Ok I lied about going to bed.

Hilarious vid “To Be A Princess” -
set to some musical song, possibly Disney? By theburialofstrawberries.

https://www.tumblr.com/mific/813728132898177024/shane-as-princess

Slightly early, but I've basically achieved everything I had in my goals for 2025/26.

Goal No 1: Do a Themed Monthly Post
Posting Views from the Window every month has been fun and in particular interesting as it's shown the change in the trees over the year.  My last post will be at the end of the month, so I can include views from the upcoming holiday.

Goal No 2: Accept the Unexpected
We decided at the beginning of March we'd go away for a couple of nights and would take my car.  Unfortunately when I got in the car that morning a warning light came on.  So we had to hurriedly move everything over to J's car.  Which worked fine in the end, and the car was soon sorted once we came home - no time to do anything that morning.  And The Daughter and I have booked a holiday for July 2027.  I mentioned it to her as being of interest, she agreed, so we booked - all within a day.

Goal No 3: To Embrace My Personal Interests
That's gone well, although I do sometimes look at my Library Want To Read list and wonder.  However, it's entirely up to me and if I want to do some of the Goodreads Seasonal Challenge, then I shall.  And I have bought rather a lot of audiobooks from a recent Audible sale, but I'll get round to listening to them :)

So yes, it's been a good year.  I don't always achieve all my goals, but it is pleasing when I do, especially when I will carry on with the ideas behind the goals.

As often happens, after all the dramatic warnings cyclone Vaianu was only a period of heavy rain and moderate winds where I live. Just another Sunday. More flooding elsewhere, but not too bad. Oh well, at least I got my camping gear out ready for any future power cuts. off to bed with me now, night all!

Sweep of the Heart by Ilona Andrews is the fifth book in her Innkeeper Chronicles series - which I've come back to more than two years after listening to book four.
It follows the story of Dina, who runs a magical inn that caters to various alien races from across the far reaches of space.
The series is an interesting mix between urban fantasy and space opera sci-fi - and I've thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through.
In this book, the inn hosts an inter-galactic spousal selection competition, which requires Dina to accommodate people from 12 different alien cultures, all of whom have different needs and desires, and some of whom are dangerous or in feuds with some of the others.
It's a whirlwind of a plot, with far too many characters, factions, layers and shenanigans to keep track of, but I just let the audiobook happen and loved every minute of it.
The only downside is that it turns out this isn't the last in the series, and there are major arc-plot threads still to be resolved! I guess I'm glad I have more of this world and characters to look forward to - but it's been four years since this one was published and the author is apparently focusing on a different series for now, so there's no indication as to when the final instalment of the Innkeeper Chronicles might arrive...

Quote:

"I am only one but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something."

"I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes."

~ Edward Everett


Made Me Feel:

Home Free - Man of Constant Sorrow (I acknowledge that most people have heard this capella group, but they are my favorite.)

https://youtu.be/-ew_bfFvros?si=B5fsAateiH-9Y2l3

It started out good. I got up early (for me) attended a good free workshop on writing fear and then went to Jackson with the plan to go to the author's book festival at the library, go to the coffee shop and write and maybe go out to Lake Alma to hike around the lake since it was beautiful out.

I had already talked myself out of trying to go to the Sip and Thrift in the opposite direction down in Gallipolis. I get to the book fest and talk to my first author and I like the sound of his mystery. Yes sir, I'll buy one. Just as he gets ready to sign it I realize something horrible.

My wallet is by my desk top computer where I used my credit card to buy those Amazing Digital Circus theater tickets because Paypal kept putting me into a loop that I couldn't get out of.

Yeah, my money and my driver's license are now 15 miles away in my apartment because I didn't put the wallet back after I used it. Son of a bitch. No books. No coffee. No hiking.

Embarrassed I trundle on home but now it's 1:20. I could make the sip and thrift which started at one (but it'll take me 20 minutes to get there) and I don't have time to go back to the book fest. I decide I do not in any way shape or form need more clothing thrifted or not and I definitely don't need upcycled bullcrap in my house (I appreciate and approve of upcycling but I'm trying to down size my crap not get more)

I just stay home and try to clean because I have like 4 festivals in the next 5 weeks. I regret not going now because in spite of FB sending me festivals in a 50 mile radius it didn't tell me one thing about the first annual cherry blossom festival in Point Pleasant. I could have done the sip and thrift and then that. Ah well.

Have some science saturday links


Artemis II: NASA's first crewed mission to the moon since 1972
I wanted to be more excited by this (but it felt like a distraction from everything else this nightmare administration has done)

Fossil site in China reveals bevy of complex creatures lived prior to the Cambrian explosion, including a 'Dune'-like sandworm

We went to Finland to hear about the new 'sand battery' that will turn stored renewable energy back into power for the electrical grid

'No one knows what they are': Researchers discover new type of cell that's seen only during pregnancy

AI 'mirages' mean tools used to analyze medical scans could fabricate their findings How about this? How about we don't fucking USE Ai for this

New Step Towards Male Contraception As Sperm Production Blocked Safely And Reversibly Without Hormones

Trump’s 2027 Budget Proposes Multi-Billion-Dollar Cuts For Climate And Environmental Programs Because he's a fucking nightmare

Can Magic Be Used As A Tool In Science?

After my gripes last week, I attempted to watch episode 2 of the new Ascendance of a Bookworm anime. I'm five-and-a-half minutes in (including the OP!) and my fears are entirely confirmed.

Y'all killed this beautiful butterfly and pinned it to a board. Congratulations.

( Cut for fannish griping and possible spoilers )

I finally finished watching Star Trek: TOS last month! Looking back, I wrote up my S2 general thoughts at the end of August. I certainly took my sweet time with finishing the series, and it actually took me just over a year from start to finish. My first ST: TOS post (from this round) was on February 8, 2025 for 'The Enemy Within' and I finished 'Turnabout Intruder' on March 27, 2026. I didn't even update with a liveblog post before 'The Enemy Within', although I did reblog a gifset of 'The Naked Time' right before that with the tags #you know I'm here for kirk having captain emotions #and spock having too many emotions which really sets the stage for what was to come.

That is a long time to watch a 3-season show, but there are 80 episodes and they all run around 50 minutes. I'm also glad I didn't race through it and I got to savor it along the way. It certainly has been a journey and one I'm so glad I finally finished!

I also ended up writing up a lot of my thoughts about the ending of 'Requiem for Methuselah' and its aftermath linked to 'Turnabout Intruder', which is what I'm sure everyone signed up for, right?

( what difference does it make who he is? )

The online memorial for minoanmiss (Ny/Rubynye) will take place tomorrow - Sunday, April 12, 1:00PM EDT (GMT -4).

Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83615091699?pwd=Goa5p0EbNbbl2Msd2GAQscu5uyWttd.1
Meeting ID: 836 1509 1699
Passcode: MinoanNy

You can sign up at the link below to indicate if you'll be attending:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448A8A62BA6FBC34-63233152-nys/195490464#/

Dear fandom5k writer,

thank you so much for writing a story for me! I've requested and received all of these fandoms before - some for many, many years, and often with the same prompts, because when I really enjoy something, I immediately want fifty more takes on the same thing. *g* So if that's what we matched on, don't worry about repeating things! I'll be absolutely thrilled about anything you can create about the relationships I requested.

Everything important is in the requests themselves, but if you'd like even more info, general likes etc., here you go.

My AO3 account is Trobadora, and it's set to welcome treats.

General Preferences

( Likes & Dislikes/DNWs )

Fandoms and relationships

In somewhat alphabetical order - note that some sections are expanded compared to the sign-up form:

Jump directly to:

• Grimm: Nick/Renard/Juliette
• 镇魂 | Guardian (TV): Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan, Ya Qing/Zhu Hong, Shen Wei & Ya Qing
• Grimm/镇魂 | Guardian (TV) crossovers: Shen Wei & Zhao Yunlan & Sean Renard & Nick Burkhardt, Shen Wei & Zhao Yunlan & Sean Renard, Shen Wei & Zhao Yunlan & Juliette Silverton, Shen Wei & Sean Renard, Shen Wei & Juliette Silverton, Sean Renard & Ya Qing, Sean Renard/Ya Qing
• Nantucket Trilogy - S.M. Stirling: Kashtiliash & Raupasha
• Sherlock (BBC): Sherlock/Moriarty
• 山河令 | Word of Honor: Wen Kexing/Zhou Zishu

( Grimm: Nick/Renard/Juliette )

( 镇魂 | Guardian (TV): Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan, Ya Qing/Zhu Hong, Shen Wei & Ya Qing )

( Grimm/Guardian crossovers: Nick Burkhardt & Sean Renard & Shen Wei & Zhao Yunlan, Sean Renard & Shen Wei & Zhao Yunlan, Juliette Silverton & Shen Wei & Zhao Yunlan, Juliette Silverton & Shen Wei, Sean Renard & Shen Wei, Sean Renard & Ya Qing, Sean Renard/Ya Qing )

( Nantucket Trilogy - S.M. Stirling: Kashtiliash & Raupasha )

( Sherlock (BBC): Jim Moriarty/Sherlock Holmes )

( 山河令 | Word of Honor: Wen Kexing/Zhou Zishu )

Quote:

"The art of life is to know how to enjoy a little and to endure very much." .

"A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles."

~ William Hazlitt


Made Me Laugh/Chuckle:

'The Star Wars That I Used To Know' - Gotye 'Somebody That I Used To Know' Parody - teddiefilms

https://youtu.be/qJlbPXZEpRE?si=dx_sd68uREsf01iD

The final placeholder :(

SF, one of our wildlife profs stops me on the way to lab to tell me our mutual friend PQ was here to do a guest lecture. He was partially the inspiration for Josh in These Haunted Hills PQ was a naturalist in the Hocking Hills (which is how SF knows him) and is part of my steampunk group and also loves ghost hunting and beer making (how I know him) I didn't get to hear the lecture because I had lab but I did get to talk to him about our upcoming Steampunk con in Lousiville.

The cheater finally came to lab pretending like it's all alright. It is not and I do feel a little bad that she doesn't seem to know how much trouble she's in. Ah well.

Any of my British mystery fans know Whistable Pearl? I'm starting it tonight.


My coffee shop has this month a new latter Almond Joy. This one is very good. I'll need to make it myself.

So The Amazing Digital Circus dropped a teaser trailer today for the 9th episode which is the last one and it will also be released in the theater early. this worked out horribly for Hazbin, just saying. I didn't know where to get tickets because I'll be traveling at that time. I dicked around and by the time 3 hours went by Pittsburgh was sold out. However, Huntington barely sold ANY tickets. So yeah I have tickets now.


I did a little writing. This was for spikesgirl58's 6 words challenge. It's a potential chapter in my new novel. It may or may not happen. I'm thinking about it. It has seen zero editing so be warned.

Speaking of warnings, there is a minor mention of drug addiction, also mentioned (in no detail) child sexual abuse and PTSD. Also minor blood, mentions of sex work

( Brush with death )

And the Friday Fannish rec for Fannish 50


Coming Back Inspector George Gently

Making A Splash Torchwood

Safe And Sound Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Miss Mabel Make Plans Teen Wolf

On His Level Hazbin Hotel

Eggsplanations Torchwood

Mysterious Messenger The Fantastic Journey

Curious Hazbin Hotel

Munch Ado about Cookies The Owl House

A Narrow Escape Inspector George Gently

I May Have Hurt Your Head, But You Hurt My Heart Hazbin Hotel

Multiple Signals Hazbin Hotel

no exit (huis clos) The Amazing Digital Circus

Belief Torchwood

Head Over Heels Starsky & Hutch

Gently Going Undercover Inspector George Gently

The Perils of Paperwork Teen Wolf

The Past Reconfigured Stargate Atlantis

Who Needs Sleeping Nettles The Owl House

Lost Souls MCU

Black/Blue Hazbin Hotel