Emotional Neglect
Mar. 1st, 2026 01:48 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithcosmolinguist wrote a long, detailed discussion of emotional neglect that I suspect will resonate with many of my readers. ysabetwordsmithcosmolinguist wrote a long, detailed discussion of emotional neglect that I suspect will resonate with many of my readers. 
Food
Feb. 28th, 2026 03:19 pmysabetwordsmithPeople want to avoid ultra-processed foods. But experts struggle to define them
The American diet is killing us. On that point, public health experts largely agree.
And in recent years, people who want to make Americans healthier — across the ideological spectrum — are targeting ultra-processed foods, which make up the majority of what Americans eat.
( Read more... )
The American diet is killing us. On that point, public health experts largely agree.
And in recent years, people who want to make Americans healthier — across the ideological spectrum — are targeting ultra-processed foods, which make up the majority of what Americans eat.
( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Feb. 28th, 2026 03:05 pmysabetwordsmithToday is partly sunny and mild.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/28/26 -- I cut and labeled four more water jugs. These are for flower mixes: Part-Shade Wildflowers, Edible Flowers, Fragrant Flowers, and 20th Anniversary Prairie Wildflowers. I skipped the Monarch Mix because that includes a bunch of nectar annuals like zinnias and cosmos which prefer warmer weather; I may make a jug for this later in spring.
EDIT 2/28/26 -- I sowed and taped the jugs.
EDIT 2/28/26 -- I carried the jugs to the parking lot and secured them with salvaged string.
The honeybees are out in force today. They are investigating everything to see if it is a flower. I am not a flower, but at least they finally found the actual flowers. In addition to the lavender crocus, there are now two yellow ones by the log garden and a white one in the rain garden. Many of the snowdrops are open too. :D Yay flowers!
EDIT 2/28/26 -- I dug up several clumps of volunteer daffodils that had seeded themselves into the parking lot, and transplanted them all around the house yard to go under various trees where they will be safer. I still need to move a lot of snowdrops, though.
I've seen a male cardinal. I've heard the red-winged blackbirds singing, but haven't seen them.
EDIT 2/28/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I saw a pair of house finches courting plus an extra male.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/28/26 -- I cut and labeled four more water jugs. These are for flower mixes: Part-Shade Wildflowers, Edible Flowers, Fragrant Flowers, and 20th Anniversary Prairie Wildflowers. I skipped the Monarch Mix because that includes a bunch of nectar annuals like zinnias and cosmos which prefer warmer weather; I may make a jug for this later in spring.
EDIT 2/28/26 -- I sowed and taped the jugs.
EDIT 2/28/26 -- I carried the jugs to the parking lot and secured them with salvaged string.
The honeybees are out in force today. They are investigating everything to see if it is a flower. I am not a flower, but at least they finally found the actual flowers. In addition to the lavender crocus, there are now two yellow ones by the log garden and a white one in the rain garden. Many of the snowdrops are open too. :D Yay flowers!
EDIT 2/28/26 -- I dug up several clumps of volunteer daffodils that had seeded themselves into the parking lot, and transplanted them all around the house yard to go under various trees where they will be safer. I still need to move a lot of snowdrops, though.
I've seen a male cardinal. I've heard the red-winged blackbirds singing, but haven't seen them.
EDIT 2/28/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I saw a pair of house finches courting plus an extra male.
I am done for the night.
New Year's Resolutions Check In
Feb. 28th, 2026 01:22 amysabetwordsmithWe made it to the end of February! \o/ If you have completed any of your short-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. About 95% of New Year's resolutions crash and burn before the end of January. If you're still going, you have beaten the odds!
I'm 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.
These are the previous check in posts:
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 9
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 16
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 23
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 30
( Read more... )
I'm 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.
These are the previous check in posts:
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 9
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 16
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 23
New Year's Resolutions Check In January 30
( Read more... )
Philosophical Questions: Government
Feb. 28th, 2026 12:04 amysabetwordsmithPeople have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.
In an ideal government, what should a good citizen provide to their government and what should that government provide that good citizen?
A good citizen should provide respect as earned, a reasonable share of taxes, contribution to society, well-informed opinions on public matters, and civic participation such as voting.
A good government should provide survival needs or the means to meet them, responsible spending of taxes on public goods, respectable laws, honorable leaders, and the ability to do things at larger scale than individuals could do alone. And not meddle in things that are none of its business.
In an ideal government, what should a good citizen provide to their government and what should that government provide that good citizen?
A good citizen should provide respect as earned, a reasonable share of taxes, contribution to society, well-informed opinions on public matters, and civic participation such as voting.
A good government should provide survival needs or the means to meet them, responsible spending of taxes on public goods, respectable laws, honorable leaders, and the ability to do things at larger scale than individuals could do alone. And not meddle in things that are none of its business.
Books
Feb. 27th, 2026 09:02 pmysabetwordsmith"ENTANGLED LIFE" DISCUSSION POST is up on ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
bookclub_dw. If you've read the book, it's time to talk about mushrooms. :D
bookclub_dw. If you've read the book, it's time to talk about mushrooms. :DSpace Exploration
Feb. 27th, 2026 06:03 pmysabetwordsmithSix planets will align in a rare ‘planetary parade’ this weekend
Six planets will be visible in the evening sky. Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter will be bright enough to see with just your eyes.
Uranus and Neptune will be much dimmer, so binoculars or a telescope will make them easier to find.
( Read more... )
Six planets will be visible in the evening sky. Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter will be bright enough to see with just your eyes.
Uranus and Neptune will be much dimmer, so binoculars or a telescope will make them easier to find.
( Read more... )
Moment of Silence: Neil Sedaka
Feb. 27th, 2026 05:51 pmysabetwordsmithSinger and songwriter Neil Sedaka has passed away. His hits included "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," "Laughter in the Rain," and "Love Will Keep Us Together."
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Follow Friday 2-20-26: Active Communities on Dreamwidth Winter 2025-2026 J-Z
Feb. 27th, 2026 01:37 pmysabetwordsmithThese are active communities in Dreamwidth from Winter 2025-2026. They include things I've posted, but only the active ones; the thematic posts also list dormant communities of interest. This list includes some communities that I've found and saved but haven't made it into thematic posts yet. This post covers J-Z.
See my Follow Friday Master Post for more topics.
( Read more... )
See my Follow Friday Master Post for more topics.
( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Feb. 27th, 2026 01:34 pmysabetwordsmithToday is sunny and warmer with a nice breeze. :D
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows and a male house finch.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I cut and labeled four water jugs. These will hold Shithouse Marigolds, Black-eyed Susan, Milkweed, and Purple Aster. These are all flowers that I know can handle harsh conditions.
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I taped the jugs, moved them to the parking lot, and secured them with string.
I've seen a starling. Red-winged blackbirds are calling, but I haven't seen them. They arrived way early again this year, so I suspected that they'd wind up in my yard, regretting their poor life choices. At least it has cover and water here.
Crocuses are blooming, still all pale lavender. But there is a white bud in the rain garden!
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen a fox squirrel at the hopper feeder.
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I finished trimming dead stems off the wildflower garden. I still need to cut down the tree seedlings and rake more leaves off it, but the old grass is gone.
A yellow crocus is blooming by the log garden. Snowdrop flowers are opening. :D
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows and a male house finch.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I cut and labeled four water jugs. These will hold Shithouse Marigolds, Black-eyed Susan, Milkweed, and Purple Aster. These are all flowers that I know can handle harsh conditions.
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I taped the jugs, moved them to the parking lot, and secured them with string.
I've seen a starling. Red-winged blackbirds are calling, but I haven't seen them. They arrived way early again this year, so I suspected that they'd wind up in my yard, regretting their poor life choices. At least it has cover and water here.
Crocuses are blooming, still all pale lavender. But there is a white bud in the rain garden!
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen a fox squirrel at the hopper feeder.
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I finished trimming dead stems off the wildflower garden. I still need to cut down the tree seedlings and rake more leaves off it, but the old grass is gone.
A yellow crocus is blooming by the log garden. Snowdrop flowers are opening. :D
EDIT 2/27/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
Photos: Water Garden
Feb. 26th, 2026 11:44 pmysabetwordsmithMy second garden craft today was making a mini-water garden. (See the House Yard and the Worm Bin.)
( Walk with me ... )
( Walk with me ... )
Photos: Worm Bin
Feb. 26th, 2026 11:27 pmysabetwordsmithOne of today's garden crafts was making a worm bin. You can buy commercial ones, but they're expensive. All this took was a few minutes to set it up. (See the House Yard and the Water Garden.)
( Walk with me ... )
( Walk with me ... )
Photos: House Yard
Feb. 26th, 2026 10:58 pmysabetwordsmithToday I took some pictures around the yard and did a couple of garden crafts. These are from the house yard and savanna. (See the Worm Bin and the Water Garden.)
( Walk with me ... )
( Walk with me ... )
Crafts
Feb. 26th, 2026 08:17 pmysabetwordsmithDid you know that bathing suits used to have buttons? Back when they were jumpsuits or dresses, buttons helped with the fit. And you can still get patterns for that if you're into historic sewing or want to go swimming without exposing a lot of skin. Here's an example of a reproduction pattern from 1872. Thanks to atherleisure for the fun historical tip.
atherleisure for the fun historical tip.
Vocabulary: Proforestation
Feb. 26th, 2026 06:21 pmysabetwordsmithAccording to Dr. Bill Moomaw who coined the term, "proforestation" means growing intact existing forests to their ecological potential.
I am all in favor of stopping deforestation and protecting extant forests. However, there's more to the definition than that.
( Read more... )
I am all in favor of stopping deforestation and protecting extant forests. However, there's more to the definition than that.
( Read more... )