small pleasures
Jan. 15th, 2026 08:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kayreI've always loved light through colored glass, including tea lights in colored votives. But I don't light candles very often-- the small effort, the smoke, the small danger of candles around cats, etc. And I don't like the little electric votives because they're generally disposable.
A few weeks ago a little (tea?) light went off in my head-- and I searched, and found rechargeable electric tea lights, and ordered a set. I'm in love! I can adjust the light level and flicker speed, so while it doesn't quite look like actual flame, it's close. I can set up a timer, so I have one in the dining room set to light for 4 hours every night. There's also a remote, so I control the one in my sitting room day by day. I'm rotating through my little collection of votives, and finding the little lights amazingly soothing.
A few weeks ago a little (tea?) light went off in my head-- and I searched, and found rechargeable electric tea lights, and ordered a set. I'm in love! I can adjust the light level and flicker speed, so while it doesn't quite look like actual flame, it's close. I can set up a timer, so I have one in the dining room set to light for 4 hours every night. There's also a remote, so I control the one in my sitting room day by day. I'm rotating through my little collection of votives, and finding the little lights amazingly soothing.
Garden, New Panels, Radio
Jan. 13th, 2026 06:02 pmranunculusSince the sun came out the garden has gotten quite a lot of love. The iris bed with the white irises in it got dug over, the irises lifted and divided. It has been at least two or possibly 3 decades since the iris have been divided and they were in a sorry state. There are great numbers of various iris plants sitting around waiting for new homes most of them quite small. The (few) replanted iris should thrive. They will be extra happy without the grass that was threatening to choke them out. Some of the white iris will be replaced with bronze/pink iris from Henry St, and possibly some other colors.
Elsewhere in the garden; A couple of beds no longer have dying tomatoes in them which makes the fava beans, which were trying to grow in tomato plant shade, really happy. Tons of grass has been pulled out and dead sunflowers pulled out to add to the compost. Still have two big beds to go but things are definitely looking a lot better. Sadly there are vole trails all over. They love all the overgrown plants. Yesterday traps were set out to reduce the vole population. So far I've caught 3.
Today the new metal fence panels for Winter Quarters arrived. Dave and his son Grant came up to help. We removed the old beat up/broken panels that decidedly did not fit and put new ones in their place. It all fits and looks SO much better. Included in this order were several gates, one of which is now hanging from the front-center of the Winter Quarters run in shedrow. For months we have been using a temporary panel as a gate. This meant lifting it and hooking it on a hinge pin fitting that was loosely attached. It worked surprisingly well as a latch, but it was a pain in the neck to use. Today we replaced that panel with a nice gate on real hinges!
This afternoon I had an interview down at the local community radio station. I think it went well. Hopefully I didn't say "um" too many times! It was kind of fun: The lady who was interviewing me was using some new equipment; when she had trouble getting her sound levels right, my Stagehand training kicked in and we were able to solve them together.
Elsewhere in the garden; A couple of beds no longer have dying tomatoes in them which makes the fava beans, which were trying to grow in tomato plant shade, really happy. Tons of grass has been pulled out and dead sunflowers pulled out to add to the compost. Still have two big beds to go but things are definitely looking a lot better. Sadly there are vole trails all over. They love all the overgrown plants. Yesterday traps were set out to reduce the vole population. So far I've caught 3.
Today the new metal fence panels for Winter Quarters arrived. Dave and his son Grant came up to help. We removed the old beat up/broken panels that decidedly did not fit and put new ones in their place. It all fits and looks SO much better. Included in this order were several gates, one of which is now hanging from the front-center of the Winter Quarters run in shedrow. For months we have been using a temporary panel as a gate. This meant lifting it and hooking it on a hinge pin fitting that was loosely attached. It worked surprisingly well as a latch, but it was a pain in the neck to use. Today we replaced that panel with a nice gate on real hinges!
This afternoon I had an interview down at the local community radio station. I think it went well. Hopefully I didn't say "um" too many times! It was kind of fun: The lady who was interviewing me was using some new equipment; when she had trouble getting her sound levels right, my Stagehand training kicked in and we were able to solve them together.
I ain't dead yet!
Jan. 13th, 2026 06:04 amsine_nominePosted this in response to someone, and realize it might have relevance to the handful of you what would actually read what I post, if ever I would actually post.
In part, I said, "Anemia plus upcoming hip surgery plus full time job plus being across the country this long have finally combined to eat any spare brain cells I might have."
Note that I am leaving out the state of the world (the insanity is not just limited to the US at present, but wow is it looming large), and the challenges of working in the particular areas of interest for Major NonProfit in the times such as these in which we find ourselves living. Those are just the lagniappe.
In part, I said, "Anemia plus upcoming hip surgery plus full time job plus being across the country this long have finally combined to eat any spare brain cells I might have."
Note that I am leaving out the state of the world (the insanity is not just limited to the US at present, but wow is it looming large), and the challenges of working in the particular areas of interest for Major NonProfit in the times such as these in which we find ourselves living. Those are just the lagniappe.
(no subject)
Jan. 12th, 2026 10:03 pmdolari"Only an idiot fights a war on two fronts. Only the heir to the throne of the kingdom of idiots would fight a war on twelve fronts." --Londo Mollari, Babylon 5
(no subject)
Jan. 11th, 2026 12:03 pmdolariAnd a credit card has been wiped out.
The first of the three over the next two years, I'm hoping.
The first of the three over the next two years, I'm hoping.
(no subject)
Jan. 11th, 2026 10:29 amdolariDecades ago, when I was taking driver's education, a huge argument blew up between the teacher and a student where the student said he wouldn't be upset at all if he hit and killed a jaywalker because the jaywalker was breaking the law.
Through the whole argument, he wouldn't budge. "Not my fault I hit him." "He shouldn't have been there." Eventuality the teacher let it go, the student had a smug "I won" look on his face and the day went on.
It's scary seeing this same lack of empathy from our governments and law enforcement.
Through the whole argument, he wouldn't budge. "Not my fault I hit him." "He shouldn't have been there." Eventuality the teacher let it go, the student had a smug "I won" look on his face and the day went on.
It's scary seeing this same lack of empathy from our governments and law enforcement.