Hard Things

Life 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?

Birdfeeding

Today is cloudy and mild.

I fed the birds.  I've seen several sparrows and house finches, a catbird, and a phoebe. 

I put out water for the birds.

I set out the flats of pots and watered them.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I did a bit more work outside.

I've seen a female cardinal.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I potted up 2 pink-flowered 'Toscana' strawberries, each in its own pot.  I filled another pot with a purple-and-white striped 'Wave' petunia, a 'Dusty Miller' artemesia, and 2 white sweet alyssums.  I put these on the tall metal planter and tied them in place.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- We moved 2 bags of composted manure to the old picnic table.

I've seen a young fox squirrel.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I potted up the last of the Shithouse Marigolds and Charleston Food Forest marigolds, each in its own pot.  These are the last of the ones I grew from seed.  All winter-sown pots sprouted at least one marigold, and many sprouted several.  That makes this a good approach to repeat.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I sowed a pot with passionflower seeds.  No idea if they'll actually fruit here, but it's a host plant for multiple butterfly species who only need the leaves.  I've never tried to grow these before, and bought them on a whim when I saw the seed packet in a store, knowing that they are a valuable host plant.

I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I sowed two pots with nasturtiums. 

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I took pictures of the pots where I sowed seeds earlier.  Of the 10 pots of Little Bluestem that I sowed on 2/24/25, five of them sprouted healthy little clumps of grass.  I planted these five in one of the strips of the prairie garden.  While 50% is not a great success rate, it is a useful rate particularly with native plants that are expensive to buy in pots.

EDIT 5/21/25 -- I did a bit more work outside.

I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches along with several mourning doves.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Fossils

Dexterity and climbing ability: how ancient human relatives used their hands

Scientists have found new evidence for how our fossil human relatives in South Africa may have used their hands. Researchers investigated variation in finger bone morphology to determine that South African hominins not only may have had different levels of dexterity, but also different climbing abilities.

Diversity is strength.

Poor Life Choices

Never give up anything that makes you happy just because other people think it is silly or childish.  Especially never give up an effective coping skill!  Yes, I have stuffed animals.  I am currently most fond of Snoozimals and Squishmallows for practical use, but we also have a weird stuffy collection for artistic merit.