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crastl3 · 3 years ago

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The Richest Casino Guests

Okay so I was inspired by a post by @ivi-prism so uh have a Las Nevadas/ Boatem centred dsmp/hc crossover ig?

“And then,” Quackity laughed, “he didn’t even follow him!” He was rewarded with more laughs from the people around him as he continued. “He really thought he had more to offer than me! From his little van! I mean,” he gestured to his surroundings of gleaming marble, flashing lights and plush carpet, “look at this!” The others laughed more except Ranboo, who looked uncomfortable. He’d come around eventually with Tubbo’s help - already tugging on his jacket sleeve to check out the poker tables. Tubbo was dressed neatly for once in a green-and-gold suit, horns glinting with jewellery that was no longer all gifted from Ranboo. In Las Nevadas, even burger flipping could make you rich.

Quackity straightened his collar and looked around. The sound of people chattering mingled with the clicking of casino chips and blaring music. From every hand, neck and ear glittered precious metals and gems, sumptuous dresses swished amongst splendidly tailored suits - much of the server was there, from friends to allies to whoever else was there to lose money.

There were even a few from other servers, like the strange Swedish man Fundy and Hbomb had introduced him to. Many wouldn’t have usually been let in, but it was the opening night and Quackity was generous enough to gift people money for suitably expensive clothes - the cost was nothing compared to the debt they’d owe at the end of the night.

He wandered about, avoiding a man in a black suit with orange details that seemed to be looking for him, greeting guests with a gold-toothed grin. Sam hadn’t taken off all his armour, though the gold vambraces and chestplate complemented his green suit well enough. As Quackity walked over to him, another man in a purple suit slipped out of the nearby shadows and whispered to him. Sam stiffened, and Quackity walked faster.

“What’s the issue boys?” He asked, and Purpled filled him in. Someone else was coming, in some kind of vehicle, but they weren’t close enough to tell who yet. Quackity tried not to look worried, and thought of all the people he might have pissed off. But maybe someone was just late to the party? Bringing Foolish with him just in case - it was handy to have a literal demigod on your side sometimes - he made his way to the front steps of the casino.

Soon, the sound of roaring engines filled the air, along with strange music.

A bright purple sports car sped over the hill, followed by four more. They screeched to a stop next to the fountain, yellow flame decals shining in the neon lights, and Quackity walked down to meet them. The windows were blacked out so he couldn’t tell who it was. Nobody on the smp had anything like that - more people from another server? Suddenly the music that had started to overpower the sounds of the casino stopped.

Out of the one car stepped a woman in a navy suit with delicately embroidered celestial patterns, from another a large man in black and yellow with a sparkly purple bow tie. They helped a man with an excessively large hat out of his car and onto a strange floating copper contraption as a man in a sleek red suit got out of the front car and surveyed the surroundings. Each person had a pair of shimmering wings, but little jewellery. They didn’t need it.

The man in a red suit opened the door of the final car, and out stepped a man in a simple black suit, tossing the keys into the hands of the one in black and yellow. The man had slicked-back black hair and a sleek moustache. As he sauntered towards Quackity he pulled off a pair of handsome leather driving gloves, revealing a golden watch.

Quackity spread his arms wide in a gesture of welcome, and smiled wider. Now these were his people. Unlike most of the guests they seemed unimpressed by Las Nevadas, more interested in whatever joke they were laughing at. The leader waved as he got close.

“Sorry we’re late,” he said, with a strong British accent, “you know how traffic can be.” Quackity nodded, shrugging it off.

“And who do I have the pleasure of meeting tonight?” He asked, looking at each of the confident smiles in front of him. The man nodded to the one with the hat, who glided over to Quackity and held out a business card. He took it.

Embossed in gold and red were the words “Boatem Inc.”, next to a glossy image of some kind of purple crystal. The man held out his hand for Quackity to shake. “Mumbo Jumbo, CEO.” A CEO and his team from a successful company from another server? Finally the calibre of casino guests Quackity deserved. But were they here to spend?

“We heard about this from a friend, and thought we’d drop in,” explained the woman from behind the moustached man.

“We don’t gamble often, but we each have a couple stacks of diamond blocks to play with,” shrugged Mr Jumbo. Quackity must have misheard.

Each?

“Wow,” he laughed, genuinely impressed, “that’s a lot of money! Welcome!” The one in red giggled and the CEO shrugged. He patted Quackity on the shoulder and strolled towards the casino, speaking over his shoulder.

“We only brought what we could afford to lose.”

#dream smp #hermitcraft #las nevadas #boatem #mumbo jumbo #quackity #I have so much coursework and homework to do and I wrote this instead #worth it

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ghostlyfoliage · 3 years ago

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I finally potted my purple Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus purpuratus) in a glazed pot as the roots had reached the bottom of the solo cup I rooted them in (though not bound).

I probably got pretty lucky with these cuttings because I had all but forgotten about them in a plastic bag and one leaf developed a small patch of powdery mildew, which disappeared when I began hardening them off to lower humidity.

Now I just need to figure out how to get them to color back up. 😅

#they were more purple when they came in 🤷#Plectranthus #this is in the same family as coleus and the succulent oregano/mint #if I remember correctly these are technically edible but let's be real... I'm not gonna eat it #plants #houseplants #plantblr #vines

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livingcorner · 3 years ago

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Safe Aviary Plants and Toxic Plants for Birds@|what plants can i put in an outdoor aviary@|@|24

Plants not only add aesthetic value to an otherwise sterile-looking enclosure, but they also provide a more natural, engaging, and secure environment for the inhabitants to enjoy. Using plants to create visual barriers within the flight may help reduce aggression among cagemates by providing objects for the birds to hide behind.5 This in turn helps to make the birds feel more secure, and may therefore result in reduced stress levels. Foliage in the cage gives the birds something to occupy themselves with–birds often chew on, play within, and even build nests out of plants placed in their living space.

For this reason, care must be taken when selecting plants to decorate a flight. Both live and fake plants may be used, but all parts of the plant must be safe and nontoxic. The best fake plants to use are constructed of untreated silk and plastic. Make sure the silk plants do not have any components that may be easy for a bird to consume, tangle itself in, get caught on, or stuck by. Treated wood baskets and paper plants may be hazardous choices and are not recommended for decorating flights. Two benefits of using silk plants are: 1) they are not as easily destroyed by the birds, and 2) they can be scrubbed clean and disinfected as needed.

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Live plants tend to demand more upkeep and may need to be replaced more frequently, as finches often love to pick them apart. Try to obtain plants that have not been sprayed with any pesticides or chemicals, and be sure to rinse the plants off before placing them in and around the flight. Do not add any fertilizers to the soil (they are toxic);6 if fertilizers are already present in the soil, repot the plant with uncontaminated soil. Leaving each plant in its pot is suggested, in case a plant dies and needs to be removed.

Helpful Hints41

Placement Plantings should be spaced appropriately to allow room for flight paths and to permit the birds to access to the floor of the enclosure. Walk-in enclosures should also have planned pathways for birdkeeper access. Be careful to provide climbing vines with trellis to support the weight of their growth; otherwise they could break the aviary mesh and allow escape of the birds.

Selection Aside from ensuring that the plant(s) you have selected are non-toxic, try to avoid purchasing plants which are tall and rapidly-growing as these will require constant pruning. In addition to considering what plants are best suited for your area, don’t forget to also consider the needs of the birds. Avadavats and Munias enjoy climbing small bamboos and grasses, for example, Munias and Mannikins prefer to weave their nests into grass clumps, and Weavers need palm leaves and broad-leafed grasses for nesting material.

Timing of Live Plantings Plants should be added to the enclosure as it is being completed. The plants should be allowed to grow sufficiently before adding the birds; this way, the plants will be better able to withstand being nibbled on. Ideally plants should produce their densest foliage while the birds are nesting.

Safe Aviary Plants25,17

When choosing plants for your aviary, consult a botanist or experienced gardener who can help you select plants which are suitable for planting in your locale (considering your hardiness zone, soil type, sun exposure, etc.). Below are some options which have been listed as safe for birds.

Note: Please be aware that roses and bougainvillea have thorns.

Outdoor Plants

Trees & Shrubs Acacia Almond Arbutus Ash

Aspen Autumn olive Bayberry Birch Bladdernut Blueberry Camellia Cottonwood Dogwood Elm Fir (balsam, douglas, subalpine, white) Forsythia Fuchsia Guava Hawthorn Larch Madrona Magnolia Mango (zone 9+) Manzanita Mountain ash Nectarine Papaya (zone 10+) Pear (as long as the seeds aren’t eaten) Pine (ponderosa, spruce, Virginia, white) Pittosporum (zone 9+) Poplar Pyracantha Raspberry Rose Rubus odoratus Spruce (black, Norway, red, white) Viburnum White poplar

Vines Bougainvillea (can also be grown as shrub or small tree) Grape vine Russian Vine (Polygonum baldschuanicum)

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Grasses & Herbs Bamboo Oregano Rosemary Thyme

Ground Cover and Short Plants Baby’s tears aka Polka Dot Plant (Helxine soleirolii) Chickweed Creeping jenny (Lysimachia)

Wild passerines built a nest in a hanging petunia.

Dandelion Marigold Mother of pearl Nasturtium (zone 9+) Petunia Piggyback begonia (Begonia hispida variant Cucullifera) Piggyback plant Plectranthus (zone 9+) Sedum Thistle White clover

Indoor Plants (Safe Houseplants) and Tropical Plants

African violet (Saintpaulia spp., Episcia reptans) Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei)

Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) Bloodleaf Bromeliads Burro’s tail Cactus (except pencil, peyote, mescaline, candelabra) Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) Cissus: Danish ivy aka Grape Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia), Kangaroo vine (Cissus antarctica)

Emerald ripple peperomia

Flame nettle (Coleus sp.) Gold-fish plant Hens & chickens

Lipstick plant

Madagascar jasmine Monkey plant Nerve plant Palms:

Potted palms provide privacy around the nest.

Areca (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)

Bamboo (Chamaedorea erumpens)

Butterfly Cane

Canary Island (Phoenix canariensis)

Date

European Fan (Chamaerops humilis)

Fishtail

Golden Feather

Paradise/Kentia (Howea foresterana)

Parlor (Chamaedorea elegans)

Lady (Raphis excelsa)

Madagascar

Miniature Fan

Phoenix

Pygmy Date

Robelein Lady

Sentry

Wine

Peacock plant (Calathea) Pepperomia (Pepperomia sp.) Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) Purple Passion aka Velvet Plant (Gynura aurantiaca) Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus)

Wandering jew (Tradescantia sp.) including Giant white inch plant Wax plant (Hoya carnosa) Zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa)

Plants which Allow for Perching Dwarf or Hawaiian Schefflera (Schefflera arboricola) Umbrella tree/Schefflera (Brassaia actinophylla) False aralia

Toxic Plants

Plant toxicosis in birds occurs if they chew on or ingest toxic plants. The toxic reaction can be due to pesticide residues on the plants, or to toxins within the plants themselves. Birds which chew on toxic plants may develop oral irritation; if they ingest enough, systemic clinical signs can occur such as vomiting or diarrhea. There is likely significant species differences in sensitivity,16 and studies are lacking. However, plants which have been reported as toxic in some birds, or which are considered to be potentially toxic include:6,25,52,29,56,16,17,28

Common Name Scientific Name Poisonous Part Symptoms Aconite Aconitum sp. all parts Agapanthus Agapanthus sp. sap Amaryllis Amaryllidaceae bulbs American yew Taxus canadensis needles, seeds Apple seeds Apricot pits Arrowhead vine Syngonium podophyllum leaves Arum Lily Arum sp. all parts Autumn crocus Colchicum autumnale all parts Avocado Persea americana pits, skin, flesh Reduced activity, inability to perch, fluffing feathers, labored breathing, rapid death, generalized tissue congestion. Azalea Rhododendron occidentale leaves Balsam pear Memordica charantia seeds, fruit rind Baneberry Actaia sp. berries, roots Bay tree Laurus nobilis Beans all types if uncooked Belladonna Atropa belladonna all parts Bird of paradise Caesalpina gilliesii seeds Bishop’s weed Ammi majus Bittersweet nightshade Solanum dulcamara immature fruit Black locust Robina pseudoacacia bark, sprouts, foliage Blue-green algae Schizophycaea sp. some forms toxic Hepatotoxic, lethal respiratory arrest. Boxwood Buxus sempervirens leaves, stems Buckthorn Rhamnus sp. fruit, bark Burdock Arctium minus Buttercup Ranunculus sp. sap, bulbs Caladium Caladium sp. leaves Calla lily Zantedeschia aethiopica leaves Severe irritation of mucous membranes, edema & irritation may take weeks to subside; severe dyspnea; severe keratoconjunctivitis if plant juices contact eyes. Vomiting, diarrhea. Camel bush Trichodesma incanum Candelabra cactus Euphorbia lactea sap Castor bean or Castor oil plant Ricinus communis beans, leaves Vomiting, diarrhea (possibly bloody), necrosis of organs (liver, spleen, lymph nodes, stomach, intestine) in mammals. Chalice vine Solandra sp. all parts Cherry bark, twigs, leaves, pits Cherry laurel Prunus laurocerasus clippings release cyanide fumes Chinese evergreen Aglaonema modestum all parts Christmas candle Pedilanthus tithymaloides sap Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum sp. leaves, stems, flowers Clematis Clematis sp. all parts Coffee bean Sesbania sp seeds Gastroenteritis, can be fatal. Hyperthermia, hypertension, hyperactivity, seizures, tachycardia. Coral plant Jatropha multifida seeds Cowslip Caltha polustris all parts Croton Codiaeum sp. sap Crown of thorns Euphorbia milii sap Daffodil Narcissus sp. bulbs Daphne Daphne sp. berries Datura Datura sp. berries Deadly amanita Amanita muscaria all parts Death camas Zygadenis elegans all parts Delphinium Delphinium sp. all parts Diffenbachia or Dumb cane Dieffenbachia picta, sp. leaves Severe irritation of mucous membranes, edema & irritation may take weeks to subside; severe dyspnea; severe keratoconjunctivitis if plant juices contact eyes. Vomiting, diarrhea. Eggplant Solanaceae sp. all parts except fruit Elephant’s ear Colocasis sp. or Alocasia sp. leaves, stems Severe irritation of mucous membranes, edema & irritation may take weeks to subside; severe dyspnea; severe keratoconjunctivitis if plant juices contact eyes. Vomiting, diarrhea. English ivy Ilex aquafolium berries, leaves English yew Taxus baccata needles, seeds Ergot Claviceps purpurea present in poorly stored seed, silage, dog food Gangrene, hyperexcitability, seizures. Euonymus Euonymus sp. all parts False henbane Veratrum woodii all parts Flamingo flower Anthurium sp. leaves, stems Foxglove Digitalis purpurea leaves, seeds Digitalis glycoside – vomiting, bradycardia, arrhythmias, heart block Golden chain Laburnum anagyroides all parts Hemlock (poisoin and water) Conium sp. all parts Henbane Hyocyanamus niger seeds Holly Ilex sp. berries Horse chestnut Aesculus sp. nuts, twigs House plant ferns Pteris sp. Hyacinth Hyancinthinus orientalis bulbs Hydrangea Hydrangea sp. flower bud Iris Iris sp. bulbs Ivy Hedera sp. leaves, berries Jack-in-the-pulpit Arisaema triphyllum all parts Japanese yew Taxus cuspidata needles, seeds Java bean (lima bean) Phaseolus lunatus uncooked beans Jerusalem cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum berries Arrhythmias, bradycardia, heart block, severe gastroenteritis, calcification of vascular system, lungs, kidneys. May be teratogenic. Jimsonweed Datura sp. leaves, seeds Tachycardia, convulsions, death. Juniper Juniperus virginiana needles, stems, berries Lantana Lantana sp. immature berries Larkspur Delphinium sp. all parts Laurel Kalmia, Ledum, Rhodendron sp. all parts Lily Lilium sp. bulbs Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis all parts, including water housing the plant Vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmias, bradycardia, heart block. Lobelia Lobelia sp. all parts Locoweed Astragalus mollissimus or Astragalus emoryanus all parts Hyperexcitability and locomotor difficulty. Lords and ladies Arum sp. all parts Lupin Lupinus sp. Marijuana Cannabis sativa leaves Maternity plant Klanchoe sp. Mayapple Podophyllum sp. all parts except fruit Mescal bean Sophora sp. seeds Milkweed Asclepias sp. Weakness, ataxia, seizures, cardiovascular signs. Mistletoe Santalales sp. berries Mock orange Poncirus sp. fruit Monkshood Aconitum sp. all parts Morning glory Ipomoea sp. all parts Narcissus Narcissus sp. bulbs Nightshades Solanum sp. berries, leaves Arrhythmias, bradycardia, heart block, severe gastroenteritis, calcification of vascular system, lungs, kidneys. May be teratogenic. Oak Quercus sp. Anorexia, diarrhea, small intestinal ulceration and hemorrhage, renal failure & polydypsia, hepatotoxic, can be fatal. Oleander, bay laurel Nerium oleander all parts Digitalis glycoside – vomiting, bradycardia, arrhythmias, heart block Parlor ivy Senecio sp. all parts Parsley Petroselinum sativum Peace lily Spathiphyllum sp. Regurgitation, oral pain, dysphagia and anorexia Peach pits Pencil tree Euphorbia tirucalli sap Philodendron Philodendron sp. leaves, stems Severe irritation of mucous membranes, edema & irritation may take weeks to subside; severe dyspnea; severe keratoconjunctivitis if plant juices contact eyes. Vomiting, diarrhea. Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima leaves, flowers, stem, oily white sap Irritation, vesication, gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis. Poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans sap Poison oak Toxicodendron quercifolium sap Poison sumac Toxicodendron vernix sap Pokeweed Phytolacca americans leaves, roots, berries Ulcerative gastroenteritis; acute hemolytic crisis in people. Potato Solanum tuberosum skin, eyes, new shoots Arrhythmias, bradycardia, heart block, severe gastroenteritis, calcification of vascular system, lungs, kidneys. May be teratogenic. Pothos Epipremnum aureum all parts Regurgitation, oral pain, dysphagia and anorexia. Precatory bean Arbus precatoius Privet Ligustrum volgare all parts Ranunculus Ranunculus sp. sap Rhododendron Rhododendron sp. all parts Rhubarb Rheum rhaponticum leaves Rosary pea, prayer beans, Seminole beads Abrus precatorius seeds Vomiting, diarrhea (possibly bloody), necrosis of organs (liver, spleen, lymph nodes, stomach, intestine) in mammals. Sago Palm, Zamia Palm, Cycad Palm Cycad sp. Liver failure. Skunk cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus all parts Snowdrop Orinthogalum unbellatum all parts Snow on the mountain (ghostweed) Euphorbia marginata all parts Spindle tree Euonymus japonica all parts Split leaf philodendron or Swiss cheese plant Monstera sp. all parts Sweet pea Lathyrus latifolius seeds and fruit Tobacco Nicotinia sp. leaves Vomiting, diarrhea, hyperexcitability, muscle fasciculations, seizures, rapid death. Pododermatitis if bird handled by a smoker. Coughing, sneezing, sinusitis, conjunctivitis, secondary respiratory infections if exposed to cigarette smoke. Umbrella plant Cyperus alternifolius leaves Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolio sap Western yew Taxus breviflora needles, seeds Wisteria Wisteria sp. all parts Xanthosoma Xanthosoma sp. leaves Yam bean Pachyrhizus erosis roots, immature pods Yellow jessamine Gelsemium sempervirens flowers Yew Taxus media wood, bark, leaves, seeds Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, shock, coma, seizure, deaths from cardiac or respiratory failure.

Avian Plant Toxicology Research

Studies of plant toxicity in finch species are greatly lacking, however a few studies were done using canaries. Unfortunately, because great variation exists among species, it is not safe to assume that plants which are non-toxic to canaries are equally safe to other birds and vice versa.

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AUTHOR(S): Arai, M.; Stauber, E.; Shropshire, C. M. TITLE: Evaluation of selected plants for their toxic effects on canaries. YEAR: 1992 CITATION: J Am Vet Med Assoc, 200(9), +61404532026

ABSTRACT: Leaves or fruit from 14 plants considered to be toxic to pet birds were administered by gavage to 15 pairs of canaries (Serinus canaria). Each bird was given 0.12 to 0.70 g of plant material. One pair served as a control and was given distilled water. The plant materials were flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen, pulverized, and resuspended in deionized water for administration. Of the plants tested, 5 (

oleander, lupine, foxglove, yew leaves, and dieffenbachia) were considered highly toxic and were associated with acute death of birds. The remaining plant samples (clematis, Hoya carnosa, privet Ligustrum vulgare, parsley Petrosilium sativum, cherry Prunus sp., Pyracantha coccinia, rhododendron, black locust Robinia pseudoacacia, and wisteria) caused no, or only transient, clinical illness.

AUTHOR(S): Hargis, A. M.; Stauber, E.; Casteel, S.; Eitner, D. TITLE: Avocado (Persea americana) intoxication in caged birds. YEAR: 1989 CITATION: J Am Vet Med Assoc, 194(1), 64-66

ABSTRACT: Following two incidents in which a pet canary and three pet cockatiels died under conditions suggesting ingestion of avocado as cause of death, an experimental study was undertaken. Avocados of two cultivars were mashed and administered via feeding cannula to 8 canaries and 8 budgerigars. Two control budgerigars were given water via feeding cannula. Six budgerigars and 1 canary died within 24 to 47 hours after the first administration of avocado.

Deaths were associated with administration of both avocado cultivars. Higher dose was associated with greater mortality. The 2 budgerigars given water were normal throughout the observation period. It is concluded that avocados are highly toxic to budgerigars and less toxic to canaries. PM findings observed in some birds included subcutaneous oedema in the pectoral area and hydropericardium.

The following study was done using just budgies:

AUTHOR(S): Shropshire, C. M.; Stauber, E.; Arai, A. TITLE: Evaluation of selected plants for acute toxicosis in budgerigars. YEAR: 1992 CITATION: J Am Vet Med Assoc, 200(7), 936-939

ABSTRACT: Pairs of budgerigars were given samples, by gavage, of plants considered potentially toxic to pet birds. Samples were prepared by flash-freezing and powdering fresh plant material in liquid nitrogen and resuspending the material in deionized water for administration. Of the 19 plants tested, only 6 induced clinical signs of illness; these plants included

yew, oleander, clematis, avocado, black locust, and Virginia creeper (Taxus media, Nerium oleander, Clematis sp, Persea americana, Robinia pseudoacacia, Parthenocissus quinquefolio).

The other plants tested in this study were: bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), privet (Ligustrum sp.), honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.), lupine (Lupinus sp.), cherry (Prunus sp.), pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea), boxwood (Buxus sp.), dumbcane (Dieffenbachia seguine), foxglove (Digitalis sp.), spindle bush (Euonymus alatus), poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherima), rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.), and blue elderberry (Sambucus cerulea).

Note how some plants which appear well tolerated by budgies (lupine, dieffenbachia, foxglove) prove fatal to canaries, while some plants which canaries appear to tolerate (clematis, black locust) make budgies quite ill. Until more research is done, it is important to err on the side of caution and avoid any plant which may potentially be toxic. [external_footer]

source https://livingcorner.com.au/safe-aviary-plants-and-toxic-plants-for-birdswhat-plants-can-i-put-in-an-outdoor-aviary24/

#livingcornernews

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spleen9000 · 4 years ago

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plant tour!

top row: zz plant (look at all that new growth!!), big spidey, bear paw fern on top with plant I grew from a cutting from a bush and can't id with 100% certainty underneath.

2nd row: my 2 heart leaf philos 💚, swedish purple ivy

3rd row: baby bird's nest fern that I bought with bee on monday (hello bee), a rhizome cutting from the bear paw fern that isn't doing too hot cause I put it in the livingroom and my roommate didn't realize I was watering it and also watered it so it has been way overwatered (but now it's back so I can keep an eye on it til it recovers), dino mystery succ, lil spidey, pothos

succulent row: these dudes are the only ones on my desk by the southeast facing window, I wanna get a lil shelf or stand so I can raise them up to the actual height of the window so they can really get all that good light. paddle plant, some kinda aloe, aloe vera (I had it in way too low light at the old place and it shows...)

bottom row: these don't really count cause they're livingroom plants, but I just potted them up a couple days ago so I wanted to include them. left is cuttings from our oldest livingroom swedish purple ivy which now has root rot and has been slowly dying, right is cuttings from our livingroom peruvian grape ivy (cissus rotundifolia) which isn't dying but has been losing a lot of leaves and having trouble fighting off bugs.

hope you enjoyed!!! once we have everything planted up maybe I'll do a tour of the outdoor plants! but that probably wouldn't be for awhile.

#the aloe vera and mystery bush cutting I'm kinda trying to get rid of tbh

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yukinojou · 5 years ago

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Predictably I've had several bouts of purchases since the first update of the year, so the balcony's almost full already. This includes:

Chinese Bellflowers, three of them! I got them two weeks ago and they're already expressing delight by producing giant amounts of buds. Blue ones exclusively this year, because it's my favourite type anyway.

The left bed's a riot of colour between a handful of golden marigolds, blue bellflowers, magenta carnations, purple pansies and salmon pink buttercup, as well as tea-coloured begonia.

More herbs of course - oregano, rosemary and tarragon. The tarragon is a bit sparse but it Exists. Everything else is booming nicely, though the lovage and parsley were a little shocked by being actually grown at first.

Also some Swedish Ivy, but it's not doing great so far. Might be a bit cold for it, because the ones planted in the public pots are still small too.

Petunias! No Night Skies yet, but different purple ones that solved my hanging basket dilemma. I will get Night Skies though, and that'll probably be it until the pansies expire.

African daisies - the survivors are already producing buds, and I gave in and got a new already blooming plant. I do love them, they bloom all summer long.

Tomatoes - I planted the dozen strongest seedlings and I have no idea what I'll do with the nine I can't keep. Possibly giveaway...

Bonus photos of fruit trees blooming along the river because dammit, prettiest part of spring...

#yukinojou gardens

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lightrebellion · 5 years ago

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Hanging Plants!

By my perception, indoor hanging plants have become increasingly popular over the last few years. In big or little spaces, these plants bring a weightless breath of nature to indoor spaces. As it is officially May, and the garden centers are in near to full swing here, I wanted to highlight a few of the indoor hanging plants that we have and in later posts what these plants need. ^^

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Philodendron scandens ~ Heart-leaf Philodendron Vine

Hedera helix hybrid ~ English Ivy Vine

Begonia X semperflorens-cultorum ‘Charm’ ~ Wax Begonia

Plectranthus australis ‘Purple Majesty’ ~ Swedish Ivy

Setcreasea pallida ‘Purple Heart’ ~ Purple Heart

Zebrina pendula ‘Purposii’ ~ Wandering Jew

Zebrina pendula ` Wandering Jew

Chlorophytum comosum ~ Spider Plant

Pilea nummulariifolia ~ Creeping Charlie

These plants range in light, soil, and humidity requirements.However, ALL of these are considered easy to grow! (Except for Creeping Charlie...that one is considered “fairly” easy to grow.)

As an added bonus, most if not all of these plants are extremely easy to propagate. So, once you have one you can make lots of little baby clones of the plant that you have ^^

#spring plants indoor indiana nature earthdayeveryday

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words-and-seeds · 5 years ago

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🖊 i want to have a few sentence summaries of each oc you have and what fandom they’re for!!

Lawd have mercy, this is An Ask. I have so many babies. This is going behind a cut because it will be long.

FC5

🖊 - Del is my original deputy, born out of taking one look at Joseph and having the “oh no, he’s hot” reaction. Plus, Joseph as a character gives my heart a boner, so I had to do an oc to love up on him. She is the epitome of chaotic good. She only joined the sheriff’s department to pay the bills and because childhood bff Staci Pratt did. When they’re together, they have to share three braincells between them. They’re always getting into stupid shenanigans.

🖊 - April was my second. She’s a surgeon/child prodigy/was in medical school at age 16. She’s a little emotionally cold because of her background - emotionally neglectful parents, going right into a physically abuse marriage. She has three children from that marriage, and she moved to Hope County after being blackmailed asked by John Seed. She owed him a favor from when he was still John Duncan. She sees to the overall health and wellness of the Peggies - she does so many stitches, you guys. So many - and is also responsible for overseeing their medical supplies.

🖊 - Mavra is my captain, and she’s a stone cold badass. You know the phrase, “she would kill you as soon as look at you?” Well, Mav would much rather kill you than look at you. She’s the longtime partner (as in before the bombs even dropped) of Thomas Rush, and the mother of his daughter Mila. She is also pregnant during the events of FCND, but that comes out later (and I headcanon that baby will be a SuperBaby tm because of Eden’s Gift). As the Shepherd, she moves her children to New Eden and tries her best to get the two communities to cooperate, because they either all live together or die separately.

🖊 - Uli is another non-deputy oc. He’s an assistant district attorney in Missoula, and not really aware of the problems developing in Hope County. All he knows is he keeps getting files coming across his desk of people being arrested for serious crimes and represented by a lawyer who graduated from an ivy league school. This intrigues him and he decides to do a little digging. That’s how he meets John and it’s hate at first sight. It’s also lust at first sight and they end up hatefucking quite a lot. That is, until they both catch feelings.

RDR2

🖊 - Jessie is my main rdr2 girl. She’s pretty much a self insert into rdo who travels all around with her posse (her fam) doing jobs as the need strikes. She’s chaotic neutral. Killing, kidnapping, and destruction of property, right alongside rescues and recovery of property. She is a bounty hunter, again, as the need strikes. She’s happiest hunting and searching out treasures, and she avoids other people like the plague. That is, until she gets ambushed by a bunch of O’Driscolls and is assisted by one Arthur Morgan (as in, he’s riding through the aftermath and shoots the last remaining guy right before she sticks a hunting knife in his neck). Since she’s separated from her posse for the time being, she accepts his offer of safe harbor with the VDL gang.

🖊 - Lovisa is my other one. She’s a Swedish transplant into Saint Denis and she’s a doctor. At least, she practices medicine, even if the stupid rich old men on nob hill refuse to acknowledge her. She’s protected from charges of quackery charges by grateful patients who would otherwise be turned away from “decent” hospitals and doctors. She lives in a slum and is mostly paid in food, but at least she eats well.

🖊 - Evaline is my last rdr2 oc (so far). She’s got kind of a sketchy background right now because she’s so new, but so far I know that she was abandoned by her parents at a train station. There wasn’t an orphanage or anything she could go to, but she was taken in by the owner of a hotel in exchange for cleaning and helping out around the place. As long as she minded her Ps and Qs and avoided a beating, it wasn’t a bad life. She works as a bath girl now, and she hoards her money in a sack under her bed. As soon as she has enough saved for a decent horse, she’s going to ride out of town and never look back.

FO4

🖊 - Berenice is my FO4 baby. And boy, is she dealing with a lot. She did not cope well with the initial events of the game and spent most of the time internally screaming. But she pulls up her big girl stockings, gathers her group of ragtags, and turns into a capable leader. She and Danse totally get it on.

Destiny

🖊 - Foxtrot-5 is my exo hunter. She’s a Gunslinger who travels The Way of A Thousand Cuts. She’s a bi disaster, or bisaster. She has a crush on Zavala, and it’s honestly embarrassing for everyone involved. EVERYONE. Ultra reliant on her ghost, Sammy, to curb her dumber ideas. Cayde-6 was her best friend. She was wounded on Titan in a Hive nest and it took hours before she died and could be resurrected. It was very traumatic for her and Sammy, and she hasn’t been quite the same since. He’s afraid she might need to be rebooted, but he doesn’t want to lose her. Who knows what Foxtrot-6 will be like. She took off for the Tangled Shore as soon as they announced they were looking for a Hunter Vanguard.

🖊 - Neza is my awoken warlock. She’s a Voidwalker following the Attunement of Fission. She’s a Gensym scribe, a member of the Praxic Order with the Cormorant Seal, and she is married to Banshee-44. They’ve been together for like 80 years, since he was Banshee-15, and they’re very happy, tyvm. She is the apprentice of Asher Mir - whether he likes it or not, she’s not going to let all that knowledge die with him. She was furious after the Pyramidion debacle and barely spoke to him for like three years. He pretended to love it, but missed his “assistant”.

🖊 - Lia is my human titan. She’s a Striker and follows the Code of the Missile and is a little punch happy. She and her strike team mainly hang out on Nessus and keep the remnants of the Red Legion and the Vex from causing too much trouble. She is the: Captain, Godslayer, Iron Lord, Young Wolf, Hivebane, Kingslayer, Crota’s End, Rivensbane, Shadow of Earth, MMXIX, VIP #2014, etc etc etc. She’s lost track of her titles, thinks they’re a bit stupid really, but she has an overactive sense of duty and she rushes into a fight without really thinking it through. She is currently working for the Praxic Order to take down The Drifter, and she might be a teensy weensy bit compromised. But he better keep away from her ghost.

🖊 - Ursella Cousland is my Hero of Ferelden. I think we’re all very familiar with the Cousland background by now. She tried to honor her parents by using their teaching in all of her dealings, like when to be diplomatic and when to solve a problem with a knife. Dual wield rogue. She marries Alistair and becomes Queen of Ferelden and lives happily ever after. Let me ended it there, bioware you assholes

🖊 - Marilyn Hawke is the Viscountess of Kirkwall. Purple Hawke, my dudes. Another rogue here (I have a type, okay.) Fenris is her boo. Anders critical because, I as her creator, find Anders repulsive. She definitely kills him in the end. As much as she would love to, she is no longer able to follow Fenris around on his adventures. She gets stuck in the Fade, but you bet your ass she’ll be out and ready to kick Fen’Harel’s ass in jig time.

🖊 - Adelais Trevelyan was my first Inquisitor. As the youngest daughter of many, many siblings, she feels like she has quite large shoes to fill. Dedicated Andrastian. I headcanon that she was basically starting from scratch, combat wise. She’s would much rather be curled up with a book than out drilling in the snow. Cassandra definitely has to chase her down for training, but they bond over smutty literature. She’s reliant on Vivienne to keep her from embarrassing herself with her country bumpkin ways. They’re the land rich cash poor kind of nobility. She’s related to like…everyone. Family members all over the place. She’s madly in love with Cullen.

🖊 - Haletelbana (Bana) Lavellan is obvs my Elven inkie. I know they say the Lavellan clan roams the Free Marches, but I decided to make canon my bitch and say they were a desert clan based in the Western Approach. She joins Dorian in bitching whenever she gets cold. Eventually they just decide to share a bedroll for the warmth anytime they’re anywhere the temperature drops below sweltering. She sees the ocean for the first time in the Storm Coast and falls in love. Stupid sexy Solas breaks her heart. She also puts Briala in a position of power fuck you Celene

The Arcana

I blame @pabstbeerpussy for this.

🖊 - Sadb (pronounced Sayv) is the name of my apprentice. I don’t have much of a backstory for her yet, but she and Asra are in every kind of love it’s possible to be in, okay? Her familiar is a red panda named Batsa.

I have more, but I think this has gone on more than long enough, plus tumblr has already crashed once. But I’m always happy to scream about my babies!

#my ocs #Thanks for asking!#fc5 #rdr2 #fo4 #destiny 2 #dragon age inquisition #the arcana #i forgot Mass Effect #but damn #this is long

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obviously-best-potions-master · 6 years ago

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Answer 21, tag 21 people you would like to know better

Ok, I was surprised to receive this. Thank you @alwaysandforeversnape for tagging me!

1. Nickname/s: Tony (cos I’m a great Tony Iommi fan, thank God they don’t call me Severus)

2. Zodiac sign: Libra

3. Height: 1,68m (5′5′)

4. Hogwarts House: Slytherin

5. Last thing I googled: Espresso Patronum vector (I want to get an engraving on my thermocup)

6. Favourite musician/s: Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio, Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Country Communion, Black Label Society (too much black lol), Motorhead, Judas Priest, Metallica, Deep Purple, Scorpions, WASP, Alice Cooper, Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, Rammstein, Sabaton, Powerwolf, Lions Share, Civil War, Within Temptation, In Extremo, someone stop me!!! Yes, I’m a metal head 🤘

7. Song Stuck in my head: none

8. Following now: Pro-Snape accounts, Snape fanblogs

9. Followers: 479 and the number is constantly increasing (thank you guys!!!)

10. Do I get asks: yes, and I absolutely love it! Send me more))

11. Amount of sleep: 6-8 hours

12. Lucky number: 7 and 9

13. What I’m wearing: black jeans, black boots and a grey sweater

14. Dream job: I’d like to have an income from the things I created myself, some handcraft perhaps. I’m obsessed with knitting shawls at the moment.

15. Dream trip: It will be definitely a car trip, cos I love driving and don’t really like walking too much. And all civil, I mean no jungle, woods or something. I hate insects and love comfort.

16. Favourite food: I love unhealthy food, but I eat it rarely, cos since I’m working out, I need to count bloody proteins and carbohydrates.

17. Instruments: guitar (I have both acoustic and electro)

18. Languages: English, German, Russian (my native), a little Polish and I can read Swedish

19. Favorite song/s: Die Young by Heaven and Hell, The Day That Never Comes by Metallica, Wind of Change by Scorpions (I’ve got lots actually)

20. Random fact: I’m afraid of spiders

21. Aesthetic: old abandoned castle with ivy brick walls and wrought gates and fences; a cozy spot on a window sill; stacks of books; snowy landscapes; tall, thin, black-eyed, black-haired, hooked-nosed buttoned up men in black capes 😆

So, I’m tagging:

(I believe there are some of my beloved anons among this people)

@thephenomenonalkingofthebrogues , @tmedley-27 , @galaxiesbackpacker , @shinykavendish , @bloodyhollows , @remitheremit , @longblackcape , @lokilover-39 , @always-sevs-girl , @anna-philips2000 , @mahakpunia , @hellolovelyday , @purebloodwizards , @half-blood-slytherpuff , @astridstark13 , @emeraldkingston , @diaryofafan17 , @mrs-actor-agent-of-change , @fandomcrazy76 , @angelias134 , @tastefulknife

Feel free to ignore it!

And if I didn’t tag you, but you liked it, I’ll be glad to read your answers!

#tag game #ask #i love my followers

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imaginedolanscribbles · 6 years ago

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A heart’s journey [1/10]

warnings: forced marriage

words: 2.890

summary: You’re the daughter of the Count of a once wealthy province and you’re being married off into the Dolan family, since the Dolan-heirs are an extremely good match and could sway the fate of your impoverished province. Your family has hidden their financial situation from the rest of the world, since it is very unlikely for anyone to marry you, if word got out.

a/n: most of the names are taken from Gaelic and Northern languages (Swedish, Danish & such) This is going to be a 10 part series (the first two chapters posted today), with new chapters being posted weekly (every monday from now on). It was requested by @graydolan12, thank you so much for the idea, sorry for the wait, and I really hope you like it! <3

1900s Grayson

1900s Ethan [original photo creds to @bb-dolan <3]

ONE

Having a choice is not really something you’re accustomed to. Growing up as the oldest of three sisters, your parents ruling over one of the strongest provinces in the kingdom, economically speaking, you always knew how you lived your life wasn’t really your choice. From the day you turned twelve, your mother started picking out the most lavish dresses and the most expensive jewellery.

“If you ever want to be anything other than a Countess, you’re going to have to start dressing the part”, she used to say. You never thought about, if you even wanted to be anything else than a Countess. That is, until one year ago when your father arrived home from a month-long trip to court with the biggest smile on his face.

He’d squeezed your mother’s hand softly and they’d worn matching smiles when they came to your room that night. You were just getting ready for bed. Your maid had pulled the needles out of your hair and was massaging the headache away, when they entered. Your mother was still wearing her dress, the purple one with the pretty pearls she’d worn to welcome your father home. He, on the other hand, had stripped off his travelling jacket and was only wearing a tunic and the leather trousers he’d arrived in. He was getting too old to ride his horse, but he hated riding the carriage, which was why he had his servants design a more comfortable saddle so he could keep riding his horse.

“We have great news”, he announced approaching the vanity you were sitting at. The maid standing behind you, carding her fingers through your hair, pulled back her hands and curtsied politely with her head bowed down. “Go on”, he gestured nodding to her.

“We’re saved”, your mother smiled, not even trying to hold back her enthusiasm as she took your hand in both of hers. “It’s a miracle.”

You had never seen one of them this proud for a very long time. The last time was probably years ago when you were about ten and had performed one of the more complicated dances you’d learned flawlessly. Ever since the drought had started destroying crop after crop, worry had been etched into every line on both their faces and your mother’s hair had developed streaks of silver that matched your father’s hair. He usually had his features perfectly under control, but now even he had his mouth pulled into the smallest of smiles, even though it was partly hidden in his beard.

“I did?”, you asked curiously, your face automatically matching their smiles. The maid’s hands on your scalp were soft and careful, carding out the locks of hair that were still tangled up.

Your father nodded. “I managed to convince the Duke and Duchess to finalise your engagement to their firstborn son, Ethan.”

“Everything is signed and ready”, your mother exclaimed and let go of your hand to cup your face and press a quick kiss to your forehead. “You’re going to be a Dolan!”

The maid’s fingers in your hair had frozen, before she hastily finished up your hair and excused herself quickly to heat up the water for your bath. Never had you wanted to trade places with a maid as much as you did right then. Your hands felt cold and your stomach felt like it was in free-fall. Ethan. Ethan Dolan. The firstborn of the Duke’s twin sons. A great match – you would be basically skipping two levels of class, leaving behind the status as potential Countess to gain the status of a Duchess – apart from the fact, you knew nothing of this man bar his name and standing.

Your smile had dropped from your face, but your parents were looking at each other in glee. Your father reached out to help your mother get up from her kneeling position by your knees. She gracefully smoothed out the fabric of her dress, almost as an afterthought, as she squeezed your father’s hand adoringly. “We are saved. Lausanne is saved.”

Again he nodded and slung an arm around your mother’s shoulders, before turning both of them to face you again. “He is an excellent young man, very polite and quiet. Matching you quite well in that regard, if I may say so myself. He’s been leading a whole battalion together with his brother for almost four years now, quite the strategist apparently. His brother appears to be the better rider, though.”

You had your facial expressions back under control now, schooling them into a small smile and nodding. “He sounds wonderful, father.”

His chest seemed to swell even more with pride and he actually laughed out loud for a moment. “It really is a miracle.”

Later that night you lay awake, staring at the ceiling illuminated partly by the candle still burning by your bedside. You had always known this day would come. An advantageous marriage had been whole point of your parents’ efforts these past years. Your father had really outdone himself this time, you never expected to marry anyone but a Count, or maybe a Marquis. The one Marquis you ever met, though, had been a fifty year old widower, whose sons had all been married already with only an eleven year old daughter left, so that was never going to happen.

There had been only one, you had ever seen yourself marrying, maybe: Charles, the son of the neighbouring province of Amroth. He had been nice, the few times you’d met him on the soirees his mother used to host. A few months younger than you, he liked to read and draw, and was very sweet and polite to everybody, no matter their social status. But his province was small and just as affected by the unusual heat of the summers without the relief of any rain, as your father’s province of Lausanne was. While your family had managed to keep up the façade of wealth and power at Drottningen’s court over the past years, Charles’ family had never had much of that in the first place. He had married a local and very rich tradesman’s daughter at seventeen years old, only half a year ago.

You hadn’t met many other potential husbands, your mother always keeping you away from the spotlight. She said it would make you more mysterious, more interesting to eligible bachelors. You weren’t sure what that was even supposed to mean, or if you liked it, but then again it really wasn’t your call.

So, this Ethan Dolan was probably not more than ten years older than you, if your father called him a “young man”. His expertise in the military field was not much to go on, sadly, since the Duke had basically built his status on military prowess and power, which made him an extremely important ally to the crown and therefore all of the members of court. Every province had probably hoped to land a marriage with a Dolan.

Not to worry, two of the Dolan heirs were still eligible, you thought. Marrying their eldest daughter would be an extremely advantageous match, too, despite her lack of claim to the duchy’s lands or power. The younger twin also ought to be agreeable for anyone looking to form a strong alliance with the Duke and his Frysk army. The direct heir was the most desirable match, of course. And somehow your father had managed to lay claim to him as your future husband.

++++

Your sisters forgiving you, is probably the best thing that came out of your finalised engagement to the duchy’s heir. Both Livia and Tatiana had grown bitter over time, deeming it unfair for you to always get the best dresses and the prettiest jewels. Especially since your parents had had to cut expenses and only mediocre fabric, only small jewellery could be afforded. You getting to wear all the best accessories, was essentially just mocking your sisters. Not that you’d ever meant to. Or wanted to, for that matter.

With you travelling far away to meet your future husband, get to know his family, and prepare for the wedding, Livia and Tatiana seemed to realise that getting to wear the prettiest dresses came with responsibilities.

Your cheeks are long cold but you can still feel all their teary kisses on your face, from when they said good-bye to your family and Svaneholm Manor, the only home you have ever known. The Duke lives much closer to court and capital than your family does, which also means much farther north than you’ve ever been. Your journey started twenty-two days ago, and it’s going to come to an end any minute now. You can actually see the castle half an hour before you arrive. It is more a fortress than a castle, you realise as you get closer, but it still looks strangely homey with the woods growing close to it, ivy climbing up the walls, and warm yellow light spilling through the windows into the night and onto the arm of the lake the fortress is stood next to. It’s roughly double the size of Svaneholm Manor, and it feels very heavy and blocky to you, since you’re used to much more intricate and finely structured architecture as opposed to thick dark walls that connect what are essentially four enormous towers. The night might make the impression much darker and plumper than the building is in reality, though.

The journey would’ve taken half the time, if you’d been able to ride your horse and not the carriage. But even if you had been allowed to ride your hose – which you weren’t, because “that does not befit a future Duchess” – you still had to bring a whole lot of dresses, gowns, and maids. So maybe you wouldn’t have been any quicker, anyway. And you would’ve probably arrived with a cold, too. You can see your breath fog, even inside the carriage

Servants swarm you the instant you get out of the carriage, the Duke’s immediately mixing up with the ones you brought, but you can’t concentrate on any of it. Two guards wait at the end of the stairs you’re being led up and flank you the moment you meet them. They lead you to a small man in a shimmering, dark blue suit waiting inside, and follow you when the man starts walking, gesturing for you to follow.

“The Duke and Duchess wish you a warm welcome at Taoiseach Hall”, he proclaims grandly and opens his arms wide as if to embrace the whole building. “As the estate steward, I, Jordan Howe, welcome you in the name of the whole Frysk duchy.”

“Thank you very much, Mr Howe”, you mumble, trying not to look too intimidated by the grandness of your new surroundings. Everything is huge, the ceiling is so high up, the light of the chandeliers barely touches it, and it takes at least fifty steps to cross the hall alone. The windows are all glass, which is probably not only to showcase wealth but also for the practical reason of keeping the temperatures inside bearable. There are heavy rugs laid out on the floor and apart from the chandeliers, only the artwork on the walls serve as adornment. Everything seems strangely naked and cold compared to what you’re used to in Lausanne – all straight lines and sharply symmetrical shapes on the wood covering the walls.

“You have arrived very late, indeed. We expected you hours ago, my lady”, he goes on as servants open a double door made out of heavy dark wood that leads to a long corridor. Without hesitation Howe stalks down the corridor, clearly expecting you to follow him. The guards walk by your side in silence, unnerving you slightly as you lift your dress to be able to keep up with Howe.

“I apologize sincerely, Mr Howe”, you reply hastily. “Only one of my servants travelled to Taoiseach Hall before, so I presume the navigation took a bit longer than it should have.”

“Ah, it’s no use whining about it now”, Howe replies, throwing you off a bit with his casual way of talking to you. Servants don’t talk like this to higher-ups – not with that vocabulary and most certainly not without the proper title. At least at home they don’t. “The Lady Dolan has already gone to bed, I’m afraid, but the Graces have stayed up to welcome you. Tomorrow, when you’re well-rested, will be the official welcome-banquet.”

He slows down at the large door at the end of the corridor. Only on the second look do you notice that the nails on the hinges are pure silver. The guards take their positions at both sides of the door, which you take to mean they won’t accompany you into the room. Howe takes a deep breath and lifts his arm to knock.

“Come on in”, says a deep voice from the other side. Howe pushes the door open and gestures for you to enter.

It’s not that cold inside, but you still can’t really feel your legs as you pass by him and step into the room. Howe closes the door behind you and you count three steps before you look up and take in your surroundings. You’re in a rectangular room, lit up by three fireplaces and countless candles perched on the table. From where you stand, you can see two figures standing by one of the fireplaces, both looking at you. There is a long table separating you from them and judging by the chairs and the crumbs left on the table cloth, they ate not too long ago. Now that you noticed this, you can smell remnants of meat and grease in the air, followed by the sweet-bitter note of wine. Your stomach growls, but luckily the sound of your footsteps and the rustling of your dress as you walk around the table drown out that embarrassing sound.

The two people standing by the fire have both past forty years old, but are probably not older than fifty-five. The man is standing tall and broad-shouldered, his jacket a rich cobalt blue, lined with tiny pure white gems at the seams. He doesn’t sport a beard, but his hair is even more silver than your father’s. Slung around his shoulders lies a thick, silver-grey fur in the same shade as the one adorning his boots. The woman standing next to him has light hair that shimmers golden in the light of the fire. Her gown is lined with fur also, and you can see from afar how heavy and expensive the fabric is, enriched with silver ornaments sown into the collar and sleeves. On the man’s hand you can see a heavy sigil ring, simple and blank except for the blockish ‘V’ that covers the entire flat surface. You used to think the Dolan sigil to be symbolic of the Duke’s five family members, until you found out it actually stood for ‘victory’.

You halt, curtesy and bow your head deeply when you’re the appropriate distance away from them, and wait for them to speak.

“Good evening, my lady”, the Duke says evenly after a moment of silently assessing you. You can’t read him, his eyes, his expression, his whole body is held absolutely neutrally. “I hope you’ve had a good trip?”

“Thank you, your Grace. Yes, your Grace, the trip went very well”, you reply and paste a pleasant smile on your face. “Although I must apologize. My arrival at Taoiseach Hall is very late. I kept you up when you should be sleeping and resting.”

“No need to apologize”, the Duchess steps in, her polite smile just as unreadable as her husbands. “We’re glad you have arrived healthy and well at our humble home.” She reaches out and you have to remind yourself not to gawk when she takes the Duke’s hand and presses a kiss to its back. Public gestures of affection are unheard of in the presence of anyone who isn’t a family member. Apparently they do things differently in the north. “Would you like some wine to regain your strength?”

You shake your head politely and hope your stomach doesn’t start growling again. “No, thank you very much, your Grace.”

“Well then”, she nods and takes a deep breath. “We are very tired, actually, as are you presumably. I would therefore suggest, Howe lead you to your rooms and we all get to bed now. We have lots to talk about, a wedding to plan, and getting to know each other better, but may I suggest we postpone that until the morning?”

“Of course, your Grace”, you agree with another courtesy. Your stomach would prefer a meal but you feel wrung out and tired enough to fall asleep at the mere sight of a bed, so you keep your mouth shut.

“Let’s go, then”, she says, takes her husband by the hand and gestures for you to lead the way. “We’ll talk more at breakfast.”

Howe opens the door just when you wonder if you should pull it open, and greets you with a smile and a bow. “Good evening, your Graces.”

“Good evening, Mr Howe”, the Duchess answers pleasantly. “Good night, my Lady.”

“Good night, your Grace”, you mumble and stare after them as they vanish down the corridor.

Part TWO: you finally meet the twins

Masterlist

#a hearts journey #a hearts journey part one #one #dolan twins #dolan twins imagine #reader x twin #ethan dolan #grayson dolan #ethan dolan imagine #grayson dolan imagine

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sa5477-blog · 6 years ago

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DIY Series #1: The most beautiful and easiest indoor plants to grow in your home

https://blog.truuue.com/diy-series-1-the-most-beautiful-and-easiest-indoor-plants-to-grow-in-your-home/Original content is available here -I love to repurpose my home every once in a while.

Growing up a nomad, and having lived alone for quite a number of years now, I’ve learned various tips and tricks along the way to make my place as consistently homely (and comfortable, and big) as possible. After all, it is my own space… and I need a lot of it.

So, to share the joys of DIY-ing, I’ve decided to start a Series of DIY Tips and Tricks to help youupgrade your home.

I’m starting with indoor plants.

Want to share your DIY journey and creations with Truuue? Follow us on @TruuueHome onFacebook and Hashtag the picture of your DIY project with #DIYTruuue. Cool submissions will be featured!

To see our list of Singapore’s Best Condominium Gardens, click HERE or visit Truuue.com.

My favourite indoor plants (featured below) are super easy to upkeep, aesthetically pleasing, and good for your wellbeing – being highly effective in fighting off indoor pollutants (which are apparently 12x worse than outdoor pollutants), and boosting self-esteem, cognitive functions, and sense of stability and control.

Follow the care tips provided and I’m very sure your plant will brighten your home for a very, very long time.

1. Money plant (Pilea Peperomiodes)

Also known as the Feng Shui plant, the money plant is grown in Singapore to bring wealth and luck to the household. It is simple to care for, and can tolerate low light and air-conditioning. Prune it correctly and the leaves will flourish.

Care tips:

Light The money plant is best kept under constant indirect, medium light exposure. However, if any leaves start to turn slightly yellow, you’ll have to give your plant some good ole’ Vitamin D under the direct sunlight.

H2O The money plant does not need a lot of watering. In order to maintain the soil at ideal moist level, you’ll just have to water your money plant every 7 to 10 days.

2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

One of the prettiest and most low-maintenance blooms to keep in your home, the peace lily is one of the world’s best air purifiers. A NASA Approved air-filtering houseplant, the peace lily helps neutralise gases such as Carbon Monoxide and Benzene from household products and furnishings. Over time, your Peace Lily will acclimatise itself to your indoor environment, making it a statement plant that is truly oh-so-easy to care for.

Care tips:

Light Like the money plant, peace lilies thrive better with indirect sunlight. If the leaves turn yellow, it’s because there’s too much light exposure.

H2O It’s really easy to determine when your plant needs water – its leaves will droop. Air conditioning may dry up its soil faster than usual. Watering is only required to keep the soil moist.

Flower Care Flowers will blossom twice a year (for a period of two months each time) and are strikingly white in colour. If your plant is not flowering yet, keep it in a dark room. Add in water-soluble fertilizers when the plant is at full bloom to ensure the flowers remain in prime condition.

3. Swedish Ivy Plant (Plectranthus Verticillatus)

For those looking for hanging basket houseplants, the Swedish Ivy is the perfect choice. It is not as easy to maintain as the other indoor plants featured, but I love it because it is simply adorable. If pruned correctly, the potted plant can look like a big head of Afro hair. The Swedish Ivy comprises of a vibrant foliage of shiny, dark green leaves. With enough bright light, the plant can also grow white or pink tubular-shaped flowers.

Care tips:

Light & Shape To maintain the ball-shape of the plant, it’ll have to be placed under bright indirect sunlight, so the leaves do not “reach” for more sun. You’ll also have to prune the plant, once it’s too long for your ideal shape, cut off 1/3 of the vines.

H2O Watering need not be frequent – do it only when the soil is dry to touch. Swedish Ivy is much easier to “save” when there is lack of water (when the leaves are shrivelling).

Temperature The plant thrives better in cooler temperatures, so your indoor environment should be maintained between 20 – 25 degrees Celsius.

4. Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)

A gorgeous indoor tree with big, dark green leaves that look like fiddles (hence, the name), the fiddle-leaf fig is the perfect statement piece to brighten a room. Fiddle-leaf figs can grow up to 3 meters tall indoors, although they can be topped to prevent them from growing any further. The plant should be displayed in a 20–35cm diameter pot to give it room to grow.

Care tips:

Light The plant thrives in bright but indirect sunlight – so placing it next to the windows (and not in front of it) is perfect.

H2O Watering is not frequent – only when the top inch of the soil is dry. One way to figure this out is to stick a third of your finger into the soil.

Leaf Care Given how big the leaves are, you’ll have to wipe down dust resting on the leaves once in awhile. Dust accumulation prevents the sunlight from being absorbed by the plant. Also, the leaves should not be watered / sprayed as this will encourage bacterial and fungi growth.

5. African Violets (Saintpaulia)

African violets are probably one of the easiest blooms to take care of as compared to other flowering plants. Growing in vibrant pink and purple colours, African violets look delicate, and are best displayed in small pots. These pots will also tightly contain the roots, allowing the plant to absorb water effectively.

Care tips:

Light The plant thrives best in indirect, medium sunlight. The perfect place to perch your African violets is next to the windowsill.

H2O African Violets only need to be watered sporadically – the soil should be kept moist but not wet.

Flower Care The flowers will require 8 hours of darkness per day to bloom at full capacity. To encourage new bloom development, spent blossoms and blossom stems should be pinched off.

6. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a choice Feng Shui plant to keep at home. Having medicinal qualities, the Aloe Vera is believed to add positive chi and balance to its environment. Caring for the Aloe Vera plant is also super easy – all the signs are on the leaves.

Care tips:

Light If the leaves turn a little bit brown, that’s an indication that your Aloe plant needs less sunlight. Leaves that are not growing upwards, but lie quite flat is an indication that the plant needs more sunlight. In general, your plant should be placed in indirect light.

H2O Aloe Vera leaves are meant to naturally grow upwards. If the leaves are thin and curled, that would indicate that your plant needs more watering. Proper watering of the Aloe plant will depend on the size of the plant itself, as well as the soil. But the general rule of thumb is that the soil should be soaked, and the frequency of watering should be every 1-2 weeks and only when the soil appears to be dried out.

7. Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)

Hands down the easiest plant to upkeep in this list (at least, from my experience), the Snake Plant is really the perfect go-to-choice for seriously low-maintenance plant owners. It’s also great for cleaning air (converting CO2 into Oxygen at night), and best kept in the bedroom.

For owners looking for more exotic Snake Plants, there are varieties in yellow or silver striped leaves – called Golden Flame and Bantel’s Sensation respectively.

Care tips:

Light & H2O The Snake Plant can go neglected for weeks on end and still look completely fresh. It also does not need much sunlight. Replenish it every fortnight or so with a good watering and leave it out in indirect and bright sunlight for the occasional therapy.

8. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium)

Staghorn ferns look best when mounted on the wall as feature pieces (as pictured). There are two types of staghorn fronds (a.k.a. fern leaves) – fertile and sterile. The decorative types have fertile fronds that are forked, resembling deer antlers. If you want to DIY your fern mount, here’s a great instructional blog.

Care tips:

Light Staghorn ferns that are placed indoors thrive best in indirect, brighter light (as compared to outdoor ferns, which thrive in medium to low light).

H2O The key to prolonging the staghorn fern’s life is to water it frequently enough – taking into account the humidity levels in the room. The general rule of thumb is that the more humid your home is, the less the staghorn fern needs watering (every 1.5-2 weeks or so). Once watered, let the plant drip dry before re-hanging it.

Frond Care The staghorn frond is prone to black spot fungal disease in indoor conditions. To prevent this from happening, fronds should never be moistened or misted. The fronds should also be wiped down to prevent dust from accumulating.

9. [EDITOR’S CHOICE] ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas)

Following on from the snake plant, the ZZ plant takes the cake as the second easiest plant to upkeepindoors. It is perfect for the indoor conditions as it can survive in low light and more artificial conditions. A fun fact about the ZZ plant is its ability to actually flower a bloom resembling a yellow Calla Lily – though this rarely happens.

Care tips:

Light While the ZZ plant can survive in very low light conditions, the optimal way to care for it is to place it in the way of indirect medium sunlight. Monitor the leaves to make sure that the sunlight exposure is just right and does not scald the leaves. If leaves start becoming yellow and curly, that is an indication of too much light.

H2O The ZZ plant only needs the occasional water therapy, which should be done when the soil has dried out. The number 1 cause of plant death is actually over-watering.

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