I had a conversation online once with a new baker where I discovered that “cream,” the verb, as in “cream together butter and sugar, was not something people just know. I must have learned it in childhood (texture, the exact shade of light yellow), but for adult learners, it’s like a new language.
February 2, 2026 at 6:06 PM
I had a conversation online once with a new baker where I discovered that “cream,” the verb, as in “cream together butter and sugar, was not something people just know. I must have learned it in childhood (texture, the exact shade of light yellow), but for adult learners, it’s like a new language.
This means you’ve probably missed the Babymelter wars on Ravelry?! I only heard of them third-hand, but uh, apparently people have strong feelings about the flammability of acrylic/non-natural-fiber yarn in stuff meant for babies.
January 29, 2026 at 6:11 PM
This means you’ve probably missed the Babymelter wars on Ravelry?! I only heard of them third-hand, but uh, apparently people have strong feelings about the flammability of acrylic/non-natural-fiber yarn in stuff meant for babies.
The reason to read The Guns of August is the thrilling description of a naval chase east across the Mediterranean, which is made more thrilling when you realize some years later that Tuchman was Henry Morgenthau’s niece, on her way to see him in Istanbul in 1914, and might have been ON that ship.
January 29, 2026 at 4:20 PM
The reason to read The Guns of August is the thrilling description of a naval chase east across the Mediterranean, which is made more thrilling when you realize some years later that Tuchman was Henry Morgenthau’s niece, on her way to see him in Istanbul in 1914, and might have been ON that ship.
I chose bus+bus today because I just knew something like that would happen. I got to work on time for the first time in 3 days! One of those buses was the #1 through the South End, and it was STILL faster than the red line.
January 29, 2026 at 2:34 PM
I chose bus+bus today because I just knew something like that would happen. I got to work on time for the first time in 3 days! One of those buses was the #1 through the South End, and it was STILL faster than the red line.
I really feel that Hobbits would not be into 70s furniture. That’s also way too rustic for a scion of The Took. They surely write their letters on fat Empire desks.
January 18, 2026 at 3:53 AM
I really feel that Hobbits would not be into 70s furniture. That’s also way too rustic for a scion of The Took. They surely write their letters on fat Empire desks.
I happened to read Margery Allingham’s The Oaken Heart last summer, which is right up this alley. Lots of fine detail about preparations for an imminent war, and how rural volunteer and gov’t networks sprang up. Published in 1942, I think, and THICK with a message about (English) perseverance.
January 17, 2026 at 2:34 PM
I happened to read Margery Allingham’s The Oaken Heart last summer, which is right up this alley. Lots of fine detail about preparations for an imminent war, and how rural volunteer and gov’t networks sprang up. Published in 1942, I think, and THICK with a message about (English) perseverance.
That’s a really nice integration of maps, transcript (from the flight deck; they don’t release recordings), and ATC audio. One thing none of this makes clear is that it was also like 2F that day. Of all days to go into the drink!
January 16, 2026 at 3:46 PM
That’s a really nice integration of maps, transcript (from the flight deck; they don’t release recordings), and ATC audio. One thing none of this makes clear is that it was also like 2F that day. Of all days to go into the drink!
Yeah, I can guess all the reasons (and am occasionally quick enough to see de-prioritization of a video happen in real time). It’s just evidence that there’s something wrong with the algorithm (all algorithms).
January 14, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Yeah, I can guess all the reasons (and am occasionally quick enough to see de-prioritization of a video happen in real time). It’s just evidence that there’s something wrong with the algorithm (all algorithms).
My fave is Youtube clips (I think clipped for TikTok originally) of US network hospital shows, where blood or any visible injury is blurred out. US networks are notoriously squeamish (compared to cable/streaming), but it was okay to air! It’s a dang hospital show!
January 14, 2026 at 6:11 PM
My fave is Youtube clips (I think clipped for TikTok originally) of US network hospital shows, where blood or any visible injury is blurred out. US networks are notoriously squeamish (compared to cable/streaming), but it was okay to air! It’s a dang hospital show!
I saw about 20 minutes of Gremlins when I was 9, and that was Too Much Gremlins for me. I also have a distinct memory of watching The Temple of Doom on VHS (no idea my age) and there was a room crawling with bugs and I went and sat on the stairs where I couldn’t see the screen. Just noped right out.
January 13, 2026 at 8:47 PM
I saw about 20 minutes of Gremlins when I was 9, and that was Too Much Gremlins for me. I also have a distinct memory of watching The Temple of Doom on VHS (no idea my age) and there was a room crawling with bugs and I went and sat on the stairs where I couldn’t see the screen. Just noped right out.