Today's Cooking
Jan. 24th, 2026 11:57 pmToday I'm making Healthy Spice Quick Bread. This way we'll have something that isn't cold to go with the apple topping.
EDIT 1/25/26 -- The spice bread turned out pretty well. The flavor is good, not particularly strong, a little on the dry side -- but it works great with the apple topping and probably would with any other wet topping. \o/
EDIT 1/25/26 -- The spice bread turned out pretty well. The flavor is good, not particularly strong, a little on the dry side -- but it works great with the apple topping and probably would with any other wet topping. \o/
Free Epic Poll
Jan. 24th, 2026 11:53 pmThe January 6, 2026 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...
"A Fountain of Energy"
Johan practices with his abilities.
70 lines
"Once the Avalanche Has Begun"
A foolish choice in a neighboring town makes life challenging for Shaeth's followers.
70 lines
"A Fountain of Energy"
Johan practices with his abilities.
70 lines
"Once the Avalanche Has Begun"
A foolish choice in a neighboring town makes life challenging for Shaeth's followers.
70 lines
Poll #34116 Free Epic for the January 6, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl
This poll is closed.
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 12
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 12
Which of these should be the free epic?
I'm going to try to concentrate on the positive
Jan. 24th, 2026 11:45 pmso my brain doesn't spiral out thinking about yet another ICE murder which is bad enough but it's the entire Trump admin (him included) trying to paint the victims as the violent aggressors. He had a legal carrier permit (which is something the right loves until they don't apparently) And what good does FBI resignations do when all that leaves is Trump's minions?
Or the fact that my student loans want me to slam my head into a wall. I tried to pay them last night and I had to update my account. I didn't want the multfactorial verification be a text because I often can't get texts here. I selected Email but it doesn't work. And doesn't work. And doesn't work. Okay fine I'll do text. I can't change it without calling them. I call today only to find out they don't work weekends. HOW are people who work all day expected to call you? Fine, I'll call next week but I gotta pay now. Phone option it is. I try that. and it keeps trying to delete my bank account. It takes me calling back and going thru it all four times before it works.
So what IS positive?
Well it's going on midnight but it's not snowing yet. (with my luck it means the power will go out over night. I can not leave it this hot in here and sleep. Ugh. I have it hot so it'll take longer to cool if I DO lose power)
Since it wasn't snowing I pay for the online Abney Park Dark Academia concert with like 20 minutes before it airs. It was actually really good. He's getting good at creating storylines for his concerts.
I had orange/peach ketel one vodka/St Germaine elderflower martinis with a twist of orange not lemon because of the infused vodka. Yum. I put all my liquor on the porch so it was icy. that was nice.
I made a call to my college friend who lost her dad about two weeks ago. I think I need to call more often. As with ELD who I talk to often, there is just something nice about actually talking to people.
I was able to cook off all the things I wanted to. The one mistake was the Aldi's struesel which I cooked to the package instructions to the least time suggested. Mom was right. I should have done less heat, longer cook. The outside had begun to burn, the goo came out but the inside puff pastry is near to raw. On the other hand it IS tasty and I would get this for company (and cook it lower and slower)
I finished the class work. I need to clean tomorrow if I have power. Here's hoping. (I suspect no one is going to work on Monday anywhere east of Kansad)
I forgot to share my story yesterday so have it now.
Title: Wake Up Your Dream
Summary: Emotional hurt and drained, Angel escapes to the carousel outside the hotel. Heaven is going to be barred to him, he just knows it. He’ll never see Molly again. What is even the point? He’s ready to give up but his friends have a different idea.
Rating: teen
Notes:Written for the allbingo prompt of Sing You Sinners and the lyrical titles bingo prompt of Lyric with "sleep" or "wake". I chose Wake Up by Julie and the Phantoms
Also written for spikesgirl58’s 6 word challenge. The 6 words were Subway, Proposal, Carpet, Priority, Nap, & Spend
( story )
And it's Science Saturday
Arctic blast probably won't cause trees to explode in the cold — but here's what happens if and when they do go boom since this was clickbait all over the place this week, here is what it is.
Scientists may be approaching a 'fundamental breakthrough in cosmology and particle physics' — if dark matter and 'ghost particles' can interact
'Pain sponge' derived from stem cells could soak up pain signals before they reach the brain this would be game changing
2,400-year-old Hercules shrine and elite tombs discovered outside ancient Rome's walls
Medieval 'super ship' found wrecked off Denmark is largest vessel of its kind
'Goddess of dawn': James Webb telescope spies one of the oldest supernovas in the early universe
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cosmic-ring-cosmology-principle?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-ushttps://cornerofmadness.dreamwidth.org/2190354.html"> A massive cosmic ring may challenge a key assumption about the universe
Or the fact that my student loans want me to slam my head into a wall. I tried to pay them last night and I had to update my account. I didn't want the multfactorial verification be a text because I often can't get texts here. I selected Email but it doesn't work. And doesn't work. And doesn't work. Okay fine I'll do text. I can't change it without calling them. I call today only to find out they don't work weekends. HOW are people who work all day expected to call you? Fine, I'll call next week but I gotta pay now. Phone option it is. I try that. and it keeps trying to delete my bank account. It takes me calling back and going thru it all four times before it works.
So what IS positive?
Well it's going on midnight but it's not snowing yet. (with my luck it means the power will go out over night. I can not leave it this hot in here and sleep. Ugh. I have it hot so it'll take longer to cool if I DO lose power)
Since it wasn't snowing I pay for the online Abney Park Dark Academia concert with like 20 minutes before it airs. It was actually really good. He's getting good at creating storylines for his concerts.
I had orange/peach ketel one vodka/St Germaine elderflower martinis with a twist of orange not lemon because of the infused vodka. Yum. I put all my liquor on the porch so it was icy. that was nice.
I made a call to my college friend who lost her dad about two weeks ago. I think I need to call more often. As with ELD who I talk to often, there is just something nice about actually talking to people.
I was able to cook off all the things I wanted to. The one mistake was the Aldi's struesel which I cooked to the package instructions to the least time suggested. Mom was right. I should have done less heat, longer cook. The outside had begun to burn, the goo came out but the inside puff pastry is near to raw. On the other hand it IS tasty and I would get this for company (and cook it lower and slower)
I finished the class work. I need to clean tomorrow if I have power. Here's hoping. (I suspect no one is going to work on Monday anywhere east of Kansad)
I forgot to share my story yesterday so have it now.
Title: Wake Up Your Dream
Summary: Emotional hurt and drained, Angel escapes to the carousel outside the hotel. Heaven is going to be barred to him, he just knows it. He’ll never see Molly again. What is even the point? He’s ready to give up but his friends have a different idea.
Rating: teen
Notes:Written for the allbingo prompt of Sing You Sinners and the lyrical titles bingo prompt of Lyric with "sleep" or "wake". I chose Wake Up by Julie and the Phantoms
Also written for spikesgirl58’s 6 word challenge. The 6 words were Subway, Proposal, Carpet, Priority, Nap, & Spend
( story )
And it's Science Saturday
Arctic blast probably won't cause trees to explode in the cold — but here's what happens if and when they do go boom since this was clickbait all over the place this week, here is what it is.
Scientists may be approaching a 'fundamental breakthrough in cosmology and particle physics' — if dark matter and 'ghost particles' can interact
'Pain sponge' derived from stem cells could soak up pain signals before they reach the brain this would be game changing
2,400-year-old Hercules shrine and elite tombs discovered outside ancient Rome's walls
Medieval 'super ship' found wrecked off Denmark is largest vessel of its kind
'Goddess of dawn': James Webb telescope spies one of the oldest supernovas in the early universe
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cosmic-ring-cosmology-principle?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-ushttps://cornerofmadness.dreamwidth.org/2190354.html"> A massive cosmic ring may challenge a key assumption about the universe
Poem: "lacquerware poet"
Jan. 24th, 2026 09:26 pmThis poem came out of the January 6, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from
siliconshaman. It has been sponsored by
fuzzyred.
lacquerware poet
haiku in and haiku out --
beauty? or cheating?
* * *
Notes:
Haiku is a form of poetry, first made popular in Japan, which has become appreciated around the world. Haiku poets are challenged to convey a vivid message in only 17 syllables.
The Machines Are Coming, and They Write Really Bad Poetry
lacquerware poet
haiku in and haiku out --
beauty? or cheating?
* * *
Notes:
Haiku is a form of poetry, first made popular in Japan, which has become appreciated around the world. Haiku poets are challenged to convey a vivid message in only 17 syllables.
The Machines Are Coming, and They Write Really Bad Poetry
Warming Spices
Jan. 24th, 2026 02:28 pmWarming spices have hot, aromatic qualities. They encourage body heat; they go well with other thermogenic foods. Their scent evokes warmth and comfort. That makes them ideal for cold days. Browse a list of warming spices; you probably have some in your cabinet already. Here is a FAQ list. Screw winter, make something redolent.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
(no subject)
Jan. 24th, 2026 06:09 pmIron Lung, Markiplier's self financed adaptation of an indie horror game has had no ad buys or paid promotion. His goal was to get it on 50 screens. It will open on more than 2,500 and those showings are already selling out.
The above link is from a story that came out a week ago. According to the official site they are up to 2,805. That number may still grow.
The indie game based horror scene, it's a lot, yo.
The above link is from a story that came out a week ago. According to the official site they are up to 2,805. That number may still grow.
The indie game based horror scene, it's a lot, yo.
Nature and Bunnies!
Jan. 24th, 2026 04:43 pmThese are all taken with my phone, but some of them turned out okay, and I figure it's a good time for nature and bunnies?
( Ten pictures: Some nature, one cat, one rabbit, the northern lights )
( Ten pictures: Some nature, one cat, one rabbit, the northern lights )
And So It Goes II
Jan. 24th, 2026 04:37 pmSo, it's been weird. Mostly due to weather. *sigh* I finally got fiber optic installed for my internet, and that is a big plus. However, I failed to inform my cats of this ahead of time and they are finally coming out of "the trauma" that happened on Wednesday, lol. Poor little furballs.
The weather has gotten very cold but the worst of it seems to have avoided it. I am in hibernation mode until maybe Tuesday.
Not much else to say. Just letting people know I am still around even if I'm not posting often. Take care everyone, and stay safe!
((hugs))
The weather has gotten very cold but the worst of it seems to have avoided it. I am in hibernation mode until maybe Tuesday.
Not much else to say. Just letting people know I am still around even if I'm not posting often. Take care everyone, and stay safe!
((hugs))
(belated) January 23 - 'What is your favorite fandom you've ever been a part of and why?' for
elipie:
( Read more... )
(there are still slots open for the January Talking Meme here)
( Read more... )
(there are still slots open for the January Talking Meme here)
Write Every day 2026: January, Day 24
Jan. 24th, 2026 11:24 pm*rushes in* Where did the day go?!
Today's writing
Still treading water. *sighs*
Tally
( Days 1-20 )
Day 21:
alightbuthappypen,
badly_knitted,
brithistorian,
carenejeans,
china_shop,
cornerofmadness,
goddess47,
sanguinity,
shadaras,
sylvanwitch,
trobadora,
ysilme
Day 22:
badly_knitted,
carenejeans,
china_shop,
cornerofmadness,
goddess47,
sanguinity,
shadaras,
sylvanwitch,
the_siobhan,
trobadora
Day 23:
badly_knitted,
brithistorian,
carenejeans,
china_shop,
cornerofmadness,
goddess47,
luzula,
sanguinity,
sylvanwitch,
trobadora
Day 24:
china_shop,
trobadora
Let me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
Today's writing
Still treading water. *sighs*
Tally
( Days 1-20 )
Day 21:
Day 22:
Day 23:
Day 24:
Let me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
Book Bingo: N4 | Book Made into a Film or TV Series | Practical Magic
Jan. 24th, 2026 05:18 pmPractical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Blurb:
I've wanted to read this book for ages because the movie is one of my favs - both for the story and the production design. The book is quite a bit different from the movie, plot-wise. The biggest difference is the location of most of the action - it does not take place in the aunts' charming house. The relationship between the sisters (all three sets) is the most important theme in the book.

Blurb:
The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from New York Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman.
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape.
One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic...
I've wanted to read this book for ages because the movie is one of my favs - both for the story and the production design. The book is quite a bit different from the movie, plot-wise. The biggest difference is the location of most of the action - it does not take place in the aunts' charming house. The relationship between the sisters (all three sets) is the most important theme in the book.
The Beauty's Blade (美人剑) Read-Along: Interest Check
Jan. 24th, 2026 09:55 pmI saw some comm members expressing an interest in a read-along of The Beauty's Blade over on the
cnovels comm, so thought I'd put up an interest check.
Please let me know in the comments whether you'd be interested, and what kind of format you'd like this to be in. Most people seemed to want something casual — let me know what mode/level of participation you'd like and would be happy with. Feel free to DM me also if you don't want to comment publicly.
I'll leave this post up for a couple of weeks or so and then decide :)
Please let me know in the comments whether you'd be interested, and what kind of format you'd like this to be in. Most people seemed to want something casual — let me know what mode/level of participation you'd like and would be happy with. Feel free to DM me also if you don't want to comment publicly.
I'll leave this post up for a couple of weeks or so and then decide :)
[#085 – Chestnut] The Choice (Uprooted - Agnieszka/Kasia)
Jan. 24th, 2026 03:26 pmCreator: Zdenka
Title: The Choice
Rating: G
Type: Fic
Size/length/word count etc.: 713 words
Prompt: #85 – Chestnut
Fandom/Ship: Uprooted - Naomi Novik, Agnieszka/Kasia
Warnings: First Person
Summary: I always knew, since I was old enough to know anything at all, that home was not really my home. When I was seventeen, the Dragon would choose me and take me away to his tower.
Link: Here on AO3
Tags needed:
f: uprooted
Title: The Choice
Rating: G
Type: Fic
Size/length/word count etc.: 713 words
Prompt: #85 – Chestnut
Fandom/Ship: Uprooted - Naomi Novik, Agnieszka/Kasia
Warnings: First Person
Summary: I always knew, since I was old enough to know anything at all, that home was not really my home. When I was seventeen, the Dragon would choose me and take me away to his tower.
Link: Here on AO3
Tags needed:
f: uprooted
(no subject)
Jan. 24th, 2026 07:55 pmSome things that I have had stashed away for a little while:
1.
sovay very kindly sent me a copy of Exit Through the Fireplace by Kate Dunn, which was waiting for me at the new house when I got here. It is about repertory theatre with lots of accounts on every aspect from actors and others involved, including a lot of people I have watched in old telly, so I enjoyed it a lot.
But having only recently before tried to make a post explaining what I loved about Terence Rattigan's plays, including floundering about trying to say how effective his dialogue is, I was v pleased to find this quote:
John Moffatt: (On being in rep, and the difficulty of remembering the lines, doing a new play every week): "You got to know who the good writers were. With Rattigan you barely had to learn it at all, even after just blocking it you almost knew it because it is so beautifully written. The only way to reply to something that has just been said is what he's written."
2. Talking of people being kind,
swordznsorcery wrote me a lovely Sapphire & Steel story with a new Element and a stealth crossover very RTMI here, and if you also like S&S, I recommend taking a look, as it's great! <3
3. The book I was reading introduced me to the utterly untrue but very S&S like urban myth/ghost story of the Zanetti Train. Sounds like an Assignment to me, or a film I would watch, anyway. (It seems to have been taken from a Ukrainian work of fiction, most likely - certainly not one detail of it has any truth in it).
4. Making personalised bingo cards proved to be exactly in my wheelhouse right now, so I had fun with that. If anyone missed it the other day and would like one, feel free to still ask! (Here or there, whatever).
5. Random AO3 tag found while wrangling that is currently amusing me: It is literally just Twelfth Night but with Moomins.
Otherwise still slowly progressing and all that etc etc etc.
1.
But having only recently before tried to make a post explaining what I loved about Terence Rattigan's plays, including floundering about trying to say how effective his dialogue is, I was v pleased to find this quote:
John Moffatt: (On being in rep, and the difficulty of remembering the lines, doing a new play every week): "You got to know who the good writers were. With Rattigan you barely had to learn it at all, even after just blocking it you almost knew it because it is so beautifully written. The only way to reply to something that has just been said is what he's written."
2. Talking of people being kind,
3. The book I was reading introduced me to the utterly untrue but very S&S like urban myth/ghost story of the Zanetti Train. Sounds like an Assignment to me, or a film I would watch, anyway. (It seems to have been taken from a Ukrainian work of fiction, most likely - certainly not one detail of it has any truth in it).
4. Making personalised bingo cards proved to be exactly in my wheelhouse right now, so I had fun with that. If anyone missed it the other day and would like one, feel free to still ask! (Here or there, whatever).
5. Random AO3 tag found while wrangling that is currently amusing me: It is literally just Twelfth Night but with Moomins.
Otherwise still slowly progressing and all that etc etc etc.
Snow
Jan. 24th, 2026 02:03 pmA major storm is sweeping over America. Here it has just started to snow.
Here is a post about keeping water liquid for birds. If you have feeders, make sure they're full.
Looking for something to do? Buy Nothing Day has links to many crafts and other activities.
Here is a post about keeping water liquid for birds. If you have feeders, make sure they're full.
Looking for something to do? Buy Nothing Day has links to many crafts and other activities.