Lost_Helianthus's recent activity
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Comment on When reading historical books, how do you keep track of timelines? in ~books
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Comment on Does anyone have experience transforming their boring lawns into more eco-friendly alternatives? in ~life.home_improvement
Lost_Helianthus LinkWe decided to let our fenced in back yard go wild. Since it’s behind a privacy fence we don’t have to worry much about the neighbors judging. But we’re also very lucky to live next to a seldom...We decided to let our fenced in back yard go wild. Since it’s behind a privacy fence we don’t have to worry much about the neighbors judging. But we’re also very lucky to live next to a seldom touched wooded area. Almost all of our plants are volunteers from that plot or seeds that I collected locally and spread around, with a couple of plants and seed from local (meaning within my state) specialist native nurseries and our state university’s ag department. It’s weird and messy and awkward looking and quite a few sections still have non native annual weeds or grass, but it seems we’re making okay progress in slowly removing them. We’re also adding borders and a path for more structure.
It feels crazy and pointless at times, and sometimes I want to give up. But most days, we find cool critters or a new species of native plant. Just yesterday we found a HUGE Argiope aurantia spider on one of the natives I planted. And it had a nice sized meal in its web. I hadn’t seen one in years. I was so excited!
Anyways my best advice would probably be to pace yourself and regardless of your methods do it in smaller, more manageable sections. And to remember that it’s a process, which takes time. And of course, it’s a huge learning curve, but don’t let that stop you from having fun with it.
I hope my comment wasn’t too scattered. I’m writing it while super tired.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
Lost_Helianthus LinkMy kid and I just finished the Hobbit. Next we’re starting Harry Potter. We read a bit each evening. And I just picked up a copy of Dune for myself, since I’ve been wanting to read that for years...My kid and I just finished the Hobbit. Next we’re starting Harry Potter. We read a bit each evening. And I just picked up a copy of Dune for myself, since I’ve been wanting to read that for years now. I’m also looking forward to the Foundation series by Asimov.
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Comment on What is weighing heavily on you this week? in ~talk
Lost_Helianthus Link ParentThis is what led me to turning my back yard into a native garden. It’s something tangible and close by all the time. Seeing the bugs and animals that weren’t there before helps me cope a little...This is what led me to turning my back yard into a native garden. It’s something tangible and close by all the time. Seeing the bugs and animals that weren’t there before helps me cope a little better with the reality of climate change and rampant ecological destruction. It’s not perfect but it’s hard not to smile when I find a young mantis or a cool spider.
Honestly, my brain felt like it would refuse to process dates. If a bunch of dates were just thrown in with no frame of reference, it felt like reading gibberish. It made history classes feel like hell. I found books that focused on a more narrative style helped me retain the material better. If there were no visual aids provided and I wanted to remember any of it, I often had to actually draw myself a timeline. So I guess my answer is by drawing them out, but I don’t bother if I don’t think it’s important.