#i am in summer!!! i love all of the flowers to forage!!!

[vulpixelates]

it feels so good to have multiple hyperfixations activating in my brain again flfkdjs serotonin! life is worth living! and one is on a game i can actually play for more than 10 minutes without it destroying my hands for days!

[asgards-princess-of-mischief]

Last Updated: 2024-08-06

Disclaimer: I am not the author of these stories, just sharing my favourite Loki Odinson stories. Find the authors' links below. If you want your work removed, message me privately.

Legend: 〔E〕 ⇢ Erotic/Steamy | 〔F〕 ⇢ Fluff | 〔A〕 ⇢ Angst/Hurt 〔M〕 ⇢ Minor Angst/Hurt | 〔C〕 ⇢ Comfort | ♥︎ ⇢ Established Relationship | 𑁍 ⇢ Pregnancy/Children | 🚫 ⇢ Content Warning

✑ Cool Me Down￨Prt II￨Prt III￨Prt IV by sserpente • 18+ • 〔F〕 •

Summary: Tony invites you all to spend a relaxing week in Greece. You insist that Loki joins you and after some agitated convincing on your behalf, he does. Sounds like a promising vacation, no?

✑ Asgardian Summer￨Prt II by sserpente • 18+ • 〔F〕 •

Summary: "Imagine convincing Loki to go skinny dipping with you" then "Loki taking you to celebrate midsummer on Asgard... it certainly is a first that you see him drunk singing karaoke"

✑ Bora Bora by sserpente • 18+ • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: "Imagine Tony taking you all on a vacation to Bora Bora for three weeks. Even Loki gets invited, making you all the more excited..."

✑ Call You Mine by sarahscribbles • 18+ • 〔E᜶F〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: "It's your third anniversary with the love of your life, and Tony [gives] you a very thoughtful gift."

✑ Dancing with the Devil￨Prt. II by sarahscribbles • 18+ • 〔E᜶F᜶A〕 •

Summary: "You've burned for him for centuries, but you know he sees you as nothing more than a prize to claim. Still, you play his game of teasing and innuendo, but never give in to how badly you crave him. That is until an innocent smell of a flower on Midsummer leaves you with no other choice."

✑ Forage by mochie85 • 〔F〕 •

Summary: When circumstance requires you and Loki to take refuge in a safe house without modern conveniences you discover a new side to the God of Mischief and you must admit you like it.

✑ Happy at Last by holdmytesseract • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

Summary: "The God of Mischief had finally found his true glorious purpose—in the shape of [you and your children]."

✑ Heatstroke by mochie85 • 〔E᜶A᜶C〕 •

Summary: "…"

✑ Midsummer Pinning by mochie85 • 〔F᜶M〕 •

Summary: "It's summer in Asgard and you and your brother, Hogun, have come to stay with the royal family for the season before you are presented to society."

✑ Pranking the Odinsons by lokisgoodgirl • 18+ • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: "You and Jane Foster hatch a plan involving a beach, Loki, Thor and two pairs of dissolvable swimming shorts."

✑ Sundress Season by lokisgoodgirl • 18+ • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: "You wear a sundress. Loki likes this very much."

✑ All Mine by michelleleewise • 16+ • 〔E᜶F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ By the Sea Shore by oliwrites • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Casual by lokisgoodgirl • 〔E〕 •

✑ Coca-Cola by gaitwae • 〔F〕 •

✑ Cool Down by michelleleewise • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Loki Vs. Puppies by that-little-zebunny • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Refreshments by asgardwinter • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Teddy "Bear," the by lokisgoodgirl • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

See Also: Navigation || Loki Master Index

Authors: @asgardwinter || @gaitwae || @holdmytesseract || @lokisgoodgirl || @michelleleewise || @mochie85 || @oliwrites || @sarahscribbles || @sserpente || @that-little-zebunny ||

[ghoulelegy]

Notes from the Greenhouse

Summary: You come down with the ghoulish flu one morning. Despite feeling unwell, you remember to return borrowed items to Primo's greenhouse and end up encountering Papa Emeritus.

Pairing: Primo x Sick Reader

Words: 2230

Contains:

Primo being a doting grandfather

Mentions of doctors

Foraging and Journalling

Knitting

Comfort

Safe for work

Gender Neutral reader

Read Notes from the Greenhouse on AO3 - if you prefer that.

Note: thank you @em0bussy for being my beta reader.

The ghoulish flu had taken hold of you that morning, its unwelcome grip wrapping you in icy cold shivers and fatigue. Its frosted tendrils crept through your body, wrapping you in an unrelenting embrace of discomfort. Every movement felt like a battle against the weight of exhaustion that settled heavily upon your shoulders. Chills danced along your spine, each one a reminder of the fever that raged within, alternating with waves of heat that left your skin flushed and damp.

Your sinuses were a battleground of congestion as if a dam had been erected within your head, blocking the natural flow of air. Each breath was a laborious effort, a struggle against the barricade of mucus that stubbornly refused to yield. Your throat, a usually clear passage for words and nourishment, had transformed into a raw and scratchy passage, protesting every swallow and causing a twinge of pain with each cough.

Your eyes, typically filled with brightness and bursting with life, were now veiled in a dull haze of fatigue. Redness clung to the edges, a testament to the strain of your body's battle against the invading virus. Sleep eluded you, as the coughing fits and restless discomfort kept you in a state of half-wakefulness. Sister Imperator had insisted you take the day off, recognizing the exhaustion that weighed heavily on your shoulders.

But before you could fully embrace the rare luxury of a break, your memory tugged at you, reminding you of the mortar and pestle you had borrowed from Primo. With gratitude for his generosity in allowing you to use them for your homemade paint, you made your way to the greenhouse to return the items.

With the late summer air, you found yourself going on walks and foraging wilted flowers (you decided to leave the living ones for the pollinators) which you then later used to make inks and paints for your writing. Primo had so kindly offered you to borrow his working utensils, to let you experiment with the paint-making process.

“I see you child, come in.” You hear a warm voice calling you in. You enter the greenhouse, the temperate room offering a stark contrast to the frigidity of the hallway of the abbey. You see Primo in his usual attire, kneeling next to some flowers, spraying them with some mist from a bottle.

“Papa! I’ve come to return your stuff. Thank you for lending them to me. The paint turned out nice”. Your words came out with a nasal tone, echoing with the rasping sound of your throat.

"Ah, I'm so glad. What did you use for the paint?”

“Just some berries I found the other day. Bilberries, I think?  Anyways I uh - I wrote all about it in my foraging journal. I can show you if you want” you muffle out, struggling to talk due to the pressure built up in your sinus.

“Ah, that would be lovely. But first, I must ask, are you alright? You sound…congested…and your eyes…they're so red."

"I'm alright, it's just…a little cold."

"Oh, you poor thing. Come, come, come. I’ll examine you, and then I’ll make you a cup of tea, child. Rest assured we’ll take care of that cold of yours.”

“I’m not entirely sure if you sound like a doting grandfather or a doctor”. You teasingly spit out

Papa chuckles warmly “I am neither, um well I suppose I am the age of which many would consider me a grandfather, however, I am but a simple herbologist. I trust you are scheduled to see a doctor?”

“Tomorrow, yes” 

“Lovely, I can give you some stuff to help with your discomfort in the meantime, but I still need to examine you first”.

He takes a torch, which he shines in your mouth.

“Hmm, you have some redness it seems, your lymph nodes seem swollen too. Does it hurt to swallow?”

You nod.

“Do you have a fever?”

“Not sure, really”

“Hmm, hard to tell for sure without a thermometer, but you do feel quite warm, might be fair to assume you have a slight fever” he says as he places his palm on your forehead. “Not to worry, I’ll make you some tea and bring you some medicinal syrup for your throat. One minute. I’ll be right back.”

He goes to the back of the greenhouse, on a table filled with glass jars. He goes through the jars one by one, uttering a series of hmmms before landing on an “Aha” before walking back to you.

He hands you a glass jar of black syrup. “Here, child, take this. It’s elderberries, thyme, ginger, turmeric…..some other stuff…yes…uhh here’s the label - cloves, cinnamon and honey.  Not the best tasting, I’m going to be honest, but it should help with your throat.”

He then proceeds to hand you a tablespoon. You pour the dark reddish-brown syrup into your spoon. You can’t help but chuckle at how it reminds you of the paint you made the week before. You notice that it smells richly of fruit as well as spice. You consume the concoction, the slightly viscous silkiness of the syrup coating your throat. Your olfactory sense has been dulled down due to your sickness but the rich sweet taste of the elderberries made it through, along with the immediate warmth of the ginger and cinnamon.

“That was not as bad as I expected it to be. It was actually quite pleasant, Papa” you chuckle.

“Well, I’m glad. Take a teaspoon twice a day or as needed”.

“Okay, now you sound like a doctor, Papa” You chuckle which sends you into a coughing fit.

“Now I shall make you a nice herbal tea, and you will feel better soon. Come, let us go to my office, child.”

He directs you to his office, a small but cosy room with a desk, desk chair, and two couches in the middle.

He sits you down on the couch, while he drapes a blanket over you, before handing you some lemon and ginger tea.

You notice that on his desk is a pair of wooden knitting needles, and a skein of brown wool.

 “You knit, Papa?”

“Indeed, I do. I’m making a blanket right now, got a lot of time on my hands now that the winter season is fast approaching. Don’t need to be outside as much now.”

“Okay, now you’re a doting grandfather. My old school had an unofficial knitting club. We’d sometimes used to gather on Friday after our classes were done for the week and just chill in the common room knitting to some weird TV show we found that day.”

As the tea warmed you from the inside out and the blanket cocooned you in comfort, you couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the unexpected connection that had blossomed between you and Papa Emeritus. In this haven of herbs, warmth, and shared stories, you found solace amid the ghoulish flu's grip. You still felt like you wanted to rip your throat out, with the occasional fit of coughs and sneezes, but the comfort of the blanket and the warmth of the office were enough to offer you some temporary relief.

Suddenly, a thought sparked within you. You reached into your satchel and retrieved your foraging journal, a weathered and well-loved notebook filled with pressed flowers, handwritten notes, and sketches of the plants you had encountered during your walks.

"Papa, I thought you might like to see this," you said, holding out the journal for him to see.

He took it with a gentle smile, his eyes lighting up as he flipped through the pages. "Ah, what a treasure trove of knowledge and beauty you've collected here."

You watched as he examined each page, his finger tracing the delicate lines of your sketches. It was as if he could feel the very essence of the plants you had encountered through the pages of your journal. There was also a section dedicated to berries as well as mushrooms (illustrated with mushroom spores)

"Tell me, child, about this flower here," he said, pointing to a vibrant illustration of a purple wildflower.

“Oh, that’s the sketch of a Michaelma Daisy. I found it on a walk, I used some withered ones to make the paint, then used that paint to paint the sketch.” Papa Emeritus nodded in approval. "A remarkable find and your sketches capture its beauty splendidly."

Encouraged by his genuine interest, you continued to share the stories behind the various entries in your journal. Each plant held its own significance, whether it was a remedy for headaches or a symbol of hope in challenging times.

As the afternoon sunlight painted the room in a warm glow, you felt a profound connection forming between you and Papa Emeritus. The exchange of stories and shared appreciation for the natural world created a bond that transcended the constraints of time and illness.

"You know," he began, his eyes twinkling with a mix of wisdom and playfulness, "I believe that the act of documenting nature's wonders is a form of magic in itself. It's a way of preserving the fleeting moments of beauty and drawing inspiration from the world around us."

His words resonated with you deeply, and you realized that amid your fatigue and discomfort, you had discovered an unexpected source of inspiration and strength.

Papa Emeritus returned the journal to you with a gentle smile. "Keep documenting, keep exploring, and keep finding beauty even in the most unlikely places. Your journey with the natural world is a gift to both yourself and those fortunate enough to share in it."

And as you close your foraging journal and place it back in your satchel, you see Primo running quickly out of his office, before returning, carrying several books in his hands.

"Ah, my young forager, mind if I share some of my research and knowledge? "

“Of course, Papa”

Curious, you settled in, eager to hear what Papa Emeritus had to say.

"Some books about the plants and mushrooms you've been encountering," he began. "Fascinatingly, did you know that lingonberries were once used as a natural dye for textiles? And that bilberries were considered a source of sustenance for generations of foragers. Legend has it that pilots during the war would eat bilberry jam before missions, to improve their night vision during flights. Well of course the night vision part was disproven.”

Your eyes widened as Papa Emeritus shared his insights. The fact that he had taken the time to delve into the history and uses of the very plants you'd been collecting made you feel an even deeper connection to him.

“I had no idea“ you admitted, your excitement matching his own. "It's incredible how much knowledge is hidden within the natural world.”

Primo nodded; his eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Indeed, and every discovery adds to that tapestry of knowledge. It's a tapestry that we contribute to with every step we take into the woods, every journal entry we make, and every moment we spend in the company of nature. I have plenty of books here you can borrow on how to make use of things you encounter.”

As the conversation flowed, you found yourself engrossed in the exchange of stories and insights. With each shared fact and anecdote, the bond between you and Papa Emeritus deepened, transcending the roles of mentor and student, and transforming into a genuine friendship rooted in a shared love for the wild and its mysteries.

As the conversation flowed between you and Papa Emeritus, the hours slipped away unnoticed. The sun's warm embrace gradually gave way to the gentle hues of twilight that painted the room in a soft, amber glow. With each shared tale, the bond between you deepened, and the walls of Papa's cosy office seemed to hold not just the scent of herbs and tea, but also the weight of stories exchanged.

“I just needed to return the things—you let me borrow. And boy, I’m so glad I did”

With a contented sigh, Papa Emeritus leaned back in his chair, a knowing smile gracing his lips. "You know, my dear, sometimes the most unexpected moments bring us the greatest connections."

As the evening deepened, Papa Emeritus rose from his seat and walked over to a small shelf filled with leather-bound tomes.

“You should probably go rest, child” Primo gently voiced his words

“Yeah. I really should.”

"But before you leave, my dear, allow me to gift you with a book from my collection," he said, selecting a beautifully worn volume and placing it in your hands. "Consider it a token of our shared passion for the natural world."

You ran your fingers over the aged pages and smiled warmly at him. "Are you serious?” you ask “That’s so sweet of you.”

With a nod, he gestured toward the door. "Now, my dear, rest and let the herbs work their magic. Tomorrow is a new day, and I do not doubt that your resilience will triumph over this ghoulish flu."

As you left the cosy haven of Papa's office, carrying not just a book but also a heart full of newfound connection, you couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose and a heart brimming with gratitude, you stepped back into your room, you can’t help but feel like smiling as you collapse on your bed.

~ Fin ~

[tomyo]

Harvest Moon: A New Beginning (its trans)

So I've finally hit a point where I feel like I can breathe again which means its time to get back into my backlog made majorly of Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons games. Admittedly the moment I get into the DS era and beyond, I get overwhelmed by all the mechanics but I spent....a dumb amount of money on these games and I have to push myself to try. Between Trio of Towns and A New Beginning, I chose ANB for two reasons; 1.It might be simpler to jump into 2.You can back door hack yourself into being gay....kinda.

You see the thing is you still can only date hetrosexually BUT you can just change your character to basically look completely like a girl. Trans rights??? Except you'll get misgendered all the time...unless this is a transmasc story instead for the fuckers like me that like to be he/him'd while in full femme mode. Either way, time to romance Yuri!

So admittedly this is a little bit mixed of a guide slash person road map, I am using a Fogu guide but that doesn't necessarily make it easy. So, I'm only on spring 14 but here's what to know thus far:

The game is as handholdy as ACNL/NH and will slowly dole out mechanics over thankfully in game days. Only worry about mechanics as they come.

You will spend per usual a good part of the start will be foraging. Sell the bugs but save flowers/herbs/mushrooms. You will need moon drops for the start of the town restoration. Also save Honey Bees for the second part of it too. Blue flowers are for Emma to befriend her. Hold onto all logs and stones for when Iroha comes.

Talk to all villagers to increase friendship, show them an animal as well but be careful of preferences. Most villager friendship is required to progress to more stores/upgrades.

When you unlock crops, only buy two things of grass. You are given all you need for most of your farm already. Plant and water the grass in the barn area so you'll have fodder in time for the free cow you get a few days later.

Work on shipping tons of potatoes in spring, this will be a headstart for Town Restoration #4 where you need to ship 30 of them.

Events Process: You arrive>>You unlock crops>>Neil arrives and gives you a cow>>Iroha arrives and gives you an Axe and Hammer>> Rebecca arrives and needs house help which unlocks blueprints>> Town Restoration #1>> Town Restoration #2>> Town Restoration #3 start>> Tailor Shop Blue print should unlock if you befriended Emma enough.

Yuri also seems extremely easy to woo honestly, her special like is one of the early recipes which is also important to eat regularly. In general I just love her and its a crime she can't be romanced same sexly but its okay because again, we are transing ourselves which she and Allen will help with. Wow! What a little gay gender affirming circle that is lmao.

The goal is to get Yuri in my town by early to mid fall, the biggest road block is during restoration 2 you need to ship 10 honey which will take 6 days to make so the more hives the better from the start. Clearing out the farm during summer is imperative. Hives are made out of small lumber and honey combs which is why collecting as much as possible is important (and collecting bees for them too!).

After Yuri is unlocked, the only goals are to raise a lot of sheep for wool. hatch 10 chicks, and get one yak when the chance is given. Side goals include birthing three Cows, sheep, and Alpaca during my second year. Most of Restoration 3 and beyond involves mining and wool so I expect to spend winter doing a lot of digging while also being aware that I'll probably not complete the storyline until at least late into year 2. There's more focus on festivals in the final two restorations as well as a lot of odd gems.

Post main plot is for clothing, house decoration, and child rearing. Emma, Neil, Olivia, Sanjay, and the travel location people are important towards gift exchanges. Outfits will just unlock as I go thanks to Yuri. I might also do a split save before marrying Yuri simply because Witch Princess is always kinda cool but is so late game that having to rebuild everything to marry her might honestly kill me.

It seems partially ridiculous to be so early in the game and to be writing so much already but its one of those series where you need a huge planning stage before you even start anything. To which I find fun the preplan. Admittedly also because the current game play is so repetitive; Watering and animal care in the morning, chasing after Emma for her daily gift, and then wrapping around foraging a couple of times before the night watering. It doesn't help either that there is no quality of life improvements as you go, apparently not even power berries this time.

The path to repairing a town is kind of a fun mechanic to be real; ACNH widely disappointed me for not really being the civilization maker it promised, Hometown story is interesting for a similar was in how it runs, Pioneers of Olive Town sometimes is the perfect amount of town rebuilder, and of course the ever popular stardew valley is great for slowly building up additions to an already pretty sound townspace, and I yearn for easier access to Animal Parade for how lovely the area is even if a bit of a travelling nightmare at points. I don't expect ANB to be revolutionary necessarily but I'm excited to GET to the point where I can suddenly dish out a bunch of town support. It's kind of cool how there's barely love interests as well because of it.

[aisling-saoirse]

Wild Tea Recipe: Elderflower Tea

Sambucus Canadensis is the American elder, a large shrub often growing beautifully in streambanks, thickets, and disturbed lands. To identify American elder look for pointed pinnate ash-like leaves, white flowers in June or black berries in late summer like the images above. A word of caution; all parts except for the flowers and ripe berries are poisonous, be sure to remove any stems before brewing.

For this recipe we require only one umbel worth of florets from this lovely bush. I urge people to never take more than a small amount for a few reasons, you really don't need more, the elder in its native habitat has tremendous ecological value (it's hard to find a part of the flowers not crawling with life, see caterpillar in the image below), also you can get more cooking value out of the berries later on.

You should harvest the flowers in early morning before intense sun hits them, aside from improved flavor, the flowers smell much better before being exposed to sunlight. With that just start the process of pushing the florets off the stem, once separated like the image below begin rinsing them lightly to remove small insects (there's always some incredibly tiny thripes).

Once clean, place in a tea bag/reusable steeper and brew with boiling water like an herbal tea for 15-20 minutes. The smell is lightly floral, I find the pure taste is reminiscent of a light milk with a floral after taste.

Good hunting! Remember if you are unsure simply wait and observe your plant throughout the year if you can. I typically do not take from a habitat unless I am familiar with how I will affect it. Foraging native species without care can be incredibly destructive.

[garbagefarm]

Mutucule Farm #15

2023-04-07, session #15 of Mutucule Farm, Spring 22–Summer 4, Year 2!

Cast:

Me (@mothmute​)

Belle (@snacco​)

Cam (@amanitaspore​)

Erin (@salamand3rin​)

Highlights include, but are not limited to:

wizard’s on a wizard diet

Shed reorganization! Workbench is real good!

Cam witnesses a mysterious disappearing pig

(they did an internal investigation, but didn’t find anything)

Belle recounts the classist ghost

Marnie says “hay”

Iguanodon looks grumpy

they’re threatening to call chicken protection services on me

Woolface gets renamed to Ruckus

Belle judges Leah for disliking ice cream

she speculates “maybe she’s lactose intolerant?” before remembering that lactose intolerant people love ice cream

Belle finds morals, finally

(when asked to weigh in on this, Cam pleads the fifth)

Belle “put some cheese on for the morning”

Cam’s got baggy pants

Erin ran into traffic on the way to the flower dance

George like “flower? I hardly knew ‘er!”

Sam lies about liking flowers.

Shane drinks the sauce

I never noticed how tight all the bachelors’ pants are during the flower dance

“that’s why they call him bubblebutt Cam”

everybody piles up in my bed

Emily wants to meet Cam in the secret woods!

Robin mails Cam a couple trees worth of wood

Sixth pig is named Captain, but the suggested name “Wortizor” deserves mention

Seventh pig is named Chief, but “Reckardo” is also very good

Belle slams Cam with the Cam-Slammer. apparently this changes his shirt’s color?

Pam wants “potato juice”

Caroline apparently heard and wanted to help, ‘cause she mailed me a potato

can’t romance the ghost (at least, not with that attitude)

Cam forgot his date in the woods with Emily, but it’s okay, she’s still waiting for him

Iguanodon is gonna get you

Erin supplies Belle with some grass

Cam goes on his date! —Exit, pursued by a bear.

Fuck this tree in particular

Belle gets engaged to Sebastian!

Marlon will remember this (pleased with me for killing bats in the mines)

Prismatic shard!!!

Which one is the real Pam?? (see gallery)

One Pam always tells the truth, one Pam always lies...

What’re these trees doing in the desert??

(I probably put them there, to cut them down)

Galaxy sword!!

Erin is sad about a particular tree getting cut down. It was me, I saw a tree and my instincts to kill kicked in

getting a big shed!!

I begrudgingly allow Cam to borrow my straw hat— I earned that hat, this is stolen hat valor!

Erin barely makes it to bed after staying up late planting on Summer 1

Belle wears the Pam shirt to her own wedding

(I’m dressed up for some reason though???)

“But the future looks bright!”

I find a note requesting I meet a bear in the secret woods with some maple syrup

speaking of bears, Belle notices that somebody gave Clint a friend

A discussion of the importance of people having lips

Realizing I can get into chairs like Riker

Erin and I race to water Belle’s cactus while her can is in the shop (I won)

Storage shed is upgraded, and it’s big!

... did you have to put things in those preserves jars right now, when I’m reorganizing again? “yes, it’s a jam emergency. jamergency.”

I go off hunting several trees, and am rewarded with level 10 foraging!

TO-DO:

Potato juice for Pam!

Cam needs a rainy day!

Currently at 7/12 hogs...

Houses, backpacks, tools, barns, coops??

Better fences and pastures

still gotta do some bundles

save up for stardrops

Gallery:

pamquest

Wedding!

group photo at the end!

[castielsparkle]

9. favorite smell in the summer?

ahh!!! this one was very easy actually! :D so, for some context, i am Not a summer Guy. whatsoever. at all. not even the slightest bit. (<- medical disorders haver, makes it Hard in the summer Time lol) HOWEVER....i am very appreciative of summer both in its role in our natural cycle of life and its need on earth, but also of course, because it is my girlfriends favorite time of year. that has made me very very glad to be around when summer comes, and honestly, i even look forward to a bit now ill admit :) anyways! all that to say. i have a very fond specific memory of when i began to love summer, which was last year, a bit after my gf had moved in (far before wed start dating) and. we met in a very small town and had both lived there a considerable chunk of our lives, the furthest place we could walk to from my house was. a 2.3 mile walk. and it was a dollar general. and there was no sidewalk. also i have medical issues that prevent me from moving around sometimes, esp for prolonged periods lol. so anywayss. point being. i did not walk around a lot. especially not to go places. however, summer 2022, my gf got super super excited about the season rolling around and wanted to collect all sorts of berries and check out all the local flora etc, and wed never really been to the shops either (which are all incredibly close, at least regarding our previous standards!) and so he won me over with his incredible charm, and we walked, A Lot. it became nearly a daily routine for the two of us. hed forage. id help collect, id stand there and hold the berry basket and admire. wed go everywhere. even the same places over and over once wed been most everywhere. there was a specific time we were sat outside of a gas station, on a bench under a tree in a little patch of grass, and there were some breezes passing us by. it smelled so nice. all this to say i can really, really appreciate the fresh summer air, the grass, the earth. i love the smell of the outdoors when summer comes by. its so refreshing and beautiful and alive. im even appreciative of having a summer birthday now, now that i think about it. its so nice to just sit outside sometimes and smell the earth around you. i really love the smell of the grass but man. the wind is just. so good. i love the smell of the flowers and just. the nature all around. very good :) sorry that was such a long response lol got a bit carried away!! feeling very passionate about this one :') <333 thank u so so much anon!!!

feel free to ask more here!

[epfcmoberlyfieldhouse]

EPFC NORTH AUGUST 2023 EVENTS

Moberly Filedhouse is located at 7646 Prince Albert St, Vancouver, BC V5X 3Z4. All events are free, all-ages with materials provided.

Workshop with EPFC North at Moberly Fieldhouse | AWAKENINGS: AN ECO-ART GATHERING | Friday, August 4: 8 – 10 PM; Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6: 12 – 4 PM Join EPFC North for a weekend of screenings and workshops celebrating ways we can create in collaboration with local fruit, flowers, trees, and herbs. Friday night features a screening of eco-friendly films; Saturday we’ll connect with plants to create magical images on cloth, paper, and celluloid; Sunday we’ll explore dyes and inks made from mindfully foraged local organics. Free event! Materials provided. Everyone welcome.

Workshop at EPFC North Moberly Fieldhouse | SKETCHING THE GARDEN | Tuesday, August 8: 11 AM – 1 PM Art Club is on summer hiatus so instead we’ll have tea at the Fieldhouse Cinema Garden and do a little sketching inspired by the fabulous flowers of August. Free event! Materials & refreshments provided. Everyone welcome.

Event with EPFC North at Moberly Fieldhouse | GARY’S BIRTHDAY PARTY | Friday, August 11: 1 – 3 PM Our annual celebration of the unofficial mayor of South Vancouver with all the things he loves: Painting, Drawing, Indian Pizza, The Village People, and of course CAKE! Free event! Everyone welcome.

Workshop with EPFC North at Moberly Fieldhouse | HOME MOVIES HOOTENANY: A HOME MOVIE TRANSFER PARTY Saturday, August 19: 1 - 4 PM Bring us your tired, your old, your funky old HOME movies on Super 8mm, 8mm, 16mm and we will help you transfer them to a Digital file. And if you have old video formats (i.e VHS, Video 8, Hi-8, VHS-C, Mini-DV) email us at epfccollective@gmail.combefore coming and let’s see if we can make the magic happen with some cables, connectors and LOVE! Everyone welcome.

Screening with EPFC North at Moberly Fieldhouse | HOME MOVIES HOOTENANY: A HOME MOVIE VIEWING PARTY Saturday, August 19: 8 - 10 PM Watch your old movies and those of friends, neighbours and peers under the stars!! FREE!! FUN for the whole FAMILY!! Bring FOOD and FRIENDSHIP to share!!! Everyone welcome.

Workshop with EPFC North at Moberly Fieldhouse | WOOD YOU BUILD WITH ME? WOODWORKING FOR BEGINNERS Sunday, August 20: 1 - 4 PM We got hammers, saws, screws, nails, glue, twin, love, laughter and the will to experiment. Come spend an afternoon at EPFC North and tinker to build that beautiful birdhouse, nightstand, or Pez dispenser holder you have always dreamed of! Feel free to bring additional supplies to add to the mix. Everyone welcome.

Filmcycle Screening with EPFC North | “BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION” - A FILMCYCLE SCREENING | Sunday, August 20: 8 - 10 PM | Meet up 8 PM at Victoria Park It is hot! You want to get outside! We have a bicycle that is built to be a traveling cinema! Let’s hang out together! Continuing with our weekend woodworking theme, we will screen a series of short films with those topics in mind!!! Meet at Victoria Park and we will bike through the streets of the city screening films. Stops will be made in parks along the way for those who prefer stationary viewing. Victoria Park is located at1425 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 4G9

Workshop with EPFC North at Moberly Fieldhouse | BESPOKE MY BROKEN SPOKE | Saturday, August 26: 1 - 4 PM Our first and certainly joyful art making afternoon with discarded materials. Bike parts, detritus, lost and forgotten household items and dreams!! We will gather! We will play! We will build beauty out of things that have lost their meaning. Everyone welcome.

Screening with EPFC North at Moberly Fieldhouse | I HEART MY BIKE: AN EVENING OF FILMS ABOUT BICYCLES Saturday, August 26: 8 - 10 PM We will get out the projectors and screen a series of BICYCLE films under the stars!!! Some nights we ride around screen films from our FilmCYCLE but tonight we’ll stay stationary and screen films about bicycles!!! Free event. Everyone welcome.

Workshop with EPFC North at Moberly Fieldhouse | PINHOLE IN MY SOUL: BUILD YOUR OWN TINY CAMERA Sunday, August 27: 1 - 4 PM We have a box that is overflowing with old 35mm still film containers and they make WONDERFUL pinhole cameras!!! So come join us and make your very own camera to keep and bring home with you! And since we are at it, let’s make some images and try and process them in coffee, vitamin c and LOVE! Materials provided. Free event. Everyone welcome.

Filmcycle Screening with EPFC North | PINHOLES: A NIGHT OF TINY FILMS | Sunday, August 27: 8 - 10 PM | Meet up 8 PM at Victoria Park The 2023 FilmCYCLE Summer Film Series continues…“Get on your bikes and ride”!! Let’s watch movies under the stars together! Continuing with the weekend workshop theme of “pinholes” we will screen a series of short films with this topic in mind!!! Meet at Victoria Park and we will bike through the streets of the city screening films. Stops will be made in parks along the way for stationary viewing. Victoria Park is located at 1425 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 4G9

Online Workshop | HAIKU YOU Wednesday, August 30: 4 - 5 PM “A Japanese verse form most often composed, in English versions, of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables. A haiku often features an image, or a pair of images, meant to depict the essence of a specific moment in time.”—Poetry Foundation In this workshop for poets and filmmakers, we’ll use the natural wonders of the season as our inspiration to write and share haikus and then turn them into experimental short films. Free event! To sign up and receive the Zoom link send an email with HAIKU in the subject line to epfccollective@gmail.com

[queentrumpet]

The tulips stand next to dead hydrangeas as if life and death are tolerating each other on the subway. Cycles are not neat. Death does not end so life can begin. Death is a part of the dance. Death lingers. Death is composted. Death is food. In the woods, in the hollow of the toppled tree trunks, death is a home.

The wooden beams that support the weight of the house I live in must have been harvested from giant trees, the kind I never see here. This house was built in the 1700s. It’s older than Amerca, and it’s painted blue, an exterior of stone. The floors sag and dip and creak and moan and crack and bellow, especially on summer nights, in starts. There is a window the size of a doorway that opens into the garden. There are holes in the screen, the artistry of a neighborhood cat who likes to torment the sheltered cat I love.

I am writing a stream of consciousness. These usually come easier to me, but they are also usually separated from the world around me, solely in my head. I don’t want to write detached from my body and my ecosystem and my community. Though I do feel isolated in a traditional sense, the tulips and the daffodils and the lavender and the sage, the ghosts of hydrangeas, spotted newts, turkey tail mushrooms, even the squirrels are my visitors. The sun bathes me in ecstasy. I walked to the corner store today to buy paper towels and soy milk, a lemon and concord grape juice. I carried my treasures home in a big paper bag, wearing my prescription sunglasses and my boyfriend’s ripped jeans that fit me better than anything else I own. My airpods were playing a story about my ancient ancestors. I learned that 97% of all of the humans that ever lived were so-called cavemen, foragers, and that perhaps they were smarter and happier than we were today. I learned that the average woman had the arm strength of an Olympian, and that foragers had a plethora of free time, a multitude of meaningful moments.

The daffodils are already dying. I anticipate them all winter for what they represent. They are an omen of sunshine, a firework from a bulb, just as the tulips look like flames to me. Brief, beautiful. The best flower gardens are a symphony, a dance between life and death, designed to bring pleasure to the senses. I know there will be peonies. I know there will be cone flowers and black-eyed Susans. I know there will be pink roses.

The tolerance of tulips

growing into ghosts of hydranegas

as rotted rosehips

cling to what was never cut.

Teach me how to dance with death.

Teach me how to grow despite neglect.

Teach me to be daring like the daffodils.

[outofangband]

Flora and Fauna of Brethil

I had these posted separately but I thought it would be easier to combine them, I’ve also added some more information!

Requested by @echoofthemusic

Flora and fauna of Arda masterlist 

Disclaimer: I used both what we can extrapolate is likely indigenous to the region based on descriptions of the landscape and climate as well as my own headcanons and inspirations and reference books on similar habitats as well as books like The Atlas of Middle Earth and The Flora of Middle Earth

I really love working on and researching these! and as always feel free to ask more, even if I’ve already done a place I’d always enjoy going into more detail of tacking a more specific kind of life there

Brethil was a forested country that made up the Northwestern border of Doriath and was home to the people of the House of Haleth. It also borders Dorthonion, the land of pines. It translates to Silver birch in Sindarin.

Brethil translates to Silver Birch in Sindarin and was described as containing forests of beeches. In this world, these can be found throughout Europe. The Ancient and Primeval Beech Forest is made up of 94 parts in 18 countries. For the flora of Brethil I have taken inspiration from a number of them, especially from areas I know were of interest to Tolkien himself.

While the real world locations that make up similar climates or forests are heavily varied in their flora making it difficult to say exactly what could be found here. But needless to say we are talking about temperate broadleaf and mixed forests in a relatively cool climate.

And as the books say, beeches and birches made up the primary species. The only other plant named directly in the text as associated with Brethil are bracken ferns. 

Acorns, chestnuts, walnuts, beechnuts, and hazelnuts can be collected from their respective trees. 

As we know roots are foraged, chicory, dandelions, burdock root, wild carrot, and wild garlic are possibilities. Other edible plants include yarrow, hazel, thornapple, hogweed, stitchwort, and wild thyme. Both silver birches and beech trees have some edible parts. 

Flowers like cornflower, columbine, Wood anemone, ramsoms, daisy, and harebell perhaps grow in less densely forested areas.

Fungi are not plants but many of the forests Tolkien was likely inspired by contain a wide variety of fungi with silverleaf fungus, Echinoderma asperum, and Meripilus giganteus being some of the most recognizable ones.

Lichen and mosses are also likely found, for example carpet moss, Atrichum undulatum and hoary fringe moss 

Somewhat related, in The Wanderings of Húrin, we get a beautiful (and heartbreaking) description of how the grave of Morwen and the memorial to her children is honored by the women of Brethil.

"But until the end of Beleriand women of Brethil would come with flowers and spring and berries in autumn and sing for awhile of the Gray lady who sought in vain for her son"

It would be all but impossible to make a guess on what flowers these were but based on the description of the forests and the likely climate, blackberries, currents, elderberries and chokeberries are all possibilities, they grow in late summer and autumn. (note that I am using the looser definition of berry rather than the strict one)

As for the fauna, typical insect life of a deciduous forest; earthworms, beetles, butterflies and moths, etc.

There’s probably a lot of birds; pheasants and quail, thrush and nuthatch, nightingale, nightjars, and owls, kestrels, crows, rooks, etc

I do wonder about the possibility of extinct, even flightless birds though no known species exactly fit this sort of habitat so perhaps on another location someone requests I’ll be able to fit them in

In the spring, vernal pools are home to frogs and salamanders. I imagine that because the main known source of water is the fast moving river, the amphibian life in Brethil is less aquatic species that prefer leaf litter and the undergrowth to permanent ponds. Toads, wood frogs, certain species of salamanders including red back salamanders. 

There could possibly be wood turtles too.

Squirrels, rabbits, wood mice, moles and red foxes are possible mammals

I believe it’s mentioned somewhere that the people of Brethil keep pigs though that are not fully domesticated and are closer to wild boars.

There are probably few larger predators but bears are a possibility. Húrin does mention wolves in “The Wanderings of Húrin” but it’s somewhat unclear if this is because he has seen wolves in Brethil or if it’s more hypothetical. 

Deer like fallow, roe, and elk are probably found

I like to think there are species that are extinct in the world today, perhaps like the Irish Elk, a rare sighting in Brethil as they prefer colder climates but in the spring and summer they could potentially be spotted in more open clearings and by the river.

[enbysiriusblack]

I keep posting non marauder content and I apologise (no i dont, you just have to deal with it)

BUT HERE GO, THE CONTENT YOU ACTUALLY WANT FROM ME (probably)

A lil Jily story of angst and fluff kind of:

(its not lil,, its pretty darn long)

tw. brief physical violence and stalking

Lily hated the summer holidays. Her sister always complaining about her return, her parents struggle with keeping Petunia calm while still spending time with Lily, and Severus' change of character once they were back in the muggle town.

But this summer, she had more to worry about. Severus still hadn't left her alone after their fall out. He had started waiting for her in the library, following her in between classes, and and watching her hanging out with her friends at Hogsmeade.

And now without her friends and the separate common rooms in the way, it would be even harder to avoid him and she was worried for her own safety.

So as she stepped off the train, said goodbye to her friends and walked towards her family. She was miserable.

And as the days of summer ticked by, Lily had locked herself in her bedroom. Not wanting to go downstairs in order to avoid the endless arguments and shouting of Petunia, and not wanting to go outside to avoid Severus stalking her and pleading with her to forgive him.

But after a few weeks, her parents urged her to get some sunlight and got her to go to the shop round the corner to grab a few things.

Carrying 2 bags, filled with milk, bread, toilet roll, laundry detergent, the daily newspaper, and a litre bottle of fanta; Lily left the shop. Only to spot Severus a few feet away, and hurriedly following her.

She started walking faster towards her house, but only a few metres a way from home, a hand sharply attached itself to her shoulder.

"Lily!! I'm trying to talk to you!!" He yelled.

Lily shook her shoulder, flinging his hand off it and back to his person.

"I've told you a million times!! Leave me alone!!" She yelled back.

"But I'm in love with you" he said, stepping forwards and about to touch her cheek.

She took a step back and scoffed, "you can't love someone while hating who they are"

"It's not your fault who you're born as, it doesn't matter to me. It's like a curse being put on you, but you can still overcome it. The dark Lord himself is a half blood like me! But we know we're better than that, we just have to overcome that set back." He replied, stepping closer and closer to Lily.

A loud crack sounded and blood ran down Snape's nose. He lifted a hand to his face and felt the blood pouring out. Her grocery bags fell to the floor.

"Being muggleborn is not a setback to overcome. Don't ever come near me again" she replied, before picking up her bags and heading back to her house without looking back once more.

.

The next morning, she looked out her window to see Snape standing outside, holding a bouquet of lilies.

She shut her blinds and hid in her room. As the days ticked by, she never left the house and Snape stood there hour after hour, bringing different assortments of gifts to compensate his inability to actually care about her.

She decided she had to leave for the rest of the holiday. But Mary was visiting family outside the country, Marlene and Dorcas were in Italy together to celebrate their anniversary. Then she remembered Remus was at home.

She owled Remus straight away and got a reply from him fairly quickly, accepting her request of staying at his till the holidays had ended.

So the next morning she packed her things, said goodbye to her mum, and drove with her dad to the train station around 7 am, before Snape arrived at the house.

It was a long, confusing train journey to Wales. But once she got there after hours on different trains, she spotted Remus and his mum sitting outside one of the station cafes.

Remus looked up as she walked towards them, and he moved over a piece of chocolate cake and his cup of tea to make more room for her on the small metal table.

Lily grabbed a seat from an empty table nearby and sat it down. Hope passed a menu over to Lily and she ordered a cup of tea and a a hot sausage roll. The three of them ate and drank before getting to Hope's yellow volkswagen van to get back to the Lupin cottage.

Once they got to the cottage, Hope showed Lily around the house and brought her stuff to Remus' bedroom.

"We don't have any spare rooms I'm afraid so I hope you don't mind sharing with Remus?" Hope asked her.

"No it's fine thank you" she replied.

"Alright, oh also I need to get some more herbs and plants for my stocks so I was going to go foraging tomorrow, would you two like to join me?"

Remus looked towards Lily to see her thoughts, she nodded at him in acceptance.

"Yeah we would" Remus said.

Hope lifted her hand to affectionately stroke Remus' curls before leaving the room.

.

The next day the Lupin's and Lily set out to the forest, Lyall deciding to join them as it was his day off work. All four were carrying small handmade baskets, Lyalls was full of picnic food for lunchtime, while the other's were empty for foraging.

Remus and Lily went ahead in a different direction, agreeing to meet up at the usual spot at lunch time.

As Remus and Lily went through the woods, Remus sometimes picking up certain plants and flowers and putting them in his basket, while Lily (not knowing much about foraging or what Hope needed) only picked flowers she liked and had decided to make a nice bouquet for Hope with them.

The two chatted as they walked, talking about what topics they're studying in their classes next year, about Snape, about their what they had been up to for the last few weeks.

Once they got back to the house, Remus started writing a letter to James and Sirius, who had run away to James' a few weeks ago. While Lily and Hope were downstairs talking, after Lily had given her the bouquet.

Around an hour later, all four were sitting on the lounge for dinner, the bouquet was placed on the middle of the wooden table as a centre piece inside a tall mug with a picture of Phil Bennett on.

After dinner, Lily and Remus went out. There wasn't much to do in the small village in the evening so they ended up in the middle of someone's field. The two sat on the hill for a few hours, stargazing and mindlessly talking about whatever came to mind.

The days went by, with Lily staying at Remus' place. The duo found themselves spending most of their time in a small bookshop cafe and walking through the woods, Remus smoking his weed and Lily sometimes Lily would take a hit but she wasn't as fond of it as Remus was.

With only a week and a half till school started again, Remus and Lily planned to go to hogsmeade together tomorrow.

But midday, two figures appeared walking towards the Lupin cottage just as Remus and Lily got back from their walk in the woods.

As the got closer to the two, they saw it was James and Sirius.

Remus dropped his joint to the floor and ran to the two standing by the door to his home.

He wrapped his arms around Sirius, but felt them freeze up at the touch. So Remus moved to stop the hug, but at that withdrawal, Sirius wrapped his own arms around Remus tightly with no sign of letting go.

The two stood there for a few minutes, wrapped in an embrace while Lily and James stood awkwardly nearby them.

"... hi" James said, waving at Lily, but since they were near each other, Lily had to move backwards to avoid getting hit by his hand.

James quickly withdrew his hand, and stepped back. He looked down at his hand for a few seconds, before bringing it up again and saluting Lily.

As he was half way through saluting her, he realised what he was doing and quickly brought it straight down to his side, and froze at Lily with unblinking eyes like a deer stuck in headlights.

She started laughing, affectively ending the hug between Remus and Sirius, who turned to look between Lily and James.

At that moment, Hope came inside, calling Lily for something and waved in greeting to James and Sirius.

After Lily had walked into the house, James grinned widely.

"She laughed at me!! She thinks I'm funny!"

"She was laughing AT you, cause she thinks you're a wanker" Remus corrected.

Sirius grinned slightly at the retort and grabbed Remus' hand.

Remus looked to Sirius and James realised Sirius would talk to Remus and Remus could help Sirius, even just slightly.

"I'll go see if Hope needs some more help" James said before turning to the cottage and giving Remus and Sirius some time alone.

Inside the cottage, James and Lily were setting up cutlery around the table and helping Hope with the dinner.

James noticed the flowers in the mug, "wow, these look really nice Hope, my mum keeps trying to make some nice flower arrangements for around the house but she's not very good at it. I made this red and gold one, go gryffindor!! for her birthday a few weeks ago but it was no where near as good as this one!!"

Hope came out of the kitchen carrying a saucepan of curry.

"Oh no honey, I didn't make that, that was all thanks to Lily" she said coming round the table and softly touching Lily's arm in gratitude.

"Oh" James said, freezing again as he stared back at Lily. "Its.. um.. its really good.. I like the uhh,, its good."

Lily raised an eyebrow at him, "thank you?"

James nodded, and tapped the table, trying to think of something else to say.

His eyes glanced over the the window, spotting Remus and Sirius sitting on the edge of the woods on a small bench, still talking and holding each others hand.

"I should probably go get them for dinner" he said, about to get out of his seat.

Hope waved her hand absentmindedly, "oh leave them its fine, the lovebirds can eat later"

A few minutes later, Lyall came back from work and sat at the table with them.

The four ate in fairly comfortable silence, sometimes having small conversations.

.

The next day they went to Hogsmeade.

Sirius waringly looking out for any of their family members as they walked around doing their shopping. Remus stood by xyr side the whole time, with James and Lily awkwardly leading the group together.

Peter found them a few hours later, he was shopping with zir mum but stayed with his friends for a while.

In Flourish and Blotts, Sirius and Remus seemed to have disappeared together in a fiction section, bonding over their mutual love of books packed with monsters and adventures and swordsmen.

Lily gazed at books on the shelf closest to her, sometimes bringing one up to her eye line and reading the blurb before putting it back on the shelf again.

James stood there with Peter, who he was very glad of, Peter acting as a distraction of the awkward silence between Lily and James.

So as Peter rambled about how he's so glad ze doesn't have to do potions anymore, James took his mind of trying to impress Lily and put his focus on listening to Peter.

However in the next moment, Peter made a very tactical decision of engaging Lily into the conversation.

"So Lily, I'm guessing you're still taking Potions this year?" Peter asked.

Lily turned around, one hand still lightly touching one of the books on the shelf.

"Yeah, but it sucks that none of my friends are taking it. I tried to get Remus to change his mind and take it for weeks.. and then he blew up half the kitchen trying to make pasta sauce and realised my efforts were futile."

James laughed, "thats Remus, alright"

Lily looked over at him, contemplating. Before nodding her head and smiling slightly as she turned back to the bookshelf.

After around five minutes, Peter chiped up.

"Oh!! James is taking Potions still aren't you? You said you're dad really wanted you to get a Potion Newt. You two can hang out in class"

James sent Peter a 'what the hell' glare before Lily nodded again and clearly said the words,

"I guess we could, its better than the chance of getting stuck with Sev- Snape for the rest of the year... are you any good?"

James froze, "um.. yeah, yeah.. well no, not really to be honest"

Lily smiled again, "thats fine, I'm hood enough for the both of us"

She took a book off the shelf and kept it in her arms for the first time. And then walked back to James and Peter.

"If I'm helping you in Potions though, you've gotta help me with transfiguration."

She lifted up the book in her arms to show the cover, the transfiguration book they needed this year.

"I skimmed this a little, and it barely made any sense at all."

James lifted a hand to his hair, ruffling it up on a nervous habit.

"Minnie gave me a group of younger years to tutor last year, maybe you could come to those? .. not that I think you're as dumb as first and second years, far from it, you're one of the smartest people I know. But I just mean that a lot of our topics this year our ones that we did in first and second year but with more context and more advanced. So I thought that if you revised the basics then the more advanced parts would make more sense to you.. if you wanted?"

"Yeah that sounds great" she said, before moving to another bookshelf and flicking through it.

The rest of the day, the two of them talked and talked. And back at Remus' cottage Lily walked up to him before he had to leave with Sirius.

"Today was fun, friends?" She asked.

James nodded, "friends"

As him and Sirius left, Sirius hit his shoulder.

"What were you and Lily talking about? Declaring your undying love for her?"

James shook his head, "We're just friends, I need to just... move on i guess, friends is as best as it'll get. And its enough for me."

[tinyshe]

Garden Report 22.05.14

Keeping this short (ha!) instead of going back through my garden journal to give you an update on everything since I have been gone.

The weather is decidedly cool, at times cold (snow/hail) and very wet. The established plants like trees, vines, shrubs/bushes have responded with excessive and vigorous growth! Yes, I did fertilize/amend the soil with alfalfa pellets, urine laden / chicken droppings meadow grass mulch, kelp, glacier rock dust, worm castings from an elder and my worms compost but I think it is the constant rain-forest effect that is boosting their growing. But it also increases the slugs and rolypoly/wood lice/ sow bugs that are also very hungry! I keep putting out a few starts at a time and they are just mowed down!

The potatoes are doing excellent in top growth considering all the bad weather. I am hoping for a new potato crop end of June? Most of my starts have had to be potted up at least one step -- its just too wet and to pesty to plant out. Some are lingering outside in smaller containers because I can’t pot up and hold in the space I have -- not enough room. O! To have the summer house done!

Was gifted some lovely morels. The first batch are in the dehydrator. The second batch went to the straw bed in Africa because they came in late last night and by morning were maggot riddled. A hand full of muddy straw on each spent morel -- maybe some day there will be some morels in that patch! Been foraging for sorrel and dandelion greens in the garden. I say foraging because these never stay where I plant them -- they move to where they feel more comfortable. The weeds have also gotten out of control. When I get a little stronger, I plan on putting on knee pads and just crawl along chopping and dropping with my trusty hori hori as I crawl along.

I have been trying to gather flowers to dry for tea. I have a nice batch of lilac (two jars!). I would like more but with the rain -- it is highly unlikely. But I did get some calendula, pinks, viola, rose petals/flowers done. One jar of straight calendula petals was a nice addition to the pantry.

The hens are lovely ... lovely brats! They have decided its just too much effort to go dig for worms. They will march right into the house, into the kitchen where I am and demand their chips (meal worms). What cheeky little brats! And if they don’t find me in the kitchen, they stand in the mud room and cry as loudly as possible until I show up.

I will try to post some pictures later. I’m not back in full force. I hope everyone out there gardening is enjoying the time spent tending their little piece of eden.

[balkanradfem]

I've been learning the differences between spruce, pine, fir and yew tree this morning; it's important to know because the first three have edible needles, and yew is deadly poisonous, ingesting even a few needles can end you. You can also use spruce, pine and fir's young shoots to make medicinal syrups and tinctures, while doing the same with yew would be lethal.

I realized while absorbing this knowledge that I do not, in fact, have a great base of knowledge about trees; I've never taken a class on trees. I can recognize all of the fruit and nut trees because of my foraging habits, and I can recognize oaks, lindens, willows, birches, poplars, black locust, ginkgo, and maples. Last year I learned to recognize beeches, elms, and hornbeams. But there are still so many trees, even close around me, that I do not know the name of!

A few months ago, while walking around the park, I noticed it was filled with trees that were beautiful, tall, had smooth but layered bark and gorgeous maple-like leaves, and I couldn't figure out what that tree was, because it was not maple. Most parks here are filled with wild chestnuts (which benefits me a lot, since I use wild chestnuts as a laundry detergent), and I've seen oaks and poplars used as a park tree, but I had no idea what this was, and there was a lot of it.

I took pictures, and set out to research; eventually I found an old article that described the town's initiative to create all of the parks, and the tree I was wondering about was maple-leafed plane tree! It's a mix of american sycamore and asian plane tree, and it's not native to us, but very resistant to air pollution and drought, so it's a popular tree to import and cultivate in city parks.

I actually had never heard the name of this tree until finding it in the article, and all of other people I asked about it, had no idea what I was talking about. I was a bit offended there was a tree with origin and name completely unknown growing everywhere in the city.

Learning about trees makes me extremely pleased and inspired, so I thought I would create a little game; I go out, then confront every tree I see and figure out if I can recognize what it is; if I can't, I would take pictures and research until I know what it is. There are trees I already know and love around the building, like the poplar I can see from my window (and everyone complains about because it's horrible for people with allergies), black walnut trees that are a great foraging resource, pear tree that is most beloved because it provides me with fruit during the summer, couple of wild plums, and cedars that the nearby hotel planted for decoration. But there are probably 20 more tree varieties around me that I cannot recognize.

I was about to head out, when I realized, it's actually February, and none of those trees have any leaves on them, which makes my mission difficult. I could still potentially research them from the bark and the branch formation, but, it is much easier if I can see the leaf as well. Fruit trees are the most easy to spot in the spring, because they will flower and that makes them stand out, chestnuts and magnolias will flower as well. It's how I found a lot of fruit trees around the banished settlement.

But to do a more thorough tree research around the city, I will have to wait a few months. I'll make a post about how many trees I recognized, and how many I had to research! I am almost certain to learn about all of the uses, food, and medicine these trees can provide as well, information on any tree is like information on possible food and medicine source, and that makes it incredibly worth knowing.

Also, if you're still wondering how to successfully recognize spruce, fir, pine and yew tree, here's a video for you.

[askwhatsforlunch]

Elderflower Cordial (A Step-by-Step Adventure)

A couple of weeks ago, I was foraging Cowslip in the nearby woods, when I spotted a few elders! It made me very happy and I could not wait for them to bloom, because I do love elderflower cordial and its fresh, subtle scent of sunny Spring days! I wanted to finally try my hand at making it myself.

So this weekend, a gorgeous weekend of cloudless blue skies and sunshine (you want to pick elder flowers on a sunny, dry day!), I picked my basket, a pair of secateurs and my Mum’s trusted, old Wild Flowers and Berries book. I am, after all, rather new to foraging and if my Grandpa (Mum’s dad) made the most delicious elderberry jam, foraging for the little black berries in the Summer, he, like my Mum, was a keen botanist. Any stroll we’d take in the countryside, he’d lean and tells us children about all the flowers we’d encounter, latin name and all. And I remember him insisting about the elderberries being toxic if eaten raw. As for the flowers, one should be careful and pick the flowers from black elders (sambucus nigra) as the roots, stems and leaves of the red elder (sambucus racemosa) are poisonous.

Black Elder (sambucus nigra)

Thus, I spent a lot of time studying the botanical drawings and pictures in my Mum’s book, both before going foraging and once there. There is little chance to mistake the red elder flowers with those of the black (and blue) ones, though. The former are cone-shaped, whereas the sambucus nigra flowers are flat-topped and resembles little parasols or umbrellas. (That said, when it comes to foraging, the golden rule is, I guess, if you’re not sure, abstain.)

Here is a closer look at black elder flowers. In the Summer, the green stems becomes a bright red colour, and the berries are black. I picked about 30 flowerheads, on different trees. You don’t want to take all the flowers on the same tree; you should always leave plenty for the bees!

Once you’ve foraged and come home, don’t let the flowers sit for hours on end. Start making the cordial when they are fresh. Here is what you will need.

Ingredients (makes about 2 litres/2 quarts):

25 freshly picked ederflower heads

2 large (unwaxed) lemons

1.5 litre/1.5 quart boiling water

705 grams/1.55 pounds caster sugar

Proceeding with one elderflower head at a time, shake it to make sure there are no insects on it. (Do not rinse them, as it will weaken their fragrance). Then pick the flowers off the stem and place into a large bowl. Do that with all the elderflower heads. Then, thoroughly grate in the zest of both lemons.

Finally, pour the boiling water over the flowers and lemon zest. Give a good stir, to mix.

Cover with cling film, and let it steep and infuse overnight (24 hours).

The next day, line a fine mesh sieve with cheesecloth (or coffee filters) and strain elderflower water into a large pot. Add caster sugar. Thoroughly squeeze the juice of both lemons, and stir into the pot.

Heat over medium-high heat, stirring often until sugar dissolves completely. Once the sugar is dissolved, bring to a simmer, and allow to boil, a couple of minutes.

Using a funnel, strain Elderflower Cordial into sterelised glass bottles and close tightly. Allow to cool completely, then store in a cool, dark place. Once opened, it keeps up to a month (and even a bit longer) in the refrigerator; but it certainly won’t last that long!

You can use Elderflower Cordial in lots of recipes, from a refreshing Elderflower Gin and Tonic to a stunning Lemon and Elderflower Cake. It also lifts up a Blueberry and Elderflower Pavlova or a Summer Fruit Salad!

[zeromorph]

cutting this for it being slightly long, but this is just me getting some emotions about moving down on (as it were) paper!

an incomplete list of things I will miss about living here:

proximity to friends and family here probably goes without saying. also, my cat. I can at least phone my humans; my cat, alas, has no interest in telecommunications.

plants, both the specific--the swamp oak in our backyard, the tiny patch of red flowers that comes up in the verge every spring, the flowers in the library garden--and the general--esperanzas and prairie-fire and bluebonnets, pecans and cedars, all the local oaks. (I should be back for a bit this autumn, and I am absolutely taking a chunk of an afternoon to go acorn foraging)

not driving exactly, but long highway drives with familiar radio stations, and how big the sky can feel between towns

a number of food places--the Russian restaurant, the cafe by the lake, the diner where my family used to go for special occasions

a lot of my clients; in particular, I'm still wrapping my mind around the realization that I've likely seen my favorite and oldest bunch for the last time (and am grateful that I’ll at least get to see major updates on social media!)

my library. I mean I'm fully prepared to love the libraries there, but--my library! the garden and its view of the river and its door to thin air, and the little cafe and the grackle clock and the atrium

the cattery. my last shift is tomorrow, and I don’t know how I’m going to pull myself out of the building.

an incomplete list of things I am looking forward to about moving:

public transit. holy shit do I miss commuting without driving.

I'm nervous about being a student again, but excited to be working toward doing something I feel good about

it's not sealed yet that I'm going to join the synagogue I've been looking into, but I've talked to the director and started attending online services and I really, really like these people, the rabbi is warm and conscientious and there's always something lovely in the newsletter and I feel comfortable about this community in a way I never really settled into at the synagogue I went to for Torah study in college

getting to know my roommates--meeting new people is hard but from the conversations we’ve had so far we seem to click pretty well and I’m glad I lucked into finding them

summers that don't start in April and last until October! the ability to comfortably wear long-sleeved shirts for more than three months!

the fact that my roommates and my school and the crew at the synagogue all have been perfectly matter-of-fact about me being nonbinary--maybe I’ll run into difficulties with specific professors or employers or whatever eventually, but it’s a comfort to know that some of the most major points of social contact I’ll have will be good about it

just... feeling like I’m in motion again, for the first time in a while. uncertainty isn’t my strong suit and knowing that I don’t know everything ahead is intimidating, but it means there is something ahead. I’m glad.

[prurientpuddlejumper]

A Deep and Rapid River, Ch. 11

<- Chapter 10

Summary: The end of a journey and the start of a new one

The world was beautiful—bright blue skies stretched overhead with a few lazy white cotton puffs drifting unhurriedly through and topping distant snow-covered peaks. Insects fluttered and chirped in the afternoon heat from the tall grass that lined the dirt road at the center of town, where tiny white and yellow flowers bloomed. Inside the gloomy church, you hadn't even noticed what was waiting just outside.

It was not a peaceful summer day, however. Word travels fast in a small village, though not always well or with accuracy, and a general chaos turns in the air—villagers carrying buckets of water clamor toward the smoke and others, still screaming, clamor to get away. It won’t be long before men with muskets come to hunt the great beast who had caused the calamity and abducted a bride from her wedding.

A large but fast warmblood waits, loosely tied to post just outside the church door. You could swear you’ve seen it somewhere before.

The creature sets you on its back side-saddle, before climbing on behind you and spurring the horse to a gallop. Behind you, a handful of villagers stare after you in shock.

“We shall be long gone before they recover enough to come after us,” he says, a laugh brightening the edges of his voice. You grin into the wind, fingers grasping at a handful of chestnut mane. You’re both exhilarated, and can hardly believe what just happened.

As you continue down the road, reality has to catch up sooner or later. Fear creeps back into your mind.

“Where are we going? What will we do?!”

“Are you not happy? You came with me of your own accord...”

“Of course I’m happy! “Of course I’m happy! You rescued me from that nightmare.” You’re not sure how to show your affection while trying not to fall off a galloping horse, so you nuzzle your face against the arm he has wrapped around you. “Only, we still have the same problem we had yesterday,” you frown.

“In truth, I may have wallowed and wasted away in self-pity, doubting if interference on my part was wanted, but I was encouraged to action. There is something that may assuage some of your apprehension.”

He slows the horse and turns its reins down a narrow path into the forest, barely visible from the road. You ride for several minutes, ducking sharp branches that tug at your dress, winding through the undergrowth until it opens up upon a small clearing at the edge of the river. The water is cool and clear, far calmer than the angry brown churning that overflowed the banks in the spring.

“This is where we first met, isn’t it?”

He slides himself off the saddle and lands softly in the tall grass. Taking the reins under the animal’s chin, he leads you toward a figure waiting at the far side of the meadow, under the dappled shade where the forest line hangs just over the riverbank. A smaller horse grazes idly beside them. He raises a large hand and waves to them. The figure waves back, mahogany curls bouncing with the movement, the light catching on their long, fussy sleeves.

It couldn’t be.

“Stop where you are!” she barks as the creature approaches too close. “Fifteen feet, remember our deal?” She holds up a hand in front of her eyes and squeezes them shut as if to erase him from her vision.

“Bess?” you stammer.

She looks up at you with big brown eyes and smiles. “Sorry for missing your wedding. I heard it sucked.”

You jump off the horse and nearly knock her her flat with the force of your hug. “What are you doing here? How did? What? And you didn’t—” your mouth is running at a million miles a minute yet you can’t quite manage to articulate words.

“Alright, alright,” she pats your back. “I am astonishing, I know.” She steps back and gestures to a large leather saddle bag next to her on the ground. “While everyone was distracted, I packed everything you’ll need to survive. Baked some hardtack special for you, so you shouldn’t starve for at least a month, though I recommend foraging something to supplement it.”

“This… this was your idea?” Your jaw hangs open. “But I… But you...” Your open jaw wobbles in disbelief, your last memory of Bess wide-eyed with terror and screaming.

She tucks a hand on her hip and looks aside. “I saw what I saw, and I was shocked. Frankly, it would have been a lot to process even without a damned—whatever you call him—involved. I didn’t say anything of course, but it was distressing. I didn’t know what to think. That you were cavorting with the legions of Hell after all? Then I recalled your strange behavior of late—your distraction, your mysterious smiles and contented sighs. Always hiding away in that barn yet refusing any aid with your chores. After I could breathe again it was not difficult to put together. I’m not a dummy, dummy,” she smiles.

“Suddenly they were forcing you to marry Ferdinand. I knew you would never do so willingly, but I had no power to stop their machinations. I didn't know what to do, so on a hunch, I checked your barn and found this brute curled on the floor with ten cats, weeping into one of your chemises. Thus I recruited him to my aid.”

The creature steps forward and gestures a large hand toward Bess in a friendly manner. “It was she who secured the horse and supplies, and who suggested—”

Bess waves him away sharply, clamping a hand over her eyes. “I’m sorry, guy, I cannot even look at you.” She shudders deep and sickeningly to her core. “You are fucking crazy,” she says to you, “I don’t get it. But this fellow makes you happy, doesn’t he?” You nod. “Then I am happy for you. This town has been a prison for you ever since we were children; I watched it draining your life, your dreams. So take your scary boyfriend and get out of here!”

Tears sting the back of your eyes. The creature was right—all along, Bess would have understood. Instead of confiding in a friend, you let fear lead you by the nose into a trap from which the two of them busted you out just before the door could snap shut behind you forever.

“I should have told you.” You wipe your eyes, laughing softly. “I’m an idiot.”

“No…” she coos soothingly, with some hesitation. “Well, yes. A little. But we love you.” She makes a visor over her brow with her hand and points in the general direction the massive, ominously looming creature is standing. “He loves you quite a lot, you know.”

“I know,” you smile, blessing him with a gaze affectionately returned (though he keeps his distance from the flighty Bess, occupying himself by packing up the horse). “He’s wonderful.”

“It takes all types,” she shakes her head. “Alright then,” she clears her throat, steeling herself, “Ride as hard as you can until you reach the next town. Blake is our fastest, strongest horse and should be able to bear the weight for a sprint of that distance. That should be enough of a head start to then disappear on foot, especially if nobody knows your intended destination is Geneva. If you would be so kind as to return the horse to the livery stable there—it is run by my cousin, and he won’t ask any questions. When you reach your destination, I expect a letter or I’ll think you’re dead.”

“You’re not coming with us?”

Her eyes grow wet. “It isn’t my journey. This place is not so much a cage for me as it has been for you. Though one day, I hope, we shall meet again.”

“I will miss you.” Your lower lips quivers with unspoken sorrow. She hugs you fiercely and protectively one last time before pulling back with a sniffle.

“Now go on! You must hurry before they come looking for you.”

The creature reaches down a hand. You clasp it, warm and strong in its grip, and he pulls you up onto the back of the muscular horse. Bess waves, running after you on foot as he kicks the horse into a brisk canter. “Don’t forget that letter!”

Tears stream down your face as you turn in the saddle and watch Bess and the river grow smaller and smaller, and eventually be swallowed up by the forest. You inhale deeply and let out a long, shaking breath.

“Are you all right?” the creature’s question vibrates in his chest, pressed to your back.

“Yeah.”

He is silent for awhile. The wild exhilaration of your escape from the church has withered and been replaced by a mournful determination to move forward. To begin new lives. The reality is not so glamorous as you reminisce on all the things you are leaving behind—Bess, Edelweiss, your flock of chickens and barn cats, the moss-covered boulders that were your secret place since childhood—yet you are ready to build that new life, whatever challenges lie ahead. You’ll have the best help one can hope for.

You let your weight shift back so your head rests against the creature’s chest. His long black hair flutters around you in the wind. He leans down and presses gentle kisses on your hair and your shoulders, and a comforting warmth spreads beneath your skin. You feel safe and cared for.

“Do you hate me? You must hate me,” you murmur into the wind, but his sharp ears pick up every word.

“I love you,” his chest rumbles. “You are my life, as much as the air that fills my lungs. Why should I hate you?”

“I was useless. I gave up. I was so terrified, I gave up on us. How can you ever forgive me?”

“You saved my wretched life long ago, dear angel.” He holds the reins in one fist, and slides his other hand under your arm, caressing your side and splaying out his fingers over your belly, smoothing the fabric of the gown. The gesture is warm and possessive, and keeps you secure on the speeding horse as you melt into him, intoxicated by his touch. “You dragged me out of misery into the light—cared for me with patience and love I never believed myself deserving of. You stood beside me and tended my wounds of both flesh and of my soul. Your company alone is a gift of which I was made unworthy. I have always wanted to thank you for saving me.”

“Now we’re even, huh?” you laugh.

“No,” he replies softly and insistently. “I think I would like to continue paying you back.”

The hand he had rested on your belly glides up to tip your chin toward him, and he presses a precarious kiss to your lips. A small jolt of hooves over the terrain sends you clutching for mane, but his steady hand darts back around your waist to keep you balanced.

“I will have to exact more payment once we have arrived on solid ground yet again,” you promise sinfully, resting a hand over his and squeezing it. “I want to kiss all of the scars on your handsome face.”

His chest vibrates with an eager hum of anticipation.

As you ride away from your old life, you feel something changing deep in your bones. You are already farther from your home than you have ever been, and ahead of you is the wide horizon of blue skies speared by sharp mountain peaks. You look up at the closest mountain to the road. It is not one you think you have seen before, although its shape is hauntingly familiar, like the face of a childhood friend, after years of separation, as an adult.

“What mountain is that?” You point to it.

“It is the white-crested peak of the great mountain that overlooks your town. The one I greatly admired from the window of the hayloft. We face its west slope, now.”

A wave of excitement for the future surges through you like electricity. What will your life look like from a fresh angle?