If you want me to leave, you can put your hands on my hot, tight little body and make me.

Spike ,'Get It Done'


Natter 78: I might need to watch some Buffy for inspiration

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, butt kicking, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


dcp - Aug 07, 2025 4:30:45 pm PDT #8674 of 9080
The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.

a yellowing bruise on the inside of my elbow, with two reddish marks in the center

Temporary body art, but not the fun kind.


Laura - Aug 08, 2025 4:40:01 am PDT #8675 of 9080
Our wings are not tired.

All phlebotomists are not created equal. A good one is a wonderful thing.

In historical Buffista birthday news, three members were born on this day. Katerina Bee, high plains grifter, and Ms. Havisham. Sending wishes that they are well and enjoying their day.


Matt the Bruins fan - Aug 08, 2025 7:30:31 am PDT #8676 of 9080
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand

Yikes Atropa, glad it worked out.

Dog escape artists are not good, though at least he knows his way home?

Yesterday I noticed a hawk in a tree across the street, calling to another nearby hawk who wasn't visible. Then I saw a squirrel charge at the hawk and chase it off the branch it had been perched on. I assume a mama squirrel defending a nest with kits, though this is late in the year for them.


lisah - Aug 08, 2025 7:38:38 am PDT #8677 of 9080
Punishingly Intricate

Urban wildlife report: the mourning doves who nest above our back door have one baby who, I think is about to fledge (just heard a crow out there squawking so I hope the dove baby is still ok…circle of life). And I have a bunch of black swallowtail caterpillars on my parsley plant!


lisah - Aug 08, 2025 8:01:20 am PDT #8678 of 9080
Punishingly Intricate

Baby dove is fine and there are now 9 caterpillars on the parsley!


Laura - Aug 08, 2025 9:01:55 am PDT #8679 of 9080
Our wings are not tired.

Mountain wildlife report. Rotten deer ate all the flowers my sister and I put in the cemetery last week. We have multiple pictures of bears around and about, so we are being diligent about not leaving any trash around. Additionally, coyote spotting means the cat isn't allowed outside after dark. Alas, no moose sightings despite our constant surveying of appropriate locations. The bell I put on the cat has saved the lives of the birds, as she hasn't caught any this year, although the mice and chipmunks are not so clever. Scully does love the four months a year she gets to spend playing in the woods.

eta: Skinner is foolish enough to think he can catch birds\squirrels\chipmunks, but he is mistaken.


DavidS - Aug 08, 2025 10:09:40 am PDT #8680 of 9080
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

I have no wildlife to report upon this morning!

Although on Wednesday, while I was getting my manicure, the shop had its doors open because of the recent sunny days, and a beautiful, large (almost 4 inches), purplescent dragonfly swooped in and hovered next to us, knee-high for several seconds, before dramatically exiting.

As with hummingbird sightings, I consider dragonflies to be a sign of good fortune.

My manicurist said she'd never seen a dragonfly in the states before (though they aren't uncommon in SF), but grew up with them everywhere in Vietnam, where they swoop over the rice paddies.


Laura - Aug 08, 2025 10:22:43 am PDT #8681 of 9080
Our wings are not tired.

Dragonflies are indeed an indicator of good fortune. And often super pretty.


dcp - Aug 08, 2025 10:49:53 am PDT #8682 of 9080
The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.

a sign of good fortune

Anything that reduces the mosquito population is a welcome part of my environment.


Dana - Aug 08, 2025 11:02:03 am PDT #8683 of 9080
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

On the topic of dragonflies, I'm in the middle of making this: [link]