LaureltheRadish @LaureltheRadish@mastodon.art

I'm going home tomorrow because my 19-year-old family cat has to be put to sleep

we got her when I was 13! I thought I was going to be okay because she's been old and sickly for quite a while so I knew it was coming, plus I haven't lived at home in over 10 years (except I guess for a big chunk of 2017). but no, it turns out it's still really upsetting when your buddy who's been in your life since you were 13 has to go!

I'm gonna be okay, I just wish pets didn't have to be sick or die

I'm super frustrated because I don't even feel bad except that I have frequent, intense coughing fits that strike at random

I WANT to be outside working on farm shit (and there is SO MUCH to do) but instead I'm bored and inside because the coughing is keeping me from doing anything

oh yeah, yesterday I heard rustling under some plants and wanted to see what it was so I got closer and a MOLE came out

it saw me and froze in fear, so I did the only logical thing, which was to reach down and pet it ever so gently with one finger

the mole peed

in fear

I am a monster

(it was very soft)

Anyway, ecology is science, permaculture is not. I do think permaculture has a lot of good ideas and is way better than conventional agriculture, but don't leave behind critical thinking. For instance, there is absolutely no science behind the popular idea of dynamic accumulator plants. And many of the commonly recommended plants could be replaced with native species for some actual, valuable biodiversity! Please oh please do what you can to support the insects

I'm currently reading a book where the guy spent 2 pages on a hippie bullshit diatribe against native plant proponents because "native" is hard to define, and therefore... doesn't mean anything, and we shouldn't try to fight invasive species something something plant synergy?? Plant apples and tomatoes and lettuce all you like, just please also plant native species alongside and for the love of god don't plant invasives bc they're ~medicinal~ or whatever

so done with smug permaculture dudes patting themselves on the backs for adding "so much biodiversity" to the ecosystem when the things they plant are comfrey, red/white clover, hardy kiwi, autumn olive, and tons more non-native (sometimes highly invasive!) plants. Insects evolved alongside specific plants and very often cannot just choose to eat another kind! We're in the midst of an insect population crisis jfc

usually my anxiety gives me such acute Future Vision that I see every possible outcome of any action, but just now in a berserker fit, I punched the corner of the fridge to kill a carpenter ant and OUCH that hurt for a GOOD SEVERAL MINUTES good job self

thanks to my mom for raising me, a feral changeling child

okay, garden digging artifact #2: part of a packet of food coloring that came with margarine, probably from the 1940s?? Plastic sure does stick around, so uhh I put it on the mantel in a place of honor

(it used to be illegal for margarine to be sold already colored yellow so it came with food coloring! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarine#History)

we've been doing a ton of digging this spring between planting trees and making garden beds, and I kept complaining that we hadn't found any "artifacts" yet

WELL today I found a 1936 buffalo nickel while digging a bed so I'm super pleased!! first artifact!! I'm a real archaeologist now, right

hey I added these pieces to redbubble today! go get yourself some nice t-shirts and bags and prints and stuff!

http://www.redbubble.com/people/laurelvarian

this one was brought to you by seasonal depression, and @Prawnlegs 's room