Book Log: Empire of Refugees
Apr. 27th, 2026 10:38 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
scaramoucheVladimir Hamed-Troyansky's Empire of Refugees: North Caucasian Muslims and the Late Ottoman State was a spontaneous get in an unfamiliar topic, and on top of that more of an academic text with dry prose, which made it a bit of a challenging read to get through. When I say "dry" I also mean functional and clear, and it's still a well-written book that lays out its arguments and paints a very thorough picture of the late Ottoman refugee crises and population exchanges with Russia through the end of the Ottoman empire, and with particular focus on North Caucasians and Circassians in particular.
Very new topic to me so a bit of a hurdle in there as well, though I have read about the Ottoman empire before and, well, Armenian genocide and the bad choices through WWI, but this book really delves into a specific topic I didn't know anything about. It's really interesting to look at a time as nation-states were developing and borders hardening, and how that influences choices in which refugees to take and which to reject, and how said refugees were accepted and integrated (well, or badly, or extremely badly) and the political considerations that have so many consequences to today.
Like, of course in the aftermath of various wars, the Ottoman empire would want to get rid of as much of its non-Muslim population and fill that gap with Muslim refugees (or muhajir, as some would describe), with Russia wanting the opposite by getting rid of its unwanted Muslim populations in trade for Christians. It's population manipulation on a grand scale, dressed up in promises of an Islamic empire (dar-al salam) accepting its needy co-religionists into their bosom, but also cold in its usage of those refugees to strengthen borders, improve its tax collection, put pressure on rebellious bedouin, and increase productivity of the land. The implication of the belief coreligionists will be more loyal to the state than not, and is a crucial factor along with ethnicity in actualization of a nation-state -- all elements that play out to painful conclusions through WI and WII, but here are elaborated on in their specificity. The book also argues that some of the mechanisms and lessons these population exchanges were used in later population exchanges after WWI, up to the India-Pakistan Partition.
The book also zooms down, to the human cost of these population exchanges, of what people sacrificed (if they went willingly), of what people did to survive and sometimes thrive, of the desperate attempts to hold on to family and cultural heritage through these upheavals, of those who fled their homelands but returned. Surviving letters are used to flesh these stories out, and the book specifically uses three case studies of North Caucasian refugee areas, with the Balkans representing an area that failed in many ways, and the Levant as an area that succeeded greatly, in part because of the Hijaz railway that allowed economic prosperity up to the future nation-state existence of Jordan (whose current capital is a former refugee site). Interesting stuff, though a little overwhelming in its newness to me.
Very new topic to me so a bit of a hurdle in there as well, though I have read about the Ottoman empire before and, well, Armenian genocide and the bad choices through WWI, but this book really delves into a specific topic I didn't know anything about. It's really interesting to look at a time as nation-states were developing and borders hardening, and how that influences choices in which refugees to take and which to reject, and how said refugees were accepted and integrated (well, or badly, or extremely badly) and the political considerations that have so many consequences to today.
Like, of course in the aftermath of various wars, the Ottoman empire would want to get rid of as much of its non-Muslim population and fill that gap with Muslim refugees (or muhajir, as some would describe), with Russia wanting the opposite by getting rid of its unwanted Muslim populations in trade for Christians. It's population manipulation on a grand scale, dressed up in promises of an Islamic empire (dar-al salam) accepting its needy co-religionists into their bosom, but also cold in its usage of those refugees to strengthen borders, improve its tax collection, put pressure on rebellious bedouin, and increase productivity of the land. The implication of the belief coreligionists will be more loyal to the state than not, and is a crucial factor along with ethnicity in actualization of a nation-state -- all elements that play out to painful conclusions through WI and WII, but here are elaborated on in their specificity. The book also argues that some of the mechanisms and lessons these population exchanges were used in later population exchanges after WWI, up to the India-Pakistan Partition.
The book also zooms down, to the human cost of these population exchanges, of what people sacrificed (if they went willingly), of what people did to survive and sometimes thrive, of the desperate attempts to hold on to family and cultural heritage through these upheavals, of those who fled their homelands but returned. Surviving letters are used to flesh these stories out, and the book specifically uses three case studies of North Caucasian refugee areas, with the Balkans representing an area that failed in many ways, and the Levant as an area that succeeded greatly, in part because of the Hijaz railway that allowed economic prosperity up to the future nation-state existence of Jordan (whose current capital is a former refugee site). Interesting stuff, though a little overwhelming in its newness to me.
march 2026 media
Apr. 26th, 2026 10:24 amspiraliciousMissing some podcasts, long form content, and "other" significant to me media, but I'm posting as is for now.
series
Stargate Atlantis s1
Law & Order (live tv)
Bull (live tv)
Stargate SG-1 s8
Endeavour s3
Star Trek: Discovery s1
Happy Valley s2
Stargate SG-1 (Stargate Channel Pluto TV)
Penn & Teller Fool Me (YouTube episodes)
anime
Fruits Basket (2019) (live tv)
movies
The Last Man on Earth (1964)
Creepshow III (2006)
Project Hail Mary (2026)
Jack the Giant Killer (1962)
Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
Zorro (1940)
Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
novels
My Friends by Fredrik Backman (Book Talk Book Club)
The Little Liar by Mitch Albom (Book Talk Book Club)
graphic novels
Delicious in Dungeon volume 6 by Ryoko Kui
Under-Earth Chris Gooch (Pub Grub Book Club)
Batman '89: Echoes
Delicious in Dungeon volume 7 by Ryoko Kui
children's & youth
Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson
The Science Behind Batman's Flying Machines by Tammy Enz
Crows:Genius Birds by Kyla Vander Klugt (Science Comics Series)
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy by Emmanuel Acho
podcasts
Philip Defranco Show
Ghost Hominins (That We Know of) [History of Us series] - Lindsay Nikole
Smart Bricks: The Worst Product LEGO Has Ever Released - Crispy's Tavern Tales and Tea
Did It Not Go To Plan? It's Not the End - Luxeria Labs
1 800 Drama - shaaba
reaction content
r/BestOf - Oz's Vault
Tumblr - Oz Media
"The Piercing Patty Saga" - Vincey
Netflix' ANTM Documentary - Jessica Kobeissi
r/OhNoConsequences - Oz's Vault
Hotel Hell - Luxeria
"The Evil Granny Saga" - Vincey
r/EntitledPeople - Oz's Vault
r/InsaneParents - The Click
Body Modification TikTok - Roly
Reddit - KallMeKris2
r/Sh*tAmericansSay - The Click
r/AmITheDevil - Oz's Vault
r/StoriesAboutKevin Kevin Joins The Army. They Were Not Prepared (Full Saga) - Oz's Vault
"The Proposal Saga" - Vincey
ambience
Ocean Vibes - Whales
Rainy Vibes - Rainy Rooftops for Sleep
Good Vibes Playlist! The Longer Version! :) - Dreamy Days
/no meowbrew | 80's Tokyo Funky Lofi Playlist | Broadcasting Beyond | Relax & Chill & Study to - /no
aquarium playlist | comp with all of my sea creatures playlists - blewoo
web series
The Amazing Digital Circus ep 7: Beach Episode
The Amazing Digital Circus ep8: hjsakldfjl
other
Stargate Atlantis s1 special features
Stargate SG-1 s8 special features
Batman Call-in Radio Show: Live from Arkham Asylum by Good Knights Sleep
Lucky Derp Productions [comic dub] of Batman: Wayne Family Adventures; all between seasons mini eps & episodes 168 - 180
Neil Newbon Plays Date Everything (part 1) [game play through]
Judging How Romanceable Your D&D Characters Are by Ginny Di
Cult of the Lamb fan animations
ASMR to sleep
The Garfield Tarot Reader Show by Sleepy Keys ASMR
Night Shift Radio: Live From Gotham: Batman Bedtime Stories by Good Knights Sleep
Lucky Derp Productions [comic dub] Batman Wayne Family Adventures ch 182
ThatGoodNewsGirl
Good News (You Might Have Missed) - ItsSamBently
Toxic Tears' January Vlog
You Don't Know Jason Todd - The Panda Redd [Pre-Crisis Jason Todd video essay]
Lucky Derp Productions [Comic dub] Batman Wayne Family Adventures ch 181
ongoing:
Stargate Atlantis s2
Stargate SG-1 s9
[Monster Week] Kraken Week '24 playlist
Mr. Kato Plays Family by Milena Michiko Flasar
series
Stargate Atlantis s1
Law & Order (live tv)
Bull (live tv)
Stargate SG-1 s8
Endeavour s3
Star Trek: Discovery s1
Happy Valley s2
Stargate SG-1 (Stargate Channel Pluto TV)
Penn & Teller Fool Me (YouTube episodes)
anime
Fruits Basket (2019) (live tv)
movies
The Last Man on Earth (1964)
Creepshow III (2006)
Project Hail Mary (2026)
Jack the Giant Killer (1962)
Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
Zorro (1940)
Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
novels
My Friends by Fredrik Backman (Book Talk Book Club)
The Little Liar by Mitch Albom (Book Talk Book Club)
graphic novels
Delicious in Dungeon volume 6 by Ryoko Kui
Under-Earth Chris Gooch (Pub Grub Book Club)
Batman '89: Echoes
Delicious in Dungeon volume 7 by Ryoko Kui
children's & youth
Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson
The Science Behind Batman's Flying Machines by Tammy Enz
Crows:Genius Birds by Kyla Vander Klugt (Science Comics Series)
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy by Emmanuel Acho
podcasts
Philip Defranco Show
Ghost Hominins (That We Know of) [History of Us series] - Lindsay Nikole
Smart Bricks: The Worst Product LEGO Has Ever Released - Crispy's Tavern Tales and Tea
Did It Not Go To Plan? It's Not the End - Luxeria Labs
1 800 Drama - shaaba
reaction content
r/BestOf - Oz's Vault
Tumblr - Oz Media
"The Piercing Patty Saga" - Vincey
Netflix' ANTM Documentary - Jessica Kobeissi
r/OhNoConsequences - Oz's Vault
Hotel Hell - Luxeria
"The Evil Granny Saga" - Vincey
r/EntitledPeople - Oz's Vault
r/InsaneParents - The Click
Body Modification TikTok - Roly
Reddit - KallMeKris2
r/Sh*tAmericansSay - The Click
r/AmITheDevil - Oz's Vault
r/StoriesAboutKevin Kevin Joins The Army. They Were Not Prepared (Full Saga) - Oz's Vault
"The Proposal Saga" - Vincey
ambience
Ocean Vibes - Whales
Rainy Vibes - Rainy Rooftops for Sleep
Good Vibes Playlist! The Longer Version! :) - Dreamy Days
/no meowbrew | 80's Tokyo Funky Lofi Playlist | Broadcasting Beyond | Relax & Chill & Study to - /no
aquarium playlist | comp with all of my sea creatures playlists - blewoo
web series
The Amazing Digital Circus ep 7: Beach Episode
The Amazing Digital Circus ep8: hjsakldfjl
other
Stargate Atlantis s1 special features
Stargate SG-1 s8 special features
Batman Call-in Radio Show: Live from Arkham Asylum by Good Knights Sleep
Lucky Derp Productions [comic dub] of Batman: Wayne Family Adventures; all between seasons mini eps & episodes 168 - 180
Neil Newbon Plays Date Everything (part 1) [game play through]
Judging How Romanceable Your D&D Characters Are by Ginny Di
Cult of the Lamb fan animations
ASMR to sleep
The Garfield Tarot Reader Show by Sleepy Keys ASMR
Night Shift Radio: Live From Gotham: Batman Bedtime Stories by Good Knights Sleep
Lucky Derp Productions [comic dub] Batman Wayne Family Adventures ch 182
ThatGoodNewsGirl
Good News (You Might Have Missed) - ItsSamBently
Toxic Tears' January Vlog
You Don't Know Jason Todd - The Panda Redd [Pre-Crisis Jason Todd video essay]
Lucky Derp Productions [Comic dub] Batman Wayne Family Adventures ch 181
ongoing:
Stargate Atlantis s2
Stargate SG-1 s9
[Monster Week] Kraken Week '24 playlist
Mr. Kato Plays Family by Milena Michiko Flasar
The Crows
Apr. 25th, 2026 09:55 pmspiraliciousSorry this has taken so long, but here is the requested story of the crows.
Under a cut because of length ( Read more... )
Under a cut because of length ( Read more... )
About organizing long fiction
Apr. 25th, 2026 10:22 pmrhiSo, I've hit the point on a work in progress where I gave up and created my usual table at the bottom of the file, the one I refer to as 'Oh, fuck, this is a novel.' Then I ended up discussing it in a couple Discord servers, so I'm going to post it here, in case it's helpful to anyone else.
I got desperate tracking everything in Sirocco, and this is what worked for me. Now I do it anytime a fic gets so long that it's giving me trouble.
When I was writing the first story that turned into a novel on me (Sirocco), I eventually started loosing track of threads and plot points. So I put a table at the end (i.e., theoretically right under whatever I was writing). It's very straightforward:
Scene: Number
Pages: Where in the doc?
Characters: Who's in this scene? If I'm trying to stick to, or vary, POVs, I add POV to the notes, too.
Major points: Quick synopsis and, in this case, what plot points have made it onto the page so far.
I got desperate tracking everything in Sirocco, and this is what worked for me. Now I do it anytime a fic gets so long that it's giving me trouble.
Oh, I forgot one part: This is also a good way to keep track of details you know need to still go in! Sometimes, my last three or four rows are stuff that needs to occur and which characters need to be there.
Anyway, hope the idea helps someone!
Truly the perfect date yes.
Apr. 25th, 2026 10:41 pmgoodbyebird
(it was fucking snowing today, big fat snowflakes if you can believe it)
That's right, iiiiit's
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
3weeks4dreamwidth time, and despite it starting on a Saturday it's still starting off strong. I'm very banged up from work so I won't be doing much this weekend. I did however offer tarot readings at tarot, for anybody who wants to stop by and offer/request a reading. (let me play with my pretty pretty cards 🙏)Tarot Prompt Meme is back!
Apr. 25th, 2026 07:34 pmgoodbyebirdI absolutely love tarot for the rich visuals and just how many different readings/thoughts it can prompt. And many people use tarot for creative work, storytelling, roleplaying... and so here it is, the prompt meme! Featuring The Mystical Dream Tarot & The Citadel: A Fantasy Oracle.
The Mystical Dream Tarot & Citadel Oracle
Prompt Meme
(no pic of Citadel Oracle as I'm reusing the old banner)
+ Post your creations either in the comments, or your own journal.
+ If you want it added to the masterlist, also link your creation in the Prompt Fills thread.
+ All works should be new for this meme, and not something you’ve already created/posted elsewhere.
+ Any and all works welcome. Poetry, meta, stories, memories, art, whatever comes to mind. Wanna crochet? That's fucking amazing. You do you.
+ Please use NSFW/trigger warnings in the comment title/masterlist comment if they apply.
+ I'll reply with the cards drawn to your comment. Feel free to ask for a new prompt if the first one falls flat (new comment). Do give the prompt a day to linger though, an idea might just jump out at you throughout the day. The cards tend to do that ;)
+ Taking prompt requests until Sunday, May 10th.
Right click + show image in new tab = full size image of your pull
Handy Dandy Request Format
Handy Dandy Promo Code
Remember, this event is specifically for #ThreeWeeksForDreamwidth, so keeping your creation exclusive to Dreamwidth for the next three weeks is highly appreciated ♥
The Mystical Dream Tarot & Citadel Oracle
Prompt Meme
(no pic of Citadel Oracle as I'm reusing the old banner)
+ Post your creations either in the comments, or your own journal.
+ If you want it added to the masterlist, also link your creation in the Prompt Fills thread.
+ All works should be new for this meme, and not something you’ve already created/posted elsewhere.
+ Any and all works welcome. Poetry, meta, stories, memories, art, whatever comes to mind. Wanna crochet? That's fucking amazing. You do you.
+ Please use NSFW/trigger warnings in the comment title/masterlist comment if they apply.
+ I'll reply with the cards drawn to your comment. Feel free to ask for a new prompt if the first one falls flat (new comment). Do give the prompt a day to linger though, an idea might just jump out at you throughout the day. The cards tend to do that ;)
+ Taking prompt requests until Sunday, May 10th.
Right click + show image in new tab = full size image of your pull
Handy Dandy Request Format
Handy Dandy Promo Code
Remember, this event is specifically for #ThreeWeeksForDreamwidth, so keeping your creation exclusive to Dreamwidth for the next three weeks is highly appreciated ♥
Fiddling on
Apr. 25th, 2026 02:20 pmmificOkay, so, general update then some happier HR stuff. NZ now has about 16 days of onshore diesel left and there's nothing in the news about it. The official govt fuel update page says no worries, prices will just be a bit higher next few weeks, no need to ration. Surendran says we only have stocks and some diesel incoming on two ships as we're outbidding poorer nations, which is causing other countries in our fuel supply chain around the Asian-Pacific rim to side-eye us as they've all imposed restrictions on their own populations, being collectivist cultures. So NZ is looking like a selfish, short-sighted, individualistic nation, which is just great, if we ever need their help. Fucking National government dickheads.
I mailordered a bunch of things on the basis of why not while I still can, and am now faced with needing to tidy and reorganise my spare room and garage to store stuff. Ugh. I'm too physically lazy to be a survivalist.
Maybe I can hire a boy scout? Do boy scouts still exist? I also need the boy scout to change bulbs in my kitchen as I don't think I'm safe on a stepstool any more. Rats. I got my second shingles vax and over the next two weeks will get a flu shot and covid booster.
Lots of rain and thunderstorms recently but still many nice days, although temps have dropped so definitely autumnal. The liquidamber trees are bronzing up - the main tree that reliably has autumn colours here in the subtropics. I'm going to revamp a couple of my wheeliebeds and plant kale and spinach, also pansies are available, so yay. Potted colour for interesting times.
On the HR front, have been arting, and posted another podfic. Lots of fiddling!
Ilya and Friend - portrait of a contemplative Ilya with rabbit (kind of for Easter)
cut to the feeling - podfic of Charlotte_Stant's wonderful fic
Collectors Items - picked up 4 art pinch hits for the ICE OUT donations challenge. This one is hollanov in Topps card format.
Everyone's Issue - for ICE OUT. A mental health poster format with Shane and Ilya.
Best t-shirt ever - Scott/Kip, domestic fluff, for ICE OUT.
I got you something - Troy/Harris and the NY Pride pin for ICE OUT
podfic of Torture Me (With All I've Wanted) - excellent fic by toomuchplor (teenage Shane/Ilya bonding on a long bus ride)
HR recs:
(I've lost track of who reccd what so some of these will already have been reccd by friends.)
Retirement, apparently by cheryl123
Hilarious romp of crack taken seriously. Post retirement from hockey, Shane and Ilya end up in VERY different reality tv shows, with iconic results.
Knock on Wood by McShrug
Hot as hell fic in which "just the tip" becomes part of Shane's superstitious pregame playoffs ritual.
Is this thing on? by arustyspork
I saw this ask on tumblr - someone suggested a post-retirement fic where Shane and Svetlana have a hockey podcast together. Arustyspork took up the baton, and it's marvellous! They have a segment called "why Ilya Rozanov owes me money" in which guests relate terrible/funny things Ilya did to them. They won't let Ilya himself come on the show and it drives him crazy!
i carry your heart by corvidcordelia
A complete AU where they're competing literary fiction writers having rivalrous sex in a retelling of the show. CC adds in mocked-up covers for their bestsellers and extremely real-feeling & pretentious rave critic reviews, plus quotes from Cummings and Austen. Brilliantly done. As usual, Svetlana and Rose (their literary agents) do some emotional heavy lifting.
And, new to me HR writers that I'm now reading everything of:
ghoulien
Cheryl123sing
HH_Arrow
Okay, enough for now! Today was supposed to be a writing day, ha.
Hugs to you all!
I mailordered a bunch of things on the basis of why not while I still can, and am now faced with needing to tidy and reorganise my spare room and garage to store stuff. Ugh. I'm too physically lazy to be a survivalist.
Maybe I can hire a boy scout? Do boy scouts still exist? I also need the boy scout to change bulbs in my kitchen as I don't think I'm safe on a stepstool any more. Rats. I got my second shingles vax and over the next two weeks will get a flu shot and covid booster.
Lots of rain and thunderstorms recently but still many nice days, although temps have dropped so definitely autumnal. The liquidamber trees are bronzing up - the main tree that reliably has autumn colours here in the subtropics. I'm going to revamp a couple of my wheeliebeds and plant kale and spinach, also pansies are available, so yay. Potted colour for interesting times.
On the HR front, have been arting, and posted another podfic. Lots of fiddling!
Ilya and Friend - portrait of a contemplative Ilya with rabbit (kind of for Easter)
cut to the feeling - podfic of Charlotte_Stant's wonderful fic
Collectors Items - picked up 4 art pinch hits for the ICE OUT donations challenge. This one is hollanov in Topps card format.
Everyone's Issue - for ICE OUT. A mental health poster format with Shane and Ilya.
Best t-shirt ever - Scott/Kip, domestic fluff, for ICE OUT.
I got you something - Troy/Harris and the NY Pride pin for ICE OUT
podfic of Torture Me (With All I've Wanted) - excellent fic by toomuchplor (teenage Shane/Ilya bonding on a long bus ride)
HR recs:
(I've lost track of who reccd what so some of these will already have been reccd by friends.)
Retirement, apparently by cheryl123
Hilarious romp of crack taken seriously. Post retirement from hockey, Shane and Ilya end up in VERY different reality tv shows, with iconic results.
Knock on Wood by McShrug
Hot as hell fic in which "just the tip" becomes part of Shane's superstitious pregame playoffs ritual.
Is this thing on? by arustyspork
I saw this ask on tumblr - someone suggested a post-retirement fic where Shane and Svetlana have a hockey podcast together. Arustyspork took up the baton, and it's marvellous! They have a segment called "why Ilya Rozanov owes me money" in which guests relate terrible/funny things Ilya did to them. They won't let Ilya himself come on the show and it drives him crazy!
i carry your heart by corvidcordelia
A complete AU where they're competing literary fiction writers having rivalrous sex in a retelling of the show. CC adds in mocked-up covers for their bestsellers and extremely real-feeling & pretentious rave critic reviews, plus quotes from Cummings and Austen. Brilliantly done. As usual, Svetlana and Rose (their literary agents) do some emotional heavy lifting.
And, new to me HR writers that I'm now reading everything of:
ghoulien
Cheryl123sing
HH_Arrow
Okay, enough for now! Today was supposed to be a writing day, ha.
Hugs to you all!
Fic: The Feast of St. Olaf [SGA, Team, G, 3800 words]
Apr. 24th, 2026 11:42 amrunpunkrun
Author: Punk
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters: Team Sheppard
Rating: G
Content notes: No standard notes apply.
Size: 3,800 words
Summary: The hunting knife is twice the size of the fruit in his hand, but Ronon handles it with ease.
Read it on the AO3 or here »
( The Feast of St. Olaf )
[livre] Contes du Yemen
Apr. 24th, 2026 05:47 pmmaluretteTitre : Contes du Yemen
Auteures : anonymes, collecté par Fatima al Baydani
Langue : traduction française de l'arabe
Type : contes
Genre : /
1ère parution : 2008
Édition : L'école des loisirs
Format : medium poche, 10 contes/120 pages, illustré n&b
![]()
(d'après l'étiquette de prix ça viendrait de Boulinier ? mais alors ça fait un paquet d'années
que je l'aurais ?)
Des variations sur les déshérités qui triomphent, certains schémas que je n'avais pas encore plus, un ou deux pas très intéressants en soi, mais ce sont à la fois les différences culturelles et les thèmes communs transcendaux qui sont intéressants à comparer ?
Auteures : anonymes, collecté par Fatima al Baydani
Langue : traduction française de l'arabe
Type : contes
Genre : /
1ère parution : 2008
Édition : L'école des loisirs
Format : medium poche, 10 contes/120 pages, illustré n&b
(d'après l'étiquette de prix ça viendrait de Boulinier ? mais alors ça fait un paquet d'années
que je l'aurais ?)
Des variations sur les déshérités qui triomphent, certains schémas que je n'avais pas encore plus, un ou deux pas très intéressants en soi, mais ce sont à la fois les différences culturelles et les thèmes communs transcendaux qui sont intéressants à comparer ?
It continues
Apr. 24th, 2026 09:38 amgaladhirDespite the rather disparaging title of this post, I've been very pleasantly impressed by the windows people. They did the whole upstairs on Wednesday, not even needing to put ladders up. They just put the outside parts of the window through the gap and pulled it into the socket from the inside.
Then they did all the windows downstairs, and the front door, yesterday. And today they're just finishing off with the patio window/door that leads into the garden and forms the whole wall along the back of the sitting room. This is apparently much more complicated than any of the previous things so it requires a day of its own - certainly they're hard at work on it and have been since 7.55. (It's now 9.43)
I am so pleased with the new front door! The old one was a bit ratty even when we moved in. The blue paint was flaking off and the wood of the doorstep had begun to fall apart - there was a chunk missing. It was also very plain and let the drafts through, and generally we ignored it.
This one however is a nice green colour. It has stained glass, and a knocker in the shape of a bee. It feels sturdier and fits way more snugly in its socket. When the sun shines through the door panels, onto the floor of the hall, it's very beautiful.
The workmen did attempt to force one of our internal doors with a crowbar. (It's a sliding door and it is finicky - there's a knack to it and they didn't have the knack, so they attempted to force it and broke the lock.) But they have fixed that now.
How easy it is for an experienced person to get through a door with a crowbar! A slightly worrying thought.
Well, I think I will get out of the chaos by cycling into town to get groceries and go to the gym. I don't really want to do either of those things, but there's no peace to be had here, so why not?
Spring Sprung and Recs Recced
Apr. 23rd, 2026 07:48 pmdonutsweeperAfter a light dusting of snow on the 19th spring has finally sprung and sprung with a vengeance here (to be fair it was unseasonably hot before that snow and now again after, 20+ degrees (f) warmer than usual which is making my least favorite time of year even worse due to a combo of Blargh-Pollen-Everywhere allergies and encroaching ants (dudes, the outside is where you should be! You do not pay rent, do not be in my house). Sigh. Usual tactics to get them gone aren't working either, it might be exterminator time which I hate to do, but oh well.
This is neat: NASA's Your Name in Landsat (see your name spelled out in landsat imagery of the Earth)
Nothing much else interesting is happening in my neck of the woods, I've been doing a lot of cleaning and organizing (a cute self-care/tracking app I use, Finch, had a challenge last month where it suggested little tasks to do each day/every few days and I found it a great way to do things without being overwhelmed - like dust a shelf, go through one drawer, etc - so I've been trying to keep it up and do something most days.) And craftwise, I'm nearly finished with a blanket. Not sure what project I'll do next, something will come to me, though I'm sure.
And for the main reason for this post... here, have three weeks ofrecthething recs (lots of tumblr art and one MDZS/Untamed fic):
Doctor Who (Classic)
- More Four Stuff (A whole bunch of adorable Four doodles)
Discworld
- its a heavy burden, having a heart as big as a city. and heavier still when it loves you back (love the way the Ankh Morpork is silhouetted in the background with Vetinari and Sybil looking down at Vimes)
MDZS/The Untamed
- my baby my baby (gorgeous LWJ holding a bunny sketch)
Merlin
- The Favour (love the dreaminess of this)
Nirvana in Fire
- Consort Jing (gorgeous)
Sherlock Holmes
- "Labours of Love" English paper piecing: Doodles and Research (fascinating read and wonderful art)
Supernatural
- Happy Easter!! ✨🐝 "Thought the boys deserved at least one nice, happy Easter egg hunt and in my mind Bobby did so too :)" (adorable comic)
X-Files
- awoo (hilarious Mulder and Scully comic)
MDZS/Untamed fic:
A Fork in the Road by Bodldops (142k)
Summary: With a small change, Wei Wuxian has a chance to reconsider his stance. That change leads to others. The most important words you can say, after all, are thank you, and I am sorry. It is better to say them earlier, than later through tears. ( an interesting turn-left AU where canon events shift post WWX punching JZN in Cloud Recessess. FYI contains some Jiang, especially Madam Yu, bashing)
This is neat: NASA's Your Name in Landsat (see your name spelled out in landsat imagery of the Earth)
Nothing much else interesting is happening in my neck of the woods, I've been doing a lot of cleaning and organizing (a cute self-care/tracking app I use, Finch, had a challenge last month where it suggested little tasks to do each day/every few days and I found it a great way to do things without being overwhelmed - like dust a shelf, go through one drawer, etc - so I've been trying to keep it up and do something most days.) And craftwise, I'm nearly finished with a blanket. Not sure what project I'll do next, something will come to me, though I'm sure.
And for the main reason for this post... here, have three weeks of
recthething recs (lots of tumblr art and one MDZS/Untamed fic): Doctor Who (Classic)
- More Four Stuff (A whole bunch of adorable Four doodles)
Discworld
- its a heavy burden, having a heart as big as a city. and heavier still when it loves you back (love the way the Ankh Morpork is silhouetted in the background with Vetinari and Sybil looking down at Vimes)
MDZS/The Untamed
- my baby my baby (gorgeous LWJ holding a bunny sketch)
Merlin
- The Favour (love the dreaminess of this)
Nirvana in Fire
- Consort Jing (gorgeous)
Sherlock Holmes
- "Labours of Love" English paper piecing: Doodles and Research (fascinating read and wonderful art)
Supernatural
- Happy Easter!! ✨🐝 "Thought the boys deserved at least one nice, happy Easter egg hunt and in my mind Bobby did so too :)" (adorable comic)
X-Files
- awoo (hilarious Mulder and Scully comic)
MDZS/Untamed fic:
A Fork in the Road by Bodldops (142k)
Summary: With a small change, Wei Wuxian has a chance to reconsider his stance. That change leads to others. The most important words you can say, after all, are thank you, and I am sorry. It is better to say them earlier, than later through tears. ( an interesting turn-left AU where canon events shift post WWX punching JZN in Cloud Recessess. FYI contains some Jiang, especially Madam Yu, bashing)