#Season 1 freshwater

[violent138]

Netflix should make a TV show like one of those cooking shows only every episode it's a different aquarist walking you through the tank set up they have and considerations.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

twst food culture compilation

Please note: this post does NOT include all food-related lore in TWST (for example, you won’t find a lot of information about individual characters’ food preferences or personal experiences with food here). This post ONLY talks about the food culture, notable locations, cultural dishes, and unique foods of the Twisted Wonderland world at large (ie countries, specific towns and cities, etc).

I did my best to scour for info, but I’ll update if I find anything new or details I missed the first time around.

General and/or Unspecified Location

Icicle mushrooms are one of Twisted Wonderland’s three greatest delicacies. They are extremely rare and expensive.

There is a seasoning called “pure azure salt”, which is said to be rare, even in the Coral Sea.

Twisted Wonderland has a fruit called ruby berries (which taste “like freshly picked strawberries”).

There is frozen mint with a “refreshing profile” that grows in icy mountainous areas.

There exists Walrus-brand oyster sauce. Trey uses this to cook hamburger steak for his younger siblings. He says the oyster sauce provides a "nice savory flavor" with considerable depth. Trey also jokes about adding it to chestnut tarts in book 1.

There are mentions of irl Japanese foods such as konjac and takoyaki, but so far no place of origin in Twisted Wonderland has been sited.

Like in the real world, celebrities like Vil and Neige are used to promote products (including food and drink) in commercials, on social media platforms, etc. For example, in book 5, we see Neige advertising Red Apple Soda and Vil using his Magicam account to promote the apple juice made by Epel's family.

There's a popular dish called "pumpkin carriage stew". The insides of a pumpkin are scooped out and the shell is filled with a creamy stew, which made it difficult to carry over to tables. It would sell out every day at the cafe Ruggie used to work at.

Some restaurants call their spaghetti with meatballs "starry night spaghetti", named after the tale of two dogs who shared a spaghetti kiss under a starry sky. It is said that sharing spaghetti with meatballs with someone outside would lead to true love.

Hunting is sport as well as something done for food.

Crowley goes on vacation “to the South” and reports to enjoy mango and mango-flavored products from there. He also brings back manga tea as a souvenir.

Briar Valley

General

Cotton candy is a classic snack food sold at Briar Valley food stalls. The way it is prepared resembles spinning threads, which is considered a blessed occupation (as there was a period in Briar Valley's history when no one was able to spin thread, so some clever individual tinkered around and made cotton candy instead).

In the battlefield (~400 years ago, during the human-fae war), soldiers would roast rats and lizards to eat if they didn't have rations or other ingredients.

There is little in the way of modern technology and electricity; typically, one would prepare dishes and/or collect ingredients by hand (such as via fishing) or by using magic.

Magic is used to light fires for cooking. There is little risk for fire accidents since magical fires automatically go out when you go to sleep.

Because Briar Valley is located to the north, it can get very chilly. When the snow melts, it turns into very cold freshwater.

According to Lilia, “berries are a must-have, especially at birthdays parties” in Briar Valley. They are famous for its berry juice.

The forest where Silver and Lilia live has strawberries. Silver picks them with his animal companions.

Coral Sea

General

According to Jade, there are no fires in the Coral Sea. Therefore, most of the food consumed is raw.

A month-long land boot camp first established by a mermaid princess that married a human prince teaches merpeople fire safety and how to eat food as part of its curriculum.

It's rare for merfolk to eat anything sweet, as those kinds of foods aren't readily avaliable in the sea.

The Atlantica Memorial Museum has the mermaid princess's "silver hair comb" on display. This, of course, refers to the "dinglehopper"--a common fork. This implies that merpeople (such as the mermaid princess referenced in many stories) fused to be unaware of the eating utensils on land.

Azul's mother owns the "hottest restaurant" in the Coral Sea. It started off as a small place, but has since expanded to have a large staff.

Couples from the Coral Sea frequently request rainbow dessert soup with trident cookies for their weddings. To eat it, you use the trident cookie to stir the sweet sky-blue soup, which then turns the soup into seven colors of the rainbow. This is a dish that is only served for special occasions in the Coral Sea, and it is typically served warm.

Jade says that he was surprised to see that many land dwellers eat their fruit without the peel; this would imply that those from the Coral Sea typically eat their foods with the skin/peel left on, or as-is.

Playful Land Amusement Park

All food and drink are handed out for free.

They serve food in large quantities, such as tuna, entire tart cherry pies (with cinnamon, clove, and crushed nuts in the filling) and a whole peppery roasted chicken. The park encourages consuming in excess.

Other food items being offered include fried tuna fish and sparkling apple juice. The juice comes with an umbrella stuck in the opening to prevent bugs from getting in. You remove it before drinking.

They have ice-cream in many flavors! We see strawberry milk in the related event.

The park had candy and popcorn in “apple core” flavor. Supposedly, this is a taste inspired by the story of the Generous Fox giving a Puppet Boy an apple core instead of a whole apple because “the puppet wished to have a core”.

There is a “Candy Road”, a street lined with shops that have caramel lollipops, chewy candy, marshmallows, cookies, chocolate crunch, and lots of other sugary treats!

Their chocolate crunch has 12 different charms thrown in.

The third most popular souvenir are pasta snacks in the shape of the Friendly Fox and Gentle Cat. The second most popular is a tin of plain cookies in the shape of the Friendly Fox and cocoa cookies in the shape of the Gentle Cat. Finally, the most popular are apple core flavored candies!

Sage's Island

Night Raven College

Pomefiore holds a welcome party for the freshmen, which includes a fancy dinner. Savanaclaw does not hold a welcome party.

Scarabia regularly holds banquets, typically at Kalim's request.

Heartslabyul holds "unbirthday parties" whenever it is a day that does NOT fall on a Heartslabyul student's birthday. Sweets are mandatory at unbirthday parties.

The dorm members of Scarabia and Heartslabyul pitch in to prepare for banquets and unbirthday parties.

Mr. S's Mystery Shop stocks food items, such as candies (which Floyd often buys), tuna cans, and ingredients for baking (this is where Deuce and Yuu pick up things for the chestnut tart in book 1). Sam also sells food items that he seems to have made himself, like the Mystery Drink (which Octavinelle eventually buys the rights to).

The school cafeteria is said to have delicious breads.

Students can use the school kitchens outside of normal serving hours; Ruggie and Jamil sometimes do this, but they also have their own dormitory kitchens to cook.

Once a month, a famous bakery from out of town serves their goods at NRC. Their stock includes items such as chocolate croissants, egg sandwiches, yakisoba bread and cream bread ("cronuts and bear claws"), roast beef sandwiches, red bean buns ("hot dog buns"), and deluxe minced cutlet sandwiches ("deluxe ham and cheese"/"grilled cheese" in the localization). They sell out fast!

The school library includes recipes books. Some recipes include spicy curry soup, red pepper and tomato soup, and garlic pork habanero soup.

Basic school lunches are free to all students, but they must pay for changes or extra items.

The cafeteria at NRC serves food buffet style; the cafeteria is kept warm with magic from fire fairies which are supplied with dry firewood every day. There is also a rotating daily menu.

Master Chef ("Culinary Crucible") is an elective course at NRC that teaches students how to cook. It is meant to curb the expenses related to eating out and to help the boys maintain balanced diets and learn how to take care of themselves. Judges for this course are randomly selected from the students and staff (prior to this methodology, people would bribe the judges for extra credit).

While taking Master Chef, students help with preparing meals in the cafeteria in exchange for part-time pay.

The instructors for Master Chef are ghosts who were professional chefs at five-star restaurants when they were alive. These same ghosts also serve as cafeterias staff. Crowley says it was difficult but worthwhile to recruit them.

There are various locations on campus where the students go to fetch ingredients for Master Chef. This includes an on-campus farm, ranch, windmill... and even the dormitories themselves!

The woods behind the campus have chestnuts, which the main crew collect for an apology tart to Riddle.

The Botanical Garden has some edible plants growing there. These include strawberries, which the Science Club cultivates.

NRC opens its school gates to the local townspeople for a period leading up to Halloween; during this time, they distribute candy and other sweets (such as Sam's waffles, served with jam made from NRC's apples) to guests. There's also a party on Halloween night where lots of food is served.

Mostro Lounge

Octainvelle has the Mostro Lounge, described by Jade as "a meeting place for gentlemen" where fighting between dorms is prohibited. While dining there, students are expected to abide by Octavinelle's rules. It is run by the manager and founder, Azul, who made a deal with the headmaster to get the rights to open the establishment. NRC gets 10% of the revenue the Mostro Lounge makes.

Jade and Floyd partake in some cooking, but Azul does very little cooking. He tends to investigate the competition and market.

Jade uses the weeds and plants he collects from mountain hikes to brew experimental new teas. Sometimes Azul adds these drinks to the menu.

Floyd likes to experiment with making sauces. These, too, are featured in the lounge.

The lounge offers cakes with coral decorations. You can order one for your special occasions.

The Mostro Lounge is particular about its quality name-brand dishware. Azul believes that this will boost the experience customers have in the lounge.

The Octatrio bought the rights to the Mystery Drink from Sam and raised its price from 600 madol/6 thaumarks to 1500 madol/15 thaumarks.

The Mostro Lounge has a one-drink purchase minimum.

Menu items range from roughly 600 madol to 1500 madol (6 thaumarks to 15 thaumarks).

The menu rotates on a seasonal basis; this helps to cut down on costs since they can focus on cheaper in-season ingredients.

The Mostro Lounge also operates food stalls and/or sells food at many school events, such as the cultural festival in book 5 and the interdorm magical shift/spelldrive tournament in book 2.

It is mostly Octavinelle students who staff the Mostro Lounge, but there are occasions when outside students are brought in as extra help. Ruggie has worked there part-time, as well as Jack, Ace, Deuce, and tons of other students.

Unbirthday Party Rules (related to food)

Rule 25: There must be a tea party on the 5th of every month.

Rule 29: You must not eat the Queen's tarts without her permission.

Rule 153: The only tea you may drink in the evenings is herbal tea.

Rule 186: Do not eat hamburger steak on Tuesdays.

Rule 256: You must not drink lemonade with honey past 8 pm.

Rule 271: You must get up from the table within 15 minutes after eating lunch.

Rule 339: Your post-meal tea must be lemon tea with 2 sugar cubes.

Rule 529: If you eat steak on the night of a full moon, a cat must play the violin afterwards.

Rule 562: Do not bring chestnut tarts to an unbirthday party.

Rule 648: You must brush your teeth 2 times on nights when you eat turkey.

Rule 703: Whoever comes in 2nd place in a croquet match must serve tea to the Queen (dorm leader) the next day.

If the dormouse wakes up at an unbirthday party, you are to paint its nose with jam.

Coffee is forbidden; tea must be served at all occasions except for birthdays.

According to Cater, sweets are mandatory at unbirthday parties.

Dwarves' Mine & Silent Woods

There is an abundance of wildlife in these areas; Jade often goes hiking and foraging, making note of what he finds. He uses the plants to make his own tea blends (which are sometimes added to the Mostro Lounge's menu) and the herbs, plants, and mushrooms to experiment with in cooking.

There are fish to be found at the lake, including massive catfish.

The Foothill Town

There is a port for mainly cargo ships located at the southwest part of town. It's called Crane Port! The east side has a port as well, but that one is moreso for passengers. Crane Port has been getting fewer and fewer people passing through lately (until Port Breeze Fest, in which the NRC boys run food stalls and help to revive business in the area). Group A makes churros, Group B makes waffles, Group C makes salads, Group D makes cotton candy, and Group E makes clam chowder.

A popular restaurant in the Crane Port area serves foods like french fries and burgers. Their signature menu item is a donut made from potatoes. Actually, this restaurant specializes in potato dishes!

There is a chain restaurant on the island that also has locations elsewhere, including in Ace's hometown. He mentions that there are slightly different flavors to the sauces depending on which location you go to. This chain is also described as affordable for students and gives free refills. There is a location of this chain a car ride away from Harveston.

The town also has other eateries that are more geared towards students, seeing as it exists on an island with two notable magic schools to the north and the south. Cater often mentions going into town to take pictures at cafes.

The town has a public market; the Ramshackle Ghosts resell mandrakes there.

There is a famous patisserie there. You have to line up early in the morning before opening time to get your hands on one of their strawberry tarts (or anything, really!).

There is a stall in the marketplace that sells specialty coffee. They also have a tea which Crewel enjoys (though he also brews his own).

Scalding Sands

General

The Scalding Sands seems to borrow heavily from Middle Eastern cultures. For example, some of the Scalding Sands’ traditional dishes include, but are not limited to: roasted lamb, moussaka, döner kebabs, shawarma, flatbreads, potato and bean spreads, and seafood sautés.

Tea is a popular beverage; it is had at every meal and break. People can drink up to 10 cups of tea a day!

The Scalding Sands specializes in black tea. For entertaining guests, special tea leaves are used.

In the Scalding Sands, they brew their tea leaves loose and without an infuser. This makes the tea very strong and bitter. To counteract the powerful flavor, people add lots of sugar to their tea and drink it with sweets.

“Luxurious” tea is very sweet, since sugar was once very expensive (due to a shortage of it, according to the localization) and considered a luxury.

Due to the hot weather, people often toss herbs into their tea to make it more refreshing to drink.

Coffee is also popular; there are many cafes that serve coffee and tea. The Scalding Sands is known in particular for their spiced coffee, which has a very distinctive flavor. This coffee is brewed without a filter, and some cafes do “coffee divinations” (reading the shapes and patterns of the grounds and the water droplets that remain after drinking to tell the fortunes of customers).

There are a lot of unique spices in their dishes. This is especially true of banquet dishes. However, a variety of dishes are still served at these occasions.

Kalim describes the Scalding Sands as being “big on stewed stuff” like curries.

In Kalim’s hometown, people love to gather around the table and talk over a meal.

Halloween in the Scalding Sands is celebrated by feasting on a variety of dishes. The idea is that the food must be abundant so that the ghosts that return to the world of the living for the night may also have their fill.

It used to be difficult for the people of the Scalding Sands to obtain water due to the lack of rainfall, hot climate, and expansive desserts. However, Kalim’s ancestors utilized the country’s rivers to reach other countries and to trade their textiles, spices, tea leaves, and other local goods with foreign lands. It was particularly impressive at the time, as they were the first traders from the Scalding Sands to sail (back then, accurate nautical maps were not a thing). This maritime pioneering is what would make the Asim family their massive fortune.

The Asims and other merchants heavily invested in technologies and innovations to make the area more sustainable and potable water more accessible.

The waterways of the country eventually developed into canals and communities formed around them as trade hubs. The canals are also used to host ferryboats for locals and tourists to sightsee, boosting the tourism industry. This also made access to water much easier for the residents, and the water helps to cool the temperature.

Silk City

The bazaars in Silk City are where locals do their shopping for various goods and staple foods like vegetables and fish. There are also stalls with gourmet food that cater to tourists.

Camel Bazaar is named after camels, which were used to transport people, goods, and luggage before Silk City’s canals and roads came to be. There also used to be an oasis where the camels would rest and drink after long treks; this oasis became a center for commerce and eventually evolved into a marketplace. To this day, the name “Camel” has stuck, even if people use trucks, ships, and cars more than camels.

There is also Zahab (”Gold”) Market, which is popular with tourists for shopping (especially for souvenirs!) but also has swindlers and pickpockets mixed in with regular customers.

Many snacks are sold! There’s camel milk chocolate, cookies drizzled in syrup, sunflower seeds, pistachios, chickpeas, all kinds of nuts, dried fruits (including dates), jams, jellies, syrups, starfruit, dragonfruit, etc. 

(Lamb) shawarma is described as meat roasted on a spit and served on baguettes or pita bread. Because grease drips off while it cooks, it is “surprisingly healthier” than one expects it to be. Shawarma is also customarily served with vegetables (tomatoes, onions, olives, jalapenos, etc.) and sauces (yogurt, garlic, chili, hummus (a paste of garlic and chickpeas), mayo basil, etc).

There is a vendor that can supply large quantities of sweet and refreshing coconut water; this is because they’re used to providing for Kalim’s extravagant and excessive tastes. They create a hole in the top and provide straws to poke in and use to drink the water. The coconut flesh inside is also edible.

There are a lot of bread stalls; bread is also another staple food, and it comes in many sizes, shapes, and textures. Small roadside bakeries have wood-fired ovens which allow them to serve bread fresh to customers.

One stand sells baguettes that are taller than many children; these “tower baguettes” are a famous Fireworks Festival treat. People say that if you eat a big one, you’ll never go hungry again! The saying comes from a story of a young man that shared bread with hungry children. It’s because of that story that baguettes are considered a good luck food that many vendors sell on holidays.

The Camel Bazaar sells an elastic ice-cream (based on a similar irl frozen Turkish confection). It is kneaded on a pole and stretched out; customers are meant to “catch” it in their cups and cones. It’s food performance art! All the stretching makes the texture very unique.

There’s a fruit stand that is only open on festival days which sells a Silk Melon sundae; the fruit is hollowed out to host ice-cream (of the same melon flavor!) and toppings which make it very photogenic.

Starfruit is usually put in salads, according to Trey.

The dragonfruit sold is recommended to be eaten with honey. You drizzle it on top of a slice and eat!

Silk City’s signature fruit is the Silk Melon. It is called that because of its silky texture and sophisticated sweetness. It can’t be found in many other countries. The man of legend that shared his bread with a starving child is said to split a melon with his friend, even though he did not have much money to spare. It’s because of this tale that people started saying if you share Silk Melon with someone, it would make your friendship or romance last forever. Now the fruit is a festival staple and considered a symbol of good fortune.

In the past, water was only used for irrigation due to its scarcity. Some gave up on farming after years of trying to produce crops and failing—but others refused to give up and cultivated the land to made it fertile, something which future generations would reap the benefits of.

The fruits and veggies sold Camel Bazaar are freshly picked and grown locally. Jamil says this is possible because the arid climate actually helps with growing crops of high quality. Produce raised with less water concentrates flavor since the final fruit will have a higher sugar content. Because of this, Silk City’s produce is prized by chefs all over Twisted Wonderland. Of course, you can get them at an affordable prize in Camel Bazaar!

Shaftlands

General

The Shaftlands are famous for its jeweled pineapples.

The Shaftlands spans a large area of land and has drastically different climates depending on the part of it you're looking at. Therefore, we can deduce that foods and customs surrounding food are very different as well.

City of Flowers/Fleur City

The city’s food culture seems to be inspired by real world Paris, or at the very least, France.

Bread is a local specialty, particularly very buttery kinds. As you walk down the streets, you can smell bread baking. The City of Flowers has 10x (or more) the variety of bread that Sage's Island offers, and has an abundance of bakeries too.

Bread-making is popular in the City of Flowers. The windmills at the edges of the city grind grains to produce fresh flour. There are also watermills powered by the Soleil River to assist with making flour.

Because wheat is plentiful in this area, some of it is also used for desserts. One such confection is financier, which is made from a combination of wheat flour, almond flour, and butter. It resembles a gold bar, so eating one is said to bring financial prosperity.

Lately, gluten-free desserts have been trendy.

A dessert that does not use wheat flour is macarons. In the City of Flowers, they are yellow and shaped like bells to honor the Bell of Salvation which oversees the community and provides magic that helps rare plants grow in the area. The filling is a ganache with dried bits of grapes and apples.

Grape juice is popular in the City of Flowers, as the fruit is another specialty. You can buy the grapes raw and eat them as is, or ask a vendor to crush it (skin still on!) into juice for you. Some buy the grapes to give as gifts!

The grapes are grown in vineyards right outside of the city, and the farmers are constantly experimenting to improve their breeds. They taste very rich, tangy, and sweet.

The City of Flowers is also known for its many specialty cheese shops. Together, bread and cheese are called the staple foods of the city, and are sometimes eaten together. One specialty cheese shop the boys visit sells baguettes topped with ham and rich melted cheese.

The city considers goats a symbol of good luck, so they are treated with care. There are many community goats (which are just as common as domesticated cats or dogs) allowed to roam freely in the city. It is said that if you treat the community goats with kindness, they will come rescue you in your time of need.

Goat milk is used in some of the specialty cheeses produced by the city. The grapes mentioned earlier are also made into fruit compotes to go with the cheeses.

Harveston

This village has many dishes that borrow from a mixture of irl Nordic cultures. There’s also an emphasis on having hometown pride and the community itself being very close.

Crows often damage the apples Harveston grows. The community comes together to put up nets and make noises to scare them off.

As expected, many of Harveston's dishes feature apples: apple pie, grilled and roasted apples, apple salad, apple pound cakes, etc.

Epel's family has an apple orchard that has been in the family for generations. They grow different kinds of apples throughout the year. Many of his neighbors are older people who also raise produce, and they help each other out when they're short on hands. The community is very tightly knit because of this, and treat each other like extended family.

Harvest season (autumn) is the busiest time of year; once that's over, everyone comes together to have a party. It's a potluck style celebration where everyone brings a homemade dish or homegrown food to share.

Harveston preserves its produce (such as apples and wild greens) by pickling them and serving them in salads. The bright colors are maintained by boiling the produce in a copper pot, which stabilizes the pigments. It's wisdom passed down from generation to generation.

There is also pickled herring, traditionally eaten on bread. Brining preserves the fish while it is still raw and doesn't dry it up. It's ready to eat right out of a jar, no cooking required.

The local stew is not very thick. It tastes sweet because of the added vegetables and savory because of the tender meat in it. There is also a salmon broth sprinkled with herbs which is described as "melty".

Fruits and vegetables can be packed in snow to keep them preserved. This method is called “snow aging” and prevents evaporation. In the old days, the villagers would build whole farms out of snow. In modern day, they just shovel the snow into a barn. This creates a natural fridge that will naturally thaw in the summers. Snow aging in this manner makes the produce sweeter and more nutritious.

The next town over is a three-hour bike ride. The roadside has many apple trees you can enjoy during the trip.

You can easily pick apples off the branch and eat them fresh! Farmers can snack on apples while picking.

Harveston is surrounded by tall mountains that are snow-capped all year, the most famous one being Mt. Moln. The greenery around Harveston is due to the spring water irrigation which runs down from Mt. Moln.

Most of Harveston’s land is used for orchards, and apples are their main produce. They also make many products using those apples like chips, rice crackers, and cookies.

Fall apples are sweeter, while winter ones are more sour. Winter apples are unique to Harveston.

Harveston also grows a lot of garlic.

Harveston farming is done the old fashioned way, as the predominantly older population distrusts chemical fertilizers and biotechnology.

Some villagers like the mayor and Marja (Epel’s grandma) adjust their accent to communicate with people from outside the village. Marja says she switches up when she’s selling goods in another town, since it can be tricky for non-Harveston locals to understand.

Hand washing before eating is a must! They take the act very seriously in Harveston. Stories say the miners of the past used to get very sick due to poor hygiene, but their health improved drastically once they started washing regularly with soap and water. It was difficult for them to get treatment because the town is so remote and far from hospitals or doctors, so the best thing is stressing prevention. This why the townspeople are sticklers about hand washing now.

To wash the Harveston way, you plunge your hands into ice cold water and make it all foamy with soap. You also scoop the water up and splash your face as well (as the miners from the past would also do this).

Apple Square is the main festival venue; it has many vendor stalls in an area called Kokko (which means “Bonfire”) Market. The Sledathon is the most lucrative time of year for the townsfolk.

Many of their products are made locally by the older folks in town. The goods aren’t trendy or very fancy, but they’re high-quality and made with Harveston pride.

The stalls give apple juice, apple tea (which has fruit pieces floating in it), and apple ginger tea for free. The apple juice is one of Harveston’s most popular products.

Giant five-meter apple pies are made for the Sledathon. They’re considered one of the main attractions, and you can get a slice from them free of charge.

There are other stalls that sell regular apple pie too. Every vendor has their own style, from the apples used to the crust and baking technique.

There are other kinds of fruit pies for sale, but apples are the most popular and “special” ones. The Beautiful Queen had a preference for apple pies, so the townspeople do too.

Harveston apple pies have such an entrancing flavor that the nearest city has stores that stock them. Critics say that Harveston apple pies make anyone drool and that the best way to convince someone to do you a favor is to gift one.

Harveston holds an apple competition to find the reddest apple. This is because the Beautiful Queen prized beautifully red apples. In the past, the townspeople would offer the reddest apple from the season’s harvest to the Beautiful Queen. Over time, it evolved into the apple competition.

Kokko Market makes pancake balls from a flour batter and top it with jam. It’s prepared in a pan and with methods similar to takoyaki, coming out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Pancakes also come in a square form. In Harveston, pancakes are baked in the oven instead of on the stove. Some people cook pancakes in the fireplace too; this makes them tender, thick, and pudding-like.

There are many grains used for bread: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, oats, flax seeds, sesame seeds, rye, wheat...

Barbeque is served for large gatherings and celebrations.

Cooking tends to be done in the fireplace instead of on a stove, especially in the case for stews. It keeps the room warm in winter while the food cooks.

Harveston has a bean and fruit soup. Most other places serve it cold, but those in Harveston sometimes enjoy it warm. It’s a thick consistency and the fruit in it has been dried.

When setting the dining table, people in Harveston leave one extra plate out. This tradition comes from a story about a traveler visiting a family’s house and being surprised by the messy state of it. The traveler cleaned the house and cooked a nice meal for the family. From this story came the belief that as long as you leave a plate at your table, you’ll never want for food or go hungry.

Sandwich cakes are common party centerpieces. They are made with bread and vegetables, topped with shrimp, deviled eggs, olives, apples, and salmon slides arranged in a rose shape. The frosting on it is made from mayonnaise and sour cream, making sandwich cakes more salad than dessert.

They sell cherries and other berries by volume. Also sold are vegetables and juice, freshly squeezed.

Because Harveston is located in a mountainous region, there are rare varieties of mushrooms to be found. These can be served in a traditional mushroom soup, which can be finicky to prepare (so usually only experts make it). Mushrooms are also cooked in butter and served in sandwiches.

Mushrooms, herbs, and flowers are foraged from the nature (both public mountains and private woods). Locals usually don’t buy plants that are wild when they can pick it themselves. Instead, they’re sold to tourists.

Good foraging spots on Moln Mountain are kept secret so people don’t overharvest. The mountains are dangerous in winter, so foraging has to be done in spring or summer.

Harveston brines raw fish like salmon in a mixture of salt, sugar, pepper, and fill. In the old days, brined salmon was buried in sand to let it ferment.

Fish is dried to preserve it and to enhance the flavor. Before there were proper roads, it was hard to bring in food for the winter, so Harveston relied on foods preserved in the spring. They last for a long time and have many uses (such as in soup stock or to eat straight up). To this day, preserved meats and vegetables are a local specialty and new methods such as roasting have been developed for preservation.

Sunset Savanna

General

The food here appears to be inspired by African cultures of the real world.

Fruit is more plentiful than grains.

There is floral cacao in the Sunset Savanna. It bears fruit only once every 10 years.

Gummy bugs are popular and a Halloween staple.

The people of the Sunset Savanna value living in harmony with nature and will go out of their way to adapt to the land (due to the high population of beastmen, who have animal ancestors). Because of this, they oppose change that could damage the environment. There are some parts of this arid country that still rely on wells for their drinking water needs. They also hold the Tamashina-Mina festival every year to pray for rain.

Sautéed mutton is a common meal in this country. Leona brags that the Sunset Savanna is top notch when it comes to cooking meats.

The bananas of the Sunset Savanna are starchy and resemble potatoes (similar to plantains). They are steamed and served as a staple food. They’re faintly sweet and are actually very light and easy to digest.

It’s easier to grow fruit instead of wheat and rice in their climate.

Rice hull crepes, another staple, are served with a stew that you pour over it. The stew comes in variants such as a white fish stew simmered in tomato sauce, spinach and potato stew, beef stew, etc. There are also many side dishes you can enjoy with the crepes. The crepes aren’t meant to be eaten alone, as they taste too sour solo.

The phrase “that’s the Circle of Life” is a proverb that has been around for ages. The strong eat the weak, then when the strong die, their bodies become nutrients for the grass which feeds the next generation of prey animals. Life comes “full circle”, and the proverb indicates this delicate balance.

The Sunset Savanna is famous for its coffee. It tastes spicy, not bitter, because the custom is to add spices to the drink.

Food prep performances seem to be common for the wealthy; Leona mentions seeing big fish filleted before being served.

Yogurt is considered a “healthy dairy” and is typically served for breakfast.

Elephant Graveyard

The Elephant Graveyard, once considered a scary and lawless place (the “shadow lands” which were not a part of the original kingdom), has become a tourist destination—something akin to a spa.

They are known for selling vanilla cookies shaped like bones.

The hot springs at the Elephant Graveyard have kettles hidden by the steam. The hot water vapor cooks onsen tamago (a traditionally Japanese irl dish) and puddings. It imparts a slightly salty and sulfurous flavor and smell to the foods.

Sunrise City

The Raintree Market is a bazaar that features many foods and drinks.

Many snacks sold in the marketplaces are local specialties, so they’re popular as souvenirs.

Wild and cultivated hibiscus flowers are boiled with sugar to produce a red juice. There is also a white juice, which is made using wild baobab (which is full of nutrients; people call it a beauty elixir you can drink). A legends says that, long ago, members of the royal family would have their foreheads painted with baobab juice when they were born. That’s how the fruit became a local specialty.

In the original tale, the juice for marking foreheads was red. It seems that, over time, the color was changed to white by word of mouth, with the latter description fitting more with the white fruit of the baobab. Because of this change, more and more stalls have been selling a mixture of hibiscus juice and baobab juice.

The baobab fruit is also used to make a particular sour candy. The candy is dyed with red food coloring and is then dusted with sugar and chili powder. It’s described as having a “mature” flavor. Leona has liked this candy since he was a child.

Mangoes are a local specialty! Vendors will happily cut open the fruit for you to enjoy on the spot.

Other notable fruits for sale are tart passionfruit and creamy but smelly jackfruit. The latter is considered the largest fruit in Twisted Wonderland and grows on its tree’s trunks.

The Sunset Villa is a luxurious hotel that hosts VIPs and important guests of the state. They offer a large selection of drinks (fruit juice, black tea, coffee…) and serve whole slabs of steak in front of you before serving at luxurious barbecues. After dinners, they have dance performances.

There is an enormous sausage that’s wrapped up in a coil. If unwound, it’s a meter long. It’s meant to be cut with scissors before eating. The sausage’s herbs make it taste refreshing, and its meat is finely grounded to allow its flavors to come through.

Seafood is fresh and cheap, provided you live by the sea or in a coastal region like Dawn City. In more inland areas, seafood is considered a luxury.

Their seafood tends to be cooked with strong spices.

Ruggie’s yet-to-be-named hometown

Because the residents are poor, their food is usually made from collected scraps (such as pumpkin pie made predominantly from the pulpy parts) or prepared with substitutions and without extra flourishes. For example, Ruggie’s grandma prepares homemade donuts for his birthday but they couldn't afford fancy toppings (until Ruggie started working to bring in extra income).

It’s implied that there were instances when Ruggie (and presumably others from his hometown) had to eat rotten food or out of trash cans to get by.

Queendom of Roses

General

There is reference to some irl UK foods in this region, such as the jacket potato.

The Queendom of Roses is famous for its rose jelly rolls. Roses are the flower the country is best known for, of course, but they also have lavender, rosemary, sweet violet, foxglove, bluebells, and many berries.

People from this country eat flowers (which are specifically grown for eating). Flowers are also used for dried flower bookmarks? potpourri, etc.

The Queendom has a good selection of breads.

Apparently, the Queendom also has a strong “tea culture”.

People in the Queendom of Roses eat a lot of different pastries (pies, tarts, quiches, croissants, etc). Croissant donuts (cronuts) in particular have been pretty trendy lately. They’re donuts made with croissant batter, so they come out super flaky. They are sometimes sold with iced tea as a combo.

Potatoes are a staple food.

Jacket potatoes are common at festivals; they are potatoes baked with the skin (ie “jacket”) still on. The standard topping for them is baked beans, but you can also have tuna mayo corn, bean chili, sour cream, avocado, and other things.

Anyone that grew up in the Queendom of Roses has probably done the “cookie smash” at least once as a kid. (More info on this under the “Clock Town” section!)

The Queendom is known for lavender, berries, and rosemary.

Riddle and Trey's yet-to-be-named hometown

Trey's family owns a bakery (called "Patisserie Clover" according to the TWST manga). It seems to be a small "mom and pops" shop with no particular notoriety. However, the manga implies that it was the Clover bakery where Riddle saw the strawberry tarts and became entranced by them. This is also where Riddle would later try his first strawberry tart.

In Riddle and Trey's hometown, people enjoy apple bobbing during the Halloween season.

Before interview: Riddle was worried whether they can start on time and was relieved when Vil showed up and Vil was pretty smug about it lmao

There is a farm not too far from where Riddle lives; it is famous for its ice-cream buns. There is also a cafe located on the farm! It opened shortly after Riddle entered NRC and is so popular that it’s spoken about in magazines and tourists go there just to sample their sweets.

Clock Town

The people of Clock Town value time and punctuality due to the town's connection to the White Rabbit, who was always in a hurry. Many of the foods sold at stalls are things that are easy to hold and eat while walking, such as sliced sandwiches.

The Clock Town Folk Museum mentions a girl that appears in the story of the White Rabbit. She ate cookies that made her grow large; the museum recreates this experiment by projecting a large image of guests that eat cookies they have set out.

The Clock Town Folk Museum also runs a bugle-playing contest. The participation prize is a carrot cookie.

Clock Town sells a brand of potato chips with the White Rabbit logo on them.

The town also sells cookies iced to look like a pocket watch. The icing is made from a mixture of sugar and egg whites (“royal icing”) which hardens considerably. You’re meant to crush the cookie with a hammer to make it into smaller pieces, making it easier to eat. It’s based on the story of the White Rabbit breaking his pocket watch. Others tried to help him fix it by hitting it with a hammer, but it didn’t help at all, only damaged it more!

A lot of people enjoy growing plants, gardening, and horticulture, including stuff that can be eaten like herbs.

Sausage rolls are served in pairs to resemble bunny ears; the container they come in resembles the White Rabbit. They’re sausages wrapped in a pie crust/puff pastry dough, and come in cheese (with a shortcrust pastry similar to what is used for tarts to help hold its shape) and a spicy sausage (with a puff pastry that makes it flaky) variant for the White Rabbit Festival.

There are large mushrooms that grow in Clock Town; eating one side will turn you large, eating the other side will turn you small. The girl in the story of the White Rabbit has eaten these strange mushrooms before. These mushrooms are said to be enchanted and only work in a particular area; its effects last for ~1 minute after eating.

[fishenjoyer1]

Fish of the Day

Today's fish of the day is the green sturgeon!

The green sturgeon, scientific name Acipenser medirostris, is known for being one of the few sturgeon species in North America, and their distinctive color. Like many fish in the modern day, the green surgeon has both a historic range, and a far reduced current range. The historic range stretches the entire coast of California and Oregon, spawning in the Klamath river, and traveling in rivers between the two freely,  but the modern range is only a fraction of what it once was. 

The current populations are scattered between Southern Washington, Oregon, Pacific ocean, and Northern California. In the modern day they can be found along a number of rivers during their breeding season: The mouth of the Columbia river, Umpqua river, Klamath river, Rouge river, and Eel river to name a few, but these fish also have a section of their life spent along the coast line. Within these habitats, the green sturgeon can be found living along the bottom of rivers, preferring to spend time around the beds of environments.

Green sturgeon have a diet similar to that of other sturgeon: small invertebrates that it sucks up from the ocean bed, primarily shrimp, worms, crabs, and bugs. They eat prey with large lip-like structures around the mouth that are used for sucking up prey. Nearby their mouth is a set of sensitive barbells that determine where prey is. These barbells (located close to the mouth) also happen to be one of the defining features of the green sturgeon from their closely related and often range sharing relatives: the white sturgeon (whose barbells are located a bit farther from the mouth).

The lifecycle of the green sturgeon is simple. For the first 3 years of their lives after hatching, they will live within the rivers of their spawning. It was assumed that young green sturgeon would act similarly to white sturgeon, but the behavior of their juveniles are entirely different. When white sturgeon young are born, they move downstream and live along the surface of the water. However, green sturgeon have eggs that settle into the rocks below, seeking cover. Then, once they have aged 9 days and can forage appropriately, they then disperse up and downstream, giving each sturgeon a large area to forage independently. Interestingly, the green sturgeon juveniles forage exclusively at night for the first 10 months of their lives, and were found to have the most nocturnal behaviours of any sturgeon in North America.  This nocturnal behavior continues into their first winter, where after migrating to wintering areas, they will only forage at night and hide in dark areas during the day.

After the three years living within their freshwater spawning rivers, the green sturgeon juveniles will make a trip to the coastline of the Pacific, already at a size of 1 foot in length. This is the second part of their lifespan, and the sturgeon will live along the coastline for around 10 years in females, and around 6 years in males. This part of their life is relatively unknown, as they tend to stray away from animals that aren't invertebrates and hide along the sea bed from anything resembling a predator. Leaving us in the dark to any interesting behaviors during this part of their lives. Then, in adulthood these fish will repeatedly travel back to the spawning rivers to have eggs during March-July having a breeding season every 3-5 years, returning back to the ocean once the breeding season ends. These fish will live around 60-70 years, going through over a dozen breeding seasons in a lifetime.

That's the green sturgeon, everyone! Have a good day!

[greenwitchcrafts]

August 2024 Witch Guide

New Moon: August 4th

First Quarter: August 12th

Full moon: August 19th

Last Quarter: August 26th

Sabbats: Lughnasadh/Lammas- August 1st

August Sturgeon Moon

Also known as: Barely Moon, Black Cherries Moon, Corn moon, Dispute Moon, Harvest moon, Herb Moon, grain moon, Mountain Shadows Moon, Red moon, Ricing Moon, Weodmonath & Wyrt moon

Element: Fire

Zodiac: Leo & Virgo

Animal spirts: Dryads

Deities: Diana, Ganesha, Hathor, Hecate, Mars, Nemesis, Thot & Vulcan

Animals: Dragon, lion, phoenix & sphinx

Birds: Crane, eagle & falcon

Trees: Alder, cedar & hazel

Herbs: Basil, bay, fennel, orange, rosemary, rue & St.John's wort

Flowers: Angelica, chamomile, marigold & sunflower

Scents: Frankincense & heliotrope

Stones: Carnelian, cats/tiger's eye, emerald, fire agate, garnet, jade, moonstone, peridot, red jasper, red agate, sardonyx, topaz & tourmaline

Colors: Dark green, gold, orange, red & yellow

Energy: Abundance, appreciation, authority, courage, entertainment, finding your voice, friendship, gathering, harvesting energy, health, love, pleasures, power, prophecy, prosperity, vitality & wisdom

The name Sturgeon Moon comes from the giant lake sturgeon of the Great Lakes & Lake Champlain; this native freshwater fish was readily caught during this part of summer & an important food staple for Native Americans who lived in the region. At one time the lake sturgeon was quite abundant in late summer, though they are rarer today.

• August's full moon is the first Supermoon of the year, which means that it will appear bigger & brighter than the full Moons we have seen so far!

Lughnasadh

Known as: Lammas, August Eve  & Feast of Bread

Season: Summer

Element: Fire

Symbols: corn, grain dollies & shafts of grain

Colors: Gold, golden yellow, green, light brown, orange, purple, red & yellow

Oils/Incense: Aloe, apple, corn, eucalyptus, safflower, rose & sandalwood

Animals: Cattle (bull & calf)

Birds: Chicken/Rooster

Stones: Aventurine, carnelian, citrine, peridot, sardonyx & yellow diamond

Food: Apples, barely cakes, berries, berry pies, breads, colcannon, cider, corn, grains, honey, lamb, nuts, potatoes, rice, sun-shaped cookies & wild berries

Herbs/Plants: Alfalfa, aloe, blackberry, bramble, corn, cornsilk, corn stalk, crab apple, fenugreek, frankincense, ginseng, goldenseal, gorse, grape, medowsweet, oak leaves, pear, rye, sloe & wheat

Flowers:  Clyclamen, heather hollyhock & sunflower

Trees: Acacia, apple, myrtle,oak & rowan

Goddesses: Aine, Alphito, Bracacia, Carmen, Ceres, Damina, Danu, Demeter, Ereshkigal, Freya, Frigga, Gaia, Inanna Ishtar, Kait, Persephone, Sul, Taillte, Tea & Zaramama

Gods: Athar, Bes, Bran, Dagon, Dumuzi, Ebisu, Ghanan, Howtu, Liber, Lono, Lugh, Neper, Odin & Xochipilli

Issues, Intentions & Powers: Accomplishment, agriculture, challenges, darkness, death, endings, release & transformation

Spellwork: Abundance, bounty, fire magick, rituals of thanks & sun magick

Activities:

• Bake fresh bread

• Weave wheat

• Take walks in nature or along bodies of water

• Craft a corn doll

• Learn a new skill

• Watch the sunrise/sunset

• Leave grains and seeds in a place where birds, squirrels and other small animals can appreciate them

• Eat outside with family/friends/coven members

• Donate to your local foodbank

• Prepare a feast with your garden harvest

• Give thanks & offerings to the Earth

• Trade crafts of make deals

• Gather and/or dry herbs to use for the upcoming year

• Celebrate/honor the god Lugh by hosting a competition of games

• Participate in matchmaking or handfasting ceremonies

• Decorate your altar with symbols of the season

• Clean up a space in nature

• Plant saved seeds or save seeds to use in the future

Lughnasadh or Lammas is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season. Historically it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland & the Isle of Man. Traditionally it is held on 1 August, or about halfway between the summer solstice & autumn equinox. In recent centuries some of the celebrations have shifted to the Sunday nearest this date.

Lughnasadh is mentioned in early Irish literature & has pagan origins. The festival is named after Lugh the god of craftsmanship. It was also founded by the god Lugh as a funeral feast & athletic competition/funeral games in memory of his foster-mother Tailtiu. She was said to have died of exhaustion after clearing the plains of Ireland for agriculture.

• Tailtiu may have been an earth goddess who represented the dying vegetation that fed mankind.

• Another tale says that Lugh founded the festival in memory of his two wives, the sisters Nás & Bói. 

In the Middle Ages it involved great gatherings that included ceremonies, athletic contests (most notably the Tailteann Games which were extremely dangerous), horse racing, feasting, matchmaking & trading.

• With the coming of Christianity to the Celtic lands, the old festival of Lughnasadh took on Christian symbolism. Loaves of bread were baked from the first of the harvested grain & placed on the church altar on the first Sunday of August. The Christianized name for the feast of Lughnasadh is Lammas which means “loaf mass”.

Some believe this is the time where the God has weakened & is losing his strength as seen in the waning of the day's light. The Goddess is pregnant with the young God who will be born on Yule.

Sources:

Farmersalmanac .com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

Wikipedia

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Encyclopedia britannica

Llewellyn 2024 magical almanac Practical magic for everyday living

[uncharismatic-fauna]

A Shoo-in Shoebill Stork

The shoebill stork, also known as the whalebill stork or Balaeniceps rex is in fact not a stork at all, but a long-legged wading bird belonging to the family Pelecaniformes. This species can be found in the central African tropics, from southern Sudan to northern Tanzania. Within this range, they mainly inhabit freshwater swamps and dense marshes, particularly those with deep water large reed beds.

Balaeniceps rex is often referred to as a dinosaur among birds due to its fearsome appearance. The average individual stands 1.1-1.4 m (3.6-4.5 ft) tall and has a wingspan of 2.3 to 2.6 m (7.5 to 8.5 in). However, adults are quite light, weighing only 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb). Males tend to be larger than females, but otherwise the two sexes look identical. Adults have dark grey plumage with a lighter belly and darker wings. Their most striking feature is their beak, which is extremely large and can be said to resemble a wooden show (hence the name).

The shoebill's beak is very useful for catching its primary prey: fish. B. rex consumes a variety of species, including lungfish, catfish, and tilapia, as well as non-fish items like water snakes, frogs, turtles, mollusks, and even young crocodiles. Shoebills typically stalk their prey, or stand perfectly still and wait for their prey to come to them, before quickly snatching it up and decapitating it with the sharp edges of their beaks. Because of their large size and strong bills, adults are seldom prey for other animals, and they defend their nests fiercely from predators like snakes and other birds.

Outside of the breeding season-- and even during it-- shoebills are extremely territorial. Not only do they chase potential predators away from their nests, both males and females will fiercely defend their territory from other shoebills.

Breeding begins in the dry season, typically in in May, and lasts until about October. Once a male and female form a pair, they remain together for the duration of the mating season. They build a nest from floating vegetation, and 1-3 eggs are cared for by both parents; in addition to being incubated for warmth, one parent may also occasionally pour a beak-full of water over the eggs to keep them cool during the hot summer day. The eggs hatch about 30 days after being laid, and young are fed continuously-- though usually only one chick survives to adulthood. At 125 days old they become fully independent and leave to establish their own territories. The average individual can live up to 35 years in the wild.

Conservation status: The IUCN lists the whalebill stork as Vulnerable. Current wild population estimates sit at about 5,000-8,000 individuals. Primary threats include poaching for the zoo trade and consumption, habitat destruction, and pollution.

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Photos

Santiago Caballero Carrera

George Amato

Mana Meadows

[thepromptfoundry]

For May 2024, The Prompt Foundry is sticking with the classics and doing MerMay!

Hope everyone's excited to dive in!

If you use this list, please tag me here @thepromptfoundry, I’d love to see your writing and art!

Feel free to combine different days' prompts with each other, or combine them with other seasonal events! Use your OCs, your favorite characters from media, whatever tickles your fancy.

Respond to as many prompts as you want or as interest you, don’t worry about missing or skipping any. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!

If you have any questions or musings, check our FAQ, and if you don't find your answer, shoot me an ask.

Plain text list below the cut:

1 Merfolk Royalty 2 Seafloor Cities 3 Merfolk and Sailors 4 Sinking Ships 5 Sirens 6 Fishnets 7 Deep Sea Mer 8 Undersea Agriculture 9 Seahorse Mer 10 High Tide 11 Underwater Communication 12 Merbabies 13 Sand Dollars 14 Drowning 15 Whale Mer 16 Storms at Sea 17 Shark Teeth 18 Tsunami 19 Octopus Mer 20 Mer Marriage 21 Evolutionarily Plausible Mer 22 Lost at Sea 23 The Mariana Trench 24 Selkies 25 Mer Schooling 26 Seashells 27 Merfolk Folklore 28 Freshwater Mer 29 Sunbathing 30 Watery Warfare 31 Land and Sea

[salt-clangen]

Here’s a map of the 4 clans in my upcoming Clangen story, I’m finishing up some of the writing and structure so I hope y’all like this. As usual credit to @rippleclan and @bonefall for multiple aspects of clan culture.

1: Saltclan’s camp is nestled in an unassuming group of rocks surrounding tidal pools, the large boulders provide caves and shelter from the wind and a large tree trunk works as more den structures. The small tidal pools help prevent flooding and the sand is coarse and drains better than other parts of the coast.

2: The training pools are further down the coastline and are used for hunting and patrol training, the clan has to be cautious as these sometimes have two-legs poking around the end of the beach. Apprentices master their balance and swimming here.

3: The River’s End is where the East river’s freshwater meets the saltwater of the ocean, forming shallow, brackish water teaming with vegetation and black clay. It also provides natural protection from two-legs as they are unlikely to cross the silt/muddy waters. An apprentice typically learns how to swim further up in the slower part of the river to prepare them for the fast moving estuary, there’s significant risk of being swept out to sea, so new apprentices and solo patrols are required to cross further up.

4: Rock falls is where West river meets the ocean, but instead of brackish waters it’s over much steeper cliffs. There’s a small deposit of black clay around the base, but it’s difficult to reach from the pounding waterfall and isn’t really worth the risk.

5: The greenleaf two-leg place is an old, run down boat rental place, they’re technically open all year round but slow down during newleaf, leaf-fall, and leaf-bare. The humans are friendly and very likely to throw scraps or fish towards any cats spotted, the boat house also has a decent mouse/rodent population so during leaf-bare its a good hunting spot. Saltclan frequents the boat area during cold seasons and has a higher tolerance for two-legs, kittypets, and loners.

6: The docks- aka the Ocean bridge- are rickety and unstable. They don’t provide much use to the clan cats, but fish do tend to hang round it so if needed a cat could fish from underneath using the support beams, but they’d need to be wary of storms and waves.

7: Abandoned Lighthouse -aka the Light Tree- hasn’t worked for many years, but the clans still tell stories of when it did.

8: The training fields are the long, flat plains of Honeyclan’s territory. This is where apprentices learn to fight, hunt, and patrol on the fields this clan is known for. It’s also where most of the clan’s wild grains grow so they often harvest from here as well.

9: Honeyclan’s camp is an outcropping of rocks surrounded by some short brush and heather plants. It’s located close to the west river for easy access, this is good for both cooking/drinking purposes but also small agricultural projects. Most camp keepers and elders have a small garden of whatever plant they like, either for aesthetic reasons or to use in cooking.

10: Watcher’s Point is the tallest rock near the center of the clan, making it the best place to watch for threats like two-legs who like to wander through the flowers and grain fields of the territory. There’s only a guard on duty when cats are actively working in the fields or with the hives, it’s usually a code keeper or warrior. They use bright colored flowers to signal danger over the distance, typically red or purple.

11: The Hives are what give Honeyclan their name, the honey bees that live here are technically wild but over years and years the cats have former a relationship where they can clean the hives and collect the honey with the bees not getting defensive. The honey is their major export for trade and they reign supreme with eccentric dishes and herbal concoctions. They also have the most cats with the coveted Sweetness Tolerance, though it’s prevalent through all the clans at this point they still claim to be the original.

12: The flowering fields are the main source of the bee’s food and Honeyclan takes care to provide a variety of flowers, they make sure new seeds are added to the edge and that no single species overtakes the others. The flowers are mix of medicinal and regular, though they feature heavily in any art/accessories made by the clan.

13: The north most point of the flowering field, right where the border of Oakclan and Honeyclan meet, is where the fallen cats of the clan are laid to rest. This is to both honor their life with eternal flowers and pay homage to Honeyclan’s roots as an offshoot of Oakclan when the clans were first formed.

14: The Gathering Stone is the agreed upon neutral meeting site. It’s located at the large boulder that was said to be thrown by Starclan to part the river into East and West. The small triangle is also flanked by rich deposits of red clay, which can only be gathered in small quantities during the full moon gatherings. Honeyclan is the only clan that can enter through the trees at the south, Oak and Duskclan have to cross over fallen logs over each river.

15: The two-leg place close to Duskclan is very hostile towards the cats, poisoning is common and cats have to avoid hunting rodents around the area due to it. Kittypets and loners are constantly trying to explore the forest edge and as a result Duskclan is very restrictive of the borders. Thankfully, two-legs don’t commonly wander around the area due to the rocky terrain and dense pine trees.

16: The abandoned two-leg place is a contested part of Saltclan’s new territory, in the past Duskclan hasn’t maintained their borders here due to their aversion of two-legs. It’s also further out and holds little sentimental or practical significance, maintaining the border here would require more work than it’s worth. But now that Saltclan is interested in keeping it due to the prey available and the reliable herb population, Jaggedstar claims it rightfully belongs to Duskclan.

17: Duskclan’s camp is in the middle of their rocky, sloped territory and made up of large rocks, holes dug by paw, and fallen trees. Due to the dense evergree forest they are master navigators and any past raid on the camp has failed due to how well hidden it is. The border of the camp is actually tightly woven branches of the pines, so even if cornered any cat can easily climb and escape through the secret path ways in the trees.

18: Small creek is… well a small creek running through the north eastern part of the territory. While it’s technically closer to the camp and would be an easy source of water, Duskclan tends to avoid using it as it flows through two-leg territory and is easily contaminated by carrion. If it’s utilized, it’s during times of hardship and careful tested by the strongest warriors before the kits, queens, or elders drink it. It’s also one of the only clay deposits Duskclan has consistent access too.

19: Training rocks are a group of large boulders in the north with cat-made rope bridges, it’s used to harshly train apprentices on fighting and traversing the rocky landscape of the clan. This allows cats to train in climbing and weaving branches as well.

20: Duskclan’s burial grounds are between the training rocks and the Cleric rocks, showing Duskclan’s culture of fighting and deep spiritualism. Unlike the other clans only warriors who died honorably are buried here, though this varies based on what the current leader considered ‘honorable’ and the rest get buried near Small creek.

21: The Cleric rocks are where Duskclan’s clerics find the majority of their herbs and is close to High Cave and the Moon spring. Clerics of Duskclan pride themselves on learning and practicing so close to this sacred place.

22: High Cave, home of the Moon spring, the opening faces slightly South East towards Duskclan, this caused the original schism where Duskclan believed themselves to be favored by Starclan. his is where all leaders earn their 9 lives and where clerics meet during he half-moon. A natural freshwater spring originates here which leads to the Great river before it splits into the East and West rivers. The cave is lined with geodes and crystals which catch the moonlight and reflect/illuminate the spring like magic.

23: The Dead Monster - aka Capri’s place- is run by a spry former kittypet named Capri and her granddaughter Olive. Capri is jovial and well liked, even by the clans and acts as a mediator between local kittypets/loners and the clan cats. She also has a lucrative trading hub, more than wiling to broker a deal. Clans commonly offer honey, crafts/pottery, or less common cooked foods in exchange for whatever two-leg item the clans may have their eye on. Popular items include blankets, glass for fire starting, tarps for weather proofing, and herb seeds.

24: The carrion place - the dumpster- is technically not part of Honeyclan’s territory but they (And Saltclan) are the ones who visit it the most. In harsh weather rats can be caught, though cats need to be careful for poisoning, and abandoned items can be taken and reused. Though they have to be quick when collecting, while Capri and Olive aren’t territorial, this is technically their turf and they’re pretty quick to snatch up any useful items to trade with. It’s hit or miss what you’ll find here.

25: Oakclan’s burial site is very close to their camp, which unnerves the other clans, but to Oakclan it’s so their dead will always feel close to home. The area is marked by tall stones and the clan regularly clears out the under growth to make visitation easier. The area is regularly visited by loved ones and it’s considered a normal part of grieving.

26: Oakclan’s camp has a mix of natural caves, large rocks, and fallen trees for dens. It’s close to the pond for water access and surrounded by brambles that camp keepers have grown and cultivated. Since the forest goes through seasonal changes they bolster the brambles up with branches and thicker vegetation during leaf-bare.

27: The training stumps are a group of stumps and dead trees with lush vegetation, the perfect place for apprentices to learn how to hunt and navigate the undergrowth. Cats must be careful of the thunderpath being so close, but traffic isn’t busy. Also it’s pretty close to Capri’s place, making it commonplace for apprentices to socialize with non-clan cats there to trade or chat.

28: The Artisan Knoll is a very unique feature of Oakclan, the large clearing with a single log used to be the clan’s camp several years ago but it was so close to the border and so easy to find that they suffered raids often. Now it’s used for the artisans of the clans to meet and create together, functioning as a sort of work shop and trading center. At the meet ups Oakclan appoints a guard to make sure no cats try to sneak around or spy, but for the most part no one uses it for nefarious reasons. The artisans of Oakclan have access to it all the time, but visitors are only allowed every quarter moon. Because of Oakclan’s diverse foliage they have access to various dyes, paints, weaving material, and rich red clay. The rule is technically you need to bring your own supplies to use or trade for some of theirs, but in reality Oakclan will let you use the supplies as long as you bring either some food or make an extra item with whatever you borrowed to leave for the clan. This space really highlights Oakclan’s open and artistic culture, though Duskclan claims they’re just showing off.

29: Turtle pond (size subject to change idk) is named because- you guessed it- there are a lot of turtles living there. The cats don’t really like the taste of turtle and majority of the time they have access to better prey so the only use they have is as decorative bowls after they pass. But kits enjoy pond visits where they can chase after the turtles and practice their swimming. Oakclan used to boast they were the best swimmers of all the clans due to their pond, but in reality the water is very calm and safe, even their parts of the great river is slower than the rest. Saltclan however braves the rough ocean with grace and it has become a slight sore point of Oakclan.

30: There are various clay deposits throughout the clans but they’re not all equal, red clay is considered the best. Oakclan has the most clay deposits of the clans and all of them are high value red clay, giving them some of the best terracotta pottery for trade. Honeyclan has only one or two deposits and it’s either high quality red or a medium quality brown. Saltclan can’t access red or brown clay, but they’re the only ones who have black clay, which isn’t necessarily better than red but it’s very unique which they pride themselves on. Duskclan, to their shame, only has one spot where they can get the coveted red clay but it’s near the Gathering Stone so they can only gather a smalll amount each month. So they’re forced to get most of their clay from Small creek, which only has low quality grey clay, it’s not as easy to work with as the others, smells bad, and takes forever to harvest and dry.

Here’s an outline of the clan borders, Saltclan’s is newly formed and still contested in certain spots.

Lemme know if you have any questions and if you see any mistakes….. uh you didn’t 😖

[indispensible-pencil]

I've played roughly an hour of endless ocean luminous now and I have to say while I enjoy it so far the comparisons to the other games are inevitable and I have a few niggling issues I want to share because I really wanted this to be great.

1) the focus on multiplayer. No thanks. I'm sure people will use and enjoy this but endless ocean was always a solo experience for me, the atmosphere is ruined with 20 pricks milling around doing fortnite dances

2) the mishmash of aquatic life. They've mashed together the first game (one reigon focus) and second game (multiple separate maps with different animals altogether) and I don't think it works. You get fully freshwater fish hanging out on a coral reef with all the surgeonfish and it just takes me out of it. I'm fine with tropical marine life from coastal Indo-Pacific mixing with marine life from the mid Atlantic to not restrict the choice here (not that pedantic) but when we previously had a fully realised section of the Amazon river with mangroves, awesome ruins, and god awful muddy visibility just randomly coming across pirahna in a cave next to a dolphin is disappointingly lazy and breaks the immersion. You can find over 500 marine species guys you don't need to throw freshwater in for seasoning.

3) The randomised maps are broken, quite bland, and ruin the 'special' feeling of the rare encounters. I was thrilled to come across Thanatos from endless ocean 2 who terrified me as a kid (and had his own awesome entrance music) but then in another part of the map I found him again. And then again. No joke, I found Thanatos 4 separate times in the same map.

4) I miss the general haunting atmosphere of the first two games (mainly the first). The operatic score, the cursed statues, the trenches.

5) also miss hanging out on the boat/island

Not nearly finished the game yet but yeah a few disappintments for me so far. Interested to see what other fans think.

[beardedmrbean]

California's largest reservoir is expected to reach its maximum capacity this year, to likely reach a full or nearly full level for the second consecutive time following several years of historically low water levels.

Lake Shasta rose 12 feet from March 1-26 and needs another 17 feet to reach its limit, the Redding Record Searchlight reported.

"We're expecting it to creep right up to the top," said Don Bader, area manager for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, per the news outlet.

As of March 27, the lake was 90% full and 115% of the average for this time of year. However, Bader noted the difficulty for it to completely fill since the lake is narrow at the bottom and gets wider at the top.

In March, the bureau began limiting the water released from the Shasta Dam to allow the lake to fill, per the Record Searchlight. On March 13, it was releasing 14,000 cubic feet per second — equivalent to 377 million gallons an hour. It had reduced the release rate to 3,569 cubic feet per second two weeks later, as more than three times that amount flowed into the lake.

"The rain right now is perfect for us to just top it off by the end of April," Bader told the newspaper.

The lake is one of the state's most crucial freshwater sources, sending water as far south as Bakersfield for drinking, agricultural irrigation, and wildlife habitat through the Central Valley Water Project.

According to a previous Record Searchlight report, Lake Shasta was 24% full and 175 feet from the top of the dam in late 2021. However, atmospheric rivers have inundated the region, reviving several bodies of water like Lake Shasta and Lake Tulare.

The full Lake Shasta will benefit the entire state, but the local economy will also likely see its most profitable summer season since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We're feeling very good. We had a great lake last year, a full lake level, and it was fantastic. Not only just cabin tours, our dinner cruises were record-breaking. This year, we're expecting the same but on an even better, positive note," Matt Doyle, general manager of Lake Shasta Caverns, said.

"This is going to be finally the year where it seems COVID is almost a distant memory. The employees are coming back, lake levels are up, and businesses is looking good."

[shadythetortie]

My current theory: We are going to get 4/5 seasons of Prehistoric Planet. Each season involving a certain element at its theme.

Season 1 was based around Water. Coasts, Deserts (lack of water), Freshwater, Ice Worlds, and Forests. Forests may seem out of place, but this episode still did have a lot of relation back to water, such as the cave carved by the river, storms, and sea spray.

Season 2 focuses on Earth. Islands, Badlands, Swamps, Oceans (lack of earth) and North America.

So, if we continue on down that idea, then Season 3's focus will be on Fire. Things like dinosaurs that live in/tolerate extreme temperatures, their relation to the Sun, how heat affects them or the lack of it. Dinosaurs that have weird adaptations to deal with heat (sails!!!)

Season 4 will be Air. Not just flying creatures but high winds, places with little to no oxygen, tornadoes, high altitudes, mountains. The way theropods adapted into modern birds. Microraptor or Archeopteryx!

If there is a Season 5, I think its focus would be on Void. Nocturnal creatures, shadows, stalking, stealth, camouflage, pack hunting, caves.

If my theory is correct and I so do hope it is because I desperately want 5 seasons of this show, then I will be so happy.

[pleistocene-pride]

The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) also known as the estuarine crocodile, Indo-Pacific crocodile, marine crocodile, sea crocodile, or saltie, is a large species of crocodilian which has a wide range being found throughout India, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Micronesia. Here they inhabit coastal lagoons, wetlands, deltas, estuaries, mangrove swamps, rivers, and freshwater lakes. These moderately social yet extremely aggressive crocodilians feed on a wide variety of prey including invertebrates, fish, amphibians, snakes, reptiles, birds, and various mammals from as small as bats to as large as gaur. Saltwater crocodiles exhibit a great degree of sexual dimphorism with males often reaching 4 to 5 times the size of females. They are also on average the largest extant crocodilian with the biggest males reaching 18 to 23ft (5.5 to 7m) in length and 2,000 to 3,300lbs (900 to 1,500kgs) in weight. In comparison female saltwater crocodiles get to around 8 to 14ft (2.5 to 4.3m) in length and 165 to 1,000lbs (75 to 455kg) in weight. Both sexes have a broader snout and body compared to other crocodile species with a pair of ridges that run from the eyes along to the center of the snout. There coloration is generally a tan to greenish grey in color; but there is variation in color among different populations with some appearing a yellowish tint and others almost black. Like the american crocodile, saltwater crocodiles sport salt glands on their heads that can secrete excess salt, allowing them to drink salt water. Saltwater crocodiles have the highest bite force of any animal recorded at 16,414 newtons (3,690 pounds-force). Breeding occurs during the wet season, during such time a male saltwater crocodile will approach a female in his territory - if she lets him get near, the two will court by rubbing their heads together before mating underwater. The pregnant female will carry her eggs with her for 1 to 2 months before building a nest on the edge of a tidal river or lagoon, laying the clutch inside. She will guard them fiercely for 80 to 98 days, at which point the young crocodiles will hatch and be cared for for the first 8 months of their lives. It's at this point they become large enough to become independent, fending for themselves now they are no longer vulnerable. Females reach sexual maturity at 12 years old, and males at 16. Under ideal conditions a saltwater crocodile may live upwards of 70 years.

[mnkeethewriter]

Mapmaking through Words

With the prevalence of bestselling fantasy worlds like Middle-earth, Westeros, and Hogwarts flooding the mainstream media, building a world from scratch can seem like a daunting task. Where does one even begin creating such a masterpiece, and how do you make it stand out from the hundreds already out there? Lucky for you, I live and breathe worldbuilding. I’m here to help you streamline the process and get your creativity flowing through prompt questions and guided brainstorming. Worldbuilding doesn’t have to be this impossible task. With the right building blocks, you’ll be making the dream in your head a reality on paper in no time.

With today's topic, let’s start from the ground up, literally. The most fundamental aspect of worldbuilding is, well, building the world. You can’t create a map without topography, just like you can’t write a story without a physical setting to drop your characters into. Nature is the very foundation that you will build everything off of, and it will ultimately affect the trajectory of your story. Imagine how different a story written in a bountiful farmland would be compared to one written in a desolate wasteland. With that in mind, I want to highlight and discuss our first prompt question.

What biomes are your world composed of? According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, a biome can be defined as “a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions.” 

There’s much debate on how broad or narrow to categorize these communities, so remember the list I’ve provided below is just a fraction of the diversity this world, and hopefully yours too, offers.

Tropical Rainforest

Hot and humid

High rainfall with no dry season (50 to 260 inches yearly)

Greatest biodiversity in the world

Mostly composed of evergreen plants

Temperate Forest

Mild climate with four distinct seasons

Coniferous and/or deciduous trees

Taiga (Boreal Forest)

Largest terrestrial biome

Coniferous trees

Long, cold winters with little daylight (9 months below freezing)

Short summers (1-3 months) with up to mild temperatures (19 to 70°F) 

Desert

Hottest biome

Extreme temperature swings from day to night (-40 to 120°F)

Little to no precipitation (Less than 20 inches yearly)

Tundra

Year-round permafrost allowing only low plants to grow

Dry climate (6 to 10 inches of rainfall yearly)

Below freezing except during short summers (37 to 54°F)

Little to no daylight in winter

Grassland

Transitional biome between forests and deserts

Various names/kinds dependent on location (plains, prairies, steppes, etc.)

Short and/or tall grasses with little to no trees

Savanna

Transitional biome between forests and deserts

Tree-studded grasslands

Warm climate with wet and dry seasons

Freshwater

Low salt concentration

Further categorized as streams/rivers, lakes/ponds, wetlands 

Ever-changing biome

Marine

High salt concentration

Largest biome in the world

5 major oceans covering 70% of the Earth

References

1. Augustyn, A. (2023, January 13). biome. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/biome

2. Moeller, K. (2013, July 19). Boundless Biomes. ASU - Ask A Biologist. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/biomes

[flyingtrailerpark]

How Michigan Lakeside Hoodies Capture the Spirit of Michigan’s Great Lakes

The Great Lakes region is a place of natural beauty, deep cultural roots, and a lifestyle that reflects the rhythm of the waters and seasons. Michigan, bordered by four of these majestic freshwater bodies—Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie—boasts a lakeside culture that is cherished by both residents and visitors alike.

From sandy shores to dense forests, from vibrant sunrises to quiet star-filled nights, the essence of Michigan’s lakeside lifestyle can be distilled into something as simple and symbolic as the humble lakeside hoodie.

Michigan lakeside hoodies aren’t just pieces of clothing; they are more than just fashionable or functional. They represent the spirit of Michigan’s Great Lakes region, capturing the heart of its outdoorsy culture, weather unpredictability, and timeless connection to nature.

This article explores how these hoodies manage to embody the spirit of Michigan’s Great Lakes and why they’ve become a staple for adventurers, locals, and tourists alike.

1. A Symbol of Lakeside Comfort and Adventure

When you think of Michigan’s Great Lakes, your mind likely conjures images of serene shorelines, the sound of waves lapping against the rocks, boats gently bobbing on the horizon, and the cool breeze rolling off the water. It’s a place where outdoor enthusiasts can explore the wild, kayak along coastal dunes, or simply relax with a campfire under the stars. Michigan lakeside hoodies are designed with this spirit of adventure in mind.

The hoodie, by nature, is versatile and cozy—a reflection of the Great Lakes lifestyle, where the weather can be warm and sunny one moment, then windy and chilly the next. Michigan lakeside hoodies are often crafted with the intention of being worn in these exact scenarios, offering warmth and comfort during lakeside strolls, early morning hikes, or evening bonfires.

Why It Matters:

The unpredictable weather along the Great Lakes makes a reliable, comfortable hoodie an essential item for any outdoor enthusiast. Michigan lakeside hoodies cater to this, making them a go-to item that allows you to explore comfortably no matter the season. Whether you're trekking through forests near Lake Huron, watching sunsets on Lake Michigan, or paddling across Lake Superior, a lakeside hoodie provides a sense of readiness for whatever adventure comes next.

2. Embracing the Changing Seasons

One of the defining features of the Great Lakes region is its four distinct seasons. From the snowy, icy winters to the lush greenery of spring, from the hot, sunny summer days to the fiery foliage of autumn, Michigan’s landscape is constantly evolving. A key characteristic of Michigan lakeside hoodies is their ability to adapt to these seasonal changes.

In the chilly months of late fall and winter, a thick, fleece-lined hoodie is perfect for layering under a jacket or wearing on its own during crisp lakeside walks. In spring, as temperatures fluctuate between warm afternoons and cool mornings, a lighter hoodie offers the perfect balance. In summer, when evening temperatures drop after a long day in the sun, the hoodie becomes a must-have for enjoying outdoor barbecues or sitting by the fire pit.

Why It Matters:

Michigan lakeside hoodies are designed to provide comfort year-round, regardless of the season. They help their wearers embrace the beauty of each season without sacrificing warmth or style. By reflecting the changing moods of Michigan’s seasons, these hoodies capture a sense of timelessness and connection to the natural world that so many in the Great Lakes region cherish.

3. A Reflection of Local Pride

There’s no doubt that people from Michigan take great pride in their state. This sense of pride extends to the natural beauty that surrounds them, particularly the Great Lakes. Michigan lakeside hoodies often feature designs that are steeped in local symbolism, such as outlines of the Great Lakes, state landmarks, or iconic imagery like lighthouses, sailboats, or towering pines.

For locals, wearing a Michigan lakeside hoodie isn’t just about comfort—it’s a way to show pride in their home state. It’s a symbol of their connection to Michigan’s unique landscape, its vibrant communities, and the deep bond people have with the waters of the Great Lakes. The hoodie becomes a canvas for celebrating Michigan’s identity, whether through simple designs or bold, artistic representations of the lakes and their surrounding natural beauty.

Why It Matters:

These hoodies offer more than just warmth; they allow wearers to showcase their love for Michigan and the Great Lakes. In a way, they serve as wearable reminders of the incredible natural wonders that define the state, acting as both personal mementos and conversation starters for those who share an appreciation for Michigan’s lakeside culture.

4. Weather-Ready for Every Lakeside Activity

Michigan’s Great Lakes are perfect for every kind of outdoor activity. Whether it’s boating, fishing, hiking, or camping, people flock to the lakes for recreation. But no matter the season or activity, being prepared for rapid weather changes is essential. Michigan lakeside hoodies provide a layer of protection against the sudden winds or cooler temperatures that are common near the water.

In particular, those who enjoy outdoor activities by the lake—such as beachcombing, paddleboarding, or cycling along coastal trails—appreciate a hoodie that balances practicality and style. Lightweight hoodies are breathable enough for active adventures, while thicker options keep you warm during more relaxed lakeside moments, like watching the waves roll in from the comfort of your camp chair.

Why It Matters:

The Great Lakes are unpredictable, and Michigan lakeside hoodies have become a trusted companion for those who regularly engage in lakeside activities. They keep you comfortable without limiting your movement, making them perfect for everything from brisk walks to water-based sports. These hoodies are as versatile as the Great Lakes themselves, ready for any adventure.

5. A Sustainable Fashion Choice

The outdoor culture of the Great Lakes region naturally goes hand-in-hand with a growing awareness of environmental sustainability. People who cherish the beauty of Michigan’s lakes and forests often take steps to preserve these ecosystems for future generations. As a result, the fashion industry in the region has seen a push towards eco-friendly apparel, and Michigan lakeside hoodies are no exception.

Many brands that produce Michigan lakeside hoodies have begun to embrace sustainable manufacturing practices, using organic cotton, recycled materials, and eco-friendly dyes. These hoodies appeal to eco-conscious consumers who want to minimize their environmental impact while enjoying the outdoors.

Why It Matters:

Choosing a sustainably made Michigan lakeside hoodie reflects a deeper commitment to protecting the natural environment. With eco-friendly options, wearers can enjoy their connection to the Great Lakes region without contributing to pollution or unsustainable production practices. In this way, Michigan lakeside hoodies represent not just a love for nature, but a desire to preserve it for the future.

6. Nostalgia and Sentimentality

For many, the Great Lakes hold a special place in their hearts, often evoking memories of family vacations, childhood adventures, or peaceful moments spent by the water. Wearing a Michigan lakeside hoodie can bring a sense of nostalgia for these cherished experiences. Whether it’s memories of fishing trips with family, beach picnics, or starry nights spent around a bonfire, the hoodie serves as a physical reminder of the emotions tied to those times.

This sentimentality extends to tourists as well. Many visitors purchase Michigan lakeside hoodies as souvenirs, bringing a piece of the lakes home with them. These hoodies aren’t just clothing—they become symbols of the memories and connections made during trips to the Great Lakes, encapsulating the spirit of the region in a tangible way.

Why It Matters:

Michigan lakeside hoodies are more than just practical or stylish—they carry emotional weight. They allow people to relive their favorite moments by the lake, creating a lasting connection to the places and experiences they hold dear. In this sense, the hoodie becomes a treasured keepsake, reminding the wearer of the magic of Michigan’s Great Lakes.

7. Celebrating Local Craftsmanship

Another way that Michigan lakeside hoodies capture the spirit of the Great Lakes is through their emphasis on local craftsmanship. Many small businesses and local artisans in Michigan have taken to designing and producing these hoodies, infusing each piece with a sense of community and authenticity. By purchasing locally made hoodies, wearers support Michigan’s economy and creative community, further reinforcing their connection to the region.

These locally crafted hoodies often feature unique designs that reflect the artisanal talent and regional pride that Michigan is known for. From screen-printed graphics of local landmarks to hand-stitched details, these hoodies showcase the creativity and ingenuity of Michigan’s makers.

Why It Matters:

Supporting locally made Michigan lakeside hoodies is a way to celebrate not only the beauty of the Great Lakes but also the people who live and work around them. It’s a nod to the local businesses that contribute to the fabric of Michigan’s communities, adding another layer of meaning to the hoodie itself.

Conclusion:

Michigan Lakeside Unisex Hoodies are more than just clothing items—they are symbols of the spirit of Michigan’s Great Lakes. They embody the region’s natural beauty, seasonal diversity, local pride, and deep connection to outdoor adventure. Whether you’re a local who grew up by the lakes or a visitor looking for a lasting reminder of your trip, a Michigan lakeside hoodie encapsulates everything that makes this region so special.

By wearing a Michigan lakeside hoodie, you carry a piece of the Great Lakes with you, no matter where you go.

[critter-of-the-day]

14th of August 2024: Rainbow Gudgeon

That sure is a species of fish. And now I’m going to tell you about them. This is the Rainbow Gudgeon (Sarcocheilichthys nigripinnis). They’re an Asian freshwater fish with two recognised subspecies: S. n. nigripinnis and S. n. morii, the former being from China and Taiwan, and the latter being from Korea [1].

They reach sexual maturity at around 10 cm long, but the maximum length they may reach is not entirely certain. This is in part due to fishing weeding out larger and older Rainbow Gudgeons, meaning they aren’t as represented. While the largest one reported has been around 14 cm, based upon predictive growth curves they may reach up to 17 cm [2].

However, size doesn’t actually mean all that much for these fish, as females tend to pick more based upon colour. And this selection is likely quite important, as one survey found significantly more males than females, with a 0.58:1 female:male ratio [2].

Once they’re ready to breed, the females will actually lay the eggs into mussels, with Corbicula papyracea and C. fluminea being popular picks, at least for the Korean subspecies. They also tend to prefer larger mussels [3]. While across different female fish, egg development appears to happen simultaneously, for each of them, during spawning season, they tend to carry both smaller and larger eggs, which indicates that they spawn the eggs in batches and don’t wait for one batch to be done before starting the next [2].

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [Image]

[fishing92]

"Top 10 Fishing Tips for 2024: How to Maximize Your Catch This Season"

Are you an avid angler looking for a high-quality fishing combo that is both portable and lightweight? Look no further than the 5.9ft Telescopic Casting Fishing Combo!

This fishing rod and reel combo is perfect for those who love to fish on the go. The telescopic design allows for easy transport and storage, making it ideal for backpacking, camping, or traveling to your favorite fishing spot. Despite its compact size, this combo doesn't sacrifice on performance.

The 5.9ft rod is made from durable materials that can handle a variety of fishing conditions. It features a comfortable grip handle and strong yet flexible construction, allowing you to cast with precision and control. The rod also has a casting weight of 60-150g, making it versatile for different types of fishing.

Paired with the rod is a 5.1:1 gear ratio fishing reel that is smooth and efficient. The reel has a strong drag system that can handle big catches, while the gear ratio allows for quick retrieval of your line. Whether you're fishing in freshwater or saltwater, this combo is up to the task.

If you're interested in purchasing the 5.9ft Telescopic Casting Fishing Combo, click on this link to learn more: [https://temu.to/m/uxk7vuuzwxc]. Don't miss out on this portable and ultralight fishing combo that will take your fishing game to the next level. Happy fishing!

[uncharismatic-fauna]

At Last, the Atlantic Blue Crab!

A common sight on dinner tables in Canada, America, and Mexico, the blue crab-- also known as the Atlantic blue crab or the Maryland Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)-- is native to the the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast of North America. This species is a bottom dweller, and can occupy a range of habitats from freshwater tributaries to the open bays and gulfs of the ocean itself. At times it may be found at high tide, but most individuals remain submerged at depths up to 36 m (120 ft) deep.

As indicated by its name, the claws and front body of male blue crabs are bright blue. Females are carry a blue tinge, but are largely brown or olive, though the tips of their claws are bright red. Otherwise, the two sexes may be distinguished by the shape of their underside, or "apron"; males have an inverted 'T' shape, while females have a wider, rounder shape. Individuals of both sexes may grow up to 23 cm (9 in) in width, and weigh up to 136 g (0.3 lbs).

Spawning for C. sapidus can occur year-round, but for most populations it peaks in October or November. When females are ready, they travel up estuaries and rivers to where populations of males are more concentrated, and then release pheromones in their urine to attract mates. Male crabs then compete for access, and guard their chosen mates fiercely for up to a week. During this time, the female molts, at which point the male fertilizes her. Afterwards, she may retain her mate's sperm for up to a year, during which time she returns to saltier waters. A female can fertilize 2 million eggs at a time, and will carry them in a mass under her abdomen until they hatch, about a week after fertilization. She may do this as many as 4 times throughout a single mating season.

Once hatched, Atlantic blue crab larvae are released into the ocean. Each larvae spends 30-40 days going through seven larval stages known as zoea; these stages are similar to the instars of a larval insect. However, zoea have hard shells and must molt at each stage of development. After the initial zoea stages, juvenile C. sapidus enter the megalops stage, which lasts 6-20 days. During this time juveniles move from the ocean into the estuaries in which they spawned. Finally, they molt into their final form, which resembles an adult-- albeit much smaller. Both males and females continue to molt throughout the year until they reach their full size. In total, both sexes go through about 25 molts each throughout their lives, which spans about 3 years in the wild.

Blue crabs have a wide and varied diet, as they are omnivores. In their larval stages, Maryland blue crabs consume primarily plankton and detritus. Megalops and adults will feed on clams, mussels, and oysters, small fish, kelp, seaweed, carrion, smaller blue crabs, and animal waste. In turn, both juveniles and adults are food for eels, large fish some sharks, stingrays, and humans. In fact, predation upon larval and sub-adult blue crabs is so heavy that, of 8 million eggs released by the mother, only 1 or 2 typically survive to adulthood.

Conservation status: The Maryland blue crab has not been evaluated by the IUCN. However, in recent decades, fisheries have noticed a severe decline in abundance, likely due to over-harvesting and pollution.

If you send me proof that you’ve made a donation to UNRWA or another fund benefiting Palestinians– including esim donations and verified gofundmes– I’ll make art of any animal of your choosing.

Photos

Kim Cover

Lynn Strauss

Jo O'Keefe