Hobbies: Stargazing

Folks have mentioned an interest in questions and conversations that make them think. So I've decided to offer more of those. This batch features hobbies.

Stargazing is a hobby of watching the sky at night. This must be among the oldest of hobbies, as humans have been fascinated by the stars for many thousands of years at least. It is easier with modern telescopes though.

On Dreamwidth, see common_nature for inspiration. astronomy and science are dormant, but posting is open to all members so these should be revivable.

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Burpee Order

My Burpee order arrived on Wednesday, but by then it was raining, so I'll have to plant things later. 

Birdfeeding

Today is cloudy and cool.  It rained yesterday.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a few each of house finches, sparrows, and grackles.

I put out water for the birds.

More bluebells and violets are blooming.  More seeds are sprouting in the little pots.  :D

EDIT 4/3/25 -- I gathered microfauna for the antique jar terrarium.  I got a bunch of pillbugs (isopods), a couple of tiny millipedes, a couple of small earthworms, and maybe some springtails.  I took pictures of the critters and put them in the terrarium.

EDIT 4/3/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I've seen several mourning doves and a fox squirrel.

EDIT 4/3/25 -- I walked around the yard taking pictures.  

It's starting to spit rain.

EDIT 4/3/25 -- I went out to plant the witch hazel only to find drizzle falling.  Fuck it, I really needed to get that plant in the ground, so I went on with that anyway.  I got it covered and mulched.

As it is wet and the light is dimming, I am done for the night.

Food

Western diet causes inflammation, traditional African food protects

Study from Tanzania shows major impact of diet on the immune system.
A switch of just two weeks from a traditional African diet to a Western diet causes inflammation, reduces the immune response to pathogens, and activates processes associated with lifestyle diseases. Conversely, an African diet rich in vegetables, fiber, and fermented foods has positive effects. This study highlights the significant impact of diet on the immune system and metabolism.


In case you're curious, the traditional African diet is the only one I've seen with a base of dark leafy greens. Of course, when you can walk outside and pick things like moringa leaves, that makes sense. Most out of humanity's birthplace and you have to work harder to grow a lot of edible crops. Did you know that you can eat sweet potato leaves? Or pumpkin leaves? I've seen them for sale, dried or frozen, in African grocery stores.

Photos: Antique Jar Terrarium Build Part 5: Microfauna

Today I collected some microfauna and added them to the antique jar terrarium. I think I got about a dozen isopods, which are locally called pillbugs, and in other places may be called woodlice, sowbugs, potato bugs, roly-polies, and so on. I also caught a couple of tiny millipedes, two earthworms, and maybe some springtails. See Part 1: Washing, Drainage, and Barrier, Part 2: Mixing Substrate, Part 3: Adding Mosses, Part 4: Dead Wood and Leaf Litter, Part 5: Microfauna.

Note: This post contains pictures of small creepy-crawlers. If that's not your idea of fun, skip it.

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Photos: House Yard

Today I took pictures around the yard. It's cloudy, so the lighting is bad, but so much is happening that I wanted to capture it. See the House Yard, South Lot, Savanna, and Prairie Garden.

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