v's reading page

Insects are disappearing due to agriculture -- and many other drivers, new research reveals

New paper highlights 500+ interconnected drivers behind global insect decline.
Insects are disappearing at an alarming rate worldwide, but why? Agricultural intensification tops the list of proposed reasons, but there are many other, interconnected drivers that have an impact, according to new research.

( Read more... )

Today is mostly sunny and warm with a light breeze, a beautiful spring day.  :D

I fed the birds.  I've seen several sparrows and house finches, two brown-headed cowbirds, a mourning dove, and two fox squirrels.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 4/22/25 -- We went out shopping.  I picked out roughly 5 flats of plants at DeBuhr's.  We found a garden hose, nozzle, and reel plus a gas can at Home Depot.  Also at Home Depot I spotted a modular garage storage system that looks very promising.  It has mounting rails for shelves and a wide variety of hooks.  That ought to combine well with a pegboard.

EDIT 4/22/25 -- I planted a 'Sugar Snack' cherry tomato and a 'Yellow Pear' tomato in the large pots by the septic garden, each with 4 marigolds around it.

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

The following is a growing reading list for the ReadPalestinianSpecFic challenge. This is a work in progress to create a list of all available Palestinian speculative fiction.

letstalksilmarillion  has posted a friending meme.

Today is cloudy, breezy, and cool.  It rained for hours last night.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a few sparrows and house finches, plus a brown-headed cowbird.

I put out water for the birds.

The single yellow violet (which might be a hairy yellow violet) that I planted in the forest garden has seeded a whole new plant!  :D 3q3q3q!!!!  I am so excited.

We measured from the spigot to the old picnic table and the new picnic table.  We'll need to acquire a 75-foot hose.

EDIT 4/21/25 -- The plumbers have come and gone.  We have a working outside spigot!  \o/  It has low water pressure for reasons that are not feasible to fix, but at least water comes out of it.  

We dug up the old hoses.  The yellow ones were in pieces so we threw those away.  The green is still attached to a different spigot that it won't come off.  But at least the yellows are gone.  Progress.

I started working on a new cookie jar terrarium for the potted fern, but other things intervened so I haven't gotten very far yet.

I've seen the tufted titmouse!  :D  I haven't seen him in weeks, so I'm glad he's still around.

EDIT 4/21/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 4/21/25 -- I picked up more sticks for the firepit.

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

Today is mostly sunny, humid, and warm. It rained off and on yesterday and last night.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches, plus a fox squirrel.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 4/20/25 -- I walked around the yard taking pictures.

EDIT 4/20/25 -- We had a friend over to help with yardening and picked up sticks from the house yard.

I am done for the night.

Intro to the Web Revival #1: What is the Web Revival?

The Web Revival is about reclaiming the technology in our lives and asking what we really want from the tools we use, and the digital experiences we share. The Web Revival often references the early Internet, but it's not about recreating a bygone web; the Web Revival is about reviving the spirit of openness and fresh excitement that surrounded the Web in its earliest days. The Web Revival is not one single movement, but a loose collection of ideas and groups that fall under many names.


I heartily approve of this movement. I can't code, but I can boost the signal. So if you're involved in Web Revival, feel free to share your favorite links or other resources. Because we deserve better than enshittification.

Do you want to code your own website, or support others who do? Check out the FujoGuide.