Two podcasts I've just discovered that I'll probably subscribe to:
Women of Steel with Miriam Grace:
Miriam Grace talks to remarkable women about their lives and challenges through the lens of her work as a psychotherapist.
Recorded in Sheffield, the UK city of steel, Women of Steel uncovers lived experiences which challenge existing power structures and validate the voices of marginalised or disadvantage women.
Fun and informative interviews with the best sapphic fiction writers.
5 light links 28-May-2025
The world seems dark and grim. These 5 links are about bringing a little light. 💡
Native jumping spider found in restored Rotorua forest | RNZ News:
A native jumping spider boasting great eyesight and tiny genitalia has been discovered at a Rotorua forest that is being restored.
Rotorua Canopy Tours has been working to make the Dansey Scenic Reserve pest-free for more than a decade.
They are now enjoying the fruits of their labour, with new species being discovered as the old growth forest thrives.
Are Sailing Ships the Future of Sustainable Shipping?:
By leveraging the power of wind, Grain de Sail vessels reduce CO2 emissions by 90 percent compared to conventional maritime freight.
DOC ranger snaps rare footage of tuatara and takahē 'having a scrap' | RNZ News:
A takahē and a tuatara have been filmed engaging in a bush-floor stoush in a new video captured by a DOC ranger. …
It started with the takahē seemingly attacking the tuatara, DOC ranger Nick Fisentzidis said. …
"I saw them having a bit of a nip at each other; the takahē definitely had a go at the tail of the tuatara, and they had a bit of a scrap.
"I followed them down the hill, and the tuatara got a couple of bites in, so the takahē backed off and snuck back away up the forest."
Researchers uncover giant 30-year-old fungus near Eltham | RNZ News (be sure to visit the link and look at the photo):
A trio of fungal experts stumbled across the largest Ganoderma specimen they had ever seen … the enormous Ganoderma bracket fungi, which was almost 82 centimetres wide and 45cm deep and thought to be about 30 years old, on a rotten stump at Rotokare near Eltham ….
Two others on the stump were almost as big.
I challenge you to look at these photos and not immediately feel a bit better about life.
If you're having a bad morning, afternoon or evening, Jason Kottke has you covered:
These are owls in towels. That’s it, that’s the post.
Best link ever!
Glanced up from messaging a friend to see this splendour.
Hmm, two author interviews I've listened to in two days now …
This morning: Interview with Cari Hunter, a favourite northern English lesbian.
I've very much enjoyed
If you're having a bad morning, afternoon or evening, Jason Kottke has you covered:
These are owls in towels. That’s it, that’s the post.
Best link ever!
After a false start a couple of years ago, I finally read and enjoyed The Murderbot Diaries: All Systems Red by Martha Wells. 📚
A murderous android discovers itself in All Systems Red
I was drawn back to read it after watching a very interesting 22 minute interview with Martha Wells: I didn’t know how non-neurotypical I was until Murderbot.
I may well read more of the series.
We just bought new Eufy P2 Pro smart bathroom scales.
This device tracks 16 essential body measurements, such as Heart Rate, Weight, Body Fat %, BMI, BMR, Protein, Body Age, Nutrition Tracking, and more.
Apparently, I'm a bit low on protein … 😳
One nice touch is the scales recognise who's using them so we don't have to remember to press a button for that.
Looking back, I see we had our old scales for about 13 years!
Three for the Kill (The Cat Caliban Mysteries Book 3) was another lightweight but entertaining mystery by D.B. Borton. 📚
The author comes up with amusing turns of phrase, like this:
[After buying a new used car] Already I was in love. I had forgotten what it was like to drive a car that goes when you put your foot on the gas pedal.
Looks like the builders have put up all the gib on our new build. 🏡 Photo by the builder, as usual.
Next up, plastering:
The Plastering will take approx 1.5 weeks, now the temperature has cooled down the Plaster takes a bit longer to dry between coats, if you add another coat too early it can cause shrinkage.
Yup, that worked last night.
Finally went for a dawn beach walk again. The view across the little lake was good.
Although mainly overcast, the sun peeked through briefly to light the wave caps. For the Pacific Wave Appreciation Society. 🌊
Well, this is unusual round these parts: today both high and low temperature forecast are 16/16C — all day it'll be 16C!
Putting up gib board continues at our new build. 🏡
The builder was standing at the front door to take this photo through to the back of the house.
I enjoyed reading the Library ebook Project Nought by Chelsey Furedi. 📚
This was a creative and interesting story, well presented. Project Nought is a 336 page LGBTQ+ Sci-fi graphic novel by a New Zealand author and set in Auckland.
Ren Mittal's last memory in the year 1996 is getting on a bus to escape his life at home. When he wakes up in 2122, he thinks he might be hallucinating...he's not!
This worked well on my iPad, using the Libby app.
How cool — NZ wool being used to make eco-friendly caskets:
Low-emissions caskets and urns made from New Zealand wool are an environmentally friendly option for eternal rest …
Three fleeces worth of wool go into each casket.
They're made in the UK by an old mill … Manufacturing limitations in New Zealand mean they can’t be made here
From the Whangārei District Library I borrowed the ebook of The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish. 📚
A young lesbian in Maine and a young gay guy in New Orleans swap homes for a month. Romance ensues for each.
I enjoyed the read, but there was some rather didactic relationship advice from the author.
Today's random interesting fact — What Would You Win in an Elizabethan Lottery? | History Hit:
The first lottery in England was held during the reign of Elizabeth I, on 11 January, 1567. England’s power was growing and more funds were needed to build ships and harbour facilities. Rather than raise taxes, Elizabeth opted to raise the money through a lottery instead.
When we returned from our visit up north I found this delight in the letterbox.
My thanks to @jean for this gift. 😁
I enjoyed reading Killing a Stranger (Naomi Blake Mysteries Book 4) by Jane Adams. 📚
Teenager Rob Beresford stumbles home in the middle of the night, drenched in blood and claiming to have killed a man.
Rather than Naomi, it was actually the friend group who mainly worked out what had happened.
Today the builder sent us more progress photos of gib board being put up in our new house. I've digitally removed a worker from the photo below. 🏡
