Comfort
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 03:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
offcntr
I got home Tuesday night, finally, just before midnight. Denise picked me up at the airport, I drove home. (She really doesn't like driving in the dark.)One last story from the trip.
Our 5:50 pm flight out of Milwaukee loaded a little late, but not too badly. Completely full flight, of course, making up for the previous day's cancellations. I was in seat 16B, next to the left wing; my neighbor in the window seat was a teenage girl who was a very fearful flyer. Are we supposed to feel vibrations? Yes, that's normal. Are the wings broken? No, those are flaps; they control the plane. What's happening now? We're taxiing to our runway--just driving along the ground. As we approached take-off, she asked, Do you mind if I hold your hand?
Not at all, I said. Would you like to borrow my bear?
We flew all the way to Denver with her right hand clutching my forearm, my hand over hers, and her left hand cradling Umberto.
Such a brave bear.
Dolls beat tablets at building social understanding, six-week study suggests
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 05:50 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
phys_social_feedResearch by Cardiff University has found that playing with Barbie dolls can help reach key milestones in developing empathy and social understanding during childhood. Doll play was found to be beneficial for both boys and girls, and is particularly valuable for those experiencing problems with their peers. The work appears in PLOS One.
no subject
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 03:06 pmgreghousesgfHad some cinnamon tea. Had some good phone conversations with my mom and L. Still taking the muscle relaxants, hoping the pain doesn't come back the second I go off them. I never did hear a word about the results of all those medical tests.
Some stories are not great about Othering the Mystic Special Peoples
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 09:49 pmbeccaelizabethThing I want to write about but lack sufficient depth of knowledge:
I have been reading some books that treat Wales and Native Americans as some sort of mystical Other, a fairyland you can visit and notice has a homelessness problem. And it made me think about Torchwood. Because Torchwood isn't doing that.
I have read a Bunch of stories that decide Wales is some kind of mystical theme park, just Other enough to go visit and bring back a bit of magic from. Wales exists to be Mountains with occasional Castle. Also mud. Possibly sheep. There may be a pub. But it is being Iconic and Scenic and not terribly functional.
Torchwood just has the story set in Cardiff, a real functioning city with police and local government and sports events and wheelie bins and people on a night out and just, you know, everything you get in every other city.
Plus aliens, but this is the Whoniverse, so we are real clear by now that all this all is happening in several places, we're just watching the Cardiff team.
A team including Welsh people.
And, yes, an immigrant from outer space with an American accent, but.
Welsh people aren't just the backdrop or the victims or the comedy sidekick, they are the actual protagonists and there to save the world.
(arguments about efficacy and technique are for another time)
The more I read this book that assumes that not only the characters but the reader will identify with white Americans who own their own house and might have met a black person but find Native Americans to be exotic emissaries from a mystic power and or possibly ghosts the more annoyed I get.
And I am aware that there are significant differences between that and visiting Wales
but these books aren't.
But to figure out if it's more than just these two texts to compare contrast and write this up properly I'd need some kind of survey of how Wales was depicted in pre Torchwood media and to read around the topic and actually know what I'm talking about, which, I feel I do not.
It's just winding me up.
And that's without getting on to how some stories treat being descended from. All those ancestors and all that math to figure out how many people you descend from across a thousand years? Oh we'll just be talking about the one of them and being vague and hand wavy.
I have a headache and a grumpy.
New hair is excellent but the going and getting it done is exhausting.
I'll go read some more.
I have been reading some books that treat Wales and Native Americans as some sort of mystical Other, a fairyland you can visit and notice has a homelessness problem. And it made me think about Torchwood. Because Torchwood isn't doing that.
I have read a Bunch of stories that decide Wales is some kind of mystical theme park, just Other enough to go visit and bring back a bit of magic from. Wales exists to be Mountains with occasional Castle. Also mud. Possibly sheep. There may be a pub. But it is being Iconic and Scenic and not terribly functional.
Torchwood just has the story set in Cardiff, a real functioning city with police and local government and sports events and wheelie bins and people on a night out and just, you know, everything you get in every other city.
Plus aliens, but this is the Whoniverse, so we are real clear by now that all this all is happening in several places, we're just watching the Cardiff team.
A team including Welsh people.
And, yes, an immigrant from outer space with an American accent, but.
Welsh people aren't just the backdrop or the victims or the comedy sidekick, they are the actual protagonists and there to save the world.
(arguments about efficacy and technique are for another time)
The more I read this book that assumes that not only the characters but the reader will identify with white Americans who own their own house and might have met a black person but find Native Americans to be exotic emissaries from a mystic power and or possibly ghosts the more annoyed I get.
And I am aware that there are significant differences between that and visiting Wales
but these books aren't.
But to figure out if it's more than just these two texts to compare contrast and write this up properly I'd need some kind of survey of how Wales was depicted in pre Torchwood media and to read around the topic and actually know what I'm talking about, which, I feel I do not.
It's just winding me up.
And that's without getting on to how some stories treat being descended from. All those ancestors and all that math to figure out how many people you descend from across a thousand years? Oh we'll just be talking about the one of them and being vague and hand wavy.
I have a headache and a grumpy.
New hair is excellent but the going and getting it done is exhausting.
I'll go read some more.
Pinch Hits #2-3
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 10:52 pmextrapenguin in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
space_swapOne repost and one new!
Due at the same time as the regular assignments: Sun 5 Apr 17:00 CEST (in your timezone | countdown). To claim, comment on this post with your AO3 username and the pinch hit you want to claim.
#2: ( Phantasy Star, Star Ocean, Live a Live, Mugen Kouro, LotGH )
#3: ( SWOT, ST:AOs, DCU )
Due at the same time as the regular assignments: Sun 5 Apr 17:00 CEST (in your timezone | countdown). To claim, comment on this post with your AO3 username and the pinch hit you want to claim.
#2: ( Phantasy Star, Star Ocean, Live a Live, Mugen Kouro, LotGH )
#3: ( SWOT, ST:AOs, DCU )
Books read!
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 04:46 pmegretIt's been ages since I've kept up with this Wednesday posting. I've put it on my to do list so hopefully I'll get to it now.
So far this year I've read the first 7 books in the DI Hilary Greene series by Faith Martin. They are perfect for bedtime books -- if I have insomnia I am entertained, and if I am sleepy I have a calm methodical British accent narrating detection procedures. Does that count as ASMR? I will say that they are advertised as rewrites of earlier novels and it shows in the lack of technology - mobile phones are quite the novelty and people actually use them to talk on the phone. No texting, no social media. But that's also soothing and easy to follow. The lead character is a single (well, divorced) and child-free middle-aged Detective Inspector who is neither annoying nor neurotic. She's opinionated and self-confident and smart, as one would expect. Very enjoyable. There is a little of the typical gung-ho cop talk, but it's not too bad. (Honestly, I have never felt that crusading desire to rid society of criminals and/or evil but I must at this point assume that some people are genuine when they say they feel that way. Or they're all hypocrites and I'm very cynical. Hmm. Is this also why I don't like superheroes? At any rate, it is a genre problem and not a problem with this book series specifically.)
For work (because I'm teaching them) I read a bunch of Langston Hughes's poetry from his first book, The Weary Blues.(1925) It's all there already in his first book, even though he expands throughout his career. Now in the public domain!
Also for work, Nella Larsen's novel Passing (1929), about a Black woman passing as a white woman in 1920s Harlem. It's mostly about how her Black childhood friend reacts to re-encountering her as an adult, and the relationships between people - very much a psychological novel. Recommended.
Also for work, George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession (written 1893, performed 1906? 1907?) - the classic and still relevant drama about women and economics and the hypocrisy around prostitution. This has been extremely teachable in the wake of the Epstein files and the pervasiveness of sexual exploitation in society. We also had good discussions about whether we judge women who make money on OnlyFans.
Not for work, Essential Succulents: The Beginner's Guide by Ken Shelf, because I am slowly building my cacti collection. This had beautiful photos but was somewhat short on actual guidance.
So far this year I've read the first 7 books in the DI Hilary Greene series by Faith Martin. They are perfect for bedtime books -- if I have insomnia I am entertained, and if I am sleepy I have a calm methodical British accent narrating detection procedures. Does that count as ASMR? I will say that they are advertised as rewrites of earlier novels and it shows in the lack of technology - mobile phones are quite the novelty and people actually use them to talk on the phone. No texting, no social media. But that's also soothing and easy to follow. The lead character is a single (well, divorced) and child-free middle-aged Detective Inspector who is neither annoying nor neurotic. She's opinionated and self-confident and smart, as one would expect. Very enjoyable. There is a little of the typical gung-ho cop talk, but it's not too bad. (Honestly, I have never felt that crusading desire to rid society of criminals and/or evil but I must at this point assume that some people are genuine when they say they feel that way. Or they're all hypocrites and I'm very cynical. Hmm. Is this also why I don't like superheroes? At any rate, it is a genre problem and not a problem with this book series specifically.)
For work (because I'm teaching them) I read a bunch of Langston Hughes's poetry from his first book, The Weary Blues.(1925) It's all there already in his first book, even though he expands throughout his career. Now in the public domain!
Also for work, Nella Larsen's novel Passing (1929), about a Black woman passing as a white woman in 1920s Harlem. It's mostly about how her Black childhood friend reacts to re-encountering her as an adult, and the relationships between people - very much a psychological novel. Recommended.
Also for work, George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession (written 1893, performed 1906? 1907?) - the classic and still relevant drama about women and economics and the hypocrisy around prostitution. This has been extremely teachable in the wake of the Epstein files and the pervasiveness of sexual exploitation in society. We also had good discussions about whether we judge women who make money on OnlyFans.
Not for work, Essential Succulents: The Beginner's Guide by Ken Shelf, because I am slowly building my cacti collection. This had beautiful photos but was somewhat short on actual guidance.
Magic 8 Ball says, cloudy, try again
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 03:03 pmrhiOn the plus side, I slept well, food is made and caffeine at hand, and it turns out that yes, the new(ish) vacuum is good enough to pick up instant coffee. On the minus side, this is probably a migraine because I'm trying to get all the things done, at the same time, and yes, while trying to get caffeine, I dropped the bottle of instant espresso.
It's cleaned up, I'm eating and have taped the top of that bottle back together, and no glass on the floor: good enough.
It's cleaned up, I'm eating and have taped the top of that bottle back together, and no glass on the floor: good enough.
Man, I do not miss menses, but I don't know that migraines was a great trade, here.
What I am reading Wednesday
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 07:51 pmparanoidangelWhat I Just Finished Reading
Mary Neal and the Suffragettes Who Saved Morris Dancing by Kathryn Atherton. I saw this in the Morris Federation newsletter, added it to my wishlist to think about later and then one day it was £2, so I bought it. And it was really interesting. As far as history is concerned, Cecil Sharp is the name you associate with the morris dancing revival, but it was actually Mary Neal who started it, he just had his own opinions and took it over.
The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffiths. I enjoyed this. It was nice to go back to the 1950s for a bit of murder. And the murders and characters were interesting.
The Sisters by Rosalind Noonan. I acquired this because I saw it on the front page on the library ebook website and thought it sounded interesting. A few chapters in I had to check why and the summary sounded interesting. Except that it was such a tiny part of the book and there was a whole lot else going on that wasn't.
What I'm Currently Reading
Suffragette Planners and Plotters by Kathryn Atherton. This one was 99p and much like the Mary Neal book, this is about two people who were so instrumental in the WSPU and the Suffragettes that they wouldn't have got going without them, but we only remember the Pankhursts. And the book reminded me of the original Black Friday: a terrible day of police brutality and not a month of sales/'sales'.
What I'm Reading Next
The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths. This is the first in the Harbinder Kaur series, of which I have book four. So whether I like book one or not, it won't take long to get to book four.
Smoke and Mirrors by Elly Griffiths. The second in the Brighton 1950s series. I am looking forward to this one.
Mirrored from my blog.
What I'm Doing Wednesday
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 02:51 pmsageEDITED TO ADD: The GoFundMe to support MinoanMiss/RubyNye's burial/memorial costs is here.
books
A Murderous Relation (Veronica Speedwell #5) by Deanna Raybourn. 2020. Kinky London again.
An Unexpected Peril (Veronica Speedwell #6). 2021. Mountaineering.
An Impossible Impostor (Veronica Speedwell #7). 2022. Return of Martin Guerre. Too much romance by far.
A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell #8). 2023. Dinosaur house party. Too much romance, still.
A Grave Robbery (Veronica Speedwell #9). 2024. Evil lesbian Dr Frankenstein. *sigh*
currently reading: A Ghastly Catastrophe (Veronica Speedwell #10). 2026. Dracula.
yarning
Sold a snek, a turkey leg, and 2 mushrooms. Got the carrots and kickbunny to KA in the mail (and worked out Click-n-Ship after USPS disabled my old login info). Didn't go to yarn group, even though I was dressed and ready. A strong cold front was on the verge of coming in and I just felt bad. So that's five in a row that I've missed, doh. I did post some pics to the group chat, so they know I'm still involved.
media
The free Importance of Being Earnest is expiring this evening. REALLY fun! <333
healthcrap
I finally called to renew my healthcare coverage, and there are delays on their end, thanks to their new system. Had to reschedule botox for migraines until next month.
#resist
+ Check locally for anti-war protests. I'm finding Reddit and Instagram to be fairly good sources if you check often.
+ March 28: #50501 No Kings Protest #3
astrology
Mercury Retrograde ends on the 20th, the same day as the Equinox (yay SPRING)! OTOH, the last time that all the outer planets were in their current positions, we were in the US Civil War. That doesn't mean we're headed into a new civil war by any means, obvsly, but it's a prettydreadful interesting time in the skies.
I hope all of you are doing well! <333
books
A Murderous Relation (Veronica Speedwell #5) by Deanna Raybourn. 2020. Kinky London again.
An Unexpected Peril (Veronica Speedwell #6). 2021. Mountaineering.
An Impossible Impostor (Veronica Speedwell #7). 2022. Return of Martin Guerre. Too much romance by far.
A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell #8). 2023. Dinosaur house party. Too much romance, still.
A Grave Robbery (Veronica Speedwell #9). 2024. Evil lesbian Dr Frankenstein. *sigh*
currently reading: A Ghastly Catastrophe (Veronica Speedwell #10). 2026. Dracula.
yarning
Sold a snek, a turkey leg, and 2 mushrooms. Got the carrots and kickbunny to KA in the mail (and worked out Click-n-Ship after USPS disabled my old login info). Didn't go to yarn group, even though I was dressed and ready. A strong cold front was on the verge of coming in and I just felt bad. So that's five in a row that I've missed, doh. I did post some pics to the group chat, so they know I'm still involved.
media
The free Importance of Being Earnest is expiring this evening. REALLY fun! <333
healthcrap
I finally called to renew my healthcare coverage, and there are delays on their end, thanks to their new system. Had to reschedule botox for migraines until next month.
#resist
+ Check locally for anti-war protests. I'm finding Reddit and Instagram to be fairly good sources if you check often.
+ March 28: #50501 No Kings Protest #3
astrology
Mercury Retrograde ends on the 20th, the same day as the Equinox (yay SPRING)! OTOH, the last time that all the outer planets were in their current positions, we were in the US Civil War. That doesn't mean we're headed into a new civil war by any means, obvsly, but it's a pretty
I hope all of you are doing well! <333
Word: Egregore
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 03:02 pmstonepicnicking_okapiWednesday's word is...
...egregore
An egregore is a non-physical entity or thought-form created and sustained by the collective thoughts, emotions, and attention of a group of people.
Origins and Etymology
The term "egregore" comes from the French égrégore, derived from the Ancient Greek egrēgoros, meaning "wakeful" or "watcher". Historically, it referred to angelic beings known as "watchers" in the apocryphal Book of Enoch. In modern esoteric and occult traditions, the term evolved to describe a collective psychic or spiritual entity generated by the shared focus of a group.
An egregore is not merely symbolic; it is considered to have a form of independent existence, influencing the thoughts, behaviors, and emotions of the group that created it. It can arise intentionally, through rituals or focused visualization, or unintentionally, through repeated collective attention. The more energy, devotion, or attention a group invests, the stronger and more autonomous the egregore becomes.
--
I found this in this YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsvMrDldOpQ
The Patriarchy's Secret Weakness | Why Withdrawal Works with the summary: Patriarchy is not just a system of laws. It is a ghost we keep alive by feeding it. In this video, I explore the concept of patriarchy as a "Stealth Egregore"—a self-sustaining psychological pattern that survives not through our consent, but through our compliance
...egregore
An egregore is a non-physical entity or thought-form created and sustained by the collective thoughts, emotions, and attention of a group of people.
Origins and Etymology
The term "egregore" comes from the French égrégore, derived from the Ancient Greek egrēgoros, meaning "wakeful" or "watcher". Historically, it referred to angelic beings known as "watchers" in the apocryphal Book of Enoch. In modern esoteric and occult traditions, the term evolved to describe a collective psychic or spiritual entity generated by the shared focus of a group.
An egregore is not merely symbolic; it is considered to have a form of independent existence, influencing the thoughts, behaviors, and emotions of the group that created it. It can arise intentionally, through rituals or focused visualization, or unintentionally, through repeated collective attention. The more energy, devotion, or attention a group invests, the stronger and more autonomous the egregore becomes.
--
I found this in this YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsvMrDldOpQ
The Patriarchy's Secret Weakness | Why Withdrawal Works with the summary: Patriarchy is not just a system of laws. It is a ghost we keep alive by feeding it. In this video, I explore the concept of patriarchy as a "Stealth Egregore"—a self-sustaining psychological pattern that survives not through our consent, but through our compliance
BBC Merlin Battle
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 02:43 pmabyss_valkyrie in iconbattles
Hi, guys! We haven't had a challenge in a long time here. :D
Fandom/s: BBC Merlin
Theme: Make icons from the BBC show Merlin. There are 10 themes in total but you are not obliged to enter icons for all 10. Even if you are interested in making 1 icon to participate, that is welcome. I have provided links where you can find screencaps under the cut.
Total number of icons: 1+
Suggested amount of time to finish the battle: 4 weeks. Deadline: 15th April, 2026
How to sign up: Sign up in the comments.
Submission: Submit your icons here using the template in the textbox.
Status: OPEN
( Themes, Icon Inspo, Screencap links & Template )
Participants:
1.abyss_valkyrie
2.magicrubbish
3.shuufleur93
4.word_never_said
5.narnialover7
6.littlemissnovella
7.wickedgame
8.
9.
Check-In Post - March 18th 2026
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 07:11 pmbadly_knitted in get_knittedHello to all members, passers-by, curious onlookers, and shy lurkers, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.
Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?
There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.
This Week's Question: What is a craft that you tried but abandoned?
If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.
I now declare this Check-In OPEN!
Maybe this diagnosis is correct
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 02:41 pmmaladaI developed a rash on my legs when I was around 20. Red, scaly, itchy. The dermatologist said it was para-psoriasis and it would go away in time.
It did not. For decades I suffered with dry, itchy skin. And it spread over 80 percent of my body.
When I was 40 I went to another dermatologist and he said I had psoriasis. After some coal tar treatments which did nothing he stuffed me in a Light Box. UVB treatment. After a few weekly treatments I started to clear. I was almost completely clear after a few months. Then he retired and no one had light treatment. The rash returned and I suffered.
A year and a half ago I decided to stop suffering and go find another dermatologist. They took biopsies and diagnosed me with psoriasis. They offered self-injectables. That kind of treatment is often hit and miss so they tried me on a pill - which did nothing. Finally I found a place that had a Light Box and again, within a month of weekly visits the rash was in retreat.
Then my scalp started flaking. Then itching. Then bleeding. Then came the scabs and the pus. A year ago my hair started falling out. I'm now 80 percent bald. During this time I saw my two dermatologists They tried a few creams and antibiotics with no effect.
Then they brought in a more experienced nurse. She took one look at my scalp and her eyes widened with horror. Steroids and a new antibiotic were prescribed along with more biopsies. After two weeks with new medications my scalp is 70 percent clear.
I now have a new diagnosis: Eczema.
The scalp may be something different but the treatment is working. The doctor is unsure if the condition scarred my scalp so hair regrowth is considered a stretch goal. I'm keeping a good attitude towards this but decades of suffering could have been avoided if I had been properly diagnosed at 20.
It did not. For decades I suffered with dry, itchy skin. And it spread over 80 percent of my body.
When I was 40 I went to another dermatologist and he said I had psoriasis. After some coal tar treatments which did nothing he stuffed me in a Light Box. UVB treatment. After a few weekly treatments I started to clear. I was almost completely clear after a few months. Then he retired and no one had light treatment. The rash returned and I suffered.
A year and a half ago I decided to stop suffering and go find another dermatologist. They took biopsies and diagnosed me with psoriasis. They offered self-injectables. That kind of treatment is often hit and miss so they tried me on a pill - which did nothing. Finally I found a place that had a Light Box and again, within a month of weekly visits the rash was in retreat.
Then my scalp started flaking. Then itching. Then bleeding. Then came the scabs and the pus. A year ago my hair started falling out. I'm now 80 percent bald. During this time I saw my two dermatologists They tried a few creams and antibiotics with no effect.
Then they brought in a more experienced nurse. She took one look at my scalp and her eyes widened with horror. Steroids and a new antibiotic were prescribed along with more biopsies. After two weeks with new medications my scalp is 70 percent clear.
I now have a new diagnosis: Eczema.
The scalp may be something different but the treatment is working. The doctor is unsure if the condition scarred my scalp so hair regrowth is considered a stretch goal. I'm keeping a good attitude towards this but decades of suffering could have been avoided if I had been properly diagnosed at 20.
Finding Easter eggs in entertainment boosts enjoyment and fan behavior, study finds
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 02:40 pmphys_social_feedIf you've watched popular movies or television shows in the last decade, there's a good chance you've found an Easter egg or two: not an actual brightly colored egg but a subtle reference to another movie or story in the form of a character in the background or object that also appears in other stories. While fan discussions abound online about what such clues might represent, little research has examined which types of fans are most likely to find them and whether they influence enjoyment.