#Grey water irrigation

[uptodatehome]

Grey Water Recycling Systems: Your Guide to Sustainable Water Management at Home

As environmental awareness grows, homeowners and businesses alike are seeking ways to conserve resources and reduce their ecological footprints. One highly effective solution is implementing a grey water recycling system. Grey water systems allow you to reuse water from sinks, showers, and washing machines for non-potable purposes, reducing both water consumption and utility costs. In this…

[kalevalakryze]

Erosive Humanity

For @wolfwrenweek Word Count: 1,311 Warnings: Blood mention Summary: “You’ll blow them up, then? How fun.” Shin drawled, heels pressing into the boulder upon which they sat. Their elbows rested on the tops of the armor on her thighs, chin resting in the palm of her empty hands. Sabine could see the whirlwind behind grey eyes, no matter how inactive the dark sider appeared. “What?” She hissed as she scrambled to stand, sidestepping a blast from a laser as she felt the wild shot from her pursuers steer far too close. “Sorry, Might not have heard you right- what?”

Sabine was running, her boots kicking up dirt and debris as she skidded across Peridea’s barren landscape. All she had to do was make it to her cache, blow the nomad gang sky-high, and use the following chaos to get back to the rendezvous. Easy, simple, a first-timer could do it with no problem, so she’d be fine! 

The beskar of her knee plate scraped against stone as she slid into the small alcove, practiced fingers making quick work of the light camouflage that hid the burrowed-out hole from view. The bombs were crude, lacking the wide array of colors that she had once prided herself on, though they did more than splatter paint in a stormtrooper visor, the results would more than make up for the drab greyness of their shells. 

“Well, that looks interesting.” A voice called from her right, it sounded bored, of all things, and as Sabine spun around with the explosives grasped in her hand, her other shot towards the new saber that sat at her hip. “You’ll blow them up, then? How fun.” Shin drawled, heels pressing into the boulder upon which they sat. Their elbows rested on the tops of the armor on her thighs, chin resting in the palm of her empty hands. Sabine could see the whirlwind behind grey eyes, no matter how inactive the dark sider appeared. 

“What?” She hissed as she scrambled to stand, sidestepping a blast from a laser as she felt the wild shot from her pursuers steer far too close. “Sorry, Might not have heard you right- what?” She followed, brows furrowing as she watched the blonde, waiting for something that could explain the sacrifice of her only allies. 

“I know your history, Wren. And my scouts have reported on the… surprise you’ve been cooking up.” They shrugged as they moved to stand from the boulder at last, sliding off the jagged surface and reaching only to adjust the tattered cloth that hung around their shoulders. “Do it. Blow them up. I want to see how the shrapnel will pierce their skin.”

Her fingers tightened against the volatile weapons. “Your scouts? How long have you been watching us?!” She snarled. “I’ve got half a mind to blow you up!” 

“Only half?” Their eyes flashed with something akin to predatory. “I’m not stopping you, am I?” Their arms stretched out, Sabine’s eyes immediately flashing to the slivers of metal hidden inside their vambraces, blades that she could no longer wield with her hands bare. “Do it. It’s us or them, so to speak, yes?” 

Sabine growled, frustration bubbling as she looked between her weaponless opponent and the quickly approaching gang. “Fuck you.” She snapped before pulling the pin. 

She did not stay to watch the way the shrapnel cut through the nomad's armor as if it were nothing, and she did not dare to look at the exhilarated look in Shin’s eyes as they watched the show. In the ensuing chaos, she ran, refusing to look back even when the heavy weight of eyes settled against her back. 

The next time Sabine ran into Shin, the Mandalorian had been fighting with the irrigation pipes in their small, desolate garden, barely held together with the rainfall that fell once every several cycles. 

“Damn you, get over here!” Sabine hissed as she stretched herself, trying to reach a roll of thermoplastic that would allow her to bond the two pipes together without having to hold them together. Water squeezed out from her clenched fist, moistening dirt too far away from the crops that so desperately needed the stored moisture. “Come on you kriffing-” 

“I don’t understand why you’re trying so hard to reach it.” A voice intoned, startling Sabine enough to have her momentarily lose her grip entirely on the pipes. 

“What the fuck-”

“You have the Force, don’t you? Or was it just a one-time trick? Can’t summon up anything special in yourself to prove you’re worth using it for again?” They taunted, knowing Sabine wouldn’t move from her kneeling position in the dirt, lest the vegetation die of dehydration. 

“Look, you dirty fucking womp-rat,” Sabine growled, glaring up at the blonde as she gave up on reaching for the tape, instead wrapping her other hand tight around the pipe to stabilize. “I don’t know what you’re getting out of popping out of kriffing nowhere. But I’m getting sick of it!” She hissed, growing frustrated as water squeezed between her fingers and fell uselessly to the ground. 

“Sick enough of it to fix your problems and make me stop?” Shin moved towards the tape, though instead of being useful for half a second of their entire existence, the blonde merely kicked it further away. 

The Mandalorian took a moment, breathed in slowly as Ahsoka had coached her, and then lifted one pruning hand from the pipe. Shin watched with rapt attention, waiting for the tell-tale tingle of a novice force user reaching out too far, though they were quickly disappointed when, instead of extending her hand outward, the purple-haired woman merely flipped her the bird, then went back to her task. 

The tides shifted during a ‘normal’ raid against the Noti people. Maybe Shin’s pestering had finally caught up to her, maybe she just caught Sabine on a bad day, or maybe, Sabine was finally beginning to see the wisdom in Shin’s words- how free she could be if she just allowed herself to cut the tethers.

Shin could not pinpoint the exact moment it happened, all they knew was one moment, Sabine was warding off her Nomads from a Noti crawler. And the next? She was on the run, golden eyes holding a dangerous gleam in them that had her heart thundering, and a familiar twisting forming in her stomach. 

By the time Sabine caught her, they were both out of breath. Sabine’s bodyweight slammed into Shin, hard, kicking up a plume of dust and dirt all around them as they grappled. Shin half-heartedly wriggled in Sabine’s hold, though she found every tool at her disposal to be in vain. The strength Sabine used as her knees dug into her hips and nails punctured into her shoulders seemed almost unnatural.

A smile split Shin’s face. “So you’ve finally come to terms with the truth?” 

“Shut the fuck up,” Sabine growled. Before Shin could retort with a quirky ‘make me’, the Mandalorian’s elbow came crashing down into their face. Laughter bubbled past her lips as blood welled to the split surface. “Why are you laughing?” The Mandalorian snarled in the face of scrutiny, eyes dark as she reached for the blonde’s chin, forcing their mouth shut and keeping it there. 

“You wanted this.” Realization hit her, though she could feel her anger dissipate, either into the force or into her flipping stomach. Golden eyes followed the trail of blood where it made a trail down Shin’s chin, along the column of her throat, and under the layers of material sitting at their collarbones. 

Shin watched every twitch of Sabine’s gaze, her smile only widening at the flicker of frustration once she could no longer watch the path. “You’re learning fast, Wren.” She wrenched her jaw from the older woman’s grasp, then, as Sabine’s strength faltered, the dark-sider surged upwards. 

Anticipating her movement, Sabine’s hand came to rest at the base of their throat, lips already wet from the blood in Shin’s mouth, Sabine found that she didn’t mind the taste of iron flooding her senses, or the way sharp teeth nipped at her lips, and an invading tongue pushed past. 

All too quickly, it was gone. “Get out of here.” Sabine spat, allowing red spittle to stain their clothes as she shoved herself off of them. “If I see you again, I will kill you.” Wren didn’t spare her a second glance. Shin found she appreciated that nicety, at least. 

[coldcanyon]

Un-Death of a Valley: The Ghosts of Monticello ‘Reclaim’ the Inland Sea! 

Copper-plate etching with hard ground, aquatint, drypoint, burnishing, and linocut Trial proof on grey Rives BFK Plate 9”x12”, sheet 14”x18”

Deep in the almond orchards of the Sacramento Valley, a flash flood caused by an unusually late winter storm is threatening to claim this season’s crop. Floods here aren’t uncommon during the “wet season”, but as a deranged howling rises above the sound of the water coursing through the irrigation ditches, it becomes clear this is no average storm. No—the ghosts of Monticello have returned from their watery grave in the depths of the Lake Berryessa spillway and brought down the dam to enact their revenge on the agricultural industry that destroyed their home. It’s “hell and high water” for the residents of Solano County as the untethered Putah Creek roars across the valley floor; while overhead, documentary photographers Dorothea Lange and Pirkle Jones take snapshots from a crop-duster, bearing witness once more to the bloodied waters of California’s hydropolitics.

[katherinebotten]

Show text by Noah Renolds:

I look up at a television mounted to the wall. The presenter stands in the middle of a green marsh overlooking a beach. She wears black rubber boots. This looks like an old broadcast, the BBC logo hangs in the corner. Beside her is a row of trenches filled with water. Someone has dug them out to look like graves. The presenter is talking to an old man wrapped in a woollen overcoat. I read the auto-generated subtitles in big green text. They have lived the same way for generations, he explains. His father taught him how to farm this land the same way people have farmed here for hundreds of years. The water levels have been changing and their crops have been failing. Neighbouring villages use modern irrigation methods to manage water levels. Trenches and pumps channel the water back out to sea. The old man explains, their beliefs do not allow them to use non-traditional farming techniques. He recalls that many of the villagers and their families have left to find work in neighbouring towns. This goes against their faith, which is to stay with the land, so the villagers who leave have been excommunicated by the few families who remain. We have chosen to be figures within the landscape rather than the figures who change it, he proclaims.

A procession descend upon the trenches. A young woman steps into a trench. She lowers herself into the water up to her shoulders. Her shawl traps an air pocket and balloons around her in the water. Her cheeks are red. She is shaking. It looks cold, I think. Some villagers kneel and help lower her beneath the water. It reminds me of those American baptisms where they dunk people in a river. The young woman scrunches her face and opens her mouth. Her body begins to convulse. A few moments later she stops. I notice her cheeks are no longer red. One by one the other villagers enter their trenches. A teenage boy closes his eyes and pinches his nose. A stream of bubbles emerge as he sinks beneath the surface of the water. I can see him holding his nose underwater. For a moment it looks like he’s about to get up, his head jolts forward, then his hand floats away from his face. He stops moving. The old man holds each side of the trench as he lowers his face underwater. He opens his eyes and takes a gulp of water. His skin turns pale, then blue, then grey. His features disappear. He is a big grey boulder. There is some commotion. The presenter calls the camera back to the young woman’s trench. There is a large grey boulder in the water where her body had been moments before. As the camera tracks across each trench, grey boulders lie where the bodies used to be. The whole wetlands are scattered with grey boulders. I wonder if this will make it harder to farm the land.

[aquariuminfobureau]

The guppy, Lebistes reticulata, is a popular poecilid toothcarp native to the Guyanas in northern South America, as well as adjacent Trinidad and Tobago, and nearby parts of Brazil. Because the word 'guppy' is likewise applied to similar species, L. reticulata may be distinguished as the Trinidadian guppy, being native but not endemic to that island, that was formerly connected to the Guyanas when the sea level was lower. Other Caribbean populations of this species appear to originate from human assisted dispersals.

Wether indigenous or introduced, guppies are found in varied natural environments such as turbid ponds to clear streams. Most typically in their natural range, they are found in freshwater streams close to the coast. Commonly they are more numerous in the shallows of pools and streams, with fewer individuals being present in deeper water. As a behaviorally flexible species with good environmental tolerance, guppies have adapted to colonize and thrive in anthropogenic environments, such as irrigation ditches. Their presence in brackish environments is long since noted, but it is secondary to their presence in freshwater.

Beyond this, the guppy has been widely introduced around the world as a predator of larval mosquitos, one of a few fishes deliberately favored for this purpose. They have also been released by aquarists. Guppies have now colonised dozens of countries where the climate is suitable. For example they are introduced into northern to southern Africa, South and East Asia, mainland and insular Southeast Asia, Hawaii, Australia, New Guinea, Columbia, and Mediterranean Europe. Once it is introduced to a locality, the guppy can double its populations size in around a years time, and then begin to expand into surrounding areas.

Wild female guppies are uniformly grey, and are both longer and deeper bodied than the male fish. Male guppies display polymorphic color patterns, specifically combinations of black, white, orange, yellow, green and iridescent spots, lines and speckles. This species has also been bred into various ornamental color and finnage morphs, a variety of which are very widely traded. Interestingly, female fish belonging to certain domesticated morphs, may express colour and patterns that are normally only present in males, especially in their caudal region. Juvenile guppies resemble females and are independent from birth.

Often the guppy is regarded as a species within the bloated genus Poecilia, but such a usage of that genus is phenetically too disparate to be informative, and if it is monophyletic, it would need to include monophyletic clades for which good genus names are already available. Some confusion does exist wether the guppy genus, is correctly Lebistes or Acanthophacelus. In any case, the guppy is quite a different fish than the related, and more specialised mollies.

Whatever nomenclature is correct, these fish definitely display strong sexual dimorphism in their size, as well as their coloration. Male guppies are the smaller sex, growing in the wild to 1.5 to 2 centimeters, whereas the females grow to 2 to 2.5 centimeters long. Thus wild guppies measure between 1/2 and inch, and 1 inch. Domesticated morphs are under selection for visual impact, so they are generally less diminutive than their wild progenitors. Typically males of domesticated guppy varieties, are at least 2.5 centimeters or 1 inch long, and females are 4 to 6 centimeters, or about 1 and a 1/2 to over 2 inches.

Viviparity is rare in fishes, although it has evolved independently in a number of fish clades. The best studied and most internationally familiar of the viviparous or livebearing fishes, are the killifishes called poecilid toothcarp. Of all the recognized poecilids, which evolved in North American waters before the Panamanian land bridge formed, only one species spawns externally, following internal fertilization. Like viviparity, the latter itself is rare and has sporadically evolved among fishes. Without internal fertilization, the subsequent evolution of viviparous birth, would have been impossible.

One of the ways in which male and female guppies may be distinguished, is that as in other poecilid fishes, the male sex posses anal fins that have modified by natural selection, into a slender structure known as the gonopodium. This is a kind of penis facilitating penetrative sex, and therefore internal fertilization, which improve the chances of the male fish fertilizing the ova of a female. Internal fertilization in poecilid fishes is thought to have evolved because of sperm competition between the males.

Wild guppies are essentially insectivorous, also eating foods such as benthic microalgae and general detritus. In wild environments their dietary composition may vary by the season. Guppies are best considered as omnivorous, broad spectrum feeders. This fact together with their environmental tolerances, has enabled the species a great deal of success, where it has been translocated into suitably warm environments by human agency. In cooler countries such as New Zealand, introduced guppies survive only if introduced to environments such as warm springs

The environments where guppies flourish can be a little on the warm side, and in experimental condition, they grow optimally at 28 degrees centigrade. However the temperature in their natural habitat, may vary over the course of a day, to around 7 degrees at some localities, so guppies have naturally evolved a wide tolerance of ambient water temperature. In their wild habitats they experience temperatures of 20 to 29 degrees, and sometimes higher.

Although specific guppy populations have adapted to habitats where temperatures may be 40 degrees, this is atypical, and even with acclimatization, the temperature should never be allowed to rise so high. Temperatures of even 32 degrees are harmful and potentially lethal to guppies, and they almost all die at 39 degrees. Towards the lower end of their tolerances, temperatures that are permanently as low as 20 degrees are suboptimal, and 15 degrees is their lower limit. So it may be said that guppies are truly tropical fishes, preferring a temperature of 24 to 29 degrees.

Guppies are also inhabitants of both fresh and brackish waters. They typically inhabit waters with a salinity below 10 ppt, and of course, they thrive in freshwater. However with acclimatization, they do fine at higher water salinities of even 25 ppt. Nonetheless, in at least some environments where they are native, guppies are less common downstream of where the tide influences salinity. Probably competition with other, related species, and certain types of predation, influence their native distribution. They are proven to tolerate a water pH value between 5 and 9, but a neutral pH seems to be optimal.

Guppies are by now traditional community fishes, having been bred in aquarium settings for generations. In fact their prolific breeding may be a problem, when males and females are cohabited together. Keeping guppies together in small numbers seems to make them more aggressive, than when larger numbers of them are housed together. Live plants growth helps to prevent aggression, and will help any newborns to survive, until they are too large to be preyed on. Guppies themselves sometimes eat babies of their own species, but this is not especially frequent.

When males and females are housed together, the females ought to outnumber the males. And their presence will make the males more boisterous towards one another, with biting and chasing behaviors, that can damage their fins and this sometimes leads to infections. Males may also sexually harass the female fish. But the personality trait of aggressiveness varies in this species, and depending on the individual fishes, its actually possible to keep only male guppies together, without the presence of females to stir competition.

Guppy males are not the only fishes to have long, colorful fins. For this reason conflict can arise between guppies and Siamese fighting fishes, in which situations the latter gouramies are dominant, and can kill the guppies. In the aquarium guppies can become the targets of fin nipping behaviors by other species, being slow swimmers, making them an easy, and also a visually obvious target. Fortunately though, although certain unusually aggressive male guppies are an exception to the rule of thumb, guppies are peaceful towards other fish species.

In fairly recent years the Trinidad guppy has been joined in the aquarium trade, by a related but disputed species, L. wingei, the Endler's guppy. There are differences between L. wingei and archetypical L. reticulata, including body shape, but the ordinary guppy can be variable. The two species are thus so similar, that some writers have regarded L. wingei as a race or subspecies of L. reticulata, one that is localized in northern Venezuela and deserving of conservation. Certainly both species of Lebistes produce fertile hybrids, and as with human races, no easy delineation of the two morphs can be made. The truth is that L. reticulata is in nature a variable fish, which is why they can be bred into different morphs so easily in captivity.

[solarpunknow]

A weekend in a solarpunk future

Today was quite the busy day- and it was spent almost entirely outdoors.

This morning was the monthly 'get to know the plants around you' meetup. The idea behind this group is that 3 people (This time it was me, A., and C.) who are very familiar with the native plants around here and their uses, as well as the invasive species around here and their uses, lead a group through one of the local parks, and we teach the new comers what we know. We get a lot of people who have just moved to town and aren't yet familiar with the local ecosystems, those who didn't grow up foraging or working with plants, and of course some retirees who are looking to connect with nature in a way that they couldn't during their working lives back in the 2010s and 2020s.

We started by going over plants that get confused by beginners a lot (western bleeding heart vs herb robert, mahonia vs holly, that sort of thing), then moved on to the most common and vigorous native plants, and how each of us uses them in our lives (stinging nettle for tea, pesto, soup, the fiber for cloth, etc). We finish out the meetup by identifying the most... shall we say, vigorous of the invasive plants, and how to safely remove them (I mean, some have sap that can hurt you, so it's good to point those ones out). Some make tasty food, but we discussed how to safely compost the rest of them.

Gotta be honest, turning a problem (invasive species) into a resource (fertilizer) fills me with a sense of satisfaction like no other. C. usually takes the ones that are good for making fertilizer (invasive buttercup, bindweed, Hyacinthoidess, etc); I'll take the English Ivy and Himalayan blackberries home because my pet goats love to eat them. They also love bindweed, but I can share.

Anyway, we show the new folks how to identify and remove them, and then we put their new skills to the test. It's really starting to make a noticeable effect in the areas we visit, and I have to hope that every one we teach keeps practicing on their own.

Of course, removing the invasive species is only one part of the solution, but that's a whole different post.

This afternoon was a work party at the community/foodbank garden, which is always a good time and opportunity to connect with others. Back in the day I would've been confused by what a "community/foodbank" garden was, but honestly, it works. People who can, come and work in the garden and take what they will use for the next week. People who aren't able to donate their physical skills come by the food bank and are able to get the food they'll use in a week. It used to be that people thought there would be too many "takers" and not enough "workers", but it turns out that working in large groups, in close connection with the land, knowing that you're helping not only yourself but others in your community is hugely motivating for a large segment of the population. It's also awesome because the people who run the garden are super passionate about sustainable gardening and figuring out how to make gardening accessible to everyone in the community who wants to, so people feel comfortable coming to learn and then taking the knowledge and skills back to their neighborhood hub/commons gardens. Really, in the past ten years, the number of people who have started incorporating native plants, started mulching, stopped pulling out plants that support native insects, built rainwater and grey water irrigation systems and so on has really blossomed. The city is so much greener (and cooler) than it used to be, both metaphorically and literally.

Speaking of greywater, that's tomorrow's project. This evening is for listening to the chorus frogs and relaxing on the back porch.

[thelegendofefscot]

/:\ I /:\

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' . ' ' . '

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Es ist gefährlich, alleine zu gehen! Ich werde dich mitnehmen! - AGRIPPA

-.- ( o ) -.-

Eyes awake. Before dawn, you were the only light.

In the pitch, your hand crept along the soft-shaved edges of the wood as a caterpillar clinging to a branch.

As though by the probing of some unseen, but always sifting feeler, you let yourself be guided to the matchbook and flint. Ricochets off your roundabout wrists as the serrated edges fly through the abyss in an invisible arc iotas before your eyes. Caught in the slits of well-oiled hinges. Fanning and descending. Ascending and catching.

A rush of air swift as the cry of a slain spirit, the phosphorous roars to life. From the din of the spark, all whispers leave your ears, some shimmer of the linen, some sheer of the weave, distinguishes itself from the brickwork of the wall, and all the world is lines and edges, as you -- cradling flame in hand, by the shield of your young and calloused paw -- guide the light to the candlewick, to see it smolder and part the dark.

Rising to the edge of the bed, your head falls forward, and in your guts some corrosion anchors and boils, some dross in the crucible dissipates, the nausea rising, and in a daze you silently watch the flame revolve through a carousel of hexagonal lenses, stupefied by some omen of disturbed sleep, still half-clinging to memory, some guilt of the previous day -- dimming your vision, yet not crystallizing into sight.

You were up. You were down. The stones cold against your palms. You kissed them. Pore smooth to pert of lip til, by the flickering light, you could see them beaded with the splattering of your sweat, feel some waters running down the ridges of your obliques, hand-irrigated to the iron-cut marble-sculpted civic sewers of your abdominal ridges.

Up. Down. Up. Down.

You held the pattern. Held the tension. Until the ache of your chest, the pressure on your back -- the burning lead in your arms -- outpaced the morass of what still clung to your sleep-addled brain. Your sight was sharp. Protracted. Magnifying every grain of the porous stone.

Now you stood. By your own light, you knew this darkness.

Your room as you'd left it. A desk to dedicate yourself to what studies you were able. Your tablet. Your lead. A reed and drum to practice rhythm and percussion. Anvil and plates for variation in stance and pressure.

Uncluttered chambers gave way to an uncluttered procession of thought, freeing one of distraction before sleep, shine and task.

You let yourself linger -- on the hand-illustrated portrait on a sheet of goat-skin which was your latest. Though perforated by increasingly pin-point exposure to high-velocity arrowheads, you could still admire the finer details of vein, anatomy and perspective which gave this muddy and frenzied abstraction some semblance of daemonic reptiloid form, which cemented it -- at certain half-glances -- as startlingly real.

The door was to your left. You went through.

In the halls, the smell of the seas swept through the open archways, the columns still framing what shone of the descent of the moon, the smells of salt and storm rising from the battering surf, bathing the portico in dissimilar silver which was as muted as the steam which rose from your body as you marched, loined in your undergarments, still tarred with the grime of sweat and sleep, into the song of the rolling sea.

Plunging down. A vastness so dense, a murk so thick, though you could peer miles ahead, you could not penetrate by sight one hand before your eyes, though leagues below there were no floors -- only drops and steps, a maw of trenches into which one would fall only through what folly they willed, and yet tempted themselves seemingly always so willingly.

Pulling up. The grey so dense, all light snapped and banded. A shield which was the bow of a ship, ceramic in the lattice of seafoam, held howling waters in invisible skins, stiff and glossy as the fold of an always-crying eye, from which crystal spires sliced the scintillated pulp.

You would trudge. Trudge forward until the feeling relented.

Though your arms hung heavy and your back unracked itself, your legs propelled forward by the frenzy of unstationed liberty, and in your heart and in your head, you could not dispel some deeper certainty pertaining to what you had dreamt -- some notion sliding over awareness sleek and deceitful as a tasseled curtain skimming tiled floors upon retreat, beckoning always hidden chambers in which you longed to lie awake.

When you were dreaming -- it was already tomorrow.

At his desk, he sat with his back to the window. At his vanity, you peered into the mirror, seeing past him, and looking out the window.

Looking through the window, back at him. Back at yourself in the vanity.

He had removed the stopper from the vial of ink. An albatross dived into the flowing obsidian. Beaches arose from around the rim.

The room seemed temporarily bereft of doors.

Only upon noticing the lack of doors, and the lack of certainty you felt with regard to the windows, did it occur to you to question if you had known this room at all, for it had no immediate analogue in memory, and yet you experienced it with a familiarity so placid you would never think to question it, but for your now inability to place any of the specific details of the architecture into a viable chronology of sequential experience.

In the black well, his quill was stirring.

You were certain you could trust in your own certainty, certainly.

A man who was not capable of acting with certainty by exercising his own judgement could be driven mad in the attempt to humor all-manner of obscene fringe possibilities and non-probabilities, and yet certainty was often a symptom of diligent experiential procedure, and if a man could not trace his circumstances or his whereabouts, and so account to himself as to how he'd gotten in the position he's in -- and why -- it's not likely he would be as capable of acting with the certainty he needs to permit himself the bold action necessary to complete the task at hand.

Certainty reveals itself in practice, with keen observance and certain considerations. Watch and permit yourself. You will attain union with the sensible through surrender to the sensory, when all is censured in you.

From his desk, he could see into his vanity. Were the back of your head not there, he could peer into his own face, miniaturized by the distance.

Had you turned his desk to the window, you could see the back of his head. He could stare out, at his own face, so close behind the glass.

Had you turned his vanity from the mirror, you could be facing him. Eye to eye. A flurry of silent tongues. A flutter as he dropped his pen.

He would look up from his notes. He would smile.

On your knees, you would be already at his feet. He would forget. His hand would brush his face. He would think himself arbitrary in the abuses of his station, enfeebling himself by acceptance of your voluntary surrender, and yet sultry and half-resigned to stagnation.

He would be slow to contradict himself.

He would be on his knees near-simultaneous with you. His hand would brush yours as you seized his pen.

Down here. In the shelter of the hardwood, the heat of the air hangs heavy with veils of dust, kicked up by the pressures of your breath and his. The current quickened to a stream. His smile echoed yours and yours too his, losing sight of him as your eyes sire freshwater springs. You fail to look away as you can only dare , with the hand he did not pin, which did not cradle what was rightfully his -- with your free hand, throwing the weight of your arm around his broad and brotherly shoulders, feeling the mutual collision of your cheek and collarbones; for you longed most to affirm your kinship, so taken by the passion it propelled you out of time, out of space, that you arose prematurely to bash your skull against the stiff and impenetrable underside of your new and hard-won covenant.

A vessel spun, leaping of its own volition to shatter to the floor, cresting out a wave of emblems, hues of molten ore all his likeness.

Warm exhalations of laughter. A morning breeze billowed from his nostrils. Soft percussion flattened the air from his lungs.

The tears were running down your cheeks. You could see clearly soon.

He saw you well-enough. His hand clasping yours.

"For you have been with me so long, and have come to treat me so well, I would forsake any obligation to the contrary. For though it may be, at this juncture, too much for me to endure, I can make no claim of you, for you are not me, though a gift to me and this land. You remain, in spite of my uncertainties, a man of rare moral courage, and virtues the like of which I had not henceforth found perceptible. Do me this honor, for you could do me none greater. For though it aches, and though it is leaden, I wish to let it lay here now upon your brow... That I may see it ablaze upon you?"

On the beach, veils of steam poured off your arms. Veins puckering as worms fresh from the morning soil, taut as lute strings in the skin.

Beneath the soles of your feet, rock crystal studded palm clusters in the warm sand. The land glowed, by the torrent of the storm which would herald the dawn. The moonscape of cinnabar and sulfur, torches in conical welt, a banner of seaweeds braided and battered.

Howling roared around you.

An eye saw little and all. The air parted and danced, cleaving itself into embers. Cloister-bursts and toad caps of billowing fire.

It was becoming clear.

You were with him -- some moments later -- in the hall.

You were looking for the doors. It wasn't that you wanted to run. You needed to be certain -- you could escort him out of any situation, be it strange or stranglehold. You needed to be certain this place you recognized was the place you were acting as though it were.

What you saw in front of you -- could be nowhere else.

The high windows shone in pale luminosity where all was more silver than light. More pastel than rustoxide, castiron and chrome.

Around them the walls were as a gradient, casting rays of vantage point onto themselves, emblazoning the deep singularity of every voided surface with an openness beckoning the impossibility of entry.

You would remain at his side. Though the walls were worlds within themselves, and the procession down the aisle a fog of faces which were only mouths, only limbs, some vestigial mass of pelt and pink meat more air coagulated from corrupted waters than living wills alive with love and fascination, the daring to dream and to deem. These tendril-masses of antennae, tooth and tine lay fit to constrict, to consume, to putrefy and puree, tear the fat fruit dangling overripe from these well-hung branches hanging so low, they let themselves forget only to spare themselves the anguish of confronting what futility was their own.

You would remain at his side.

You wouldn't be afraid. What reason would you have?

It was your will, to fight on. To fight on, even when he was gone.

Every step.

Every step you walked would hurt.

Words such as hurt, such as fear, as shame -- these registered nothing in the mind, only in the guts. There, on the nausea, you floated in the seas. Eyes peering up into the night, blacker than black waters, something in the ice, sweet and cloying as berries and barbitters. Your eyes were open. You moved. You were not pushed, for you were the pusher.

Endurance begot euphoria, and exhaustion was an unknown to you -- too distant a land to be staked in this life, or the lives of our sons.

You were not falling.

For you had carried him up the steps, and saw him above the neck, could still feel his clavicle warm and exposed to the sun. All around the airy chamber hummed, and the arches of the hall were open to the air, and the vault of the heavens descended by fire to columns of strut.

It was time. It belonged to you.

You bowed your head, and you bowed to him.

As your hand brushed his bone, basking so nakedly in your rightful humility, the quire lilted and clanged, some thunderhead of sound -- and in simultaneous trumpeting, you felt yourself rise higher, rise above him, out of the tabernacle of his seat, its columned panels, rising above the murals, past the carvings of the rosewood, down the steps of the pleated roots, the forking trunk which rose to spiraling tusks.

Upon his seat, he was sat and waiting.

Upon his seat he rose, and all the heavens billowed away as formulae from a blackboard, for a veil of dust had come between you, and before you the coils of the serpent faces hissed and snapped, and behind them he was standing, for you saw -- across the hall, he presented his head.

In hand, in yours, the light haloing out -- you could not believe, the actuality of the evident reality before you. The weight of the stars. The tones of metal above your palms. How they burnt, but did not scald, charred, but did not consume or corrugate the flesh.

Their eyes were on you. The eyes of the all in one.

His kingdom was there. His kingdom had come. You were the doer, now doing, and were not done. You were not falling. No matter how much you fell, or did not, you never seemed to reach him, though he was never getting farther, and yet must have been impossibly far.

What was that, some shade sulking the mid-distance? Some silhouette of an arm, airy and white, which seemed to rise lilting from the shadows? A smile hairline, beyond the cloak of your eye's own lenses?

Onto his, the vault of his crown. Every hair laureling out. The straw spun gold, ravished by wind and wheat to sun. From out a nest, it stared. An opalescence which swallowed the light as it polished its eggwhites.

You could not look away. Into it, whispers crystallized into cubical barbs.

Out of your hand -- you felt nothing.

In the vacuum, you were suspended without orbit or momentum. Before you had felt anything, you'd realized... you were holding on to nothing.

\ : / o ( ) o \ : /

The bottom of the drain. All flowing into.

A pearl around the rime. A spire of quartz.

Drifting grooves. Round the winding city walls.

( )

[utkarshindia]

Sustainable farming is gaining attention in India. One of the key components of sustainable agriculture is the use of quality pipes. High-quality agricultural pipes are essential for efficient irrigation, water conservation and reducing environmental impact. Durable and high-quality pipes can help optimise resource use, support eco-friendly practices and ensure long-term productivity in agriculture. Here, we share the importance of durable agricultural pipes in sustainable farming.

[wheretheweirdthingsaree]

The Baseball Water Tower in Zebulon, North Carolina, is a distinctive landmark that overlooks Five County Stadium, home of the Carolina Mudcats, a minor league baseball team.

This unique water tower is not only functional but also serves as a symbol of the local baseball culture and community spirit.

Design and Features

The water tower is designed to resemble a baseball, making it a quirky and eye-catching feature for visitors and fans alike. It holds recycled "grey" water, which is used for irrigation and other operations at the stadium, showcasing a commitment to sustainability in its design.

The tower is strategically located near the intersection of Highway 264 and Highway 39, making it easily visible to passing motorists and a notable stop for those traveling through the area.

Cultural Significance

Since the Carolina Mudcats moved to Zebulon in 1991, the water tower has become an integral part of the town's identity.

It represents not just the team but also the community's love for baseball. The Mudcats have been a significant presence in Zebulon, and the water tower has been a key part of their branding and local culture.

Recent Developments

As of early 2023, there have been discussions about the Mudcats relocating to a new stadium in Wilson, NC, which has stirred mixed feelings within the Zebulon community.

Despite these changes, the Baseball Water Tower remains a beloved landmark, symbolizing the town's rich baseball heritage and its connection to the Mudcats.

Overall, the Baseball Water Tower is more than just a water storage facility; it is a cherished piece of local history and a testament to the enduring spirit of minor league baseball in Zebulon.

[gfs-tanks]

Superior Corrosion Resistance Enamel Tanks are The Ideal Choice for Agricultural Water Storage

Superior Corrosion Resistance Enamel Tanks are The Ideal Choice for Agricultural Water Storage

In the realm of agricultural water storage, the quality and durability of tanks play a pivotal role in ensuring efficient water management. Among the array of options available, enamel tanks stand out as a testament to superior corrosion resistance, offering a robust solution for farmers and agricultural enterprises.

As a leading storage tank manufacturer in China. Center Enamel can provide GFS Tanks, SS Tanks, Epoxy Coated Bolted Steel Tanks, Galvanized Tank, Aluminum Dome Roofs, Wastewater and Biogas Project Equipments for global customers.

Configuration of Customized Storage Tanks

Storage tanks

Volume

Roofs

Application

Design Requirements

GFS Tanks

SS Tanks

Fusion Bonded Epoxy Tanks

Galvanized Steel Tanks

<1000m³

1000-10000m³

10000-20000m³

20000-25000m³

>25000m³

ADR Roof

GFS Roof

Membrane Roof

FRP Roof

Trough Deck Roof

Wastewater Treatment Project

Drinking Water Project

Municipal Sewage Project

Biogas Project

Fire Water Storage Project

Oil Storage Project

Water Supply & Drainage System

Seismic Design

Wind Resistant Design

Lightning Protection Design

Tank Insulation Design

WasteWater Treatment Project Equipment Supply

Pretreatment Equipment

Resource Utilization System

Sludge Treatment System

Other Equipment

Mechanical Bar Screen

Solid-liquid Separator

Submersible Mixer

Gas Holder

Boiler System

Boost Fan

Biogas Generator

Torch System

Dehydration and Desulfurization Tank

PAM Integration Dosing Device

Screw Sludge Dewatering Machine

Slurry Separation Centrifuge

Sewage Pump

Mud Scraper

Submersible Sewage Pump

Three-phases Separator

Enamel tanks are assembled on-site from specialized enamel steel plates, hoops, self-locking bolts, sealing glue, and other components. The steel plate raw material utilizes titanium alloy-specialized enamel hot-rolled plates developed in collaboration with leading domestic iron and steel enterprises, and it is shaped using fast and low-consumption on-site assembly technology. After high-temperature enameling at 820°-930°, the enamel glaze fuses with the surface of the steel plate, forming a solid and chemically inert inorganic coating with outstanding corrosion resistance. The enamel process is currently an advanced coating and corrosion protection technology in the steel tank market.

Enamel tanks parameters

Category

Specification

Coating Color

Black blue, Grey olive, Forest green, Cobalt blue, Desert tan etc.

Coating thickness

0.25-0.45mm

Acid and alkalinity proof

Standard PH: 3~11, Special PH:1~14

Adhesion

3450N/cm²

Hardness

6.0 (Mohs)

Service life

≥30 Years

Holiday test

>1500V

Permeability

Gas liquid impermeable

Easy to clean

Smooth, glossy, inert, anti-adhesion

Corrosion resistance

Excellent, suitable for harsh environment

Enamel tanks Advantages

Unmatched Durability

Enamel tanks, also known as Glass-Fused-to-Steel (GFS) tanks, are crafted through a meticulous process that combines glass and steel, resulting in a product renowned for its durability. This fusion creates a non-porous surface that is resistant to corrosion, rust, and chemical reactions, making it ideal for storing various types of agricultural water, including irrigation water, rainwater harvesting, and livestock drinking water.

Longevity and Low Maintenance

One of the key advantages of enamel tanks is their longevity. Unlike traditional metal tanks that may succumb to rust and degradation over time, enamel tanks offer a prolonged lifespan, often exceeding decades with proper maintenance. This longevity translates to cost savings for agricultural operations, reducing the need for frequent replacements and repairs.

Moreover, enamel tanks require minimal maintenance compared to other tank materials. Their smooth, non-porous surface prevents the buildup of algae, bacteria, and other contaminants, reducing the frequency of cleaning and disinfection processes. This low maintenance requirement not only saves time and effort but also ensures the water stored remains clean and safe for agricultural use.

Environmental Sustainability

In today's environmentally conscious landscape, the sustainability of water storage solutions is a crucial consideration. Enamel tanks align with sustainability goals by promoting water conservation and reducing environmental impact. By efficiently storing water, farmers can optimize irrigation practices, minimize water wastage, and contribute to sustainable agriculture practices.

Additionally, the recyclability of steel components in enamel tanks further enhances their eco-friendly profile. At the end of their lifespan, enamel tanks can be recycled, reducing waste and supporting circular economy principles.

Versatility and Customization

Enamel tanks offer versatility in design and customization to meet the specific needs of agricultural applications. They are available in various sizes, capacities, and configurations, allowing farmers to choose the right tank size based on their water storage requirements. Whether for small-scale farming or large agricultural operations, enamel tanks provide a scalable solution.

Furthermore, enamel tanks can be equipped with additional features such as insulation for temperature control, agitators for mixing additives, and monitoring systems for water quality management. This customization ensures that farmers can tailor their water storage infrastructure to optimize agricultural processes.

Center Enamel is a comprehensive high-tech enterprise primarily engaged in the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of enamel-assembled tanks and diversified environmental protection equipment, as well as undertaking environmental protection EPC projects and anaerobic process segments. Throughout its project practices, the company continuously increases research and development efforts, gathers scientific and technical forces, and establishes a service system covering everything from research and development to after-sales, providing tailored solutions to customers quickly and with high quality.

The measurement standards for projects not only need to meet technical and quality requirements but also must shift towards overall standards of sustainability, quality improvement, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction. In response to market and policy changes, Center Enamel actively leverages its rich experience and research and development strength to empower innovative research and development technologies for enamel-assembled tanks, contributing to the smart manufacturing of diversified environmental protection equipment and environmental protection EPC projects. This aims to meet the diverse needs and project requirements of customers.

Currently, Center Enamel's business covers areas such as kitchen waste, leachate, municipal sewage, biogas projects, aquaculture wastewater, industrial wastewater, drinking water, and firefighting water. In the future, the company's research and development achievements will be further promoted and applied in more projects, striving to achieve a win-win situation for economic, environmental, and social benefits, driving the high-quality development of the environmental protection industry.

[mclcontracting]

The Importance of Proper Watering in Lawn Care: Tips and Tricks

Are you tired of struggling to maintain a lush, vibrant lawn? Do you find yourself battling with improper watering techniques that hinder your lawn care efforts? If so, you're not alone. Many individuals face challenges in achieving a healthy, picturesque lawn due to the lack of understanding of proper watering practices.

Watering is a fundamental aspect of comprehensive lawn care and landscaping services in christchurch, and its significance cannot be overstated.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the essential tips and tricks for effective watering to help you nurture a thriving, green lawn that enhances the beauty of your surroundings.

Understanding the Importance of Proper Watering

Water plays a vital role in promoting healthy grass growth and sustaining overall lawn health. An adequate water supply ensures that the grass receives essential nutrients and maintains its lush appearance.

On the contrary, overwatering or underwatering can have detrimental effects on the lawn's appearance and resilience, leading to issues such as wilting, yellowing, or fungal diseases.

Factors Influencing Watering Needs

Climate and Seasonal Variations

Climate conditions and seasonal changes significantly impact the frequency and amount of water required by the lawn. During hot and dry periods, the lawn may demand more frequent watering to cope with the elevated evaporation rates. Conversely, cooler and wetter seasons may necessitate reduced watering frequency to prevent waterlogging.

Grass Type and Soil Composition

The type of grass and soil composition in your lawn influences its watering requirements. For instance, certain grass species are more drought-resistant and can thrive with less water, while others may have higher water needs. Similarly, soil composition affects water retention, with sandy soils requiring more frequent watering than clay soils.

Best Practices for Proper Watering

Establishing an Effective Watering Schedule

Creating a consistent watering routine aligned with the specific needs of the lawn based on environmental factors is crucial. Understanding the water requirements of your lawn based on the climate, grass type, and soil composition will enable you to develop a tailored watering schedule that optimises water utilisation.

Utilising Efficient Irrigation Methods

Modern irrigation techniques such as drip systems or smart sprinklers offer precise and effective water distribution, minimising water wastage and ensuring that the entire lawn receives adequate moisture. These methods help in preventing overwatering or underwatering, promoting optimal grass growth and health.

Recognising Signs of Underwatering or Overwatering

It's essential to be able to identify visual cues indicating insufficient or excessive moisture levels in the lawn. Signs of underwatering may include grass wilting, browning, or a bluish-grey hue, while overwatering can lead to waterlogged soil, yellowing grass, and the presence of fungal growth.

Additional Tips for Optimal Lawn Hydration

Mulching Benefits

Mulch serves as a protective layer that helps retain soil moisture, reducing water loss through evaporation. Additionally, it aids in regulating soil temperature and minimising weed growth, contributing to overall water conservation and enhanced lawn health.

Water Conservation Practices

Implementing eco-friendly approaches to minimise water usage while maintaining a healthy, green lawn is crucial for environmental sustainability. Practices such as collecting rainwater for irrigation, using drought-resistant grass species, and optimising watering times can significantly reduce water consumption while preserving the beauty of your lawn.

Conclusion

In conclusion, proper watering is a cornerstone of successful lawn care, playing a pivotal role in nurturing a thriving, picturesque lawn.

By understanding the significance of proper watering, recognising the factors influencing watering needs, and implementing best watering practices, you can elevate your lawn care regimen and achieve a vibrant, green lawn that becomes the envy of your neighbourhood.

We encourage you to implement the outlined tips and tricks for improved lawn care Christchurch practices and enhanced environmental sustainability.

[secondarywastewatertreatment]

Advanced Secondary Treatment Septic System

Advanced Secondary Treatment Septic System

The Aussie Treat Model 20 is an Advanced Secondary Wastewater Treatment system which has been designed and tested to treat black water and grey water producing clean clear water for irrigation on grass and landscaped areas.

[calderonmariasol]

Water droplet

Water, the source of life and well-being for all creatures on our planet, is a treasure whose value we often overlook. Although it may seem abundant, the truth is that only a small fraction of the Earth's water is suitable for human consumption, making it a precious and limited resource. Through this blog, we will venture into the world of water conservation, exploring its vital importance and discovering how each of us can play an essential role in its preservation. Part of knowing the importance of water involves starting with awareness, which is why today we bring you a literary analysis of the poem "Water droplet" (Alejando J. Diaz Valero), which deals with this topic.

The symbolism of water in the poem can be understood as a symbol of purity, vitality and renewal. The author uses the image of a "little drop of water" to personify water and enhance its beauty and value.

"Vital liquid": By calling water "vital liquid", the author underlines the essentiality of water for life. This term symbolizes the need to conserve water to ensure the survival of all forms of life on Earth.

"Little drop of water quenches my thirst": Here, thirst represents a fundamental human need that can only be satisfied with water. This symbolizes the importance of water conservation to ensure access to a vital resource for humanity.

"My dear friend, I will drink from you": This line personifies water as a friend, symbolizing the close relationship we have with this essential resource. It highlights the need to care for and preserve this "friendship" for a sustainable future.

The main message the author wants to convey, in relation to water conservation, is the importance of valuing and preserving water as a vital resource for life and well-being. The author highlights how water is pure, essential for cleanliness, a vital element for nature's spring, and how it satisfies thirst. Through these descriptions, the author stresses the need to take care of water, use it responsibly and not take it for granted, as it is essential for our lives and for the health of our planet. In my opinion the poem promotes awareness about water conservation and the responsibility of each one of us in its preservation. For centuries the vital importance of water has been expressed globally and locally: culture, use, water cycle have referred to the "grey" infrastructure to improve the management of water resources, have considered that traditional and indigenous knowledge, local knowledge that protects the natural infrastructure, has usually been left aside.

Water is a resource that today is in danger because many of us have squandered it and have not been able to appreciate it, that is why we have implemented methods for its conservation such as efficient irrigation technology: Using drip irrigation systems and moisture sensors to optimize agricultural irrigation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), drip irrigation systems can save up to 60% of water compared to traditional methods. We can also start conserving water at home by following these tips:

-Install water-saving devices: Place low-flow devices on faucets and showerheads. This reduces the amount of water flowing without sacrificing water pressure. -Use washing machine and dishwasher with a full load: Wait until you have a full load before using the washing machine and dishwasher to maximize water use efficiency. -Hot water recirculation: Install hot water recirculation systems to reduce water waste while waiting for hot water to reach the faucets.

-Xeriscaping: Opt for drought-tolerant plants and use landscaping techniques that require less watering, such as xeriscaping.

In short, water conservation is a shared responsibility that falls on each of us, and it is essential that we take concrete steps to preserve this vital resource. Whether through artistic creativity, implementing technology, promoting education or adopting conscious practices in our homes, we can all play a role in building a more sustainable future. Ensuring that future generations can enjoy an adequate supply of water involves a combination of awareness and action, and these are the fundamental keys to conserving water and protecting our planet. Now that you know this, what are the economic benefits of water conservation and how could we motivate businesses and governments to adopt more sustainable practices?

[ecoviewater]

Why to adopt Sustainable Approach for greywater treatment?

In an increasingly water-scarce world, adopting sustainable water management practices has become crucial. Two innovative solutions, recycling greywater and rainwater harvesting, offer significant potential for conserving precious water resources. By treating and reusing greywater alongside collecting rainwater, we can substantially reduce water waste, mitigate the strain on freshwater sources, and promote a more sustainable future.

Greywater Recycling

Greywater refers to domestic wastewater generated from activities such as washing dishes, laundry, and bathing. Although not suitable for consumption, greywater typically contains lower levels of contaminants compared to blackwater (sewage). Implementing greywater recycling systems allows us to harness this resource for non-potable purposes such as toilet flushing, irrigation, and cleaning.

Greywater treatment involves several stages, including filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection. Modern technologies, such as membrane bioreactors and aerobic treatment units, have made greywater recycling more efficient and cost-effective. By recycling greywater, households and communities can significantly reduce their freshwater consumption, easing the burden on municipal water supplies and wastewater treatment facilities.

Rainwater Harvesting

Harvesting of rainwater is an ancient practice that has gained renewed interest due to its sustainable benefits. The process involves collecting rainwater from rooftops, pavements, and other surfaces, channeling it through a filtration system, and storing it for various uses. Captured rainwater can supplement domestic water needs, support landscaping and agriculture, and replenish groundwater reserves.

One of the key advantages of rainwater harvesting is that it reduces stormwater runoff, which can carry pollutants into natural water bodies. By capturing rainwater at the source, we can prevent pollution and improve water quality in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Combining Greywater Recycling and Rainwater Harvesting

To maximize water conservation efforts, combining greywater recycling with rainwater harvesting proves highly effective. Integrating these two systems creates a closed-loop water management approach, where water is continuously reused and replenished.

The collected rainwater can be used to supplement greywater recycling systems, thereby reducing the demand for freshwater. On the other hand, treated greywater can be used for irrigation purposes, saving precious potable water that would otherwise be used for gardening and landscaping.

Challenges and Solutions

While the concept of recycling greywater and harvesting rainwater holds immense promise, its widespread adoption faces some challenges. Public awareness and acceptance of these practices need to be improved, as some individuals might be hesitant due to perceived hygiene concerns.

Proper maintenance and regular monitoring of the systems are also crucial to ensure the water quality remains high. Adequate filtration and disinfection processes are essential to prevent the buildup of contaminants in recycled greywater.

Among all, Ecovie is a reliable name in the category of on-site water management solutions for commercial grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting.