Keep Masking. N95s are best but anything helps.
Dec. 12th, 2025 01:27 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
archangelbethhttps://johnsnowproject.org/primers/sars-cov-2-leaves-a-lasting-mark-on-the-immune-system/
"2. Twenty months later: recovery but not to baseline"
(This means that masking, even after a covid infection, is worthwhile because it will help lower infection from other diseases. Dosage matters! The fewer infectious particles that get into the body, the easier it will be for the immune system. even weakened, to contain them.)
"2. Twenty months later: recovery but not to baseline"
(This means that masking, even after a covid infection, is worthwhile because it will help lower infection from other diseases. Dosage matters! The fewer infectious particles that get into the body, the easier it will be for the immune system. even weakened, to contain them.)
Helped with the Christmas tree...
Dec. 8th, 2025 04:57 pmchicatingNot exactly the way I might have pictured, obvs, but the ornaments that I gave Mom last year look pretty good.
Time For The Big Holiday Giveaway!
Dec. 8th, 2025 12:59 pmsaxbrightwell
Smashwords runs a huge sale every winter, and it's that time again! This time I'm making all my single-volume novels FREE - but if you have your heart set on the 1-3 omnibus it's also 50% off. (I've noticed when I make the omnibus free it gets far more downloads than anything else, but Number Go Up is the primary joy I get from these giveaways, so.) Go stock up; the sale is site-wide and tons of indie authors participate, discounting their books anywhere from 25% to 100%.
If you enjoy a book you got for free, it would mean the world to me (and pretty much any author for that matter) if you left a rating, a review, a boost on your socials, or even just reached out to let me know you liked it!
Chocolate
Dec. 7th, 2025 02:28 pmfilkferengiI like chocolate. From this first principle, interesting adventures derive [themselves]. I used to favor Hershey's Kisses, but the logistics of fiddling with tiny wrappers during an arthritis flare were an obstacle. Then I hit upon the bag of milk chocolate chips as my delivery vector of choice; direct chocolate hit, chocolatier taste, no fiddly wrappers - what's not to like?
When they're not to be found, that's what. Over a couple of weeks, due to scarcity, my sweet spouse went to more than one store, for me. Then, last week, there were none to be found anywhere. He brought me a bag of Kroger's store brand and a bag of Ghirardelli. While not as chocolatey and with more beat-up looking chips, the Kroger was still an acceptable alternative. Ironically enough, the Ghirardelli bag combined being significantly more expensive with larger chips. My spouse called the chocolate taste "understated." I called it "nonexistent." Nothing like paying more for less flavor.
This week, relief was in sight, as he returned home victorious with the desired chocolate. Those first chips after a week of deprivation were intensely pleasurable. [I may have to do extra walks this week, weather permitting.]
As I went towards the fridge this afternoon, in anticipation of more chocolate chip goodness, I heard music in my head. I'm a filker; this isn't exactly a surprise. Bill & Gretchen Roper have an excellent song on the subject, "My Husband The Filker." As I let the tune play out to see which one it was, "Sha bop, sha bop" flowed into "I Only Have Eyes For You", a decidedly apt tune for chocolate on an overcast winter afternoon.
When they're not to be found, that's what. Over a couple of weeks, due to scarcity, my sweet spouse went to more than one store, for me. Then, last week, there were none to be found anywhere. He brought me a bag of Kroger's store brand and a bag of Ghirardelli. While not as chocolatey and with more beat-up looking chips, the Kroger was still an acceptable alternative. Ironically enough, the Ghirardelli bag combined being significantly more expensive with larger chips. My spouse called the chocolate taste "understated." I called it "nonexistent." Nothing like paying more for less flavor.
This week, relief was in sight, as he returned home victorious with the desired chocolate. Those first chips after a week of deprivation were intensely pleasurable. [I may have to do extra walks this week, weather permitting.]
As I went towards the fridge this afternoon, in anticipation of more chocolate chip goodness, I heard music in my head. I'm a filker; this isn't exactly a surprise. Bill & Gretchen Roper have an excellent song on the subject, "My Husband The Filker." As I let the tune play out to see which one it was, "Sha bop, sha bop" flowed into "I Only Have Eyes For You", a decidedly apt tune for chocolate on an overcast winter afternoon.
Protect the postal service.
Dec. 5th, 2025 03:41 pmarchangelbethhttps://bsky.app/profile/joshuaerlich.bsky.social/post/3lipubvipg22u
"the USPS is a miracle. it's in the constitution. for the price of a single stamp you can send a letter across the country, from Hawaii to Maine. Trump is trying to take that away from you. He's attacking Christmas cards and wedding invitations. It's un-American and it has to stop."
Sent from my iPhone
Went to the fancy part of town...
Dec. 3rd, 2025 01:47 pmchicatingto buy some chocolate for the holidays.. think maybe we were both looking for something we didn't find, but we got samples and a nice ride through rich people's neighborhoods.
Watching Aftyn Behn "almost win" reminds me too much of my own life, really, except nobody is gonna tell her she's "So Brave" probably.But, you know, I'm a longshot, too.(one that, as of this writing, has not come into very much.(Also, the real, well, I hesitate to call it fun, but, okay, something beneath that, pleasure, maybe, of a long-shot campaign is doing what you can while not taking it seriously, cause, like, "What the hell?" Saying what you want(within reason) not sweating the polling...that kind of stuff.
Having her come so close with everyone watching is kind of the worst of all possible worlds.I'm an activist, not a fricking Cubs fan..."Wait Till Next Year" doesn't get it done for me anymore...after about fourteen years, I'm thinking of leaving the phone team behind, but my own life isn't compelling either, or I never would have flung myself in so hard in the first place. But I haven't had a good round of calls in forever.
Still looking for that dare-to-be-great situation, I guess.
Watching Aftyn Behn "almost win" reminds me too much of my own life, really, except nobody is gonna tell her she's "So Brave" probably.But, you know, I'm a longshot, too.(one that, as of this writing, has not come into very much.(Also, the real, well, I hesitate to call it fun, but, okay, something beneath that, pleasure, maybe, of a long-shot campaign is doing what you can while not taking it seriously, cause, like, "What the hell?" Saying what you want(within reason) not sweating the polling...that kind of stuff.
Having her come so close with everyone watching is kind of the worst of all possible worlds.I'm an activist, not a fricking Cubs fan..."Wait Till Next Year" doesn't get it done for me anymore...after about fourteen years, I'm thinking of leaving the phone team behind, but my own life isn't compelling either, or I never would have flung myself in so hard in the first place. But I haven't had a good round of calls in forever.
Still looking for that dare-to-be-great situation, I guess.
R.I.P. Leslie Fish
Dec. 2nd, 2025 01:31 pmfilkferengiA member of the Bujold list requested a more detailed obituary. This'll do to start.
Leslie Fish was a deeply complex person, with so many talents and interests, Diderot and the Encyclopédistes could have followed her around for a lifetime and still not kept up. Nimble fingers and nimbler mind, a sheer, stubborn persistence in living her life on her own terms [smokes, booze, & all], let's just say, Leslie and Piotr would've understood each other all too well. Opinionated and cantankerous, yet none more encouraging and supportive in a song circle or more generous in mentorship. Whether the topic was breeding cats [with thumbs!] or politics, restoring heritage fruit trees or the latest in technology, space or fantasy, just keeping up was sheer fun. Leslie was always a challenge and a delight; knowing her was a privelege and an honor.
I urge you to seek out her music, on youtube, bandcamp.com, and elsewhere, and let her speak for herself.
P. S. Links: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=leslie+fish and https://lesliefish.bandcamp.com/
Leslie Fish was a deeply complex person, with so many talents and interests, Diderot and the Encyclopédistes could have followed her around for a lifetime and still not kept up. Nimble fingers and nimbler mind, a sheer, stubborn persistence in living her life on her own terms [smokes, booze, & all], let's just say, Leslie and Piotr would've understood each other all too well. Opinionated and cantankerous, yet none more encouraging and supportive in a song circle or more generous in mentorship. Whether the topic was breeding cats [with thumbs!] or politics, restoring heritage fruit trees or the latest in technology, space or fantasy, just keeping up was sheer fun. Leslie was always a challenge and a delight; knowing her was a privelege and an honor.
I urge you to seek out her music, on youtube, bandcamp.com, and elsewhere, and let her speak for herself.
P. S. Links: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=leslie+fish and https://lesliefish.bandcamp.com/
Status Report for November, 2025
Dec. 1st, 2025 05:01 pmtuftearsThat's November in the bag!
( Cut for length. )
So plan for December... Finish editing the Rose in Nova Paree novel and then start looking for first readers. Try and make the ebook for Timecrossed Engineer so I can give it a last read-through in "finished form." There may be a family Christmas get-together or not, I don't really know.
Maybe I'll start on a new novel... either late December or early in 2026.
( Cut for length. )
So plan for December... Finish editing the Rose in Nova Paree novel and then start looking for first readers. Try and make the ebook for Timecrossed Engineer so I can give it a last read-through in "finished form." There may be a family Christmas get-together or not, I don't really know.
Maybe I'll start on a new novel... either late December or early in 2026.
Look! I remembered to post before December started this year!
Nov. 30th, 2025 02:42 am![[staff profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user_staff.png){kind=small}
denise posting in ![[site community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/comm_staff.png){kind=small}
dw_newsHello, friends! It's about to be December again, and you know what that means: the fact I am posting this actually before December 1 means karzilla reminded me about the existence of linear time again. Wait, no -- well, yes, but also -- okay, look, let me back up and start again: it's almost December, and that means it's time for our annual December holiday points bonus.
The standard explanation: For the entire month of December, all orders made in the Shop of points and paid time, either for you or as a gift for a friend, will have 10% of your completed cart total sent to you in points when you finish the transaction. For instance, if you buy an order of 12 months of paid time for $35 (350 points), you'll get 35 points when the order is complete, to use on a future purchase.
( The fine print and much more behind this cut! )
Thank you, in short, for being the best possible users any social media site could possibly ever hope for. I'm probably in danger of crossing the Sappiness Line if I haven't already, but you all make everything worth it.
On behalf of Mark, Jen, Robby, and our team of awesome volunteers, and to each and every one of you, whether you've been with us on this wild ride since the beginning or just signed up last week, I'm wishing you all a very happy set of end-of-year holidays, whichever ones you celebrate, and hoping for all of you that your 2026 is full of kindness, determination, empathy, and a hell of a lot more luck than we've all had lately. Let's go.
karzilla reminded me about the existence of linear time again. Wait, no -- well, yes, but also -- okay, look, let me back up and start again: it's almost December, and that means it's time for our annual December holiday points bonus.The standard explanation: For the entire month of December, all orders made in the Shop of points and paid time, either for you or as a gift for a friend, will have 10% of your completed cart total sent to you in points when you finish the transaction. For instance, if you buy an order of 12 months of paid time for $35 (350 points), you'll get 35 points when the order is complete, to use on a future purchase.
( The fine print and much more behind this cut! )
Thank you, in short, for being the best possible users any social media site could possibly ever hope for. I'm probably in danger of crossing the Sappiness Line if I haven't already, but you all make everything worth it.
On behalf of Mark, Jen, Robby, and our team of awesome volunteers, and to each and every one of you, whether you've been with us on this wild ride since the beginning or just signed up last week, I'm wishing you all a very happy set of end-of-year holidays, whichever ones you celebrate, and hoping for all of you that your 2026 is full of kindness, determination, empathy, and a hell of a lot more luck than we've all had lately. Let's go.