Prices
Apr. 14th, 2026 06:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ursulas_alcoveIn keeping with garden advice, I looked for the nitrogen fertilizer I used last year. I used an organic feather mix that is slow release. I liked it and it was easy to use. While it was easy to find this year and reasonable at $17 a box, the shipping costs for a couple of boxes from CA was $78! It wasn't oversized nor are the boxes heavy. Either their shipping algorithm is screwed up or something is way off. Yes, I left an "abandoned" cart. But prices are going up. Last year I bought packs of coco coir for about $7 or $8 a pack. The discount was bigger in packs of 6. This year I can only find single packs at $22 a pack. Same exact size. Same company. Just wow!
That means a couple of things. One - I'll be looking at bokashi to fertilize. Two - Like it or not, I am going to go flip that compost pile and water it periodically. I'd chase over to Starbucks for coffee grounds, except that uses gas. Once I have the backyard beds all built, I may call for a chip drop. It's a LOT of work hauling those chips up the hill. We'll see if that even happens. The third thing I am doing is making biochar. My latest bed is getting the winter cover crop as plant food. I guess that makes four things. My costs will be water and seed for the cover crops. Just hoping my watering can makes it through the year.
Rain has been a scare commodity. I'll be harvesting the comfrey leaves for the buckets soon. Any digging or reshaping of the land (cinderblock leveling) will be put on hold. The clay will break the shovel. I have a broken tool collection.
It burns me to know that we get plenty of water BEFORE the last freeze but not after. I can't collect rainwater in March when it's plentiful. Hard freezes trash the container and the spigot valve. April 6th was our last hard freeze. We haven't had rain since nor is any forecast for a while. Going forward, I am going to have to do something about that. I am considering a water trough heater, just for those April days when temperatures dip. Before climate change really hit this area hard, we'd get close to 4" of rainwater every month - like clockwork. Now, it's all or nothing. I don't like it but I need to adapt. El Nino not only means high temperatures for the summer, but it also means drought in our area. I've been buying organic straw for all my beds. The Oya will be installed in the newest garden bed. I may make oyas out of old terra cotta pots. I also snagged a failed pottery attempt from Tosten. He was making clay pots with lids. The glaze failed. I think it'll work.
https://youtu.be/gkLRanqTKWw?si=tjvXEz4SRjdbEa0S
My latest video is out on the potatoes. In it, you'll see the latest "purchased" raised bed. I picked up a 2 for 1 sale on Birdies beds last fall. I don't know if I'll like it. My galvanized steel "fire ring" garden has never done well. A lot of garden catalogs are getting rid of a lot of products. Shipping has gotten too expensive. I picked up a wooden bed too, 41" x 36". If I can get that set up this year, it'll hold a zucchini squash plant. That depends on whether I can finish getting the mulberry tree trimmed. It's been too windy. I have quite a ToDo list. As time allows, I'll be working more with items I make out of scrap things. There is no money for purchased items any longer. (With the exception of perlite or soil that I have to get from the hardware store if I am to plant this year)
That means a couple of things. One - I'll be looking at bokashi to fertilize. Two - Like it or not, I am going to go flip that compost pile and water it periodically. I'd chase over to Starbucks for coffee grounds, except that uses gas. Once I have the backyard beds all built, I may call for a chip drop. It's a LOT of work hauling those chips up the hill. We'll see if that even happens. The third thing I am doing is making biochar. My latest bed is getting the winter cover crop as plant food. I guess that makes four things. My costs will be water and seed for the cover crops. Just hoping my watering can makes it through the year.
Rain has been a scare commodity. I'll be harvesting the comfrey leaves for the buckets soon. Any digging or reshaping of the land (cinderblock leveling) will be put on hold. The clay will break the shovel. I have a broken tool collection.
It burns me to know that we get plenty of water BEFORE the last freeze but not after. I can't collect rainwater in March when it's plentiful. Hard freezes trash the container and the spigot valve. April 6th was our last hard freeze. We haven't had rain since nor is any forecast for a while. Going forward, I am going to have to do something about that. I am considering a water trough heater, just for those April days when temperatures dip. Before climate change really hit this area hard, we'd get close to 4" of rainwater every month - like clockwork. Now, it's all or nothing. I don't like it but I need to adapt. El Nino not only means high temperatures for the summer, but it also means drought in our area. I've been buying organic straw for all my beds. The Oya will be installed in the newest garden bed. I may make oyas out of old terra cotta pots. I also snagged a failed pottery attempt from Tosten. He was making clay pots with lids. The glaze failed. I think it'll work.
https://youtu.be/gkLRanqTKWw?si=tjvXEz4SRjdbEa0S
My latest video is out on the potatoes. In it, you'll see the latest "purchased" raised bed. I picked up a 2 for 1 sale on Birdies beds last fall. I don't know if I'll like it. My galvanized steel "fire ring" garden has never done well. A lot of garden catalogs are getting rid of a lot of products. Shipping has gotten too expensive. I picked up a wooden bed too, 41" x 36". If I can get that set up this year, it'll hold a zucchini squash plant. That depends on whether I can finish getting the mulberry tree trimmed. It's been too windy. I have quite a ToDo list. As time allows, I'll be working more with items I make out of scrap things. There is no money for purchased items any longer. (With the exception of perlite or soil that I have to get from the hardware store if I am to plant this year)
April not quite 365 days
Apr. 14th, 2026 12:11 ampattroseApril not quite 365 d ays
14. It’s International Laverbread Day (here’s the Wiki entry). Have you ever tried it?
I have never had it. I'm going to go look it up.
14. It’s International Laverbread Day (here’s the Wiki entry). Have you ever tried it?
I have never had it. I'm going to go look it up.
Crunchy queestions
Apr. 14th, 2026 12:04 ampattroseCrunchy questions
If you're fannish, are you a one-fandom person, or do you love a variety of fandoms at once? Or have you only ever been in one fandom?
I'm a one-fandom-at-a-time gal. I've written in many, but I always end up back at my first love.
If you're fannish, are you a one-fandom person, or do you love a variety of fandoms at once? Or have you only ever been in one fandom?
I'm a one-fandom-at-a-time gal. I've written in many, but I always end up back at my first love.
90 discussion questions
Apr. 14th, 2026 12:03 ampattrose90 discussion questions
1. What more do you wish you would have learned in high school?
I think they should have Native American History class. I learned so much after school on my own. It's a good idea. Someone should run with it.
1. What more do you wish you would have learned in high school?
I think they should have Native American History class. I learned so much after school on my own. It's a good idea. Someone should run with it.
Jokes
Apr. 13th, 2026 11:58 pmpattroseJokes
* Why does it take pirates a long time to learn the alphabet? Because they can spend years at C!
* Why can't a nose be 12 inches long? Because then it would be a foot.
* Why can’t you put two half-dollars in your pocket? Because two halves make a hole, and your money will fall out!
* Why does a moon rock taste better than an Earth rock? It’s a little meteor.
* How much do rainbows weigh? Not much. They’re actually pretty light.
* Why does it take pirates a long time to learn the alphabet? Because they can spend years at C!
* Why can't a nose be 12 inches long? Because then it would be a foot.
* Why can’t you put two half-dollars in your pocket? Because two halves make a hole, and your money will fall out!
* Why does a moon rock taste better than an Earth rock? It’s a little meteor.
* How much do rainbows weigh? Not much. They’re actually pretty light.
When you are a deranged and parasocial fan
Apr. 13th, 2026 11:01 pmyellow_3to3After mark left nct i felt crazy. It made me realize that i might be a teensy bit parasocial... oops. But how can you not become a little parasocial if said celebrity was in the industry for TEN YEARS. DAMN!!! I was young, but mark was too... damn hesjkfdshkjfsdhf. Yes but im normal again now, but I do listen to certain songs (Earrings by Malcolm Tood & Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield) and close my eyes and make edits LMAO.
1) extra, extra, read all about it MARK is in his feelings and he cant get out of it (think about mark's letter and then you combine flashbacks of nct videos)
2) *last chorus* Drench yourself in words unspoken, life your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins... the rest is still unwritten (cue the mark memories and think about what is in store for myself as a fan and for mark lee)
Bruh how can you make photos smaller i cant heskfhsjdfhskjdlk
1) extra, extra, read all about it MARK is in his feelings and he cant get out of it (think about mark's letter and then you combine flashbacks of nct videos)
2) *last chorus* Drench yourself in words unspoken, life your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins... the rest is still unwritten (cue the mark memories and think about what is in store for myself as a fan and for mark lee)
Bruh how can you make photos smaller i cant heskfhsjdfhskjdlk
Delkin Warranty Support
Apr. 13th, 2026 10:52 amlovelyangelEarlier this month I received from B&H Photo/Video Three New Memory Cards for my Nikon mirrorless cameras. I formatted all of them for immediate use. However, I discovered that one of the three memory cards would not eject properly and stayed stuck in the memory card slot. I had to forcibly pull the card out of the slot. I confirmed that the card sticks in both my Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z6 – so it definitely was something about the card.
It turns out the card sticking problem is a known issue and is documented in Delkin’s Product Help. Of course, I found this help online after I’d already forcibly pulled the card from the slot – which the article says NOT to do.
Outside of that, I followed the instructions and called phone support. The support rep, Denzel, opened a support ticket and informed me of the next steps. Denzel mailed me a replacement memory card and a self-addressed stamped envelope for returning the defective card. Included was a nice letter hand-signed by the Product Support Manager – and three large stickers. (They’re huge. I guess Delkin wants you to put them on the hard cases holding your photography gear.)
Anyway, the rapid response was much appreciated. Support for the Black Memory Cards is quite impressive, and includes a 48-hour replacement guarantee. I’ll definitely be buying Delkin Black memory cards going forward.
It turns out the card sticking problem is a known issue and is documented in Delkin’s Product Help. Of course, I found this help online after I’d already forcibly pulled the card from the slot – which the article says NOT to do.
Outside of that, I followed the instructions and called phone support. The support rep, Denzel, opened a support ticket and informed me of the next steps. Denzel mailed me a replacement memory card and a self-addressed stamped envelope for returning the defective card. Included was a nice letter hand-signed by the Product Support Manager – and three large stickers. (They’re huge. I guess Delkin wants you to put them on the hard cases holding your photography gear.)
 |
Anyway, the rapid response was much appreciated. Support for the Black Memory Cards is quite impressive, and includes a 48-hour replacement guarantee. I’ll definitely be buying Delkin Black memory cards going forward.
flowers in my garden
Apr. 13th, 2026 08:23 pmkatriona_sToday I worked at home. The weather is so so, generally lightly cloudy with occasional weak sunshine. And the plants in my garden are now going to show their best colors :)
April not quite 365 days
Apr. 13th, 2026 12:48 ampattroseApril not quite 365 days
13. Have you ever volunteered to do something long-term?
When my friend and neighbor first got cancer fourteen years ago, she went through hell and back with her chemo. She was too week to do much so for 2 months I made her meals for her family, three times a week. It really helped her get through the tough parts. That's about the longest I've ever volunteered to do anything long-term.
13. Have you ever volunteered to do something long-term?
When my friend and neighbor first got cancer fourteen years ago, she went through hell and back with her chemo. She was too week to do much so for 2 months I made her meals for her family, three times a week. It really helped her get through the tough parts. That's about the longest I've ever volunteered to do anything long-term.
Crunchy questions
Apr. 13th, 2026 12:42 ampattroseCrunchy questions
Do you believe that CBD oils work, that they're placebos, or something in between? I don't know about the oils. I do know that gummy’s really help fight pain. It's better than getting hooked on pain pills.
Is anyone familiar with the oils. If you recommend it, I would love to hear why.
Do you believe that CBD oils work, that they're placebos, or something in between? I don't know about the oils. I do know that gummy’s really help fight pain. It's better than getting hooked on pain pills.
Is anyone familiar with the oils. If you recommend it, I would love to hear why.
90 discussion questions
Apr. 13th, 2026 12:39 ampattrose90 discussion questions.
1. What are the most important things we can teach children?
TWo things. Kindness and respect. With these two, you can do almost anything.
1. What are the most important things we can teach children?
TWo things. Kindness and respect. With these two, you can do almost anything.
Jokes
Apr. 13th, 2026 12:36 ampattroseJokes
I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She gave me a hug.
I just found out that I’m colorblind. The diagnosis came completely out of the 9
You have two parts of the brain, “left” and “right”. On the left side, there’s nothing right and on the right side, there’s nothing left.
Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side got amputated? He’s all right now.
I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She gave me a hug.
I just found out that I’m colorblind. The diagnosis came completely out of the 9
You have two parts of the brain, “left” and “right”. On the left side, there’s nothing right and on the right side, there’s nothing left.
Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side got amputated? He’s all right now.
Funny questions
Apr. 13th, 2026 12:33 ampattroseFunny questions
30. Do you sleep with the lights on or off?
Off, of course.
31. What is the silliest thing you’ve ever seen a stranger do in public?
I can't think of anything.
32. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
I wanted to be Samantha from Bewitched.
33. What do you typically do when you’re bored?
I pick up the house and bake and cook.
30. Do you sleep with the lights on or off?
Off, of course.
31. What is the silliest thing you’ve ever seen a stranger do in public?
I can't think of anything.
32. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
I wanted to be Samantha from Bewitched.
33. What do you typically do when you’re bored?
I pick up the house and bake and cook.
Steven Wright fun
Apr. 13th, 2026 12:31 ampattroseSteven Wright Fun
1. My grandmother is also insane, she’s got pierced hearing aids.
2. My brother was a clown for the Ringling Brothers Circus and when he died all his friends went to the funeral in one car.
3. I remember when I was a fetus I used to sneak out at night when my mother was sleeping.
4. If I ever had twins, I would use one for parts.
5. I wrote a few children’s books… not on purpose.
6. I was arrested for lip-syncing Karaoke.
7. Every morning I get up and make instant coffee so I’ll have enough energy to make the regular coffee.
8. I woke up and was folding my bed back into a couch and I almost broke both my arms because it’s not one of those beds.
This is the last of Steven Wrights quotes. I'm sad about that.
1. My grandmother is also insane, she’s got pierced hearing aids.
2. My brother was a clown for the Ringling Brothers Circus and when he died all his friends went to the funeral in one car.
3. I remember when I was a fetus I used to sneak out at night when my mother was sleeping.
4. If I ever had twins, I would use one for parts.
5. I wrote a few children’s books… not on purpose.
6. I was arrested for lip-syncing Karaoke.
7. Every morning I get up and make instant coffee so I’ll have enough energy to make the regular coffee.
8. I woke up and was folding my bed back into a couch and I almost broke both my arms because it’s not one of those beds.
This is the last of Steven Wrights quotes. I'm sad about that.
Anime Tracker Spring 2026
Apr. 12th, 2026 07:28 pmlovelyangel Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk, Episode 1 |
I’m still working on streamlining my anime reporting, trying to get down to just two posts a season – an early tracker and a final count. (And so far, I’ve failed with a wrapup of Winter. I’m super busy at the moment.) Here’s the initial summary of the shows I sampled – and which ones are getting attention. (Shows are on Crunchyroll unless otherwise specified.) There are a lot of sequels I’ll be following, too. There could be some stragglers showing up next week.
( All the Shows, Below This Cut )
Some of these made me laugh. I hope they brighten your day
Apr. 12th, 2026 05:55 pmpattroseWhat do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear.
What did one cannibal say to the other while they were eating a clown? “Does this taste funny to you?”
What do you call a mobster who’s buried in cement? A hardened criminal.
What do fish say when they hit a concrete wall? Dam!
What do you need in order to make a small fortune on Wall Street? A large fortune.
What did one cannibal say to the other while they were eating a clown? “Does this taste funny to you?”
What do you call a mobster who’s buried in cement? A hardened criminal.
What do fish say when they hit a concrete wall? Dam!
What do you need in order to make a small fortune on Wall Street? A large fortune.