History
Dec. 17th, 2025 08:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithThis 8,000-year-old art shows math before numbers existed
Over 8,000 years ago, early farming communities in northern Mesopotamia were already thinking mathematically—long before numbers were written down. By closely studying Halafian pottery, researchers uncovered floral and plant designs arranged with precise symmetry and numerical patterns, revealing a surprisingly advanced sense of geometry.
People learned to count and do math, sometimes rather sophisticated math, long before they got around to writing numerals or equations. As for geometry, it's very easy to obtain workable patterns that scale well by examining nature. Fibonacci sequence and fractals both yield very useful parameters.
Over 8,000 years ago, early farming communities in northern Mesopotamia were already thinking mathematically—long before numbers were written down. By closely studying Halafian pottery, researchers uncovered floral and plant designs arranged with precise symmetry and numerical patterns, revealing a surprisingly advanced sense of geometry.
People learned to count and do math, sometimes rather sophisticated math, long before they got around to writing numerals or equations. As for geometry, it's very easy to obtain workable patterns that scale well by examining nature. Fibonacci sequence and fractals both yield very useful parameters.
Birdfeeding
Dec. 17th, 2025 06:22 pmysabetwordsmithToday is partly sunny and chilly.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches plus a male cardinal.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches plus a male cardinal.
Three for the Memories Coming Back Next Month!
Dec. 17th, 2025 05:04 pmysabetwordsmith![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
threeforthememories 2025 session will be open for posts on January 3, 2026 and will run for 3 weeks until January 24. Do let others know about us, as anyone can participate by just joining the community.Just a reminder of how the event runs:
1) Three photos only per person during each annual session. Members are encouraged to discuss the reason for their choices.
2) Photos can be hosted at Dreamwidth or elsewhere, and should not be larger than 800 px width or height.
3) All three photos should be in the same post. Cut tags should be placed after the first photo.
And after
Dec. 17th, 2025 03:47 pmbill_schubertThey had to chop off a bunch of his hair so it didn't come out really good.
But once it's grown out his next grooming he will look just as cute as he
can be. But he's a really sweet dog and looks and feels, I'm sure, a lot
better.
Dangerously close - Matt, the yorkie
Dec. 17th, 2025 01:01 pmbill_schubertI volunteered to take a recent hard case to Pets Mart for emergency grooming. Turned out to be a Yorkie and had that shell shocked personality that Beaux originally had.
You can hardly see a dog in the mess that is his hair. It is all matted and coated with crap.
But he's obviously been with someone nice. He has manners and is OK in the car.
I didn't ask too much about him. He'll get adopted quickly. He's a perfect backpack dog. Long walks on the beach.
I'll get another picture after he's done. It will show better what he's like. He has a great life just around the corner. Much as I'd love to add him to the herd I'm going to resist.
Good pickleball today but it was drizzly and the tennis center was shut down so we had too many people. I mildly complained. We're supposed to have a maximum number of 21 for three courts. That means nine people are waiting at any given time and twelve are playing. Games take about fifteen minutes so it should be fifteen on/fifteen off. Or so. But add a couple of more and it skews the numbers. Not good.
I continue to slowly lose weight. It occurred to me that I have in the recent past struggled to buy a 40 pound bag of salt for our water softener. I can carry it but not easily and I can lift it up to dump it in but it is not easy. In two more pounds that is how much weight I've lost since I decided to lose it (maybe 18 months ago) by signing up for Noom. I think my knees and back and feet thank me. I've got another ten or so to go, I think. I can tell a difference moving around the pickleball court. I can't imagine strapping a 40 pound bag of salt to my back and trying to play but that is what I weighed when I started playing.
Every now and then I'll check to be sure The Onion is still on track.
It has been a quiet couple of years but we're making up for it this week.
As long as we blame it on evil we're in the clear from actually doing anything but for Sunday mornings. An hour or so in the pew and a couple of prayers and some sage nodding at the right time and we're good.
No one tried to say a thing
When they took him out in jest
Except, of course, the little neighbor boy
Who carried him to rest
And he just walked along, alone
With his guilt so well concealed
And muttered underneath his breath
“Nothing is revealed”
The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest
Written by: Bob Dylan
You can hardly see a dog in the mess that is his hair. It is all matted and coated with crap.
But he's obviously been with someone nice. He has manners and is OK in the car.
I didn't ask too much about him. He'll get adopted quickly. He's a perfect backpack dog. Long walks on the beach.
I'll get another picture after he's done. It will show better what he's like. He has a great life just around the corner. Much as I'd love to add him to the herd I'm going to resist.
Good pickleball today but it was drizzly and the tennis center was shut down so we had too many people. I mildly complained. We're supposed to have a maximum number of 21 for three courts. That means nine people are waiting at any given time and twelve are playing. Games take about fifteen minutes so it should be fifteen on/fifteen off. Or so. But add a couple of more and it skews the numbers. Not good.
I continue to slowly lose weight. It occurred to me that I have in the recent past struggled to buy a 40 pound bag of salt for our water softener. I can carry it but not easily and I can lift it up to dump it in but it is not easy. In two more pounds that is how much weight I've lost since I decided to lose it (maybe 18 months ago) by signing up for Noom. I think my knees and back and feet thank me. I've got another ten or so to go, I think. I can tell a difference moving around the pickleball court. I can't imagine strapping a 40 pound bag of salt to my back and trying to play but that is what I weighed when I started playing.
Every now and then I'll check to be sure The Onion is still on track.
It has been a quiet couple of years but we're making up for it this week.
As long as we blame it on evil we're in the clear from actually doing anything but for Sunday mornings. An hour or so in the pew and a couple of prayers and some sage nodding at the right time and we're good.
No one tried to say a thing
When they took him out in jest
Except, of course, the little neighbor boy
Who carried him to rest
And he just walked along, alone
With his guilt so well concealed
And muttered underneath his breath
“Nothing is revealed”
The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest
Written by: Bob Dylan
Hades II: The Chaos Run
Dec. 17th, 2025 01:00 pmdoreygThis is a very overdue post, and will probably be a deeply incoherent post in many ways. But hey ho.
Here are my thoughts on my first playthrough of Hades II! Probably my favourite game that I’ve personally played this year, and containing some of my absolute favourite characters. I’ve gone run by run instead of a more general overview, so this is definitely going to be a bit more bitty than usual, but hopefully my adoration for it comes through anyway. :D
( Read more... )
This was somehow even more chaotic than I thought it’d be, hey ho. Anyway, I loved the game and am very glad that I played it! :D
Here are my thoughts on my first playthrough of Hades II! Probably my favourite game that I’ve personally played this year, and containing some of my absolute favourite characters. I’ve gone run by run instead of a more general overview, so this is definitely going to be a bit more bitty than usual, but hopefully my adoration for it comes through anyway. :D
( Read more... )
This was somehow even more chaotic than I thought it’d be, hey ho. Anyway, I loved the game and am very glad that I played it! :D
Early Humans
Dec. 17th, 2025 12:50 amysabetwordsmith Scientists reveal a 1.5-million-year-old human face
A 1.5-million-year-old face is forcing scientists to rethink the origins and diversity of early humans.
Scientists have digitally reconstructed the face of a 1.5-million-year-old Homo erectus fossil from Ethiopia, uncovering an unexpectedly primitive appearance. While its braincase fits with classic Homo erectus, the face and teeth resemble much older human ancestors. This discovery challenges long-held ideas about where and how Homo erectus evolved. It also hints at a complex web of migrations and possible mixing between early human species.
The actual image shows a reconstruction of the skull, rather than a paleoforensic art rendering of the face when alive. But it's still cool.
A 1.5-million-year-old face is forcing scientists to rethink the origins and diversity of early humans.
Scientists have digitally reconstructed the face of a 1.5-million-year-old Homo erectus fossil from Ethiopia, uncovering an unexpectedly primitive appearance. While its braincase fits with classic Homo erectus, the face and teeth resemble much older human ancestors. This discovery challenges long-held ideas about where and how Homo erectus evolved. It also hints at a complex web of migrations and possible mixing between early human species.
The actual image shows a reconstruction of the skull, rather than a paleoforensic art rendering of the face when alive. But it's still cool.
Hard Things
Dec. 17th, 2025 12:48 amysabetwordsmithLife is full of things which are hard or tedious or otherwise unpleasant that need doing anyhow. They help make the world go 'round, they improve skills, and they boost your sense of self-respect. But doing them still kinda sucks. It's all the more difficult to do those things when nobody appreciates it. Happily, blogging allows us to share our accomplishments and pat each other on the back.
What are some of the hard things you've done recently? What are some hard things you haven't gotten to yet, but need to do? Is there anything your online friends could do to make your hard things a little easier?
What are some of the hard things you've done recently? What are some hard things you haven't gotten to yet, but need to do? Is there anything your online friends could do to make your hard things a little easier?
Photos: Testing Pens on Plant Labels
Dec. 17th, 2025 12:37 amysabetwordsmithThis year I've been running an experiment to see which type of pen lasts the longest for labeling plants outdoors. I have compiled links to the previous posts and added pictures from each month where I hadn't already posted them. Results: Sharpie Oil Pen lasted longest, Craft Smart Oil Pen was still legible at the end of the year, and Sharpie Permanent Marker faded very fast. If you're labeling plants outdoors, buy an oil paint pen, preferably Sharpie.
These are the other posts regarding the labels.
1/3/25 Photos: Testing Pens on Plant Labels
2/3/25 Photos: House Yard and South Lot
3/3/25 Photos: House Yard and South Lot
4/4/25 Photos: South Lot
5/6/25 Photos: South Lot
6/2/25 Photos: House Yard
11/3/25 Photos: Lantern Terrarium Assembly Part 2 Testing the Fit (labels at bottom)
Photos: House Yard 12-16-25
( Let's do science to it... )
These are the other posts regarding the labels.
1/3/25 Photos: Testing Pens on Plant Labels
2/3/25 Photos: House Yard and South Lot
3/3/25 Photos: House Yard and South Lot
4/4/25 Photos: South Lot
5/6/25 Photos: South Lot
6/2/25 Photos: House Yard
11/3/25 Photos: Lantern Terrarium Assembly Part 2 Testing the Fit (labels at bottom)
Photos: House Yard 12-16-25
( Let's do science to it... )
Today's Cooking
Dec. 16th, 2025 10:57 pmysabetwordsmithTonight I'm making the Candy Cane Cookies with cherry flavored candy canes. Watch for your favorite flavors this time of year and grab them while you can. This recipe should work with any candy cane flavor you like -- they are basically just a big piece of flavored sugar that you can turn back into sugar grains by bashing them in a bag.
EDIT 12/16/25 -- These turned out okay, but nowhere near as good at the original peppermint or the cinnamon. They looked pretty though, as the cherry candy canes had both red and green stripes. So it might be worth a try if you're a fan of "birthday cake" with sprinkles baking.
EDIT 12/16/25 -- These turned out okay, but nowhere near as good at the original peppermint or the cinnamon. They looked pretty though, as the cherry candy canes had both red and green stripes. So it might be worth a try if you're a fan of "birthday cake" with sprinkles baking.
Photos: House Yard
Dec. 16th, 2025 09:29 pmysabetwordsmithToday I took pictures of the labels I'm testing, plus a few of the snowy yard as well.
These are the other posts regarding the labels. I need to make a post that shows them all in sequence; not everything has been posted yet.
1/3/25 Photos: Testing Pens on Plant Labels
2/3/25 Photos: House Yard and South Lot
3/3/25 Photos: House Yard and South Lot
4/4/25 Photos: South Lot
5/6/25 Photos: South Lot
6/2/25 Photos: House Yard
11/3/25 Photos: Lantern Terrarium Assembly Part 2 Testing the Fit (labels at bottom)
( Walk with me ... )
These are the other posts regarding the labels. I need to make a post that shows them all in sequence; not everything has been posted yet.
1/3/25 Photos: Testing Pens on Plant Labels
2/3/25 Photos: House Yard and South Lot
3/3/25 Photos: House Yard and South Lot
4/4/25 Photos: South Lot
5/6/25 Photos: South Lot
6/2/25 Photos: House Yard
11/3/25 Photos: Lantern Terrarium Assembly Part 2 Testing the Fit (labels at bottom)
( Walk with me ... )
Food
Dec. 16th, 2025 05:52 pmysabetwordsmithParents find Health Star Ratings confusing and unhelpful. We need a better food labelling system (Australia)
Food labels are intended to support healthy choices. But not all labelling schemes are equal.
Australia currently uses a voluntary Health Star Rating system. Food manufacturers can choose to add a star label to their packaging to indicate how it compares to other similar products. Or they can choose not to show a star rating on a product at all.
How satisfied are you with the food labeling option(s) available where you live? If you also buy imported foods, what do you think about labels from other countries?
What kind of traits do you pay attention to in food shopping? Are they easy to find on labels, harder to find, not listed, or actually forbidden to list?
( Read more... )
Food labels are intended to support healthy choices. But not all labelling schemes are equal.
Australia currently uses a voluntary Health Star Rating system. Food manufacturers can choose to add a star label to their packaging to indicate how it compares to other similar products. Or they can choose not to show a star rating on a product at all.
How satisfied are you with the food labeling option(s) available where you live? If you also buy imported foods, what do you think about labels from other countries?
What kind of traits do you pay attention to in food shopping? Are they easy to find on labels, harder to find, not listed, or actually forbidden to list?
( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Dec. 16th, 2025 01:48 pmysabetwordsmithToday is sunny and considerably less cold -- ice is melting in places.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a pair of cardinals, and two mourning doves.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/16/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 12/16/25 -- I took a few pictures around the yard, including the plant labels I'm tracking.
EDIT 12/16/25 -- I potted 4 Granny Smith apple seeds that already split open, and stored 3 more in a baggie of damp sand in the fridge.
One of the Pink apple sprouts that I planted earlier has surfaced and opened tiny leaves. \o/ (Note that this will not make a Pink apple, since it is a seedling not a clone, but if it lives then it should produce decent dessert apples of some sort.)
EDIT 12/16/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/16/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a pair of cardinals, and two mourning doves.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/16/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 12/16/25 -- I took a few pictures around the yard, including the plant labels I'm tracking.
EDIT 12/16/25 -- I potted 4 Granny Smith apple seeds that already split open, and stored 3 more in a baggie of damp sand in the fridge.
One of the Pink apple sprouts that I planted earlier has surfaced and opened tiny leaves. \o/ (Note that this will not make a Pink apple, since it is a seedling not a clone, but if it lives then it should produce decent dessert apples of some sort.)
EDIT 12/16/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/16/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
Pool Open!
Dec. 15th, 2025 11:35 pmysabetwordsmithfuzzyred is hosting a pool for the Holiday Poetry Sale. There are no individual poem targets yet, just a general discussion of some favorite areas. If you're shopping for poetry, dive in!Holiday Poetry Sale
Dec. 15th, 2025 08:38 pmysabetwordsmithThe Holiday Poetry Sale is now open on LiveJournal. Sponsors, start your engines! It runs Monday, December 15-Friday, December 19. All listed poems are half-price. If you spend $100 or more, you get the quarter-price rate. Watch to see if someone opens a pool; there is usually one for this event.
Conservation
Dec. 15th, 2025 06:00 pmysabetwordsmithCoffee-driven deforestation is making it harder to grow coffee, watchdog group says
Scientists have shown how deforestation leads to less rainfall in tropical rainforests. That's because the trees there soak up and release moisture, which rises to create clouds and more rain. Cutting down trees disrupts the cycle, reducing rainfall and leading to drought.
Drought, of course, makes it harder to grow coffee.
"When you kill the forest, you're actually also killing the rains, which is exactly what your crop needs to thrive in the long run," Higonnet says. "Even for people who don't much care about climate change and mass extinction, if they drink coffee and care about having coffee in the long run, this should be very scary for them."
( Read more... )
Scientists have shown how deforestation leads to less rainfall in tropical rainforests. That's because the trees there soak up and release moisture, which rises to create clouds and more rain. Cutting down trees disrupts the cycle, reducing rainfall and leading to drought.
Drought, of course, makes it harder to grow coffee.
"When you kill the forest, you're actually also killing the rains, which is exactly what your crop needs to thrive in the long run," Higonnet says. "Even for people who don't much care about climate change and mass extinction, if they drink coffee and care about having coffee in the long run, this should be very scary for them."
( Read more... )
Science
Dec. 15th, 2025 03:26 pmysabetwordsmithHidden dimensions could explain where mass comes from
A new theory proposes that the universe’s fundamental forces and particle properties may arise from the geometry of hidden extra dimensions. These dimensions could twist and evolve over time, forming stable structures that generate mass and symmetry breaking on their own. The approach may even explain cosmic expansion and predict a new particle. It hints at a universe built entirely from geometry.
A new theory proposes that the universe’s fundamental forces and particle properties may arise from the geometry of hidden extra dimensions. These dimensions could twist and evolve over time, forming stable structures that generate mass and symmetry breaking on their own. The approach may even explain cosmic expansion and predict a new particle. It hints at a universe built entirely from geometry.
Birdfeeding
Dec. 15th, 2025 01:42 pmysabetwordsmithToday is sunny and cold, but less frigid than yesterday. It got down to 8 below last night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. I put out a new block of peanut suet.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/15/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a female cardinal.
EDIT 12/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen a male cardinal.
EDIT 12/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen one female and two male cardinals, plus two mourning doves.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. I put out a new block of peanut suet.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 12/15/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen a female cardinal.
EDIT 12/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 12/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen a male cardinal.
EDIT 12/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen one female and two male cardinals, plus two mourning doves.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.