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sollat

@sollat@masto.ai

Scientist who mostly posts about plants and my cat, Milli. Interested in art, science, animals, weather, baking, #UglyDogs , photography, TV. Former Tweeter.
#nobridge

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sollat , to random
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

Füßball tanzen

https://youtu.be/OLfKJS3VHh4?si=V7ngQ_PV9BMBxaJ6

loren , to random
@loren@flipping.rocks avatar

Hanging out in the yard with little no tail over here (baby robin, it hasn’t grown in yet)

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@loren
Is it giving you that face like you owe it something?

sollat , to random
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

I’m getting a lot of side-eye today, but Milli can thank me when she doesn’t get rabies.

sollat , to random
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

Milli says:

“HATZ FOR ME?”

“IZ LIL BIG, LADY”

A fluffy white sat with the KEXP cap resting atop her head looks demurely to the side (waiting for the cap to be removed). The cap is way too big.

sollat OP ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@adr
She’s very patient (or generally goes into crouch mode) with a costume. I try to be as quick as possible and make sure nothing is actually hurting her.

sollat OP ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@mjausson
She looks like my nephew when he was in little league.

RickiTarr , to random
@RickiTarr@beige.party avatar

Y'all I'm beginning to think that The Riddler is actually bad at riddles.

If you can guess what he's trying to make them guess, you're a genius.

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@RickiTarr
This is clearly trolling for my cat.

KingShawn , to random
@KingShawn@mastodon.social avatar

I really wanted to like Presumed Innocent. I love Jake Gylenhal. I got two episodes in.

But I honestly can’t stomach watching yet another show about an asshole who cheats on his wife for no readily apparent reason.

I’ve never cheated. I never would. And I can’t find any sympathy for anyone who does. You deserve all the shit that’s coming to you when you get caught.

So the premise of the show is lost on me. 🤷‍♂️

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@KingShawn
I don’t understand why they made this show. There’s already a movie.

IMDB: ”Inspired by Scott Turow's beloved courtroom thriller…” Beloved? Who would describe that book as beloved?

researchfairy , to random
@researchfairy@scholar.social avatar

The guy we hired to come and try to fix our washing machine randomly outed himself as an anti-vaxxer for literally no reason

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@researchfairy
Somebody should figure out how to find new owners or flippers replacing older washers “because old” and connect them with people who want those washers for the same reason.

Any time my parents have their 20+ years old pair serviced, they are warned to keep them as long as they can.

Sigh.

sollat , to random
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

I sat down in the dining room to see if Milli wanted a licking treat, and she looked out the window and yammered.

What was it? Three crows sitting at the top of the retaining wall of small boulders! Not a common sight, so here’s the picture.

sollat OP ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@CoachMark
It was very unusual. I kind of thought it might be squirrel related since they’re always at war with the squirrels. I think the one on the right flew away with a fir cone, but I really just saw an amorphous small brown shape. Who knows… :blobfoxpeekowo:

SRLevine , to random
@SRLevine@urbanists.social avatar

Just saw a floor plan that made me cringe. Either UCI's graduate housing has a "typo" or they have some apartments with a split bathroom such that the sink is in a different room than the toilet and shower.

Split bathroom's are fine, but the split needs to be sink and toilet in one room and shower in the other. Otherwise, eww...

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@SRLevine @scott
I stayed in a n old hotel room like that once (toilet in a room across the hall from the sink and big jetted bathtub (no shower :ablobeyes: ) and it was so weird.

popcornreel , to random
@popcornreel@mas.to avatar

From PRESUMED INNOCENT (1990)

GRETA SCACCHI: “Why don’t you fire her?”

HARRISON FORD: “Civil servants. They’re here forever.”

Under Project 2025–Orange Felon34 will fire ALL civil servants in federal government. Black people are disproportionately represented in civil service.

video/mp4

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@popcornreel
This week’s episode of “Last Week Tonight” has a big segment about Project 2025. I knew it would be bad, but hearing specifics… woo boy. I prefer government workers who know how to do their job. I’m just funny like that.

TheNeedling , to random
@TheNeedling@newsie.social avatar

Report: 90% of Prospective Seattle Homebuyers Have Settled For Kent, They Just Don’t Know It Yet: https://theneedling.com/2024/05/21/report-90-of-prospective-seattle-homebuyers-have-settled-for-kent-they-just-dont-know-it-yet/

sollat ,
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@moira @TheNeedling
I feel so lucky to have settled for Renton when I did.

sollat , (edited ) to random
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I always forget about this clematis, particularly because it isn’t really a vine. It sends up sort of tipsy stalks and then suddenly there’s a flower. Probably a type of Clematis integrifola.

sollat OP ,
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@CoachMark
Thanks! It’s my first actual garden, so I’ve been learning as I go over the last seven years.

cohanf , to random
@cohanf@mastodon.online avatar

While heat waves hit parts of NA, this is the forecast here! We had some decent rain this wknd, which made me happy since I did get a few veg things planted. Around -1C last night, have been needing fire inside a few times a week(although many pleasant days). Original forecast -2 tonight, we'll see! Meantime, sun has come out a bit, reached 11C at noon. 'Hot' this weekend as approaches

sollat ,
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@cohanf
It hasn’t been quite that cold here, but I turned the furnace on for today. It was 65F (18C) downstairs. Set a reminder to turn it back off tomorrow though since we’ll be ramping up as well.

mcc , to random
@mcc@mastodon.social avatar

Alert: They still have Doritos 3D in France. They even have a bacon flavor

(Yes, I see this is not Doritos brand.)

Lays 3D Bugles. Bacon flavor.

sollat ,
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@mcc
Keep an eye out for Roasted Chicken flavored Lays. Magnifique!

sollat ,
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@gordoooo_z
All Dressed sounds interesting. We don’t have those here, as far as I know.

sollat ,
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@gordoooo_z
I look at it as similar to tasting new flavors of KitKat from Japan. It’s an experience. The Roast Chicken flavor literally tastes like that. It’s a bit disconcerting but I think I liked it. My favorite is usually the Paprika flavor Lays. It’s like BBQ here, but more snappy.

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@gordoooo_z
I once worked at a hamburger place where the owner put in a cooler with various kinds of retro or “fun” varieties of carbonated beverages. I don’t remember food flavored ones, but they would’ve fit right in.

mcc , to random
@mcc@mastodon.social avatar

Once again this is me trying to speak French

sollat ,
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@mcc
My brain “here’s the German and can I interest you in several words being replaced with Russian?”

FiddleSix , to random
@FiddleSix@zeroes.ca avatar

I am scheduled to have a CT scan tomorrow. I had one in the fall of 2019, and mostly recall that I was told to eat/drink nothing for 4 hours before. When I arrived, I was given 32 oz of water to drink in 15 minutes and then the technician had a very difficult time getting the IV (with contrast dye) into my not-yet-rehydrated vein.

I was mentally reviewing this scenario, focusing on the IV/veins aspect, when I suddenly realized that I will be expected to remove my mask to drink.

I panicked for a moment, then remembered that I got a Sip Valve last year. I found it and installed it on a CAN99 mask, and made a mental note to remember to pack the narrow little straw.

After a bit more thinking, I decided that I will wear my usual mask (fits my face better than the CAN99) and take the Sip-valved mask & straw. I will ask if I can take my drink outside and hope that is allowed. If not, I'll use the mask with the valve.

How much easier this could be if everyone wore masks and we had clean indoor air.

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@FiddleSix
I hope they let you do what you’re comfortable with.

I was in a similar situation at the end of 2020. They wanted me to drink this big bottle of something over a half hour. I took it out to my car. Sitting in a waiting room with no mask on for a half hour? No thank you!

ErickaSimone , to random
@ErickaSimone@mastodon.social avatar

Overthinking the thinking which leads to me trying to stop overthinking which keeps me thinking about overthinking I was thinking about and the 3 hours later nothing is done which makes me violently overthink the situation.

Send help.

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@ErickaSimone
I decided to make a list. Which led to a timeline. And then I had to eat lunch.

I’m sure all this preparation will get things moving any minute now…

mentallyalex , to random
@mentallyalex@beige.party avatar

Do you read ebooks? Can you tell me a little bit about your experience?

How do you get them? What do you read them on? How frequently do you get new books?

I am so curious about this world and would love to know what you know.

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@mentallyalex
I read e-books. I mostly get them from Apple Books. I have used library e-readers and lending systems, but I have a hard time remembering what books I’ve read so now I buy them and let Books keep track.

DeliaChristina , to random
@DeliaChristina@sfba.social avatar

In other news, TIL that lower back pain and sciatica can trigger constipation.

Which explains some things.

GODDAMMIT.

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@DeliaChristina
Eek. Lower back pain, you say…

Free of context: Metamucil Fiber Thins

sollat , to random
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

Yard Monitor

sollat OP ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@anniegreens
The face that could scowl a thousand ships

SRLevine , to random
@SRLevine@urbanists.social avatar

Once I dug through 3 tool bags to find a nut driver of the correct size I was able to assemble 5 of those large platform pvc dog beds this morning. Apparently that was very impressive to everyone else at the shelter.

I was like "I'm the sort of person who likes putting together ikea furniture. And you had the tools"

Once that last bit happens building from a kit is a matter of following the instructions. But I guess these people aren't work with your hands people (outside of animals).

sollat ,
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@SRLevine
IKEA furniture assembly is so satisfying.

APBBlue , to random
@APBBlue@zirk.us avatar

My head bone insurance changed with my new job, and my dentist doesn't take my new insurance, so that's super annoying.

sollat ,
@sollat@masto.ai avatar

@APBBlue
My dentist is “out of network”. It’s not nothing but I end up paying more.

Every time I go there, my insurance likes to passive aggressively suggest that I should find an in-network dentist. I’ve been going to this dentist for at least ten years and she’s great. I’m not rolling the dice on a new one, insurance company.

Plus, there’s no guarantee my company won’t change insurance again next year. It’s a freaking revolving door. :eyeroll:

sheepnik , to random
@sheepnik@toot.wales avatar

Here's a nicely dramatic Irish beach for you.

A beach on a day full of weather. The beach itself is fine beige same, and you can see patterns on the surface made by the wind. The sea is mostly flat apart from a small wave breaking towards the left hand side, and it's a grey-green kind of colour. In the distance there are shadowy hills, which are partially concealed by mist and cloud. The sky is full of low, glowering grey clouds.
ALT
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    • sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @sheepnik
    My mom calls those Toy Story clouds. :ablobcatenjoy:

    intransitivelie , to random
    @intransitivelie@beige.party avatar

    I'm terrible at video games. Awful. Appallingly bad. I once died during the opening credits of Half-Life because I managed to fall off the tram. There are basically no types of video game that I'm any good at. I wish I could experience the joy that they seem to give to some people.

    sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @intransitivelie
    I could never make it out of training on any Spider-Man or Tomb Raider game. Just useless.

    I stick to No Mans Sky on Explore mode (nothing can kill you and you don’t have to fight anything) or Animal Crossing.

    Moopypoo , to random

    Why all of a sudden does my mac automatically go into the apple menu when I press control-option-m? Before, it would behave and stay at the top level of the menu system, and I’d be able to press the corresponding letter of the top level menu item that I wanted. For example, I could press v for view, w for window, e for edit, etc. How can I get it to behave like this again? I don’t like it automatically going into the apple menu. I’ve restarted, I’ve turned voiceover off. Any help?

    sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @Moopypoo
    Found this from Apple.

    “Control-F2 or Fn-Control-F2: Move focus to the menu bar. You can then use the arrow keys to navigate the menu, press Return to open a selected menu or choose a selected menu item, or type the menu item's name to jump to that item in the selected menu.”

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/102650

    nev , to random
    @nev@bananachips.club avatar

    okay folks, so my not-that-old Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Power fan (Fig. 1) has developed the most annoying squeak that sounds kind of like crickets or maybe a cardinal's chirp and it goes away when I hit it but only temporarily.

    This forum thread <https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4702066/honeywell-7-inch-turbo-fan-is-screeching> suggests putting a little 3-in-1 motor oil on the shaft (since you can't access and oil the motor directly). Does this sound sensible? Anyone have experience repairing/maintaining this fan?

    I really don't want to get a new fan (probably the exact same one) over such a minor issue.

    :boost_ok:

    sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @nev
    Have you tested whether it still makes the noise if you put it on a vibration dampening surface? I have a fan on three rubber coasters because of some weird noise caused by vibration.

    I switched to a similar looking Black + Decker fan because it’s easier to open (one screw and front comes off). I’m fairly certain I managed to disassemble that kind of Honeywell once, but it was painful and possibly caused more harm than good.

    atom , to random

    is it true that germany has shit cellular service even in big cities

    sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @atom
    That has not been my experience.

    RickiTarr , to random
    @RickiTarr@beige.party avatar

    There are a lot of amazing free use photos in the Library of Congress, but these are certainly some of the best ones:

    Same kitty facing forward

    sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @RickiTarr @CatDragon
    It’s all in the execution. Move fast and get out quick.

    sollat , to random
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    Bit of a watercolor sky this morning.

    dillyd , to random
    @dillyd@turtleisland.social avatar

    This is about a kilometer away from the grocery store. So I can understand why they put in those obnoxious locks that take a coin to get a shopping cart. But I'm not gonna start carrying coins just for a grocery cart. So I'm back to buying only as much as I can carry in my arms at the store. (They took away the small hand held baskets too)

    sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @dillyd
    Reisenthel makes nice collapsible shopping trolleys.

    https://www.reisenthel.com/en/shopping/categories/shopping-trolleys/?p=1

    carrideen , to random
    @carrideen@c18.masto.host avatar

    Camilla loved hiding under this little stepstool when she was a 2-lb. kitten. As a 14-lb. cat, she has rediscovered the stepstool and wears it like a turtle's shell.

    A blue Ikea stepstool with a fluffy black tail sticking out of one end
    Under an Ikea stepstool, two golden rings are visible in the shadow--the eyes of Camilla

    sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @carrideen
    That is so cute. The little eyes in the dark. :ablobcatenjoy:

    sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @carrideen
    I know Milli changes things all the time, but it can mean doing something she hasn’t done for a long time. Her heart is set on being an ambush predator even if she’s a cute little floof.

    I have a plastic footstool she still occasionally goes under. She loves trying to grab teaser bait from under there.

    Video: a fluffy white cat sitting under a molded black plastic footstool with two steps. She bats at a small orange fish-shaped teaser toy and a thin strip of cardboard.

    sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @carrideen
    Even more so when she does it from the side of the stool where there’s only a thin opening at the bottom (much like playing under doors).

    sollat , to random
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    I find Milli here every morning, sleeping all cuddly under the chair next to her box of toys.

    Which means she’ll change it up next week, just in time for her vet appointment.

    ai6yr , to random
    @ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org avatar

    Hmm, slug trap had (finally!!) caught some slugs last night... but somebody (ie the local wood rat) apparently went and fished out all the dead slugs in the beer and ate them last night.

    sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @ai6yr
    I believe snakes also eat slugs, but I don’t know if they only eat them without beer marinade.

    sollat , to random
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    Originally thought this might be a peony when it first broke through, but that’s no peony. It certainly looks cool whatever it is. It kind of reminds me of a giant asparagus or a cross of something with an artichoke.

    A single stalk rises from the soil in a garden pot. The top of it has segments or tightly held leaves in a pattern like chain link fencing. It is green but the elements of the pattern have purplish edges. The lower part of the stalk is pretty wide (maybe 25 mm diameter) and purple with some purplish leaves (or something). Just at the soil level, the base of the plant has white bits that look a little like tiny teeth.
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    • sollat OP ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    “Free me from this accursed cage, woman. I have a kingdom to acquire.”

    sollat OP ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @ColesStreetPothole
    I have a tall planter with a couple sunflowers growing in it, so I threw the extra seeds in there yesterday thinking it wouldn’t really matter. Found a squirrel absolutely camped out up there eating seeds and probably crushing all the smaller starts. Should’ve cloched it.

    meadowreveries , to random
    @meadowreveries@toot.io avatar

    what’s the derpiest bird and why is it the ?

    A needle felted American Robin facing left sits on the ground in meadows a short distance from the camera.
    A needle felted American Robin faces left sitting in meadows in early Spring.

    sollat ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    @meadowreveries
    They absolutely are. It’s the run-and-freeze followed by all-the-yelling and the serious-eyeballing. They really refuse to pick a lane.

    sollat , to random
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    Last summer, a dahlia I planted where a big bush had been taken out grew into an absolutely enormous plant with big fluffy flowers strong enough to house a snail.

    Poked around at the remains a bit ago and found apparently healthy tubers down there. I’d been resigned to mush.

    There are sprouts! I’m not holding my breath, but there are sprouts! Considering pruning the old bits closer to the ground in order to put a cover on the new ones.

    #Gardening #Dahlia #Florespondence

    A large reddish pink to peachy pink multilayered dahlia bloom in side view with a striped snail shell perched among the petals from last September.
    Several thick dry dahlia stems surrounded by snowdrop leaves, a gooseberry (I think), a hellebore and a small hosta. There are some small leaves from a ground cover near the area the stems came out of.
    Closer picture of the area the old stems came out of, showing multiple small shoots emerging in various directions among the ground cover. Some look like new dahlia spikes in green and a purplish color.

    sollat OP ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    Last year’s dahlia is doing well. Based on how big it got before, it’s still got a ways to go. It was at least as tall as the blueberry bush.

    sollat , to random
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    Whelp. I thought I’d planted some extra crocosmia bulbs in here but I’m thinking those leaves toward the front do not look like crocosmia leaves.

    Chaos gardening strikes again!

    sollat OP ,
    @sollat@masto.ai avatar

    Taller!

    The top of one stalk has something white or pale yellow in the center.

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