February 2026 Books
Mar. 9th, 2026 07:02 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kay_brookeSeven books read in February, no DNFs.
Previous books posts:
Books 1-7 (January)
( 8. The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hildebrand - 3.5 stars )
( 9. Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen - 2 stars - slight spoilers )
( 10. Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse - 2.5 stars )
( 11. The Unmothers by Leslie J. Anderson - 3.5 stars )
( 12. Here Beside the Rising Tide by Emily Jane - 4 stars )
( 13. Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King - 4.5 stars )
( 14. The Lesson by Cadwell Turnbull - 2.5 stars )
Previous books posts:
Books 1-7 (January)
( 8. The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hildebrand - 3.5 stars )
( 9. Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen - 2 stars - slight spoilers )
( 10. Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse - 2.5 stars )
( 11. The Unmothers by Leslie J. Anderson - 3.5 stars )
( 12. Here Beside the Rising Tide by Emily Jane - 4 stars )
( 13. Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King - 4.5 stars )
( 14. The Lesson by Cadwell Turnbull - 2.5 stars )
Taiwan, March 8, Peace Park and Ximending
Mar. 9th, 2026 06:28 pmmindstalkI decided it was time to leave my walkable radius. Took train to Taipei Main, as that seemed quick and promising. Main is rather large and confusing but I eventually made it to the surface. Walking south a bit took me to 228 Peace Park; the '228' refers to something in Taiwanese history that I should look up. Park includes the National Museum, which is said to be really good and is cheap (NT$ 30, basically US$1) but I need to get up earlier for it. Park was nice. Album! ( Read more... )
Monday Update 3-9-26
Mar. 9th, 2026 02:01 amysabetwordsmithThese are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Space Exploration
Moment of Silence: Country Joe McDonald
Poem: "Confident Guesswork and Improvisation"
Poem: "Nuff Respect"
Esbat
Science
Safety
Humor
Birdfeeding
Today's Adventures
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Civilization
Photos: Savanna
Photos: House Yard
Wildlife
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 3-6-36: Meta
Wildlife
Poem: "The Express Bus to Crazy-ass Death Land"
Read "ICE Out" by Charles de Lint
Nature
Birdfeeding
Community Thursdays
Read "Find a Way Forward"
Safety
Birdfeeding
Good News
Linguistics has 32 comments. Philosophical Questions: Pregnancy has 40 comments. Safety has 53 comments. Wildlife has 40 comments. Food has 67 comments.
Last week's Poetry Fishbowl went well. I still have at least one more poem to write.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
marchmetamatterschallenge is running this month. See my tracking post and the first check-in post.
"The Struggle Against Overwhelming Odds" is now complete. Gideon and Raymond get some unexpected help in the fight.
The weather has been warmish here, though it rained much of the week. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a female cardinal, and a fox squirrel. A skein of geese flew overhead, honking quite loudly. Red-winged blackbirds have been singing overhead. I've heard a killdeer and a mourning dove calling, but didn't see them. Honeybees are out and swarming the flowers. Currently blooming: crocuses, snowdrops, winter aconite, miniature irises.
Space Exploration
Moment of Silence: Country Joe McDonald
Poem: "Confident Guesswork and Improvisation"
Poem: "Nuff Respect"
Esbat
Science
Safety
Humor
Birdfeeding
Today's Adventures
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Civilization
Photos: Savanna
Photos: House Yard
Wildlife
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 3-6-36: Meta
Wildlife
Poem: "The Express Bus to Crazy-ass Death Land"
Read "ICE Out" by Charles de Lint
Nature
Birdfeeding
Community Thursdays
Read "Find a Way Forward"
Safety
Birdfeeding
Good News
Linguistics has 32 comments. Philosophical Questions: Pregnancy has 40 comments. Safety has 53 comments. Wildlife has 40 comments. Food has 67 comments.
Last week's Poetry Fishbowl went well. I still have at least one more poem to write.
marchmetamatterschallenge is running this month. See my tracking post and the first check-in post."The Struggle Against Overwhelming Odds" is now complete. Gideon and Raymond get some unexpected help in the fight.
The weather has been warmish here, though it rained much of the week. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a female cardinal, and a fox squirrel. A skein of geese flew overhead, honking quite loudly. Red-winged blackbirds have been singing overhead. I've heard a killdeer and a mourning dove calling, but didn't see them. Honeybees are out and swarming the flowers. Currently blooming: crocuses, snowdrops, winter aconite, miniature irises.
Space Exploration
Mar. 9th, 2026 01:11 amysabetwordsmithNASA shares photos of an extraordinary event witnessed by astronauts on the space station
While most people witness only the familiar crack of thunder and flash of lightning from storms on Earth, brilliantly-colorful electric fireworks detonate much higher, in the thin air up to 55 miles overhead, easily seen from the ISS.
These brief spectacles – blue jets, red sprites, violet halos, ultraviolet rings – are collectively known as transient luminous events, or TLEs.
For decades, they eluded systematic study, appearing only in pilots’ anecdotes and the occasional lucky photograph.
The International Space Station (ISS) has changed that by offering an unobstructed seat above the storms, where specialized cameras and sensors capture every fleeting spark.
While most people witness only the familiar crack of thunder and flash of lightning from storms on Earth, brilliantly-colorful electric fireworks detonate much higher, in the thin air up to 55 miles overhead, easily seen from the ISS.
These brief spectacles – blue jets, red sprites, violet halos, ultraviolet rings – are collectively known as transient luminous events, or TLEs.
For decades, they eluded systematic study, appearing only in pilots’ anecdotes and the occasional lucky photograph.
The International Space Station (ISS) has changed that by offering an unobstructed seat above the storms, where specialized cameras and sensors capture every fleeting spark.
Moment of Silence: Country Joe McDonald
Mar. 8th, 2026 11:13 pmysabetwordsmithSinger and songwriter Country Joe McDonald has passed away. Among other accomplishments, he is famous for the "I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die-Rag" at Woodstock, on record, and elsewhere.
Carry on the Work:
Guitar -- how to articles from wikiHow
Hippie Culture
How to Be a Singer Songwriter: 15 Steps (with Pictures)
Music Occupations -- how to articles from wikiHow
Musical Instruments -- how to articles from wikiHow
Singing -- how to articles from wikiHow
Social Activism -- how to articles from wikiHow
Songwriting -- how to articles from wikiHow
Carry on the Work:
Guitar -- how to articles from wikiHow
Hippie Culture
How to Be a Singer Songwriter: 15 Steps (with Pictures)
Music Occupations -- how to articles from wikiHow
Musical Instruments -- how to articles from wikiHow
Singing -- how to articles from wikiHow
Social Activism -- how to articles from wikiHow
Songwriting -- how to articles from wikiHow
Poem: "Confident Guesswork and Improvisation"
Mar. 8th, 2026 10:50 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem is spillover from the March 3, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by prompts from siliconshaman and janetmiles. It also fills the "Smudges" square in my 3-1-26 card for the National Crafting Month Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the series Frankenstein's Family.
( Read more... )
siliconshaman and janetmiles. It also fills the "Smudges" square in my 3-1-26 card for the National Crafting Month Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the series Frankenstein's Family.( Read more... )
Tags:
Notes for "Nuff Respect"
Mar. 8th, 2026 09:59 pmysabetwordsmithThese are the notes for "Nuff Respect." Enjoy some recipes for Jamaican and Minoan foods in memory of minoanmiss.
( Read more... )
minoanmiss.( Read more... )
Tags:
Poem: "Nuff Respect"
Mar. 8th, 2026 09:32 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem came out of the March 3, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by prompts from librarygeek, alatefeline, and mama_kestrel. It also fills the "Artisan" square in my 3-1-26 card for the National Crafting Month Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by librarygeek in memory of minoanmiss, who passed away recently and loved both Jamaican and Minoan cultures. It belongs to the Trichromatic Attachments thread of the Polychrome Heroics series.
Warning: This poem contains graphic descriptions of delicious food that you may not be able to find or afford.
( Read more... )
librarygeek, alatefeline, and mama_kestrel. It also fills the "Artisan" square in my 3-1-26 card for the National Crafting Month Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by librarygeek in memory of minoanmiss, who passed away recently and loved both Jamaican and Minoan cultures. It belongs to the Trichromatic Attachments thread of the Polychrome Heroics series.Warning: This poem contains graphic descriptions of delicious food that you may not be able to find or afford.
( Read more... )
Esbat
Mar. 8th, 2026 09:18 pmysabetwordsmithThis evening we held our esbat with an owl theme, inspired by the Festival of Owls this weekend. We charged a set of owl beads for people to keep.
... I am disappointed that I did not think ahead to obtain a gummy rat for the cakes and ale.
... I am disappointed that I did not think ahead to obtain a gummy rat for the cakes and ale.
"The Struggle Against Overwhelming Odds" is now complete!
Mar. 8th, 2026 08:10 pmysabetwordsmithThanks to a donation from janetmiles, you can now read the rest of "The Struggle Against Overwhelming Odds." Gideon and Raymond get some unexpected help in the fight.
janetmiles, you can now read the rest of "The Struggle Against Overwhelming Odds." Gideon and Raymond get some unexpected help in the fight.Tags:
Poetry Fishbowl Update
Mar. 8th, 2026 02:42 pmysabetwordsmithlibrarygeek has sponsored "Nuff Respect." I'll get that posted as soon as I can, but at the moment I'm gardening while the sun shines.If anyone else is still shopping for poetry, now's the time to make your final selections.
EDIT 3/8/26 --
janetmiles will be sponsoring "Confident Guesswork and Improvisation."At the moment, "Walnut Park" and "Foraging Forever" are still available.
Science
Mar. 8th, 2026 02:02 pmysabetwordsmithScientists warn fake research is spreading faster than real science
A major investigation found organized networks producing fake scientific papers, selling authorships, and manipulating journals to mass-publish fraudulent research.
A sweeping new study from Northwestern University reveals that scientific fraud is no longer just the work of a few rogue researchers—it has evolved into a global, organized enterprise. By analyzing massive datasets of publications, retractions, and editorial records, researchers uncovered networks involving “paper mills,” brokers, and compromised journals that systematically produce and sell fake research, authorship slots, and citations.
( Read more... )
A major investigation found organized networks producing fake scientific papers, selling authorships, and manipulating journals to mass-publish fraudulent research.
A sweeping new study from Northwestern University reveals that scientific fraud is no longer just the work of a few rogue researchers—it has evolved into a global, organized enterprise. By analyzing massive datasets of publications, retractions, and editorial records, researchers uncovered networks involving “paper mills,” brokers, and compromised journals that systematically produce and sell fake research, authorship slots, and citations.
( Read more... )
Safety
Mar. 8th, 2026 01:54 pmysabetwordsmithSatellites are exposing weak bridges in America and around the world
Satellites may soon help spot the world’s weakest bridges before they collapse.
Satellites are giving scientists a powerful new way to watch over the world’s bridges. Using radar imaging, researchers can detect millimeter-scale movements that may signal early structural problems long before inspectors notice them. The study found many bridges—especially in North America—are aging and increasingly vulnerable, but satellite monitoring could sharply reduce the number classified as high-risk. The approach could be especially valuable in regions where traditional monitoring barely exists.
The problem is, this won't fix the bridges. America already knows that many of its bridges need repair or replacement. There just isn't enough money for all that work. A big issue is that most government funding focuses on building new infrastructure, not maintaining old infrastructure. Satellite data can't change that.
Satellites may soon help spot the world’s weakest bridges before they collapse.
Satellites are giving scientists a powerful new way to watch over the world’s bridges. Using radar imaging, researchers can detect millimeter-scale movements that may signal early structural problems long before inspectors notice them. The study found many bridges—especially in North America—are aging and increasingly vulnerable, but satellite monitoring could sharply reduce the number classified as high-risk. The approach could be especially valuable in regions where traditional monitoring barely exists.
The problem is, this won't fix the bridges. America already knows that many of its bridges need repair or replacement. There just isn't enough money for all that work. A big issue is that most government funding focuses on building new infrastructure, not maintaining old infrastructure. Satellite data can't change that.
Birdfeeding
Mar. 8th, 2026 01:46 pmysabetwordsmithToday is sunny and cool, a beautiful spring day.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches at the hopper feeder, and a male cardinal flying around.
I put out water for the birds.
Several of the gardens are now bursting with flowers. Honeybees are swarming over the flowers. :D
More of the fruit tree seedlings have sprouted in their jugs. The ones in the house are sprouting more too. The willow cuttings in water have rootlets over half an inch now!
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I filled 18 pots in a flat with potting soil.
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I planted fruit sprouts in most of the pots: Ginger Gold apple, Pink apple, and yellow pear. I'm pretty sure that I ran out of Ginger Gold and Pear sprouts. There are some Pink sprouts left, so I'll probably finish the pear row with those.
A fox squirrel was scolding from a tree overhead. I've also seen a dark-eyed junco flying around.
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I finished the last three pots with Pink Apple sprouts, and put labels in all but those. I still need to make the last few labels.
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I labeled the last 3 Pink Apple pots. I put a tub over the flat to serve as a greenhouse.
I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I set up another 12-cell tray indoors with Green Striped Cushaw Winter Squash, seeds I saved from a tiny butternut, Landrace Zucchini, and Lofthouse Landrace Muskmelon. I gave each variety 3 cells, and I put 2 seeds in each cell.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches at the hopper feeder, and a male cardinal flying around.
I put out water for the birds.
Several of the gardens are now bursting with flowers. Honeybees are swarming over the flowers. :D
More of the fruit tree seedlings have sprouted in their jugs. The ones in the house are sprouting more too. The willow cuttings in water have rootlets over half an inch now!
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I filled 18 pots in a flat with potting soil.
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I planted fruit sprouts in most of the pots: Ginger Gold apple, Pink apple, and yellow pear. I'm pretty sure that I ran out of Ginger Gold and Pear sprouts. There are some Pink sprouts left, so I'll probably finish the pear row with those.
A fox squirrel was scolding from a tree overhead. I've also seen a dark-eyed junco flying around.
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I finished the last three pots with Pink Apple sprouts, and put labels in all but those. I still need to make the last few labels.
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I labeled the last 3 Pink Apple pots. I put a tub over the flat to serve as a greenhouse.
I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
EDIT 3/8/26 -- I set up another 12-cell tray indoors with Green Striped Cushaw Winter Squash, seeds I saved from a tiny butternut, Landrace Zucchini, and Lofthouse Landrace Muskmelon. I gave each variety 3 cells, and I put 2 seeds in each cell.
How Are You? (in Haiku)
Mar. 8th, 2026 01:54 pmjjhunterPick a thing or two that sums up how you're doing today, this week, in general, and tell me about it in the 5-7-5 syllables of a haiku.
=
Signal-boosting much appreciated!
=
Signal-boosting much appreciated!
Done Since 2026-03-01
Mar. 8th, 2026 05:08 pmmdlbearHello, welcome to Women's History Month, which started last Sunday, and International Women's Day, which is today. See also, EFF: Admiring Our Heroes for International Women’s Day: Five Women In Tech That EFF Admires
Not a great week, but on the whole not too bad. Next week will either be pretty good, or a disaster, depending. See below.
There was also the little matter of my monthly pension deposit not arriving, because the address confirmation mail they sent was busy chasing me across two continents. Blarg, but sorted out now. Good thing I'm on a new blood pressure prescription. Which has not been delivered, but fortunately I have enough to get me through the week.
I have spent the entire week worrying about my impending trip to Seattle on Tuesday (coming back a week from yesterday). In addition to worrying about the possibility of getting sick in a country without good health insurance, and other problems it might be best not to mention in public right now, there's the fact that my nice new Travelpro suitcase is 5cm too wide to fit Delta's carry-on requirements. So I'll have to check it. Fortunately my meds all fit in my (old) CPAP case, under the (new) CPAP.
I'll be taking the new Framework 12 laptop. First time traveling with it, so we'll see. There's a lot of state on my Thinkpad, including way too many open tabs in Firefox. Things may be a trifle inconvenient for a while.
We're getting a new scooter tomorrow; Lizzy goes into the shop on Wednesday, and apparently Scarlett is still being worked on.
Linkies: Guide to U.S. Expat Taxes in the Netherlands | H&R Block; HoS qul (The Fire is Strong) | Klingon Warpgrass (Lyric Video) - YouTube, Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis': Milestone in science fiction film,
The Red Queen’s Race
Mar. 7th, 2026 11:27 pmndrosenI still have the one amendment on my Amended docket that I had a week ago.
Finishing up by doing unpaid overtime on Saturday, I have now posted an Office Action on a Regular New application after 11 PM, so my production for the biweek that ends in half an hour will look pretty good. Now I get to make and eat dinner, and then prepare for tomorrow, and yes, I know about the start of Daylight Saving Time.
Mothers, don’t let your babies grow up to be patent examiners.
Finishing up by doing unpaid overtime on Saturday, I have now posted an Office Action on a Regular New application after 11 PM, so my production for the biweek that ends in half an hour will look pretty good. Now I get to make and eat dinner, and then prepare for tomorrow, and yes, I know about the start of Daylight Saving Time.
Mothers, don’t let your babies grow up to be patent examiners.