Affordable Housing
Oct. 23rd, 2025 09:18 pmThis motel was transformed into colorful affordable housing. And it's named after a civil rights icon
Once a motel in the Reynoldstown neighborhood — built in the 1960s — the space was transformed into 56 modern studio apartments for individuals or families who were previously unhoused.
( Read more... )
Once a motel in the Reynoldstown neighborhood — built in the 1960s — the space was transformed into 56 modern studio apartments for individuals or families who were previously unhoused.
( Read more... )
Activism
Oct. 23rd, 2025 09:08 pm10 effective ways you can make change — in addition to attending a protest
In a nutshell: Nonviolent resistance is based on noncooperation with autocratic actions. It has proven more effective in toppling autocracies than violent, armed struggle.
But it requires more than street demonstrations.
( Read more... )
In a nutshell: Nonviolent resistance is based on noncooperation with autocratic actions. It has proven more effective in toppling autocracies than violent, armed struggle.
But it requires more than street demonstrations.
( Read more... )
Advice
Oct. 23rd, 2025 06:35 pmOn mental health advice
What nobody tells you: Most mental health advice is just expensive ways to avoid hard conversations and difficult decisions.
You don't need another coping mechanism. You need to quit the job. Leave the relationship. Set the boundary. Therapy can't fix problems that require action.
( Read more... )
What nobody tells you: Most mental health advice is just expensive ways to avoid hard conversations and difficult decisions.
You don't need another coping mechanism. You need to quit the job. Leave the relationship. Set the boundary. Therapy can't fix problems that require action.
( Read more... )
Media Diet for October 20, 2025
Oct. 23rd, 2025 05:41 pmVideo Games: 1 h 36 m
Disco Elysium
58 m
Dead Cells
38 m
Video: 1 h 13 m
YouTube: 43 m
"Who is MIKE? (like, actually.) || DELTARUNE Deepdive and Analysis" by Seek's Animations and Stuff
29 m
"Halloween Song - NSP" by Ninja Sex Party
3 m
"The Steam Deck OLED." by DankPods
11 m
Other
One Hour in Wonderland
30 m
Reading: 23 m
Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
30 pages over 23 m
Other Activities:
- Chores: 1 h 29 m
- Self-Care: 1 h 11 m
- Learning to Code: 41 m
- Blogging: 28 m
Starfall Stories 50
Oct. 23rd, 2025 08:22 pmI've left it a while since I did a crosspost for
rainbowfic, which was because I was doing a very long sequence divided up into five parts and wasn't sure what to do about it now it's complete - it's something like 28k altogether (this is what has been absorbing my whole writing time for four months, when I've had any). Anyway, I've decided I might as well crosspost all the parts at once and move on. People certainly aren't obliged to read any of it, let alone all of it.
Name: Calla Island
Word Count: 5053
Rating: PG
Summary: Viyony visits Calla Island, the ancestral seat of the Allin family.
Name: Dazzled
Word Count: 5364
Rating: PG
Summary: Viyony explores a sacred cave and gets considerably more than she bargained for.
Name: Assignations
Word Count: 8293
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Death, blood, injury.
Summary: Viyony arranges an assignation with Leion, but she's not the only one with plans for midnight.
Name: Storms
Word Count: 5326
Rating: PG
Warnings: Threat of drowning, sea-sickness.
Summary: Viyony's determined to get Leion off the island.
Name: Harbour
Word Count: 5079
Rating: Teen
Summary: Leion takes Viyony home.
Name: Calla Island
Word Count: 5053
Rating: PG
Summary: Viyony visits Calla Island, the ancestral seat of the Allin family.
Name: Dazzled
Word Count: 5364
Rating: PG
Summary: Viyony explores a sacred cave and gets considerably more than she bargained for.
Name: Assignations
Word Count: 8293
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Death, blood, injury.
Summary: Viyony arranges an assignation with Leion, but she's not the only one with plans for midnight.
Name: Storms
Word Count: 5326
Rating: PG
Warnings: Threat of drowning, sea-sickness.
Summary: Viyony's determined to get Leion off the island.
Name: Harbour
Word Count: 5079
Rating: Teen
Summary: Leion takes Viyony home.
Birdfeeding
Oct. 23rd, 2025 01:56 pmToday is mostly sunny and cool.
I fed the birds. I've seen a small flock of sparrows and house finches. Some of the sparrows were splashing in the red birdbath.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- I potted up some of the asparagus seeds from the Charleston Food Forest.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- I planted 10 'Colour Magic' tulips around the barrel garden, and still have 10 left. These flowers change colors as they mature, often starting white or yellow with color at the edges which then spreads.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- I planted the rest of the 'Color Magic' tulips in the tulip bed.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- We went out for lunch. I picked up a bag of 12 assorted Dutch irises and a bag of 12 mixed crocuses at Rural King, plus 4 bags of compost and manure to top the flowerbeds. Then I got a bag of 15 purple and pink tulips, and a bag of 5 purple-and-white striped crocuses at Home Depot.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a small flock of sparrows and house finches. Some of the sparrows were splashing in the red birdbath.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- I potted up some of the asparagus seeds from the Charleston Food Forest.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- I planted 10 'Colour Magic' tulips around the barrel garden, and still have 10 left. These flowers change colors as they mature, often starting white or yellow with color at the edges which then spreads.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- I planted the rest of the 'Color Magic' tulips in the tulip bed.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- We went out for lunch. I picked up a bag of 12 assorted Dutch irises and a bag of 12 mixed crocuses at Rural King, plus 4 bags of compost and manure to top the flowerbeds. Then I got a bag of 15 purple and pink tulips, and a bag of 5 purple-and-white striped crocuses at Home Depot.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 10/23/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
dress modification: from zipper to lace-up back
Oct. 23rd, 2025 07:19 pmOn Saturday, I had a Frocktails event in town, and was trying to work out what I could wear. I briefly contemplated this dress which I made back in 2018 and wore for a 'Frocks and Croqs' event (croquet).

However, seven years have passed since those days and I no longer fit into the dress:

( and herein lies a tale )
I think I'm going to have to do this with other dresses that I don't fit into any more. At least one, if I still have it (I have a feeling I might have given it away).

However, seven years have passed since those days and I no longer fit into the dress:

( and herein lies a tale )
I think I'm going to have to do this with other dresses that I don't fit into any more. At least one, if I still have it (I have a feeling I might have given it away).
Today's Smoothie
Oct. 22nd, 2025 10:45 pmNote to self: do not put red grapes in a green smoothie. Red + green = brown. :/ It still tastes good, but it is not the beautiful jade-green that we usually get.
We use the Alan's Going Green Smoothie. We don't use the jalapeño or cashews. Sometimes we use a kiwi instead of a lime. Today we used a handful of pea shoots instead of spinach, so there's a pea flavor alongside the lime.
We use the Alan's Going Green Smoothie. We don't use the jalapeño or cashews. Sometimes we use a kiwi instead of a lime. Today we used a handful of pea shoots instead of spinach, so there's a pea flavor alongside the lime.
Photography
Oct. 22nd, 2025 05:53 pmCórdoba -- Festival of the Patios
In addition to being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Córdoba also appears on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list for its Festival of the Patios. Held each spring, the festival celebrates the tradition of decorating the patios or courtyards of the homes in the historic center of the city with flowers and other plants. During the Festival, these patios are open to the public, to show off the beauty of these spaces.
The pictures come from later in the season, not the festival itself, but are still beautiful.
Are you looking for a theme to make your small town stand out? Or a theme for a spring event that isn't Easter? Consider a patio festival! Celebrate the beauty of small gardens on patios, balconies, front porches, etc. Get your local florists and garden shops to join the fun with special displays or sales. Throw in a plant / seed swap for houseplants, garden plants that are customarily divided or planted in spring, local landraces of flowers or vegetables, and so on.
In addition to being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Córdoba also appears on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list for its Festival of the Patios. Held each spring, the festival celebrates the tradition of decorating the patios or courtyards of the homes in the historic center of the city with flowers and other plants. During the Festival, these patios are open to the public, to show off the beauty of these spaces.
The pictures come from later in the season, not the festival itself, but are still beautiful.
Are you looking for a theme to make your small town stand out? Or a theme for a spring event that isn't Easter? Consider a patio festival! Celebrate the beauty of small gardens on patios, balconies, front porches, etc. Get your local florists and garden shops to join the fun with special displays or sales. Throw in a plant / seed swap for houseplants, garden plants that are customarily divided or planted in spring, local landraces of flowers or vegetables, and so on.
Doctor Who Costume Bracket: and the Winner is.... !!
Oct. 22nd, 2025 09:28 pmAccording to the internet (or, at least, the approx 20 people who consistently voted in this poll). The bestest Doctor Who companion outfit ever is Romana's costume in Destiny of the Daleks.

Thank you everyone so much for playing. I have really enjoyed this!!

Thank you everyone so much for playing. I have really enjoyed this!!
Birdfeeding
Oct. 22nd, 2025 02:37 pmToday is mostly sunny, breezy, and cool.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
10/22/25 -- I installed the larger of the two wormstones beside the barrel garden. First I picked a spot, then I cleared the weeds. I dug into the ground a little so that the stone would lie closer to the surface. I had to move a few tulip bulbs that turned up there. Then I put the stone in place and pushed the soil back around the edges. \o/
10/22/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
10/22/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
10/22/25 -- I installed the second wormstone by the barrel garden.
10/22/25 -- I planted 10 'Flaming Beauties' tulips around the barrel garden. I still have 10 left. These are streaked tulips so they are yellow/red, purple/white, etc.
10/22/25 -- I planted the rest of the 'Flaming Beauties' in the tulip bed.
As it is almost suppertime, 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.
10/22/25 -- I installed the larger of the two wormstones beside the barrel garden. First I picked a spot, then I cleared the weeds. I dug into the ground a little so that the stone would lie closer to the surface. I had to move a few tulip bulbs that turned up there. Then I put the stone in place and pushed the soil back around the edges. \o/
10/22/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
10/22/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
10/22/25 -- I installed the second wormstone by the barrel garden.
10/22/25 -- I planted 10 'Flaming Beauties' tulips around the barrel garden. I still have 10 left. These are streaked tulips so they are yellow/red, purple/white, etc.
10/22/25 -- I planted the rest of the 'Flaming Beauties' in the tulip bed.
As it is almost suppertime, I am done for the night.
On the Naming of James Buchanan Barnes
Oct. 22nd, 2025 12:35 amI was re-reading some old MCU fic, and in the fic Steve says that Bucky was named for President Buchanan. Which Doylistically he was, but ... there's no reason he has to be from an in-universe perspective.
"James" was an incredibly common first name. The Social Security Administration publishes lists of how popular various names have been over the years; in the 1910s, when James and Steve were born, "James" was the third most popular name for boys. 275,000 baby boys were named "James" in that decade, which, given the size of the population, means that there were a lot of James' everywhere. Very common name.
Ah, but what of Buchanan, you say! Surely there could be no reason to give someone the middle name "Buchanan" if it's not naming him after someone famous! ... and no, actually. While people sometimes were named after famous people or political leaders (just like today), there's actually a more common reason to do it. It was a fairly common thing in the 19th Century for people to have a "last" name as a middle name, often their mother's maiden name, and people still do that today sometimes. Steve's middle name is "Grant", for example; "Grant" was a relatively common surname but (at the time) extremely uncommon as a first name. Steve was almost certainly given the middle name "Grant" to honor someone whose last name was Grant; it was probably his mother's maiden name. Buchanan is a relatively common Scottish name; it's not one of the top ten or anything, but the Buchanan clan is one of respectable size and power. In the same way, there is a very good chance that James was given the middle name "Buchanan" to honor someone whose last name was "Buchanan," quite probably his mother. And for a first name they gave him the third most common name for boys, and maybe didn't realize that there was a President by that name. Especially if they were immigrants, or weren't very well educated. (A lot of people in that generation had only a grade school education, or maybe a middle school education; only 10% of all 14-17 year olds attended high school in the US in 1900; there were still states where even elementary school wasn't required until 1918!) James Buchanan is not one of the Presidents that people talk about much outside history classes, and even then, a lot of history classes don't go into a lot of detail on him besides "last President before the Civil War." Yes, he was a bad President and one of the reasons the US Civil War became inevitable, but there were a lot of factors that were a lot more important.
I think "we liked the name James, and we wanted to honor his mother's family by giving him their last name as a middle name" is a far more likely scenario than consciously deciding to name their kid after President James Buchanan.
On a completely different note, if you want to write an AU where Bucky escaped Hydra early and made a new life for himself ... there's a late-20th-Century composer named James Barnes. He wrote concert band music. Here are some of his pieces: Symphonic Overture, Symphony No. 2, Third Symphony ("The Tragic"), Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Nicolo Paganini, Alvamar Overture.
"James" was an incredibly common first name. The Social Security Administration publishes lists of how popular various names have been over the years; in the 1910s, when James and Steve were born, "James" was the third most popular name for boys. 275,000 baby boys were named "James" in that decade, which, given the size of the population, means that there were a lot of James' everywhere. Very common name.
Ah, but what of Buchanan, you say! Surely there could be no reason to give someone the middle name "Buchanan" if it's not naming him after someone famous! ... and no, actually. While people sometimes were named after famous people or political leaders (just like today), there's actually a more common reason to do it. It was a fairly common thing in the 19th Century for people to have a "last" name as a middle name, often their mother's maiden name, and people still do that today sometimes. Steve's middle name is "Grant", for example; "Grant" was a relatively common surname but (at the time) extremely uncommon as a first name. Steve was almost certainly given the middle name "Grant" to honor someone whose last name was Grant; it was probably his mother's maiden name. Buchanan is a relatively common Scottish name; it's not one of the top ten or anything, but the Buchanan clan is one of respectable size and power. In the same way, there is a very good chance that James was given the middle name "Buchanan" to honor someone whose last name was "Buchanan," quite probably his mother. And for a first name they gave him the third most common name for boys, and maybe didn't realize that there was a President by that name. Especially if they were immigrants, or weren't very well educated. (A lot of people in that generation had only a grade school education, or maybe a middle school education; only 10% of all 14-17 year olds attended high school in the US in 1900; there were still states where even elementary school wasn't required until 1918!) James Buchanan is not one of the Presidents that people talk about much outside history classes, and even then, a lot of history classes don't go into a lot of detail on him besides "last President before the Civil War." Yes, he was a bad President and one of the reasons the US Civil War became inevitable, but there were a lot of factors that were a lot more important.
I think "we liked the name James, and we wanted to honor his mother's family by giving him their last name as a middle name" is a far more likely scenario than consciously deciding to name their kid after President James Buchanan.
On a completely different note, if you want to write an AU where Bucky escaped Hydra early and made a new life for himself ... there's a late-20th-Century composer named James Barnes. He wrote concert band music. Here are some of his pieces: Symphonic Overture, Symphony No. 2, Third Symphony ("The Tragic"), Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Nicolo Paganini, Alvamar Overture.
Mad Science
Oct. 22nd, 2025 12:27 amScientists say dimming the sun could spark global chaos
Researchers warn that real-world solar geoengineering would be far more unpredictable and risky than models suggest.
Scientists are taking the once-radical concept of dimming the sun through stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) seriously, but a Columbia University team warns that reality is far messier than models suggest. Their study reveals how physical, geopolitical, and economic constraints could derail even the best-intentioned attempts to cool the planet. From unpredictable monsoon disruptions to material shortages and optical inefficiencies, every step introduces new risks.
WARNING: Do not practice mad science on whole planet!
Researchers warn that real-world solar geoengineering would be far more unpredictable and risky than models suggest.
Scientists are taking the once-radical concept of dimming the sun through stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) seriously, but a Columbia University team warns that reality is far messier than models suggest. Their study reveals how physical, geopolitical, and economic constraints could derail even the best-intentioned attempts to cool the planet. From unpredictable monsoon disruptions to material shortages and optical inefficiencies, every step introduces new risks.
WARNING: Do not practice mad science on whole planet!
Cuddle Party
Oct. 22nd, 2025 12:08 amEveryone needs contact comfort sometimes. Not everyone has ample opportunities for this in facetime. So here is a chance for a cuddle party in cyberspace. Virtual cuddling can help people feel better.
We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!
Enjoy a feast for Halloween, Samhain, All Saints Day, Dia de los Muertos, or whatever you prefer...
( Read more... )
We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!
Enjoy a feast for Halloween, Samhain, All Saints Day, Dia de los Muertos, or whatever you prefer...
( Read more... )
NaNoWriMo
Oct. 21st, 2025 10:50 pmHere's a list of NaNoWriMo replacements. These are good options if you're fed up with the old NaNoWriMo. However, plenty of people are still doing that, so if you have enjoyed it, you can just keep writing a novel in November.
Looking for other activities?
goals_on_dw has lists of Writing and Art activities that include November options.
Looking for other activities?
fic meme!
Oct. 21st, 2025 07:44 pmI snagged this from
tinkaton.
Rules: How many letters of the alphabet have you used for [starting] a fic title? One fic per line, ‘A’ and 'The’ do not count for 'a’ and ’t’. Post your score out of 26 at the end, along with your total fic count.
A — Accidentally in Love (Smallville, Clark/Oliver)
B — better together (MCU, Steve/Tony)
C — close to each other (far from the others) (MCU, Sharon/Maria)
D — Dancing in the Rain (Smallville, Lois/Oliver)
E — the easiest path (isn't always the right one) (9-1-1, Buck/Eddie)
F — fly with me (Smallville/Nolan Batman, Clark/Bruce)
G — getting ready (for our future) (DCEU, Clark/Lois)
H — home for the holidays (MCU, Bucky/Sam)
I — i don't mind falling (as long as you'll catch me) (Smallville, Clark/Lois/Oliver)
J — Just The Way You Are (Smallville, Clark/Oliver)
K —
L — let it snow (Gilmore Girls, Paris/Rory)
M — maybe in the future (you're going to come back) (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Kimberly/Tommy)
N — no tricks, just treats (MCU, Bucky/Sam)
O — on three (he will stay) (DCEU, Diana/Steve)
P — playing pretend (with real feelings) (MCU, Maria/Sam)
Q —
R — Rumor Has It (Smallville, Clark/Oliver)
S — Several Weaknesses ... Only a Few Regrets (Smallville, Lois/Tess)
T — Taking Risks (Smallville, Lois/Lana)
U — underneath the mistletoe (Smallville, Lois/Lana)
V —
W — where you go (i'll follow) (MCU/What If ...?, Peggy/Steve)
X —
Y — you know me (honey, it's all or none) (Smallville, Clark/Oliver)
Z —
21/26! I am surprised I didn't have a fic with the letter "K" but I did find out that I had two fics with the exact same title! Whoops. I also seem to have a lot of fics that start with "i" or variations of that, which I didn't realize until I saw it laid out like that. Also I was reminded how I have written 1/3 of the Clark/Oliver tag on AO3, which is kinda fun. Someone left a comment on one of my fics a couple of months ago (after going through a lot of them) and was like "you are holding the Clark/Oliver tag down" (paraphrasing), which was not something I expected to hear in 2025 but I do love it. :D
Here's the meme for anyone who is interested!
Rules: How many letters of the alphabet have you used for [starting] a fic title? One fic per line, ‘A’ and 'The’ do not count for 'a’ and ’t’. Post your score out of 26 at the end, along with your total fic count.
A — Accidentally in Love (Smallville, Clark/Oliver)
B — better together (MCU, Steve/Tony)
C — close to each other (far from the others) (MCU, Sharon/Maria)
D — Dancing in the Rain (Smallville, Lois/Oliver)
E — the easiest path (isn't always the right one) (9-1-1, Buck/Eddie)
F — fly with me (Smallville/Nolan Batman, Clark/Bruce)
G — getting ready (for our future) (DCEU, Clark/Lois)
H — home for the holidays (MCU, Bucky/Sam)
I — i don't mind falling (as long as you'll catch me) (Smallville, Clark/Lois/Oliver)
J — Just The Way You Are (Smallville, Clark/Oliver)
K —
L — let it snow (Gilmore Girls, Paris/Rory)
M — maybe in the future (you're going to come back) (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Kimberly/Tommy)
N — no tricks, just treats (MCU, Bucky/Sam)
O — on three (he will stay) (DCEU, Diana/Steve)
P — playing pretend (with real feelings) (MCU, Maria/Sam)
Q —
R — Rumor Has It (Smallville, Clark/Oliver)
S — Several Weaknesses ... Only a Few Regrets (Smallville, Lois/Tess)
T — Taking Risks (Smallville, Lois/Lana)
U — underneath the mistletoe (Smallville, Lois/Lana)
V —
W — where you go (i'll follow) (MCU/What If ...?, Peggy/Steve)
X —
Y — you know me (honey, it's all or none) (Smallville, Clark/Oliver)
Z —
21/26! I am surprised I didn't have a fic with the letter "K" but I did find out that I had two fics with the exact same title! Whoops. I also seem to have a lot of fics that start with "i" or variations of that, which I didn't realize until I saw it laid out like that. Also I was reminded how I have written 1/3 of the Clark/Oliver tag on AO3, which is kinda fun. Someone left a comment on one of my fics a couple of months ago (after going through a lot of them) and was like "you are holding the Clark/Oliver tag down" (paraphrasing), which was not something I expected to hear in 2025 but I do love it. :D
Here's the meme for anyone who is interested!