#Aquatic Weed Control

[ourprosolutions]

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[worldruins]

Meet the Remnant, my "slugcat" oc. Because I have no sense of moderation, it has an entire campaign loosely mocked up in my head- I don't have the modding ability or time to make anything of it but I enjoy thinking about it! The two iterators on the sheet are the central npcs of the campaign.

Remnant is larger, more aquatic, and faster on all fours than a slugcat. It struggles to use the same tools, carries items in its mouth, and can eat batnip and bubble weed. And, though it doesn’t know it, it is one of the last four of its kind left.

More about the campaign below VVV

BONUS: Remnant obviously resembles a slugcat, and they are sort of a slugcat ancestor! The genomes of the pipe slugs slugcats evolved from had remnant DNA as well as the simple tool-worm base that ancients used for many creatures. The blueprints were present in the modified organisms, and over several generations and mutations began to express themselves once more. Anyway…

To start, the Remnant is living with their family in an idyllic natural landscape much like survivor and monk at the beginning of their campaigns. The incident kickstarting their journey would be them wandering off from their kin and- gameplay starts here- getting lured off by something interesting, before the wall closes quickly behind them and the player realizes they have been trapped. They find themselves in a crate lined with wet plant matter, which gets shaken and turned around for a bit before settling down. It continues with a gentler rattling and remnant is clearly being taken somewhere, but the game acts like you're in a den and, once you've eaten the food set out for you in there, you sleep.

You are woken when the train carrying you crashes. You are able to escape and wind up in a light drizzle. Numerous overseers, some purple and others seafoam green, follow you around. The artificial, dilapidated surroundings are alien to the remnant.

During the first cycle an overseer will direct you to the nearest den, but you don’t have a rain timer until the first time you hibernate. You’ve never experienced rain like this before, after all.

The fact is that the remnant and their family are primal fauna, from the old world before bioengineering and iterators. They have spent their whole lives in a carefully controlled environment, maintained at first by ancients and then the systems the ancients left behind. The mass ascension happened, and nobody really knew what to do with these creatures- depending on the species, animals in captivity were generally released to fend for themselves or set for years of being maintained by machines scheduled in advanced, automated to care for them.

Remnant is taken when the iterator Ink Stained Palms orders a specimen of one relatively hardy species to study and potentially have the rest delivered to their regions. Something goes wrong- their delivery is sabotaged by their semi-active former senior, Calls To Stony Skies. And out Remnant goes into an alien land, with each of the two rival iterators trying to lure or force it to go to them.

This generally takes the form of projections like Iggy uses to get the slugcats to Moon, though it’s two different kinds of overseer guiding you in opposite directions at the same time. There may also be introduced environmental hazards- some of the chases in Little Nightmares come to mind- to corral you toward wherever the iterator causing it wants you to go.

ISP was the one who was getting the remnant delivered to her facility. They’re a bioengineer interested in long-term ecosystem restoration. It’s come to believe there’s a natural ‘balance’ to the world that could, in time, let living things leave the cycle of their own accord if it was realigned properly.

CTSS is in a condition not unlike spearmaster moon, though his decline has been steadier and over a longer period of time. They’ve been replaced by another iterator as group senior, and derailed your journey in the hopes of using a rare animal as collateral to get ISP’s help. Watching the remnant’s struggle to survive, however, he ends up very attached to it and can’t bring himself to kill it as he originally planned to.

Though they might want to, CTSS can’t save the remnant from a more insidious fate. The air, the soil, the water itself is toxic to you, whose kind has lived countless generations shielded from the heavy metal byproducts of industry and the artificial metabolisms of those great boxes in the sky. Ascension is an option, but so is going to ISP, whose body itself possesses a complex with artificial environments much like the one you began in. It can’t protect the remnant fully, but it can offer them a longer life. There are multiple endings to the campaign, based on the order you visit the iterators in.

If you read all this thank you so much and feel free to send questions!! About my little guys.

[yourstrulybluelover]

Title: Fishing Lessons

Pairings: Lo’ak (19) x Navi Reader (18)

Warnings: MDNI

Contains: sexual tension, forced, dom Lo’ak, fingering, p in v

Word count: 2300

You were horrible at spearing, lacked patience and hated being in the water. You found it challenging to spear from under the water so today you were meeting with one of the Sully brothers in efforts to perfect your skill. The Sullys would have spent some time at the reef with the Metkayina clan which meant their hunting and warrior activities were improved, much better than the Omatikaya clan.

Your father, one of the head warriors requested that Jake or his sons to teach his daughter, you, the art, skills and ways of the water. You hated being in the water, the thought of not being able to see clearly, whatever is lurking. Your movements were slowed in the water. You were an agile hunter, that did well in the canopy and in the sky. However, the watery terrain was your weakest. You couldn’t help but feel as if your father was ashamed of your lack of skill, which is why he requested the lessons be in private.

You huffed as you walked through the trail. Your training was starting today. You were told to meet the Sullys by one of the larger lakes, west of the colony, closer to the mountains. The lake was selected as it was one of the more controlled environments and also secluded.

“Y/N!” you hear a familiar voice call for you as you parted the vegetation to access the lake. Your hand slowly reaching for the knife tucked by your waist.

“It’s me, Loak.”

You turned around to meet eyes with the youngest Sully brother. He flashed you a grin. His braids dangling from the side of his head, the remaining of the braids tucked behind his head into one.

“Oh it’s you, I was expecting your dad or your brother.”

“You sound disappointed.”

“NO!” Your eyes widen and your hands wave frantically.”

He smirked his eyes scanning your body to then meet your eyes. “I’m just teasing you y/n.” You suddenly felt self-conscious, wishing you paid attention a bit more to your attire and unkempt hair. Your beaded top, which hardly concealed your breasts, didn’t even match your loincloth, which was tied loosely around your curvy hips, exposing a little of your v-line.

“Ready y/n?’’ Lo’ak called out, “Hope you brought spare clothes.”

“Erm, It’ll dry off on our way back home.”

He chuckled as he beaconed you with his muscular arms, he slowly stepped in the lake walking towards the middle. Soon water was up to his waist. You shuddered at the thought of being in the dark, cold water. You took a huge breath as you marched your way through the water towards him.\

“Slow down, y/n, you’re gonna scare away the fish.” His arm our stretched for you to hold his hand.

You grab his hand for support, fear slowly seeping in, the cold making you shiver. His hand felt so calloused and firm, you looked down to see his veins protruding on his forearm. His toned arms guide you slowly, his hand losing yours to place them on your lower back. You looked up to him but his concentration was on the water, looking down, stopping at the spot. The water was now up to your belly button, but that’s because you were shorter than Lo’ak.

He obviously recognized the discomfort on your face as you squirmed whenever your feet touched something slimy or unknown. You looked around scanning the water, worried about the unknown species lurking below.

“Relax bro, there are just fishes and aquatic weeds in here.” He chuckled, raising your chin to meet his eyes.

You shot him a fake smile. Not willing to admit your apparent discomfort.

Alright, we’ll start off with spearing. He handed you the spear, showing you the position to take. You try to follow but tumble to your side after losing your balance. You shrieked. Lo’ak instantly dropped the spear in an attempt to catch you. His hands grab your waist. You felt tense, the immediate skinship causing you to feel flustered, an immediate warmth crept up on your face.

He smirks. “Let me guide you.” His voice is low as he walks behind you. “You need to be calm, relaxed, still.” His arm reaches up to guide your arms. Once you grip the spear to his liking, his hand moves below your chest, gliding to right above your belly button, he presses his rough fingers lightly into your stomach. “Your core should be strong, firm, tight.” The last word whispered into your ear, his lips brushing across your ear.

You rolled your eyes in his attempt to make you nervous.

“Stay quiet, stay still, eyes on the water, feel the movement with your feet.” He whispered into your other ear, his chest now pressed into your back, his hand on your lower back, the other raising your elbow slightly higher.

You shaped out loud, your eyes widened, you dropped the spear once more.

“Ugh y/n, you need to be still and qui-“

“Shh” you shrieked, “I think something just swam.” You’re frozen in fear.

“Well duh, that’s you feeling-“

“No, something just swam up my loincloth.” You whispered worry consuming you.

“Oh shit.” He immediately removed himself from behind you to come face to face. Your hands now in midair, your eyes wide in shock.

“Don’t worry, y/n, just stay still.”

You breathed out. “Okay okay, what are you gonna do?”

“Just stay calm, I’m gonna reach it and pull it out.”

“Whaatt?!” you yelled, but you suddenly felt it squirm in between your legs. “Omg it feels like a snake, get it out Lo’ak.” You yelled frantically, your arms now griping on his strong shoulders, nails dicking into his back.

“Alright y/n, keep your eyes on me.” He says as he slowly tugs on the waistline of your loincloth, his fingers trailing downwards. You couldn’t focus on whether to feel embarrassed or scared, as you felt the creature maneuver in your loincloth. You curse yourself for not tying it tighter. Lo’ak’s arm drops to your ass cheek as if to support you, protecting yo from stumbling back. You glared at him. He smirked at you.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you.” You whispered.

“A little y//n, cant believe I get to be so intimate with one of the hottest girls in the clan.”

“Just get it out, pleeassee.”

You feel his hand go lower, your eyes widen as you feel him touch your cunt. In one swift movement you feel him grab the creature, yank his hands out your loincloth, and hold up the wriggling creature. In his hands was an eel fish, covered in bioluminescent spots. He takes one look at it before he throws it in the opposite direction.

You yelp in fear. Before you know it you hurdle yourself towards the shore, cxompletely grossed out as you can still feel the eel squirming.

Lo’ak observes you as you shake uncontrollably, your hands rubbing your body as if to wash away the touch of the eel. He follows you to shore. Your face in obvious disgust. He grabs your wrist in an attempt to calm you down.

“Breath y/n.”

Your eyes met with his, now completely ashamed you drop your face.

“I never took you as one to be afraid.” He laughs.

You pull away from him as you reach for your loincloth to tie it tigheter. In your mind the lesson was over, there was no way he can get you back into the water. He snathces your hand once more.

“I need to look at it.”

Bewildered you blurted out

“Exxxcccuussseee me?!”

“Those eels are known to secrete toxins through their skin.”

“You’re kidding me.” Worry crept across your face.

“No y/n, it can cause swelling and muscular paralysis, let me check, one of the telltale signs is a pink rash and swelling.

“Oh Ewya.” You sighed. This just keeps getting worse. How much more humiliation can you take you thought to yourself.

Lo’ak guides you to the ground, his hand cushioning your head as he pushes you onto the ground. He unties your loincloth, cold air hitting your flesh, your legs bent towards you, your knees in the air. He pushes your leg apart so he can see your in your naked glory. You cover your eyes to avoid taking in the slight. He traces his fingers over your upper thigh to then your cunt.

“Anything?” you called out, eyes still covered.

Lo’ak doesn’t respond.

You open your eyes and propped yourself up with your elbows. Lo’ak pushes you back down with one hand.

“Nothing so far, but do I have permission to check, you know, in between?” he asked cautiously. His voice a little huskier than usual.

“Just get it over with.”

You feel his calloused finger’s part your folds, sending shivers down your spine. His finger brushed across your clit and traced it’s way to your entrance. The sudden touch awakens your arousal and you can feel a familiar heat began to pool.

“Well, y/n, you look good, no swelling, but you seem to be having another problem. “He groaned. He didn’t remove his hand from your lower region, his fingers began to massage at the entrance. You gasp, raising up once more. He removes his two digits to show you your slick oozing from his fingers. He smirks as he abruptly pushes his two digits into you. The most pornographic moan escape your lips, your body betraying you.

Lo’ak’s smirk grows bigger as he feels you soak his fingers with your slick. He positions himself in between your legs to tower you. His fingers still inside you as his lips snatches yours in a hungry and passionate kiss. “Tell me you want it y/n”. You sink into the lust and kiss him back, your tongues dancing with each other, teeth gnashing. His fingers pick up the pace causing you to moan into his kisses. He pulls away to lose your top, exposing your supple breasts.

He reaches to place a nipple into your mouth causing you to throw your head back. Your exposed neck tempts him as he moves towards your collar bone then to your upper neck leaving trails of hickies. You couldn’t care less as you enjoyed the moment. It’s been months since you’ve felt the touch of another male. The last person to please you was your ex, Tishalo, but since his betrayal, you’ve stayed away from any male companionship in efforts to heal. However, you have always found yourself attracted to the Sullys, and this was your chance to have one of them.

You grab the back of Lo’ak’s neck, forcing him down to give you another kiss. “ I want you Lo’ak!” He doesn’t deny you, he swiftly grabs you by the hips as he lowers himself, hovering above you above him, his braids cascading down his face, he sneered. You catch on and you straddle him, driven by lust, you continue to kiss him grinding on his restrained member. Your hands find the string of his loincloth to undo it. His member slaps against his v-line stomach, you look at it in awe. It was bigger than you expected, longer than you expected, decorated with veins.

“What are you waiting for y/n, take this cock in you now.”

You grab his member by the base positioning it in your entryway. You gasp as you lower yourself on his thick meat. Stretching you out you don’t move, allowing yourself to adjust to his size. He impatiently grabs your hips and begins to mercilessly thrust into you. Your breast bounced at each thrust, the ungodly moans escaping your pretty, parted lips.

“Tell me you like this cock in you y/n”

“Oh yess Lo’ak, yeeeesss, fuucck meee.” You breathed, your eyes rolling back. You stop bouncing, grinding you hips onto his dick, leaving a trial of wetness on his pelvis. He lifts you up off him, pushing you onto your fours. Lo’ak hovers over your back pushing your face towards the ground, hand gripping at your waist as he angles you to take his dick. Your arms outstretched onto the ground, nipples rubbing onto the forest floor.

“Beg for it mama” He hums into you ear.

“Fill me upLo’ak I want you soo baad.” You cry out.

You arch your back as you feel him enter you again. His rapid thrusts causes you to mewl. Your hips begin to move simultaneously with his as you bring yourself down harder onto him, the knot in your stomach getting stronger, your high was near.

“Lo’ak im gonna cummm” you scream, your walls fluttering onto his cock. He reaches over to rub your clit, thrusting harder into you, sending you over the edge, you cream onto his cock.

“That’s it mama.” He grunts as he gives you one hard thrust pulling at your hair, spilling his seeds onto your back.

You turn around to see his chest heaving, sweat dripping from his brow as a sinister grin plaster across his face.

“Y/n you should know that that eel, it wasn’t toxic.”

Your eyes widen and mouth drops, unable to from any coherent word, you stare at Lo’ak as he gets up to wash off in the lake.

Sooo Lo'ak is definitely my bias and there's a shortage of Lo'ak fics out there compared to Neteyam fics soo this my contribution to society. Forgive the bad grammar and lack of proof-reading.

[herculesinnightsky]

Yeah, I'll be alright

A Steven Universe fanfic.

Connie died on an autumn night.

Steven held her hand until the last breath. He said goodbye with a kiss on her forehead, crying next to her until her body got cold.

Relatives and friends were called the next day, arrangements and condolences. Their house filled with flowers, with quiet hugs, with a strange, haunting sense of calmness. This was bout to happen, after such a long life. But there has always been something so sad about finding emptiness on a place that used to be full.

And despite all the new things that come and try to fill it, all Steven can see now, sitting on this bench outside the funeral house, sunset air moving the white, fragile strands of his hair, are the things that are no longer there.

She was the last one to die. The last human Steven knew and loved.

The next day, as he looks at the garden, Steven decides to leave it all behind.

He picks a remote, immense abandoned potting field to live in. He shrinks himself into the size of a mouse and embarks on the new adventure of living in the wild, traveling through this microcosmos.

As the days go by, walking among the pebbles and plants, Steven’s age changes constantly. He experiences again all the faces he has had. He is a tall and sturdy 27-year-old when he finds a soup can sinking on the mud and spends days turning it into a boat with other small scraps of trash that he finds along the way.

He is forty-five when the boat is ready, and Steven finally sails on the little river the rain has made. He passes the toads that sit beside it, twice his size, jumping over him and filling the air with the sound of their calls and splashes. He brushes with his hand the plants that grow around the water, greener, humid.

Sometimes he swims, and feels with his feet the slippery rocks at the bottom, the feather-like aquatic plants that move with the current. When the water turns too cloudy from the movement, Steven stays still, floating quietly in place until twilight comes, and he sees the little river shimmer like gold for a few minutes before darkness invades, and the fireflies start to shine, one by one, all around him.

Is a nineteen-year-old Steven who jumps obstacles and hunts dragonflies to grill on a little fire, keeping it on the whole night to withstand the cold. He braids everything he finds. Strands of plants, leaves, grass, his own hair, that grows and curls freely. He is fifteen as he makes little pottery with the mud and then watches as the water dissolves it, sitting in his boat and mindlessly braiding strands of grass to make a blanquette.

He is an old man (never too old, never as old as he was when Connie died) when he finds a few plants of tomato that survived the abandonment. He is thirty-four while he ventures through the overgrown and full of insects weed that surrounds it, climbing the stems and leaves and jumping from one plant to another, admiring the big tomatoes that grow out of control here.

As the days, months, and maybe years go by, life in the wild is hard. Steven builds a thousand little houses that never last. Rain ruins his boat more times than he can count, the floods make him lose direction many times, forcing him to walk for days among the mud and unrecognizable little roads, sorting through graveyards of bugs and roots in the dim milky light of the after storm.

He spends times on times re-building his boat, another couple sailing on it till the water runs out, and Steven, old and young, drags it through the dry dust until he finds the soft terrain of the tomato field again. Sometimes the grass and weeds are too tall and dense for him to see the light in days, and he lives inside the feverish ambiance of green shadows and heavy humid air, still braiding any little trinket he finds till he makes a chain as long as his life that decorates the inside of the boat.

His body gets used to sleeping over hard stone, soft earth, and pricky grass. Tiny scratches everywhere. Slowly opening and closing in a constant cycle, as routine as breathing. Inhale, exhale. His blood and skin breathe the dirt and the smell of the plants, infusing in the dense clay and its fresh dusk of stones.

Steven hardens under the restless heat of the sun and the humidity that it dries off. Melting on the flow of the seasons as they pass by. Little animals and bugs attack and squirm in fear when they see him. So, Steven must learn to be as quiet as them, find a way for them to trust his presence. More often than not, he fails. A fourteen-year-old child full of kindness, an angry teenager, a tired young man, or a patient elder, is useless. He remains a stranger.

The earth is more suffocating than welcoming. It tries to devour his foreignness till he becomes another dreadnought creature melting slowly into nature's core. But Steven's body remains human, skin covered in little hairs and freckles like stones and stars, and speaks of dust. Because the matted coat that is his hair still curls when he washes on the stream. A silky black ribbon that falls over his face as he sits on his boat drying little by little, and reminds him he can never belong to the earth in the same way these other creatures do.

Steven lives looking for scraps to eat, his clothes little by little get torn and used until he is wearing nothing but rags. His beard keeps growing, but Steven is getting too tired to pay any attention to it. On the boredom of hunger, he counts the wrinkles on his face until his age changes again, and he starts over.

Food starts to run out. The other living creatures flee after the fourth dry out. Steven chews on yellow grass and pushes his boat across the dirt, refusing to believe rain won't come. He is emaciated when he finds the last tomato and takes it to his boat.

Seasons stretch, endless, as Steven keeps walking, dragging, and climbing, and running. Long nights of empty sleep, even longer days. Roads look all the same, a sun that doesn’t move, a never gentle wind. The ground cracks under his feet, and Steven sleeps inside the divides for what seems like an eternity, knees to his chest. When he wakes up, despite all the time, everything is the same.

Under the sun and darkness and relentless winds that shoot every grain of sand into his skin. He is tired, so tired when the rain finally comes. Titanic and ruthless drops hit the earth on blows of water, invading all around him as the thunders muffle every other sound. It floods everything, and Steven struggles to not sink when the current swallows everything in its path. Waves crash him against plants and rocks until he can't move, and Steven is dragged limp on the swirls and currents, half screaming and half drowning as the water burns him in and out until the rain finally stops.

It is all as unrecognizable as ever, but this feels grimmer, destroyed and squashed by the water, fallen obstacles, and piles of dead things trapped in the mud. Nowhere to go. He finds his boat many days of swimming in desperation later, and Steven clings to it until he finds the strength to pull himself and lay over it. He wanders in it without a purpose. He doesn't look for food, although there aren't any anyway after the flood.

His beard reaches the ground, his bones crack at every movement, and Steven can't think of what he'll do the next day. So, he does nothing. Sits by the edge of his boat while it floats and floats and floats.

Has lost count of the days when the sky gets gray again and he can smell the imminent rain in the air. Steven gets up and this time he is stubbornly angry, determined not to be defeated by the rain again. All the little forgotten items he has collected in his boat get thrown aboard, and he rips strands of his hair to make a rope, planning on tying himself to the boat to not lose it again.

He watches his last possessions sink, and the sky rumbles. He looks back at the empty, dark interior of the boat, the only thing he can call home now, and the sadness and despair he has buried threatens to come back.

But he fights it as the first drops hit the water around him, and Steven turns to the last item he has left, the tomato he had saved at the back of the boat, and struggles to lift it, his whole body tensing in pain, while he screams at the raining sky and the mud and the whole world.

"I am not falling apart; I am not falling apart!"

But the tomato is rotten to its core, his mossy skin peels off and turns into a messy, liquid mush when he lifts it, falling over his hair and face and mouth. The stink and disgust knock Steven to the ground, and he screams, desperately trying to get the pure of rotten tomato off the ship. Gagging and suffocating on the smell.

He is crying by the time the rain falls completely, covered in the putrid insides of the tomato. The sobs choke him and make him convulse, scratching and clinging to the shifting boat, screaming and missing and looking for all the people he has lost.

Rain absorbs the world again; waves grow and wipe out everything. Steven’s boat gets knocked over, and he falls into the water, sinking into the tears and the earth that can't love him.

Rain claims him once again. And in the dark, Steven dreams.

He dreams of his dad, teaching him ukulele songs on the beach while the sunset seagulls fly around them.

He dreams of Sadie, passing him his first beer at a midnight bar after a performance, and laughing her lungs out at his displeasure.

He dreams of catching up with Peedy on a Sunday in the supermarket, sharing a tube of ice cream in the parking lot while he complained about a teacher that was too tough on his kid.

He dreams of Sour Cream, looking over his crib and handing him his headphones while Vidalia and Greg fight in the kitchen.

He dreams of Jenny staying up all night on the phone with him while he drove across Washington, confessing how much everyone missed him in Beach City.

He dreams of Onion, showing him his new collection of figurines on the laziest Saturday morning ever, the smell of pancakes in the air.

He dreams of Buck, knocking on his door to hand him a mix tape with alternative music because it "made him think of him."

He dreams of Mr. Smiley sitting with him next to the bathrooms in Funland after getting lost in the crowd, telling him about airplanes to distract him until Greg found them.

He dreams of Connie.

Of a Monday like every Monday in the world, clipping her hair in a bun and smiling, telling him to go easy on the coffee. She goes for a kiss, and Steven gives her a bear hug instead to make her laugh.

He dreams of sitting in their shared bed at night, slowly falling asleep to the quiet sound of her voice repassing her paperwork.

He dreams of pointing at a discount chocolate cake in a bakery stand, and Connie rolling her eyes. "You make better cakes than that."

He dreams of fighting over something and feeling a string around his neck when he spots tears in Connie's eyes.

He dreams of looking through the window while he hangs the sheets to dry and seeing Connie while she stirs a pot in the stove, frowning at her grandma's cooking book.

He dreams of tears that could not matter any less now, the warmth of her hug. The old, familiar scent of her neck, of her hair.

The rain seems to wash it all away, but in reality, it gives everything back to him.

After years with his head on the ground, Steven finally looks up at the sky and sees the stars.

He comes out of the water and goes back to his normal size. He is a little kid again, maybe four years old, and wanders through the fields and grass until he reaches a road. A young farmer slows her truck when she sees him, and when she asks where his parents are, Steven can only cry.

They take him to a police station, and all the way there Steven looks at the corn crows flying across the green and gold fields, staring at the moving clouds while the farmer's wife offers him oat cookies and keeps him company on the back seat.

He doesn’t understand all that much what is happening as they reach the station, and he sits in a plastic chair, mindlessly watching the people walk. A policeman offers him hot chocolate from the coffee machine, and the same farmer who found him blows on the little carton cup until it cools enough for him to drink it.

It’s late at night when the gems burst through the door, looking around worriedly, and Steven jumps from where he is, running to them. Pearl's ivory soft hands cup his face, and she whispers soothing words while fat tears fall down his cheeks. Steven lifts his arms and Garnet picks him up, pressing him gently against her chest. Amethyst lays her head on his back, patting his shoulder, and pulls Pearl into the hug too.

He is surrounded by safe, warm light. Three stars that fell out of the sky to embrace him.

They leave, with Steven still in Garnet's arms while Pearl gets the rental car ready. Amethyst leans to him smiling.

"How did it go, li'l dude?" she says, like nothing has changed, like it hasn’t been a lifetime since the last time he saw them.

Steven nods and closes his eyes.

"It was good. It was really good.”

___

A note from the author

A few months ago, I woke up shaking in a cold sweat after having dreamed this story. The vivid image of Steven screaming "I'm not falling apart!" Forever burned in my mind.

My cousin was in the hospital. School had been going bad for a while now. Life at home had been turning unbearable.

I was Steven's age when I started watching the show. Thirteen and optimistic, blind to all the darkness around me. Now I'm graduating college in a few months. I have no idea what's to come, and I've never been more afraid. I have been grieving all the things I thought I would do, the things I used to do, the joy I used to feel. The boy I never was.

Today I found the courage to text my old therapist. I don't think I’ll ever know what prompted this dream, but I'm grateful. It awoke a part of me that seemed to have been sleeping for so long I forgot it existed. I had been living as a ghost of myself without realizing it. It gave me courage to admit I was, in fact, falling apart.

There is a piece of land next to my house, it’s been abandoned for more than ten years, completely empty. I want to turn it into a garden. I will save the little money I can; maybe in a few weeks I will be able afford a plant, in a few months, a little tree. But I’ll stay alive to see it come true, no matter how long it takes. We can stay alive for these little things, is okay.

I want to see that tree grow. I want to hear the way the wind moves its branches. I want to sit under its shadow someday.

I don't think I'll ever feel alone again, because the birds hear me sing in the morning. I walk on the street beside mothers and shadows of children I once was, face sticky with caramel and clothes that don’t quite fit. The secretary at school knows my name. The same kids climb on the bus every afternoon, I recognize some of them. I have a classmate with the same shirt as me. Only the stuffed animals in my room know how many hugs I've given them. My dogs know my hands mean safety. The trees will keep me out of harm.

Life is terrifying. But I have three shiny stars of my own. And I know they’ll be there, waiting for me, when this journey ends.

If Steven Universe ever thought me anything, is that change is a gift I should treasure. Is the magic that makes us human. Today I want to tell you, fellow human, your sorrows are my sorrows, your joys my joys. This human life of ours, it’s worth passing through. I just needed a reminder.

I hope I was able to remind it to you too.

"Wait, I know it's been a long road Prodigals don't always come home But I'll be alright Wait, I'm between shadows and sunlight But your love gets me through dark nights And I'll be alright Yeah, I'll be alright" -We All Fall Down, The Rigs

[funkylilworm]

My 3rd Mha Original character

Name:

Ren Fujita

Hero name:

キッド・アクアティック

“Kiddo akua tikku”

(English translation: Kid Aquatic )

Gender:

Genderflux

Sexuality:

Pansexual

Pronouns:

[Depends on what gender they feel like they are]

Height:

6’1 (they're tall but it's hard to tell sense they slouch a lot)

Age:

14 yrs old

Race:

Mixed , Afro-Japanese [Black and Japanese]

Birthday:

March 19th

Zodiac:

Aries

Siblings:

1 [has a step brother named Naoki Fujita]

Class:

Class 1-A

Voice claim:

Amethyst from Steven Universe

Quirk/s:

Ocean

The user can create, shape and manipulate the oceans and seas and everything in them, including all the aspects of the oceans, like the ability to speak to sea and/or ocean animals ,breathe underwater, and control water .

Side effects: Can make them breathe underwater , can control water in general, and can understand and communicate with ocean life

Downside /aftermath symptoms:

Overusing their quirk can cause weakness and/or dehydration

_______________________________________

Weird body function (related to quirk):

▪︎Slouching recharges their body

Ren Fujita has to stand or sit by or straight up slouch around for 5 or 10 seconds to recharge their energy enough to get back in the game , go back into action

▪︎Drinking water (rehydrating) helps them too

_______________________________________

Appearance:

▪︎Physical- brown skin, plump nose, tall (but it's hard to tell sense they slouch a lot), heterochromia (one eye blue and the other green), scrawny, gills on their neck , blue and green fish like tail on the tail bone area of their back, and where their bottom half leg should be is a prosthetic

▪︎Clothing appearance [casual]-

▪︎Clothing appearance [school uniform]-

▪︎Clothing appearance [Hero costume]-

Mental Disability/ies:

Autism and BPD

Hobbies:

Sleeping, snacking , video gaming , smoking weed and pot, eating weed brownies ,playing D&D ,larping , painting , reading comics, surfing, swimming, volleyball and handicraft

Loves:

Sleeping, snacking , video gaming , smoking weed and pot, eating weed brownies ,playing D&D ,larping , painting , reading comics handicraft , comic books , weed , pot , weed brownies, eating, snacking , pranks , making friends, swimming, surfing ,the beach,pools ,and volleyball

Hates:

Dropping your phone in front of people (it draws more attention to it), Not knowing how to spell someone's name , The price of couches, Any sign of Christmas after December 31 or before Thanksgiving, When a car or motorcycle is loud on purpose, Thinking you were lucky that you didn't get bitten by any mosquitos, until the next day, when you discover you're covered in 'em, When you wake up in the middle of the night and see that it's exactly 3 a.m. (demon hour), When you're high AF and someone knocks on your front door, When anyone knocks on my door, Spilling olive oil on my clothes, Dust, waiting, long lines, stairs , pollution, aquariums, and people littering into the ocean (or in general)

Friends:

Jisu Shugamee (my Oc), Denki Kiminari, Toru Hagakure, and Mina Ashido

Crush:

Fumikage Tokoyami (and vise versa, he feels the same way about him, none of them just hasn't approached each other about it yet)

Quirk moves:

Tidal Rush: A powerful wave of water that Ren summons to knock back enemies.

Deep Sea Pressure: Creates a sphere of high-pressure water around the target to disorient them.

Personality:

Ren Fujita, also known as キット・アクアティック is a rich U.A Class 1-A student amongst the other other U.A students, Ren is known for being the laid-back, cool, fun-loving ,slothful, and kind-hearted stoner and fratboy.

Ren is a laid-back, go-with-the-flow, friendly, and fun-loving guy who is willing to be friends with everyone, even if they acknowledge them as a horrible human. While not the smartest , they can be friends to people regardless of personality, ranging from disgusting and rude to pushy and selfish. They care about their friends and their wellbeing, wanting everyone to get along and not understanding why people go by "winner takes all". They don't understand metaphors, taking them in a literal approach. They can at times be forgetful, whether it's what they were talking about or what they're supposed to be doing. Their most prominent trait is their ability to keep their cool even in life-threatening situations.

They call everyone “dude” , “dudette” , “bro” , “bruh”, “dudeman” , “man”, And “my guy” a lot and seems to use “like” in their sentences a lot .

Also despite how calm and laid-back Ren is, he's not only not a pushover (not a welcome mat) , but when pissed Ren is terrifyingly intimidating (especially if the situation was from provoking them) and if it's from provoking them, whether that be from messing with their loved ones, it's the silent kind of anger and will get overwhelmed and even anxious when under a lot of pressure!

But despite all of that Ren is known for being so unheeded, so gullible, and so ignorant to the point that they would tend to say and do out of pocket things without thinking twice (thinking there's nothing wrong with it and/or is in the right) and would often even find undermine their own trauma without taking it seriously or actually vent, because they genuinely lack awareness on how fucked up it all is !!

Background:

Ren Fujita had two parents named Nene Fujita (their mom) and Dajii Fujita (their dad) not only do none of them love each other but while Nene is more of the helicopter parent both Nene and Dajii are very emotionally neglectful toward their kids, Ren Fujita and Naoki Fujita (they're still in contact with their parents sense half of them still loves them)!!!

Family:

▪︎Nene Fujita [mom] (of japanese descent)

Quirk: Water manipulation

A Japanese human that's the mother of Naoki Fujita, Jomichii Fujita , and Ren Fujita and she's known for being a sophisticated, poised, selfish, independent, tough ,and elegant woman that's always cheating on her husband, Dajii, is emotionally distant from her children, and her and Dajii is always fighting and arguing (it's always her fault by the way because she emotionally physically and mentally abuses Dajii most of the time )

(Also buries Dajii alive in the future, mid Dajii redemption arc)

Also Nene and Dajii's marriage is arranged

▪︎Dajii Fujita [dad] (of black descent)

Quirk: Ocean (just like his son Ren Fujita)

An anthropomorphic piranha like merman (can turn into a merman when in water) very greedy ,materialistic, money driven , withdrawn ,emotionally unavailable, psychologically abusive, mentally abusive 1,is a workaholic , is a perfectionist, and emotionally abusive father that's an extremely rich Billionaire that owns a huge company called “Fujita Victory Tech.” A company that makes very advanced gadgets and weapons for pro heroes and villains (a company that would make Mei Hatsume have a run for her money) ,because Dajii is very tech savvy and good with robotics (Dajii is kind of a nerd)

▪︎ Naoki Fujita [Step brother/ older brother]

Naoki has a quirk similar to their mom and is currently a young freelance detective in training at a law private school. He's also known for being a perfectionist, germaphobic, a workaholic (just like his dad, Dajii), is very tech savvy and good with robotics (just like his dad), has an interest in murder mystery and has a good healthy sibling relationship with Ren

▪ Jomichii Fujita [Ren's twin sister]

Her quirk was also water manipulation, she was the golden child of her family, her mom and dad's favorite and she was known for being yet another U.A student that goes by the name by “Mighty Duck”, Jomichii was known for being cooky ,fun-loving, a loose canon, weird , energetic ,bubbly, silly , and had a knack for both baking and painting. But she died when Stain got to hurt and she died from her wounds in the hospital do to her diabetes .

Naoki ,Ren, and Dajii Fujita's traumatized from the incident and to the point that Dajii's personality got worse ever since that day .

▪︎Etchie [Ren's pet capybara, she's a female]

Ren's motivation for becoming a pro hero:

To help and save people that are in a tough situation themselves (to help people that are in a position similar to them) ,in need of help

(Also because Ren Fujita sees heroes as cool)!!

Ren Fujita headcanons:

▪︎Ren's favorite snacks is pocky sticks, senbei, choco pie, jagarico, Konpeitō, umaibõ, mochi, and Dorayaki . While their favorite foods are Ramen Noodles, Sushi, Okonomiyaki, Yakitori, sukiyaki, tofu, and Shabu-shabu

▪︎Ren legs turned into a mermaid tail when they were first born (it turned back to normal hours later)

▪︎The only time Ren feels any ounce of fear Is when their phobia is involved , when they're under too much pressure , when they themselves are in genuine danger, or their friends or family us in danger

▪︎ Ren has Arachnophobia: Fear of spiders, Belonephobia: Fear of pins and needles, Catagelophobia: Fear of being ridiculed, and Hypochondria: Fear of illness

▪︎Ren has a fear of illness because they used to have a twin sister named Jomichii that was killed by a villian a few years back (Ren may not know this yet but it was Stain who killed her) and if they were to ever find out they would've thrown their usual demeanor out the window and flip their lid

▪︎Ren is ambidextrous

▪︎It's rare for Ren to hate anyone but if they do than the person they don't like must of did something extremely terrible to them

▪︎The reason why Ren's twin ,Jomichii died from illness is because one day while heading back home alone Stain got to her and cut her up badly. She was diabetic so while in the hospital that wounds too to long to heal, the wounds got an infection, she got sick from the infections ,and she died (it happened 5 yrs ago)

▪Ren has been secretly trying to look into his twin sisters death for years (including now) and still has found nothing important of the sorts

▪︎Ren is a vegan and strictly has a vegan diet

▪︎Similar to Ed from Edd Ed and Eddy, Ren would get overstimulated pissy and sour if they accidentally get a pebble in their shoe (like their usual demeanor gets thrown out the window )

▪︎Ren Fujita and Jisu Shugamee are besties, and similar to Denki Kiminari and Minoru Mineta they're also the comedy relief duo, just less perverted

▪︎In S2 ep 27 - 33 ,Selkie inspires Ren to end up pursuing being a ocean and/or sea rescue type of pro hero

▪︎ Initially, Iida and Ren’s personalities are night and day. Iida’s strict, rule-following nature contrasts sharply with Ren’s laid-back approach to life. Ren often frustrates Iida by not adhering strictly to schedules or protocols. Over time, Iida realizes that despite Ren’s relaxed attitude, they’re dependable in battle and care deeply for their friends. They find a middle ground, with Iida becoming more tolerant of Ren’s quirks, while Ren respects Iida’s leadership skills, in fact, Iida might start seeing Ren not just as a classmate but as someone who understands a very specific kind of pain—one that shaped both of their lives. While Iida and Ren remain different in terms of personality, their bond would likely evolve into a strong sense of kinship based on mutual respect, shared loss, and personal growth.

▪︎Is friendly to everyone including enemies, despite being a superhero he's just very peaceful and forgiving

▪︎Ren's favorite music genres is reggae, jazz, R&B, baby metal, death metal, lofi, and k-pop

Mentor:

Gang Orca

Fighting Style:

▪︎Laid back and/or relaxed fighting-

With a few jabs, jest , teasing , and jokes ,Ren has a relaxed apathetic approach all while they're fighting at the same time (will still give it their all tho)

▪︎Street fighting and/or video game inspired fighting skills -

Most of their fighting skills are heavily inspired off fighting video games like street fighter, Mortal Kombat , and Batman video games (just not too much to the point the villian is on the grim reaper's door step)

S2 Intern (temporarily) :

Selkie

[beauty-around-us-jo]

1 - Natural Rock steps leading down to our favorite pier at Bourbon County State Lake.

2 - The lake - water levels lowered in fall for winter managing fish population, aquatic weed control, and shoreline protection.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from EcoWatch:

In a recent study, scientists have found that the species Eichhornia crassipes, also known as the common water hyacinth, has strong potential as a remediator for microplastics in the environment.

In the study, published in the journal Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, researchers collected water hyacinths from a river in Shanghai, China and relocated the plants for continued growth in a greenhouse with controlled nutrients, light and temperatures. Then, to test for the ability to take up microplastics, researchers placed plants of the same size and from the same mother plant, with two of these plants per one glass culture bottle.

From there, particles of polystyrene (PS) were added to the nutrient solution in the bottles and observed for a 14-day period, with the liquid in the bottles switched out every 7 days.

Based on the results, the water hyacinths’ growth was not impacted by the presence of microplastics, and microplastics only made it to the stem of the plants, not the leaves. The root system even adsorbed the microplastics over the course of the research. 

Within 48 hours, the extensive water hyacinth roots removed 55.3% of the microplastics from the nutrient solution. After five days, the roots removed 62.8% of the 0.5-micrometer particles, 78.3% of the 1-micrometer particles and 76.8% of the 2 micrometer particles.

According to the authors, the massive root caps on water hyacinth make them particularly suitable for removing water pollutants, like microplastics, with a total surface area reaching more than 150,000 square millimeters. 

The Global Invasive Species Database lists the water hyacinth as “one of the worst aquatic weeds in the world” because it grows so quickly. The plant’s quick growth and large root system can block light and oxygen from reaching native plants and fish in waterways, leading to a decline in biodiversity.

But, as a 2019 study revealed, these invasive plants can also provide some benefits, acting as both bioindicators of pollution levels in an environment and as filters for removing pollution, like heavy metals, from waterways.

Because the latest study revealed that the microplastics do not inhibit growth or reach past the stem of the plant, the invasive water hyacinth could also be used for other purposes after filtering water.

[oh-sturg-art]

Day 27 of Fishuary!

Prompt: Invasive Species

—

Grass carp, ctenopharyngodon idella, is considered invasive where I live. Originally farmed in China as food, they were introduced to America for the sake of aquatic weed control. That uh. Definitely went somewhere

If you catch one around here, you’re supposed to call the local fishery and wildlife association. I made them smug because they’re mean >:(

[bluebelly-sun-serpentine]

The thing that always gets me about this is that it’s not even a new idea that just driving things to extinction because we don’t like them is bad for a lot of reasons, not least of which is that often these “annoying” things are an important source of food for better-loved species or an important control on other species who might otherwise throw the ecosystem in which we live out of balance.

Like, Silent Spring was written over half a century ago. The four pests campaign and its resulting famine happened over half a century ago. People think sparrows are cute now, but in 1958 a whole country was willing to kill so many of them that the insect populations they’d naturally been controlling ate all the crops this extermination campaign was supposed to be protecting, and 20-30 million people died as a result.

Somehow it feels like things we absolutely know to be true, through both careful scientific observation and also through common sense and intuition (no more bugs on the windshield, less birdsong, fewer fireflies in the summer, insect voices replaced by leaf blowers), don’t seem to break through to the general population and are actively being denied by the government. The roundup that agribusiness now once again has free license to spray everywhere (thanks to Trump) to kill “weeds” also destroys soil microbe communities and has been shown to make crops nutrient deficient, not to mention the literal downstream effects on aquatic communities and the effects on species who would otherwise feed on insects that no longer thrive in monocrops drowned in glyphosate. Even well-meaning individuals are so eager to think that there is some kind of exception to the rule and that they’ve found it - everyone else’s exterminatory urges are cruel and violent, but somehow ours are practical and rational and an impulse toward the common good.

It’s totally reasonable to be afraid of or grossed out by mosquitos. They carry and transmit diseases that have probably killed more people in history than all wars ever combined. It’s rational to react to them with fear and disgust, but it does not make sense to identify with that fear and disgust so strongly that you cannot process what people who spend all their time studying ecology (including disease ecology) and natural history will tell you, repeatedly, in many ways, about any species you’ve decided needs to be annihilated: this is a bad idea. If you cannot accept that on moral grounds accept it out of self interest. Your fear and disgust may be useful to some small degree; that does not make them righteous or your destructive impulses virtuous.

In any case you’ll have a much better time in life if you can temper those uncomfortable responses with curiosity and respect; things may annoy you but you can also have wonder as a consolation prize. My life got better when I started paying closer attention to invertebrates. My life gets better every time I learn something new about other ways of living. Let it make you grateful for human ingenuity, too. We have mosquito netting. Maybe spiders inspired us to weave. People have all sorts of strategies to keep bugs off their skin, and many of these strategies are very old and not particularly harmful to anyone or anything. Molds gave us penicillin. Things you think are scary or gross may save you.

[testing-services]

Using Water Testing Labs to Detect Pesticides and Herbicides in Water Sources

Clean and safe water is essential for public health, agriculture, and the environment. However, contamination of water sources by pesticides and herbicides has become a growing concern worldwide. These chemicals, widely used in farming and pest control, can seep into groundwater, rivers, and lakes, posing serious risks to ecosystems and human health. This is why reliable detection through professional Water Testing Lab is vital.

In this article, we explore how water testing labs detect pesticides and herbicides in water sources, the importance of monitoring these contaminants, and the benefits of using accredited labs to ensure safe water quality.

Understanding Pesticides and Herbicides in Water

What Are Pesticides and Herbicides?

Pesticides are chemicals designed to kill or repel pests such as insects, rodents, and fungi.

Herbicides specifically target unwanted plants or weeds that affect crop productivity.

While these chemicals help improve agricultural yields, their residues can contaminate water bodies through surface runoff, leaching, or improper disposal.

Why Is Their Presence in Water a Concern?

Pesticides and herbicides in water can:

Pose health risks such as endocrine disruption, neurological disorders, and even cancer upon long-term exposure.

Harm aquatic life by disrupting reproductive systems, growth, and biodiversity.

Contaminate drinking water supplies, making treatment more complicated and expensive.

Because of these dangers, regular monitoring of water sources is crucial.

Role of Water Testing Labs in Detecting Pesticides and Herbicides

Advanced Analytical Techniques

Water testing labs utilize state-of-the-art techniques to identify and quantify pesticide and herbicide residues, including:

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): This technique separates chemical mixtures and identifies compounds with high sensitivity, ideal for detecting volatile and semi-volatile pesticides.

Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS): Suitable for detecting non-volatile or thermally unstable pesticides and herbicides in water.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): A biochemical method used for rapid screening of specific pesticides in water samples.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): Separates and measures components in water, including pesticide residues.

These methods provide highly accurate and sensitive results, ensuring even trace levels of contaminants are detected.

Sampling and Testing Protocols

Water testing labs follow strict procedures for sample collection, storage, and analysis to maintain data integrity:

Collecting samples from representative locations at specific depths or points of interest.

Using sterile containers and preservatives to avoid contamination or degradation of samples.

Analyzing samples within defined timeframes to ensure accurate results.

Such rigorous protocols ensure reliable detection of pesticides and herbicides.

Importance of Using Accredited Water Testing Labs

Ensuring Accuracy and Reliability

Accredited labs operate under internationally recognized standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, which guarantees their testing methods and results are validated and dependable. This is especially critical when detecting hazardous chemicals like pesticides and herbicides.

Compliance with Regulations

Many countries enforce strict regulations regarding maximum allowable pesticide levels in water. Accredited labs help water suppliers, agricultural businesses, and environmental agencies comply with these legal requirements by providing certified testing reports.

Expert Consultation and Risk Assessment

Besides testing, many water labs offer consultation services. They interpret results, assess risks, and recommend appropriate remediation measures, such as advanced filtration or changes in agricultural practices to reduce contamination.

Applications of Pesticide and Herbicide Testing

Protecting Drinking Water Sources

Municipal water authorities regularly test surface water and groundwater to ensure drinking water safety. Early detection of pesticide residues helps prevent contaminated water from reaching consumers.

Supporting Agricultural Sustainability

Farmers and agricultural businesses use water testing labs to monitor irrigation water quality. Knowing the presence of harmful chemicals allows them to adjust practices, reduce chemical use, and protect soil and water health.

Environmental Conservation

Environmental agencies and NGOs monitor natural water bodies to protect aquatic ecosystems. Detecting pesticides and herbicides aids in identifying pollution sources and implementing conservation measures.

Challenges in Detecting Pesticides and Herbicides

Complex mixtures: Water can contain numerous types of pesticides and herbicides simultaneously, requiring comprehensive testing panels.

Low concentrations: Many pesticides are harmful even at trace levels, demanding highly sensitive detection methods.

Sample degradation: Some chemicals degrade quickly, so timely and proper sample handling is essential.

Water testing labs invest in advanced technologies and expert staff to overcome these challenges.

How Often Should Water Be Tested?

The frequency of pesticide and herbicide testing depends on factors like:

Proximity to agricultural areas or industrial sites.

History of contamination in the water source.

Regulatory requirements.

For high-risk areas, quarterly or even monthly testing may be necessary, while low-risk locations might require less frequent monitoring.

Conclusion

Pesticides and herbicides are integral to modern agriculture but pose significant risks when they contaminate water sources. Using a professional Water Testing Lab is essential to accurately detect these harmful chemicals and protect public health, agriculture, and the environment.

Accredited labs provide reliable, sensitive, and compliant testing services that empower authorities and businesses to make informed decisions. Regular monitoring, expert analysis, and timely action ensure that water remains safe for consumption and ecological balance is maintained.

[ceekbee]

Did you know that a single dragonfly can devour hundreds of mosquitoes in just one day? These elegant, shimmering insects are more than just beautiful to watch �� they’re powerful, natural pest controllers that can help reduce the mosquito population in your backyard without a drop of chemicals.

Why Dragonflies Love Mosquitoes:

Dragonflies are skilled aerial hunters. With nearly 360-degree vision and lightning-fast reflexes, they catch mosquitoes mid-flight with incredible precision. Both adult dragonflies and their aquatic larvae (called nymphs) feast on mosquito larvae, keeping the life cycle of these pests in check from start to finish.

Want Dragonflies in Your Yard? Plant These:

If you want to invite these flying marvels to your garden, you need to create a habitat that suits them. Here are a few plants and tips that will do just that:

1. Water Lilies & Lotus – Dragonflies lay their eggs in water. A small pond with water lilies offers a perfect breeding ground.

2. Swamp Milkweed – Its tall stems and small clusters of flowers attract dragonflies for resting.

3. Joe-Pye Weed – This native perennial provides both a perch and a nectar source for adult dragonflies.

4. Meadow Sage & Black-eyed Susan – These flowering plants not only attract dragonflies but also encourage a biodiverse ecosystem.

5. Arrowhead Plant – Great for the edges of ponds, it supports both adult dragonflies and their larvae.

Other Tips to Make Your Yard Dragonfly-Friendly:

• Add a small pond or water feature — stagnant water will attract mosquitoes, but with dragonflies around, they won’t last long.

• Avoid using pesticides — they kill dragonflies and their food sources.

• Include rocks or sticks near your water area for dragonflies to perch and sun themselves.

Final Thought:

Instead of battling mosquitoes with sprays and coils, let nature take the lead. By planting the right greenery and creating a welcoming environment, you can turn your backyard into a haven for dragonflies — and a nightmare for mosquitoes.

Let beauty and balance work hand in hand — plant for peace, and let the dragonflies do the rest.

[ourprosolutions]

Aquatic Weed Control

https://www.ourprosolutions.com/category/AquaticHerbicides - Control and eliminate aquatic weeds effectively with our specialized aquatic herbicides. Choose the best pond weed killer for your needs at Our Pro Solutions. Buy now for efficient aquatic weed control!

[weedooboats]

Weed-Free Lakes Without Poison - How Mechanical Harvesting Is Changing the Game

The Problem with the "Spray and Pray" Approach

For decades, the standard solution for invasive aquatic weeds has been simple: Spray herbicides and hope for the best. Glyphosate, in particular, has been a favorite because it’s cheap, easy to apply, and kills weeds quickly.

But as we now know, this "quick fix" comes with hidden costs:

Dead fish from oxygen depletion

Toxic algae blooms fueled by decaying plants

Chemical residues lingering in sediments

Potential health risks for swimmers and nearby communities

Thankfully, a growing number of communities are ditching herbicides in favor of a smarter, cleaner solution: mechanical weed harvesting.

How Mechanical Harvesting Works

Imagine a giant aquatic lawnmower that cuts and removes weeds instead of poisoning them. That’s essentially what aquatic weed harvesters do. These specialized barges are equipped with cutting blades and conveyor belts that:

Cut invasive plants below the water’s surface

Collect and remove them from the lake

Transport the weeds to shore for composting or disposal

Unlike herbicides, this method introduces no chemicals and leaves the water immediately usable for swimming, fishing, and boating.

The Benefits of Going Herbicide-Free

1. Since the weeds are physically removed, they don’t decay in the water and suck out oxygen.

2. Fish kills become far less likely.

 3. Every ton of harvested weeds is a ton of phosphorus and nitrogen permanently removed from the lake. 4. This reduces the fuel for future algae blooms.

5. No glyphosate. No AMPA. No worrying about long-term contamination.

6. Unlike herbicides, which leave weeds to slowly brown and die, harvesting clears the water immediately. 7. While the upfront cost of a harvester may seem high, it pays off over time by reducing the need for repeated herbicide treatments.

Real-World Success Stories

Michigan Townships have reported cost savings after switching from chemical treatments to mechanical harvesting.

Florida Communities near algae-plagued lakes are pushing for herbicide-free management.

Power Plants use harvesters to keep intake canals clear without risking chemical contamination in their cooling systems.

Beyond Harvesting: A Holistic Approach

For the best results, mechanical harvesting can be combined with:

Grass carp (sterilized fish that eat invasive plants)

Buffer strips to filter nutrient runoff

Community education on reducing fertilizer use

The Bottom Line

We don’t have to keep poisoning our lakes for the sake of convenience. Mechanical harvesting offers a proven, sustainable alternative — one that keeps water clean, protects wildlife, and safeguards public health.

What You Can Do:

Ask your local officials about herbicide-free weed control.

Support policies that fund mechanical harvesting.

Spread the word — many people don’t even realize glyphosate is being used in their favorite lakes!

Sources:

1. North American Lake Management Society – Use of Herbicides in Lakes

2. The News-Press (Florida) – Example of Glyphosate Use on Lake Okeechobee

3. LakeMat (aquatic management company) – Drawbacks of Aquatic Herbicides (oxygen depletion and sediment)

4. Aquarius Systems (aquatic services) – Glyphosate and Algae Blooms in Lake Okeechobee

5. Aquarius Systems – Advantages of Mechanical Harvesting (nutrient removal, etc.)

6. U.S. Geological Survey – Glyphosate in Streams Study (widespread detection in water)

7. NPR News – Bayer to Pay $10 Billion in Roundup Settlement (125,000+ lawsuits, WHO classification)

8. Wisconsin DNR – Glyphosate Fact Sheet (environmental persistence and regulatory info)

9. Hamburg Township, MI – Aquatic Weed Control Program FAQ (cost of mechanical vs. chemical)

10. Aquarius Systems – Mechanical Harvesting Benefits (selectivity, long-term effects)

11. Aquarius Systems – Integrated Approach (Harvest then Herbicide)

12. Aquarius Systems – Composting Harvested Weeds

13. Aquarius Systems – Herbicide Suspension in Florida .

[ovavirtual]

Effective Lake Weed Removal and Aquatic Weed Control by Trophy Pond

Maintaining a healthy and beautiful pond or lake requires more than just aesthetics—it’s about balance. At Trophy Pond, we specialize in lake weed removal and aquatic weed control to help property owners protect their water bodies from invasive plant growth that can disrupt ecosystems and limit recreational use.

Aquatic weeds like hydrilla, milfoil, and algae can quickly take over a lake or pond if left unmanaged. These weeds not only reduce water quality but also harm fish populations and block access for swimming, boating, and fishing. That’s why proactive aquatic weed management is essential.

Trophy Pond uses a combination of environmentally friendly solutions tailored to the specific needs of your water body. Whether it's mechanical harvesting, eco-safe herbicide treatments, or natural biological controls, we ensure a custom approach that delivers lasting results.

Our experienced team evaluates the extent of weed growth and identifies the best method for removal and control—without harming native species or disrupting the ecosystem. With regular maintenance, we help prevent future outbreaks and promote a healthier, cleaner pond.

Serving residential, commercial, and recreational properties, Trophy Pond is committed to restoring the natural beauty and functionality of your lake or pond. From one-time cleanups to ongoing management programs, we offer flexible services designed to keep your water clear and weed-free all year long.

Contact Trophy Pond today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a cleaner, healthier aquatic environment.

Would you like me to include a call-to-action button design or image suggestion for this post?

For more info, visit our site https://www.trophypond.com/

[herbicidelab]

Rice Farming Tips for Beginners: From Planting to Harvesting

Rice is consumed by a large part of the population with Asia and Africa being the most prominent regions. For beginner farmers, growing rice can be overwhelming because of its intensive requirements and the cultivation's dependence on certain factors such as climate. Though challenging, with the right strategies, even new farmers are capable of producing a rice crop that is both healthy and high-yielding.

These rice farming tips can help small or large-scale farmers to yield quality crops.

RICE FARMING TIPS ALL FARMERS NEED TO KNOW

Temperature and Soil Conditions

Rice is widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas because it thrives in warm, humid climates. As a semi-aquatic plant, it requires temperatures ranging from 20°C to 37°C and an abundance of water. It is more likely to be successfully grown by farmers who have access to irrigation or consistent rainfall.

Another important factor is the soil. Rice thrives in soils that retain water, such as clayey, loamy, or alluvial soils. The ideal pH range for the soil is 5.5–7, which is slightly acidic to neutral. Testing the soil for pH, nutrients, and water-holding capacity is beneficial before planting. Adding fertilizers or compost can have a significant impact on the rice's growth, depending on the outcome.

Choosing the Right Rice Variety

It is important to select the right variety for rice farming. Each variety shows striking differences from one another. These include the climate of the region, soil types as well as specific uses of the plant. An example is Japonica short-grain rice which is a popular choice owing to its sticky texture. Indica Long-grain rice has a fluffier texture with grains that are loosely held together. Aromatic types such as Jasmine and Basmati rice are available as well. You can choose an option among these depending on your region, climate, etc. It is recommended to new farmers to try out varieties that are high-yielding and immune to diseases. 

Land Preparation

The right crop management begins with land preparation. Make sure to always plow your land as it is one of the most important steps. This is going to help break down the soil into finer pieces. The next step is the harrowing of the plowed land into smaller particles. Continuously ensure during the preparation process that there is uniform water coverage throughout the field. While leveling the field, make sure that no dry patches or water-logging areas are formed. For optimal results, a laser land leveler is suggested.

Water Management Tips

Since rice needs constant flooding during a lot of its growth stages, water is required for rice growing. Keep the depth of water between 2 and 5 cm during early growth stages. You must not use deep water during the flowering stage of the plant, but you can add a little depth during the tillering phase. You can dry out soil towards the end of the growth season. It helps grains harden. Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) methods are another option farmers can choose. These water conservation techniques encourage the development of healthier roots.

Weed and Pest Control

Weeds can reduce rice yields, because they compete with plants for various essential nutrients that grow on the rice plant - sunlight, water, etc. You can manage weeds by manual removal or with the use of mechanical tools. Herbicides are another option but should be used carefully. 

Bugs, leafhoppers, and stem borers all fall under the category of pests that can pose threats to rice plants. You can manage them by employing Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This is a sustainable strategy that uses pesticides (chemicals), barriers and traps (mechanical), and natural predators (biological) to place pests under control without causing damage to nature.

Fertilization Process

Basically like any other plant, rice needs the right nutrients to grow. Phosphorus strengthens the roots, potassium aids in plant resistance to pests and diseases, and nitrogen plays an important role in the growth of leaves and tillers. Fertilizers should be applied in 3 stages for better results. Apply fertilizers in three stages for best results. Do it once before planting, once during the tillering phase, and once more when the panicle begins to form. Compost and manure are examples of organic fertilizers that can be used in addition to chemical fertilizers. Over time, this enhances the soil's health along with supplying nutrients. Watch for symptoms of nutrient deficiencies in your plants, such as yellowing leaves, and modify your fertilization schedule accordingly.

Monitoring Development Stages

The growth steps for rice include germination, tillering, panicle initiation, flowering, grain filling, and maturity. Each of these stages has a particular. For example, during the tillering stage when additional stems are being formed, adequate nitrogen and water are important. The onset of grain development is referred to as panicle initiation, and this stage is also particularly vulnerable to water stress and lack of nutrients. By maintaining detailed accounts and records as well as monitoring the crops regularly, you can identify problems early and find the right solutions.

Receiving and Managing Rice Harvest

Deciding when to harvest is one of the most important steps in the entire process. Harvesting too early can rob them of full maturation. However, waiting too long could lead to shattering or pest-related damage. The ideal time to harvest rice would be when 80-85% of the grains are golden in color, firm, and are still yet to reach the soft state. Make sure that the grains are sundried as this helps reduce moisture levels and also keeps them from going bad. Clean and store the grains in containers to get rid of moisture. Separating the grains from the stalks is the final step that needs to be done to store the rice ready for drier storage.

CONCLUSION

Rice farming is a hard business, but one that rewards those who invest the hours, energy, and time. Farmers need to master the basics of crop management, soil, water and climate, to have a strong foundation. Use these rice farming tips to get great results.

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Choosing the Right Lake Dredge Equipment for Your Project

Choosing the right lake dredge equipment is essential for ensuring your project is completed efficiently and effectively. At Ims Dredge, we provide a wide range of high-performance dredging solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of lake restoration, sediment removal, and shoreline maintenance. Whether you're working on a small private lake or a large municipal body of water, selecting the right lake dredge can improve water quality, restore depth, and enhance overall ecosystem health. Our expert team helps you identify the best equipment based on the scale, conditions, and goals of your project. With advanced technology and durable designs, Ims Dredge offers the trusted solutions needed to get the job done right, every time.

Understanding the Purpose Behind Your Dredging Project

Before selecting any equipment, it is important to first understand the exact purpose of your dredging project. Whether it's for sediment removal, aquatic weed control, or restoring depth for navigation, the function of the lake dredge will impact the type of machinery you choose. Ims Dredge specializes in helping clients evaluate project goals, site conditions, and waterbody size. Knowing whether your focus is on environmental restoration, recreational enhancement, or industrial use will help determine the size, power, and mobility needed. A clear understanding of the dredging purpose allows you to avoid unnecessary costs and ensures optimal equipment performance, especially when planning for long-term efficiency and maintenance.

Analyzing Waterbody Size and Sediment Composition

The size of the lake and the type of sediment present are two of the most critical factors in selecting dredge equipment. Smaller water bodies with softer sediment may only require lightweight dredges, while larger lakes with compacted or contaminated materials demand more powerful machines. Ims Dredge provides customized solutions based on these variables, ensuring maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Sediment testing can offer essential insight into dredge cutter head design, suction power, and pipeline requirements. Additionally, understanding water depth variations and shoreline structures will influence the type of navigation system and anchoring method necessary for a smooth operation.

Choosing the Ideal Dredging Method and System

Different dredging methods require different types of equipment, and selecting the appropriate system is key to project success. Mechanical, hydraulic, and hybrid dredging each come with their own benefits depending on the task at hand. Hydraulic dredges are excellent for continuous sediment removal over large areas, while mechanical dredges work better for localized or compacted debris. Ims Dredge offers both conventional and innovative dredging systems, allowing flexibility in matching equipment to environmental and logistical needs. Factors such as operational depth, discharge distance, and fuel efficiency must all be considered when choosing between open-loop, closed-loop, or fully automated dredging systems.

Importance of Mobility and Transportation Needs

Transportability and ease of deployment are often overlooked yet crucial factors when selecting a lake dredge. Many projects are located in remote or hard-to-access areas where moving heavy industrial equipment poses challenges. Ims Dredge designs modular and trailerable systems that simplify transportation and reduce time spent on setup. Depending on your site, you may need amphibious dredges for shallow or marshy environments or remote-controlled models for restricted access areas. Considering portability can significantly reduce overall project costs and increase productivity, especially when transitioning between multiple sites or phases of a large-scale restoration project.

Evaluating the Power Requirements and Fuel Efficiency

The power system of a lake dredge impacts both performance and cost-effectiveness. Choosing between diesel, electric, or hybrid power sources will depend on your project's location, duration, and environmental impact requirements. Ims Dredge offers equipment that balances high performance with energy efficiency to meet strict regulatory standards. Electric-powered dredges are ideal for environmentally sensitive areas, while diesel models offer more autonomy in off-grid locations. Additionally, evaluating fuel consumption rates and available refueling infrastructure ensures you maintain optimal runtime and minimize delays due to maintenance or downtime.

Considering Automation and Operator Control Features

Advanced dredging equipment now comes with automation and smart control features that enhance efficiency and reduce human error. From GPS-guided positioning systems to remote monitoring capabilities, modern lake dredges offer a range of tools to streamline operations. Ims Dredge integrates smart technology into its equipment to support real-time data collection, automatic depth control, and programmable cutting paths. These features not only improve precision and consistency but also reduce the need for extensive manpower. Assessing your team's skill level and project demands will help determine how much automation is needed and whether additional operator training will be required.

Assessing After-Sales Support and Maintenance Services

A successful dredging operation depends not only on the equipment but also on the support that comes with it. Downtime due to mechanical issues can significantly delay a project and increase costs. That’s why Ims Dredge emphasizes long-term customer support, offering on-site training, spare parts availability, and expert maintenance services. When choosing your equipment, consider the reliability of the manufacturer’s support team, warranty options, and the ease of sourcing replacement parts. A trusted partner can make the difference between a smooth, cost-effective dredging operation and one plagued by unexpected setbacks.

Conclusion

Choosing the right lake dredge equipment requires a thoughtful assessment of your project's size, scope, and environmental factors. With a wide range of machinery tailored to industrial and environmental applications, Ims Dredge ensures that clients receive both durable equipment and expert guidance. From sediment testing to post-installation support, every step of the process matters. Taking the time to evaluate power requirements, automation needs, and maintenance capabilities can make all the difference in the outcome of your dredging project. With the right equipment in place, your operation can achieve long-term efficiency, environmental compliance, and measurable success.