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ysabetwordsmith

Why did ancient people build massive, mysterious mounds in Louisiana?

Hunter-gatherers at Poverty Point may have built its massive earthworks not under the command of chiefs, but as part of a vast, temporary gathering of egalitarian communities seeking spiritual harmony in a volatile world. New radiocarbon data and reexamined artifacts suggest far-flung travelers met to trade, worship, and participate in rituals designed to appease the forces of nature.

Note that we already have extensive evidence that the trade network of Turtle Island spanned all four coasts. This makes large trading posts / events highly plausible.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is cloudy and chilly.

I fed the birds. I haven't seen much activity yet.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 11/24/25 -- We spent about an hour breaking down brush to shove in the chipper. I think we got through about half the big pile of brush. It made a surprisingly small pile of splinters on the tarp. Some of what's left has berries on it, so those will have to go in the firepit along with the thorns. The bigger branches will need to be hacked into kindling. But we made great progress. \o/

I'm making Crockpot Xawaash Chicken Stew today. When I came back in, the whole house smelled of African spices. :D

EDIT 11/24/25 -- We put away the equipment.

EDIT 11/24/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

.

Current Mood: busy

who_is_page

Finally got a new job!!! YAYYYY!!!! And it only took me... Like two months, rip.

It's with another window & door company local to us, doing what we did before; farther away than my last one, but the pay and environment is better. Everyone here is so sweet! I hope I can stay here a while, but I'm keeping on my toes because recessions historically aren't nice to the construction industry.

We spent more time volunteering last week, but caught something from someone and are now running a fever and sore throat. Shitty timing since we've been at this job for all of two days and family feasting is right around the corner, but we're masking up and have hand sanitizer a-plenty. Just bunkering down at our work desk and getting through it.

Other than that, got a haircut (nice) but broke our glasses' frames and had to pay like, $300 for a new prescription + new lenses + new frames + temp frames for the current lenses just to get them through my Monday shift. I can't see super well through the temp frame because it changes what part of the lenses I'm looking through, and it gives me headaches, but eh. I can see okay enough to read. It's a bit of a coke bottle effect.

Whatever else happens, I'm just glad to have a job again!

ysabetwordsmith

These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Poem: "A Sanctuary for the Homeless"
Poem: "Worthy of Love and Belonging"
Poem: "Indicative of the Extent"
Space Exploration
Birdfeeding
Bird Apocalypse
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Morals
Today's Smoothie
Science
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 11-21-25: Knitting
Poem: "Trying to Be Better"
Poem: "Set on Continuous Improvement"
Science
Birdfeeding
Hobbies: Quilting
Self-Care
Today's Adventures
Birdfeeding
Good News

Trauma has 44 comments. Affordable Housing has 71 comments. Robotics has 99 comments.

"An Inkling of Things to Come" belongs to Polychrome: Shiv and needs $191 to be complete. Maiara and Arthur discuss taking notes.

The weather has been variable here. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, at least 3 goldfinches, a male cardinal, and two fox squirrels.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

These are the notes for "A Sanctuary for the Homeless."

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This poem is spillover from the February 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by prompts from

dialecticdreamer,

kellan_the_tabby,

rix_scaedu, and

alchemicink. It also fills the "changes over time" square in my 2-1-25 card for the Valentines Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by a pool with

fuzzyred and

librarygeek. It belongs to the Big One thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "When You're Lost, You Question Everything," so read that first or this won't make much sense.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

These are the notes for "Worthy of Love and Belonging."

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This poem is spillover from the June 3, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from

rix_scaedu. It also fills the "Belonging" square in my 6-2-25 card for the Pride Fest Bingo. This poem has been sponsored by a pool with

fuzzyred and

librarygeek. It belongs to the Big One thread of the Polychrome Heroics series.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

These are the notes for "Indicative of the Extent."

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This poem is spillover from the July 15, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from

librarygeek. It also fills the "WILD CARD: Clean Up the Town" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by a pool with

fuzzyred and

librarygeek. It belongs to the Big One thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "The Choices Humans Make" so read that first or this won't make much sense.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Nearby super-Earth emerges as a top target in the search for life

Researchers found that the planet may have liquid water on its surface – a necessary ingredient for life.

Researchers have pinpointed a super-Earth in the habitable zone of a nearby M-dwarf star only 18 light-years away. Sophisticated instruments detected the planet’s gentle tug on its star, hinting at a rocky world that could hold liquid water. Future mega-telescopes may be able to directly image it—something impossible today.

This is so awesome. :D

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is partly sunny and cool, a beautiful fall day.

I fed the birds. I've seen several sparrows and house finches plus at least 3 goldfinches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 11/23/25 -- We spent an exasperating amount of time trying to set up for chipping the brush pile from the parking lot.

EDIT 11/23/25 -- We spent a bunch more time hassling around with the chipper. We did get it going! It produces quite small shreds. They land right under the chipper. We figure that putting a tarp underneath will be the best way to move the chips to an actual pile. Hopefully tomorrow the weather will be clement enough to do actual chipping.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

The five great forests that keep North America’s birds alive

Migratory birds that fill North American forests with spring songs depend on Central America’s Five Great Forests far more than most people realize. New research shows these tropical strongholds shelter enormous shares of species like Wood Thrushes, Cerulean Warblers, and Golden-winged Warblers—many of which are rapidly declining. Yet these forests are disappearing at an alarming pace due to illegal cattle ranching, placing both birds and local communities at risk.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

The November 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl has made its $200 goal, so you get a free epic. Everyone is eligible to vote in this poll. I will keep it open at least until Sunday night. If there's a clear answer then, I'll close it; otherwise I may leave it open a little while longer. Here are your options...

"No Worthless Herbs"
Shaeth and Trobby owe a favor to Abredin the Herb Goddess.
92 lines

"Once the Avalanche Has Begun"
A foolish choice in a neighboring town makes life challenging for Shaeth's followers.
70 lines

Poll #33870 Free Epic for the October 7, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 11

View Respondents

Which of these should be the free epic?

"No Worthless Herbs"
10 (90.9%)

"Once the Avalanche Has Begun"
1 (9.1%)

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is partly sunny and mild. It rained most of yesterday.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 11/22/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I've seen two squirrels running around the trees.

EDIT 11/22/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 11/22/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

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

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

The half-price sale in Polychrome Heroics will close at the end of Sunday. The pool by

fuzzyred will close late Saturday night, so if you're still planning to participate, now's the time.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.

What are the biggest moral dilemmas your country is facing now?

Privacy, body autonomy, democracy, and climate change.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today we made a smoothie with:

1 cup Pom pomegranate-blueberry juice
1 cup Brown Cow vanilla yogurt
1 banana
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup ice

The result is bright red-violet and on the thin side. It has a deeper fruit flavor from the pomegranate -- a nice fall smoothie.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Light has been hiding a magnetic secret for nearly 200 years

New research shows that light’s magnetic field is far more influential than scientists once believed. The team found that this magnetic component significantly affects how light rotates as it passes through certain materials. Their work challenges a 180-year-old understanding of the Faraday Effect and opens pathways to new optical and magnetic technologies.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is cloudy, rainy, and cool.

I fed the birds. I haven't seen any activity today.

The birdbaths are already full from the rain.

EDIT 11/21/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I've seen several sparrows and house finches at the fly-through feeder, which is basically a little roof over a tray of seed. I can see why they'd prefer it today.

EDIT 11/21/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy