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  • Silvertree

    Mod post: No wishlist posts in blogs

    By Silvertree

    Please be aware that we do not permit swap-related content on profiles or in blogs. Please post this content only in the For Sale, Swaps, and Wanted forums, or in the Wishlists topic. ~from Swapping 101  Thanks!
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Maps and Legends

Spring Cleaning 2026 Questions

Updated 4/19 2:30pm   Green tea blends?  I am pretty picky about green tea. If it is otherwise in my flavor profile in terms of fruity/gourmond, sure, but I dislike matcha and plain green tea    Jigsaw puzzle? How many pieces? I do like jigsaw puzzles - my preference would be 500-1000, leaning toward more complex
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

The Secret History in May 2026 - Two Seats Left!

Now confirmed! I am so happy to report that in May 2026, I’ll be offering a standalone module with SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online via Signum University on Donna Tartt's The Secret History. May 2026: The Secret History by Donna Tartt: Unpacking the “Whydunit” Mystery The Secret History, the 1992 debut novel of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Donna Tartt, has its own secret history, including an origin story at an actual college campus and inspiration from a real-life missing person case. The celebrated novel opens with the murder of a Classics student by his eccentric and close-knit group of college friends. The tale then unfolds as an inverted mystery, a “whydunit” rather than a “whodunit,” a narrative that interrogates the nature of obsession, beauty, and education.

Featuring ingredients of the campus novel, the coming-of-age story, and the New England Gothic, The Secret History has long been hailed as a modern classic, and now it’s been rediscovered by a new generation of readers who consider it a foundational text of Dark Academia storytelling. Why does this mystery have such staying power? How does it serve as a turning point in genre history? And how do its haunting themes relate to us and our search for knowledge today? In this module we will explore the fictional Hampden College and peel back the literary layers of The Secret History.
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eldritchhobbit

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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

We’re going back to Panem!

Our Hunger Games series went so well the first time, we’re doing it again! And it’s perfect timing, too, given that the film adaptation of Sunrise on the Reaping will be coming this autumn. You’re invited to join me in SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online via Signum University to talk about all five books in The Hunger Games series! The first module has been confirmed to run in June 2026. What lessons do the Capitol and Districts have to teach us? What warnings should we heed? What road leads from here to Panem? Over the course of five months, participants in these SPACE modules will read and discuss a modern classic of dystopian storytelling, The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins.

In this hybrid series, each week will include one lecture and one live discussion. The lectures will examine the inspirations behind, allusions in, and questions posed by that month’s novel. In live discussions, participants will share their insights on, interpretations of, and reactions to the story. Together we will consider why this series has spoken to so many readers and explore how its messages remain relevant today. Here is more information.
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Darmok!

The latest episode of the Strange New Worlds podcast features an interview with the brilliant Dr. Kristina Šekrst talking about the linguistics of the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Darmok,” the subject of her amazing essay in our book Star Trek: Essays Exploring the Final Frontier! Episode 193: The Linguistics of “Darmok” Star Trek: Essays Exploring the Final Frontier
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Stranger Things-Related Call for Papers

Stranger Things-Related Call for Papers Call for Papers: Welcome to Hawkins: A Special Issue on Stranger Things Slayage plans a special issue on Stranger Things for publication in late June 2026. ALT Slayage is an international and interdisciplinary refereed scholarly journal concerned with the “fuzzy set” with Buffy the Vampire Slayer at its center, and Stranger Things, a multi-season television series with kick-ass heroines, the irruption of the supernatural into the mundane, high-stakes action, strong characterizations, snarky humor, and an emphasis on relationships and the complexities of queerness and race, fits our definition nicely. It’s even got a Hellmouth in a library! As an interdisciplinary journal primarily concerned with visual media, we will be interested in nearly any approach to Stranger Things: literary-critical, sociological, historical, musical, queer theory, pop science, etc. Read more about Slayage at http://www.buffystudies.org/slayage-the-international-journal-of-buffy.html and please see the Slayage Style Sheet at http://www.buffystudies.org/slayage-house-style-sheet.html for guidance on citation style, especially for television episodes.

Here are some ideas to consider:

• Mothers and mothering: good mothers, evil mothers, avenging mothers
• Strong women, beweaponed and weaponized girls, and the Ripley (Alien) trope
• Fathers and fathering, and masculinities in general
• Groupings of generations and cohorts, and how their different story arcs work together
• Nostalgia and audience engagement
• Mythic patterns in storytelling
• Music used in the show and its significance; music as weapon and lifeline
• Resonances with other texts: A Wrinkle in Time, The Lord of the Rings, the Indiana Jones movies, the Star Wars movies, Carrie, The Goonies, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Ghostbusters, the Whedonverse, and on and on and on. Not just a recap of inspirations, but digging into the how and why.
• The show’s use of Dungeons and Dragons, and the early D&D panic
• Queer characters, queer theory, queer history
• Race in the 1980s: what the show got right, what it got wrong
• US/Russia/world relations in the 1980s and what the show does with them
• Crazy science and conspiracy theories
• The stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow and the canonicity of other supplemental texts
• The independent-kids-on-bikes motif in Stranger Things and its sources
• The midwestern setting and its callbacks to sources like Breaking Away
• The suburban shopping mall: its significance in 80s teen culture and its use in horror films like Dawn of the Dead

Editors for this special issue are:

Dr. Kristine Larsen is distinguished Connecticut State University Professor of Earth and Space Sciences at Central Connecticut State University, where she has taught since 1989. Her teaching and research focus on the intersections between science and society, including science in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Her latest books are Science, Technology and Magic in The Witcher: A Medievalist Spin on Modern Monsters (McFarland, 2023), and The Sun We Share: Our Star in Popular Media and Science (McFarland, 2024).

Janet Brennan Croft (ORCiD 0001-0001-2691-3586) recently retired from the University of Northern Iowa as Librarian Emerita.  She is the author of War in the Works of J.R.R. Tolkien (recently reissued by Bloomsbury; 2005 Mythopoeic Society Award for Inklings Studies). She has also written on the Peter Jackson Middle-earth films, the Whedonverse, Orphan Black, Terry Pratchett, Lois McMaster Bujold, and other authors, TV shows, and movies, and is editor or co-editor of many collections of literary essays, the most recent being Loremasters and Libraries in Fantasy and Science Fiction, co-edited with Jason Fisher (Mythopoeic Press, 2021). She edits the refereed scholarly journal Mythlore, is archivist and associate editor of Slayage: The International Journal of Buffy+, and chairs the Tolkien in Popular Culture Area at SWPACA.

Send abstracts of 400 words plus selected preliminary references to Kris Larsen and Janet Brennan Croft at janet.croft@uni.edu and larsen@ccsu.edu by January 30, 2026. Decisions on abstracts will be made by February 4. Initial submissions are due by April 15, and final revisions completed by June 10 for publication at the end of June.
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Star Trek-Related Call for Papers

Star Trek-Related Call for Papers Call for Book Chapters: “Beyond the Next Star: The Importance of Failure in Star Trek"  ALT The editors of Second Star to the Right: Essays on Leadership in Star Trek (Vernon Press), Jason A. Kaufman and Aaron M. Peterson, invite book chapter proposals for a forthcoming edited volume tentatively titled Beyond the Next Star: The Importance of Failure in Star Trek. Star Trek provides an opportunity to explore the final frontier of leadership through six decades of series and films. With its basis in Enlightenment thinking (reason coupled to compassion) and its encouragement of diversity in its myriad threads, Star Trek offers guidance on how to improve the human condition that has application to any academic and professional field. Importantly, Star Trek also offers numerous examples of how individuals in roles of leadership large and small are able to navigate the emotional and practical challenges of failure. Failure is a part of life, an experience all too common to anyone who has achieved a modicum of success. While some people never learn from failure and others seek to avoid it altogether, Star Trek offers myriad examples large and small of how moments of failure can lead to personal development, professional success, and even galactic salvation. Of course, sometimes failure is just that, a cessation of progress. However, even in these moments, failure can still be a poignant teacher. This edited volume will explore the application of Star Trek to moving forward from failure across a diverse array of fields and perspectives. We seek chapters from leaders, scientists, educators, professionals, writers, and others, whether their expertise is drawn from boardroom, lab, classroom, field, or page. Our goal is to utilize the wealth of canon to inform business, law, politics, ethics, peace studies, conflict management, academic leadership, religious studies, literary and textual analysis, and beyond. By acknowledging the realities of failure, our goal is to make the world a better place. We seek chapter proposals focused not on a single character, but instead on a situation portrayed in a specific scene, episode, or film that depicts failure and how it was navigated positively or negatively. Chapter proposals should be academically rigorous yet accessible to an informed non-academic audience. We want you to write to inform practice in your field using Star Trek as the background of the discussion, not the focus. Similarly, please do not utilize your own failures as examples. Humor and honesty are always appreciated. Chapter proposal submission Please submit an abstract no longer than 300 words to volume editors Jason A. Kaufman (jason.kaufman@mnsu.edu) and Aaron M. Peterson (aaron.peterson@converse.edu) by February 27, 2026. The abstract should include a clear overview of the main focus of the chapter. In addition, please include a brief bio of 100 words or fewer for the author(s). Co-authored proposals are welcome, but please limit submissions to two per author. Finally, please begin your email heading with “NEXT STAR:” when you submit the proposal for review. Now…hit it! Deadlines Proposal submission deadline: February 27, 2026 Acceptance of proposal sent out: March 27, 2026 Chapter submission: September 8, 2026 (Star Trek Day)
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Rebellions are built on hope - in SPACE!

Here are the details of the new three-part online module for SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) that I’ll be offering for Signum University in Spring 2026. Rebellions Are Built On Hope: A Star Wars Series Over nearly half a century of storytelling, Star Wars has challenged audiences to find their own agency and power in the face of injustice and tyranny. The Star Wars works Andor (2022, 2025), Rogue One (2016), and A New Hope (1977) fit together to provide a story of resistance, resilience, and rebellion built on a deep engagement with history, philosophy, and political thought. Join Dr. Amy H. Sturgis as we consider how Star Wars wrestles with big ideas, invites conversation and action, and inspires hope in unprecedented times.

This SPACE series consists of three hybrid modules: Module 1 (Feb. 2026 - Only 1 seat left!) covers the series Andor, Season 1 (more info here); Module 2 (March 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 2 (more info here); and Module 3 (April 2026) covers the films Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (more info here).
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Dark Academia in SPACE!

Now confirmed! I am delighted to report that in Spring 2026, I’ll be offering two standalone (but related) modules with SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online via Signum University. Each focuses on an important novel related to the same real-life, true-crime unsolved case. March 2026: Last Seen Wearing by Hillary Waugh: Discovering a Turning Point in Crime Fiction May 2026: The Secret History by Donna Tartt: Unpacking the “Whydunit” Mystery
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Ghost Turtles in the Sky
 

OPYL - Sorted & Reviewed

Last update: March 13, 2026   Anfar 1950 Luna Odyssee IV Sabbia - I immediately get hit with leather after I spray this on my skin. Then, a whisp of saffron, and the passionfruit fights to make its way to the front. There is an insistent front of that oud, reading to me as woody leather. I'm thinking on the dry down I get the amber and vanilla, joining the faint fruit in bringing an understated sweetness. I can eventually catch the rose, which despite being a floral only adds to the wood and leather aesthetic. This is marketed as unisex, and though I enjoy many unisex scents, there is unfortunately too much leather and oud in this for me (typically masculine notes).  Zenit Rouge   Dolce & Gabbana D&G Anthology: La Roue de la Fortune 10 - The second perfume I ever loved, bottle purchased from the duty-free on an overnight ferry from Kristiansand, Norway to Aarhus, Denmark. The scent of hopeful spring, with the promise of love and adventure in the coming season. It's a daytime scent for me, bright for sunny days, nostalgic, daring, and optimistic. D&G Anthology: La Temperance 14 - This is a soft spring scent, a combination of creamy florals, a touch of fruit, and an underlying musk that combines into a slightly woody spiciness. It doesn't have a far throw, but I do think it lasts a long time. The pink pepper and fruitiness that you initially get while wet fades rather quickly. People who like iris, violets, and orange dreamsible will like this. I wouldn't say not to a bottle, though I do hold a higher place in my heart for La Roue de la Fortune. The Only One - Sample: Oooh, this is nice. It is immediately complex, with homemade caramel twining with violet and bergamot. Sweet yet warm, floral yet citrus. This seems to me a scent for sunny, cold days. Though coffee is listed as a heart note, I do not easily grasp it (thankfully). Perhaps that's the genius of blending it with vanilla and patchouli. It's not too powdery; pure luxury. Though I do not love florals as a whole, violet remains one of my favorites, and it alongside the iris brings just the right hint of femininity. I would quickly say yes to a full bottle of this.   Fear BOOtique Enchanted Forest   Jimmy Choo Illicit - Sample: Right away you get the sweetness, and soon enough the alcohol burn dries away to reveal honey, warm yet fresh, and something slightly spicy. Oh, is it ginger? Not resinous enough to be amber forward, and not woody enough to be earthy. Bitter orange keeps it from being too sweet. A wee bit of "department store" scent lingers, but only a wee bit so I don't mind. There's some vanilla hiding, as well. As it dries down, I may pick up a bit of rose, but not in a dusty way. Fully dry, it's warmer, like the softest sweater. Good for cold weather. This veers towards gourmand, which I'm okay with. I wouldn't say no to a bottle of this. Sweet, warm, fresh.   Origins Ginger Essence - One of my first adult scents. My mother wore this when I was a teen, and I got a free bottle from a college roommate who was going to discard it. It is brilliant in its simplicity: spicy citrus invokes fresh ginger; a bright scent for fall days. It is that snap of ginger zing that prevents it from being a too juicy, too tart. An elevated ginger ale! This would also be enjoyable as a linen spray, a candle, or a soap. Warm, fresh, bright.    Paco Rabanne 1 Million - The first perfume I ever loved. My father bought me a bottle after I showed him the beloved sample, and when I packed my life into a single suitcase to move across the world, it came with me. It's definitely a winter scent for me, the epitome of "warm & spicy" to cut through the Norwegian snow.  Olympea - Sample: Wet on my skin I get an immediate fresh citrus burst, which quickly crystalizes into salty warmth. The vanilla and florals then come through. I'd say that the ginger flower is stronger than the water jasmine. The soft, warm, and woody base notes stop this from being a summery scent, for me. It seems to straddle the line between luxury and casual. Fully dry, I want to say that this is a spring scent when the weather is still chilly, or a late fall scent to ease you into winter. Not unappealing, but not extraordinary either. Soft, warm, simple.   Paris Hilton Passport in Paris   Seance Cemetery
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Feminist Utopian Thought

On my latest “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast (Episode 772), I discuss early feminist science fictional utopias and focus on A Few Hours in a Far-Off Age (1883) by Henrietta Dugdale. Listen here!
ALTALT
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Star Wars and Resistance

My half-hour talk “Star Wars and Resistance” is now on YouTube as part of the SPACE Showcase. My talk kicks in around 11 minutes into the Showcase. This talk is a “sneak peek” into my new three-part online module for SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) for Signum University in Spring 2026.
The Signum University Webathon 2025!: SPACE Showcase And here are the details of my Spring Star Wars modules. Rebellions Are Built On Hope: A Star Wars Series Over nearly half a century of storytelling, Star Wars has challenged audiences to find their own agency and power in the face of injustice and tyranny. The Star Wars works Andor (2022, 2025), Rogue One (2016), and A New Hope (1977) fit together to provide a story of resistance, resilience, and rebellion built on a deep engagement with history, philosophy, and political thought. Join Dr. Amy H. Sturgis as we consider how Star Wars wrestles with big ideas, invites conversation and action, and inspires hope in unprecedented times.

This SPACE series consists of three hybrid modules: Module 1 (Feb. 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 1 (more info here); Module 2 (March 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 2 (more info here); and Module 3 (April 2026) covers the films Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (more info here).
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Spookygrrrly's Tabernacle O'Terror
 

Holiday 2025 Wishlists & Questions

Here are my wish list items/ideas & question/answers for 2025 holiday swaps:   Book Wishlist: Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night by Agatha Christie Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick Murder Most Haunted by Emma Mason 
Movie Wishlist (DVD or Blueray) Gremlins A Christmas Horror Story Crimson Peak The Shining Misery The Thing (1982 Original Version)

Q/A from Swap:
1) What are your favorite colors to wear, or for warm blankets, socks, etc ?  Jewel tones, black/grey, purple/green, celestial colors. If it’s Xmas-y I do a woodsy green/red/cream or vintage pink/green/red  2) What sizes do you prefer for upper body and lower body clothing, feet, etc?  Hats/mittens/gloves -medium. Socks I wear size 8.5 shoes. No knee highs as they never fit.   3) Are there types of fibers you have trouble with against your skin?
Definitely no micro fibers. I also don’t like the acrylic socks. For socks cotton or wool are best. I do like the fuzzy slipper socks. Especially if they have the grips on the bottom since I have hardwood stairs.   4) Would you like a small handmade faux wreath made out of thrifted floral stems? If so what colors would you enjoy? No thank you. I don’t have a place to put one that my cat won’t try and eat it   5) Would you like a hand painted kitty ornament? If so, is there a particular kitty you would like it modeled after? Please attach a photo. Sure! I have a black cat with yellow eyes named Chloe   6) Also would you appreciate some organic cocoa butter? I use it for my dry winter skin. Yes, I love coco butter 7) Do you have any interest in any of the Yule products from Paintbox Soapworks?  Wax melts or sugar scrub - Comfort and Joy, Sozzled, O! Tannenbaum, In Dulce Jubilio 😎 Do you have any interest in a  mystery puzzle game that can be played solo or multi-player? Usually these involve murder and a variety of logic puzzles. This would be played through, but carefully so as to allow for replay by you and yours.
No thank you 9) Also, shortbread in various flavors - yea or nea? I can do something gingerbready or peppermint or rose or lavender or orange or chocolate or plain or combinations thereof.
I love shortbread. Gingerbread, orange, plain, chocolate orange, or peppermint are all good with me     
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skyelyric's schtuff
 

solstice q's

1) What are your favorite colors to wear, or for warm blankets, socks, etc ? I skew to darker colors, earth tones, jewel tones, black and grey generally 2) What sizes do you prefer for upper body and lower body clothing, feet, etc? for tops, mens/unisex XL, or L if it's baggy, xxl for womens' cut shirts though I'm leaning toward more gender neutral these days.  lower body XL, socks like standard women's size? I wear like a size 9 shoe but I have duck feet 3) Are there types of fibers you have trouble with against your skin? nothing in particular as long as it's soft. 4) Wishlist links for, BPAL, Amazon, Etsy, Whichever book tracker you may use (Goodreads/LibraryThing/StoryGraph) Etc.? will get to this soon 5) Would you like a small handmade faux wreath made out of thrifted floral stems? If so what colors would you enjoy? sure!  fall colors or something winter-y, or vibrant colors.  I'm not a very pastel-y person but otherwise anything goes 6) Would you like a hand painted kitty ornament? If so is there a particular kitty you would like it modeled after? Please attach a photo.  sure!  no particular cat, but I decorate my tree with animal and nature ornaments so a handpainted one woud be lovely 7) Also would you appreciate some organic cocoa butter? sure 😎Do you have any interest in any of the Yule products from Paintbox Soapworks?  o tannenbaum, rensdyr, and stretched on your grave sound pretty.  Sugar scrubs and soap are the most used around here 9) Do you have any interest in a  mystery puzzle game that can be played solo or multi-player? Usually these involve murder and a variety of logic puzzles. This would be played through, but carefully so as to allow for replay by you and yours.  that sounds fun, I like logic puzzle type stuff 10) Also, shortbread in various flavors - yea or nea? I can do something gingerbready or peppermint or rose or lavender or orange or chocolate or plain or combinations thereof.  anything but peppermint or lavender sounds lovely
skyelyric

skyelyric

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Florida Fledgling's Blogs
 

❄️ Florida Fledgling's Winter Solstice Answers 🌞

1) What are your favorite colors to wear, or for warm blankets, socks, etc ? For winter I love oxblood, emerald green but my favorite color is purple.  2) What sizes do you prefer for upper body and lower body clothing, feet, etc? I'm currently a medium to large in tops and bottoms depending on the brand. I wear a size 8 shoe.  3) Are there types of fibers you have trouble with against your skin? I only wear natural fibers because plastic doesn't breathe and If I overheat I will meltdown. 4) Wishlist links for, BPAL, Amazon, Etsy, Whichever book tracker you may use (Goodreads/LibraryThing/StoryGraph) Etc.? Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3T9VTS2MR0E89?ref_=wl_share Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/people/cmistfp/favorites/floridafledgling-winter-solstice-gift-inspo 5) Would you like a small handmade faux wreath made out of thrifted floral stems? If so what colors would you enjoy? Sadly I have no more room for decor so no decor please unless it is very small. 6) Would you like a hand painted kitty ornament? If so is there a particular kitty you would like it modeled after? Please attach a photo.  This is my question.  7) Also would you appreciate some organic cocoa butter? I'm well stocked with cocoa butter. 😎 Do you have any interest in any of the Yule products from Paintbox Soapworks?   I always have interest in paintbox soapworks lol. Comfort & Joy Sorbetto Emulsifying Sugar Scrub SAMPLE SIZE, Figlet Sorbetto Emulsifying Sugar Scrub and In Dulci Jubilo Soy Wax Melts. 9) Do you have any interest in a mystery puzzle game that can be played solo or multi-player? Usually these involve murder and a variety of logic puzzles. This would be played through, but carefully so as to allow for replay by you and yours.   Unfortunately I don't have much free time for games so this is probably wasted on me.  10) Also, shortbread in various flavors - yea or nea? I can do something gingerbready or peppermint or rose or lavender or orange or chocolate or plain or combinations thereof. I'm trying to reduce my gluten intake (Because IBS) butttt I could ration a cookie a day to not upset the tummy gods. Gingerbread and lavender are up my alley, separate or combined yummmm. 11) Lemon honey or lemon vinegar?  It would be mostly for medicinal and/or crafting purposes.  You would probably only have a little at a time. Lemon honey! Especially if I can put it in tea. 12) Would you like to receive nail polish, If so what colors?  I have a lot of nail polish already but I do collect BPAL polishes. I'll try to update this with what I currently own in my collection.  13) How about milk chocolate? Nougat honeycomb and sea salt or brownie and salted caramel?  I stocked up on chocolate before the tariffs but I wouldn't say no to Reese's Christmas shapes. 14)  In addition to your Goodreads or some indication of what you’d like to read, how would you like to read it? Paperback, audiobook, digital format?  I prefer physical media especially hardcover.  15) If your BPAL wish list is mostly htf rares, is there anything currently available from the Lab that you are craving? Always, Dorian Perfume Oil, Frenum Bath Oil are my current GC ISOs but I would also be happy to receive any unloved yule or weenie decants as my wish list isn't up to date. I also recently discovered BPAL had a Frankenstein collection and I'd love to try anything from that collection. My death notes are most florals, especially rose and I'm not a fan of oud. 16) Would you like a tarot deck?  No, thank you.
FloridaFledgling

FloridaFledgling

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Maps and Legends

Winter/Yule Swap Questions!

From the Winter Solstice Swap:   1) What are your favorite colors to wear, or for warm blankets, socks, etc ? Generally I prefer dark gothy colors - black, gray, burgundy, and jewel tones - emerald, purples, etc. I also like blue, but I want it to look like blue or into peacock, not dark navy. If I am going that direction, I'll just wear black.  No pastels or orange, brown, or yellow please.    2) What sizes do you prefer for upper body and lower body clothing, feet, etc? I'm basically a L these days - can do M on my upper body if it's really stretchy. I'm bog standard US sock sizing, US W8 in for shoes.    3) Are there types of fibers you have trouble with against your skin? I don't like anything super scratchy, but don't have particular sensitivities.    4) Wishlist links for, BPAL, Amazon, Etsy, Whichever book tracker you may use (Goodreads/LibraryThing/StoryGraph) Etc.? I have a meta blog post with all of these here:  It is also linked in my sig. My goodreads should be particularly helpful, as it has everything I've read since 2007 with quite a bit from before.    5) Would you like a small handmade faux wreath made out of thrifted floral stems? If so what colors would you enjoy? Sure. I'd prefer something sort of dark and elegant or over the top flamboyant if that helps.   6) Would you like a hand painted kitty ornament? If so is there a particular kitty you would like it modeled after? Please attach a photo.  Absolutely. Here are a few photos of our 3: https://www.flickr.com/gp/144099887@N08/gg2E2b758A   Alex is the elder torti girl. The younger two are littermates - the fluffy gal is Miku and the spotty boy is Potato.    7) Also would you appreciate some organic cocoa butter? Sure! I don't use it a lot, but I definitely appreciate cocoa butter in the deep winter dryness.    😎 Do you have any interest in any of the Yule products from Paintbox Soapworks?  I will probably buy pretty much anything I am looking for, but always happy to try a soap or scrub. If this changes and I leave anything unpurchased, I'll update.    9) Do you have any interest in a  mystery puzzle game that can be played solo or multi-player? Usually these involve murder and a variety of logic puzzles. This would be played through, but carefully so as to allow for replay by you and yours.  I am ALWAYS interested in puzzle games. I have subscribed to Deadbolt for a couple of years and am mostly caught up on anything that's been reissued from their back catalogue, but I am always interested in new options.    10) Also, shortbread in various flavors - yea or nea? I can do something gingerbready or peppermint or rose or lavender or orange or chocolate or plain or combinations thereof or other things that sound interesting (anise? five spice?). I am interested in all baked goods, especially gingerbread or peppermint this time of year.    11) Lemon honey or lemon vinegar?  It would be mostly for medicinal and/or crafting purposes.  You would probably only have a little at a time. Both of these sound amazing - various iterations of honey and vinegar (and infused cooking oils) are some of my favorite things. I don't quite understand crafting uses for honey or vinegar, but that's on me.    12) Would you like to receive nail polish, If so what colors? I am happy to receive nail polish - I mostly use it on my toes and already have a lot, but I would definitely be interested in unusual brights, holos, or ones with interesting glitter. I am definitely not interested in, say, glossy pink or anything subtle (I have a couple of faves along those lines already).    13) How about milk chocolate? Nougat honeycomb and sea salt or brownie and salted caramel? Both of those sound amazing, but most especially the honeycomb.    14)  In addition to your Goodreads or some indication of what you’d like to read, how would you like to read it? Paperback, audiobook, digital format? I prefer reading text in Kindle format so I always have a book and can still carry a tiny purse. For graphic novels or anything really design heavy, I prefer physical. And I do like audiobooks as well. I have yet to pinpoint what I prefer as audio, other than to note that it is really the only way I can digest most classic literature for some reason.    15) If your BPAL wish list is mostly htf rares, is there anything currently available from the Lab that you are craving? I need to go through the Yules and update, but my wishlist is HUUUUUGE, so I suspect this question is not for me.    16) Would you like a tarot deck? No thank you. 
Em-

Em-

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Usagi's Blog
 

Answers to the Winter Solstice 2025 Exchange Q's

1) What are your favorite colors to wear, or for warm blankets, socks, etc ? Blue-green, dark orange, purple, green, red; socks can be anything; blankets, I like blues, greens, yellow, orange, purple, and plant patterns.   2) What sizes do you prefer for upper body and lower body clothing, feet, etc? I would prefer to be my old sizes, since I finally had clothes that fit right.  Barring that, I am currently in the range of 10/12 ladies. However, anything fitted in the chest should be bigger-- unless it is stretchy.  I think the sizing, in inches, currently stands at 42-34-45.  I like baggy winter clothes, though, and I have the ability to take things in-- either by hand or with the cooperation of a sewing machine.  My hands and head are considered medium, I think.  My feet are size 10. I am 5'7" and a bit?   3) Are there types of fibers you have trouble with against your skin? Polyester that wants you to think it's cotton.    Polyester knitwear, absolutely okay; polyester t-shirts, underthings, or sleepwear, no please.  It needs to have airholes or be with natural fibers, or it tries to kill me by asphyxiation of the dermis.   Also, this is random, but I will-- occasionally-- have textural issues with things.  It even happens with some of my favorite cardigans and shirts.  I can deal with it-- like I said, it's occasional.  But, if you happen to be at Thrift Palace (or wherever, but 'Thrift Palace' is a cool name) trying to choose between two things, it might be good to err on the side of whichever one does not have tags or hard seams-- specifically on the wrists, forearms, or back of the neck. Yes, I am (more than) a bit of a freak.  But I am okay with this, and I would rather be upfront than have to lie about enjoying something. Not particularly fond of lying, absolutely suck at poker.   4) Wishlist links for, BPAL, Amazon, Etsy, Whichever book tracker you may use (Goodreads/LibraryThing/StoryGraph) Etc.? There are to my BPAL, and to a blog with other wishlist links in my sig..  Etsy list has not been updated in a *while*; but it is still a good link for inspiration and aesthetic.   5) Would you like a small handmade faux wreath made out of thrifted floral stems? If so what colors would you enjoy? No, thank you.   6) Would you like a hand painted kitty ornament? If so is there a particular kitty you would like it modeled after? Please attach a photo.   That sounds cute.  Just generic kitty/kitties is fine.   7) Also would you appreciate some organic cocoa butter? I have a massive block (hydration FTW!), so I don't really need any, but thank you for asking.   😎Do you have any interest in any of the Yule products from Paintbox Soapworks?    Yes, definitely.  Figlet, In Dulci Jubilo, O Tannenbaum, Winter Stories (It has dead people screaming? Tell me I am not the only one who sees it).  Soaps, scrub, or lotion preferred; in that order.  Sample size is glorious, or if you want to splurge on a full size, that's fine.  I would also be happy to try Sozzled and Stretched on Your Grave (how Goth). 9) Do you have any interest in a  mystery puzzle game that can be played solo or multi-player? Usually these involve murder and a variety of logic puzzles. This would be played through, but carefully so as to allow for replay by you and yours.  That sounds cool.   10) Also, shortbread in various flavors - yea or nea? I can do something gingerbready or peppermint or rose or lavender or orange or chocolate or plain or combinations thereof. Yae, Em-'s shortbread!  It is fabulous. Rose, Orange, did someone say there was an anise???  Maybe not gingerbread or lavender, though. Chai, or almond saffron also sound good in my head.   11) Lemon honey or lemon vinegar?  It would be mostly for medicinal and/or crafting purposes.  You would probably only have a little at a time. I think I am set on this.  But other honeys/vinegars are a total 'go.'   12) Would you like to receive nail polish, If so what colors? No, thank you.   13) How about milk chocolate? Nougat honeycomb and sea salt or brownie and salted caramel? Sure. Nougat honeycomb, but does it come unsalted?   14)  In addition to your Goodreads or some indication of what you’d like to read, how would you like to read it? Paperback, audiobook, digital format? Books with pictures and/or reference materials, and authors/series I collect(basically, I will take any and all copies of Dracula, things by Tolkien, and Xanth books)-- physical preferred;  regular novel-- digital is A-OK, but physical is fine, too.  I rarely listen to audiobooks (basically, only if the waitlist is too long on the word book/I've read it before/ the audio thing is more like a radio drama), and usually will borrow them from the library, since I am not much of a rereader.  Used books are fabulous.   15) If your BPAL wish list is mostly htf rares, is there anything currently available from the Lab that you are craving?   Imps of any of the RPG creature jobs, a squirt of Elven Glam, the Snakes Berry Sonker, Caribbean storm relief scents, and probably a bunch of other stuff.  I just found a review describing a scent I can't remember as 'Akuma's sophisticated older sibling,' and I missed out on it. There was also something with wildflower honey... So, yeah, anything that sounds like it would be in my scent preferences, from probably 2019 on-- especially in sample form-- and I would be totally open to revisit GC favorites.  I like nice smells.   16) Would you like a tarot deck? Sure; or an oracle, they're all fabulous.    
Usagi

Usagi

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Usagi's Blog
 

Winter Solstice Exchange 2025 Master Questions List

1) What are your favorite colors to wear, or for warm blankets, socks, etc ?   2) What sizes do you prefer for upper body and lower body clothing, feet, etc?   3) Are there types of fibers you have trouble with against your skin?   4) Wishlist links for, BPAL, Amazon, Etsy, Whichever book tracker you may use (Goodreads/LibraryThing/StoryGraph) Etc.?   5) Would you like a small handmade faux wreath made out of thrifted floral stems? If so what colors would you enjoy?   6) Would you like a hand painted kitty ornament? If so is there a particular kitty you would like it modeled after? Please attach a photo.    7) Also would you appreciate some organic cocoa butter?   😎Do you have any interest in any of the Yule products from Paintbox Soapworks?    9) Do you have any interest in a  mystery puzzle game that can be played solo or multi-player? Usually these involve murder and a variety of logic puzzles. This would be played through, but carefully so as to allow for replay by you and yours.    10) Also, shortbread in various flavors - yea or nea? I can do something gingerbready or peppermint or rose or lavender or orange or chocolate or plain or combinations thereof.   11) Lemon honey or lemon vinegar?  It would be mostly for medicinal and/or crafting purposes.  You would probably only have a little at a time.   12) Would you like to receive nail polish, If so what colors?   13) How about milk chocolate? Nougat honeycomb and sea salt or brownie and salted caramel?   14)  In addition to your Goodreads or some indication of what you’d like to read, how would you like to read it? Paperback, audiobook, digital format?   15) If your BPAL wish list is mostly htf rares, is there anything currently available from the Lab that you are craving?   16) Would you like a tarot deck?          
Usagi

Usagi

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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Rebellions Are Built on Hope

I’m delighted to share that I will be teaching a new three-part online module for SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) for Signum University in Spring 2026. Rebellions Are Built On Hope: A Star Wars Series Over nearly half a century of storytelling, Star Wars has challenged audiences to find their own agency and power in the face of injustice and tyranny. The Star Wars works Andor (2022, 2025), Rogue One (2016), and A New Hope (1977) fit together to provide a story of resistance, resilience, and rebellion built on a deep engagement with history, philosophy, and political thought. Join Dr. Amy H. Sturgis as we consider how Star Wars wrestles with big ideas, invites conversation and action, and inspires hope in unprecedented times.

This SPACE series consists of three hybrid modules: Module 1 (Feb. 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 1 (more info here); Module 2 (March 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 2 (more info here); and Module 3 (April 2026) covers the films Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (more info here).
View the full post.
eldritchhobbit

eldritchhobbit

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