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minivantiny · 2 months

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Growing Tomatoes "The Muggle Way"

Summary:

Inspired by Yunho's wish to taste a freshly grown tomato, Mingi embarks on a gardening adventure.

Professor Flock's Muggle Studies classroom has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The desks and chairs are arranged in a semi-circle, creating a space that encourages lively discussions. The walls are decorated with colourful posters depicting various Muggle inventions, which contrasts with the magical tapestries typically found in Hogwarts classrooms. The shelves are lined with an assortment of quirky Muggle gadgets, including typewriters and rubber ducks, adding to the room's unique charm.

As Professor Flock posed his intriguing question, the classroom seemed to come alive with a mixture of curiosity and disinterest. Some students slumped in their chairs, fighting off drowsiness, while others feverishly scribbled notes or exchanged amused glances. The Hufflepuff student at the back, known for his outspoken nature, couldn't resist throwing in a cheeky question:

"Can't we just Accio food from some Muggle shop?"

Professor Flock answered with a grin, "And you think you wouldn't get tired of doing that every day?" The Hufflepuff, acknowledging the wisdom in the professor's words, nodded in amused agreement.

"Well, actually," Professor Flock continued, his animated gestures capturing the class's attention, "some local grocers buy food from the Muggle world and sell it to other wizards. That way, only a small number of wizards would have intimate knowledge of the Muggle world, while the rest would buy it with wizard money from magical stores."

The information hung in the air, prompting a mixture of contemplative nods and raised eyebrows. Amidst the sea of students, Yunho sat in a desk, absorbing every word with genuine interest. The intimate setting of the class, with only 12 seats, allowed for a more personal connection between the professor and the students.

As Professor Flock continued his lecture, he encouraged discussions between students. Students began to share stories about encounters with Muggle artifacts, debating the usefulness of certain inventions. Laughter echoed through the room as one student recalled a particularly baffling experience with a Muggle "bicycle."

The classroom, despite its modest size, became a vibrant space where the boundaries between magical and Muggle worlds blurred. Professor Flock's engaging teaching style and the students' varied reactions created an atmosphere of learning and excitement, proving that even the smallest classrooms could hold the magic of discovery.

Yunho lingered after class, eager to delve deeper into the details of growing non-magical plants with Professor Flock. With a smile, he approached the knowledgeable wizard.

"Professor Flock, I was wondering if you could tell me more about growing Muggle plants like tomatoes and onions without using magic," Yunho inquired, his curiosity evident.

Professor Flock, delighted by Yunho's enthusiasm, gestured for him to join him at his desk. "Ah, the classic Muggle way! It's a fascinating process, my dear Yunho. Let me give you a brief overview."

Yunho leaned in, absorbing every word as Professor Flock began to explain. "Firstly, you'll need the right soil. Muggles often use a mixture of sand and loam for their gardens. It provides good drainage and aeration for the plants. Now, for tomatoes and onions, they thrive in slightly acidic soil, so keep that in mind."

Yunho nodded, his mind absorbing the details. "And what about planting the seeds?"

"Ah, excellent question! Muggles typically start by planting seeds indoors in pots, especially in colder climates. This gives the plants a head start before transplanting them outdoors. Make sure to follow the guidelines on the seed packets for the proper depth and spacing."

Yunho, scribbling notes on a spare piece of parchment, continued to inquire. "And watering? How do Muggles manage that without magic?"

Professor Flock chuckled, appreciating Yunho's eagerness. "Muggles water their plants manually, usually with a watering can. They gauge the moisture levels by feeling the soil; if it's dry an inch below the surface, it's time to water. Remember, it's a bit of trial and error, but you'll get the hang of it."

As their conversation continued, Professor Flock shared more insights on the complexity of Muggle gardening, from dealing with pests to the benefits of companion planting. Yunho absorbed the information like a sponge, grateful for the chance to expand his magical knowledge into the realm of the mundane, yet fascinating, Muggle practices.

Yunho couldn't contain the excitement bubbling within him as he practically skipped down the Hogwarts halls, eager to share his newfound knowledge with Mingi.

Finding Mingi at the Hufflepuff dinner table, his plate already half-empty, Yunho approached with a grin, unable to contain his enthusiasm. "Mingi, you won't believe what I learned in Muggle Studies today!" Yunho exclaimed, excitement glimmering in his eyes.

Mingi looked up from his meal, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Yunho's excitement. "What is it, Yunho? Something interesting?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Seating himself next to Mingi, Yunho dove into a descriptive recap of Professor Flock's class. He vividly described the quirky Muggle gadgets and the insights into how wizards obtained non-magical products. Mingi listened attentively, occasionally nodding or chuckling at Yunho's enthusiasm about such simple things.

As Yunho reached the topic of growing Muggle plants, he couldn't help but let slip his personal desire. "You know Mingi, I'd love to taste a freshly grown tomato someday, like the ones Muggles grow in their gardens, the proper 'Muggle Way'."

Mingi, ever attentive to Yunho's interests, leaned in with genuine interest. "The proper 'Muggle Way', you say?"

Yunho's eyes sparkled with excitement as he grinned. "I can't help but wonder how different they might taste compared to the magical ones we're used to."

As the conversation flowed, Mingi secretly hatched a plan to fulfill Yunho's wish. His small gardening haven behind the Beasts classroom would be the perfect spot to grow tomatoes without arousing suspicion. The mischievous gleam in Mingi's eyes went unnoticed as Yunho continued sharing his enthusiasm for Muggle studies.

Intrigued by Yunho's passion, Mingi made a mental note to surprise him with a taste of freshly grown tomatoes, grown with care and dedication, a secret gift from one Hufflepuff to another.

So he got to work.

The very same day.

Mingi, armed with a bag of seeds from "The Magic Neep" in Hogsmeade, embarked on his ambitious tomato-growing venture behind the Beasts classroom. The plot was set, the seeds were planted, and the pots were filled, but little did Mingi know, his gardening journey was about to take an unexprected turn.

Unbeknownst to him, Mingi had chosen clay soil, believing it to be a magical boon for his tomatoes. The pots were generously filled with magical fertilizer, expecting it to work wonders. As the days passed, Mingi's tomatoes weren't thriving; they were practically begging for mercy.

In the midst of his gardening disaster, Mingi scratched his head, wondering why his plants seemed more interested in protesting against their magical confinement than growing into lush tomatoes. It was then that he stumbled upon a gardening guide tucked away in the corner of the greenhouse, its title reading, "Gardening for Muggles: The Unseen Magic of Soil."

Wide-eyed, Mingi realized his mistake. He needed loam or a mixture of sand and loam, not the clay soil and magical fertilizer concoction he had been using. With a sigh, he resigned himself to the fact that gardening, even 'The Muggle Way', required a bit more attention to detail than he had initially thought.

Weeks later, as the first raindrops fell from the darkened sky, Yunho hurriedly exited the Beasts classroom, his footsteps echoing through the deserted courtyard. The heavy rain quickly escalated, prompting him to dash towards the castle to seek shelter from the downpour.

In his haste, Yunho caught a glimpse of a determined figure behind the Beasts classroom. Through the misty rain, he spotted Mingi, wearing a vibrant yellow raincoat and matching rubber boots, battling the unexpcted weather to tend to his struggling tomatoes.

Yunho's footsteps slowed as he observed Mingi's dedication. Dirtied with mud, hair sticking to his forehead, Mingi reflected loyalty to his words. He saw Mingi frantically attempting to move a gardening pot under a hastily constructed wooden shelter, struggling without a hint of magic.

A small blush crept onto Yunho's face as he realized Mingi was enduring this for him, inspired by Yunho's simple desire to taste a freshly grown tomato. Mesmerized by Mingi's unwavering commitment, Yunho decided to respect his friend's privacy and retreated, leaving Mingi to wrestle with the unpredictable forces of nature.

Three months had flown by since that day. On a lazy Saturday morning, Yunho stirred in his dormitory bed, basking in the luxury of a day free from classes.

Deciding to savor the rare opportunity to sleep in, Yunho stretched and turned his head towards Mingi's bed, only to find it suspiciously empty. The Hufflepuff dormitory room, usually filled with the soft snores of its occupants, felt unusually quiet. Furrowing his eyebrows in confusion, Yunho sat up and scanned the room, wondering where his roommate had vanished to so early on a weekend morning.

His eyes landed on a parchment paper neatly placed on his nightstand. Intrigued, Yunho picked it up and unfolded the note, revealing a message that stirred his curiosity. "Meet me behind the Beasts classroom, I have a surprise for you - S.M." Yunho's eyebrow raised in confusion. He had momentarily forgotten about the discreet encounter with Mingi and his gardening incident.

Yunho, now fully dressed and ready for the day, ventured out of his dormitory, the mystery note from Mingi still clutched in his hand. The Hogwarts corridors were a mosaic of magical portraits and enchanted tapestries, and Yunho's footsteps echoed through the ancient stone halls as he made his way toward the Beasts classroom.

As he strolled towards the Bell Tower Courtyard, the unexpected sight of Yeosang and Jongho sitting on a couch near the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom caught Yunho's attention. Both engrossed in their Advanced Potions textbooks, their focused expressions hinted at the challenges of their studies.

However, it wasn't the textbooks that drew Yunho's gaze; it was the unusual intimacy between Yeosang and Jongho. Jongho occupied the left corner of the couch, while Yeosang sprawled across the remaining space, his head nestled comfortably in Jongho's lap. The scene seemed so oddly familiar yet foreign to Yunho, as if he had stumbled upon a private moment between the two students. Yunho was taken aback at the carefree ease with which Jongho and Yeosang embraced their closeness.

Uncertain whether this was a regular occurrence for the two friends, Yunho hesitated to intervene. Instead, he opted for a simple wave, receiving warm greetings in return. A small smile adorned Yunho's face as he continued down the stairs.

"Well, that was interesting," Yunho murmured to himself. With a gentle smile, he continued his way towards the Beasts classroom, eager to uncover the surprise Mingi had in store for him.

When Yunho arrived, there were no signs of Mingi. He curiously scanned the surroundings, the anticipation building with each passing moment. Just as a hint of uncertainty crossed his face, a familiar voice sliced through the air.

"Yunho! Over here!"

Yunho's eyes lit up at the sound, and he turned around to spot Mingi waving enthusiastically from a few meters away. A wide grin spread across Yunho's face as he made his way towards his best friend.

"Hey, Mingi!" Yunho asked, his curiosity bubbling over.

Mingi, with an air of excitement, motioned for Yunho to follow. Leading him to a spot behind the Beasts classroom, they reached a breathtaking sight. A massive tree stood proudly a few meters away, its branches reaching towards the sky, offering a comforting shade. The small river nearby added a soothing melody to the surroundings, creating an atmosphere of tranquillity.

As they approached the tree, the Hogwarts Castle came into view. Perched on its majestic hill, the castle stood as a testament to centuries of magic and history. The sun, casting a warm glow over the turrets and towers, painted the scene with an enchanting radiance.

Mingi gestured towards the impressive view, a proud smile on his face. "Surprise! I thought this would be the perfect place for what I had in mind."

Yunho's eyes widened in awe as he took in the breathtaking scenery. The sprawling Hogwarts grounds, the river gently winding its way, and the castle looming in the background created a memorable scene. It was a scene that resonated with the magic of the wizarding world, and Yunho couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected beauty that Mingi had unveiled.

Mingi's hand pointed towards the meticulously arranged picnic blanket on the ground, a colorful spread that hinted at the result of Mingi's secret gardening adventure. "The tomatoes grew so much faster than I thought they would, and I had no idea what to do with all of them," Mingi confessed bashfully, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of pride and hesitation. "So I asked the castle house-elf staff if they could do something with them. I also helped! Given that they prepare our meals every day and that my request was probably additional work, I felt horrible watching them handle everything."

The blanket, adorned with an array of vibrant tomato dishes and salads, gleaming with the essence of Mingi's dedication. Yunho, initially struck speechless by the unexpected feast, finally managed to find his voice.

"You did all of this.. for me?" Yunho's words carried a hint of shock, his eyes reflecting both gratitude and amazement.

Mingi, with a humble grin, responded, "Well, don't get me wrong, despite the hard work, I actually enjoyed growing plants like this. You get a nice feeling of accomplishment."

As Mingi picked up a plate filled with freshly picked tomatoes, he extended it towards Yunho. "You said you wanted to try a fresh tomato, so.. here's your chance. I might've already eaten about half of this plate.. They're delicious!" Mingi's smile widened, showcasing his satisfaction with the final result.

Yunho, unable to resist the allure of the freshly picked tomatoes, accepted the plate gratefully. The first bite was indescribable, a burst of a tart and tangy flavor that surpassed all expectations. The tomatoes, nurtured with care and dedication, left a sweet after teaste in Yunho's mouth, almost as if he could taste the love Mingi has put into growing them.

The duo settled onto the comfortable picnic blanket, surrounded by an array of tasty-looking dishes, each infused with the magic of Mingi's efforts.

As they delved into their meal, Mingi regaled Yunho with tales of the misadventures that had peppered his gardening journey. Amidst the laughter and shared stories, Yunho couldn't help but find humor in Mingi's gardening mishaps. "How could you put them in clay soil? I told you Muggles use sandy loam!" Yunho teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

Mingi simply shrugged his shoulders with a grin, taking another spoonful of the delectable tomato salad. "Instructions unclear," he noted.

Yunho found himself captivated by the enchanting scenery surrounding them. The Hogwarts Castle, with its towering spires, stood proudly against the azure sky. The river nearby whispered tales of secrets shared only with those who sought its solace.

Amid the tranquil moment, a comfortable silence enveloped them, the special bond between Yunho and Mingi flourishing without the need for words. Yunho sighed, a contented smile playing on his lips as he gazed at Mingi, grateful for the genuine connection they shared.

After a few heartwarming seconds, Yunho finally broke the silence. "Thank you, Mingi."

Mingi turned his head towards Yunho, his eyes reflecting the warmth of their friendship, and he smiled sincerely. "You're welcome, Yunho," Mingi replied, the words carrying a depth that transcended the simple act of growing tomatoes. In that moment, gratitude and appreciation hung in the air, reinforcing the bond between the two of them.

Later, standing in front of Mingi's flourishing gardening haven. The tomato bushes stood proudly, their branches laden with plump, vibrant fruits that seemed to display the joy of their caretaker's dedication.

"What should we do with them? We can't eat all of this by ourselves!" Mingi exclaimed, his eyes scanning the multitude of tomatoes.

After a brief pause, Yunho's eyes gleamed with an idea. "What if we gather the tomatoes and offer them to the headmistress? She can ask the kitchen elves to include them on the menu for dinner today." Yunho's suggestion hung in the air, an opportunity to share the fruits of their unexpected harvest with the entire Hogwarts community.

Yunho and Mingi exchanged a knowing glance, their unspoken agreement sealing their decision.

Later at dinner, Headmistress Weasley took center stage, her poised and authoritative presence commanding the attention of the entire Great Hall. The hum of conversations gradually subsided as students turned their focus to the headmistress, a sense of anticipation filling the air.

"I would like to announce that tonight's dinner is indeed very special," Headmistress Weasley began, her words flowing with the effortless grace and eloquence that characterized her speech. The students, initially confused, now listened attentively. "One of our students has generously offered fresh ingredients for tonight's dishes, cultivated with dedication and care. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Song Mingi, a fifth-year Hufflepuff, who has spent the last three months cultivating his own tomatoes. He selflessly contributed these homegrown treasures to our school's kitchen, expressing his desire to share the fruits of his labor with his fellow students."

A gentle smile graced Headmistress Weasley's lips as she continued, "In recognition of his outstanding efforts, I am pleased to award Song Mingi with 50 house points for his remarkable contribution to our Hogwarts community. Now, without further ado, let us all relish in this extraordinary feast. Bon appétit."

As she concluded her speech, the Great Hall erupted in a chorus of cheers and applause. The tables, adorned with a variety of dishes, showcased Mingi's tomatoes in all their glory – in vibrant tomato salads, rich marinara sauce paired with pasta, and even as delectable snacks in the form of cut-up tomatoes. The Hufflepuff table, especially, erupted in jubilation, celebrating Mingi's altruism.

Amidst the cheers and applause, Yunho couldn't help but gaze at his best friend with admiration, recognizing the purity of Mingi's heart reflected in this special moment.

#ateez #hogwarts legacy #harry potter #harry potter universe #yungi #ateez yungi #hufflepuff mingi #hufflepuff yunho #matilda weasley #song mingi #jeong yunho

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dont-look-me-in-the-eye · 1 year

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"They're about nonexistent people, figments of imagination, if they're fiction. And if they're nonfiction, it's worse, one professor calling another an idiot, one philosopher screaming down another's gullet. All of them running about, putting out the stars and extinguishing the sun. You come away lost." "So now do you see why books are hated and feared? They show pores in the face of life. The comfortable people want only wax moon faces, poreless, hairless, expressionless. We are living in a time where flowers are trying to live on flowers, instead of growing on good rain and black loam. Even fireworks, for all their prettiness, come from the chemistry of the earth. Yet somehow we think we can grow, feeding on flowers and fireworks, without completing the cycle back to reality.

#farenheit 451 #fahrenheit quotes #daily scream into the void

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aisling-saoirse · 2 years

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A Lesson in Bio-Remediation

The Lehigh Gap aka the Palmerton Zinc Pile superfund site is a lesson in the importance of continuous management in remediation of toxic lands. The Lehigh Gap was once referred to as a desolate moonscape due to its downwind position from a local Zinc Smelter. From 1889 - 1980 this smelter pumped heavy metals into the air which, due to prevailing winds, landed primarily on this particular mountainside in the Kittatinny Range. Zinc, Cadmium, Lead, sulfuric acid rain turned this area into a hellscape so barren that all the vegetation died. Additionally all 3 feet of top soils washed away; fungi couldn't even survive to decompose dead tree snags whose bark was filled with heavy metals. Due to using an outdated technique, the factory shut down and afterwards the EPA declared the entire region a superfund site in 1983. For the mountainside itself the EPA wanted to incorporate 3 strategies of remediation: Prevent Erosion, Plant only native species to provide habitat for local fauna, and keep the metals under new soils. Originally an ambitious firm followed this strategy by terracing the hillside with roads, they dumped sewage and seeds then left it to grow without management. Quickly the site was flooded with invasive species which no animals could use as habitat and quickly died back down again from acidity.

Gap Circa 2002. The Lehigh Gap Nature Conservancy was formed. The nonprofit bought 700 acres with the intent to remediate the region. A local biology professor involved suggested incorporating lime to neutralize the heavy acidity from the acid rain (the grounds had a Ph 4.2). The area was divided into sections, each location were tested with a slightly different strategies for successful re-establishment of plant communities. [Image below: sign of plant species and mixtures used in specific plots]

The primary methodology was to reestablish plant life and contain the heavy metals using warm season perennial grasses, which would not draw heavy metals up to the top soil and create a layer of humus around the surface toxic metals. They wanted to mirror the plantings of a similar rocky ecosystems: The Serpentine Barrens in Pennsylvania. To keep the metals contained below the new loam the site must be kept in a prairie stage of habitat succession, secondary stages like early birch-aspen forests would draw heavy metals up through its leaves and recontaiminate the topsoil. An indigenous Lenape strategy was utilized keep the prairie at a constant state the same strategy once used to maintain blueberry-huckleberry shrub food forests a couple hundred feet above in the Kittatinny Range.

The result of constant management, occasional burns, public access, native only plantings, and removal of invasives? Success and reduced harm status.

Here we see grasses and flowers provide habitat for hundreds of species, including endanged birds, as well as rare plants such as wild bleeding heart and sandwort

How do we know this was successful and not just natural succession? Unfortunately certain private property owners had their lands containminated as well, some have elected to not allow EPA revitalization due to scape-goating and reactionary politics.

In choosing to leave soils containminated (red barren slopes) the owner of this hill allows heavy metals to flow into the neighborhoods and water ways of the local town as well as eventually the Delaware River. Truly this is despicable behavior as this impacts the health of the entire community.

On a positive note this project shows that even some of the worst sites have potential for remediation. Please consider visiting, donating, learning about, or enjoying the Lehigh Gap area as the national park commission is in the process of expanding a trail along the Lehigh River all the way to the Delaware River. Management of this site will continue hopefully until enough soil is established to support secondary stage succession trees (oak and hickory) and a habitat restored!

#bioremediation #landscape architecture #superfund sites #environmental protection #lehigh gap #Pennsylvania #palocal

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honey-minded-hivemind · 8 months

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Let's kick off the 🐉Wings of Fire aus' names lists with...

The 🛖MudWings🐊!

The X-Men Members:

• Charles Xavier/Professor Xavier: Cypress

• Ororo Munroe/Storm: Morass

• Logan Howlett/Wolverine: Loam

• Scott Summers/Cyclops: Sedge

• Jean Grey/Marvel Girl/Phoenix: Grebe

• Hank McCoy/Beast: Heron

• Anne-Marie/Rogue: Mallow

• Remy LeBeau/Gambit: Rush

• Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat: Sandpiper

• Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler: Kobicha

• Jubilation Lee/Jubilee: Juncus

• Evan Daniels/Spyke: Snipe

• Bobby Drake/Iceman: Bronze

• Piotr Rasputin/Colossus: Python

• Illyana Rasputin/Magik: Ibis

• Rahne Sinclair/Wolfsbane: Fen

• Samuel "Sam" Guthrie/Cannonball: Salamander

• Roberto da Costa/Sunspot: Copper

• Danielle "Dani" Moonstar/Mirage: Moor

• Laura Kinney/Wolverine 2.0: Lilypad

• Tabitha "Tabby" Smith/Boom-Boom: Terracotta

The Brotherhood:

• Erik Lehnsherr/Magnus/Magneto: Mire

• Raven Darkholme/Raven: Russet

• Victor Creed/Sabretooth: Copperhead

• Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver: Peat

• Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch: Widgeon

• Mortymer Tonybee/Todd Tolansky/Toad: Toad

• Fred "Freddy" Dukes/Blob: Fen

• Lance Alvers/Avalanche: Avocet

• St. John Allerdyce/Pyro: Possum

Yes. I'm going to match names to all of these characters, for each tribe. But here's a treat...

• Reader/Bby: Alligator, Cashmere, Lotus, Slough, Tadpole, Caiman, Moss...

#honeycomb thoughts #platonic yandere marvel #yandere platonic marvel #platonic yandere marvel x reader #platonic yandere xmen #yandere x-men #platonic yandere #platonic yandere x reader #🐉Wings of Fire AU #🛖MudWing🐊 AU

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usernoneexistent · 2 years

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For Winona and Nolan on the ask ship because I love their dynamic 💙:

The professor loamed behind them, rolling his eyes once before he took the piece of paper between them "Do you care to enlighten me and the class how potions and" his brow twitched "a date in a specific location in Hogsmeade are related?"

"Well, Professor, didn't you know that potions and Madam Puddifoot's tea shop are related?" Nolan winked over at Winona, "they both handle liquids."

"And brew love," the Gryffindor girl chimed in, amused. It garnered a chuckle from the other students.

Their potions teacher didn't seem to share their sentiment at all.

@hogwartsmysteryho

#winona rosewood #nolan miller #winolan

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finishinglinepress · 1 month

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FLP POETRY BOOK OF THE DAY: Break Self: Feed by Gabrielle Myers

On SALE now! Pre-order Price Guarantee: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/break-self-feed-by-gabrielle-myers/

Break Self: Feed meditates on eroticism and relationships with searing language play. The #poems sing of our #ecosystems, their human threats, and possible cures based on nourishment and barrier fracture. In #eco-poetic lyrics, borderlands and boundaries evolve in reference to a deep connection with the #natural #world that surrounds us with its seasonal shifts and the impacts of climate change. We never know when abundance and satiation will come. We spend so much time preparing for devastation and desiccation, so much energy we waste planning our ruin. Beak Self: Feed repurposes that drive, energy, and time towards preparing for our proliferation, our unfurling, our living into our potential. Dig into the soil, feel loam and fine-webbed roots working out their networks of nutrient pull and harvest. Let’s mimic the roots motion to gather, see what it can get out of the perfect soil, set ourselves on expansion, lengthening, growth.

Gabrielle is a writer, professor, and chef. Her memoir, Hive-Mind, published in 2015, details her time of love, awakening, and tragic loss on an organic farm. Her first poetry book, Too Many Seeds, was published in 2021 by Finishing Line Press. Her third poetry book, Points in the Network, is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press. Her poetry has been published in the Atlanta Review, The Evergreen Review, The Adirondack Review, San Francisco Public Press, Fourteen Hills, pacificREVIEW, Connecticut River Review, Catamaran, MacQueen’s, Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review, and is forthcoming from The American Poetry Review. Gabrielle is the Farm-to-Fork columnist for Inside Sacramento magazine. Access links to her work through her website at www.gabriellemyers.com

PRAISE FOR Break Self: Feed by Gabrielle Myers

“With Break Self: Feed, Gabrielle Myers asks, ‘what will we make of us, here?’ The question lingers throughout the collection as the verses respond with the lessons of the earth, its cycles of growth and decay, ‘bound by light’s air, uncaged/ humming like wires set in motion.’ This is a collection of longing, becoming, the process of reformation and rebirth, and the search for wholeness as we sing ‘a tune to another narrative/ of us, me, you.’”

–Brian Turner, author of The Wild Delight of Wild Things

“Break Self: Feed is stunningly myriad in its complexities, even as it is searingly direct in its line-by-line depiction of our human struggle to know ourselves and others, and to create a life that will “feed” us. The subject-matters of this text are jigsaw-puzzle pieces that mirror a life broken and yet finding the means to cohere.

It is a book raging against the ways we are bent on destruction, of natural world and of each other. Yet it is a book that honors the preciousness of the least living thing and offers that awareness through exactingly expressed depictions one will not soon forget.

And it is a book that brilliantly uses form to speak its subject matter. Here you will find short poems and long, poems that are in couplets or in thick stanzas, and poems whose stanzas stretch across the page. In each, I sense that the forms reflect the emotional resonance of the work. Whether it is a poem of longing, of anger, of eros, of hope, the form speaks to this, through its shape on the page.

I have found in this work that if one has the courage to follow the imperative ‘Break Self,’ then one may find so much that is freed, and so much that will feed the psyche and soul.”

–Rusty Morrison, Co-Founder & Co-Publisher of Omnidawn, author of After Urgency, the true keeps calm biding its story, Beyond the Chainlink, and Risk, forthcoming in 2024

“The poems in Break Self: Feed make rhythmic leaps that mimic leaves, trees, and hummingbirds. These poems express the sense that, despite our destructive tendencies, we belong to all things. Primarily written in first person plural, this book is an exuberant expression of “we” and what that means in a landscape where we are continually cut off and isolated, but where failure can “make us gentle toward each other.” Myers pays close attention to roots, to smoke, to Sycamore and birch, to sunlight itself and urges us to reach out, not away.”

–Jessica Cuello, author of Pricking, By Fire, Hunt, Lair, and Yours, Creature

Break Self: Feed was selected Finalist for the Catamaran Poetry Prize for West Coast Poets in 2020 by Zack Rogow: “These poems speak of the most inward thoughts about how people relate when extremely close. The book is a sort of phenomenology of intimacy. Often it feels as if this poet has created a new way to use language that doesn’t follow the rules of everyday speech. The words are almost abstract but highly precise in recounting states of mind, and states of the heart. The reader senses that true feelings are being excavated, and they are both unexpected and breathtakingly familiar. In an extraordinary tour de force, the poet maintains a first-person plural ‘we’ narrator through much of the collection, without losing emotional intensity.”

–Zack Rogow, author of Irreverent Litanies, My Mother and the Ceiling Dancers, The Number Before Infinity, and The Selfsame Planet

Please share/please repost #flpauthor #preorder #AwesomeCoverArt #poetrybook #read #poems

#poetry #flp authors #preorder #flp #poets on tumblr #american poets #finishing line press #small press

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pandamugger · 6 months

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my calc professor is the opps. my mulchy loam-pilled brain can’t handle all this.

#lesley time

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brucebocchi · 3 years

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i’m the professor of eating dirt call me loam chompsky

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simplyirenic · 3 years

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trying to get all my mice & murder thoughts out because i wanna see if our chat called it before the final three episodes. credit to @hisiheyah @tomhartnell @subsequentibis and @kloppend for doing so much of the theorizing here

obviously spoilers up to episode 7 abound below!! and please feel free to add to this with discussions/questions because i am LOVING this season and would love to talk about it more!

things that i am almost 100% certain about:

fletcher cottonbottom is using the brockhollows in order to exact revenge on sylvester cross. first, posing as sylvester cross, he threatened the lives of squire brockhollow and his family. he knew this would cause them to summon sylvester to loam hall, at which point he could kill the brockhollows and take down sylvester at the same time.

the brockhollows believed the threat, and as a contingency plan, squire brockhollow decided to fake his own death and those of his family. it’s likely that they also planned to frame sylvester cross, not knowing that fletcher was already planning to do so.

harding instructed gangie green to rob those graves with the full knowledge and approval of squire brockhollow: at least two bodies for each member of the brockhollow family, including their spouses.

the other brockhollows did not know about this plan, and in fact jeremy still may not, based on that one insight check. squire brockhollow only revealed the plan to constance; she reacted with shock and horror and refused to go along with it. shortly afterward, fletcher murdered the real squire brockhollow before he could actually fake his death. constance’s guilt is because she thinks if she had agreed, her father wouldn’t be dead for real.

the brockhollows’ hands (paws?) aren’t clean, though: squire brockhollow was clearly using the seance room for blackmail purposes. what’s more, i’m almost certain that connor mccabbage was actually supposed to be dead in brennan’s original plan until rekha’s nat 20, which forced him to change his plans. i can’t think of another reason why the brockhollows would have imprisoned him in the tower instead of killing him (or letting him be killed) outright.

the text brennan sent grant about constance’s and dr. magpie’s bodies hinges on whether or not these are constance’s and dr. magpie’s real bodies (meaning fletcher got to them first and framed sylvester) or not (meaning they faked their own deaths and framed sylvester before “sylvester” or, in reality, fletcher, could kill them first).

hawkins is a red herring: he was aware of brockhollow’s seance blackmail scheme and only dropped the medal off in the secret study because he was afraid it might implicate him.

things i am less certain about:

the extent to which the brockhollows were aware of fletcher’s existence/presence/anything else. did squire badger already know he was in loam hall? probably not, if he believed sylvester cross was the one who was threatening his life. was harding’s lack of surprise at fletcher’s being alive because he was actually working with fletcher, or did he just know that fletcher was alive the same way daisy did: because of his criminal connections?

what the hell is going on with professor shellcrest: are they involved in this somehow, what are they a professor of, are they behind the tech that killed squire brockhollow somehow?

why was there crushed glass under the exit to the study?

where do the mushrooms come into it?

how does armand (who was almost definitely the one who attacked the elevator crew) figure into harding’s and/or fletcher’s plan?

why grant keeps putting the writing bit of the pen in his mouth instead of the clicky bit!!! god WHY

#mice and murder #mice & murder #dimension 20 #dimension20

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theburntleaf · 3 years

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Balsam Fir // Abies Balsamea

Economically and ecologically important, Balsam Fir is a keystone species of the eastern North American boreal zone. -Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Family: Pinaceae (pine)

Abies from the Latin “rising one” and Balsamea producing a fragrant gum or resin [1]

“Fir” comes from a proto-Germanic word referring to fir or pine trees [x]

Other common names include: eastern fir, Canadian balsam, and blister fir. [2]

Description:

“A steeple-shaped evergreen tree with [flat] needles 3/8” - 1 1/2” long and whitened beneath...cones are 1” - 3” long, upright and fleshy, purplish to green [when fresh]. Bark rather smooth with resin blisters. Height 40’-60’; diameter 1’-2’” - Eastern Trees, Peterson Field Guides, George A. Petrides and Jane Wehr

Distinguishing features that I personally use to identify Balsam Fir is its pointy pyramid shape, flat needles that don’t roll between fingers, and the resin blisters that cover the bark.

Habitat:

The soils on which balsam fir grows range from silt loams developed from lake deposits to stony loams derived from glacial till. Fir will grow, but comparatively slowly, on gravelly sands and in peat bogs. It grows on soils of pH ranging from 4.0 to 6.0. It is generally found in areas with a cold moist climate and with 30 inches or more of annual precipitation [3]

Balsam fir is widely distributed in northeastern North America. It occurs from Newfoundland west across northern Quebec, northern Ontario, central Manitoba, and Saskatchewan to northwestern Alberta... southeast to northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, and east to New England... scattered populations occur in southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and northern Virginia. [2]

The only native Fir to the Northern Piedmont and a major component of the landscape both as a key to the Spruce-Fir-Northern Hardwood Forest formations and as major commercial crop in local agriculture (for christmas trees). It’s cone shape helps shed heavy snow load “like Vermont’s steep-pitched roofs” and it’s heavy resin content in its needles prevents cell walls from freezing. [4]

Ecosystem:

Balsam fir is a major food of moose during winter... Spruce and ruffed grouse feed on balsam fir needles, tips, and buds... Red squirrels feed on balsam fir male flower buds. Stands attacked by the spruce budworm attract numerous insect-eating birds, especially warblers and woodpeckers... Balsam fir provides important winter cover for white-tailed deer and moose. During summer, deer, bear, and moose often rest under the shade of balsam fir trees. Young balsam firs provide cover for small mammals and birds. Martens, hares, songbirds, and even deer hide from predators in balsam fir thickets. Grouse and songbirds seek shelter during winter within the evergreen foliage. In Maine, fishers often nest in witches brooms in balsam fir trees [2]

Balsam fir is a mostly early and mid successional, but is late successional or climax species in the mountains. Balsam fir seedlings are shade tolerant and can establish underneath a canopy of hard wood and other conifers and they can grow to be 200 years old [maximum]. Locally they form communities with Red Spruce and are accompanied by other trees in the Northern Hardwood Forest. Common understory plants include bunch berry and mayflower and balsams are often hosts to many lichens. [4]

Harvesting:

Resin, needles, and wood are collected from Balsam Fir

Oleo-resin is harvested (using a tool called a picoué) by cutting into blisters best in Jul-Aug [5] but I also like to do this in the winter and early spring when there is not much else to forage for. Dryer resin drips, found on the outter bark or cones, are best collected when temps are well below freezing and even then handled with care (very sticky). [a good video]

A coniferous forest on a warm summer day smells intensely evergreen, a signal essential oils production is high and would make for a good time to harvest needles as well. I have also heard it is good to harvest evergreen needles in early spring when photosynthesis starts back up and sap is flowing. But they also can be harvested in winter time for a late season tea (though perhaps not as potent)

Wood is usually harvested when trees are dormant.

Chemical constituents:

Vitamin C, beta-pinene, delta-3-carene, alpha-pinene, bornyl acetate, α-terpineol, piperitone, and thymol are found in the needles [x], a similar profile is derived from the resinous bark but also includes limonene, beta-phellandrene, camphene [X], and cis-abienol is a major component of its aromatic resin [5].

Actions:

The Penobscot applied resin as an analgesic antiseptic for burns, sores, bruises, and wounds. Iroquois used leaf tea for colds, coughs, and asthma. The Chippewa inhed fumes from resin on hot coals to treat headache. [5]

(balsam fir) Kokokha8wk: A tea made from the leaves is used for coughs, colds and fevers. The tea can also be used as a scalp wash for dandruff. The leaves are harvested in the spring and dried. The resin is an antiseptic and healing agent and is used for frostbite. - From Ethno-Botany of the Abenaki and other Northeast Tribes Compiled by Brian Chenevert

Antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, laxative, expectorant, vulnerary

Affinity for the respiratory system, skin, immune system

Energetics:

The presence of delta-3-carene is a good indicator that balsam is drying. Balsam is also stimulating, it helps activate and get things moving.

Safety/Cautions

Generally safe, no found contraindications, resin may cause skin irritation [5] heavy resin content may put stress on kidneys [x], pregnant and nursing mothers should avoid or consult a physician. As always medicinal information is for educational purposes, consult a doctor or clinical herbalist before using plants for treatment of illness.

History:

Because it is only native to North America, Balsam Fir has a well established history with the indigenous peoples some of which is noted above.

Locally I’m interested to learn more about how Balsam Fir has shaped the Northeast Kindom. It is logged for pulp wood and light construction, but more so commercially farmed for Christmas trees so it has a role to play in the local economy and agriculture and I’m sure it played a big role in the reforestation of Vermont after the 1800s.

A historic fun fact that also might come in handy (for doing natural crafts) is the resin was used as a transparent cement and to fix samples and slides for the microscope.

Note on the Early History of Canada Balsam by Professor Flückiger

Maine Balsam Fir: A Tree of Many Uses, by David Fuller

The Evergreen Economy: NH & VT Christmas Wonderland by Amy Ash Nixon

Aromatic Use:

Thoreau wrote that the young shoots of the balsam fir, Abies balsamea, when picked and kept in a pocket for a few days emit the fragrance of strawberries “only it is somewhat more aromatic and spicy” [1]

Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. (Pinaceae). balsam fir. Unspecified parts of this species were burned as incense in Iceland (Bjornnson 1475). In parts of North America, Native Americans threw the needles on hot coals in their sweat baths and inhaled the fumes to relieve coughs and colds (Krochmal and Krochmal 1973). The gum from the tree was used in churches in Paris as frankincense (Lescar- bot 1609). From The Uses and Abuses of Plant Derived Smoke by Kayri Havens, Lara Jefferson, and Marcello Pennacchio

Paine’s products in Maine has been making balsam incense since 1931 and is featured in this article The Best Incense Sticks Are From an 85-Year-Old Company in Maine. Balsam fir pillows are also a common staple in country stores here in Northern New England, and is most popular in the area for trees, wreaths, and kissing balls to bring coniferous aromas inside during the holidays.

Recipes:

Fir needle makes a great tea. Combined with dried orange peel, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, ginger, and peppercorns for a spiced chai. Using folk methods of preparation: the needle and resin can be made into an oxymel or infused in honey, tinctured, or infused into oil for salves and soap. Definitely for incense and aromatic applications, most recently it was included in an incense dedicated to winter’s longest night and I am working on an all fir formula. I also make balsam sachets for clothing drawers and under pillows. It can be used in culinary endeavours, I have a good recipe for balsam fir and cranberry cookies. It can be used as a substitute for (white) pine which is often found in recipes as it is more wide spread.

Virtues:

Fir whose twigs and needles are burned as a protection from lightning during storms. The fresh branches are of especial merit as switches for scouring the ghost-ridden, or beating the evil out of a haunted place. Its resin... serves as a peerless fume for the removal of intruding ghosts... Abies balsamea,... is an Evergreen of northern latitudes, long valued for its fragrant contribution to the magical fume. Its principal magical virtues are purification, healing, and resonating the Genii of the Forest, though its more specialised formulae may render fumes which give rise to trance states... In the Work of the Hedge, the Fir stands as a charm against nightmares and nocturnal intrusion by hanging fresh branches hung over the bed. Similarly, a branch hung over the barn door keeps noxious spirits from stealing grain. -from Viridarium Umbris by Daniel Schulke

[most of this is also reiterated in Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, and Plants by Charles M Skinner]

One of the things that bothers me with the entry above is the lack of context, (where who why etc), which is an often occurrence with gathering such info. I’m assuming its use as a preventive against nightmares and thieving spirits is an act of sympathetic magic, (I’m also assuming some of this lore is specifically about Abies Alba balsam fir’s European counterpart. but as for balsamea...) as the resin bisters on its bark act as a trap against predators or perhaps it is a lure, dooming noxious spirits to count its many little leaves. Im unsure of the history or lore of its use to protect agaisnt lightning storms but in my personal practice evergreens are used to help bring rain [x]. It’s use in healing and purification is a little more obvious.

Personally I find balsam most pertinent in working with the genii loci. Balsam fir just embodies so much of the local landscape it’s hard not to encounter. There are the hedge keeping balsams the grow bushy and protect the forest boundary and there are balsams of the inner woods that grow tall resinous trunks. The perfume of its resin is favored by local land spirits. I find it specially tied to the varying hare. Balsam has a wonderful seasonal duality of being a beacon of life and warmth during winter, but one who harbors a cool relief to summer heat. But it is during winter that Fir receives the most adoration.

Botanical astrology is a subject I am still relatively new to (but very intrigued by) so my understanding of this might evolve. Agrippa gives rulership of pine trees to Saturn, and balsam fir (in the same family) has some saturnine traits as tree that grows in harsh conditions, a gymnosperm the oldest kind of seed producing plants, evergreen in immortality. In Culpepper’s Complete Herbal, he gives Fir trees to Jupiter, though is referring to a different species but with similar qualities. Looking to its medicinal application I can see how it may balance a phlemegtic temperament. More specifically when looking to clear the lungs I might consider Gemini, when concocting unguents for the skin: Capricorn, and Pisces when looking to stimulate the immune system. As an incense I am personally drawn to work with balsam in Lunar formulas especially when focusing on local materials. It is not a cooling sedating plant in action, but as an aromatic it I find it to be more aligned with the Moon. According to Agrippa “leaves of all vegetables” are appropriate in Lunar suffumigations, perhaps balsam needle would fall into that category. But I am more interested in its resin. Hiding behind round swolllen blisters, the oleoresin is very “watery” and is clear (to yellow tinged), even the slightly hardened resin is whiteish and moon like. Of the local (mostly conifer) resins it is the most true to the cool camphoraceous conifer scent that evokes the Moon, even when burned. These formulas often seek to enhance the trance iducing qualities of the burning resin and are to accompany dreaming, divination or to welcome Lunar influences. The Moon often rises over a particulary favored patch of balsam which was another draw and personal connection. I’m also interested to experiment and see if the Moon (phase or sign) has any effect on resin production for harvesting.

References:

*sorry for using both direct sources and footnotes*

"Gardener's Latin: A Lexicon", Barbara Damrosch.

Uchytil, Ronald J. 1991. Abies balsamea. In: Fire Effects Information System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service

Plant Fact Sheet: Balsam Fir, USDA NRCS

Wetland, Woodland, Wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont, Elizabeth H. Thompson and Eric R. Sorensen

Peterson felid guide to medicinal herbs and plants of Eastern North Armerica, Steven Foster and James A. Duke

*as always with these monographs, this post is not static and is subject to change and updates as more information is discovered, learned, and processed. For educational purposes only and not for medicinal adivse*

#monograph #materia aromatica #balsam fir #long post #probably will be edited #I’m sure I messed something up somewhere in here haha

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mojavemoproblems · 3 years

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i just read that "i’m the professor of eating dirt call me loam chompsky" post and said out loud "big fan of that one" and subsequently reblogged it

#big fan of that one

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ferylcheryl · 4 years

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Even as a child, Thomas Jopson appreciated neatness, symmetry. He recalls once walking a perfectly straight path along the edge of a young orchard and observing with deep satisfaction how the saplings were seeded just equidistant and so grew like so many arrows shot perpendicular to the earth. And as he walked—as his perspective shifted—the sun between the trunks made a smooth shuttling of light, rows then slats then rows again. It was as though the only hand nature had in it was the incorruptible hand of geometry. Age gnarls that, the crawl of seasons dims it: but in some black loam at the hind of his brain those white trees still grow in an elegant, impeccable grid.

He was older before he realized that symmetry at its purest is constituted not of matter but of tension, of opposition. His wrists were tied behind his back and it was, he determined, the inclination of his arms to spread outward against the rope that supplied resistance. Not the bindings, but the force they bound. And so that force rolled in on itself, twining his shoulders and spine in a loose, numinous pain. He often had such thoughts: little blurts of bright things; flashes in the dark like lightning cosseted in cloud. He was not an intellectual, not in the way great men are, but he understood things on a level beneath language. It was enough for his neighbor’s visiting uncle—a tow-headed, stout professor in his early thirties with eyes the oily brown of dried tobacco leaves—to take a special interest. It’s not just because you are lovely but because you are exceedingly clever, he’d said; you see through to the machinations of processes, to their fundamental essences.

Of course, such praise rang hollow when ropes of the man’s jism were cooling on Jopson’s cheekbone and lip, his brow. Then he’d call him piggy or say he was his little slut, neither of which pleased Jopson. But he endured it for the coarse cord around his wrists. That was a private sublimity, one in which the professor had little place. It would be years before he realized the man had only used the rope in case his quarry should change his mind. And he’d not deserved access to so divine a thing as that—the power to feed a man’s life force back to him disguised as burning or helplessness, depending on the day and circumstance, the security of the knot.

My new fic, featuring sex as a series of character studies. Rated E. https://archiveofourown.org/works/26801287/chapters/65383630

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queenlua · 4 years

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book review: Pilgrim in the Microworld by David Sudnow

I enjoy telling stories at cocktail parties about my youthful internet exploits, because I am both a goddamn nerd and a goddamn delight. Explaining the basic shit like Neopets or IRC channel shenanigans is easy enough; most people have some experience with message boards or chatrooms. Explaining play-by-post RPGs is a bit trickier, but still doable—you frame it as a collaborative storytelling thing, compare it to Watership Down, describe your favorite wolf-soap-opera plotline, and at that point, you’ve either confused the shit out of someone or made a friend for life.

But the one thing I’ve never quite been able to describe, to my own satisfaction, is play-by-post horse battle RPGs.

Ostensibly, it’s really similar to the standard play-by-post RPG format. Your horse attacks the other horse; you describe it in a few sentences of prose. Theoretically, this could be as simple as “Smokey pivots on his right forehoof and kicks at Huey,” then “Huey rears up and falls on Smokey’s back,” or whatever, and you go from there.

But that would be too easy.

See, the winner of a horse battle was chosen by a handful of randomly-selected disinterested mods, who graded each post on the basis of (1) quality of prose, (2) effectiveness of attacks, and (3) creativity of attacks. You got points subtracted for godmoding or simply shrugging off damage, but you got points added for clever counterattacks or use of space. Each player had a fixed number of turns, with a fixed number of attacks each turn; each post had to be done within two days; there was a massive hierarchy of special powers/perks your character could get if you advanced high enough through Pony Fight Club; and the ponies who achieved Gold Rank were like. Envied and feared, all over the site.

Which meant, of course, that I needed to be on this list.

It took me a goddamn week to join my first horse game, because I had to read through a whole encyclopedia of horse breeds to determine, empirically, which breed would be the best at beating up other horses. For my first ever horse battle post I wrote 3,000 words to describe “Ska kicks Duplicity in the side” and revised it like 800 times and was physically shaking when I finally hit send. I had a fucking printout of the equine muscular system and the equine skeletal system taped on the wall next to the family computer for convenient reference. I reenacted horse poses in the basement to try and figure out which angle I could attack from. I scared the shit out of my horseback riding instructor by asking all kinds of weird questions about “so like what’s the WORST thing you’ve ever seen a stallion attack do, though.”

And the posts themselves, oh, the posts. See, “quality of prose” in this scene meant “as purple and neurotic as humanly possible (with a very strange set of jargon you will literally never use anywhere else),” and I rose to the challenge ably. We all did, and the results were some of the most tryhard, pretentious writing this side of David Foster Wallace:

Here’s an excerpt from one that I managed to dig up:

the rotation locates the spring action retention of the hind regions, the gashed arenas stretched and pulled with each following spin and force…hind flints echo ‘pon the soil as fores spin effortlessly upon the soil, hinds lifted in mirrored image of first attack by opponent, a similar region seemingly forced to location, but the motion of the receding spook renders the toss to the hock/limb region towards the more deadly region of rib-cage and right lung, knowledge of retractable inhalation essential to the sustenance of battle..forelimbs echo at the joint, bent and snapped back and forth towards this area with explosive force, the verbatim maneuver thusly completed, the fores lift from mud-caked position, crimson liquid staining the glossy extremes of the bloodkissed’s pelt [. . .] accepted plurality of motionless fate, flints return after seeken motions t’wards the murky loam, a snarl exhaled and soft smirk ‘crossed ashen mug... limp is obvious ‘thin hind regions o’ she as darkness reclaims torso, bulwarked vital throat region definitive as pools roam the other..seems more interesting than the others, but hell...when you’re certain that death is on the line anything becomes more interesting..

Did the horse like, kick the other horse? why are its forelimbs echoing; did it hurt itself just kicking the other horse? how did the kick drawblood? Who fucking knows? The important thing is it sounds fly as hell, and the mods will be too embarrassed to admit they don’t fucking understand what is actually happening. That’s gonna be a 10/9/9 score, easy.

But, uh, this is all a bit much to explain at a cocktail party.

So I am delighted to announce that I now have a better shorthand for explaining The Horse Battle Play-By-Post RPG Scene.

This is the horse battle book.

Sure, it’s ostensibly about some dude’s obsession with the classic arcade game Breakout. But the majority of it is a pseudo-philosophical, over-described, tangent-riddled description of the experience of playing Breakout. Which ends up sounding a lot like the horse battle stuff. Here is an excerpt chosen at semi-random:

A long fast volley at the finish was simply too much for me to handle. The more it lasts the more afraid you get it won’t last longer, and layer upon layer of competing advice rapidly piles up to overheat thoughts to an agitated concentration that melts your cool. The whole field of vision frazzles you with temptation, you stiffen up to fight off distractions, and through that very effort their beckoning power becomes even more salient. Anxiety about the future of the gesture flows backwards without really knowing what a hazard is, all while telling yourself not to analyze anything. Work over a long run at the piano, a tricky passage beginning on a certain measure in the music. Now play the entire piece, and that fast messy section is coming up. Now you’re into it, and in its midst you’re feeling a ragged uncertainty in the movements...

The whole book is like this. When I realized that this was what I was reading, I achieved enlightenment. I stopped and put down the book and grinned ear-to-ear at this man, this one goofy sociology-professor man, partaking in the bizarrely niche hobby of some hundreds of teenage horse girls in the early 2000s. What a blessing.

All that being said, I would not recommend this book unless you, too, have some horse battle nostalgia you need to get out of your system.

(crossposted from DW)

#HORSE BATTLE #HORSE BATTLE RPGS #WEIRD HORSE GIRL CULTURE

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