much more recent development:
Smile, and Smile, and Be a Lying Punk (980 words) by Dira Sudis
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers
Characters: Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes
Additional Tags: The Frozen Smile of a Man Who Does Not Want a Baseball Jersey From His Favorite Team's Most Hated Rival, Post-Movie: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Summary:
"They'd heard I liked baseball and, I don't know, somehow forgot that Brooklyn has never rooted for the Yankees and will never root for the Yankees, no matter if the Dodgers leave us to play on the Moon. But I didn't want to make a scene."