Reading

Current Mood: artistic

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A Long Day Ahead (part 1 of 1, complete)

A Long Day Ahead
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1664
[End of March 179-]

:: In the morning, Victor must decide what to do about Dezideriu and his family. Part of the “Lost Son” story arc in the Frankenstein’s Family universe. ::

Morning light, just beginning to brighten into true dawn, drifted lazily into the kitchen. Victor sat at the table with Adam in his lap, feeding the boy a mix of lightly cooked fruit chunks and mămăligă, corn porridge. “Good morning, mazil,” Laslzo greeted as soon as he stepped through the doorway. He scanned the room. “Did Dorottya and Dénes go home last night?”

Igor answered as he motioned toward the table. “Sit. You’re just in time; the tea has just finished steeping. Yes,” he added lightly, “neither wanted to leave their children for that long.”
( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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Genetics

Great white sharks have a DNA mystery science still can’t explain

Once on the brink during the last ice age, great white sharks made a remarkable recovery globally, but their DNA reveals a baffling story. Classic migration explanations fail, leaving scientists with a mystery that defies reproductive and evolutionary logic.

The most important part of science is being willing and able to say, "I don't know."

Current Mood: busy

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Birdfeeding

Today is partly sunny and sweltering.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and a mourning dove.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 8/16/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 8/16/25 -- I did a more work around the patio.

EDIT 8/16/25 -- I watered the patio plants and old picnic table garden.

EDIT 8/16/25 -- I watered the new picnic table garden.

I picked 5 ground cherries and a red cherry tomato. The ground cherries are related to tomatillos, with a sweet fruit inside a husk. They are about the size of a chickpea with a faint pineapple flavor. :D

EDIT 8/16/25 -- I watered the telephone pole garden and a few of the savanna seedlngs.

Cicacas and crickets are singing. Fireflies are out. I saw a bat.

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

Current Mood: busy

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Crafts

DIY Vader and Leia Coke Can Lights

These turned out so well. :D

Current Mood: accomplished

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Matchmaker, Matchmaker (part 1 of 1, complete

Matchmaker, Matchmaker
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1361

:: Officer Pink has a visitor at work, who has a very unusual request. Part of the Mercedes and Officer Pink story threads in the Polychrome Heroics universe, this story was prompted by

chanter and sponsored by

fuzzyred, with my great thanks. They’ll get credit for the sequel, as well. ::

The Asian boy shifted from one foot to the other, standing in the Bluehill police station waiting room, though there were at least a dozen empty seats. He waved off the polite young woman in a cadet’s uniform. “No, thanks. I’ll wait for Officer Pink.” He pulled a steno book from his teardrop bag, opened it to his current spot because a rubber band held previously used pages together with the front cover, and dipped into the bag again to retrieve a four-color pen.

He paced, only three steps in each direction, toward the empty corner, then back. His writing never slowed as he walked, nor as he turned. Only when he stopped walking did the pen stop, hovering an inch above the green-tinted paper as he thought.
( Read more... )

Magpie Monday Report for August of 2025

Done! YAAY. After an unexpected struggle last month, I am inexpressibly relieved to be back “on track” with the prompt call! Doing this, and keeping abreast of the writing for the “Lost Son” arc has been a truly wonderful stretch. It wouldn’t have happened without my wonderful readers!
( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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Climate Change

Mexican cave stalagmites reveal the deadly droughts behind the Maya collapse

Summary:
Chemical evidence from a stalagmite in Mexico has revealed that the Classic Maya civilization’s decline coincided with repeated severe wet-season droughts, including one that lasted 13 years. These prolonged droughts corresponded with halted monument construction and political disruption at key Maya sites, suggesting that climate stress played a major role in the collapse. The findings demonstrate how stalagmites offer unmatched precision for linking environmental change to historical events.

Just in case you thought climate change wasn't very important, a shift in the environmental conditions is one of the leading causes of civilization collapse.

Current Mood: busy

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Creative Jam

The August

crowdfunding Creative Jam is now up with a theme of "Inner vs. Outer Strength." Come give us prompts or claim some for your own inspiration.

What I Have Written

From My Prompts

Current Mood: busy

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recurring posts

Philosophical Questions: Diversity

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

What are the benefits and drawbacks of diversity in society?

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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Today's Adventures

Today we went out to Mattoon in search of evening farmer's markets.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: amused

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Questions in the Dark (part 1 of 1, complete)

Questions in the Dark
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1560
[End of March 179-]

:: Long after the group parts ways for the night, Laszlo and Igor have a far more difficult conversation in the fragile blanket of darkness. Part of the “Lost Son” story arc in the Frankenstein’s Family universe. ::

The fire had long since been banked, and even the embers seemed drowsy in their bed of coals. Laszlo lay on his stomach, his head propped on his folded arms. His feet swayed first left and right, then toward his head before dropping to a stop inches above the cold floor.

He couldn’t sleep, and even wandering in front of the forest of books did not help him to relax.

Footsteps brought a flickering light, then paused in front of the closed door.
( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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Early Humans

Science Newsfrom research organizations

Mysterious Denisovan interbreeding shaped the humans we are today.
Denisovans, a mysterious human relative, left behind far more than a handful of fossils—they left genetic fingerprints in modern humans across the globe. Multiple interbreeding events with distinct Denisovan populations helped shape traits like high-altitude survival in Tibetans, cold-weather adaptation in Inuits, and enhanced immunity. Their influence spanned from Siberia to South America, and scientists are now uncovering how these genetic gifts transformed human evolution, even with such limited physical remains.

Current Mood: busy

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Birdfeeding

Today is partly sunny and sweltering. :P

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

EDIT 8/15/25 -- I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 8/15/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I've seen a flock of sparrows and house finches.

EDIT 8/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 8/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 8/15/25 -- I watered the patio plants, old picnic garden, and new picnic garden.

I picked a red cherry tomato.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: accomplished

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Undoing the Ripple (part 3 of 3, complete)

Undoing the Ripple
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 3 of 3, complete
Word count (this section of story only): 2246
[Impossible to date]

:: This story picks up perhaps half an hour after the end of Beyond Unexpected, and should be considered intricately tied to it as a sequel. Which, of course, means that all the major characters are, in fact, AU. Earned happy ending, though there are tough conversations before they get there. Written for the August Magpie Monday, this story incorporates prompts from

mama_kestrel,

siliconshaman, and

readera, and sponsored by the incomparable

siliconshaman with my thanks! ::

:: Author's note: I have marked "Edison's Mirror," "Beyond Unexpected," and this story with the same tag, "Edison's mirror," because they are so closely intertwined and tell a story altogether, as well as separately. ::

Back to part two
:: Thanks for reading! ::

Elisabeth’s nails scraped gently over the nape of Edison’s skull. She sighed. “He shaved his head, and his eyebrows. I’m almost afraid to find out why.”

Igor raised a brow. “You are surprisingly calm for all of this.”

She laughed softly, smoothing the pads of her fingers over the boy’s head in random swirls. Edison went utterly limp against her. “No, I’ve got strong self-control. I am a doctor, so I had to learn how to keep a calm head in a crisis, whether there is visible blood or not. I became a surgeon, so I had to learn to deal with sudden, extreme changes in the situation.” Her smile widened an inch. “Then, because I wanted more challenge, I became a specialized surgeon, and because that meant working with the parents of the patients, I had to develop a better ability to read people, especially for the details that they can not or will not speak of.”

“There’s… acceptance of your job?” Victor asked dubiously.
( Read more... )

Current Mood: accomplished

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Undoing the Ripple (part 2 of 3, complete)

Undoing the Ripple
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 2 of 3, complete
Word count (this section of story only): 2236
[Impossible to date]

:: This story picks up perhaps half an hour after the end of Beyond Unexpected, and should be considered intricately tied to it as a sequel. Which, of course, means that all the major characters are, in fact, AU. Earned happy ending, though there are tough conversations before they get there. Written for the August Magpie Monday, this story incorporates prompts from

mama_kestrel,

siliconshaman, and

readera, and sponsored by the incomparable

siliconshaman with my thanks! ::

Back to part one
On to part three

“The explanations don’t match,” Victor Frankenstein insisted in soft, urbane tones. Beneath the genteel civility, however, steel and diamond formed a snare, waiting to spring.

The teenager nodded. “I know.”
( Read more... )

Current Mood: accomplished

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Undoing the Ripple (part 1 of 3, complete)

Undoing the Ripple
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 3, complete
Word count (this section of story only): 2231
[Impossible to date]

:: This story picks up perhaps half an hour after the end of Beyond Unexpected, and should be considered intricately tied to it as a sequel. Which, of course, means that all the major characters are, in fact, AU. Earned happy ending, though there are tough conversations before they get there. Written for the August Magpie Monday, this story incorporates prompts from

mama_kestrel,

siliconshaman, and

readera, and sponsored by the incomparable

siliconshaman with my thanks! ::

On to part two

Elisabeth was too restless to remain on the settee where she’d been placed after she fainted. She waved toward the books. “May I? I might have the patience to read, but if I don’t, I could put together some fresh bread for a later meal, if someone else manages the oven. I’ve used a clay oven every year, but the first batch is always a single loaf of dough cut into two boules, so I can test for hot spots or other potential problems.”

Igor smiled wryly. “You only bake bread once a year? That must cost you dearly at the bakery.”

“It’s--” Elisabeth began.

Reality rippled.
( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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Follow Friday 8-15-25: Indie

Today's theme is Indie.

i_love_games -- A Gaming Community
An Active Gaming Community created July 5th, 2013.
[Somewhat active with last post in December 2024.]

indie_games -- Indie Games
Indie games discussion, recs, and squee.
[Somewhat active with last post in June.]

indie_lifestyle -- Indie coolness and all that.
[Dormant with last post in November 2020, but posting is open to all members so this should be revivable.]

musicianships -- The Freaks Club: Musicianships
This Community is for everyone who is involved in music in any way.
[Active with one post in August.]

onesongaday -- One Song A Day
You love music? Come share, listen, enjoy.
[Active with multiple posts in August.]

thefreaksclub -- TFC // The Anti-Thesis Social Network
Everything related to darker alternative subcutlures. Discussion on books, the occult, music, & more.
[Active with one post in August.]

Current Mood: busy

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Affordable Housing

These futuristic 3D-printed homes start at just $200K. One city is building 80 of them.

The development will include energy-efficient, high-quality homes with an average size of about 1,360 square feet.

HiveASMBLD plans to print two unique home designs, each with a two-bedroom and two and a half bathroom configuration, as well as an office or flex space, and a covered patio.

Pricing for these homes starts in the mid to high $200,000s.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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Celebrate Love Your Bookshop Day

Here is a list of bookshops from

duckprintspress over a wide area.

Current Mood: accomplished

Entry tags:

Offering More Solutions (part 1 of 1, complete)

Offering More Solutions
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1599
[End of March 179-]

:: With Raisa comfortable, discussion continues about the potential adoptive parents. Part of the “Lost Son” story arc in the Frankenstein’s Family universe. ::

Above them the storm intensified. Laszlo furrowed his brow, staring at the ceiling as if he could see through it to the slate roof, and through that to the storm brewing above. “It’s late. Is Raisa going to be okay here for the night? Even if we had a family to ask, they… have the right to say no, and that could mean that there’s no home for her in the village at all.”

Kálmán stiffened. “She’ll be welcome here, and if I take her in for a few days or weeks, well… The bishop and I have never been remotely friends, and I can weather his displeasure.”

“What if he defrocks you?” Laszlo’s eyes traced the edges of the flagstone under his feet, his body gone rigid.
( Read more... )