Grow Your Own Garden, Tuesday, Period 6

[sailor_meshi]

"We're talkin' bugs today," Senshi said once everyone had arrived for class. "One of the worst things to hit any garden, bugs can kill an entire harvest without breakin' a sweat. Now, to be sure, there are some bugs you wanna see in your gardens: ladybugs, praying mantises, orbweaver spiders, and dragonflies are good at killin' the bugs that wanna kill your plants, and bees and wasps are good pollinators, though it's up to you whether the benefits of havin' wasps in your garden outweigh the dangers."

Senshi certainly thought so, but he was pretty sure he was in the minority.

"There are ways to protect your flowers and veggies just by how you plant 'em. Plantin' stuff mixed in with marigolds or lavender or onions or garlic is a good way to fool bugs about what's there. Herbs are good for that, too. Coverin' your plants with a light fabric that's airy enough to let sunshine and air through, but a careful enough weave to keep the bugs out. But, in the end, the best way to keep bugs off your plants is by takin' good care to inspect your plants for damage and try to keep ahead of any infestations you find. Bugs breed fast, so the later you notice the signs of 'em, the harder it's gonna be to get rid of 'em."

The then launched into a long explanation of various destructive bugs and the kinds of damage to be on the lookout for. "Now, one of the best ways to take care of bad bugs is by introducin' good bugs, but not everybody wants to spend time runnin' around tryin' to catch ladybugs and orb weavers. Another useful trick is usin' soap and water, but you gotta be really thorough with it, makin' sure you are coverin' the bugs with the spray. A little bit of soap on 'em, or soap on leaves they're gonna eat later won't hurt 'em. Also, there are a number of plants that don't do well with soap and a number of bugs that won't be harmed by it at all. That's when we get into our natural insecticides. Vinegar, garlic, or spicy peppers mixed with water and dish soap are three useful additives that kill more bugs more efficiently than just soap alone. Today, while you're waterin' your plants, I want you to look 'em over real carefully for any signs of bug damage. An' regardless of the answer, you're gonna make up a bottle or two of a natural insecticide. Either leave it here or bring it home, but make sure to bring it to the garden every week now to keep your gardens lookin' healthy."

[bug link has pictures of bugs!]

Nightmare Party Planning from the Mid-Century; Tuesday, Third Period [08/06].

[somethingwithturquoise]

"Today," said Summer, who was sort of hoping the fact that she was standing in front of the counter at the front of the classroom absolutely surrounded by a vast array of vintage Tupperware containers would make everyone's hearts stop with dread for what might be inside, "we're going to talk about something a little different. Instead of talking about the sort of horrible things that might go inside containers like these back in the mid-century," and here, she picked one up to open it and show nothing inside, and hopefully there was a sigh of relief around the room, "but rather about the distribution of those containers. Because it's almost impossible to think of mid-century nightmare party and not at least spare a thought for the infamous Tupperware party.

"Now, the Tupperware party," and now Summer was projecting a few helpful examples of advertisements on the wall, "is sort of the genesis of what has now grown into the MLM--or Multi-Level Marketing--Lifestyle. That is, a company give you their products to sell. You try to get other people into selling it, too, and the more people you have selling under you, the better you look, the more money you make, so on and so forth. There are so many different iterations and versions of this the years, your Mary Kay and Avon, Amway and Candle Lite, Pure Romance, Pampered Chef, to today's Herbalifes and LulaRoe and Younique. Basically, it's a tried an true system for a while now of trying to shill products to your friends for a profit, and, especially before the advent of the internet and social media, one of the more effect ways to push your crap on, be it storage solutions, pricey candles, kitchenware or even sex toys.... was....to have a party!

"So that's what we're going to talk about today: planning a Tupperware party. What would you do to entice people in? What sort of food would you serve? Anything else you'd like to do to really rise above your competitors? Remember, this is nightmare party planning, so I'm not nearly as interested in actually good ideas. Think outside the box...or, as it were in this case, the burpable plastic container that's not even dishwasher safe!

"Additionally, in the spirit of other products that could take advantage of the nightmare party model: what are some other good things to sell using this method, and how would you create that party?

"ALSO, because it would amuse me, I want you to all take some time to think about your best Tupperware pitches, and we'll share those, too!

"And before anyone's too disappointed," she concluded, "there are deviled eggs in the deviled egg container, a tuna pie in another one, some party mix and sardine stuffed lemons, too. I wouldn't leave you all hanging without some good party food to enjoy!"

The Wonderful World of Pizza, Tuesday Second Period

[carbsliftthespirit]

Today, the students were, assuming they'd all gotten Raiden's message on the subject, gathering by...uh, where the causeway used to be, instead of at Portalocity. "Okay!" Raiden said with a clap of his hands. "The island seems to have decided where we're going to explore pizza this week, and y'know what? I'm not mad at it! I have to admit I haven't familiarized myself with the pizza scene in West Virginia before, but no time like the present, right? So we'll be heading into Fayetteville to visit Pies and Pints, which, from my research online, has a really exciting menu, and then you can explore downtown Fayetteville or the New River Gorge National Park! Let's go!"

Self-Defense for Shinies, Now With More Meditation, Tuesday, August 6, 2024

[sith_happened]

Today, the Danger Shop opened out onto a stunning underwater vista as they stood within one of many large, glass-like bubbles connected by graceful curved walkways.

"Welcome to Otoh Gunga," Ahsoka told them. "One of the cities of the Gungan people of Naboo."

Anakin smiled as he looked around. "Beautiful scenery isn't necessary, of course, for finding clarity, but it certainly helps at the beginning."

"Another tool that can help when you're seeking a particular kind of mindfulness or meditating on a particular problem is a mantra," Ahsoka added. "Which for those unfamiliar with the concept is a word or phrase repeated while meditating to help focus your mind on that concept."

"Jedi, of course, will sometimes use the Jedi Code for such purpose," Anakin said. "'There is no emotion, there is peace,' is the first line. This, of course, does not mean emotions do not exist. It means that you can center yourself, be at peace, and in control of your own reactions."

"'There is no ignorance, there is knowledge'," Ahsoka recited next. "While there is value in trading on the reputation of being an all-knowing Jedi, the first step to true wisdom is knowing that you don't know everything, but that you also have a duty to both fill in the gaps of your own knowledge and then help share what you have learnt."

"'There is no passion, there is serenity'," Anakin said. "This portion is one I struggled with as a younger Jedi, when serenity in a time of war seemed an impossible ask. But again, this is a meditative exercise. Do not allow your emotions to rule your reactions. Do not speak or act thoughtlessly, in the moment. Find calm."

"'There is no chaos, there is harmony'," Ahsoka said. "Everything happens for a reason, not in a metaphysical sense, but a practical one. If you are able to understand the why of a situation, then you are able to most effectively act with purpose and harmony."

"Take a seat, close your eyes and focus on either one portion of the Code or the entire thing as you meditate today," Anakin said. "From a place of calm."

You were getting side-eyed so hard, right now, Anakin. "The last line is one many people have trouble with," Ahsoka added. So hard. "There is no death, there is the Force. It's about accepting that eventually all living things must die and become one with the Force, and embracing the time you do have with them instead of letting the fear of that loss overshadow it."

Anakin.

"And that one," Anakin said with a slightly sheepish smile.

Practical Philosophy, Tuesday

[endsthegame]

There was no teacher on the lawn today.

Though there were sandwiches, tea, coffee, and water.

Enjoy your new environs, said a little note in the middle of the pillow circle. We'll talk about it next week.

Stick around and have some tea, or head out. Ender didn't care. He was taking a well-deserved, centering walk to finally ground himself after the wedding and the familiar strangeness of last weekend.

[[ having a Bad Brain Day, but post is open for socializing. ]]