#how does peat resist?

[bird-inacage]

A Fortpeat Gifset | Puppy Fort on Tiktok

[babyangelsky]

Peat's acting is stupendous and it's hurting my feelings

I need to talk about the bedroom scene and the fight that preceded it because it felt like I was having a mirror held up to me and looking at my younger self and in doing, so I've come to love Tongrak as a character even more than I did before.

I talked about the expressions already but I just cannot get past this one. Rak's eyes are so dead and he looks so tired in a way that I understand so deeply. He knows what's about to happen. He screened Prin's call earlier precisely in hopes of avoiding it but she showed up anyway.

I do have to acknowledge that a lot of my interpretation and feelings about him and these scenes are very much a product of my own experiences, but believe me when I tell you that having a family as fucked as his and having to deal with relatives like this drains you. You fight back because you have to, not because you want to. You don't go seeking the bullshit but somehow it always seems to arrive at your door.

I know exactly how he must be feeling because I've felt it. Because I've fought back and made sure my mask was firmly in place for as long as I needed it to only to break the second I could turn my face away.

I'm impressed that Rak didn't run from Mut and that he didn't start crying on the way to his bedroom. That powerwalk he did instead though? I know it all too well.

To Rak's mind, Mut has already witnessed far more than Rak ever intended for him to. That fight was nasty. It poked at so many wounds, touched on so many painful, intimate things about Rak's family and about him. Prin wanted to hurt and humiliate him and she succeeded.

I can confidently say that if someone I cared about witnessed that happening to me, the last thing I would want is to break down in front of them on top of it, so I completely understand why Rak's first instinct was to put distance between him and Mut. You know the breakdown is coming and the only thing you want is to have it in private.

I know people feel some kind of way about Rak's refusal to let Mut into his bedroom and essentially shutting him out but Mook tells us in episode 4 that no one is allowed in Rak's bedroom. This isn't just about Mut. Everything we have learned and seen of Rak so far tells us that he's a person who needs a safe place to hide. A place where he can close the door and know he won't be intruded upon.

Sure, it's his house and ideally he would have the freedom to break down wherever he wants to inside of it but given that Mook comes and goes pretty freely, he doesn't really have that luxury by his standards. There's always a chance she'll walk in. And he certainly doesn't have it now that he's no longer living alone.

So he goes to hide in his bedroom so he can process and feel what he needs to.

And when Mut comes after him, this happens. Mut pushed at that boundary out of genuine care and concern and he's not wrong for that. I've been on his side of this equation too and the impulse to help in whatever way you can is impossible to resist, even if all you can offer is a meal.

But I also understand Rak. God do I understand him. That need to be alone, demanding to be left in peace, lashing out when someone won't despite it being with good intentions. When you've been pushed to your limit and you know a breakdown is coming and that there will be shrapnel when it does, the very last thing you want is for the people you care about to get hit with it.

Like @bird-inacage said in their post, Tongrak is a caged animal at this point. He's feeling vulnerable and defensive and he lashes out. He doesn't want to, he tries to stop it, but it ends up happening anyway.

And he regrets it. He does. The way I see it, he couldn't bring himself to knock on Mut's door both because he'd exhausted all his nerve in the fight with Prin and because a part of him was probably worried that he'd be rejected if he did. When you lash out, especially when you don't mean to, there's always a worry that you've done irreparable damage to your relationship with whoever was on the receiving end and that you won't ever be forgiven.

Sometimes it really is something as simple as a sticky note that brings you to tears and has you sobbing into your dinner in the middle of the night.

The note and the meal are proof that Tongrak hasn't been rejected, that he's still cared for despite the way he reacted after the fight and the things that he said. We know that Mut wasn't going to reject him but Rak needed to know that as well.

And now that they had their moment in the dressing room and the issue of the money has been talked about, we're paving a way forward for Rak to be able to express what he feels without using it as a defense mechanism. He still will, and he will hurt me many more times before we're done, but we're making progress.

[ratanshis]

How to Grow Gazania Flowers Using Seeds In Your Home Garden?

The colorful beauty of Gazania flowers can elevate your garden and enhance its appearance. Also known as African daisies, these plants are native to South Africa and fall in the family of daisies and sunflowers. If you are planning to grow these plants in your home garden, here is a guide from gardening experts to help you grow Gazania using seeds in your garden.

“Ratanshi Agro-Hortitech is a reputed plant nursery based in Byculla, Mumbai, offering the best organic seeds online in India that include an extensive range of flower seeds from Gazania to Marigold and more. They also offer live plants online in Mumbai.”

The perennial Gazania plant prefers warm weather and is available in extensive color shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, and more. Apart from their color varieties, these plants offer additional benefits like low maintenance and are perfect for garden landscaping projects. These plants mainly grow during the start of the summer and throughout autumn. Moreover, these plants do not require a lot of water and are drought-resistant. Before you grow these flowers in your garden, here are a few things you should know about these plants.

Steps to grow Gazania flowers 

You can directly purchase live plants of the Gazania flowers from a plant nursery like Ratanshi Agro-Hortitech or grow them using organic seeds available online in India.

Note: If you want to grow Gazania flowers using Gazania seeds in  India, it is advisable to purchase high-quality seeds to ensure a healthy flowering plant. 

You can start by growing the seeds indoors and then move them outside in your garden beds. You can also sow these seeds directly in grower pots or garden beds once the cold weather wears off. The best time to plant them is after winter and before or during summer in India.

Prepare pot mix or coco peat in a grower pot and sow the seeds in the soil about one inch deep and five to eight inches from each other. Ensure the soil remains moist during germination. These plants require neutral or sandy soil. It is advisable to consult gardening experts if you are unsure if your garden soil is suitable for Gazanias. It is advisable to grow them in grower pots using pot mix available at Ratanshi Agro-Horittech if your garden has heavy soil that retains a lot of moisture.

Once the gazania seedlings germinate, transplant them outdoors or in grower pots and place them in a location that receives ample sunlight, as these are sun-loving plants. 

The Gazania seeds germinate in one or two weeks after sowing. 

Gazania plant care: Post transplanting

As mentioned, Gazania are sun-loving plants and survive well in drought-like conditions. Hence, it is essential to ensure their soil does not remain wet. After transplanting they do not require a lot of care and maintenance. Here are some of the common care instructions for colorful flowers:

Watering: These plants grow well in alkaline soil or soil with neutral pH. Ensure the soil remains dry throughout the day. Water the plants early in the morning to prevent trapping moisture, leading to mildew or root rot.

Soil: These plants require well-draining sandy soil.

Fertilising: The Gazania plants do not require fertilizers if you use high-quality soil. Alternatively, you can use a liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) diluted 50% in water in three to five weeks to enhance flowering.

Prevention of pests and diseases

These floral plants are not very prone to common garden diseases and pests. Gardeners should check them occasionally for root rot or mealy bugs. Also, look out for powdery mildew or leaf spot in humid climates.

Did you know?

Gazanias are known to attract beautiful butterflies, adding to the beauty of your garden, and also attract pollinators and birds. These flowers are known as treasure flowers as they were named for Theodore of Gaza (Greek Theologian). The word “Gaza” in Gazania means richness in Greek. Hence, the flowers are called treasure flowers. 

Get these beautiful Gazania seeds online from Ratanshi Agro-Hortitech and witness a colorful garden this summer!

[mmmmkjjohj]

Enhance Your Garden’s Growth with Coco Peat: A Sustainable Choice for Online Shoppers

Introduction

Gardening enthusiasts, both novice and seasoned, are constantly on the lookout for eco-friendly and efficient solutions to nurture their plants. In this digital age, online shopping has revolutionized the way we access gardening supplies. One such sustainable and versatile choice that’s gaining popularity among online shoppers is coco peat. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of using coco peat in your garden and how you can conveniently purchase it online to elevate your gardening experience.

Understanding Coco Peat

Coco peat, also known as coir or coconut coir, is a natural, organic growing medium made from the fibrous husk of coconuts. This byproduct of the coconut industry is proving to be a game-changer in the world of gardening for several reasons.

1. Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness

One of the key reasons gardeners are turning to coco peat is its eco-friendliness. Coconut coir is a renewable resource, and its production does not deplete natural peat bogs or harm the environment. By choosing coco peat, you’re making a sustainable choice that helps reduce the ecological footprint of your garden.

2. Excellent Water Retention

Coco peat has excellent water retention properties, making it a perfect choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners. It can hold up to 10 times its weight in water, ensuring that your plants receive a steady supply of moisture. This is especially useful in areas with erratic rainfall or for plants that require consistent hydration.

3. Improved Aeration

In addition to retaining water, coco peat also provides good aeration to the root zone. It prevents soil compaction, allowing roots to access oxygen easily. This improved aeration encourages robust root growth and healthier plants.

4. pH Neutral

Coco peat has a neutral pH level, which means it won’t alter the acidity or alkalinity of your soil. This makes it a versatile choice for a wide range of plants, from acid-loving to alkaline-loving varieties.

5. Pest and Disease Resistance

Coco peat naturally contains compounds that deter pests and inhibit the growth of harmful pathogens. This can reduce the need for chemical pesticides and fungicides in your garden, promoting a more natural and sustainable gardening approach.

Buying Coco Peat Online: Convenience at Your Fingertips

Thanks to the convenience of online shopping, you can easily find and purchase buy coco peat online from the comfort of your home. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Research Trusted Suppliers: Start by researching reputable online gardening supply stores that offer coco peat. Read reviews, check for certifications, and ensure they source their coco peat sustainably.

2. Choose the Right Type: Coco peat comes in various forms, including compressed bricks, loose coco peat, and blended mixes. Select the type that best suits your gardening needs.

3. Check Shipping Policies: Confirm shipping options and policies, including delivery times and costs. Some suppliers offer free or discounted shipping for bulk orders.

4. Read Product Descriptions: Pay attention to product descriptions, including volume, moisture content, and any additional additives. This ensures you’re getting the right coco peat for your specific plants.

5. Place Your Order: Once you’ve made your selection, add it to your cart, and complete the purchase. Be sure to review your order before finalizing it.

Conclusion

Coco peat is undoubtedly a valuable addition to any gardener’s toolkit, and online shopping makes it more accessible than ever. By choosing this sustainable growing medium, you can enhance the health and vitality of your plants while minimizing your impact on the environment. So, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, consider integrating coco peat into your gardening practices, and experience the benefits for yourself. Happy gardening!

[gardeninglovy]

9 Steps: Square foot Gardening Kale For maximum Yield

Square foot gardening has many benefits. Here, learn how to use square foot gardening for kale and what the benefits of growing kale with this technique are. Do you like to keep all your kitchen vegetables in one garden bed? A common gardening technique known as "square foot gardening" involves separating a garden bed into a grid of square footage sections, each housing a different plant or collection of plants. A terrific addition to any square foot gardening kale is rich in nutrients and a green, leafy vegetable that is simple to grow. Growing kale in a square foot garden is an effective and efficient way. There should be enough room for one or two kale plants to thrive in a square foot of soil. Make sure the soil in your garden is enriched with compost, peat moss, and vermiculite. Keep the plant well-watered and pick its outer leaves periodically as it grows to ensure a steady supply. Growing kale in square foot gardens has various advantages, like maximizing garden space, lowering soil erosion, and raising plant production. Kale is a perfect crop for square-foot planting since it is a crop grown in the cooler months that may be produced in the fall or spring and can withstand various temperatures. The procedures to successfully grow kale in a square-foot garden will be covered in this article, including picking the best kale diversity, prepping the soil, planting and spreading kale, and controlling pests and diseases. Along with general advice for effectiveness with square foot gardening kale, we will also offer strategies for harvesting and preserving kale. Square foot Gardening Kale: Choosing The Kale Variety There are a number of things to take into account while selecting the best kale variety for square foot gardening, like flavor preferences, climate, and disease resistance. Here are a few appropriate gardening kale types that are well-known: Lacinato (or Dinosaur) Kale: Compared to other kale kinds, this one has long, slender, dark blue-green leaves that are sweeter in flavor. It is a great option for cool areas and has strong disease resistance. Red Russian Kale: This cultivar features stems and flat, fringed, blue-green leaves with red veins. It is resistant to numerous prevalent pests and illnesses and has a moderate, somewhat sweet flavor. Dwarf Blue Curled Kale: This type grows to a height of twelve to eighteen inches and has tightly packed, curly, blue-green foliage. It does well in colder climates and is a wonderful option for compact gardens. Winterbor Kale: This cultivar features curly, between eighteen and twenty-four-inch, dark blue-green fronds. It has exceptional resistance to illness and is a great choice for cold areas. growth conditions and Spacing For kale It's critical to take into account both the growth conditions in your region and the space you have for your garden when selecting a kale type for square-foot gardening. Additionally, make sure the kind you select is appropriate for your culinary requirements and personal tastes. In order to grow kale successfully in square-foot gardening, the soil must first be prepared. To prepare the land for square-foot gardening with kale, follow these steps: - Step 1: Clear the area in which you intend to plant your kale of any weeds, grass, or rubbish. - Step 2: A gardening fork or tiller can be used to loosen the ground to a depth of between six and eight inches. This will aid in improving the drainage and aeration of the soil. - Step 3: Cover the soil with a thin layer of organic compost and thoroughly stir it in. This is going to assist in increasing the soil's productivity and give your kale plants crucial nutrients. - Step 4: Consider incorporating more organic material, like mature manure or moldy leaves. - Step 5: Utilize soil analysis equipment to determine the pH of the soil. The ideal soil pH range for kale ranges from 6.0 to 7.0. Use gardening lime or sulfur to correct the soil pH if it is either high or low. These instructions will help you make a soil condition that is rich in nutrients and adequately drained, perfect for producing kale in a square-foot garden. DIY: Square-foot Gardening Kale Kale may be easily planted and spaced apart in a square-foot garden. The steps are as follows: Outline the garden bed: In the garden bed, make a grid of square feet with a garden rake. One kale plant will be grown on each square foot. Fill each square with soil: Fill each square foot to a level of 6 to 8 inches with an equal amount of potting mix and compost. Plant the kale: Place one seedling of kale in the center of every little box. Gently firm the ground at the kale's foundation. As an alternative, you can plant kale seeds per square foot while adhering to the suggested planting depth and spacing on the seed packet. Watering: Make sure that the soil mix has some moisture without becoming soggy when watering the plants. Watch out overwatering vs underwatering. Support the plants (optional): You might need to support the plants if you're growing tall kale kinds. To assist the plants standing straight, you can use a trellis system or garden posts. - It's critical to leave enough space between kale plants in a square-foot garden so that they can develop and flourish. - You can sow a single seedling or four to six seeds per square foot of the majority of kale cultivars. - You might need to thin out the plants as they expand to give each one ample room to mature. You can effortlessly plant and space kale in your square using these basic instructions. Things You Need To Know While Watering and Fertilizing Kale Kale has to be regularly watered to grow healthily. Depending on the weather, water the plants thoroughly once or twice weekly. To prevent decay of roots and other fungi illnesses, prevent overwatering. Put your index finger inside the soil to see whether it feels parched. If it does, it's about time to water your kale plants. For kale plants to grow healthily, nutrients must be provided consistently. Throughout the season of growth, use an appropriate fertilizer, like a 10-10-10 or 16-16-16 combination, every four to six weeks. As a substitute, you may nourish the plants with an organic fertilizer like old manure or composting. Companion Planting with Kale Kale can benefit from companion planting with other plants that can enhance soil quality and ward against pests. Herbs like cilantro or basil, as well as legumes like peas and beans, make excellent kale companion plants. Managing Pests in Square-foot Gardening An essential component of square-foot gardening with kale is controlling pests and illnesses. The following advice can assist you in controlling illnesses and pests in your kale garden: As soon as you can, remove all dead or ill plant material from the garden. Check your kale plants frequently for signs of pests, such as chewed stems or holes in the leaves. Caterpillars, flea beetles, and aphids are typical pests that harm kale. You may manage insect infestations in your kale garden by using a number of natural pest management techniques. For instance, you can manage aphids and other soft-bodied insects with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Crop rotation is a good strategy to keep soil-borne illnesses from accumulating in your kale patch. To keep the soil healthy, rotate your kale plants with other crops each year. Maintain healthy soil: Healthy soil is essential to preventing plant illnesses. Make sure that the ground has adequate fertility and good drainage. To help the soil stay healthy, regularly add manure along with additional nutrients. Select kale varieties that are disease and pest-resistant. Some kale cultivars are more disease- and pest-resistant than others. Consider choosing kale cultivars that are resistant to common ailments like downy mildew and black rot. These recommendations can help you prevent and control pest and disease problems in your square foot kale farming, resulting in healthier plants and plentiful crops. Related articles - 9 Steps: Strawberries Square Foot Gardening For Max Yield - Watermelon Square Foot Gardening: 9 Simple Steps To Follow - How To Do Spinach Square Foot Gardening: Step By Step - 9 Steps: Square Foot Gardening Carrots For Max Yield Kale Square Foot Gardening FAQs Q: How To Harvest My Kale Plant From A Square-Foot Garden?As quickly as the leaves of kale are large enough to consume, they can be picked. First, gather the larger outer leaves; permit the smaller inside leaves to develop further.When harvesting, trim the leaves at the stem's base with a razor-sharp blade or pair of scissors. The plant can be harmed if the leaves are pulled or twisted.Q: How To Store The Kale Plants?For a maximum of one week, kale can be kept in the refrigerator. The leaves should be carefully cleaned and dried before being placed in an airtight bag or container.Kale can also be frozen after blanching to store it for a long time.Kale leaves should be briefly brought to a boil in salted water before being transferred to an ice bath to chill.Remove as much air as you can before closing freezer baggies or containers with the drained leaves.Q: Can I Save My Kale Seeds?Some of the kale plants should be left to go to seed if you are interested in saving seeds for later planting. Before collecting the seeds, let the seed pods dry and turn brown. Conclusion Growing kale in a square foot is a lucrative and pleasurable method to raise healthy, fresh greens in your backyard. You can create a plentiful harvest of nutritious kale by picking the best kind, preparing the soil, planting and spacing the kale plants, and controlling pests and illnesses. Your kale garden's success will also depend on how effectively you irrigate, fertilize, and manage the soil. inally, by carefully harvesting and preserving your kale, you can continue to enjoy fresh greens much after the growing season has ended. You may develop a thriving square-foot garden with delicious and healthy kale using these suggestions. Read the full article

[factorysdepot]

Benefits of Organic Coconut coir | Factorys Depot

Everan Coco Peat is Organic and easy Growing solutions based on Coconut husk for Growing Plants hydroponically. Coco peat is made from the husks of coconut that have been grounded into a powder and then washed , Double Washed or Buffered to Reduce the EC Level in Coco. It has many benefits over other popular hydroponic growing media, such as Peat Moss or Rockwool. Coco peat can help oxygenate the water and provide nutrients for the plants.

1. Coco peat is a natural product made from the fibrous husks of coconuts. Coco peat is made from the husks of coconuts that have been ground into a fine powder. The powder is then mixed with water and formed into small pellets. It is an environment friendly alternative to peat moss,

2. Coco peat is an excellent hydroponic growing medium because it is lightweight and easy to transport and store. It is also absorbent, so it helps to keep plants moist. And it is sterile so that it won’t harbour harmful bacteria or fungi. It is less contaminated.

3. Coco peat can be used to grow a wide variety of plants, including flowers such as roses, orchids, and carnations; vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers; and fruit such as strawberries and watermelons.

4. Coco Peat is a Artificial Soil Made from Coconut Husk is called coconut coir or coconut pith or coco peat , It is sold in different forms like Blocks of different sizes and even loose form of 100 % Coco or Mix with Perlite. It can also be used as base material to make Potting Soil.

5. Coco Peat is biodegradable but it biodegrades slowly, more slowly than regular peat moss and other organic matters, It’s a naturally weed free and soil free product with good Smell, it Helps to improve soil structure and Aerates the soil which is great for the plants roots.

Improves water holding capacity–acts as a sponge to hold water in the root zone so that the plants can use it when they need it.

6. Coconut Coir has a better water holding capacity than most soil amendments and it can hold water seven to ten times its weight , it will drain excess water so that your plants don’t become waterlogged. It helps the soil to retain nutrients as it doesn’t have any significant nutrient value of its own

What is Coconut coir?

Coconut coir is a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional potting soil. It is made from the fiber of coconuts, and is 100% natural. Coco coir is light and airy, yet holds water well. It drain well and does not compact like traditional potting soil, making it ideal for container gardening. Coco coir is also rich in nutrients, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor plants.

How to use coconut coir?

If you’re new to growing plants in coco coir, it’s important to know how to properly use this type of potting mix. Coco coir is made from the husks of coconuts, and it’s an excellent alternative to traditional potting soil. Here are some tips for using coco coir in your garden:

-When planting in coconut coir, be sure to water regularly. Coco coir can dry out quickly, so it’s important to keep an eye on the moisture level.

-If you’re growing plants that like acidic soil, you may need to add some extra lime or other amendments to the coconut coir.

-Coconut coir can be used as a top dressing for potted plants. Just spread a layer on top of the soil and water as usual.

-Coconut coir can also be used to make your own potting mix. Just mix equal parts coco coir, perlite, and vermiculite.

Another benefit of coconut coir is that it is an excellent soil amendment. It is naturally high in nutrients and has a high water retention capacity, making it ideal for improving soil structure and fertility. Coconut coir can help to improve soil aeration and drainage, which can prevent soil compaction and improve the overall health of your plants.

Coconut coir is also a natural pest and disease control solution. It is resistant to pests and diseases and can help to prevent the spread of fungal and bacterial infections in your garden. This can reduce the need for chemical pesticides and fungicides, which can be harmful to the environment and human health.

Coconut coir has a wide range of uses in gardening and horticulture. One of the most common uses is as a soil amendment. It can be used to improve soil fertility, structure, and water retention capacity. Coconut coir can be mixed with other soil amendments, such as compost and perlite, to create a high-quality growing medium for plants.

Another common use of coconut coir is as a mulch. It can be used to help retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Coconut coir mulch is also biodegradable, which means that it will break down over time and improve soil health.

Coconut coir is also used in hydroponic gardening. Hydroponic gardening is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, plants are grown in a nutrient-rich solution that is circulated around the plant roots. Coconut coir can be used as a growing medium in hydroponic systems, providing plants with the necessary support and nutrients.

Types of Coconut Coir

Coconut coir is a type of natural fiber made from coconut husks. It’s an environmentally friendly alternative to other types of growing media, like peat moss. Coco coir has excellent drainage and water-holding properties, making it ideal for use in hydroponic systems. There are two types of coco coir – brown and white. Brown coco coir is made from mature coconut husks and has a higher fiber content than white coco coir. White coco coir is made from younger coconut husks and has a lower fiber content.

How do you use coconut coir in gardening?

Coconut coir is an excellent medium for gardening because it is light and easy to use. To get the most out of it, you should soak it in water for at least 24 hours before planting – this rehydrates and expands the material, giving it full capacity to store moisture and nutrients. Once soaked, you can add your desired plants and cover with soil or mulch to give them an extra boost!

 Here are some steps to follow:

Choose high-quality coconut coir. Look for coconut coir that is free from impurities and contaminants, and is pH balanced.

Prepare the coconut coir. Coconut coir typically comes in compressed blocks or bricks that need to be rehydrated before use. To rehydrate the coconut coir, soak it in water for several hours until it has expanded and is fluffy.

Use the coconut coir. Coconut coir can be used as a soil amendment, mulch, or hydroponic growing medium. When using it as a soil amendment, mix it with other soil amendments, such as compost and perlite, to create a high-quality growing medium. When using it as a mulch, spread it around the base of plants to help retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds. When using it in hydroponic systems, fill the growing container with coconut coir and add the nutrient-rich solution.

Maintain the coconut coir. Coconut coir should be kept moist but not waterlogged.

Here are some potential pros and cons of using coconut coir:

Pros:

Sustainable: Coconut coir is a renewable resource that is derived from the waste products of coconut production. It is a more sustainable alternative to peat moss, which is often harvested from endangered peat bogs.

Good water retention: Coconut coir has excellent water retention properties, which can help to reduce the frequency of watering and ensure that plants have access to water for longer periods of time.

Nutrient-rich: Coconut coir is rich in nutrients such as potassium, iron, and copper, which can be beneficial for plant growth.

PH-neutral: Unlike peat moss, which is often acidic, coconut coir is pH-neutral. This makes it a more versatile growing medium that can be used for a wider range of plants.

Cons:

Salinity: Coconut coir can be high in salts, which can be harmful to some plants. It is important to rinse and flush the coir thoroughly before use to reduce the salt content.

Limited drainage: Coconut coir has a high water retention capacity, but it can also be slow to drain. This can lead to waterlogged soil and poor root growth if not properly managed.

Low pH buffering capacity: While coconut coir is pH-neutral, it has a low buffering capacity, which means it may be prone to pH swings. This can affect nutrient availability and plant growth.

Expensive: Coconut coir can be more expensive than other soil amendments, such as peat moss or compost. However, it may be worth the investment for those looking for a sustainable alternative.

Conclusion

Coconut coir is an excellent growing medium for hydroponic systems. It has many advantages, such as being very lightweight and having natural antifungal properties. Coconut coir can also provide great aeration and drainage, making it the perfect substrate for root growth in hydroponic systems. So if you are looking to experiment with hydroponics or build your own grow system, consider utilizing coconut coir as a growing medium for your plants!

Visit Our Website :

https://factorysdepot.com/coconut-coir/

[plantbest]

Unlock the Secret to Thriving Plants: Harnessing the Power of Coconut Husk in the USA

Are you tired of struggling to keep your plants alive? Do you want to unlock the secret to thriving, lush greenery in your home or garden? Look no further than the power of coconut husk for plants. This often-overlooked resource is a game-changer when it comes to plant care, and it's time to harness its potential right here in the USA. Coconut husk, also known as coco coir, is a natural fiber extracted from the outer husk of coconuts. Its unique properties make it an ideal growing medium for a wide variety of plants, from indoor houseplants to outdoor gardens. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using coconut husk in your plant care routine, how to properly prepare and use it, and why it's a sustainable choice for both your plants and the environment. Get ready to unlock the secret to thriving plants with the power of coconut husk!

The Science Behind Coconut Husk as a Growing Medium:

Coconut husk, or coco coir as it is commonly known, is gaining popularity as a growing medium for plants due to its unique properties. Derived from the outer husk of coconuts, coconut husk is a fibrous material that offers several benefits for plant growth. One of the main advantages of coco coir is its excellent water retention capabilities. Unlike traditional soil, coconut husk can hold up to 10 times its weight in water, ensuring that plants have a constant supply of moisture. This is especially beneficial for plants that require consistent watering, such as tropical species or those grown in arid climates.

In addition to its water retention abilities, coconut husk also provides excellent aeration for plant roots. The fibrous structure of coco coir allows for ample airflow, preventing the roots from becoming waterlogged and promoting healthy root development. This is crucial for plant growth as well as preventing root diseases caused by excessive moisture. Furthermore, coconut husk is naturally resistant to pathogens and pests, reducing the risk of plant infections and the need for chemical treatments.

Advantages of Using Coconut Husk Over Traditional Growing Mediums:

Using coconut husk as a growing medium offers several advantages over traditional options such as soil or peat moss. Firstly, coco coir is a renewable resource. Coconuts are abundant in tropical regions, and the extraction of coconut husk does not harm the coconut tree. This makes coconut husk an environmentally-friendly choice for plant enthusiasts who want to reduce their ecological footprint.

Lastly, coconut husk is a sustainable choice for plant growth due to its biodegradability. When disposed of, coco coir breaks down naturally without causing harm to the environment. This is in contrast to peat moss, which is often harvested from fragile ecosystems and does not decompose easily. By choosing coconut husk as a growing medium, you are making a conscious decision to support sustainable practices in plant care.

How to Prepare and Use Coconut Husk for Your Plants?

Before using coconut husk as a growing medium, it is essential to properly prepare it to ensure optimal plant growth. The first step is to obtain coconut husk in its raw form. This can be done by purchasing coconut coir blocks or bricks from garden centers or online suppliers. These blocks are compacted for easy storage and transportation, and they expand when soaked in water.

To prepare the coconut coir for use, start by placing the desired amount of coco coir blocks in a large container or bucket. Add enough water to fully submerge the blocks and let them soak for at least one hour. During this time, the coconut husk will absorb water and expand, transforming into a loose, fibrous material. Once the blocks have fully expanded, drain any excess water and fluff the coco coir with your hands to break up clumps and ensure an even texture.

After preparing the coconut husk, it is ready to be used as a growing medium. For potted plants, mix coconut husk with compost or perlite to create a well-draining potting mix. The ratio of coconut husk to other components will depend on the specific requirements of your plants, but a general guideline is to use equal parts of coconut husk and compost or perlite. This will provide a balanced growing medium that retains moisture while allowing for proper drainage.

For hydroponic systems, coconut husk chips can be used as the sole growing medium or as a component in a larger mixture. In hydroponics, the coconut husk is typically placed in grow bags or pots with the plant roots directly immersed in the coco coir. This allows for efficient nutrient uptake and provides ample aeration to the roots.

When using coconut husk as a growing medium, it is essential to monitor the moisture levels closely. While coco coir retains water well, it should not be allowed to become waterlogged. Ensure proper drainage in pots or hydroponic systems to prevent the roots from sitting in stagnant water. Regularly check the moisture levels by sticking your finger into the growing medium. If it feels dry up to your first knuckle, it is time to water the plants.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, harnessing the power of coconut husk in the USA can unlock the secret to thriving plants in your home or garden. The science behind coconut husk as a growing medium reveals its exceptional water retention, aeration, and nutrient holding capabilities. These properties make it an ideal choice for a wide variety of plants, both indoors and outdoors. By using coconut husk as a growing medium, you can enjoy several advantages over traditional options. Coconut husk is a renewable resource, has a longer lifespan, is free from weed seeds, and is lightweight. Moreover, it is a sustainable choice that supports eco-friendly practices in plant care.

To prepare and use coconut husk for your plants, follow the steps of soaking, draining, and fluffing the coco coir. Mix it with compost or perlite for potted plants, or use it directly in hydroponic systems. Remember to monitor the moisture levels closely and provide proper drainage to ensure optimal plant growth. So, why struggle to keep your plants alive when you can harness the power of coconut husk? Unlock the secret to thriving plants in the USA by embracing this natural and sustainable growing medium. Your plants will thank you with lush greenery and vibrant blooms!

[is-the-snake-video-cute]

How do you keep mold out of things like the humidity hide or terrarium for species that need high humidity?

It's a combination of careful cleaning and selecting the appropriate materials!

For humid hides, peat or sphagnum moss is a great option, but it does mold pretty easily. Moss usually lasts a couple months before it molds - mold on moss looks like little white flecks, and you'll want to change the moss as soon as you smell or see the mold.

For substrate, selecting the appropriate combination is key! Topsoil mixes work well to avoid mold, and cypress mulch is my go-to for humid snake enclosures. Cypress is wonderful for keeping humidity up and resisting mold.

It's all about planning!

[opuestocomplementario]

love in the air ep7 review

Context: I tried so hard not to spoil today's episode. Mission accomplished. I did not, in fact, get spoiled. So I watched it just now and I wanted to talk about it because obviously I had to. 

(I can finally scroll to every single social media that I own; that was literally killing me, i will never put myself through that again)

Let’s start with the MOST IMPORTANT THING: PrapaiSky

Prapai: my god this man is so freaking fine. Every scene was *chef’s kiss*. Can we acknowledge his voice? Oh my god Fort I didn’t know you could speak like that. Amazing honestly. I love it. The way that he smiles too, how can we resist? I am actually so excited to see him act as Prapai because Prapai is a fun character but also is supposed to be an adult and a “dangerous, professional, playboy” one which I normally hate in other shows because they always look like assholes, but Prapai/Fort looks like such a nice guy is actually insane how he can pull both looks. I love his way to getting Sky numer from Rain, like he knew those little shits where so eager to fuck and he did not care at all. Also, he canceling his meeting for that one moment is so amazing to me; that’s what a whipped man does

Sky. Babe, yes, you are the moment. I actually didn’t think he was going to be of my enjoyment because, again, like Prapai, these types of characters are playing in such an annoying way and are not fun after a while, but Sky/Peat has been delivering everything since we first saw him. So yes, I am also excited to see him more, and see more facets of this character, especially the horny one. YES, I WANT TO SEE A CHARACTER THAT’S SO GOOD IN BED THAT HE MADE A GROWN MAN CANCELED HIS WORKS MEETING JUST TO BE WITH HIM. I honestly love his relationship with Rain. Is so pure and amazing how they stand for each other and how Rain seeks comfort and help from him. 

That is something that I appreciate in this drama: the relationships aside from romantics. Friends and family are sometimes really hard to portray because it is hard to make a whole cast of people get well with each other, but they did. Idk if is the main or what, but everyone feels connected somehow, and they seem to get along well. Sky’s dad and Rain’s mom are so funny and cool, I wanted to see more of them. And Daddy Chai did his thing with that asshole but I will get to him later. 

Rain. If people could see how much I talk about him they can eventually figure out that he is my favorite character of the show so far. I just love how Nouel portrayed him, and how cute and funny he is on screen. I already talked about his development but seriously, what great writing. I really liked the scenes of him being kidnapped, even though they're hilarious and I couldn't take them seriously, Nouel has a thing for screaming, he does it well. 

Phayu. I can't get enough of him, he can do everything. I really like the way Boss portrays his character when he worries and he tries so hard not to do the things the asshole said to him. I feel like he can play more dramatic characters besides the “bad boy” if he keeps on this track. But overall I feel like he literally shines when he plays playful and flirty guys. He just does so well. He is so charismatic and makes everything fit together. The scene where he was with Rain’s friends was so good. Usually when seniors approach younger ones there is this air of awkwardness and discomfort because of the age gap, but here, it was like they were comfortable talking to him like you would with a cool adult. 

The relationship between Rain and Phayu is definitely one for the books. They had the chemistry that’s been missing for so long in other couples. They look so good together, they talk and act like a couple which I love to see. I like when the characters keep acting like they want to be together even after they get official. Like the spark is still there. I love the hornyness, i love the communication, the cuteness and the little kisses. 

I also thought that I would hate the fact that Phayu knew Rain and “broke” his car so he could fix him and therefore meet him, but keeping in mind that he is a mechanic and wasn’t any danger and most of his flirting was teasing, I can understand it. 

So, the whole kidnapping thing. It was fun, it was dramatic, it had fights, some talk and action. Overall, It did live up to the expectation. I feel like it was unnecessary of course keeping in mind that the plot was the romance and we already had a romance going on, but I think it is a way to connect the dark sides of the ilegal races with the story of Sky. So i don’t mind. Like, LITA it feels like a fanfic, but a wattpad one, so I don’t really care that it is not perfectly written. Sometimes we need trash stories in shows and we need to learn to accept them. But the actors did a good job portraying what they had to. Daddy Chai obviously stole the show, which I also think is understandable if he is an older actor and a more experienced one. I feel like giving dramatic scenes and very heavy ones to BossNouel will end up a lot like JaFirst where they were good, but not that good, and it felt a little fake. 

So overall, the episode was a lot to take, but in a good way. The action stuff was not overwhelming, and we had a lot of cute moments of the couple just talking about their feelings (which we all love because communication is our number one priority, always) and we got more scenes where Phayu and Prapai were together (if I don’t have more of them i swear i'm going to thailand to make them film more scenes idc) and WE GOT PRAPAISKY, separately, but we got them.

[renee-writer]

There For You Chapter 13 First Date

AO3

He is nervous as he finishes dressing. This is Claire the lass he has wanted since he was fourteen. It is also his first date since his divorce.  He tries to tie his tie three time before giving up in frustration. He throws it back down. Gee had always tied it for him. He sighs at the thought of her, of her, Mary and, his bairn.  She was supposed to be forever but now he knows she never could have been.  She wasn’t Claire.

 

She is just as nervous, choosing and rejecting several outfits. Having seen Jamie everyday for six months, she shouldn’t be. But that was as a mate. This is something more. Much more. Finally deciding on an outfit, she brushes her hair out, leaving it down. Jamie likes it that way. A touch of makeup and she is ready. She grabs her purse recalling to add a few wellies in it, just in case. It isn’t planned but..

 

He comes to the door with flowers.  “Oh Jamie. They are lovely. You didn’t have to.”

 

“I know but.. You are so beautiful.” She blushes as she takes the flowers in and adds them to a vase of water.

 

“Thank you. You are brilliant yourself.” He grins.

 

“Thank you. Are you ready?” She nods, grabs a shawl that he places around her shoulders and takes her hand. They step out.

 

He takes her to a sushi restaurant as they both love it. Pulling her chair out, he helps her in it. Her smile makes his heart pound. He takes a seat across from her. After they order, he slips his hand into hers.

 

“This is easy. It is like starting on the tenth date. We know each other.”

 

“Yes,” she replies, “but it is like starting on the tenth date.” He frowns and nods.

 

“Aye. Mates first will help. Right?” She smiles, her fingers twisting in his.

 

“It will. How is your son?” He relaxes farther as he tells her of feeling him move, of talking to him, how he responded to his voice.

 

“I want him to know my voice too. To recognize it as well as he does Gee and Mary’s.”

 

“That is a good thing. He is your child also.” He nods thoughtfully. His hand tightens around his.

 

“It is. This is not how I imagined this happening but it is reality so I must accept it.”

 

“Jamie, your son is already a blessed boy. He has so many people that love him.” He looks at her, his eyes shiny.

 

“Thank you Claire. That is exactly what I needed to hear. As we are talking about exes, we might as well talk about Frank. Any regrets about not going through with the marriage?”

 

“Not a one. He wasn’t right just seemed so on paper. That and my parents were trying to force the issue. They wanted me secure.”

 

“Can’t fault them. Do you feel secure?”

 

“Depends on how you mean that. I never know how much I will bring home in tips. How many hours I will get. Living on the edge like this is a bit terrifying but exhilarating also. Everything has always been easy. It is nice to be free to fear, if that makes sense.”

 

“Aye.”

 

“But I find security in my mates. My previous ones were shallow and self obsessed. Geillis, John, Ian and Jenny are real. You know? They are so normal. I love Geillis’ free spirit, that she isn’t afraid to be herself. John’s ability to take risks in his career, concerned but not overwhelmed by the outcome. Ian’s humor, the gift of turning all into a joke, breaking tension. Jenny, I adore her, her and her directness. You know where you stand with her. There are no games.”

 

“And me?” The waitress returns with their orders and they break apart long enough for her to lay their orders before them.  She smiles and leaves.

 

“You, you don’t know Jamie?” her voice lowers and he feels shivers in his spine.

 

“Ken what?”

 

“You are my calm center. Everything feels better with you around. “ He breath comes out in a rush.

 

“Lord Claire “ He can’t resist and kisses her across the table. With a sigh, she presses in, deepening it.

 

“You eat here. That somewhere else.” The oriental voice of the manager brings them back to reality.  They come apart with a ‘plop’.

 

“Sorry about that.” He apologies. She gives them a severe look and walks away. “I think we are in trouble.”

 

“Worth it.” She looks down at the food and they start to eat. They talk about their mates as they do.  John has an advent audition he is nervously excited about. Jenny has applied for head chef in a fancy restaurant. Ian wants out of his job as a accountant but is afraid to do anything else. Geillis works as a masseuse and has started singing at Central Perk.

 

“You Claire, will you take the leap and apply to fashion jobs?” They are finishing up their meal.

 

“I think I will. Can’t see being a waitress all my life.”

 

“You should pursue your dreams.”

 

“What was your dream Jamie? Did you wish to work in your family’s company?”

 

“I really did. I grew up with the grains and hops. Learned how to dig up peat before I started school. It is in my blood. I can’t see doing anything else.”

 

“I am glad.” He pays the bill and lifts her up. He places her shawl about her and they walk out.

 

“Shall I take you home?”

 

“I would like to see your flat, if that is alright?”

 

“Very alright.” He walks them that direction.

[cedar-glade]

black peat matting

It’s unclear how long it takes for sphagnum to become the rich medium we call peat. 

Most peat bogs that are legitimate bogs form on depressions in boreal locations up north in kettle and finger lake depressions that fill in with sphagnum and other detritus as the sphagnum eventually closes the surface of the lake. Bogs as you know, are usually non flowing, relatively acidic, semi nutrient leeched, either ericaceous formation, or boreal formation wetlands that occur over time. Acidic seeps and acidic spray cliffs mimic bog like areas but are subject to flow and less accumulation of sediment over time. In many bogs up north we see the ground and aquatard being the direct bed rock in the form of granite. In othercases we see petrified or lithified sand that is iron and magnesium rich being the culprit. In some cases, iron slag bogs( man made) and semi acidic dolomitic mixed and in in some cases other rarer iron rich rocks. Glacial retreat scrapes and fissures rocks leaving a path of least resistance for water to work in either direction (drainage or seap). In fens you get flow seaps coming through alkaline material that has the ability to flow out. Usually a hard bedrock is somewhat necessary (dolostone, lime, ect. with underlying clay aquatard that helps prevent water from flowing or draining unless directly at the surface or near the surface. 

While this info graphic tells the story of a few types of fens, marl flat formations fens are capable of lacking peat entirely, other fens that lack peat in some cases are the seasonal bog vernal fens, such as the rarity that Hazel Dell Meadow is in KY. While Gallagher has high quality and quantity marl exposures at the surface, it does not qualify as this exception as it does have peat formations. 

More information about peat from Science Direct( a great site for consolidating ideas and helping blogs and people who make RA.) :

“Peat is formed by decomposition and accumulation process of plant materials that grow on the land which is influenced by dry and wet season period. Peat formation occurs in a long period with the formation rate of about 1 mm per year (Charman, 2002), which means 1 m deep peat needs 1000 years to form. Peat in Sumatra and Kalimantan is sometimes more than 10 m deep. Based on the decomposition level, peat is classified as fibrist (one-third decomposed), saprist (two-thirds decomposed), and hemist (between fibrist and saprist).

Different from temperate peat which originated from homogenous materials such as spaghnum and other shrubs species, tropical peat has a high variation as originated from various vegetation species (Andriesse, 1988). On the other hand, tropical peatland is very sensitive to changes, hence it needs careful and wise management in converting peat swamp forest (Wösten et al., 2008).”

Ireland peatlands formed pretty decent sized accumulation sites within’ periods of 1000 years.

In Michigan one MIDNR site on homeowner stewardship and management that offers access to public infographic interpretation suggested this: “There are two ways that bogs are formed in Michigan: kettle-lake bogs, and paludification bogs. These processes may take thousands of years. In the Great Lakes region various estimates for forming a single foot of peat range from 100 to 800 years.” (https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/huntingwildlifehabitat/landowners_guide/Habitat_Mgmt/Wetland/Bogs_Fens.htm#:~:text=These%20processes%20may%20take%20thousands,of%20lakes%20formed%20by%20glaciation.)

In Ohio, a warmer state with significantly altered weather due to human intervention, our peat may accumulate a foot ever 2000 years for all we know. 

[ussjellyfish]

sightseeing pt 1 | philinda | AoS | explicit

Forgive me for the first chapter being foreplay...it’s not after this. (whisky help me).

Post-Finale fic, because I wanted one where she finds him.

No longer quite an agent, Phil Coulson went off to see the world. Professor Melinda May knows the kinds of places he likes. The rest isn't quite parasailing, but it's certainly classified.

It's his kind of place. Homey, old, with a scuffed, well worn floor and walls covered in history. Melinda isn't sure if seafood is something this version of Phil enjoys, but he's always been excited by good food and the scallops are divine here. Luckily the seagood is different enough from Tahiti to not dredge up her own longings. She won't be able to sit on a tropical beach without her chest aching but the stones and the Loch are pleasantly different. 

If he doesn't show, she'll get plenty of work done. Her stack of provisional field reports is much smaller than it was when she arrived on the ferry two days ago. She walks along the water in the morning, and does her tai chi between the trees and the shore. The locals are polite, and accustomed enough to tourists that they're neither curious or too chatty. 

The Old Forge pub's lively tonight with a sizeable group at the bar and a group playing something that's not pool. Phil would know what it is, and the rules, though he'd lose his shirt before he'd admit he wasn't that good at it. Maybe now he is. Maybe part of the upgrades are a passing skill with games. She hasn't got to play poker with him yet, but maybe now he finally has game. 

That thought makes her smile, and she sets down her pen. She should correct the papers on her laptop, but it feels wrong to sit in a place with history and type. The pen is Phil's, one of his exquisite collection of fountain pens and every once in awhile she gets ink all over her fingers. It feels like part of the job, so she lets it happen. The stains remind her of him.

Everything does. Phil's in the scent of whisky, men unbuttoning their suit coats before they sit down, blue ties, red ties, and the feel of leather. She hasn't stayed in a hotel without him, not in years, and the little cottage she's rented is designed to be shared, but it's easy enough to ignore the other bathrobe and the other towel. He'll be here.

Or he won't.

She's rarely wrong about him: what he likes, the kinds of places he finds interesting. He'd have a hard time resisting the most remote pub in the UK and he'd sit in the corner table and read his book. 

Melinda finishes her soup and sets the bowl aside. She's drunk half of her beer, and when it's gone she will allow herself one shot of whisky before she retreats to her cottage and the hot tub hidden in the trees.   

She's deep in her work, nearing the end of her pint when he walks in. It's him by the sound of his feet, even in hiking boots instead of derby shoes. Her reading glasses slip and she forces them up the bridge of her nose. Working without them ends in headaches and that's not how she wants tonight to end. 

Not that they--

Of course not. 

Phil orders a drink and searches the pub, his eyes fall on her and she doesn't look up. She can't, she's not ready to look at him, not if--

"Is this seat taken?"

"All yours."

He sits, setting down his pint next to hers. "These are new."

"Getting old."

"Not you," he teases. "Melinda May is an ageless goddess."

"Professor May gets fairly nasty headaches if she reads papers all day without them."

He smiles. "Are you sure that it's not the papers?"

Chuckling, she sets down her pen. His pen. Another him, another lifetime ago. Removing her glasses, she sets them down. "They're not that bad. Apparently it's too much time in a cockpit."

"They suit you." 

"Thanks."

"This suits you." He lifts his glass, taking a sip as he looks over her sweater. "You seem relaxed."

"Nowhere to be."

He takes a longer drink, rolling the ale over his tongue before he swallows. What different parts of it can he taste now? Does his tongue disect the molecules or does he taste it like she does? "How did you know I'd come here?" 

"The most remote pub in Scotland is definitely your thing." 

"I wanted to go to Ireland." The server sets his plate in front of him. Fish and chips. Of course.

She reaches across, stealing a chip. "You wouldn't go without me." 

He raises his eyebrows in mock indigence at her theft. "You already ate."

"You never finish your chips." 

"Because you do." Phil reaches for the vinegar and his fingers brush her wrist. Her heart thuds, too loud and too needy. 

"I missed you."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"No, let me apologize." He holds up a chip as a peace offering. "I wasn't ready."

"You don't have to be."

"I am."

She eats the chip, trying to concentrate on the salt and crispy potato. Pay attention to her body, find the horizon, find her center. She can't slow her heartbeat, but she can ignore it. Pretend she can't taste the need in her chest.

"Ready for?"

"Whatever comes next." He smiles, really smiles, and they could be back at the Academy, studying in the cafeteria, decades ago. "You came all this way."

"It's spring break, I had the time."

"What if I didn't come?"

"You did."

"I did."

He finishes his pint and she tucks her papers into her briefcase. 

"What are we drinking? Islay or Speyside?"

"Not that peated one." 

Phil laughs, shaking his head. "I like that."

"I do too, but not tonight." 

"All right, something sweeter." He stands, heading back to the bar. "Don't eat all my chips."

"I'll leave one." 

She leaves three, just to be kind. 

Phil returns with whiskies, doubles, and slides hers across. Can he get drunk? Is it all about the taste, the ritual? 

"What are we drinking too?"

"A wild spring break?"

She raises an eyebrow. 

"Had to try." Those crinkles around his eyes are perfect, and him. So is the way she's not sure if his eyes are blue, hazel or brown. Must be the lighting.

"Thank you."

"I left you three, you should be grateful."

He eats one of the chips and chuckles. "That you found me?"

"Well, you weren't visiting."

"I--" 

"It's all right."

"It's not. I should have visited, you asked and I- I left you."

"You do that a lot." She didn't mean to say it, it's too harsh, but he nods all the same. 

"Sorry about that."

"Maybe this you sticks around."

"Would be nice."

"Yeah?"

"I'm enjoying it. Seeing the world, sitting in pubs., reading, watching...never had time for most of it. Couldn't take a day and read a book and now I can just flip through them." 

"Must be nice."

"Just say the word and I'll help you with your essays." He reaches out, hand open on the table.

"They're not bad."

"Solidly mediocre?"

"There's promise. Some will be good agents in a few years."

"Some dreadful ones." 

"Always a few."

They lift their glasses, eyes locked. "What are we drinking to?" 

"Seeing the world?"

"Having our feet the ground for once."

"Well, Lola is out back." He clinks his glass against hers. "To seeing it slowly." 

"To taking time."

Phil grins at that, his eyes softening as the little lines around them deepen. "That's not something we do."

"Maybe we start." 

His eyes won't leave her lips. The whisky starts sweet, then warms her throat. The last time he kissed her, he was dying, now death is a thousand years away. 

Phil sets his glass down on the table. "I'm not sure I know how."

"All that time wandering the world, reassessing, and you didn't figure out how to take your time?" Her cheeks flush, and it's not the whisky. His gaze has always been able to do that to her. 

"Never been good at it."

"Maybe it's time to learn some new skills."

He waves over the bartender and she refills their glasses without a word. Amber whisky glows in the weak light of the sunset through the window. 

"You think it's possible to teach new tech new tricks?"

"Isn't that one of the benefits of all your circuits?"

"Perhaps." He drinks without a toast, almost as if he has to fortify himself for what's to come. "I'm sorry, Melinda."

"For what?"

"So many things."

"Dying?"

"Not staying dead."

Shaking her head, she finishes her own whisky, barely tasting it this time. "The world's better with you in it, you know that."

"Even for you?"

"Of course it is, you're my best friend."

"I've been more than that."

She traces the rim of the glass with her finger. "You could be again."

"Is that what you want?"

Want isn't even the right word. Want is too simple. 

"I love you."

"Loved," he corrects her. "He's gone." 

"No, Phil, I love you. This you, the last you, the nerdy you before who used to stop by my cubicle on your coffee break just to make me laugh." 

"It's not--"

She reaches across the table and squeezes his hand, making sure to have all his attention. "It is that easy."

He gulps and stares, dumbfounded. It's pretty cute when he gets like this. "Okay."

"Do you want to wait five minutes and follow me to the cottage or come now?"

Phil smirks. "Is someone following us?"

"Would it matter?"

"Could be fun."

Laughing, she picks up her briefcase, tucking her glasses away. "Maybe for you."

"Fighting off the bad guys isn't foreplay anymore?" He grabs her jacket, opening it up so she can step in. 

Melinda reaches up to fix her hair, but he does, gently letting it fall onto her shoulders. "It's not as fun as it used to be." 

"So you need a new hobby?"

"The vacation might be enough."

"It's not a vacation if you're working." He rests his hand on her back as they leave the pub for the tiny street that goes nowhere.

"I needed to pass the time until you got here."

"So I'm late?"

"Aren't you always?" 

His fake wounded face hasn't changed in decades. "Hey."

"I don't mind waiting."

"Maybe you should." He touches her chin, stopping them in the street. No one's coming, there's nowhere to go. 

"What are you going to do about that?" 

Phil glances down the street, then at his feet. "I guess I'll find some guys to shoot at us, seemed to help last time."

"So romantic." She stands on her tiptoes, reaching up for his shoulder. He leans down, just a little, and they're close. Melinda tilts her head, tugs, and he laughs before they kiss. Her lips tingle from the drink and he tastes like whisky. At first he's tentative, gentle, so she deepens the kiss, opening her mouth, teasing- offering- and he takes.

His fingers slip into her hair, pulling her closer as his tongue tastes her. Does he remember kissing on the beach? Can he know what those weeks were like? Does he only remember the kiss behind the shield?

Does it matter? He's here. They're here. They have now; they've never been good at seizing their moments. Maybe that's something they can reassess together.

[blenderbender1811]

Westerosi Gems Part 2: The Sequel

So, uh, the first post blew up on me. I thought I’d share some more. Part 1 is here: 

http://blenderbender1811.tumblr.com/post/182116584170/a-while-ago-just-for-fun-i-was-talking-to

House Bolton - Pyrope garnets. @mrsjadecurtiss suggested garnets and I definitely agree. Not only does Ramsay wear garnets in the books, but pyrope garnets are quite dark and look like blood. That said, what really appeals to me about garnets is this line from Tywin Lannister - “Garnets lack the fire [of rubies]”. The Boltons think they can control the North (like the ruby wearing Targaryens ruled the Seven Kingdoms) but they are DOOMED. There’s no version of this story where they’re going to come out on top. They lack the proper ability, or ‘fire’ to be a good lord, never mind a good ruler. They’re durable though. It’s hard to break them, and I suspect it’ll be hard to break the Boltons in the books.

House Tarth - Blue sapphires. Again, otherwise, what am I even doing here? For so many reasons - the Tarths are famed for their beautiful blue waters, Brienne’s big blue eyes, ‘Brienne the Blue’ of Renly’s kings guard, sapphire are strong as hell, and in gemlore, they often represent love, loyalty, truth, and sincerity. Brienne’s a romantic if ever there is or was one. Not just for romantic love, either - though she IS heavily shaped by her romantic interests in Renly and (I believe) Jaime. She’s also heavily into the romantic image of brave knights fighting honourably and bravely and carrying out their duty - look how hard she searches for Sansa for Catelyn, even though Catelyn is DEAD. Look at how she believes in the knight’s vow to defend the weak and helpless, even when she knows she can’t win. ‘No chance and no choice’, indeed. It’s also supposed to bring peace to the wearer and I think Brienne feels most at peace at Tarth, with her father.

House Redwyne - Amethyst. It’s a stone of sobriety in gemlore. Seems like it’d come in handy for the makers of Arbor gold. ;) Plus the dark purple many amethysts have matches their sigil. 

House Dondarrion - Purple spinel. It’s one of the most durable gems, it’s light purple, and it’s name means ‘spark’ which reminds me of lightning. 

House Harlaw - Iolite. Yeah, I know, I’m immediately breaking my own rule about the iron born using stuff from the sea. Hush. :P My reasoning is that iolite was used by vikings as a polarizing filter to find the sun on cloudy days to make navigation safer. I thought that sort of cleverness and the difference between that and the shells taken from the sea would work with Rodrik the Reader’s disagreement with Balon and the Old way of the Ironborn, as well as his own cleverness. 

House Reed - Peat is one of the most valuable resources in a swamp. I thought it made sense to make peat their ring. 

House Dayne - Purple star sapphires. Again, sapphires are strong and starred ones are often lavender, like their sigil’s field. The star hails back to the meteor where they got Dawn from. They’re also very rare, which makes me think of how much we still don’t know about the Dayne’s roll in the backstory of all this.

House Westerling - Smoky quartz. It’s relatively cheap - which is good for a house in some serious genteel poverty. It also used to be used to make crystal balls, which reminds me of Maggy the Frog, the fortune teller in the Westerling’s family tree. It ranges from nearly transparent to nearly black in tone, like the Westerlings range in sincerity in their commitment to Robb. It’s also considered closer to the Earth, so while it’s not an organic gem, it’s in the spirit of what I’m looking for for houses with a strong connection to their First Men roots. 

House Royce - Plain bronze bands. I imagine they wouldn’t want anything to distract from the luck they believe bronze gives them, or from their First men roots. That’s where a lot of their pride comes in, and it’s something I want to showcase for the Royces.

House Clegane - Black tourmaline. It matches it’s sigil and in gemlore, it’s supposed to be good for dog’s health. Seems like something that a house so associated with dogs would go for. Besides, Sandor likes dogs. :P

House Baelish - Traditionally, it’s supposed to be carnelian. It’s supposed to protect you from poverty and bring you good luck. I believe Petyr uses pyrite more, personally, as it is associated with enthusiasm and ambition and Petyr is nothing if not a social climber aiming for the top.

And this is slightly off topic but here - MOST COMMON SETTINGS PER REGION

North - Bronze. Again, it’s the First men and old gods connection. I imagine some of those outside the North who have strong First Men connections use it as well, but that it’s most common here.

Riverlands - Stainless steel. They get conquered a LOT and attacked a LOT before the Targaryens show up. The steel speaks to fighting to defend or free themselves and the stainless steel, specifically, speaks of wealth to me.

Vale - Platinum. Platinum is long lasting and doesn’t have as many problems with wear. That is perfect for the traditional and stiff Vale of Arryn. 

Crownlands - Palladium. They’re white, which reminds me of the Faith and the Great Sept, it’s scratch resistant, it’s expensive (perfect for close to the crown) and it would go well with pretty much any house ring. I was initially thinking Valyrian steel, because of the connection with the Targaryens but a) Not enough Valyrian steel for that to be sustainable and b) Robert’s in power.

Narrow Sea - Obsidian. There’s so much of it on Dragonstone, it’s the most convenient material for ring setting.

Stormlands - Titanium. It’s associated with strength and resilience, and I think that fits the martial region that survives the fury of two gods regularly. 

Reach - Rose gold. It’s still gold, but it’s got the Tyrell connection. 

Westerlands - Yellow gold and silver. These are WESTERMEN. They EPITOMIZE wearable wealth.

Dorne - Copper. They use it a lot for their armour, why not their jewellery?

Iron Islands - Iron. For so many reasons, iron. 

[hooksforeverything]

Study: soil 1.1

1 How do they classify soil types?

Chalk, clay, loam, peat, sand, silt sayshttps://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/find-out-your-soil-type/and I know we’re sandy and silty here just from watching my footprints on walks, but I was expecting a more quantitative analysis.

Something more like this https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Reference_Base_for_Soil_Resources tremendous overkill. Oh, I see what’s happened, I’ve found the way to describe soils’ physical behaviours – the things you’d want to know if you were building on it or drilling through it. It’s interesting but not yet.

I’m more at this level https://www.soils.org.uk/what-are-soils right now. (Hurrah for them for getting a good domain name!) “Sand grains, mostly from weathered rock, are coarse and gritty; clays are fine-grained and feel sticky. Intermediate- sized silt grains feel silky. Clay soils are mouldable but sandy soils fall apart.  You also find ‘Organic matter’ in soils[…]” Ok, so the structure is genuinely about grain size. And that affects how water and air move through the soil layers.

2 How did they classify soil before that?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_soil_science says I’m thinking of soil in the manner of a nineteenth century man. It can be thought of as broken down rock which has been acted upon by life forms, but really it’s more dynamic than that.

I think that description sounds plenty dynamic. A rock face gets newly exposed, broken into bits that offer cavities and shelter and water pools, and tiny tough life lands on it at random and thrives. And then the tiny tough life changes the shape of the rock and excretes stuff that slightly less tough life can use to thrive on, and so forth.

I hope I’m only simplifying and not completely wrong, because that story is marvellous.

3 What is our soil here?

I was digging this morning and it’s absolutely definitely 100% silty.

http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/

No, it’s “freely draining slightly acid loamy soils”. Loamy is cheating: it means it’s got sandy AND silty AND clayey particle sizes as well as live matter. And as far as ‘freely draining’ is concerned I have my doubts. It can rain hard enough to bounce tiles off the roof and the next day you cut down four centimetres and the earth is bone dry again. “Suitable for range of spring and autumn sown crops; under grass the soils have a long grazing season. Free drainage reduces the risk of soil damage from grazing animals or farm machinery. Shortage of soil moisture most likely limiting factor on yields, particularly where stony or shallow.” Ok, that sounds reasonable.

4 What would you add to change it to the other types?

You could literally go to the beach and Shawshank yourself a sack of sand? No, I composed this question when I thought soils might be classified by their nutrients, I was thinking of fertilisers. You could add worms to keep live matter moving through the rock particles. We add compost and fork it in between plantings, and I usually sieve rocks out and fling them in the hedge at the same time. (How DO rocks turn up in perfectly reasonable soil?)

5 How do soil multimeters work?

The ones I’ve seen have two prongs and measure the resistance of the earth between them. That’s fairly straightforward: wet will conduct better than dry, and fluids with a ton of free protons will conduct better than not, I mean, that’s what pH _is_.

Some of the devices also say they measure light levels, which… I’m not absolutely sure why I want a device for that? Unless it also gave you a history / record, like those greenhouse thermometers that will tell you the hottest and coldest it’s been in the past 24h. It might be good to know that your possible courgette location will only get six hours direct sun a day.

6 What is John Innes No 3?

Explained in glowing fullness at https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=952 – it’s a certain ratio of a specific nutrient mix added into a specific soil mix. And it’s called number 3 because it’s stronger than number 2 which is stronger than number 1, which is why you use it for established plants or plants you want to bully briefly. You get 9 litres of {half medium sterilized loam, quarter peat, quarter sand} and add 84g (3oz) John Innes Base {2 parts by weight hoof and horn meal (or 2/3 of a part by weight Nitroform*), 2 parts by weight superphosphate, 1 part by weight sulphate of potash} and 15g ground chalk. 

Now I remember this from before: NPK fertilisers. N for leaves, P for fruit, K for stems? And the chalk is to alkalise. 

7 Could I compost hutch sweepings at home?

Sure. It shouldn’t even smell. I might try to source a plastic pipe, like a drainpipe or wider, and just drop the hutch sweepings in at the top. It’ll be high NP. 

8 What’s the name of that Japanese compost accelerator I read about?

Pretty sure it was called Bokashi and none of the sites will tell me what it actually is. They all cover it in ‘don’t you worry your pretty little head about it’ terms like ‘beneficial microorganisms’. It ferments the rubbish, basically, meaning you can then compost it faster. Seems a bit irrelevant, to be honest. Perhaps I’ll test it some time when I have space to run a direct comparison. 

9 What’s in the compost accelerators I see in normal shops?

I’ll have a look tomorrow. I do hope it’s some seventeen-syllable destruction-ase and not more unspecified beneficial microbes. 

What connects those answers?

The balance of structural particles and living or once-living matter. tiny creatures that can turn _literally air and radiation_ into sugars and then starches and proteins. If you’re not confused you’re not paying attention?

Questions for next time:

What did I once read about sunflowers pulling poisons out of earth?

What does too much ‘organic matter’ do to a plant?

What’s wrong with that compressed coir stuff?

Why is it N for leaves?

Why is it P for roots and flowers?

Why is it K for stems?

Find a summary of crop rotation.

Find a summary of organic certification.

What connects those answers?

[maple-leafing]

The Aftermath (Sidney Crosby x Reader)

Request: I don’t know if you’re taking requests or not but can you please write a Sidney Crosby imagine that’s sort of a spin off to the blurb you just published about him?? Like maybe it’s set months later and they run into each other?

Player: Sidney Crosby

Team: Pittsburgh Penguins

Word Count: 1926 (Hopefully long enough to make up for inactivity)

Disclaimer: I mean no disrespect to the players that I am writing for and everything is purely fictional. None of the gifs I use are my own.

A/n: Sorry it’s been so long, but I posted, as promised!! Also I apologize for any mistakes, I’m super tired and currently half asleep.  Let me know if you want a part two. I think there’s some unfinished business that needs to be sorted! ❤️

***Based off of this blurb***

It’d been a year since Sidney Crosby had broken up with you in March 2017. Now he was a three time Stanley cup champion heading on his way to a possible fourth. A possible three peat.

You’d gotten a job down in Philadelphia working for the flyers as one of the head physiotherapists. If Sid knew, he probably would have freaked. When they offered you the job a couple weeks before your break up, you weren’t going to take it. But with Sid out of your life, you had nobody holding you back. You were prepared to give up your dream job for him, but he wasn’t prepared to commit to you.

“I loved you.” He said. “Past tense.”

You couldn’t believe his words. “So we’re over then?”

“Yeah.” He spoke. “We’re over.”

You ran that scene through your mind a multitude of times. Whenever you missed him you thought about how he’d fallen out of love with you. Maybe it was better that he broke things off. Yes, you loved him with all of your being. You were in love with him and maybe you still might be, but it might have been better that he told you, sooner, rather than later.

The Flyers and the Penguins were meeting up once again in the playoffs, the series being led by your ex’s team 2-1. So far you’d managed not to run into him, dodging him any chance you got. You’d seen him around the PPG Paints arena a couple of times, but completely avoided him when the boys came home for game 3.

You remembered game 3 of the 2015-16 playoffs first round when Sidney had won his second cup and the first of his back to back victories. You were happy then, the happiest you’d ever been. The win after game 3 against the rangers in New York had been a particularly good night. It was the first time Sidney had told you that he loved you.

He didn’t know if it was the elation from winning, or the New York atmosphere, but he couldn’t help but scream how much he loved you. As you stood on the balcony of the hotel room you’d been staying at, Sidney right next to you, he surprised you by letting out a yell of your name.

“I love you.” He took a breath to yell even louder. “I love you (Y/n) (L/n).”

Shocked, you let out a breath of happiness and relief. “You love me huh?”

“And I want the whole damn world to know it.”

Just knowing he was so close brought memories back that you had hidden away for the past year, memories you didn’t want to remember. Sid was the love of your life and you didn’t think you’d ever find anyone that could compare to the way your heart lit on fire when you were around him. The world stopped and your senses reached a new high, everything feeling like you were experiencing it for the first time. His love was like magic, and yet, you didn’t want to remember.

You heard a knock on your office door that snapped you out of the trance you’d been in. You hadn’t realized how close you’d actually been to crying. “Hey doc, you alright?” Doc, you smiled slightly at the use of the nickname the young kids on the team had given you.

Looking up, you saw Nolan staring straight at you. “Mmm, I’m fine Nolan. Is there something you need me to check out before game 4?” You asked quietly, trying to change the subject.

“Not really, I just wanted to see how you were doing. You weren’t at practice this morning.” You swallowed nervously dropping your eye contact with the young flyer. You’d avoided going because of the shared ice time with the players on the Penguins, due to the time slot being ‘optional.’ It didn’t matter whether it was optional or not, you knew Sidney would have been there, taking the time to improve his game and catch up with some of the guys he didn’t get to see as often due to them being in Philly, and you just weren’t ready for that.

“I was, uh, I was just feeling a little under the weather.” You replied, putting a smile onto your face. “Everything is fine now Nolan. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Oh I know I don’t have to worry,” he smiled cheekily, “but as one of my favourite people on this planet, it is my job to worry about you.” He’d had a point. Since the beginning of the season, what with both of you being new to the organization, he’d become like the little brother you never knew you needed.

“Does this have anything to do with seeing Crosby again?” You watched as his blue eyes twinkled in amusement, the smirk on his face growing more cheeky by the second.

“Contrary to popular belief, I’m over him.” You lied. “I may be about the only person on the planet who doesn’t want to talk to the all and powerful Sidney Crosby, but honestly, seeing him is about the last thing I want to do right now.”

“You are so not over him.” Nolan teased. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re still in love with him.” You knew he was only teasing, but his words resonated with you. All of them were true: you were still deeply and madly in love with Sidney Crosby.

Your conversation with Nolan ended on that note as duty called. The game was less than 2 hours away and he needed to be ready. This left you without work for the next chunk of time so you began to meander through the restricted halls of the Wells Fargo Centre. Your mind kept going back to all the times you spent with Sid. It was like him being so close to you was forcing you to try and remember all that you were missing. It was if your mind was forcing you to suffer through the pain you avoided confronting for the past year, as if you were subconsciously preparing yourself for seeing him again. You had no clue what that would do to you. Would you break down? Would you stand bravely and act as if nothing had happened, as if you were okay? Would you be able to control yourself?

As these questions whirrled around in your head, you hadn’t quite realized where you’d wandered off to. Your head was down, eyes peeled on the floor where your shoes could be seen. You paused, dazed and looked up only for a spilt second. Bumping into someone, you suddenly found yourself on the ground, apologizing profusely for coming into contact with the mystery person.

“I’m so sorry.” The man spoke in a rushed tone as he reached his hand towards yours to lift you up.

“No no, it’s alright.” You said as you regained your balance on your feet. “I wasn’t really paying attention to where I was going. My mind was else where.” You smiled still not having recognized the broad shouldered stranger.

“I know what you mean,” he laughed, “happens to me all the time when I prepare for games. Have to get in my own head space you know?” That laugh was what set off the ticking time bomb in your mind. Phil Kessel. Now that you got a good look at him, under the lighting of the poorly lit hallway, you knew it was him.

Of course Phil knew who you were, having been around him almost everyday for over a year. You’d been with Sid longer than Phil had been in Pittsburgh but that didn’t seem to matter at the moment. You’d also known Phil from his days playing in Toronto, bumping into him when you were home visiting family. Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t recognize you.

“(Y/n)?” His eyes widened as you ducked your head down. You gave him a sheepish smile confirming his suspicions.

“Hi Phil.” You waved, your tone small and quiet. Phil could tell you were uncomfortable based on the body language you were giving him.

“What are you doing here?” He asked giving you a reassuring smile. “It’s been a long time. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, I just want to talk a bit, that’s all.”

“Um, actually, I work here. I have been for the past year.” You watched as his brows raised in surprise.

“Does Sid know about this?” He asked, his voice barley above a whisper.

“No.” You spoke back, “and I’d really like to keep it that way. He’d try to tell me that I couldn’t work here just because I used to date him, that’d it’d hurt his reputation in some way. I’m sorry,” you paused, “but he broke up with me and I’m not just about to give up my dream job because he wants to throw a temper tantrum.”

Phil smiled happily, his grin widening on his jolly face. “I wasn’t going to say a word.” His eyes crinkled slightly as he talked. “You know, I’ve really missed having you around, the whole team has, especially him. I know he really regrets ever letting you go.”

“Then why’d he do it?” You questioned, suddenly piqued by his comment.

“Because he didn’t want you waiting on him hand and foot, living a life where it seems that hockey would always come first.” Phil’s lips met in a straight line. “I just think he didn’t want you giving up your life waiting for him so that you could start a life together. You were always more important to him than hockey, and that’s part of the reason why he couldn’t let you stay.”

You turned as you heard a voice call out Phil’s name. “Anyway, I gotta go (Y/n/n). Can we maybe talk later?”

You nodded as he turned to walk away from you. “Hey Kessel,” you called, “I missed you too.”

“That’s cheating!” Phil whined as you scored against him for the eighth time. “No one is allowed to beat me at air hockey.”

“Sorry Kes. Guess I must just have your number tonight.” You gave him a smirk and your famous puppy dog eyes. “Besides, how could you resist giving me what I want?”

“I know I couldn’t.” You giggled as your boyfriend wrapped his arms around your waist and placed his lips on your neck, nudging his head into your hair.

“Oh stop being so disgusting and go get a damn room Crosby.” Phil pouted mockingly as Sidney continued to give what felt like an endless amount of PDA.

Standing back in your office, your mind was snapped back to attention by the sudden ring of your cellphone. Pulling it out, a number and I name you hadn’t called in over a year appeared on your screen. You contemplated not answering it. Pressing the button that says, ‘remind me later,’ you lowered your phone down, your hands shaking slightly.

Your phone went off again, the rings only sounding louder and louder, the name Sidney Crosby making the screen look even brighter than you knew possible. You didn’t answer it for a second time.

By the fourth call, you finally had it in you to swipe the screen to answer the call. You didn’t speak, waiting for the man on the other line to say something first. “Hey.” His voice sent chills down your spine. Did Phil tell him? Did he know that you were here? The next words that came out of his mouth, confirmed at least one of the two questions that ran through your jumbled mind.

“We need to talk.”

[ohstardustgirl]

Celebrate Rogue One - Jyn Erso

For the ‘Friends and Family’ prompt

Also on AO3

Aria Prime isn’t so different from Lahmu, and Jyn realises that her mother’s melancholy during their time there was probably as much to do with missing her homeland as with their situation.

They just happen to be passing the planet after another mission. A year into peacetime, and Jyn knows they’ve been free to come here any time she could have wanted. But she thought she had been content to bury her curiosity, to be satisfied with what few precious memories she had of Lyra. Her body has had other ideas. More and more she has found herself thinking of a family of her own, of a baby growing within her. Whatever you decide, Cassian said when she told him, I’m yours no matter what.

It’s not that she never wanted children, it’s more that she never thought she would live to see a galaxy worth bringing a child into - or someone to love enough to want to raise a child with. Now both of those things have happened, it feels less like her body is betraying her (it seems to scream, daily, with it’s desire to procreate) and more like a natural conclusion.

She can’t resist the call to Aria Prime as they pass, as the conflict wages within her. Between her own research, and that done by Cassian before they had ever even met, the most they have is her mother’s maiden name. Lyra Palas, born and raised on Aria Prime, died on Lahmu, buried on Coruscant. They land close to the small settlement with links to that name. It doesn’t have Lahmu’s black sand, but it does have a grey, rainy coastline that is surrounded by hills and caves. As they make their way from the ship to the town, Jyn can see that the caves and coastline sparkle even in the sunlight that is dulled by heavy cloud. There are crystals within the rocks - how fascinated Lyra must have been as a child by the magical, iridescent shimmering in the hills!

Cassian’s excellent research skills lead them to a distant cousin - distant in blood, but filled with memories of a young Lyra and Jyn’s grandparents. “A wonderful woman,” says Tona as she serves them sweet tea by the peat-fuelled hearth in her home by the sea. “So intense, passionate. Everything she did, she gave her whole heart. I see that in you. You look very much like her.”

Jyn blinks. She has always thought of herself as so much like her father.

Tona talks and talks, as if she has been waiting decades to tell these stories. Jyn absorbs every word, storing them away for further examination. There are paintings created by Lyra’s mother which Tona gifts to them, claiming that Jyn is their rightful owner. Cassian smiles and nods at her side, and looks at her as if she is something precious as he discovers more and more of her history.

“Lyra always wanted children,” says Tona as the evening grows late. “I used to say to her, ‘But why? Every day the galaxy grows more and more dangerous. Even here we are not safe’.” Tona sighs and reaches out, the papery thin skin of her hands covering Jyn’s. “She would say, ‘All the more reason to bring new hope to life. After all, without hope what is worth fighting for?’”

They say their goodbyes. Tona is elderly and needs her rest. Jyn promises to return, exhausted and invigorated by all she has learned. They will spend a night on the ship to rest before returning to the base they cal home. As they curl up in their bunk listening to the gentle rain hitting the hull, Jyn smiles as she presses her lips to Cassian’s neck.

“Yes, Cass,” she says. “Let’s start our family. Let’s find something new to fight for.”

They make a start that very night.