Nostr notes by Trevor Burrows

We have been waiting for about two weeks for squash and cukes to ...

2026-05-13T11:58:10Z

We have been waiting for about two weeks for squash and cukes to pop. I was getting very concerned.

This tray had 1 lone early zuke sprout in it as of Monday morning. Now look, lol. Every twelve hours another big cluster. Guessing tray will be full by tomorrow morning.

Cukes tray (not shown) is similar, a little further behind but all emerging in a few big waves, certainly with plans to take over the world.

#Gardening

More heavy storms last night and this morning. Nervous to check ...

2026-05-05T12:09:51Z

More heavy storms last night and this morning. Nervous to check on the garden.

Also, this may mean some planting that was supposed to happen today gets delayed. 🙁

* We purchased an Earthway seeder to help with larger stretches ...

2026-05-03T19:13:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…vwqh
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* We purchased an Earthway seeder to help with larger stretches of direct seeding on the longer garden beds we're making. Very useful but also a big learning curve.

The beets we seeded a week or two ago with it have germinated but are clearly in big chunks -- watched it today and it's putting way too many seeds down per spot.

Carrots are similar, except it's very hard to see what it's actually putting down (brown seed, brown soil). They're also catching in the seed plate and grinding a bit.

We used it for the spinach and radishes to mixed effect.

Figuring that some of this is trial and error, learning what plates work best... but am understanding why a lot of folks say to spend more money on the higher-end seeder (the "Jang").

Anyhow, needed some more carrot and beet seed, so ordered some pelleted carrot to give it a go... might do a bit better in the Earthway?

#Earthway #Gardening

Lots of things done today, even though the list of ...

2026-05-03T19:07:00Z

Lots of things done today, even though the list of accomplishments feel small.

Planted a round of carrots and beets, along with some interplantings of radishes and spinach.*

Chicken coop cleaned, including the mice hotel that had taken shape there. Might need to do a bit more to chase them out but it's a start.

A lot of mowing, both hand and riding. We've finally touched all parts of the property at least once this season, but right now it's still in its every-section-is-a-very-different-height stage. (Which is fine, we're not picky.)

Now, on to inside stuff: laundry, reorganizing the pantry after vanquishing our ant visitors, and a grocery run. Then hopefully a few more outside tasks before the end of the day.

Beginning to pot up some of the tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants ...

2026-04-17T22:53:16Z

Beginning to pot up some of the tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants for the small farm we've started.

I've done lots of potting up before, but it's usually small amounts at a time.

In this case, I'm potting up multiple trays of 72 cells each, most of them going into trays of 24 cells. Taking a lot longer (obviously) and the stakes are higher (obviously). But it also feels good that, for the most part, things have made it this far and seem reasonably healthy.

We might start using a soil blocker next year, which looks *much* easier than cell trays, and also much safer for the plants. (We wanted one even before this wild adventure we've set out on!)

#Gardening

I bought one rhubarb bulb a month or two ago to replace one we ...

2026-04-10T17:11:57Z

I bought one rhubarb bulb a month or two ago to replace one we lost last year.

But then I forgot, and ordered a pair of other bulbs.

Result: 3 bulbs currently soaking in water, to plant either later today or first thing tomorrow.

I've actually never had a rhubarb plant before. Is that a lot of rhubarb, or a little? How much does a single plant yield, once they are up and running?

#Gardening

#MorningWalk #Barnscape #Midwest ...

2026-04-09T11:59:17Z

#MorningWalk #Barnscape #Midwest

YES!!! that's hilarious. will show off the walk-behind soon. ...

2026-03-26T12:03:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…e0j2
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YES!!! that's hilarious. will show off the walk-behind soon. need to, um, learn to use it first.

They were all cool at Earth Tools and super helpful.

Yesterday, my wife and I spent about 12 hours in the car to pick ...

2026-03-26T11:56:21Z

Yesterday, my wife and I spent about 12 hours in the car to pick up something, because we realized shipping would take much longer than desired.

We crossed three state lines -- Illinois to Indiana, Indiana to Kentucky -- and back again.

In a 30 year old pickup truck with no radio and temperamental AC.

Some things I learned along the way:

that's a pretty good run, though, 15 years!

2026-03-24T23:45:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…gkhh
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that's a pretty good run, though, 15 years!

Planning a berry alley for the garden this year. Got the perfect ...

2026-03-21T14:21:47Z

Planning a berry alley for the garden this year. Got the perfect fence line.

So just placed an order and now have a whole bunch of berries coming, including some marion- and boysen-. Only trick is keeping them under control, but we learned that lesson on another property.

(Oh yeah, Stark bros has $2.09 flat shipping right now --- pretty good deal!)

#Gardening

We've had one of these for a while. Didn't even know it ...

2026-03-18T15:57:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…849j
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We've had one of these for a while. Didn't even know it blooms. Now I have something to work toward!

Thanks for sharing that. Coming to pick out items, rather than ...

2026-03-10T10:40:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…t5v9
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Thanks for sharing that. Coming to pick out items, rather than stuff picked and packed, is really interesting. I bet many of the customers really like getting to choose their items each week. Neat idea.

that's a nice mix!

2026-03-09T15:40:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…jhw3
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that's a nice mix!

great name! What part do you contribute to?

2026-03-09T14:26:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…zwlu
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great name! What part do you contribute to?

Need names that might be suitable for a small farm. As the Prince ...

2026-03-09T14:14:23Z

Need names that might be suitable for a small farm.

As the Prince fans we are, thought of "Old Man Johnson's Farm" but probably a bit too niche lol

(And also maybe taken)

Then things got silly:

If I Was Your Farm

I Could Never Take the Place of Your Farm

SuperFunkyCaliFragiFarms

It's a work in progress.

A few more sprouts over the last two days, including the PEPPERS: ...

2026-03-07T13:43:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…cxak
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A few more sprouts over the last two days, including the PEPPERS:

* Siam basil
* Broccoli di cicco
* brussels catskills
* chard, burpee rhubarb
* peppers, fresno chili hot
- Peppers, korean beauty (3/6)
- peppers, midnight dreams
- Peppers, shishito
- peppers, thai hot
- spinach, nobel
- black simpson lettuce
- romaine cimarron

And one lone seedling of delphinium.

The peppers really did all come up, at once, all in the space of a day. I don't know why but I find them very humorous that way.

Feeling like things are already getting leggy. Adding a fan to our shelves today to possibly help.

#SeedStarting #Garden #Gardening

RE: https://bookstodon.com/@DCBookstoPrisons/116173376356070633 ...

2026-03-04T23:09:08Z

RE: https://bookstodon.com/@DCBookstoPrisons/116173376356070633

This was a great article, with several interviews from incarcerated/formerly incarcerated folks about the impact of a proposed restriction on books in Arkansas prisons.

This really stood out to me:

"A copy of the prisons’ e-book catalog shared with the Arkansas Times shows the tablet catalog overwhelmingly stocked with obscure 19th- and early 20th-century texts from the public domain that are unrecognizable to modern readers, like the “Book of Old Ballads, Volume 1-4,” or the 1921 parenting guide, “Say, Fellows: Fifty Practical Talks with Boys on Life’s Big Issues.”"

It goes on to note that a lot of 20th c. classics are missing, as are current/recent books on race, sociology, etc.
nostr:note1yemmwynszlmt2rxhml7nfd57qwy04zemckupeeg7leynh2jfzpsq5yyl4s

Also, annual reminder (that I regularly forget) to start trays ...

2026-03-04T21:01:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…t8k9
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Also, annual reminder (that I regularly forget) to start trays with seeds that have similar germination timelines.

Right now, some trays are still waiting on germination for some items, but I should probably remove the cover to ward off excess moisture/disease.

Not as much of an issue if all your stuff is the same germination rate. Someday I'll remember this in a more timely manner. 😆

First sprouts from stuff planted over the weekend: * Arugula * ...

2026-03-04T20:56:39Z

First sprouts from stuff planted over the weekend:
* Arugula
* Broccoli rabe
* Shanghai pak choi
* bronze mignonette lettuce
* mustard spinach

And two additions to our prior trays:
* rosa bianca eggplant
* kurume eggplant

Given that most of these are seeds > 1 year old, really pleased with germination so far. Most items where one have germinated, all have germinated within a few days. The one exception is flowers, which we might do a new round of this weekend, along with some thinning on the older trays.

#Garden #Gardening #SeedStarting

Some new sprouts poking up this morning: Thai basil Genovese ...

2026-02-28T14:08:01Z

Some new sprouts poking up this morning:
Thai basil
Genovese basil

And three tomatoes: coustralee, Isis, and San marzano.

As well as additional sprouts for everything started yesterday.

Either today or tomorrow, we'll start a few more flats, mostly of new items who are now OK to start, calendar-wise.

Didn't get the lettuces going last week, so that's also high on the list.

#Gardening #Garden #SeedStarting

Who else is doing some seed starting this fine Saturday morning? ...

2026-02-21T17:26:04Z

Who else is doing some seed starting this fine Saturday morning?

We just finished rehydrating some seed starting mix. Letting it dry just a bit, then we'll be getting about 100 plugs going.

Mostly edibles but some flowers, which I don't have a lot of experience with yet. Thinking about just devoting a whole tray to the flowers!

#Gardening #Garden

That minimalist city app looks really cool -- need to try that ...

2026-02-21T15:00:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…42jc
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That minimalist city app looks really cool -- need to try that out!

The transcription of the proceedings is just one step, however. ...

2026-02-05T02:44:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…8vh9
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The transcription of the proceedings is just one step, however.

"Samizdat provided not just new things to read, but new modes of reading." (171)

Some of these modes:

* binge reading in order to pass the documents on or return them as quickly as possible: "staying up all night pouring through a sheath of onion-skin papers because you'd been given twenty-four hours to consume a novel that Volodia was expecting the next day, and because, quite apart from Volodia's expectations, you didn't want that particular novel in your apartment for any longer than necessary"

* slow-motion reading: copying the text by typewriter while reading, "as a thick raft of onion-skin sheets alternating with carbon paper slowly wonud its way around the platen, line by line, three, six, or as many as twelve deep"

* group reading: reading in an assembly line fashion, passing pages down the line as you finish them

* site-specific reading: you go to particular places to get access to certain texts

So first step of these texts: production. The government had ...

2026-02-05T02:36:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…epnv
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So first step of these texts: production.

The government had begun making trials "transparent" in theory, but only by the barest of margins.

So dissidents basically transcribe court proceedings day by day, sitting in the courtroom and taking notes by shorthand, then funneling this to others to get fleshed out and edited. There were sometimes multiple people doing this at a single trial, but they didn't always know that.

By the time the trial was over and state-sanctioned reports are circulating, you also have these trial transcripts circulating that are produced as the trial proceeds. They are much fuller, much more complete, and they are compiled and presented without any commentary.

The primary form of texts were samizdat: texts that were ...

2026-02-05T02:33:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…lwtn
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The primary form of texts were samizdat: texts that were effectively distributed from person to person, and were reproduced as they were read and passed on. Every step of this process is just fascinating.

There were many genres of samizdat, but one of the most important (and central to Nathans' history) was the transcription of legal proceedings: of court trials and interrogations, especially.

The dissidents of this period sought to use the Soviet constitution and legal code as its defense against the violations of civil rights... to critique government actions by showing how the actions were out of alignment with the SU's own laws.

These sorts of documents were key in helping them to make this case.

"More than anything else, more than human beings coming out ...

2026-02-05T02:28:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…r3hx
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"More than anything else, more than human beings coming out to the square, what "moved" in the dissident movement were texts." (p. 234)

That texts, rather than physical organization or protests, were key to the dissident movement is apparent from an early point in this history.

But texts played multiple roles: they shared information, of course, but they were also a means of connection. They can also be understood as a reflection of the ethos of the movement, of its aspirations toward anti-hierarchical, horizontal relationships.

This means that every stage of the text, from creation to reading to reproduction, there's something more happening than "just" the passing of information.

It is hard not to try and draw lessons from this social movement ...

2026-02-05T02:22:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…fhnm
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It is hard not to try and draw lessons from this social movement to our present moment in the US.

The historical moment that the dissident movement emerged in was one of transition, coming out of the totalitarianism of Stalin into the "thaw" of post-Stalin legalism. It sometimes feels like we are in a transitional period now, a sliding-deeper-into (rather than coming-out-of) autocracy/fascism. Even if the "directions" of these transitions are different, it's hard not to find some resonance in this history of the dissident movement, precisely because the movement was so defined by its context.

What I am most intrigued by so far is the role of *information* and its flow in the work of the movement.

I'm going to share a few observations over the next few minutes. I'll try to keep it to just a few toots, but feel free to mute if you want to avoid a mini-flurry of posts.

I'm about halfway through this book -- it's really, ...

2026-02-05T02:14:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…nzvn
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I'm about halfway through this book -- it's really, really great. As someone who knows *nothing* about the Soviet dissident movement, it's a real education. Despite its size and level of detailed research, it is surprisingly readable -- even hard to put down at times.

And it's impossible for me not to think of how tuned the ...

2026-02-02T15:06:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…37l6
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And it's impossible for me not to think of how tuned the Minneapolis resistance has been to their particular situation, and how that's part of their success story.

I see a lot of discourse around what is useful and what is not right now, in terms of resistance in the US. What is symbolic or performative (ugh) and what is authentic or meaningful or effective.

And I feel like a lot of that overlooks how radically different all of our places and our communities and our contexts are, in the US. It overlooks the fact that we are all now trying to figure out how to best respond to a range of tactics from the administration that is, quite intentionally, unpredictable and overwhelming.

If nothing else, this book already has me thinking about resistance a bit differently. As something that really has to be tuned to a particular time and place.

Can't wait to keep reading and learning.

I was a bit intimidated by its size, not because I'm afraid ...

2026-02-02T15:01:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…7c4d
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I was a bit intimidated by its size, not because I'm afraid of big books, lol, but because an academic-ish book on a topic so distant from my areas of knowledge is easy to start and burn out on halfway through.

I don't think that will be the case here.

Part of Nathans' focus/argument is on the way the Soviet dissident movement's ideas and tactics came out of and responded to their very particular moment. Which seems like an obvious thing, until you realize what that means:

It means resistance there didn't look like resistance had come to look like in the US/Europe. It means resistance there doesn't sound like US/European resistance, either, in its idea or even its tone.

"In memoirs by participants in the Soviet dissident movement, ...

2026-02-02T14:54:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…v0qs
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"In memoirs by participants in the Soviet dissident movement, an obscure name usually appears near the beginning of the story."

-- First sentence of Benjamin Nathans, *To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement* (2024)

---

Started this over the weekend and man oh man, from a US perspective, it feels SO timely. It's tickling all the right brain cells right now.

#FirstSentences #BenjaminNathans #Bookstodon

Ugh, how is this legal? #Weather ...

2026-01-28T12:01:18Z

Ugh, how is this legal?

#Weather

#Gardening folks -- We are thinking about including the acquiring ...

2026-01-25T18:43:45Z

#Gardening folks --

We are thinking about including the acquiring or building of a #greenhouse among our Spring/Summer plans.

If you have resources you've found useful, or things you wish you had known before choosing yours, please share here!

what's your current blog setup?

2026-01-10T17:27:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…2lnr
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what's your current blog setup?

#Gardening folks: Does anyone have a favorite online source for ...

2026-01-06T01:25:12Z

#Gardening folks:

Does anyone have a favorite online source for purchasing trees, esp. fruit trees?

We've use some of the bigger companies (Burpee, Gurneys) but are planning for spring and would like to explore other options.

#Trees #Garden

#ReadingNotes thread for 2026! Going to try my best to corral my ...

2026-01-02T14:05:20Z

#ReadingNotes thread for 2026!

Going to try my best to corral my reading notes in this thread this year, making it easier to mute/filter (if you desire).

So first sentences, running commentary, etc. will be posted as responses to this thread.

It booted! But do I remember any of the user passwords? ...

2025-12-06T17:30:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…dcs2
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It booted!

But do I remember any of the user passwords?

Surprisingly, yes, at least one of them. I'm in.

Will it boot? ...

2025-12-06T17:27:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…hlw2
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Will it boot?

Also, my brain is really predictable. "Hmm... repurposing ...

2025-12-06T17:14:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…54yc
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Also, my brain is really predictable.

"Hmm... repurposing that Mac Mini as a home server sounds like a great winter break project."

"Hmm... I could start researching now to figure out key steps, plan ahead, etc."

"Hmm... I might as well pull this thing out and make sure it is still functioning..."

"Hmm... it's Saturday, why don't I just make that Ubuntu bootstick and see what happens, how long could this really take"

lol

I've been really enjoying working with a VPS I set up through ...

2025-12-06T15:11:17Z

I've been really enjoying working with a VPS I set up through Hetzner.

My self-hosting journey so far has been:
* Pikapods
* VPS through Hetzner, so far for personal website and a few lighter services (FreshRSS)

Immich (for photos) is still on Pikapods.

I'm thinking about using an old Mac Mini I have lying around unused as a home server, and moving Immich and most other services there, keeping the website via VPS.

Has anyone repurposed a Mac Mini as a home server? This is new territory for me. I'd happily hear any advice/considerations.

#SelfHosting #VPS #Immich #Pikapods

What was your favorite NF read this year? Realizing I've read ...

2025-12-01T22:14:15Z

What was your favorite NF read this year?

Realizing I've read very little non-fiction this
year, aside from more academic works for research/teaching. Thought I'd pick something up as I finish up my current read.

Doesn't have to be published this year, but let's keep it to stuff published in the last 5 yrs.

#Bookstodon #BookRecommendations

Some light outside work: Watering, bc we barely got much rain ...

2025-09-28T16:45:33Z

Some light outside work:

Watering, bc we barely got much rain earlier this week despite weather reports calling for more

Clearing out around some our younger trees and bushes. Will add another layer of woodchips and dried leaves next week, probably, which should get them through winter.

Blowing leaves to gather for a big pile and compost.

A bit of general quick mowing.

Maybe repotting a few things to come inside from outside, so that they can make the trip easily when it's time.

Fall chores, basically.

#Gardening

"The Bug" I couldn't let it drown. I ripped off a ...

2025-09-22T13:16:29Z

"The Bug"

I couldn't let it drown. I ripped off a piece
of my sandwich bag, lifted it to safety.
Its little legs reached behind its back
to stroke its wings dry.
I, too, have stretched my legs
in strange positions. Is this a leap?
What did you expect? For me to let the bug
just be a bug. To leave it alone
when it already planned on dying.
To reach out and not imagine myself the God
I wish would lift me from the water.

---

-- Daniella Toosie-Watson, opening poem from her recent volume, *What We Do With God* (Haymarket, 2025)

https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2531-what-we-do-with-god

#TodaysPoem #Poetry #DaniellaToosieWatson

Thanks for writing up this experience -- was quite fun to read!

2025-09-15T02:44:52Z

In reply to nevent1q…gdh3
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Thanks for writing up this experience -- was quite fun to read!

Hmmm... not sure. Honestly, it will probably just push me to get ...

2025-09-04T11:14:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…hnen
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Hmmm... not sure.

Honestly, it will probably just push me to get even more comfortable with one of the non-MS cloud suites, something like Cryptpad.

Mostly just frustrating, not world ending...

I literally just want to be able to edit LibreOffice files that I ...

2025-09-03T20:37:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…2ymk
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I literally just want to be able to edit LibreOffice files that I make elsewhere (my personal machine) on my work laptop.

It's kind of wild, actually.

Work wouldn't let me install LibreOffice on my work laptop on ...

2025-09-03T20:36:03Z

Work wouldn't let me install LibreOffice on my work laptop on my own.

Put in a software request.

"LibreOffice is not approved."

Microsoft Office is the only approved suite.

Grrrr

It's very disconcerting, bc these auction sites usually say ...

2025-08-17T23:47:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…le7q
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It's very disconcerting, bc these auction sites usually say "You May Have Won" instead of "You Won!"

So I'm currently stalking the page even though it ended 5 minutes ago, making sure nothing changes, lol.

Looks like we won this auction --- new (very used) truck is ours, ...

2025-08-17T23:46:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…2l6l
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Looks like we won this auction --- new (very used) truck is ours, I think!

Put in a high bid on an old truck to mainly use for the property: ...

2025-08-17T16:41:56Z

Put in a high bid on an old truck to mainly use for the property: buying things in bulk (mulch, compost), hauling wood, etc.

By high I mean higher than it is likely actually worth.

We decided we'd risk paying more for the convenience, as it's near us, easy to pick up. And it's been very well cared for, so even if its age is older (1995), its overall shape seems better than some trucks we've looked at that were only 15 years old.

Now, after all the deliberating, we're very invested and will be super bummed if we don't win the auction!

Why isn't it all more marked, why isn't every wall ...

2025-08-07T18:21:54Z

Why isn't it all
more marked,
why isn't every wall
graffitied, every park tree
stripped like the
stark limbs
in the house of
the chimpanzees?
Why is there bark
left? Why do people
cling to their
shortening shrifts
like rafts? So
silent.
Not why people *are*;
why not *more* violent?
We must be
so absorbent.
We must be
almost crystals,
almost all some
neutralizing chemical
that really does
clarify and bring peace,
take black sorrow
and make surcease.

---
Kay Ryan, "Why Isn't It All More Marked"

Originally in her collection *Elephant Rocks* but also available in *The Best of It: New and Selected Poems* (2010)

#Poetry #TodaysPoem #KayRyan

#Vegetarian and #Vegan friends: Anyone have a tried and true ...

2025-07-31T14:57:34Z

#Vegetarian and #Vegan friends:

Anyone have a tried and true frangipane recipe w/no eggs? Would love tips that come from your experience.

I've only made frangipane two or three times, always with eggs. I am making some croissants for a gift, wanted to try a batch of almond croissants, but would like to exclude the eggs if possible.

(No, the croissants won't be vegan... but I'd like the almond paste to be. I know, we live complicated lives. There is a good chance I'll just give in and make the frangipane with eggs, but I'm exploring.)

#Baking #Cooking

Blood in the boulangerie

2025-07-15T19:37:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…zl0z
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Blood in the boulangerie

Carnage in the kitchen

2025-07-15T19:34:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…ugye
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Carnage in the kitchen

Had some plums that I bought a week and a half ago getting pretty ...

2025-07-15T19:21:16Z

Had some plums that I bought a week and a half ago getting pretty soft, so decided it's plum torte time.

Now the kitchen counter and cutting board looks like a murder scene, lol.

#Milkweed is flowering across the property right now. I always ...

2025-06-30T01:47:29Z

#Milkweed is flowering across the property right now. I always enjoy seeing it around this time, especially larger examples, like this showy one.

Hoping to gather some seed this season and create a few clusters. Right now, they mostly just show up where they show up (not complaining!).

#Gardening

Coda There's little in taking or giving, There's little ...

2025-06-07T14:06:31Z

Coda

There's little in taking or giving,
There's little in water or wine;
This living, this living, this living
was never a project of mine.
Oh, hard is the struggle, and sparse is
The gain of the one at the top,
For art is a form of catharsis,
And love is a permanent flop,
And work is the province of cattle,
And rest's for a clam in a shell,
So I'm thinking of throwing the battle--
Would you kindly direct me to hell?

-- Dorothy Parker

#TodaysPoem #Poetry #DorothyParker

#Gardening folks (and anyone else that might know) - I just read ...

2025-06-04T00:32:13Z

#Gardening folks (and anyone else that might know) -

I just read this sentence from an article about building trails:

"Using a chainsaw, brush-cutter, and a ho-dad (a grubbing hoe), a friend who spent years building fire trails for a local timber company bulled his way into the bramble."

We've not heard the term ho-dad/hoe-dad before. Does anyone on here use it?

Apparently, there once was a specific tool called a "hoedag."

But I am wondering if the term migrated to encompass a larger range of garden hoes, or if this a more region-specific term.

More curious than anything, not super important!

FWIW: Alexandra absolutely made many of her own fashion choices ...

2025-05-27T02:38:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…znx7
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FWIW: Alexandra absolutely made many of her own fashion choices and she did so quite consciously, recognizing its impact on her public image. She had very significant input in developing her wardrobe including some of the most important/well-known dresses of her life, such as her coronation gown -- the design of which she spearheaded. Much more than just a little input!

Unexpected Michael Jackson appearance in an academic #philosophy ...

2025-05-17T16:51:40Z

Unexpected Michael Jackson appearance in an academic #philosophy text:

On p. 3 of his *Against Ethics*, John Caputo writes:

"Unhappily, 'undecidability' has gotten a bad name, a very notorious one, proof positive for the officials of anti-deconstruction that deconstruction must be irresponsible, must itself be very bad."

There's a footnote at the end of that sentence. What does the linked footnote read?

Turn to p. 250 and find:

"Which it is, in the sense of Michael Jackson, who has not as far as I know addressed the question of deconstruction."

(I guess this will be the beginning of my #ReadingNotes for Against Ethics,, should I have any...)

I'd take a volume of poetry as "payment" any time! ...

2025-05-07T21:35:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…qf9f
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I'd take a volume of poetry as "payment" any time! Ted Kooser, at that!

"The Conclave of 1492, simulated" Great NYTimes write-up ...

2025-05-06T11:36:08Z

"The Conclave of 1492, simulated"

Great NYTimes write-up of a very cool simulation-style #History class at U of Chicago -- led by Ada Palmer (npub1v85…mqcs) !

#GiftLink: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/us/conclave-pope-class.html?unlocked_article_code=1.FE8.kLOB.Llh7zRoysjxt&smid=url-share

We have a few reacting to the past-style classes in our dept, but they don't get this elaborate. They always sound fun to teach, but also like a TON of work on the #Teaching end.

#History #Histodons #Conclave

garlic! This is our first year doing #garlic. A number of things ...

2025-04-16T00:39:03Z

garlic!

This is our first year doing #garlic. A number of things we did in the fall did not really work out, so was very happy to see how strong and vibrant these are.

#Gardening

What is this weekend of opportunity!?!?! No rain! No wind! ...

2025-04-12T13:54:41Z

What is this weekend of opportunity!?!?! No rain! No wind! Temperate!

The result is no small list of things to work on this weekend bc everything has been perpetually delayed by the weather. We won't get through all of it, but the short version is:

* Make (overdue) progress on our chicken coop by digging for our foundation bricks, setting our walls in place, and possibly working on the roof

* Clear ground for asparagus and strawberry beds; plant the beds

* Site and plant rhubarb, small apple trees

* Build and fill our new garden beds

* Clear the old garden beds, top with fresh soil

* MOW (jeezy creezy)

* Pot up some seedlings, get some more seeds started/planted

Unfortunately everything on this list feels pressing and immediate... but not everything can be done -- and we also have errands and normal shit. We'll just do our best and count our victories (and remember this is supposed to be fun, lol).

#Gardening #ChickenCoop

Untitled (John Whalen-Bridge) The words of children splash in ...

2025-04-09T12:17:53Z

Untitled (John Whalen-Bridge)

The words of children
splash in grandmother’s mind
and ripple to now.

---
At Poetry Magazine, w/a translation into Chinese by Chun Yu:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/1661252/untitled-wu-ti

#TodaysPoem #Haiku #Poetry

More #rain today. This has been an awful stretch for getting ...

2025-04-02T11:43:55Z

More #rain today. This has been an awful stretch for getting spring started in the garden.

Complaining about rain is weird but a few days of a break, preferably with mid-temps, would be most welcome!

#gardening

Some signs of #spring taken while trying to do some #Gardening ...

2025-03-20T18:06:29Z

Some signs of #spring taken while trying to do some #Gardening today, despite the gloomy weather.

Dog rose. Sedum. Uncertain tree type. Lilac of some kind.

Quite a few items popped up over the last few days: * Several ...

2025-03-16T15:32:23Z

Quite a few items popped up over the last few days:
* Several varieties of tomatoes (brandywine, san marzano, isis, coustralee, tomatillo)
* Several basils and other herbs

Still waiting on peppers, eggplants to show. Today or tomorrow, we'll do round two, with more of the same and some other items that (we think) are better to start later.

Probably start a tray of lettuces and a few herb pots, too.

We're adding a significant amount of square footage (in boxes) to our current space, so later today I'll start planning how space will be allocated. But for now, it's really just about growing a bunch -- the more, the better.

#Gardening #SeedStarting #SpringIsComing

"What does it mean to be human? It means being able to cross ...

2025-03-15T14:27:05Z

"What does it mean to be human? It means being able to cross the frontier between life that is deemed human and life that is not yet human, not human at all, or no longer human."

- First lines from Jan Miernowski, Laughing on the Brink of Humanity: An Exercise in Epihumanism (2024)

https://sunypress.edu/Books/L/Laughing-on-the-Brink-of-Humanity

---

Started this a day or two ago to try and scratch a philosophy-ish itch. Already arguing with it, which is a good sign. Totally picked this up off the shelf bc I liked the title, the rough description, and some names I saw in the bibliography, lol.

Not sure how much I'll comment here but will make this my #ReadingNotes thread for the book.

#Bookstodon #NowReading #JanMiernowski #Philosophy

Getting a steady roll of sprouts on our seed trays now. So far, ...

2025-03-12T03:51:20Z

Getting a steady roll of sprouts on our seed trays now. So far, we have:
* Green Ice Leaf lettuce
* Collards
* Rosette tatsoi
* Broccoli
* Gai lan
* Brussels sprouts catskills
* Radicchio

These were all started on the 2nd, so we're at days 8 and 9. Still waiting on eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers.

#Gardening #SeedStarting

They don't look like much, but this is day 8 and we ...

2025-03-10T13:38:38Z

They don't look like much, but this is day 8 and we weren't seeing any signs of germination.... So this was a pleasant sight to wake up to!

#Gardening #seedstarting

#SpringIsComing Seed starting day #1, with several more to come! ...

2025-03-02T23:51:52Z

#SpringIsComing

Seed starting day #1, with several more to come! All #gardening work overseen by Theseus, who has never met a tray he didn't want to lay in.

#SeedStarting

After looking over tons of options, we purchased some chicken ...

2025-02-15T18:29:54Z

After looking over *tons* of options, we purchased some chicken coop plans this morning. We're expecting five chickens (all hens) around late April/May, so we're probably starting to build in early March.

We went with plans from The Garden Coop, which were a bit more expensive but look *very* thorough. We're not unhandy but we've not built something of this size before, so the more instruction, the better.

This has basically been a gardening/prep for spring morning, but of the indoors variety ... can't complain!

#DIY #Gardening #SpringIsComing

Forkish's White With Poolish. #Baking #Bread #KenForkish ...

2025-01-21T00:23:21Z

Forkish's White With Poolish.
#Baking #Bread #KenForkish

Snow has begun in #CentralIllinois. Not a lot, very small flakes ...

2025-01-05T13:37:01Z

Snow has begun in #CentralIllinois. Not a lot, very small flakes and falling pretty lightly.

Our weather estimates are swinging wildly between 5 inches and 12 for snow accumulation. I am guessing we get closer to 8 to 10. We are likely out of range for ice.

#Illinois #WinterWeather

I had either never seen or noticed this Sherwin Williams logo, ...

2024-12-15T22:52:31Z

I had either never seen or noticed this Sherwin Williams logo, which I saw on a truck today.

Did no one at the company stop and say: is this sending the wrong, possibly environmentally-destructive message?

Wrapping up my digital history/countercultures class with some ...

2024-12-03T21:05:17Z

Wrapping up my digital history/countercultures class with some talk about the long legacy of the environmental movement and its connections to the world and development of information technology.

We read some articles we'll talk about, but we're also just going to bounce around the Whole Earth Catalog for some inspiration --- the whole thing's online.

https://wholeearth.info/

If you didn't know, now you know.

(I'm no longer in libraries at this time, so I'm ...

2024-11-14T00:38:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…sc8g
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(I'm no longer in libraries at this time, so I'm commenting here as an observer... Though I'd have the same complaints if a journal i was likely to publish in put this in place...)

First response after a very speedy skim: shouldn't a good ...

2024-11-14T00:37:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…umcl
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First response after a very speedy skim: shouldn't a good paper stand or fall on its own merits? The quality of the process itself, the quality of the results, the quality of the writing, etc?

Disclosure of generated text is fine and probably good, and if used in some aspect of the research process itself then by all means, let's make that clear in the methods portion of a paper... But we don't hyper-scrutinize other aspects of a scholar's process. We assess on the quality of the work itself. Why should LLM use be different?

In a discipline that often argues in defense of iteration across different aspects of the research cycle, this seems to suggest a very flat, linear model of research in which LLMs are acceptable in certain phases but not in others, as though the phases can be neatly identified.

I could totally change my mind on all of this tomorrow, lol.

Some final fall harvest: #Daikon, a few small carrots and ...

2024-11-03T16:58:19Z

Some final fall harvest: #Daikon, a few small carrots and eggplants, and a watermelon of dubious quality.

#gardening #vegetablegardening #FallHarvest

You take your attention off the garden for a little over a week, ...

2024-08-25T14:29:07Z

You take your attention off the garden for a little over a week, and suddenly you have to figure out what to do with this.

#zucchini #Gardening #vegetableGardening

#Garden update: #Tomatoes incoming! We've been munching on ...

2024-08-09T13:37:32Z

#Garden update:
#Tomatoes incoming! We've been munching on pearl tomatoes for a few days but we'll soon have a good number of...

San Marzano
Early Girl Plus
German striped
Purple Cherokee
White grape
Brandywine

Based just on fruit right now, I think the Purple Cherokee has done the best. But all of them are taking a bit longer to ripen (which I've heard from others in the region, too). Early girl is probably coming up first, could almost pick one or two now.

Two tomatillo plants seemed to start strong but really fizzled out, especially after some storms knocked off some early fruit. Not sure if we'll get anything in the end.

#Gardening #RaisedBeds #VegetableGardening

One of the best kinds of madness! (They look great!)

2024-07-31T16:32:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…zv7z
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One of the best kinds of madness! (They look great!)