Poem: "The Universal Assent to the World"
Jan. 4th, 2026 11:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithThis poem is spillover from the November 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from readera. It also fills the "The deeds of ordinary folks keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." square in my 11-1-25 card for the Fairy Tales and Fantasy Stories Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred. It belongs to the Officer Pink thread of the Polychrome Heroics series.
( Read more... )
readera. It also fills the "The deeds of ordinary folks keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." square in my 11-1-25 card for the Fairy Tales and Fantasy Stories Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred. It belongs to the Officer Pink thread of the Polychrome Heroics series.( Read more... )
New Years Book Meme
Jan. 5th, 2026 10:20 amswingandswirl Ganked from muccamukk.
So the closest book to me was Indian Christmas: Essays | Memories | Hymns, about how the nearly 30 million Christians in India celebrate the festival.
Sentence #6 on page 126 is from the chapter 'Did Your First Christmas Cake Come Out Of An Ammunition Box, Too?' by Estherine Kine.
Mrs Tanquist baked her cakes in a big mud oven, but her students ingeniously used ammunition boxes after the men discovered they were airtight and preserved head very well.
So for context, cooking on gas ranges rather than wood- or kerosene-fired stoves only came to India in 1965, and even then, it was limited to larger urban areas. Electric ovens came even later - my mother, born in 1961, has stories of my grandma baking cakes in a 'sand oven' - a large pot filled with sand that was heated over a flame, functioning as a sort of bain-marie. Even now, gas is standard in any home that can afford it rather than wood or kerosene. Electric stoves are not common, or are used as a sort of secondary cooking device, since power cuts are pretty common even in big cities.
The ammunition boxes mentioned were left by British troops when they quit the subcontinent in 1947. Mrs Tanquist, the wife of a missionary, taught the author's mother and her friends how to bake Christmas cakes, among other things.
Given the state of the world around us, let's hope this sentence heralds a transition to peace after years of conflict. We can hope, right?
(For my own sanity, I am choosing not to delve into RL politics on DW. Let's keep it that way in the comments, please.)
muccamukk. 01. Grab the nearest book.
02. Turn to page 126
03. The 6th full sentence is your life in 2026.
So the closest book to me was Indian Christmas: Essays | Memories | Hymns, about how the nearly 30 million Christians in India celebrate the festival.
Sentence #6 on page 126 is from the chapter 'Did Your First Christmas Cake Come Out Of An Ammunition Box, Too?' by Estherine Kine.
Mrs Tanquist baked her cakes in a big mud oven, but her students ingeniously used ammunition boxes after the men discovered they were airtight and preserved head very well.
So for context, cooking on gas ranges rather than wood- or kerosene-fired stoves only came to India in 1965, and even then, it was limited to larger urban areas. Electric ovens came even later - my mother, born in 1961, has stories of my grandma baking cakes in a 'sand oven' - a large pot filled with sand that was heated over a flame, functioning as a sort of bain-marie. Even now, gas is standard in any home that can afford it rather than wood or kerosene. Electric stoves are not common, or are used as a sort of secondary cooking device, since power cuts are pretty common even in big cities.
The ammunition boxes mentioned were left by British troops when they quit the subcontinent in 1947. Mrs Tanquist, the wife of a missionary, taught the author's mother and her friends how to bake Christmas cakes, among other things.
Given the state of the world around us, let's hope this sentence heralds a transition to peace after years of conflict. We can hope, right?
(For my own sanity, I am choosing not to delve into RL politics on DW. Let's keep it that way in the comments, please.)
Poem: "A Heaviness of Heart"
Jan. 4th, 2026 09:47 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem is spillover from the September 2023 ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crowdfunding Creative Jam. It was inspired by prompts from curiosity. It also fills the "Family" square in my 9-1-23 card for the Story Sparks Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred. It belongs to the Aquariana, Cuoio & Chiara, and Marionettes threads of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "Help Others to Grow Up" and "The Sound of Anguish," so read those first or this won't make much sense.
Warning: This poem contains intense and controversial topics with emotional mayhem. Highlight to read the warnings, some of which are spoilers. It includes traumatic loss, traumatic stress, emotional agony, supporting character death, a crying man, an inept messenger, upset baby super-intellect, moment of panic, reference to past losses, unfairness, feeling unfinished, worry about a friend, exhaustion, and other challenges. If these are sensitive issues for you, please consider your tastes and headspace before deciding if this is something you want to read.
( Read more... )
crowdfunding Creative Jam. It was inspired by prompts from curiosity. It also fills the "Family" square in my 9-1-23 card for the Story Sparks Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred. It belongs to the Aquariana, Cuoio & Chiara, and Marionettes threads of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "Help Others to Grow Up" and "The Sound of Anguish," so read those first or this won't make much sense.Warning: This poem contains intense and controversial topics with emotional mayhem. Highlight to read the warnings, some of which are spoilers. It includes traumatic loss, traumatic stress, emotional agony, supporting character death, a crying man, an inept messenger, upset baby super-intellect, moment of panic, reference to past losses, unfairness, feeling unfinished, worry about a friend, exhaustion, and other challenges. If these are sensitive issues for you, please consider your tastes and headspace before deciding if this is something you want to read.
( Read more... )
Tags:
Photos: Sunset
Jan. 4th, 2026 09:04 pmysabetwordsmithTonight I happened to glance out the window and spotted a colorful sunset. So I grabbed my camera and ran outside to take pictures. This gets me started on my goal of taking and posting photos at least once per season. \o/
( Walk with me ... )
( Walk with me ... )
2025 Year in fandom meme
Jan. 4th, 2026 11:51 amflareonfurySnagged from starterpack
Your main fandom of the year? I would probably say MCU, but X-Men would definitely be in second place. Fallout, High Potential and Wednesday took over my brain for most of the year as well. ;) Heated Rivalry took up most of my brain power within the last half of December (and still has it, if this post is anything to go by). ;P
Your favourite film watched this year? Thunderbolts* with Superman (2025) a close second. Fantastic Four: First Steps would probably be third along with Jurassic World: Rebirth.
Your favourite book read this year? The Long Game by Rachel Reid, but before I read that one I'd probably have said Zomromcom by Olivia Dade and The Accidental Housemate by Sal Thomas.
Your favourite TV show of the year? Heated Rivalry along with Doc, SkyMed, Wednesday, High Potential, and Jurassic World: Chaos Theory. Ghosts (US) is also still really good. Maxton Hall was oddly addictive?
Your favourite online fandom community of the year? I think it would have to say probably100ships mainly because other than mcu100 & xmen100 I was inspired a lot by it. I'll also say seasons_of_fandom, ships20in20, lgbtrainbow - I made a lot of icons because of these communities. Seriously apparently, I made over 1k of icons last year???? I have them in a separate folder than my original icons so I could know what's new for my website. I knew I made a lot... but I did not expect that number (I haven't even officially "released" a lot of them other than on my website).
Your best new fandom discovery of the year? Heated Rivalry/Game Changers
Your biggest fandom disappointment of the year? I can't really think of anything??? I mean last year was the series finale of Jurassic World: Chaos Theory which sucks. We have to wait x amount of years for new season of Wednesday and SkyMed.
Your biggest squee moment of the year? Heated Rivalry episodes 4-6 probably, especially the last one. Before that I would say Wednesday's last episode of Season 2 (Weyler fans know what I'm talking about).
The most missed of your old fandoms? I read a lot of MCU, X-Men and Harry Potter fic. I can't remember if I branched out to any other old fandoms of mine. Oh wait! There was a couple Ghost Whisperer fics I read...
The fandom you haven’t tried yet, but want to? I can't really think of any.
Your biggest fan anticipations for the New Year? The rest of High Potential Season 2, Ghosts (US) Season 5, and any other returning shows that I like either coming back from break or a new season.
starterpackYour main fandom of the year? I would probably say MCU, but X-Men would definitely be in second place. Fallout, High Potential and Wednesday took over my brain for most of the year as well. ;) Heated Rivalry took up most of my brain power within the last half of December (and still has it, if this post is anything to go by). ;P
Your favourite film watched this year? Thunderbolts* with Superman (2025) a close second. Fantastic Four: First Steps would probably be third along with Jurassic World: Rebirth.
Your favourite book read this year? The Long Game by Rachel Reid, but before I read that one I'd probably have said Zomromcom by Olivia Dade and The Accidental Housemate by Sal Thomas.
Your favourite TV show of the year? Heated Rivalry along with Doc, SkyMed, Wednesday, High Potential, and Jurassic World: Chaos Theory. Ghosts (US) is also still really good. Maxton Hall was oddly addictive?
Your favourite online fandom community of the year? I think it would have to say probably
100ships mainly because other than mcu100 & xmen100 I was inspired a lot by it. I'll also say seasons_of_fandom, ships20in20, lgbtrainbow - I made a lot of icons because of these communities. Seriously apparently, I made over 1k of icons last year???? I have them in a separate folder than my original icons so I could know what's new for my website. I knew I made a lot... but I did not expect that number (I haven't even officially "released" a lot of them other than on my website).Your best new fandom discovery of the year? Heated Rivalry/Game Changers
Your biggest fandom disappointment of the year? I can't really think of anything??? I mean last year was the series finale of Jurassic World: Chaos Theory which sucks. We have to wait x amount of years for new season of Wednesday and SkyMed.
Your biggest squee moment of the year? Heated Rivalry episodes 4-6 probably, especially the last one. Before that I would say Wednesday's last episode of Season 2 (Weyler fans know what I'm talking about).
The most missed of your old fandoms? I read a lot of MCU, X-Men and Harry Potter fic. I can't remember if I branched out to any other old fandoms of mine. Oh wait! There was a couple Ghost Whisperer fics I read...
The fandom you haven’t tried yet, but want to? I can't really think of any.
Your biggest fan anticipations for the New Year? The rest of High Potential Season 2, Ghosts (US) Season 5, and any other returning shows that I like either coming back from break or a new season.
End of year Book Meme 2025
Jan. 4th, 2026 03:02 pmflareonfuryMeme by quillpunk at booknook (just updated for 2025-2026)
In 2025:
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In 2026:
( Read more... )
There is a new book club communitybookclub_dw and for those that don't know about it there is thestoryinside which is buddy-system type bookclub.
quillpunk at booknook (just updated for 2025-2026)In 2025:
( Read more... )
In 2026:
( Read more... )
There is a new book club community
bookclub_dw and for those that don't know about it there is thestoryinside which is buddy-system type bookclub.News
Jan. 4th, 2026 06:21 pmysabetwordsmithTop 10 Positive News Stories of 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re pausing to celebrate something truly special—the Top 10 Most-Loved Stories of the Year, as chosen by you, our Stay Positive News community.
These are the stories you clicked, shared, commented on, and carried with you. Stories that reminded us that even on hard days, goodness shows up—sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly, but always with heart.
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re pausing to celebrate something truly special—the Top 10 Most-Loved Stories of the Year, as chosen by you, our Stay Positive News community.
These are the stories you clicked, shared, commented on, and carried with you. Stories that reminded us that even on hard days, goodness shows up—sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly, but always with heart.
How to Comfort the Dying in an Emergency
Jan. 4th, 2026 05:06 pmysabetwordsmithUnder the character notes for my poem "Help Others to Grow Up," greghousesgf has commented:
I remember seeing a poster in the Bart trains (local mass transit) talking about what to do in an emergency and one of the instructions was "comfort the dying". Frankly I don't know how some random person on the train who isn't a professional psychologist or something would be able to do that. I certainly wouldn't.
Nobody is obligated to help if they're no kind of first responder, which in this case to comfort the dying, would primarily be clergy. Remember that "Stay out of the way" is always a legitimate role in an emergency, and nobody has the right to criticize anyone for choosing that role. If the problem is simply a lack of knowing what to do, though, that is straightforward to fix by learning ways to help. It's good to think about such things in advance, because you never know when you might need to make that decision. Here are some basic ideas...
( Read more... )
greghousesgf has commented:I remember seeing a poster in the Bart trains (local mass transit) talking about what to do in an emergency and one of the instructions was "comfort the dying". Frankly I don't know how some random person on the train who isn't a professional psychologist or something would be able to do that. I certainly wouldn't.
Nobody is obligated to help if they're no kind of first responder, which in this case to comfort the dying, would primarily be clergy. Remember that "Stay out of the way" is always a legitimate role in an emergency, and nobody has the right to criticize anyone for choosing that role. If the problem is simply a lack of knowing what to do, though, that is straightforward to fix by learning ways to help. It's good to think about such things in advance, because you never know when you might need to make that decision. Here are some basic ideas...
( Read more... )
Early Humans
Jan. 4th, 2026 03:03 pmysabetwordsmithThis ancient fossil could rewrite the story of human origins
A seven-million-year-old fossil may rewrite human origins, showing our ancestors were walking upright far earlier than anyone expected.
Scientists may have cracked the case of whether a seven-million-year-old fossil could walk upright. A new study found strong anatomical evidence that Sahelanthropus tchadensis was bipedal, including a ligament attachment seen only in human ancestors. Despite its ape-like appearance and small brain, its leg and hip structure suggest it moved confidently on two legs. The finding places bipedalism near the very root of the human family tree.
This makes sense given how many primates are capable of walking on two legs and do so whenever it offers them an advantage. With the potential already there, all it would take is an environment where bipedalism worked better than other methods -- like Africa's growing savannas.
A seven-million-year-old fossil may rewrite human origins, showing our ancestors were walking upright far earlier than anyone expected.
Scientists may have cracked the case of whether a seven-million-year-old fossil could walk upright. A new study found strong anatomical evidence that Sahelanthropus tchadensis was bipedal, including a ligament attachment seen only in human ancestors. Despite its ape-like appearance and small brain, its leg and hip structure suggest it moved confidently on two legs. The finding places bipedalism near the very root of the human family tree.
This makes sense given how many primates are capable of walking on two legs and do so whenever it offers them an advantage. With the potential already there, all it would take is an environment where bipedalism worked better than other methods -- like Africa's growing savannas.
Birdfeeding
Jan. 4th, 2026 02:32 pmysabetwordsmithToday is mostly cloudy and cool.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large flock of sparrows and a starling.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- We did a round of fridge-cleaning.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- I started raking around the firepit, and got about a quarter of the way around. The plastic leaf rake does slightly better with leaves than in the parking lot with leaves and sticks, but still not as good as a metal rake.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- I spotted the tail end of a very pretty sunset, so I grabbed my camera and shot a few pictures. :D It is 4:58 now and nearly dark.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large flock of sparrows and a starling.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- We did a round of fridge-cleaning.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- I started raking around the firepit, and got about a quarter of the way around. The plastic leaf rake does slightly better with leaves than in the parking lot with leaves and sticks, but still not as good as a metal rake.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 1/4/26 -- I spotted the tail end of a very pretty sunset, so I grabbed my camera and shot a few pictures. :D It is 4:58 now and nearly dark.
I am done for the night.
2026 Scrapbook
Jan. 4th, 2026 12:49 pmflareonfuryI saw a few people on dreamwidth doing a scrapbook type thing, and it made me remember doing one ages ago so I'm going to follow that format. I figured I should start mine now before I forget exactly what I watched... if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to drop a comment.
2026
Books Read in 2026
Movies Seen in 2026
TV Shows Seen in 2026
Fanfiction Written in 2026
Graphics Made in 2026
Fandoms in 2026
Fandom Year in Review
Fanfiction Year in Review
Books Read in 2026
Movies Seen in 2026
TV Shows Seen in 2026
Fanfiction Written in 2026
Graphics Made in 2026
Fandoms in 2026
Fandom Year in Review
Fanfiction Year in Review
Snowflake Challenge 2026 #2
Jan. 4th, 2026 01:04 pmrenfys
Challenge #2: Pets of Fandom: Loosely defined! Post about your pets, pets from your canon, anything you want!
I have four cats, legally, but it's more like 3 cats and half of two cats. Reb Brown - my old man cat, Stink my half blind and brain damaged cat and Kitten my murderpuss all live here full time. Reb is an indoor cat, with occasional escape attempts. Stink and Kitten are indoor/outdoor cats, mostly because they refuse to use a litter box. Well Kitten refuses, Stink doesn't really understand the concept. We also have Missy, who I see on occasion but she spends most of her time at the care home across the lane. And Buddy isn't out cat but spends most of his time here.
We also have three chickens, Jade, Fluffernutter and Jellylegs. We may get more in the spring. And we have 2 fish.
I also offer you these two fic about animals:Some Of The Adventures Of Schrödinger The Cat - A Stargate SG-1 fic about Sam's cat after the Tolen are attacked.
Proper Lawn Maintenance - A Dragon Age fic about a goat.