Here is Thursday's Modem Problems from Matthew McAndrews:
( Matthew McAndrews' Modem Problems #2288 - Vitamins - December 4th, 2025 )Tags:
The chaise longue was still there this morning. And its cushion had magically reappeared.
It was a little less cold today. The dog kept wanting to go out. I looked up and there was Monty, lying on the neighbours' roof, looking straight at me and the dog through the now mostly bare branches of the overgrown tree.
It was a little less cold today. The dog kept wanting to go out. I looked up and there was Monty, lying on the neighbours' roof, looking straight at me and the dog through the now mostly bare branches of the overgrown tree.
Thanks to a donation from ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fuzzyred there are 35 new verses, and a donation from janetmiles for 9 verses, so there are 44 new verses in "An Inkling of Things to Come." Shiv and his classmates discuss magical weather, magical geography, natural resources, plants and animals, history, and other aspects of worldbuilding.
fuzzyred there are 35 new verses, and a donation from janetmiles for 9 verses, so there are 44 new verses in "An Inkling of Things to Come." Shiv and his classmates discuss magical weather, magical geography, natural resources, plants and animals, history, and other aspects of worldbuilding.
This poem came out of the December 2, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by prompts from janetmiles, dialecticdreamer, readera, and see_also_friend. It also fills the "Set Boundaries" square in my 2-1-25 card for the Valentines Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the Strange Family thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. "A Dangerous Thing to Be a Doll" happens earlier and will be helpful background.
( Read more... )
janetmiles, dialecticdreamer, readera, and see_also_friend. It also fills the "Set Boundaries" square in my 2-1-25 card for the Valentines Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the Strange Family thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. "A Dangerous Thing to Be a Doll" happens earlier and will be helpful background.( Read more... )
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This song started, like so many songs do, with the chorus arriving and demanding to be attached to the rest of the song. It just took a while to figure out exactly what the rest of the song was, along with getting the tune into some stable state. But once you get the first verse down, everything starts to make sense...
And it's in the key of G! The nice normal key of G. Pay no attention to that Em7 and Cadd9...
Anyway, I hope you like it!
( Lyrics inside )
And it's in the key of G! The nice normal key of G. Pay no attention to that Em7 and Cadd9...
Anyway, I hope you like it!
( Lyrics inside )
The Upper East Side tailor who took poetic street scene photos over six decades from his shop window
“For 60 years, using a 5 x 7 view camera and then a twin lens reflect camera, Albok took as his subject people and passersby outside his shop, and New York City life during the Depression, and World War II,” per NYU. “Central Park, children, street scenes, and people at leisure were also among his preferred subjects.”
He described his Depression-era photos as a way to combat the degradation of poverty. “I photographed many poor souls, trying my best to leave them their most precious heritage—their dignity,” he said. “There is nothing else left.”
“For 60 years, using a 5 x 7 view camera and then a twin lens reflect camera, Albok took as his subject people and passersby outside his shop, and New York City life during the Depression, and World War II,” per NYU. “Central Park, children, street scenes, and people at leisure were also among his preferred subjects.”
He described his Depression-era photos as a way to combat the degradation of poverty. “I photographed many poor souls, trying my best to leave them their most precious heritage—their dignity,” he said. “There is nothing else left.”
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Today is cloudy and cold.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a lady cardinal, and two male cardinals.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/3/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I saw several sparrows playing in the snow, splashing around in it as if dustbathing. :D
EDIT 12/3/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/3/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a lady cardinal, and two male cardinals.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/3/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I saw several sparrows playing in the snow, splashing around in it as if dustbathing. :D
EDIT 12/3/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/3/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
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Cold Comforts
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 2, complete
Word count (story only): 1245
[Early December 2016]
:: On a cold, sleeting day, Shiv wants to spend part of his time off at Flights of Fancy. The problem is that he finds the door iced shut. He and Fancy get to work, and later get to relax together. Part of the Shiv an Omaha story threads in the Polychrome Heroics universe; this story was written for the December prompt events, from an idea suggested byysabetwordsmith, with my warmest thanks! ::
On to part two
Sleet pummeled the sidewalks, bouncing away and clattering against Shiv’s boots on both top and sides as he picked a path toward Flights of Fancy. The hood of his sweatshirt had long since soaked through, but the thick jacket and gloves kept his body warm. The corduroy pants were needed in the nasty weather, but the faint noise that they made was nearly too much for him to bear. He slipped, slightly, and spent the next two blocks focused on taking slow, deliberate steps and rolling his weight from the ball of his foot back to his heels before taking the next step.
By the time he reached the door of the bookshop, the hood was too wet to be any use against the gusting wind, and the cold air had slapped his cheeks berry red.
( Read more... )
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 2, complete
Word count (story only): 1245
[Early December 2016]
:: On a cold, sleeting day, Shiv wants to spend part of his time off at Flights of Fancy. The problem is that he finds the door iced shut. He and Fancy get to work, and later get to relax together. Part of the Shiv an Omaha story threads in the Polychrome Heroics universe; this story was written for the December prompt events, from an idea suggested by
ysabetwordsmith, with my warmest thanks! ::On to part two
Sleet pummeled the sidewalks, bouncing away and clattering against Shiv’s boots on both top and sides as he picked a path toward Flights of Fancy. The hood of his sweatshirt had long since soaked through, but the thick jacket and gloves kept his body warm. The corduroy pants were needed in the nasty weather, but the faint noise that they made was nearly too much for him to bear. He slipped, slightly, and spent the next two blocks focused on taking slow, deliberate steps and rolling his weight from the ball of his foot back to his heels before taking the next step.
By the time he reached the door of the bookshop, the hood was too wet to be any use against the gusting wind, and the cold air had slapped his cheeks berry red.
( Read more... )
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This is the second freebie, thanks to new donor gs_silva. It was inspired by a prompt from siliconshaman. It also fills the "What are you?" square in my 10-1-25 card for the Fall Festival Bingo. This poem belongs to the series Schrodinger's Heroes and Polychrome Heroics. It follows "And Everything Collapses," so read that first or this won't make much sense.
( Read more... )
gs_silva. It was inspired by a prompt from siliconshaman. It also fills the "What are you?" square in my 10-1-25 card for the Fall Festival Bingo. This poem belongs to the series Schrodinger's Heroes and Polychrome Heroics. It follows "And Everything Collapses," so read that first or this won't make much sense.( Read more... )
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I checked for a Wednesday-after-Thanksgiving holiday and didn't find any. So I'm declaring this Self-Care Wednesday. You've done all the things. You've done Thanksgiving, Buy Nothing Day, Small Business Saturday, Shop for Good Sunday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday. And now you're tired. You deserve a break! Take care of yourself today.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
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Xmas is definitely going to be the big holiday for house decorations this year. Already house after house is sprouting lights, candy canes, even inflatables. I'm glad of the enthusiasm, so long as it isn't too Xian. But I fear one reason I'm seeing it more this year is there are fewer Hindus. There wasn't as much for Diwali this year. I'm glad the scattering of sub-continent-looking guys that I regularly run into on walks are still here. Unless of course they work somewhere evil like Google.
Everyone 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!
I'm bringing candy cane cookies.
For winter holidays, we also have:
24 Apple Cider Recipes
25 Unique Christmas Dinner Ideas 2024
Christmas Recipes
EASY ALLERGY FRIENDLY HOLIDAY RECIPES FOR SPECIAL DIETS
72 Hanukkah Recipes for This Year’s Celebration
Healthy Holiday & Occasion Recipes
25 HOLIDAY COOKIE RECIPES
19 Festive Recipes to Celebrate Kwanzaa
Vegan Holiday Recipes for Your 2024 Menu
Yule Recipes
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!
I'm bringing candy cane cookies.
For winter holidays, we also have:
24 Apple Cider Recipes
25 Unique Christmas Dinner Ideas 2024
Christmas Recipes
EASY ALLERGY FRIENDLY HOLIDAY RECIPES FOR SPECIAL DIETS
72 Hanukkah Recipes for This Year’s Celebration
Healthy Holiday & Occasion Recipes
25 HOLIDAY COOKIE RECIPES
19 Festive Recipes to Celebrate Kwanzaa
Vegan Holiday Recipes for Your 2024 Menu
Yule Recipes
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Day 66, here we are! Features wedding planning and politically induced social awkwardness.
This piece runs to 2,502 words and I hope that you enjoy it.
Rhoinday, 16 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Jimool, 6 Kaalen, 2157 T.M.L.
1 Mikistli, 21 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.4.2
Dear Journal,
It was overcast with a light drizzle when I woke this morning, making me think that we had been lucky with the weather yesterday afternoon. When Nais brought me my warm water, I put on one of my visiting gowns, the yellow one, so that I would not need to change if Lord Elnaith came to take me for a walk during the day.
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Success! Yesterday's design was written timely and accepted today.
Now, let's go build something. :)
Now, let's go build something. :)
This is today's freebie. It was inspired by a prompt from fuzzyred. It also fills the "Magical Power" square in my 11-1-25 card for the Fairy Tales and Fantasy Stories Bingo. This poem belongs to the series LIFC.
( Read more... )
fuzzyred. It also fills the "Magical Power" square in my 11-1-25 card for the Fairy Tales and Fantasy Stories Bingo. This poem belongs to the series LIFC.( Read more... )
Yet More on Ancient Greek Dildos
This is one of those delightful linguistic deep-dives so beloved of classical philologists. Nelson considers the use of classical Greek ὄλισβος (olisbos) as meaning “dildo” within the context of its other meanings and of other words for dildo and concludes that not only was “dildo” not the primary meaning for the word, but that it also wasn’t the standard/default term for such an instrument. Rather, the modern scholarly assumption that olisbos=dildo derives from the use of the word in Aristophanes and the tendency of the works of Aristophanes to dominate understandings of Greek usage of his time.
Just in case you want some words that modern censors are unlikely to recognize. :D Or you just like ancient sex toys.
This is one of those delightful linguistic deep-dives so beloved of classical philologists. Nelson considers the use of classical Greek ὄλισβος (olisbos) as meaning “dildo” within the context of its other meanings and of other words for dildo and concludes that not only was “dildo” not the primary meaning for the word, but that it also wasn’t the standard/default term for such an instrument. Rather, the modern scholarly assumption that olisbos=dildo derives from the use of the word in Aristophanes and the tendency of the works of Aristophanes to dominate understandings of Greek usage of his time.
Just in case you want some words that modern censors are unlikely to recognize. :D Or you just like ancient sex toys.
Today is cloudy and cold. It snowed a bit yesterday, so everything is white and fluffy again.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, plus a male and a female cardinal separately.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/2/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 12/2/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen two mourning doves.
EDIT 12/2/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, plus a male and a female cardinal separately.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/2/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 12/2/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen two mourning doves.
EDIT 12/2/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
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