Courses - June/July 2025
Jul. 6th, 2025 03:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitFutureLearn
Italian for Beginners - Part 4 (Open University)
Much to my surprise I'm finding I'm able to complete the quizzes with fewer mistakes and understanding more, which is encouraging.
What do Popular Songs Mean? (University of Leeds)
Like the previous music course I've done with Leeds Uni, this was aimed at potential music students, which I imagine is only a very limited proportion of those taking FutureLearn courses. Some things were interesting, some were a reminder of things I learnt on an OpenLearn course; at other times they would teach about analysis, but then when I came to work through an example for myself the answer would come up 'you may think xxx, but in this case yyy applies'. And in at least one occasion there seemed to be a contradiction between something stated earlier and than later in the course.
OpenLearn
Egyptian Mathematics
I read through the course, but it lacks the presentation of later courses. It was interesting to see a little about Egyptian mathematics, although very little has survived, probably because most of their maths had to do with practical problems they encountered rather than matters they deemed sufficiently important to save for posterity.
Babylonian Mathematics
Similarly with this course, although there was a small amount that was presumably kept for teaching purposes. Unlike our modern maths, with a decimal system of counting, the Babylonians worked in 60s, so comparing then and now isn't always easy.
The Science of Nutrition & Healthy Eating
My latest badged course. Definitely interesting and made me consider what I do eat. Not sure it will change my diet - but I'm more aware of food labels and what I should be considering.
Italian for Beginners - Part 4 (Open University)
Much to my surprise I'm finding I'm able to complete the quizzes with fewer mistakes and understanding more, which is encouraging.
What do Popular Songs Mean? (University of Leeds)
Like the previous music course I've done with Leeds Uni, this was aimed at potential music students, which I imagine is only a very limited proportion of those taking FutureLearn courses. Some things were interesting, some were a reminder of things I learnt on an OpenLearn course; at other times they would teach about analysis, but then when I came to work through an example for myself the answer would come up 'you may think xxx, but in this case yyy applies'. And in at least one occasion there seemed to be a contradiction between something stated earlier and than later in the course.
OpenLearn
Egyptian Mathematics
I read through the course, but it lacks the presentation of later courses. It was interesting to see a little about Egyptian mathematics, although very little has survived, probably because most of their maths had to do with practical problems they encountered rather than matters they deemed sufficiently important to save for posterity.
Babylonian Mathematics
Similarly with this course, although there was a small amount that was presumably kept for teaching purposes. Unlike our modern maths, with a decimal system of counting, the Babylonians worked in 60s, so comparing then and now isn't always easy.
The Science of Nutrition & Healthy Eating
My latest badged course. Definitely interesting and made me consider what I do eat. Not sure it will change my diet - but I'm more aware of food labels and what I should be considering.
[heron fic] Hegesistratus
Jul. 5th, 2025 10:37 amsanguinityBeen reading a lot of Herodotus lately. The flight of Hegesistratus made me think of Ewen.
...now back to finishing Book IX before book group tomorrow!
Hegesistratus (100 words) by sanguinity
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Jacobite Trilogy | The Flight of the Heron Series - D. K. Broster, The Histories - Herodotus
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Characters: Ewen Cameron
Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Drabble, Angst
Summary:Ewen Cameron, lame and hunted after his escape at High Bridge, remembers his childhood daydreams.
...now back to finishing Book IX before book group tomorrow!
Collage Journaling: Alice
Jul. 5th, 2025 12:08 pmstonepicnicking_okapiNot my best work. I've done several Alice in Wonderland-themed collages which are much better than this. But my brain is not my friend at the moment, and I have filled up the last of my three inserts I was using for collage so I will be using my Agatha Christie notebook and my art notebook going forward. Both are smaller but I think that might be a good thing.
Bingo Card - Western
Jul. 5th, 2025 01:54 pmsmallhobbitThe second theme this month at ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
allbingo is Western.
Here's my card:
allbingo is Western.Here's my card:
| Armadillo | Sunbonnet |
| Chasing a Dream | Rattlesnake |
Sunshine Revival Challenge #2
Jul. 5th, 2025 12:41 pmsmallhobbitCreative Prompt: Write a love poem to anyone or anything you like
Who or what do I love?
Let's go with cakes
There's my husband, of course
And the scones which he bakes
And the Daughter
To whom we send Christmas cake
Plus her sibling the Son
Who takes us out for cake
I have some good friends
And yes, we do discuss cake
Not to mention my church
With a variety of cake
Shakespeare wrote sonnets
And I eulogise cake!
Into the Void
Jul. 3rd, 2025 04:56 pmstonepicnicking_okapiFor new friends, personal posts not on Tuesdays are called 'Into the Void' as in 'Screaming into the Void'
THANK YOU to everyone for the well wishes on the new job. I will respond individually but I just wanted to do a quick blast of thanks now. Orientation went well. I have clients starting MONDAY! I am low-key terrified, but that's to be expected with something so new. So my schedule will be 8 am to 2 pm with going from one client's house to a second client.
Lots of deep breaths...
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU to everyone for the well wishes on the new job. I will respond individually but I just wanted to do a quick blast of thanks now. Orientation went well. I have clients starting MONDAY! I am low-key terrified, but that's to be expected with something so new. So my schedule will be 8 am to 2 pm with going from one client's house to a second client.
Lots of deep breaths...
THANK YOU!
Bingo card - Winterfest in July
Jul. 3rd, 2025 03:55 pmsmallhobbitThis has to be one of my favourite allbingo challenges. This year I chose the Holidays theme to give me:
allbingo challenges. This year I chose the Holidays theme to give me:| Winter Solstice | Christmas Day |
| New Years Eve | St. Nikolaus Day |
Word: Halyard
Jul. 2nd, 2025 12:23 pmstonepicnicking_okapiWednesday's word is...
...halyard [hal-yerd]
noun
1. any of various lines or tackles for hoisting a spar, sail, flag, etc., into position for use.
---
I found this in Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
First Mr. Fridley fastened the U.S. flag on the halyard (that's a new word in my vocabulary) and then fastened the California flag below it.
...halyard [hal-yerd]
noun
1. any of various lines or tackles for hoisting a spar, sail, flag, etc., into position for use.
---
I found this in Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
First Mr. Fridley fastened the U.S. flag on the halyard (that's a new word in my vocabulary) and then fastened the California flag below it.
Sunshine Revival Challenge #1 & 25 Things in 2025: Third Quarter & Second Half
Jul. 2nd, 2025 03:18 pmsmallhobbitSunshine Revival Challenge #1 - Journaling Prompt: Light up your journal with activity this month.
Talk about your goals for July or for the second half of 2025.
I'm working my way through 25 things in 2025, and have completed the first 14, as well as chosen 2 for April to September. Which means it's time to choose the next 5, leaving 3 for the final quarter, plus Thing #1 which is simply to complete and write about the other 24 Things.
They are:
Quarter 3 - July to September
18 - Take part in the Big Butterfly Count
This runs from 18 July to 10 August and further details can be found here. Part of my plan to support wildlife.
19 - Sort out my current papers/documents
They're all filed in an expanding file, so I can find everything, but it's time to move the oldest papers elsewhere, so they can be stored but I don't need them to hand. Another of the 'I really should do this sometime' tasks, which should now get done.
20 - Sort Anchor threads
A few weeks ago I bought a box for storing my Anchor threads, so I can find the colours I want easily. All I have to do now is get round to sorting them. That is definitely a challenge, which is why I've added it here.
Half 2 - July to December
21 - Take part in the weekly Garden Bird Watch
I started this as part of 30 Days of Wildlife, and the intention is to keep going for six months, after which I will automatically continue or realise it's simply not working.
22 - Revise some German
I only have very basic German, which every so often I go back over. As we shall be on holiday in Germany next April, it wouldn't hurt to go over it again. We're on a tour, so it mostly won't be needed, but there's always buying cakes etc!
23 - Autumn Holiday
We haven't decided where we're going this year, but we'll be going somewhere, probably in early October, which is when we usually go, so I'm including this as one of my things I'm doing this year.
My full list can be found here
Talk about your goals for July or for the second half of 2025.
I'm working my way through 25 things in 2025, and have completed the first 14, as well as chosen 2 for April to September. Which means it's time to choose the next 5, leaving 3 for the final quarter, plus Thing #1 which is simply to complete and write about the other 24 Things.
They are:
Quarter 3 - July to September
18 - Take part in the Big Butterfly Count
This runs from 18 July to 10 August and further details can be found here. Part of my plan to support wildlife.
19 - Sort out my current papers/documents
They're all filed in an expanding file, so I can find everything, but it's time to move the oldest papers elsewhere, so they can be stored but I don't need them to hand. Another of the 'I really should do this sometime' tasks, which should now get done.
20 - Sort Anchor threads
A few weeks ago I bought a box for storing my Anchor threads, so I can find the colours I want easily. All I have to do now is get round to sorting them. That is definitely a challenge, which is why I've added it here.
Half 2 - July to December
21 - Take part in the weekly Garden Bird Watch
I started this as part of 30 Days of Wildlife, and the intention is to keep going for six months, after which I will automatically continue or realise it's simply not working.
22 - Revise some German
I only have very basic German, which every so often I go back over. As we shall be on holiday in Germany next April, it wouldn't hurt to go over it again. We're on a tour, so it mostly won't be needed, but there's always buying cakes etc!
23 - Autumn Holiday
We haven't decided where we're going this year, but we'll be going somewhere, probably in early October, which is when we usually go, so I'm including this as one of my things I'm doing this year.
My full list can be found here
Views & News
Jul. 1st, 2025 06:45 pmstonepicnicking_okapi1. The big news...Orientation is Thursday...I have a job! Orientation is PAID. I haven't been paid for work since 2015. This is a big deal! I know I will cycle through anxiety and fear but it's incredible that it's even happening!
Not much else to compete with that. We took the kids to Costco for the first time on Monday, and they were impressed. I am trying to get my cleaning done and my soap opera update written because at the end of orientation I will meet with a scheduler and I have no idea what that will be like.
Apparently the delay was my last employer (the nursing home) not having employment records going back that far so they couldn't verify my employment. So I had to dig up decade old tax forms and scan them and send them in to prove I did work at some point.
I bought 2 EXIT games to play with the fam. We'll see how that goes.
More Ryu and Ryua camping
Not much else to compete with that. We took the kids to Costco for the first time on Monday, and they were impressed. I am trying to get my cleaning done and my soap opera update written because at the end of orientation I will meet with a scheduler and I have no idea what that will be like.
Apparently the delay was my last employer (the nursing home) not having employment records going back that far so they couldn't verify my employment. So I had to dig up decade old tax forms and scan them and send them in to prove I did work at some point.
I bought 2 EXIT games to play with the fam. We'll see how that goes.
More Ryu and Ryua camping
Sunshine Revival #1
Jul. 1st, 2025 01:54 pmstonepicnicking_okapi
Journaling Prompt: Light up your journal with activity this month. Talk about your goals for July or for the second half of 2025.
Creative Prompt: Shine a light on your own creativity. Create anything you want (an image, an icon, a story, a poem, or a craft) and share it with your community.
Here is my monthly planner spread in my Hobonichi techo for July. July's theme color is GOLD.
30 Days Wild - Week Four & End of Month Summary (also 25 Days in 2025 - Thing #16)
Jun. 30th, 2025 06:05 pmsmallhobbitWeek 4 had a creative theme, so I wrote a tanka:
Counting garden birds
Filling up the water bowls
Walking through the woods
Small steps to gentle progress
Building a lifetime's habit
And I downloaded a knitting pattern from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, to knit a bittern - a 'knittern' for making later.
In addition, I downloaded 14 spotter sheets for use during different seasons (and therefore encouraging me to go out), plus masks and colouring sheets for our after school club.
Finally, I made a bumblebee felt craft brooch from a kit I'd myself a while ago.
Looking back on the 30 Days Wild challenge, it's been fun and hopefully will encourage me to do more - I always feel it would be a good idea, but finding the necessary motivation is important. I've become a member of the British Trust for Ornithology (it's not very expensive) and have submitted two weeks' worth of garden bird sightings. And I'm currently watching the house martins flying around catching flies.
Counting garden birds
Filling up the water bowls
Walking through the woods
Small steps to gentle progress
Building a lifetime's habit
And I downloaded a knitting pattern from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, to knit a bittern - a 'knittern' for making later.
In addition, I downloaded 14 spotter sheets for use during different seasons (and therefore encouraging me to go out), plus masks and colouring sheets for our after school club.
Finally, I made a bumblebee felt craft brooch from a kit I'd myself a while ago.
Looking back on the 30 Days Wild challenge, it's been fun and hopefully will encourage me to do more - I always feel it would be a good idea, but finding the necessary motivation is important. I've become a member of the British Trust for Ornithology (it's not very expensive) and have submitted two weeks' worth of garden bird sightings. And I'm currently watching the house martins flying around catching flies.
25 in 2025: Mid-year to date
Jun. 30th, 2025 07:32 amstonepicnicking_okapiI have ordered some new board games for us to try as a family so that will help. And I'm going to try and overhaul (gradually, one meal at a time) our dinners so that they are healthier. And maybe I'll have a job (*dare I hope*). But I need to be on the lookout for things because I should be at 12 or 13 by now.
1. learn to hem pants
2. go to a new grocery store
3. attend a jhope concert in Brooklyn
4. make an essential oil spray
5. submit an application for a job
6. interview for a job
7. participate in a fic exchange
8. read a manga (Death Note 1)
9. go to Costco
1. learn to hem pants
2. go to a new grocery store
3. attend a jhope concert in Brooklyn
4. make an essential oil spray
5. submit an application for a job
6. interview for a job
7. participate in a fic exchange
8. read a manga (Death Note 1)
9. go to Costco
The State of the Ficcery: June 2025
Jun. 29th, 2025 10:10 pmstonepicnicking_okapiWord Count: 33,424
Writing: Many things going on:
1. I completed by GYWO pledge for 2025. So year-to-date, word count: 150,040
2. GYWO Yahtzee is over, and I did all but 1 category, so I was #5 (everyone ahead of me did all the categories)
3. I uploaded my beta-ed case fic today. Whew!
4. Started a new BTS soap opera, a Yoonkook Rear Window AU
5. 4 poems
5. Fills for:emotion100, 100words, drabble_zone, vocab_drabbles
In July:
1. Keep the soap opera going
2. Still behind on the poems. Catch up on poems.
Reading: A very good reading month. 7 books.
In July:
1. At least 3 squares in the bingo.
2. Finish The Mirror Crack'd [it's annoying me at the moment, which is sad because the plot itself is very clever, but it begins with ol' Aggie's old lady carping and that is giving me indigestion]
Crafting:
5 spreads. 1 card.
In July:
I might do some summer postcards.
I have started a jigsaw puzzle, and I am forcing the boys to get off screen and help me with it after lunch. It is called Around the World in 50 Plants. Finish it by the start of school 25 AUG]
Personal:
1. Surviving the leak
2. Interviewing for a job
3. End of school for the boys
In July:
1. Minor and the boys' father are going to Jacksonville, Florida for 5 days for a track meet. So Minisculus and I will be home alone. It should be interesting.
So many mental and physical health areas I am not doing well in, but I don't want to dwell on them here.
On y va to July!
Writing: Many things going on:
1. I completed by GYWO pledge for 2025. So year-to-date, word count: 150,040
2. GYWO Yahtzee is over, and I did all but 1 category, so I was #5 (everyone ahead of me did all the categories)
3. I uploaded my beta-ed case fic today. Whew!
4. Started a new BTS soap opera, a Yoonkook Rear Window AU
5. 4 poems
5. Fills for:
emotion100, 100words, drabble_zone, vocab_drabblesIn July:
1. Keep the soap opera going
2. Still behind on the poems. Catch up on poems.
Reading: A very good reading month. 7 books.
In July:
1. At least 3 squares in the bingo.
2. Finish The Mirror Crack'd [it's annoying me at the moment, which is sad because the plot itself is very clever, but it begins with ol' Aggie's old lady carping and that is giving me indigestion]
Crafting:
5 spreads. 1 card.
In July:
I might do some summer postcards.
I have started a jigsaw puzzle, and I am forcing the boys to get off screen and help me with it after lunch. It is called Around the World in 50 Plants. Finish it by the start of school 25 AUG]
Personal:
1. Surviving the leak
2. Interviewing for a job
3. End of school for the boys
In July:
1. Minor and the boys' father are going to Jacksonville, Florida for 5 days for a track meet. So Minisculus and I will be home alone. It should be interesting.
So many mental and physical health areas I am not doing well in, but I don't want to dwell on them here.
On y va to July!
Books - June 2025
Jun. 29th, 2025 04:41 pmsmallhobbit7 books read this month, so 38 for the year and I'm on target!
A Frightfully Fatal Affair by Hannah Hendy
I normally listen to these on audiobook, but for a change I borrowed it from the library. The next in the Dinner Lady Detectives series. Entertaining, slightly implausible, but the two dinner ladies are appealing characters, so I enjoyed reading it.
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
A look at how Mr Rochester might have found his 'mad' wife in Jane Eyre. Worth reading, but I didn't feel for Antoinette (Bertha) as I had expected to.
The Dead Witness edited by Michael Sims
A collection of short detection stories for the nineteenth century. Very few of the stories appealed, and I was left grateful for Sherlock Holmes!
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
The next Murderbot story, which was fun and continued to prove that Murderbot was far better equipped to deal with most things than anyone else.
The Rose Apple Tree Mystery by Ovidia Yu
The next in the Su Lin series (which was the Crown Colony series, although the name is no longer accurate), this one is set not in Singapore but in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. As always, it's an interesting look at the region in 1947 and I enjoyed the mystery. I had guessed part of it, but I imagine the reader was supposed to have their suspicions.
Cyanide in the Sun edited by Martin Edwards
Another of the British Library Crime Classics short story collections. Not as good as previous books, it may be that the pool of such stories is being drained.
CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour edited by Martin Edwards
Another short story collection, but this time modern short stories. I enjoyed the majority - in any collection there are going to be some which I don't like, for various reasons, but it was a good batch.
Also, I had a go at the Goodreads Seasonal Challenge for May and June and achieved 5 of the 7 categories:
And here is my book bingo card - I may even finish it next month!
A Frightfully Fatal Affair by Hannah Hendy
I normally listen to these on audiobook, but for a change I borrowed it from the library. The next in the Dinner Lady Detectives series. Entertaining, slightly implausible, but the two dinner ladies are appealing characters, so I enjoyed reading it.
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
A look at how Mr Rochester might have found his 'mad' wife in Jane Eyre. Worth reading, but I didn't feel for Antoinette (Bertha) as I had expected to.
The Dead Witness edited by Michael Sims
A collection of short detection stories for the nineteenth century. Very few of the stories appealed, and I was left grateful for Sherlock Holmes!
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
The next Murderbot story, which was fun and continued to prove that Murderbot was far better equipped to deal with most things than anyone else.
The Rose Apple Tree Mystery by Ovidia Yu
The next in the Su Lin series (which was the Crown Colony series, although the name is no longer accurate), this one is set not in Singapore but in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. As always, it's an interesting look at the region in 1947 and I enjoyed the mystery. I had guessed part of it, but I imagine the reader was supposed to have their suspicions.
Cyanide in the Sun edited by Martin Edwards
Another of the British Library Crime Classics short story collections. Not as good as previous books, it may be that the pool of such stories is being drained.
CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour edited by Martin Edwards
Another short story collection, but this time modern short stories. I enjoyed the majority - in any collection there are going to be some which I don't like, for various reasons, but it was a good batch.
Also, I had a go at the Goodreads Seasonal Challenge for May and June and achieved 5 of the 7 categories:
And here is my book bingo card - I may even finish it next month!
Writing - June 2025
Jun. 28th, 2025 10:09 pmsmallhobbitWord count for the month 11,500, bringing my total for the half year to just over 62K, so marginally ahead of my goal so far - always good to have a few words in hand!
I've written two squares forwhatif_au Bingo: for Air Travel You Don't Have To Be Nuts to Work Here which is Hamlet/The Hobbit and a follow up to the last time I wrote for the air travel theme, Thank You for Flying Elsinore Airways and the second for the High/Low fantasy square, which is written but needs another readthrough before posting.
The major word production went for mycaseficexchange story, which won't be revealed until next month.
My other major achievement this month was to complete my 11 year streak forfan_flashworks with Support Your Local Baby Bank , a Spooks (MI5) ficlet.
I've written two squares for
whatif_au Bingo: for Air Travel You Don't Have To Be Nuts to Work Here which is Hamlet/The Hobbit and a follow up to the last time I wrote for the air travel theme, Thank You for Flying Elsinore Airways and the second for the High/Low fantasy square, which is written but needs another readthrough before posting. The major word production went for my
caseficexchange story, which won't be revealed until next month.My other major achievement this month was to complete my 11 year streak for
fan_flashworks with Support Your Local Baby Bank , a Spooks (MI5) ficlet.Federal Funding Update, the NPR version
Jun. 28th, 2025 09:10 amsanguinityPursuant to yesterday's (locked) post where I discussed federal public health funding:
'Where's our money?' CDC grant funding is moving so slowly layoffs are happening (NPR)
God, that's eerie, to see NPR saying the same thing I was saying.
The grants mentioned in the article are all national in scope, btw: it's everybody who's not getting these grants, not just Texas or North Carolina. These grants aren't flashy or sexy, but they absolutely save lives.
'Where's our money?' CDC grant funding is moving so slowly layoffs are happening (NPR)
God, that's eerie, to see NPR saying the same thing I was saying.
The grants mentioned in the article are all national in scope, btw: it's everybody who's not getting these grants, not just Texas or North Carolina. These grants aren't flashy or sexy, but they absolutely save lives.
