The Treehouse

Today is cloudy and warm.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 9/12/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 9/12/26 -- I cracked 2 yellow peach pits and got 1 good seed. I cracked 2 red plum pits and got 1 good seed. I bagged those in damp sand to cold-stratify in the fridge.

EDIT 9/12/26 -- I processed the 12 seeds from the second pawpaw and bagged them.

EDIT 9/12/26 -- I planted half a bag of leucojum near the maple tree in the house yard.

EDIT 9/12/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 9/12/26 -- I finished planting the rest of the leucojum.

EDIT 9/12/26 -- I watered the leucojum, patio plants, and old picnic table garden.

EDIT 9/12/26 -- I watered the new picnic table garden, purple-and-white garden, and maple garden.

EDIT 9/12/26 -- I watered the telephone pole garden, house yard plants, and re-watered the new picnic table.

EDIT 9/12/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

Cicadas and crickets are singing.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

soc_puppet shared some Hex Quilt Patterns.  In addition to standard quilting, these should also work in other hex-based crafts, such as knitting or crochet.  These knitted hexagons have raised ribs like a snowflake. These knitted ones are flat.  Here are 4 ways to crochet a hexagon, and even more hexagons.

Nature groups may be most effective for people with deeper loneliness

In parts of Europe, a doctor can now hand a lonely patient a referral to a gardening club or a walking group rather than a course of pills. The practice rests on a belief that had never been tested directly: someone who feels alone needs a real group, run by trained facilitators, to feel better.


It is essential for medics to have more options than just pills, because that one method cannot solve many problems. Nonmedical methods are more effective in relieving many issues -- including those like loneliness which can exacerbate illness or injury.

( Read more... )

Today is partly sunny and warm. It rained yesterday.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 9/11/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 9/11/26 -- I processed the pawpaw seeds from yesterday. For inspiration, I used this post about growing pawpaws from seed. Since I had some sphagnum moss left over from a previous project, I put some of that in both bags and wet it down before adding the sand and the seeds. Six of the seeds went in untreated, beyond washing them all in water yesterday. Seven I rinsed briefly with the weak bleach solution to kill any mold, then rinsed in plain water before putting in the bag. Those are all now in the fridge to cold-stratify.

EDIT 9/11/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 9/11/26 -- I trimmed brush under the maple tree so I can plant irises there.

EDIT 9/11/26 -- I planted one red-and-white 'Twist of Sheree' and one 'Red Masterpiece' iris under the maple tree, then put rocks around them for protection.

EDIT 9/11/26 -- I planted the other two irises in the same place, which finishes the first bag. \o/

EDIT 9/11/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I put extra soil on top of the irises.

EDIT 9/11/26 -- I mulched around the new irises. I watered them and the purple-and-white garden.

Cicadas and crickets are singing.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Tonight I cut open the first pawpaw. They are often said to be small. I picked two of the biggest in the bin, the size of a good potato or Alphonso mango. They're bigger than many temperate fruits, a hint of their tropical family background. When ripe, they seem rotten, squishy with brown patches on the skin. Should you need to disguise a food source growing outside, pawpaw is little known and its appearance relies on knowledge to recognize its value. If warm, an amazing fragrance floats up from the fruit, telling its true condition.

( Read more... )

Today is cloudy and mild. It's been raining a little off and on. :D

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 9/10/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.







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This year I'm doing Community Thursdays. Some of my activity will involve maintaining communities I run, and my favorites. Some will involve checking my list of subscriptions and posting in lower-traffic ones. Today I have interacted with the following communities...


* Commented on "Canyon Paintings & Fimo Disc Roses" in everykindofcraft.

* Commented on "Speak Up Saturday" in tv_talk.

* Commented on "just create - alien edition" in justcreate.

* Posted "Birdfeeding" in birdfeeding.