#How To Make Natural Garden Pesticides

[reasoningdaily]

Garden pests make otherwise enjoyable gardening frustrating. Whether it’s snails taking over your lettuce or aphids sucking on your roses, a pest infestation is definitely disappointing, but it’s not a reason to reach for harmful, toxic sprays. The sprays might eliminate the pesky culprits, but they are harmful to you and the environment. Instead, try whipping up one of these simple recipes with ingredients you most likely have on hand.

What You Need

Spray bottles

Biodegradable liquid dish soap

Lemon or orange essential oil

Cooking oil

Baking soda

Garlic

Chili powder

water

Natural Insecticidal Soap Spray

This soap is easy to make and good keep on hand, since it should take care of most of those annoying common pests such as aphids, mites, white flies, thrips, and mealy bugs. It kills them by attacking them at the skin, suffocating and therefore eliminating them. Add a few drops of orange or lemon essential oil—a natural insecticide especially effective against ants and scale-to help the the spray stick to your plants.

In a spray bottle, combine:

1 1/2 tablespoons of liquid soap

1 quart of water

A couple drops of orange or lemon essential oil

Use a biodegradable liquid soap (such as Murphy’s oil soap, castile soap, or Mrs. Meyer’s), to make the mixture. Once combined, shake well. Spray your plant thoroughly, making sure you cover the underside of the leaves as well.

All-Purpose Garlic Chili Spray

Pepper and garlic are both natural insect repellents and will help to repel Japanese beetles, borers, leafhoppers, and slugs. Garlic also deters larger pests such as deer and rabbits.

In a bowl with a spout, combine:

Natural Insecticidal Soap Spray (from recipe above)

1 tablespoon of chili powder (you could also use fresh or dried hot peppers)

5 cloves of garlic, crushed and cut roughly

Allow garlic and chili powder to steep overnight. Strain and pour into a spray bottle. Keep for up to two weeks.

Antifungal Spray

This spray is great for treating plants with fungal diseases. There is nothing quite as frustrating as discovering your plant has an unsightly case of mildew, a type of fungal disease. Suddenly your beautiful green cucumber and squash leaves are covered in patches of grayish-white blotches.

You will need:

1 tablespoon of baking soda

1/2 tablespoon of oil

2 quarts of warm water

Add baking soda and oil to a cup of warm water and stir until the soda dissolves. Mix in the rest of the water. Before attempting to spray and treat your plant, first remove the most severely damaged leaves. Then spray your solution, repeating every few days until it disappears. This mixture is best made and used immediately.

Snail & Slug Bath

Photo by Image credit: Ashley Poskin

Got snails? Simply nestle a small dish or cup of beer in your garden near your snail- and slug-attracting plants. The snails, attracted to the yeast in beer, will take a dip in the libations and slide off into a drunken oblivion. Place the beer in a shaded spot to keep it from evaporating.

It’s best to spray your plants in the morning before the sun is too hot, or else you run the risk of burning the leaves of your plant. And while these spray are non-toxic and less harmful than commercial pesticides, they will kill beneficial bugs along with the harmful ones. Please use sprays sparingly, only treating infected and infested plants.

[gardenholic]

9 Best Organic NPK Fertilizers in 2024

In the world of gardening and farming, one term you’ll often come across is ‘NPK Fertilizer’. But what does it mean? And why is it so important? NPK stands for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, three vital nutrients that plants need to thrive. While there are many types of fertilizers available in the market, this blog post focuses on organic NPK fertilizers. Why organic, you ask? Organic NPK…

[faeriekit]

Despair of Your Discovery

Phic phight fill for @carelisswriting. I am so sorry.

(Relevant warnings are tagged below)

**********

“Oh my god,” Danny says, horrified. “That’s…oh my god.”

The plant looks very innocent amongst the rows and rows of lush green pots in Sam’s greenhouse.

It isn’t.

“You cannot tell anyone,” Sam hisses, and shoves the wicker harvest basket back over the bush, as if there was anyone safe to tell! “Not a word. Not a whisper.”

“This is bad. This is really, really bad.”

“I know!” Sam snaps, looking two steps away from a screaming freakout. “But what can I even do with it?!”

The answer seems obvious. “Get rid of it?!” Danny exclaims, throwing his arms out for additional emphasis. “Making sure there isn’t any evidence left??”

“By what, burning it?!”

Danny opens his mouth to affirm the obvious— only to realize there is another, equally as obvious problem with the usual method of extermination.

“...Put it in the trash?” Danny tries again, grimacing. He crosses his arms, taps his toes. “I mean. It’ll go out eventually.”

“And if someone sees it in the trash?!” Sam volleys back, eyes wide with furious distress.

Okay. There's a clear problem here. All they need is a solution.

Tucker wanders into the greenhouse; he probably found out that they weren’t in Sam’s room and figured out their second location pretty quickly. “Hey, Sam; hey Danny. I thought we were doing Doomed today?”

“We’re not,” Sam and Danny chorus.

Tucker frowns. His eyes go back and forth between them. “...Is everything good?”

“No,” Sam says, cutting off Danny’s: “Sam stole another plant from the school garden again.”

“Oh. Is that all?”

Sam throws herself over the wicker basket and grooooooooans.

“Apparently someone was experimenting,” Danny offers flatly. “It’s bad.”

“How can a plant be bad?”

Sam straightens herself up, makes dead-on eye contact, and lifts the basket.

“Is that WEED?!” Tucker yelps. Danny immediately darts over to slap a hand over Tucker’s mouth, and the basket gets slammed back on top of the plant.

“Don’t shout!”

“Shouting is merited!! Sam grew drugs!!”

“On accident!!” Sam shouts back, very, very pale. “They just left the sprouts in the garden shed without any light or water!! I had to do something!!”

“Saaaaaamm,” Tucker groans, which is pretty unmerited, considering that Sam is probably the person suffering the most here. “Sam, we have to do something!"

“I know, I know!!”

“We know you hate pesticides, but isn’t there…some kind of natural weed killer? Or something?” Danny tries, struggling to think it through. “You can’t hand-pull all your weeds in this greenhouse. It’s massive.”

Sam bites her lip. She doesn’t answer.

“Sam…”

“It’s a waste of plant life to kill it,” Sam whispers. Her two best friends groan out loud, angled in two different directions.

“Sam. It’s illegal. You’ve got to get rid of it.” Tucker’s logic is cold, and brazen.

“...Fine.”

The procedure for killing off a plant the organic way is apparently pretty simple; vinegar, salt, and sunlight. The plant is looking dead and crispy under the glow lights in Sam’s greenhouse in less than an hour; by tomorrow, it’ll be long gone.

“We can never tell anyone this happened,” Danny decides, for obvious reasons. Tucker nods solemnly.

Sam sniffles a little, mascara running. Danny gently rubs her back.

[h3artstain]

A list of (realistic) things you can do to be more environmentally friendly

(from an earth-loving horticulture student.)

— COSMETICS

Use bar soap instead of soap bottles

Use old toothbrushes for cleaning surfaces

Try exploring and researching some homemade face/body/lip products

Use ice sleeves, sunglasses, and caps instead of sunscreen (Edit: I’ve seen people say that it is safer and even necessary to wear sunscreen at all times so try to use eco friendly sunscreen instead! In my country it’s pretty uncommon to wear sunscreen often as we usually wear ice sleeves which is why I did not know this oof)

Use coffee grinds or homemade tumeric masks instead of cosmetic products with exfoliator beads

Invest in a metal ear cleanser instead of cotton buds

Try placing more importance on skincare instead of contributing to exploitative beauty companies by buying makeup

Use cosmetic products that do not contain palm oil

— CLOTHING

Try as much as possible to rewear your outfits at least twice before washing them

Actually WEAR your clothes! I know some of y’all just wear them once for your Instagram post and let it rot in your closet forever. Stop doing that!

Thrift, stitch up holes in your clothes, and use second hand clothing instead of supporting fast fashion companies like SHEIN, H&M, Zara, etc.

Cut up your old clothing into yarn and do macramè with it

Cut patches of old clothing to turn into reusable cotton pads

Learn how to knit, crochet or stitch your clothes!

If you use tampons, try menstrual cups or discs instead. If you use pads, try reusable pads or period underwear. (Trust me, it works). Also, use reusable panty liners instead of disposable ones. They may seem expensive but you will end up saving a lot more in the long run

— GARDENING

Plant seeds/cuttings in your old bottles, jars, and containers

Propagate your plants and exchange cuttings with your friends instead of buying new plants

Make your own soil mixes instead of buying soil mixes

Better yet, don’t use soil for your indoor plants and try getting into hydroponics or semihydroponics instead. This saves so much water and doesn’t contribute to mining of soil

Fertilise plants with fruit peels, coffee grinds, and tea leaves. (DO NOT use chemical fertiliser on soil)

Plant more legume plants in your garden instead of using nitrogen fertilisers. (Look up the nitrogen cycle if you need an explanation on this)

Avoid pesticides unless really needed. Try sprinkling cinnamon powder on soil or spraying neem oil on plants and soil to keep away pests.

If you have a lawn, try looking into rain gardens and consider making one

Let the (non invasive) weeds in your lawn/garden grow! They are there for a reason!

Stop killing earthworms and millipedes in your garden. This also applies to snails native to your region. They are there for a reason.

Water used to wash fruits and rice can be used to water plants

— REDUCE, REUSE

Use the caps of jars as soap holders

Use recycled paper/notebooks

Wash and dry your glass/plastic items before throwing them in the recycling bin

Keep any plastic bags for future use

Use eco friendly or reusable dish sponges

Use reusable straws and cups

Invest in a fabric cup holder

Bring a water bottle with you wherever you go

Drink more water and less sugary drinks

Bring reusable bags for buying groceries instead of using plastic ones

Always keep a folded up tote/shopping bag with you in case you spontaneously decide to buy something

— ELECTRICITY

Set a timer on your air conditioning instead of letting it run throughout the night

Better yet, use a fan instead of an air conditioner

Open your windows! Aerate your home!

Allow natural light to enter your home during the daytime, so as to avoid turning on your lights

Switch to LED lightbulbs instead of regular lightbulbs

Turn off any switches in your house when they are not in use

Collect the water from your air conditioner/dehumidifier condenser and use that to water plants, clean surfaces, steam ironing, and flushing toilets. Do not drink it though!

— INTERNET

Delete your all of your unwanted emails

Delete your inactive social media accounts

Try not to post excessively on social media and stop scrolling excessively too. This not only reduces energy usage but also improves your mental health and productivity

Try to keep to one social media app instead of having so many

Reduce your internet usage

Save your eBooks on a thumbdrive instead of on cloud

Use Ecosia instead of Google

Stop being influenced by social media trends that only just contribute to consumerism

Download music instead of streaming

Reduce online shopping

— FOOD

Reduce intake of processed foods

Reduce intake of fish, beef, and dairy

Try eating vegan or vegetarian foods at least once or twice a week

Cook your own meals instead of eating out

Bring your own food containers when taking away food from stores

Beeswax wrap instead of cling wrap!

Buy loose-leaf tea or plastic free tea bags instead of regular tea bags

Eat more mushrooms, vegetables, and fruits and drink more water

Support local farmers

And finally, educate yourself more about ecology and the environment!

[kaijuno]

Yesterday, I experienced one of those poignant moments as a parent that I never expected. My daughter spotted a monarch butterfly in our garden, a truly breathtaking sight. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, but it was bittersweet. I had to explain how rare and precious this encounter was, given that it might be the last time we see one of these splendid creatures.

The monarch butterfly population is facing a severe crisis. As of 2024, the western monarch population has plummeted by an astonishing 99.9% since the 1980s, with a mere 1,914 butterflies recorded in the annual Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count. The eastern monarchs are also struggling, with a 22% decline in their overwintering numbers from just the previous year. Several factors contribute to this decline: climate change, habitat destruction, and the extensive use of pesticides that eliminate milkweed, the only host plant for monarch larvae. These butterflies, once a common delight, are now on the brink of extinction.

Confronting this harsh reality is devastating, especially when trying to instill a sense of wonder about nature in your children. How do you explain that something as enchanting and vital as a butterfly might vanish forever?

However, this sadness can also be a catalyst for change. We can make choices that help: planting milkweed, avoiding pesticides, and supporting conservation efforts. By teaching our children the significance of environmental protection, we might help ensure that monarchs will visit our gardens once more.

It’s not too late to act, but soon it might be. Let's work together to ensure that future generations can experience the natural world in all its vibrant glory, including the sight of monarchs fluttering freely in our gardens.

[her-satanic-wiles]

October 2nd

Titfucking, Papa Emeritus I x Plus Size!Reader

Masterlist

Words: 2.2k.

Warnings: Titfucking; established relationship; plus size!Reader; fem!Reader; young!Reader (21+); dom!Primo; elderly!Primo; huge age gap (talking minimum 30 years); groping; body worship; fat appreciation; salirophilia; cunnilingus; praise kink; naked woman clothed man; cum eating; cum swap;

Author's note: Hello! I just wanted to pop in and say thank you so, so much for all the support for day 1! It's been really overwhelming (in a positive way), and it means a lot. I can't wait to share with you all the other fics I have planned for the rest of the month!

🔞 MDNI 🔞

You were a pretty young thing - you always had been. You had caught so many eyes since your time at the Ministry began, it had become countless. Over the years, you had also pursued many professions within the Ministry, but your last job had landed you in the lap of the lap of the second-oldest luxury within those Hellish walls - personal assistant and caretaker to none other than Papa Emeritus I.

He wasn’t the reigning Papa anymore, it was his youngest brother, Terzo, who held that title. You weren’t even born when Primo was the Head of the Satanic Church. You weren’t even sure your parents were. Needless to say, the old man had been around for quite a bit and it was now your job to make sure his retirement was as comfortable as it could be. Most days were filled with mundane tasks, like giving him his food and beverages when he asked for them and couldn’t or wouldn’t go down to the cafeteria and get them, or helping him in his garden when he needed the extra pair of hands. Some days he just wanted a bit of company from someone who didn’t forget about him. But there were days when a little more effort was required on your part, when the old man proved that he was still young at heart and, well, other places too. The days when he craved the warmth of another person, or the weight of someone else in his ridiculously soft bed.

That day you and Primo were to be in his greenhouse to reorganise and restock a bunch of his natural pesticides and food waste fertilizer besides other things. It was a bi-monthly thing that would take the whole day if you were quick, the whole weekend if you weren’t trying to rush. Because Primo couldn’t manage it anymore, you were tasked with running back and forth between his greenhouse and the kitchen with the food waste for the compost heap, which is how you ended up red-faced and sweaty at the door to the greenhouse, your black habit now two shades of black given the amount you’d perspired. The already clingy garment was now glued to your skin and leaving nothing to the imagination. And the look in Primo’s eyes told you that he certainly was imagining something.

It wasn’t the first time you’d caught anyone staring at your chest, Papas included. Your entire body was voluptuous enough to be downright sinful, and it was difficult for certain members of the Clergy to keep their eyes and hands off you. The Ministry loved rejecting societal norms outside of their Satanic walls, and in most people’s eyes - Primo’s included - you were perfect. You were always at the forefront of Primo’s mind when he wanted to share his bed with another person. Sometimes, the sight of your body jiggling as you walked down stairs was the reason for his sudden animalistic behaviour, and he’d pull you into a nearby broom closet and have his wicked way with you. But he certainly wasn’t listening to you as you spoke.

“Papa?” You said, waving your hand in front of his face. Not too close to be obnoxious, but close enough to grab his attention to the appropriate place. “Earth to Papa? Come in, Papa.”

“Mi dispiace, fiorellina. My mind was elsewhere.”

“Your eyes were too.”

Papa shot you a look of disapproval for your cheek, but you just smiled in response. “Please tell me again what you were saying.”

“That’s everything from the kitchens now, Papa. Is there anything else you would like me to do before lunch.”

“Ah - sì, ancora una cosa. Sit on the table over there and spread your legs for me, please.”

“Papa?”

“Fiorellina, you know what you do to this old man. How tempting you are on the average day. But today you look, divino, mozzafiato, empio, praticamente peccaminoso. I would like to worship you as the Goddess Sathanas made you as before I take my pleasures from you. Is this acceptable?”

“Yes, Papa.”

His mature hands took your face in his grasp. “Brava ragazza. Now, sit se tu per favore. And remove your undergarments too, I would like to dive right in.”

You did as he asked, removing your panties and sitting on the table, resting the heels of your feet on the edge and giving Primo the best access to your cunt as possible. Though the way he was staring at your folds was like a wolf staring at his lunch had your insides quivering, you weren’t particularly wet for him, or ready for anything else he had planned. But this was Papa Primo you were about to give access to, and he was the most considerate of your pleasure before his own. You knew that he would take however long he needed to getting you to cum for him. He removed his Mitre from his head and delicately placed it on the chair across from him, before hiking up his robes and sitting himself down in front of his second meal of the day.

“Lie back.” He said softly. “Be comfortable.”

This allowed your legs to stretch a little more and your body to relax while he took his time with you. He first placed kisses to your calves - gentle, soft pecks that were barely there, but sporadically timed so you didn’t know when they’d land. His fingertips delicately caressed any exposed flesh he could reach, adding another layer of sensation to the already soft touches. Though, you knew your thighs would be painted black and white from his paints transferring.

“Always so good for your Papa.” He whispered, his deep voice gravelly with decades of use. “Always so obedient and helpful.” His lips now had moved up to your pubic mound. You could feel his breath flow between your folds before he’d placed a kiss just above them, making you shiver in anticipation for that final touch.

Papa, at times, felt like a walking stereotype given his unmatched patience and languid movements. He liked to blame his age, but you knew he enjoyed torturing you slowly, like he was sustained from your frustrations alone. And so, when you had grown impatient and considered sitting up to tell him to let you please him instead, his tongue finally made contact. But this time it had no softness to it - this time he was brutal in his movements.

The initial lick was broad and rough, causing you to scream out unexpectedly. But this was soon followed by his lips suctioning themselves around your clit and sucking as hard as he could, giving you overwhelming pleasure that bordered on pain. With his mouth still closed around your clit, the tip of his tongue continued to work it in multiple directions, almost erratic with his ministrations. He continued like this for what seemed like eternity; his head even moving in all directions when he sucked on your sensitive bud to keep your pleasure as lively as possible. Even when your hands flew to his bald head and your hips buck, he remained face-first in your core, unrelenting and unwilling to stop until you reached your peak.

“P-Papa!” You breathed, your body feeling like it was on fire. Your hands shifted from his head to pinch and play with your clothed nipples. “I’m so close, please - fuck! - Please don’t stop!”

Primo only grunted in response, adding a little extra vibration when he did. He refused to stop what he was doing because he knew you’d lose that feeling. Instead, he upped his movements and heightened the intensity, causing you to finally tip over the edge and climax all over his face. Your back arched and your mouth fell open, with a string of expletives tumbling out of it. And Primo only stopped when you sat up and pushed him away.

He certainly was a sight to see emerging from your wetness; his paint around his mouth had completely dissolved, showing you his swollen pink lips, soiled with your cunt. There was a lazy smile on his face, and a cackle in his throat. He very much looked like the cat that got the cream, and he was obviously proud of it. You could see his hard cock poking out from underneath his robe, begging for attention, and so you reached your hand out to move his clothes and get to it. But his own hand stopped you.

“I don’t want your hand today, fiorellina.” As you stood from the table, he wrapped his hands around your soft waist and pulled you between his spread legs. “I want these,” he placed one kiss on your clothed breast, “and only these.” He then kissed the second one. “Undress yourself completely for me.”

He let you go and sat back in the chair, relaxing with his legs spread and his mismatched eyes watching you strip for him. Your black habit was thrown carelessly to the floor of the greenhouse, leaving you only wearing a useless black bra. Papa moved his robes, hissing softly as his hard cock was rubbed against by the satin, but his eyes remained on you, observing as your bra was removed and your breasts bounced at their newfound freedom. It was no surprise to you that Primo was ready to go - he hated wearing anything underneath his official robes. He once joked about being Scottish in another life.

“Sempre così squisita, fiorellina. Bellissima. Come, get on your knees for Papa.”

Using his thighs as leverage, you lowered yourself to the floor in front of Primo and his waiting cock. “Only my tits, Papa? Not my mouth?”

“Just those beautiful breasts of yours. Papa needs to be in between them.” You nodded and cupped them both, before wrapping them around Primo’s hardness and began rubbing them up and down. This earned you a groan from the back of Primo’s throat, and his head tipped back in pleasure. “Just like that, fiorellina.”

You were used to your partners being expletive during any pleasure you gave them, but Primo was still very much an old man set in his ways. He wouldn’t be so impolite in front of a young woman. It didn’t matter to him if you uttered vulgarity, but he would never allow himself to show you any such disrespect.

“Does it feel good, Papa?” You asked, your big, doe eyes looking up at him innocently. Looking at you then, on your knees looking like an angel for him, giving him more pleasure than he could ever imagine had his cock jumping in between your tits. He couldn’t help it. You were doing something so damnable, but you looked so pure.

He groaned again. “Nothing has ever f-felt better.” His hand cupped your chin as he watched you move. “I have wanted to do-” another moan, “-this since you first c-came back from the kitchens. How your breasts bounced as you walked.”

“Sathanas made me to please you, Papa. He made me to reward you.”

Primo’s hips began bucking. “Stay still for me, fiorellina.”

You could feel your cunt growing wet again watching Primo fuck your tits as if it were your pussy. With that thought in mind, you leaned your head over his cock and allowed as much saliva as you could create to spill from your lips and land directly onto the head. “Sathanas!” Primo hissed as he watched your tits and his shaft get coated in your spit. “Walking temptation. A succubus. Let me see you - do it again.”

You obliged, the valley in between your tits now getting slicker and slicker with his precum and your spit. The noise he made was guttural, and his thrusts became faster but still precise. Every now and then, you would let out a moan, knowing that Papa would appreciate you for it.

“I think about letting you do this all the time, Papa. I touch myself thinking about it.”

You could see his resolve weakening. “Y-you do?”

“I do. I love that it makes you feel good. I love making you feel good, Papa. I’m always so wet whenever I think about it.”

Primo nodded and bit his lip. His brow furrowed in concentration. “You’re wet again now aren’t you?”

“I am, Papa. I’m so wet for you. I want you to cum all over my tits so I can ride you - make you cum inside me.”

He couldn’t stop himself. “Fuck!”

Your eyes widened in shock but you didn’t address it. He seemed to be oblivious to the fact that he said it. “Are you close, Papa?”

“Sì, fiorellina. Sono - ah! - Sono pronto.”

“I want your cum so bad, Papa. Please cum for me. Cum on my tits.”

With a final grunt, Primo came at your request, his warm seed painting your chest like a canvas. You kept your breasts wrapped around him until he stopped moving and sat there breathing heavily. When you were sure he was watching, you brought your hands up and ran them through his cum, gathering it on your fingers and licking it off.

“Piccolo diavolo.”

Without swallowing, you straddled his lap and kissed him, passing his cum from your mouth to his. He then swallowed his own load, before dropping his mouth to your chest and licking up what remained of him. “Grazie, fiorellina. Though I fear I may need to bury myself inside you in a moment.”

“I’m ready when you are.” You told him before giving him another kiss.

Previous Day ⛧ Next Day

[our-lady-of-the-forest]

Many Small Steps

This is the list written by Andrea Cohen-Kiener in her book "Claiming the Earth as Common Ground". It is her list of how to join the Ecology Action Alliance. There are no dues, or any requirements for membership other than to choose three things from the list to begin immediately, and to add one item from the list each week until you are living the most ecological lifestyle possible FOR YOU.

I highly recomend reading this book.

I will recycle whatever I can through my municipality.

I will buy snacks and other foods in degradable (paper) containers whenever possible

I will avoid buying/using clothes that require dry cleaning

I will choos food and other products in the most ecological packaging availible(Paper, cotton and glass as opposed to plastic).

I will not buy/use Styrofoam products

I will not buy/use aerosal cans.

I will start/expand my garden

I will reduce/eliminate toxic pesticides in my lawn and garden.

I will purchase clean, renewable energy through my electric utility (www.gocleanenergy.com)

I will join a gardening club.

I will establish a bartering relationship with a neighbor.

I wil set a radius (two blocks/two miles?) and make a commitment to walk everywhere I need to go within that radius.

I will choose one day a week to refrain from driving.

I will buy/repair/use a bicycle.

I will make a serious and sustained effort to carpool and combine driving errands.

I will prioritize my neighborhood merchants.

I will repair and reuse major appliances whenever possible.

I will donate or finds a use for items I no longer wish to use whenever possible.

I will patronize the used goods market whenever possible.

I will buy/utilize hand-powered appliances and tools whenever possible.

I will become an urban livestock keeper (bees, eggs, poultry).

I will copy this list and encourage one persona week to become a member of the Ecology Action Alliance.

I will reduce/eliminate toxic cleaning supplies and replace them with nonpoisonous cleaning supplies in my home/workplace.

I will make a sustained effort to turn off appliances and lights that are not in use.

I will encourage retailers and manufacturers to reduce/simplfy packaging material.

I will contract for a home energy audit (contact your utility company for details).

I will use natural light and ventilation (windows!) whenever possible.

I will use simple measures (massage, tea, rest) when dealing with common ailments.

I will ask friends to consider natural products and materials when choosing gifts for me.

I will bring my own cloth or paper bags for shopping trips.

I will eat the most wholesome and unadultered diet possible.

I will support bussinesses that promote environmental awareness.

I will join/contribute to an environmental group.

I will buy/use recycled paper whenever possible.

I will ask my grocer to carry local/organic produce.

I will ask my grocer to carry alternatives to Styrofoam products.

I wil lobby political representatives to make the enviorment a priority.

I will petition my civic groups (school, business, congregation) to conserve, recycle and consume responsibly.

I will enjoy moments outside each day.

I will learn about the vegetation and wildlife in my area.

I will study and be a resource for my community for one aspect od the enviornmental agenda (solid waste, conservation, the charitable network, ecology legislation, whole foods, alternative healing, etc.).

[script-a-world]

Submitted via Google Form:

Does it make any sense to have a world that is entirely vegan because other animals are actually all extinct. You might think with no other animals, this be a world where cannibalistic practices occur more. Well, I never really thought of it because it's that's just nasty. But what would be realistic here? Sure, it may occur as an extreme survival method. But it shouldn't be a normal practice and condemned in every other way. But does make actually make sense in this world with animals going extinct? They do have excellent crops and plenty of ways of getting food. There is no issue with having adequate food supply except for impoverished places. And just like impoverished places in real life, people aren't just resorting to cannibalism as normal. Alright so... for a world with no more animals in its ecosystem... well, how is that even like?? Actually, why is this world even restricted to a planet? There would probably be a lot of people living on moons with no native life and space stations.

Addy: I'm in the middle of finals right now (is it okay to include that? Idk), so you're getting some straight-from-the-tap unpolished thoughts.

Are there insects? 'Cause if this is a post-extinction event, then you've got a whole issue of like... plants that used to be pollinated by insects (beetles, bees, moths, butterflies, ants, etc), birds, etc but now have to be pollinated by wind (which is way less efficient, so you'd probably get stuff that's like cedars or oak trees, where there's just pollen *everywhere*, and other stuff would at least have more difficulty surviving). And then there's... everything. The balance between plants, insects, etc, *everything* is very nuanced. This feels like it'd become the lawn garden equivalent of an ecosystem - alive, but not thriving. Like a garden laden with pesticides, you just... wouldn't get good growth, and that'd spur on its own set of issues.

Plus like. Grazing. Grazing is a huuuuge influence on grasslands, etc, so the removal of all herbivores would... man. That'd do a lot. I don't know if you could even *have* a grassland under this system. Like without grazing, the accumulation of plant matter + wildfire ecology (lightning strikes and all that) would mean huge blazes that would sterilize the soil. Instead of grassland growing back, you'd get like saplings driven on the wind or whatever. Probably.

(Something something Yellowstone when they brought the wolves back, every piece has a role to play)

If there *are* insects, then that'd have its own set of massive issues. Great Famine of China/Great Leap Forward kinds of issues. Like wow. Also insect predation on trees, that'd spur another wave of problems.... everything would be effected. Everything.

If you're on a space station, it's generally assumed that plants are being grown in a tightly controlled artificial environment. Humidity, "rain," light, nutrients, all of that under human (or at least sentient/sophont) control. It isn't expected to be a natural, thriving environment, and it's fairly small-scale. If you have some sort of space garden, it's generally either only plants or plants + some insects + small wildlife. A whole planet... man. Honestly a terrifying thought.

(You thought Silent Spring was bad)

(This is so much worse)

Also, what about fish? Is the whole ocean totally sterile? Are there even krill (or local equivalent)? Phytoplankton, I assume, would be around (also there's a scary thought about like the whole oxygen cycle wow), but... this is just a terrifying prospect for a world.

Oh, and coral! That's an animal, technically. Not really an edible one, but an animal nonetheless. Snails? Jellyfish? Detritivores? Anything to filter the water?

We have no reference for what this would look like. If they want to make a world like this, I'd say the best bet would be to imagine a world sanitized by fire and war and death and ecological omnicide and who-knows-what. Then, on the barren remains of the world-that-was, put a sentient/sophont species with a seed bank. Fern spores. Pollen and sprouts. Some great record of a sliver of the majesty that once was.

In the dust-filled deathworld, this remnant husk of what was once an emerald jewel, there is a structure, and in that structure, there is a person. They have a plot, they have nitrates, they have ammonium, they have potassium, they have phosphorus. They may have mycorrhize, if they're lucky. In that plot, they have a plant. Maybe a few. They save it all for replanting and propagation, and subsist off of freeze-dried rations made before the Happening. They are lucky to be alive.

The world outside is barren. There is nothing to hold together the topsoil. Anything that once was there has rotted and blown away (yay bacteria)(unless those are dead too). The Dust Bowl, on a scale of a world. The Sahara, in comparison, would be a fertile haven of life.

Recovery is slow. Plants, as they grow under the sheltered eye of humanity, decompose once again, cycling through generations as they build up organic matter, thick and lush and *whole*(it can never be whole, too much has been lost, the world will never, ever be the same). The structure expands. Nothing built before the Happening is sealed tightly enough to keep out the dust, microscopic in size as it is.

Coastal regions get some amount of moisture, from the fetid winds that blow off the heaving corpse-lungs of the ocean. Without zooplankton and other organisms to manage the growth of phytoplankton and algae, it is trapped in a cycle of explosion and eutrophication. Life survives in the deepest depths of the oceans, some think, though it, too, may be dead, suffocated by lack of oxygen. Without mollusks or corals or jellyfish or anything to filter the water, the upper layers are thick with rotting plant matter. Some of it sinks, some of it floats. It becomes nutritional matter for the next growth explosion, and that, too, will rot.

A garden is made, sheltered to the extent that it can be. Carefully-selected plants take root in the mulch of their ancestors. Rain is strange and violent, heaved against mountains by wind currents, which themselves are driven by the vast temperature differences of the unevenly-heated planet. There is no friction upon the ground to slow it down, excepting the husks of once-grand cities and their slowly-falling towers. Floods are frequent, in the places that do get rain. Drought prevails elsewhere. Even when rain falls, there is nothing to receive it but silt and clay and stone (and a few spare bacteria). Murky streams of water wind their way to the ocean. Inch by inch, plants come back. Nature will not return for a hundred million years. Until then, until some random quirk of genetics pushes organisms from microbial to sizable, who knows what will happen? If we are lucky, lichens and mosses remain in the great vault of humanity. If we are unlucky, every inch of un-desertification will take holes and effort and windbreaks and labor.

Basically the world kinda needs animals, at least through our understanding of it. Continents are big, and life as we know it has evolved in a web of give and take, push and pull, supply and demand. Without one half of that equation, it is a fundamentally different setup. Maybe algaes can be stable. Maybe they can't. I don't really know. I'd recommend looking into the hows-and-whys-and-whats of various extinction periods in Earth's history to get a better idea of how things happen. It won't capture a picture of what life without animals could look like, but hey, it's something.

Also, cannibalism (at least in humans) is generally only seen as a desperate measure for survival. Prion diseases are a genuine risk, along with whatever else may have killed the person. With how many plagues (and other afflictions) humans can carry, eating a dead person generally isn't worth the risk. Also also, human brains take a lot of protein. That can be obtained through non-animal needs, but it's less efficient (in terms of digestibility and protein density, not in terms of overall energy transformation efficiency of sunshine -> meal). If famine ever hits, a plant-only diet is far more vulnerable to starvation (in times of famine, fish have saved lives).

[sea-lestial-dream-witch]

Welcome Spring Rituals🌺🌼🌿🍃

Spring is a time of rebirth and rejuvenation: the bees are back, flowers are blooming, and plants and animals are no longer dormant and hibernating. Throw away the old and make room for the new during this season.

Here are some ways to welcome the season of Spring. Many of these are quick or easy, great for beginner witches, those on a budget and witches in hiding!

• Cleanse while you clean: Do a deep clean of your home or space. Use lemon, white vinegar, rosemary - something potent and cleansing. Wash your pillowcase, blanket and bed sheets. After your space is clean, open the windows and light a candle/incense or use room spray to freshen the area. You can also banish stale energies while doing this. *Please exercise caution while using cleaners*

• Throw out the old: Donate, sell, give away, recycle and dispose of that which you no longer need. A fresh, clean space creates a clear mind.

• Garden: Plant herbs, flowers, and plants native to your area. Don’t have a lot of space or know-how? Next time you go to the grocery store grab cilantro, basil, green onion (or look into other easy options) and chop off the bottom of the stems at an angle, place in a cup of tap water indoors by a window that gets plenty of sun. Such plants can easily survive in water and after they grow roots place them in a small cup or bowl of soil. If you can’t buy soil go outside and grab some if it’s organic and safe (untouched by unsafe pesticides and fertilizers). Some things can grow by being planted whole or sliced (ginger) or by extracting seeds (tomato) so take your time and do research before you spend unnecessarily.

• Save the Bees: Learn about flowering plants in your area that attract bees. Buy some seeds and plant away! You can also look into flowering plants which attract butterflies and hummingbirds if you wish. If you cannot buy seeds you can learn how to remove them from the insides of some flowers and plant them.

• Flower power: If you live in an area with many flowering plants, go out and admire their beauty. Envision how they’ve survived year after year, how the balance of rain and sun allows them to flourish, and how they’re part of a delicate, beautiful, natural system. If you have your own garden, pluck some flowers if you wish and make a beautiful bouquet to decorate your space with.

• Crystal cleanse: Renew your crystals by cleansing and recharging them. Gather rain water or use moonlight (or a preferred method) to pamper them a bit! Go a step further: clean and cleanse your altar and witchy tools.

• Mindfulness: Spring is a wonderful time to meditate more - light some incense, use meditation tools such as a tuning fork or chimes. Listen to guided meditations. This is also a great time to journal more and sort through your thoughts. Leave behind old, stale energies of the previous year to allow newer, better things to take that place.

• Burn the past: Write a letter (to yourself) about past grief, regrets, and failures. Burn this letter and bid farewell to the feelings and emotions attached to it. After, you may write and keep a separate letter full of goals, wishes and aspirations to last you until next Spring or longer.

• Kitchen witchery: Cook and/or bake and imbue the foods you make with positive things such as peace, good health, and prosperity. Look into recipes specifically meant for spring and utilize produce which is commonly used during springtime. Add color to your food through the use of different veggies, fruits, spices, herbs, etc.

• Expand your craft: Ever tried sun magic? Wind magic? Used sound in your craft? Learn how to make sigils, try a new spell, make a spell jar, research and aspect of witchcraft you don’t know much about. Educate yourself on cultural appropriation, respecting closed traditions, how people around the world welcome springtime, the history of witchcraft both in the east and west.

• Expand your skills: Try something new! Take an art or cooking class, buy a cookbook, learn to crochet or sew, consider hobbies that are practical and exciting. Invite new skills and interests into your life. Study plant identification, learn how to garden on YouTube, learn how to identify stars… whatever may interest you, be open to it. Look for online tutorials, videos, free apps, library books, and people to aid you.

• Create: Spring brings vibrant colors and we can find so many ways to honor this. Draw, color, doodle, write, sing and dance. Paint a birdhouse, or some stones. Decorate your Grimoire or Book of Shadows. Add color to your life.

• Glamify: When you have free time, try on different clothes, makeup, hairstyles, and jewelry. Mess around, have fun with it, and see which combinations make you feel best. Glamours are such a subtle way to practice your craft. Wear colors that make you happy whether it’s clothes, accessories, hair or nail polish!

• Rest: Stop. Slow down, breathe mindfully. Turn off or silence devices, log off social media. Take a substantial break from screens. Take a nap. Have a soothing cup of tea. Stare at the sky. Spring is a time of growth and growth requires rest.

•Pampered and polished: Massage yourself from head to toe with lotion or body oil. Take your time and go in slow circular motions. Don’t neglect your scalp, face, neck, shoulders or feet. Visualize leaving old pains and worries in the past.

Do something extra for yourself, whether this means added rest, an at-home facial, deep condition for your hair, maybe you need a good back scratch or to stretch out, or a cooling or heating pad (frozen veggies or warm dishcloth can be used) over your eyes or a sore area. Listen to your body and tend to yourself when possible.

Take a steamy shower or bath. Toss flower petals, herb sprigs or citrus slices into your bath. After, indulge in a lotion, perfume, or body oil you enjoy. Wash away the energies of the past and the remnants of winter. Surround yourself with what makes you happy and feel good.

• Say thank you: Thank special people, loved ones, and pets. Take a while to think about those who uplift you, support you, make you laugh, and listen to you. Show gratitude towards others. You may also thank the universe, nature, and God or deities you worship however you see fit, whether this means time spent in nature, prayer or offerings.

• Share your bounty: Cook and bake for your loved ones, give them something from your garden such as flowers, herbs, veggies etc. This can also be as simple as giving someone a genuine compliment. Have a “one dish” party with friends/family in which everyone pitches in. Come together and teach people something or learn something new. Plant a garden with your friends/family/community. Share your resources but do not dim your own flame to keep others lit. Take time for yourself, too.

🌊sea star witch🌟

These are mere suggestions and we tend to know what suits us best. I understand not everyone has the time, energy, spoons, resources or funds for all or half of these activities.

If you’re stumped, burned out and exhausted (like I am) don’t feel pressured to try all or most of the above. Slow down and tend to yourself.

Sit back and enjoy the beautiful spring skies, listen to the birds, watch the flowers grow, watch clouds pass by over head. Appreciating spring can be as simple as this!

[jaketeachesdeath]

Late to the party as I thought today was included but last week was #hedgehogawarenessweek

Sadly this is how lots of Hedgehogs are ending up. You tend to see more Hedgehogs squashed on the tarmac than you will most likely see alive.

However if youd like to help change that you have to be willing to make the changes to your garden!

13X13cm holes in the base of your fence panels will let your spikey friends pass through the gardens to access food, shelter and mates, potentially keeping them off the streets. Whilst this isnt for everyone theres still things you can do.

We've had a lot of hot weather recently so water is really important shallow bowls of water are a great addtion to your garden especially if you add pebbles to make it insect friendly too. If you dont have a pond you could add one, however do make sure there wildlife ramps so if someone falls in they can get back out.

If you are going to garden for wildlife, you can leave your lawns longer, create log piles, leave leaf litter pilled to create a natural den or hunting space you can even add your own man made Hedgehog home to the mix.

You can do away with the plant netting, drop the poisons and the pesticides whilst youre at it. Get the whole family involved and learn new ways to look after your spaces. Once the kids have gone in though dont forget to put the football goals away as this can be a source for entanglement too!

Two of these skulls have come from the same site theres been another one and thankfully one sent to rehab. All of which have been injured on way or another. Id like to find less.

12/05/24

[adamrosner]

Growing Green: The Benefits and Best Practices of Organic Gardening

In a world where sustainability and health are at the forefront of many people's minds, organic gardening provides a natural solution. It not only supplies fresh, healthy produce but also contributes to environmental preservation and personal well-being. Organic gardening is an approach that relies on natural cycles, biodiversity, and eco-friendly practices to cultivate plants without synthetic chemicals. Whether you're new to gardening or looking to shift from conventional methods, organic gardening offers numerous benefits and techniques to explore. Let's dive into the essential aspects of organic gardening and discover how it can enhance your life and the environment.

Environmental Impact of Organic Gardening

One of the standout benefits of organic gardening is its positive impact on the environment. Conventional gardening often relies on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which can seep into water sources, harm wildlife, and disrupt ecosystems. Organic gardening, however, avoids these chemicals, opting instead for natural fertilizers like compost and manure that enrich the soil without causing harm.

By embracing organic gardening, you contribute to a healthier ecosystem. This gardening style promotes soil health, water conservation, and a balanced local environment. Organic gardening also supports a diversity of organisms, from earthworms to beneficial insects, which aid in plant growth and pest control. Over time, these practices not only create a sustainable garden but also reduce the environmental footprint of food production, making it a choice that benefits the planet as a whole.

Health Benefits of Organic Gardening

Growing your food organically has several health advantages. When you cultivate fruits and vegetables without chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, you reduce your exposure to harmful residues commonly found in conventionally grown produce. Organic produce from your garden is fresh, natural, and rich in nutrients, contributing to a cleaner and healthier diet.

Additionally, organic gardening promotes physical and mental health. The physical activity involved in gardening—such as planting, weeding, and watering—provides moderate exercise that can enhance muscle tone and improve cardiovascular health. Spending time outdoors in natural surroundings also reduces stress, increases mindfulness, and boosts mood. Organic gardening, therefore, not only supports your diet but also fosters a holistic approach to health and wellness.

Enhancing Biodiversity in Your Organic Garden

Organic gardening encourages biodiversity, making your garden a thriving habitat for a range of plants, insects, and small animals. Without the threat of pesticides, beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and ladybugs can flourish, helping with pollination and natural pest control. These insects are essential for maintaining a balanced ecosystem, and organic gardening offers a safe haven for them.

A diverse garden with a variety of plants supports a complex web of organisms that all play roles in the ecosystem. From microbes in the soil that break down organic material to small mammals and birds that seek shelter among the plants, an organic garden creates a miniature ecosystem that reflects the natural world. By promoting biodiversity, organic gardening not only improves the health of your plants but also contributes to the broader ecological balance in your area.

Choosing the Right Plants for Organic Gardening

When starting an organic garden, selecting suitable plants is key to success. Opt for plants that are native to your region, as they are adapted to the local climate, soil, and pest pressures. Native plants often require less water and fewer resources, making them more sustainable and easier to grow organically. Additionally, native plants attract local pollinators, enhancing the health of your garden and surrounding areas.

Heirloom plant varieties are also excellent choices for organic gardening. These plants have been cultivated for generations without genetic modification, and they often boast superior flavor and resilience. By choosing native and heirloom plants, you create a garden that's not only easier to maintain but also more resistant to pests and diseases. This careful selection allows you to focus on nurturing your plants naturally without relying on synthetic interventions.

Building and Maintaining Healthy Soil

Soil health is the foundation of any successful organic garden. Organic gardening relies on natural soil-building techniques, like composting and mulching, to create fertile ground for plants. Composting transforms kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich organic matter, which you can mix into your soil to boost its structure and fertility. Regular composting not only improves the soil but also reduces waste, creating a closed-loop system in your garden.

Mulching is another valuable technique for organic soil health. Organic mulches, such as straw, leaves, and grass clippings, cover the soil, helping retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate temperature. As these materials decompose, they add nutrients to the soil, further enhancing its health. By focusing on building healthy soil, you create a strong, self-sustaining environment that minimizes the need for fertilizers and supports robust plant growth.

Natural Pest Management Techniques

One of the core principles of organic gardening is natural pest control. Rather than using chemical pesticides, organic gardeners employ a range of methods to manage pests sustainably. Companion planting is a popular strategy, where certain plants are grown together to deter pests. For example, planting basil alongside tomatoes can repel insects that might otherwise harm the tomatoes. Similarly, marigolds are known for their pest-repelling qualities and can be planted throughout the garden.

Encouraging beneficial insects is another method of organic pest control. Ladybugs, lacewings, and spiders are natural predators that keep pest populations under control. You can attract these helpful insects by planting flowers and herbs that provide nectar and pollen. Additionally, using physical barriers like row covers to protect young plants from pests can be highly effective. By employing these natural methods, you can maintain a balanced garden ecosystem that naturally deters pests.

Conserving Water in the Organic Garden

Water conservation is a vital aspect of organic gardening. Organic gardeners often use rainwater collection systems and efficient irrigation techniques to minimize water usage. Collecting rainwater allows gardeners to capture and store water for dry spells, reducing dependence on municipal water supplies and conserving this valuable resource.

Drip irrigation is another effective method for watering plants directly at the root zone, minimizing evaporation and runoff. This technique delivers water precisely where it's needed, ensuring that plants receive adequate moisture without waste. By incorporating water-saving methods, organic gardening practices align with sustainability, ensuring that your garden flourishes with minimal environmental impact.

Harvesting and Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labor

Harvesting your own organic produce is one of the most fulfilling aspects of organic gardening. The food you grow yourself is fresher and often tastes better than store-bought options. Picking fruits and vegetables at peak ripeness ensures maximum flavor and nutrition, giving you a deeper appreciation for the food you consume.

Beyond the taste, harvesting from your garden brings a sense of accomplishment and connection to nature. The act of growing food from seed to harvest fosters mindfulness and respect for the resources involved in food production. Organic gardening encourages thoughtful, sustainable consumption habits that extend beyond the garden and into other areas of life.

Long-Term Sustainability in Organic Gardening

Organic gardening isn't just a hobby; it's a way to build a sustainable future. Practices like crop rotation, seed saving, and careful resource management keep your garden healthy over the long term. Rotating crops helps prevent nutrient depletion in the soil, ensuring that each growing season is as productive as the last.

Seed saving allows you to preserve strong, resilient plants and create a garden that adapts to your unique conditions over time. This approach helps maintain genetic diversity and strengthens the garden's resilience against environmental changes. Through these sustainable practices, organic gardening becomes more than a seasonal project—it becomes a lifestyle that supports both personal and environmental health.

Embracing Organic Gardening: A Path to Healthier Living

Organic gardening offers a path to healthier, more sustainable living. By growing food without chemicals, you not only benefit your health but also contribute to the well-being of the environment. From building healthy soil to conserving water, every aspect of organic gardening promotes sustainability.

Whether you're seeking a new hobby or a meaningful way to support the planet, organic gardening offers countless rewards. Embrace this journey, and experience how it transforms your life and the world around you—one plant at a time.

[gardenholic]

5 Type of Best Organic Fertilizers That You Must Have for Your Home Garden

Organic fertilizers are a substance composed of animal or vegetable matter used alone or in combination with one or more non synthetically derived elements or compounds.  These fertilizers are naturally produced and are materials that can be added to soil or plants, in order to provide nutrients and sustain growth.  Typical organic fertilizers include all animal waste including meat processing…

[stellar-constellations]

"Christmas isn't in July?!"

        Writer! Fem! (Y/N) x Flower shop owner! Tanjirou

        Prompt from a prompt generator: "A owns a flower shop and one day B comes in. B slaps 20 bucks onto the counter and then asks  "How do I passive-agressively say 'fuck you' in flower?" and A bursts out laughing before making a bouquet for B"

        The Kamado family was famous for their bakery’s fresh bread and flowers. The eldest son took over the bakery not too long ago and helped make a huge profit out of the family business with their diplomatic advertising and their delicious recipes.

        I became a regular customer soon after their eldest son took over. Their mother and sister tends to the garden growing organically grown flowers of many different varieties. 

        I figured that I needed to go outside instead of being cooped up in my bedroom all day writing as I multitasked from looking out the window and at half-typed page that I haven’t touched in 20 minutes. I quickly grabbed my keys and locked the apartment, deciding to leave and go get coffee. I took my laptop too in case I randomly get hit with inspiration or a idea as I spend an hour curled up on the side of some poor owner’s wall typing away at my keyboard (don’t ask why that was so detailed).

        It didn’t matter that I was in my pajamas and my hair was a little messy from just waking up 2 hours ago (it also didn’t help that I didn’t brush my hair when I woke up either). But that’s fine, lots of people go to places with coffee while looking like they got hit by semi-trucks. Besides, with a gamble of my luck, my hair might just fix itself. 

        I walked into the shop, noticing instantly that I was the only customer. The bell rang as I entered, walking up to the cash register and observing the menu. I’ve never been here before but I’ve heard of it from a friend or two. They said the place was really good but looking around this place looks absolutely deserted.

        Maybe I should call up one of my friends to see if they want to stay here with me, this place is a little creepy alone. I thought. Actually, never mind, I wouldn’t get any work done that way. 

        The sacrifices of being an anti-social writer I must make. Sacrifice my work or my comfort? I decided on my comfort, especially after I made eye-contact with a boy who started walking to the cash register from out of the kitchen door. If I leave now, I’ll feel guilty. 

        “Hello! What can I get started for you today?” the boy asked cheerfully.

        Chill, it’s only 3 p.m. right now… I thought, not quite enjoying his energetic persona.

        “Um…the raspberry lemonade?” I smiled nervously.

        I just realized that I don’t know how to explain what a Carmel Macchiato from Starbucks is so the boy could copy it nor did I realize how attractive the male was until he got closer.

        I suddenly felt self-conscious of my morning appearance as I started fiddling with my fingers and shirt as he typed the order down.

        “Anything else?” he questioned.

        I quickly looked at the menu, noticing the flower menu. I looked at it confused. His gaze followed mine as he smiled.

        “The flower menu? My mother and sister works on the garden in the greenhouse outside. The flowers are organically grown with no pesticides or chemicals so their all natural.” The boy explained. “They’re really pretty and great for gifts! I can explain the flower language for you if you want.”

        “Um, okay… I’ll have a vase and a white-pink orchid.” I answered.

        “Great choice! Did you know orchids have different meanings such as luxury, wealth, fertility, good fortune, and abundance?” he explained excitedly. 

        I felt a smile creep onto my face as his contagious energy got to me.

        “I didn't know that. I’m getting the flower so I can get good luck to being productive today—fingers crossed.” I smiled and crossed my fingers to liven my words.

        He smiled back. “Well, in that case, allow me to give you my own fortune.”

        Before I could ask him what he meant he disappeared behind the doors and didn’t come back until a few minutes. I waited semi-patiently as I looked around the small yet homey shop.

        I saw small heads peek out from behind the counter, easily being able to figure out that it was the other Kamado siblings. I looked at them nervously, unsure what to do as they stared at me curiously. Do they not think I can see them?

        I settled on smiling shy and awkwardly as I waved at them. They smiled, giggling as they scattered outside in excited and speaking in childish voices I couldn't understand. 

        I smiled slightly, well at least I made them laugh. The boy said soon came back from the back of the store with a vase filled with white-pink orchids. 

        "Here you go!" he smiled, placing the flower pot gently on the counter. 

        "Uh...I said one..." I mumbled awkwardly as I thought about how much that would be in total if I got them all.

        I'll admit, it looks prettier with all the flowers together but I don't plan on spending 30 bucks for flowers and lemonade for myself. 

        "I said I'll give you my fortune, didn't I?" he spoke gently, causing my heart strings to be pulled. "I was originally going to give you an extra but it seems my siblings wanted you to have more." He chuckled nervously as four heads popped out behind him in sync. 

        "W-what!? I didn't give her one!" one of the kids shouted, his face going red. 

        "Yeah, you did! Don't you lie, Takeo!" a young girl said. 

        "Besides, even the dullest flower can bloom the brightest with another's touch." The eldest smiled.

        I smiled back nervously. "W-well... thank you for thinking of me?" I commented.

        "The flowers are free." He smiled, reading my mind as he got straight to the point.

        "Free? You don't gotta, I can pay." I spoke, flabbergasted.

        "No, no! I insist! Though the lemonade you'll be paying for." The boy chuckled nervously.

        "Way to be a gentleman..." The young sister spoke sarcastically, puffing out her cheeks and giving her brother a disapproving glare.

        "Lady killer...and not in a good way." The tsundere brother teased as he placed his hands behind his head.

        I giggled, seeing the playful sibling banter between them.

        "You're all siblings, right? I heard this bakery was family owned." I asked, making small talk as I grabbed my wallet from my pocket. 

        "Yes. I'm Tanjirou Kamado, the new owner. These are my siblings, Hanako, Takeo, Shigeru, and Rokuta. My other sister is out back along with my mother." The boy, Tanjirou, explained.

        "I'm Y/N. You're the new owner, huh? How has that been treating you?" I questioned, trying to last the conversation as I slid him 20 bucks.

        "It's very exhausting..." he physically deflated, causing his youngest brother, Rokuta, to poke him and giggle. "Oh. The lemonade was two dollars." Tanjirou explained.

        "Consider it a thank you for the flowers and your hospitality." I smiled as I picked up my flower pot. "You think I could hang here for some time? I have some work to do on my computer and I love your bakery's atmosphere; it's calm and it'll help me think." I spoke. 

        He smiled excitedly and nodded. "Stay for as long as you like; we don't mind!" 

        That was the first time I met Tanjirou. Who knew my work would lead me to becoming friends with a locally famous baker? His bakery has now expanded and is now located a bit further from my apartment, yet I make an effort to try and get there every day. Whenever I skip a day, I'm greeted with kids huddled around me as Tanjirou they sulk about how much they missed me. 

        Tanjirou being Tanjirou, he's turned the bakery into a fundraiser too. Orphaned children and the children's hospital patients come here and hang out to get away from bad news or to enjoy their time with friends. I volunteered to read kid books and family-friendly novels for the children since I'm aware my books aren't exactly kid-friendly.

        Tanjirou was absolutely flabbergasted when he found out I was a writer, specifically the new trending writer Y/N (yes it was hilarious watching his face morph from excitement to confusion to embarrassment to guilt to straight up tears of how he didn't figure this out sooner).

        For months, I'd come in and help out. On days I didn't help, I'd work on my book or buy flowers. Tanjirou's been studying a whole bunch of flower language to try and figure out flower facts I don't know so he can impress me explain the meanings in more depth, but I believe it's endearing. Throughout our journey of getting to know each other, I've found myself to be slowly falling for him.

        "I need blue hydrangeas, some white lilies, and iris!" I explained in a rush as I ran up to the counter.

        "For your father? It's Father's Day! Did you know hydrangeas represent gratitude, grace, family, and beauty? And white lilies mean purity, innocence, rebirth, and caring. And Iris represents love and trust." Tanjirou explained.

        "Yes! I'm aware! Thank you!" I smiled, tapping my foot anxiously. "And I'm late to dinner!" I cried out. 

        "Oh! Oh no!" Tanjirou exclaimed. "I'll get your flowers right away!" he ran quickly, getting my flowers in just a few minutes.

        I slammed money down on the counter, not bothering to check the amount as I ran out towards the door.

        "Good luck! Tell your dad I said hi!" he screamed. 

        Yeah, my dad doesn't like you but I'll tell him. 

        Other encounters went like this.

        I slammed 40 bucks on the counter and looked at him Tanjirou irritated. "Give me the most hateful and rudest bouquet you can make while the flowers look pretty!" I huffed out.

        "U-um...what happened? If you don't mind me asking." Tanjirou questioned, nervously. 

        "I'm going to a party with my friends and we're doing Secret Santas. Unfortunately, my friend gave me my ex as the person I'm going to be gifting." I explained, glaring at the counter. "And I don't like them but I want it to be passive-aggressive." I smiled. "And, I'm petty." 

        "Um...okay." He laughed nervously, disappearing out back.

        He came back and handed me a bouquet.

        "Geraniums represent stupidity, foxglove represents insincerity, meadowsweet represents uselessness, yellow carnations represent 'you have disappointed me', and orange lilies represent hatred." Tanjirou explained. 

        "One more thing." I slammed another 40 bucks on the counter, this time more gently. "Give me a whole bunch of lavender, pink bluebells, peonies, roses, and red chrysanthemum." He gave me an extremely confused look yet agreed. 

        He came back with the flowers and looked at me confused. "I thought you said you hated your ex?" Tanjirou questioned. 

        "Yeah? Well, happy birthday and I love you." I blurted out, handing him back the love bouquet as I grabbed the hate bouquet and ran.

        "Thanks? But wait! Christmas isn't in July?!" Tanjirou exclaimed. 

        "The flowers are for you!" I shouted, before shutting the bakery door and racing out of the apartment, ignoring the smile present on my face.

        Have any requests? Check my masterlist to see the characters I write for: Masterlist

[ruckis-vandalizes]

Me making a Mario species/oc based on the question "what if Belly Blech Worms were larva or caterpillars"? It's more likely than you think!

more information about the Belly Blech Moths and Hanky beneath the cut 👇:

Belly Blech Moths are rare to come by, as requirements for a Belly Blech Worm to actually pupate are absurdly hard to meet especially in today's era. They are considered pests in Beanish culture because of the mass amounts of produce they infest with spawn, the barbaric nature anyone infested with one resorts too, and the potential health problems that come with it. The only saving grace that prevents them from going completely extinct through the thorough combing of mass produced bean fruits and natural pesticides is that they can produce eggs asexually and in very large quantities.

A host is required for a Belly Blech Worm to pupate they need a host of suitable size. This is one reasons it is hard for them to pupate, as most Beanish have gotten smaller and smaller over the years, and bigger built Beanish have gotten scarcer. Should they try to use a common garden variety Beanish they will usually evacuate the host themselves, as it becomes too cramped for them as well as their instinctual drive not to bring harm to the one that is housing them. They will search for a better host like a hermit crab trying to find a bigger shell, usually wandering and reproducing until they cease.

However, to those that ARE a suitable host and don't immediately find a way to discard of them, they produce a chemical that acts as a steroid for their host to act as a protective guard. The wild behaviors usually come from the wild mindset and lack of understanding from the worm, as they gain some control over the body. It is there that they spend much time learning how to be a Beanish, scouring through the memories of their host while keeping them protected and safe. The Beanish may eat more and act unusually aggressive for some period of time since the worm eats their share of food until they're ready to cocoon themselves in the lining of their stomach.

When they're ready to emerge a beautiful moth they will usually try to escape through the mouth or the other end, but if neither options are available they will have to use the last resort of breaking free from the host. Once they emerge they have full coherence on how to speak, walk, and the like. They will tend to pick up the personality of the Beanish they were residing in and in some cases pick up on certain physical traits too such as tufts of hair or markings on the body. It's from there that they will try to blend in as much as possible to benefit from being able to live in a society with intelligence that isn't as low as a worm's, using clothes and whatnot to do so. They may just look strange for Beanish standards. They do, however, come to about the average Beanish height of 3ft.

It's quite easy for them to do having learned from their host, but one wrong slip could land them in trouble. Being distant cousins to fighter flies, they can be quite jittery and excitable, showing intense emotions through high jumps and frantic fluttering of the wings.

While Beanish hosts are preferred other methods are available, such as taking up residency withing a Dragohoho, Clumph, or Bean Piranha with the latter being a much more difficult option. Should they survive any of these methods their appearance tends to be drastically different from the norm, having more vibrant colors and bigger wingspans. They also tend to be more wild in nature. The Bean Moth species stems from ancient times, which is why they need much bigger host. They have evolved over the years to sacrifice survivability for quantity.

Because of where they typically reside and grow in their youth, Belly Blech Moths have the ability to secrete oil from their wings if they feel threatened. The smell causes anyone nearby to tear up and start laughing uncontrollably. Should they be eaten and digested it will result in the one that consumed them potentially dying of laughter.

They are not male or female, rather they are what they choose given they have reproductive organs that apply to both. A side note that doesn't necessarily have to do with anything, but they were inspired by both Mexican jumping beans and bean leafrollers.

Hanky: Comic Sick

In the events of Comic Sick Hanky is spared by Clawdy ( @6clawdy6 ) and housed with the group after attacking from within a very discomforted Pest Nut. initially being watched over by Cackletta (aka the one who sicced Hanky on Queen Bean during the events of the game and hand raised Hanky before then). It was then that Gera took on the responsibility of acting as a host, shifting into his Beanish look to do so. Although he was small he was plenty durable enough for the job. Hanky's altered appearance stems from Geragera's odd magic energies and the rowdier living environment. He's also very chaotic in nature, and somewhat aggressive still. He later gets his signature handkerchief from Popple, who had a run in with the very same Piranha Bean that swallowed Peasley. He initially kept it in hopes of lying about being in cahoots with the prince and gaining access to pvp areas, but having no use for it being off planet and seeking new opportunities.

Hanky: Hooniversity Crew Verse

Turns out after he was spat out by Queen Bean he started relentlessly hunting the prince instead, only to be swallowed up by the Piranha Bean that had attacked Prince Peasley beforehand. He ended up finding a handkerchief that had been lost within the belly of the beast and using it to protect himself against the acids within the Piranha Bean's stomach, as it is slow acting and the handkerchief would absorb it and dry before it had the chance to dissolve. He managed to survive by sticking to the stomach lining and away from the acids that consume until he was ready to pupate. He took the handkerchief as a trophy and made his grand escape. His hosting situation is the reason why he may seem a bit more eccentric in nature and have a general lack of understanding as to why or how things work, still doing his best to learn every day. His alternative appearance also has to do with his harsher living environment and characteristics of the Piranha Bean.

[jeusussavearmyveteran1205]

A single dragonfly can eat hundreds of mosquitoes a day. I swear by this trick to attracting dragonflies and getting rid of all the mosquitoes

Morgan Reed

Contributing Writer

The battle against mosquitoes can feel never-ending, especially during warmer months when these pesky insects are at their peak. Apart from being annoying, mosquitoes pose health risks as carriers of diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika virus. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that finding an effective way to eliminate mosquitoes is a priority for many people. Fortunately, nature provides a simple yet efficient solution: dragonflies! These incredible insects can consume hundreds of mosquitoes each day, offering a sustainable method of mosquito control.

If you're tired of using chemical-laden repellent sprays and seeking a more natural way to get rid of mosquitoes, then this article is for you. By attracting dragonflies to your garden or outdoor space, you can significantly reduce the mosquito population around your home. Read on to discover the steps and tips that will turn your yard into a dragonfly haven and create a mosquito-free environment.

Why Dragonflies Are the Best Mosquito Predators

Dragonflies are not just beautiful to look at; they are also voracious mosquito predators. An adult dragonfly can eat up to hundreds of mosquitoes in a single day. Their predatorial skills are unmatched, making them a key player in controlling mosquito populations naturally.

Creating a Dragonfly-Friendly Environment

Attracting dragonflies to your backyard is easier than you might think. Here’s how you can make your garden inviting for these beneficial insects:

1. Build a Pond

Dragonflies lay their eggs in water, so having a pond or water feature in your garden is crucial. It doesn't have to be a large pond; a small one will do. Ensure it has shallow edges and some aquatic plants to mimic a natural habitat.

2. Add Native Plants

Planting native grasses and blooming plants around your pond will provide perching spots for dragonflies to rest and hunt. Native plants are more likely to attract insects that dragonfly larvae feed on, ensuring they have a food source.

3. Avoid Using Pesticides

Pesticides can be harmful to dragonflies. Avoid using chemical pesticides in your garden to create a safe environment for these insects. Instead, focus on natural pest control methods.

4. Install Flat Rocks

Dragonflies love to bask in the sun, and flat rocks provide the perfect surface for them to do so. Place some flat rocks around your pond area to attract sunbathing dragonflies.

5. Keep Water Clean

Dragonflies need clean water for their larvae to thrive. Ensure your pond's water is clear of pollutants and populated with beneficial creatures like aquatic snails that help keep the water clean.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to attracting dragonflies and reducing your mosquito problem naturally. Not only will you enjoy a more pleasant outdoor experience, but you'll also enhance your garden's ecosystem.

[tomasorban]

All this attempt to control … We are talking about Western attitudes that are five hundred years old. They began at the time when Florence, Italy, was the most important city in the world. The basic idea of science—that there was a new way to look at reality, that it was objective, that it did not depend on your beliefs or your nationality, that it was rational—that idea was fresh and exciting back then. It offered promise and hope for the future, and it swept away the old medieval system, which was hundreds of years old. The medieval world of feudal politics and religious dogma and hateful superstitions fell before science. But, in truth, this was because the medieval world didn’t really work any more. It didn’t work economically, it didn’t work intellectually, and it didn’t fit the new world that was emerging.” “But now, science is the belief system that is hundreds of years old. And, like the medieval system before it, science is starting not to fit the world any more. Science has attained so much power that its practical limits begin to be apparent. Largely through science, billions of us live in one small world, densely packed and intercommunicating. But science cannot help us decide what to do with that world, or how to live. Science can make a nuclear reactor, but it cannot tell us not to build it. Science can make pesticide, but cannot tell us not to use it. And our world starts to seem polluted in fundamental ways—air, and water, and land—because of ungovernable science.” This much is obvious to everyone. “At the same time, the great intellectual justification of science has vanished. Ever since Newton and Descartes, science has explicitly offered us the vision of total control. Science has claimed the power to eventually control everything, through its understanding of natural laws. But in the twentieth century, that claim has been shattered beyond repair. First, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle set limits on what we could know about the subatomic world. Oh well, we say. None of us lives in a subatomic world. It doesn’t make any practical difference as we go through our lives. Then Godel’s theorem set similar limits to mathematics, the formal language of science. Mathematicians used to think that their language had some special inherent trueness that derived from the laws of logic. Now we know that what we call ‘reason’ is just an arbitrary game. It’s not special, in the way we thought it was. “And now chaos theory proves that unpredictability is built into our daily lives. It is as mundane as the rainstorm we cannot predict. And so the grand vision of science, hundreds of years old—the dream of total control—has died, in our century. And with it much of the justification, the rationale for science to do what it does. And for us to listen to it. Science has always said that it may not know everything now but it will know, eventually. But now we see that isn’t true. It is an idle boast. As foolish, and as misguided, as the child who jumps off a building because he believes he can fly.” “We are witnessing the end of the scientific era. Science, like other outmoded systems, is destroying itself. As it gains in power, it proves itself incapable of handling the power. Because things are going very fast now. Fifty years ago, everyone was gaga over the atomic bomb. That was power. No one could imagine anything more. Yet, a bare decade after the bomb, we began to have genetic power. And genetic power is far more potent than atomic power. And it will be in everyone’s hands. It will be in kits for backyard gardeners. Experiments for schoolchildren. Cheap labs for terrorists and dictators. And that will force everyone to ask the same question—What should I do with my power?—which is the very question science says it cannot answer.”

~ Michael Crichton - Jurrasic park