Linguistics
Feb. 25th, 2026 12:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithHow far back in time can you understand English?
It’s a thousand years of the English language, compressed into a single blog post.
Read it and notice where you start to struggle. Notice where you give up entirely. Then meet me on the other side and I’ll tell you what happened to the language (and the blogger).
( Read more... )
It’s a thousand years of the English language, compressed into a single blog post.
Read it and notice where you start to struggle. Notice where you give up entirely. Then meet me on the other side and I’ll tell you what happened to the language (and the blogger).
( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Feb. 25th, 2026 12:47 pmysabetwordsmithToday is sunny, chilly, and calm -- much nicer than yesterday! :D
I fed the birds. I haven't seen any yet though.
I put out water for the birds.
The snow crocuses are open again.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I trimmed the north edge of the wildflower garden. Previously I did the west edge.
The male catkins on the hazelnut bush are beginning to open up, but the tiny red female flowers aren't open yet.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I trimmed the east edge of the wildflower garden.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I trimmed the south edge of the wildflower garden. I'll still need to clear the middle and rake off the loose leaves, but that's less urgent since the spring flowers will emerge near the edges. In the process, I uncovered the dark purple leaves of a penstemon that I planted last year. :D It won't bloom for quite a while yet, as these are usually late spring to early summer flowers, but already it makes a lovely accent in the bed. The leaves are only about half the size of my hand, but the whole plant is easily a foot across.
In the savanna, the first of the snowdrops have flower buds, but none have opened yet.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a large flock of sparrows, a mourning dove, and a fox squirrel.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I have many dozens of fruit tree seeds just starting to sprout in their bags of damp sand in the fridge. I decided to try putting some outdoors in water jug pots. I have the jugs cut, labeled, filled, and sown with seeds. I still need to tape the seams closed and move the jugs out to the parking lot. I put 5 seeds in each jug. The varieties are Pink Apple, Johnathan Apple, Ginger Gold Apple, and Yellow Pear.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I taped the seams, then moved the jugs to the parking lot. There I set them in a square with the handles facing inwards, then looped some salvaged string through the handles to secure them. This way, they're less likely to get knocked over. Finally I watered them a little bit.
Daffodils and snowdrops are sprouting in the parking lot. I need to try moving these so they don't get killed by later parking lot work.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen a male cardinal.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I haven't seen any yet though.
I put out water for the birds.
The snow crocuses are open again.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I trimmed the north edge of the wildflower garden. Previously I did the west edge.
The male catkins on the hazelnut bush are beginning to open up, but the tiny red female flowers aren't open yet.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I trimmed the east edge of the wildflower garden.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I trimmed the south edge of the wildflower garden. I'll still need to clear the middle and rake off the loose leaves, but that's less urgent since the spring flowers will emerge near the edges. In the process, I uncovered the dark purple leaves of a penstemon that I planted last year. :D It won't bloom for quite a while yet, as these are usually late spring to early summer flowers, but already it makes a lovely accent in the bed. The leaves are only about half the size of my hand, but the whole plant is easily a foot across.
In the savanna, the first of the snowdrops have flower buds, but none have opened yet.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a large flock of sparrows, a mourning dove, and a fox squirrel.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I have many dozens of fruit tree seeds just starting to sprout in their bags of damp sand in the fridge. I decided to try putting some outdoors in water jug pots. I have the jugs cut, labeled, filled, and sown with seeds. I still need to tape the seams closed and move the jugs out to the parking lot. I put 5 seeds in each jug. The varieties are Pink Apple, Johnathan Apple, Ginger Gold Apple, and Yellow Pear.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I taped the seams, then moved the jugs to the parking lot. There I set them in a square with the handles facing inwards, then looped some salvaged string through the handles to secure them. This way, they're less likely to get knocked over. Finally I watered them a little bit.
Daffodils and snowdrops are sprouting in the parking lot. I need to try moving these so they don't get killed by later parking lot work.
EDIT 2/25/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen a male cardinal.
I am done for the night.
The Labor of Love
Feb. 25th, 2026 02:00 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
cakewrecks_feedSure, you could go with rubber duckies and baby blocks, but that's sooo last decade. Today's shower cakes are all about the biology of baby-making: tasty and educational!
And while you're at it, why not congratulate dad, too?
Of course, mom also did her part:
Whoah, whoah, whoah! TMI, Dad, TMI!
You could even illustrate the whole process with the aid of disturbing plant analogies:
Raise your hand if you're going to have nightmares about daisies sprouting Alien-style from your midsection tonight. Anyone? Anyone? Just me? Alrighty, then.
Granted, the process doesn't always start exactly the same way:
Thank goodness that cup is labeled. Otherwise, we'd have some concerned coffee drinkers on our hands right about now.
And what does all this love math equal?
(No, your eyes do not deceive you: that IS a Fetal Bite cookie in that there uterus cake. Excellent.)
And that brings us to the Big, Life-Changing Moment!
AAAAAAUUUGGGHHHH!!
Yep, I'm changed for life.
Casey D., Heidi D., Hillary M., Kristin J., Jess, Shari W., & Tiffany D., when you're ready to have "the talk" with your kids, feel free to come back here for visual aids.
*****
This book has over 2,000 5-star reviews and looks absolutely hysterical, definitely bookmark it for the new parents in your life:
*****
And from my other blog, Epbot:
That's enough snow for awhile, thank you!
Feb. 25th, 2026 06:25 amshireboundGood morning from our winter wonderland! It feels like I've been shoveling for days (because I have). At least I've been able to keep a small area clear for Rena's Important Business, but woooo, did we get a SNOWSTORM on Monday, about two feet. That's a lot for a hobbit my size!
Cuddle Party
Feb. 25th, 2026 12:04 amysabetwordsmithEveryone 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!
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!
Safety
Feb. 25th, 2026 12:00 amysabetwordsmithNegative Social Ties as Emerging Risk Factors for Accelerated Aging, Inflammation, and Multimorbidity
Negative social ties, or "hasslers," are pervasive yet understudied components of social networks that may accelerate biological aging and morbidity. Using ego-centric network data and DNA methylationbased biological aging clocks from a representative Indiana sample, we demonstrate that negative social ties are surprisingly common: on average, one in four network members is described as a hassler, and nearly 60% of individuals report having at least one. Results show that having more hasslers is associated with accelerated biological aging, with the most pronounced associations observed among individuals whose networks comprise more than 50% hasslers. Crucially, not all negative ties show the same influence: ambivalent ties providing both support and stress show stronger aging acceleration than exclusively negative relationships. Beyond epigenetic aging, hassling exposure is associated with poorer self-rated health, higher levels of depression and anxiety, elevated inflammation, greater multimorbidity, and adverse anthropometric indicators. These findings together highlight the critical role of negative social ties in biological aging as chronic stressors and the need for interventions that reduce the impact of negative social stressors embedded within close social networks to promote healthier aging trajectories.
Loneliness may have high risks, but it is often better than being harassed or outright abused. It's nice to have positive social ties, but they only help if they really are positive.
Negative social ties, or "hasslers," are pervasive yet understudied components of social networks that may accelerate biological aging and morbidity. Using ego-centric network data and DNA methylationbased biological aging clocks from a representative Indiana sample, we demonstrate that negative social ties are surprisingly common: on average, one in four network members is described as a hassler, and nearly 60% of individuals report having at least one. Results show that having more hasslers is associated with accelerated biological aging, with the most pronounced associations observed among individuals whose networks comprise more than 50% hasslers. Crucially, not all negative ties show the same influence: ambivalent ties providing both support and stress show stronger aging acceleration than exclusively negative relationships. Beyond epigenetic aging, hassling exposure is associated with poorer self-rated health, higher levels of depression and anxiety, elevated inflammation, greater multimorbidity, and adverse anthropometric indicators. These findings together highlight the critical role of negative social ties in biological aging as chronic stressors and the need for interventions that reduce the impact of negative social stressors embedded within close social networks to promote healthier aging trajectories.
Loneliness may have high risks, but it is often better than being harassed or outright abused. It's nice to have positive social ties, but they only help if they really are positive.
Climate Change
Feb. 24th, 2026 02:31 pmysabetwordsmithSpace lasers reveal oceans rising faster than ever
A new 30-year analysis reveals that melting land ice is now the main force behind rising global sea levels. Researchers discovered that oceans rose about 90 millimeters since 1993, with most of the increase coming from added water mass rather than just warming expansion. Ice loss from Greenland and mountain glaciers accounts for the vast majority of this gain. Even more concerning, the rate of sea-level rise is accelerating.
A new 30-year analysis reveals that melting land ice is now the main force behind rising global sea levels. Researchers discovered that oceans rose about 90 millimeters since 1993, with most of the increase coming from added water mass rather than just warming expansion. Ice loss from Greenland and mountain glaciers accounts for the vast majority of this gain. Even more concerning, the rate of sea-level rise is accelerating.
Poetry Fishbowl on Tuesday, March 3
Feb. 24th, 2026 02:27 pmysabetwordsmithThis is an advance announcement for the Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Poetry Fishbowl. This time the theme will be "World Cuisine." I'll be soliciting ideas for cooks, fusion chefs, immigrant cooks, eaters, farmers, foragers, food scientists, inventors, recipe writers, famous figures in food history, cooks of disadvantaged groups who should have become famous, superheroes, supervillains, failure analysts, ethicists, activists, rebels, other people active in the food world, cooking, gardening, harvesting, foraging, preserving, writing recipes, discovering things, decolonizing diets, building or using kitchen equipment, conducting experiments, observation changing experiments, troubleshooting, improvising, adapting, cooperating, bartering, taking over in an emergency, discovering yourself, studying others, testing boundaries, coming of age, learning what you can (and can't) do, sharing, fixing what's broke, upsetting the status quo, changing the world, accomplishing the impossible, recovering from setbacks, kitchens, restaurants, food trucks or carts, campfires, barbecue sites, laboratories, makerspaces, nonhuman accommodations and adaptations, picnics, grocery stores, farmer's markets, roadside fruit stands, U-pick farms, gardens, food forests, other places where people make food, world cuisine, ethnic cuisines, cookbooks, online recipe archives, permaculture, heritage diets, climatarian diet, traditional foodways, culinary archaeology, food sovereignty, drought-resistant crops, trial and error, ethnic spice sets, weird food, fusion food, secret ingredients, supplements that turn out to be metagenic, new ideas in cuisine, alternate agriculture, lab conditions are not field conditions, ethics of food, innovation, problems that can't be solved by hitting, teamwork, found family, complementary strengths and weaknesses, personal growth, and poetic forms in particular.
Among my more relevant series for the main theme:
An Army of One has to figure out how to feed a diverse, far-flung group of people who sometimes have special dietary needs.
The Bear Tunnels introduces modern principles to people in the past, including some aspects of food science.
A Conflagration of Dragons has the Six Races (plus the dragons) who all have different diets. This often poses challenges for the refugees.
Daughters of the Apocalypse has people trying to find and prepare enough food to survive, when city libraries are out of reach.
Fiorenza the Wisewoman uses herbs and healing foods to care for her village.
Frankenstein's Family features two scientists running a valley in historic Romania. Igor enjoys cooking and has gotten at least one of the werewolves curious about cooking the human way.
Hart's Farm is a community with food used as one of the popular bonding methods.
Peculiar Obligations combines Quakers and pirates in the Caribbean, among other groups and places, leading to a wide variety of foods.
Polychrome Heroics has ordinary humans, supernaries, blue-plate specials, superheroes, supervillains, primal and animal soups all of whom need to eat. Primal soups and high-burn soups often have special dietary needs. Comfort food and healing food are also very popular here. The Rutledge thread includes Kardal and his food truck Syrian Foods, along with references to Vermont, French, and hippie cuisines. Pain's Gray, Shiv, and the Finns are all fond of cooking too.
Or you can ask for something new.
Linkbacks reveal a verse of any open linkback poem.
If you're interested, mark the date on your calendar, and please hold actual prompts until the "Poetry Fishbowl Open" post next week. (If you're not available that day, or you live in a time zone that makes it hard to reach me, you can leave advance prompts. I am now.) Meanwhile, if you want to help with promotion, please feel free to link back here or repost this on your blog.
( New to the fishbowl? Read all about it! )
Among my more relevant series for the main theme:
An Army of One has to figure out how to feed a diverse, far-flung group of people who sometimes have special dietary needs.
The Bear Tunnels introduces modern principles to people in the past, including some aspects of food science.
A Conflagration of Dragons has the Six Races (plus the dragons) who all have different diets. This often poses challenges for the refugees.
Daughters of the Apocalypse has people trying to find and prepare enough food to survive, when city libraries are out of reach.
Fiorenza the Wisewoman uses herbs and healing foods to care for her village.
Frankenstein's Family features two scientists running a valley in historic Romania. Igor enjoys cooking and has gotten at least one of the werewolves curious about cooking the human way.
Hart's Farm is a community with food used as one of the popular bonding methods.
Peculiar Obligations combines Quakers and pirates in the Caribbean, among other groups and places, leading to a wide variety of foods.
Polychrome Heroics has ordinary humans, supernaries, blue-plate specials, superheroes, supervillains, primal and animal soups all of whom need to eat. Primal soups and high-burn soups often have special dietary needs. Comfort food and healing food are also very popular here. The Rutledge thread includes Kardal and his food truck Syrian Foods, along with references to Vermont, French, and hippie cuisines. Pain's Gray, Shiv, and the Finns are all fond of cooking too.
Or you can ask for something new.
Linkbacks reveal a verse of any open linkback poem.
If you're interested, mark the date on your calendar, and please hold actual prompts until the "Poetry Fishbowl Open" post next week. (If you're not available that day, or you live in a time zone that makes it hard to reach me, you can leave advance prompts. I am now.) Meanwhile, if you want to help with promotion, please feel free to link back here or repost this on your blog.
( New to the fishbowl? Read all about it! )
Birdfeeding
Feb. 24th, 2026 01:16 pmysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy and cold with howling wind. A beautiful day to stay indoors and write!
I fed the birds. Unsurprisingly I haven't seen any.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/24/24 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
A flock of sparrows is braving the wind to visit the feeders. :D
EDIT 2/24/24 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. Unsurprisingly I haven't seen any.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 2/24/24 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
A flock of sparrows is braving the wind to visit the feeders. :D
EDIT 2/24/24 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
Face, Meet Palm
Feb. 24th, 2026 02:00 pmcakewrecks_feed
Thanks to Ellen K., Kathryn E., Julie V., Louise H., Alexander O., Jessica D., and Lauren H. for today's self-confidence booster.
*****
P.S. My "related searches" kind of got away from me today, but I think you'll approve:
"Hiss" Punny Cats Parody T-Shirt
Lots more colors and shirt styles available at the link.
*****
And from my other blog, Epbot:
Affordable Housing
Feb. 23rd, 2026 11:00 pmysabetwordsmithThe Paperwork Problem Behind the Housing Shortage
In more and more places, the rules technically allow incremental housing. Backyard cottages, accessory dwelling units, and small infill homes are legal on paper; beautiful, glossy images of these homes are shared on city websites and included in planning documents. Yet these homes rarely get built—not because of public opposition or failed rezonings, but because routine procedures treat small homes like major developments.
What we have is not a failure of vision, but one of process.
( Read more... )
In more and more places, the rules technically allow incremental housing. Backyard cottages, accessory dwelling units, and small infill homes are legal on paper; beautiful, glossy images of these homes are shared on city websites and included in planning documents. Yet these homes rarely get built—not because of public opposition or failed rezonings, but because routine procedures treat small homes like major developments.
What we have is not a failure of vision, but one of process.
( Read more... )
Review: "The George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine Cookbook"
Feb. 23rd, 2026 10:14 pmysabetwordsmithThe George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine Cookbook
Paperback – January 1, 2000
by george-foreman-connie-merydith (Author)
( Read more... )
Paperback – January 1, 2000
by george-foreman-connie-merydith (Author)
( Read more... )
Today's Adventures
Feb. 23rd, 2026 08:05 pmysabetwordsmithToday we went up to Champaign-Urbana to celebrate Black History Month by visiting black-owned establishments, along with some other stops.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Feb. 23rd, 2026 11:38 amysabetwordsmithToday is partly cloudy and cold.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
I am done for the night.
10 Wildly Inappropriate Come-On Cakes
Feb. 23rd, 2026 02:00 pmcakewrecks_feedNOTE: No, really, these are wildly inappropriate. Not safe for kids! (Work should be fine, though.)
And now...
10 Wildly Inappropriate Pick-Up Lines
for International Flirting Week
Looking for love this month? Then why not try baiting your love hook (ew) with cake?
Punny and to the point. Best of all: No horsing around!
Admittedly, this will only work for half of you.
If you don't have access to cake, you could always write up one of those cute "love coupons."
So many jokes, so many relatives reading this blog.
(Hi, Mom!)
Just remember to keep it clean.
Awwww YEAH. Good times, indeed.
Maybe you don't want your cake to do all the talking, though. Maybe you just want it to be more of a conversation starter. You know, like this:
"You down with it?" [eyebrow waggle]
"Who likes oysters?!"
"Welcome... TO THE GUN SHOW."
Or if you really want to impress, try a quick serenade:
[singing]
"Oh let me be... YOUR TEDDY BEAR."
Mrowr.
And as a last resort, remember: sometimes bribery can work wonders.
"FREE MUSTACHE RI.. [noticing children in the room]... er ... slices!"
"And hey, just so you know: I come with free balloons."
o.0
Clean-up on aisle MY MIND, please. [shudder]
Thanks to Allison H., Cortney K., Michelle M., JM, Lauren E., Johnny D., Rosebud, Lara K., Lauren G., & Cat for the pick-me-ups.
*****
And from my other blog, Epbot:
Monday Update 2-23-26
Feb. 23rd, 2026 12:37 amysabetwordsmithThese are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Poem: "The Struggle Against Overwhelming Odds"
Poem: "Embrace My Fate"
John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds Order
Poem: "The Spectrum of Your Being"
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Vocabulary: Bricolage
Today's Adventures
Science
Birdfeeding
Meteor Shower Calendar
Philosophical Questions: Life
Edible Landscaping Order
Meme
Photos: House Yard
Water
Birdfeeding
Books
Follow Friday 2-20-26: Active Communities on Dreamwidth Winter 2025-2026 A-I
Energy
Birdfeeding
Community Thursdays
Photos: Flowerbeds
Books
Birdfeeding
Hard Things
Safety has 49 comments. Food has 53 comments. Wildlife has 39 comments. Food has 67 comments. Robotics has 146 comments.
Last week's half-price sale in Not Quite Kansas went well. All sponsored poems have been posted, so you can find those via the title links on the sale page.
The 2026 Rose and Bay Awards are now open for excellence in crowdfunding. It's time to vote for your favorite projects!
The award period for eligible activities spans January 1-December 31, 2025.
The nomination period spans January 1-January 31, 2026.
The voting period spans February 1-February 28, 2026.
These are the handlers for the 2026 award season:
"The Struggle Against Overwhelming Odds" belongs to Not Quite Kansas and needs $34.50 to be complete. Raymond and Gideon get attacked on the way home from research.
The weather has been variable here. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a large flock of sparrows, several starlings, one male and two female house finches, one female and two male cardinals, a mourning dove, and a fox squirrel. I flushed the great horned owl from the ritual meadow when I went out there. A skein of geese flew overhead, going north. Currently blooming: crocuses.
Poem: "The Struggle Against Overwhelming Odds"
Poem: "Embrace My Fate"
John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds Order
Poem: "The Spectrum of Your Being"
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Vocabulary: Bricolage
Today's Adventures
Science
Birdfeeding
Meteor Shower Calendar
Philosophical Questions: Life
Edible Landscaping Order
Meme
Photos: House Yard
Water
Birdfeeding
Books
Follow Friday 2-20-26: Active Communities on Dreamwidth Winter 2025-2026 A-I
Energy
Birdfeeding
Community Thursdays
Photos: Flowerbeds
Books
Birdfeeding
Hard Things
Safety has 49 comments. Food has 53 comments. Wildlife has 39 comments. Food has 67 comments. Robotics has 146 comments.
Last week's half-price sale in Not Quite Kansas went well. All sponsored poems have been posted, so you can find those via the title links on the sale page.
The 2026 Rose and Bay Awards are now open for excellence in crowdfunding. It's time to vote for your favorite projects!
The award period for eligible activities spans January 1-December 31, 2025.
The nomination period spans January 1-January 31, 2026.
The voting period spans February 1-February 28, 2026.
These are the handlers for the 2026 award season:
Art:
Fiction:
Poetry:
Webcomic:
Other Project:
Patron:
"The Struggle Against Overwhelming Odds" belongs to Not Quite Kansas and needs $34.50 to be complete. Raymond and Gideon get attacked on the way home from research.
The weather has been variable here. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a large flock of sparrows, several starlings, one male and two female house finches, one female and two male cardinals, a mourning dove, and a fox squirrel. I flushed the great horned owl from the ritual meadow when I went out there. A skein of geese flew overhead, going north. Currently blooming: crocuses.