#turf management

[great-and-small]

Apparently the local university’s undergraduate entomology course sends students to catch insect specimens at the same place I like to go birdwatching, which explains why I saw three enormous frat looking dudes with tiny bug nets and overheard one emphatically say “bro BRO I told you we already have enough lepidopterans”

[rileys-battlecats]

If you haven’t already answered this yet, can I ask why MicaClan chose the territory they currently live in? It seems like an interesting decision to choose such a different area to try to survive in. Although the more lush area probably means less droughts and higher elevation could possibly mean less flood risks, avoiding the two major issues that caused them to move in the first place. They still have to relearn everything though in such a different area. Or was there less thought behind it and it was more just get to higher ground to avoid the water and then they got tired of traveling and decided to stop once they were sufficiently high up?

Also can I ask what kind of border threats they faced when establishing their new territory? Were there other groups of cats? Was it mostly predators and dangerous animals? Did dogs or twolegs pose a challenge to their borders?

Sorry I kinda have a lot of questions haha I just really like your story and characters and settings and everything and wanna know all I can about them and get a deeper knowledge of everything

I AM SO HAPPY TO RECEIVE THIS QUESTION

You're right that there were material aspects as to why they chose to settle where they did; the mountain seemed like a good place to avoid any more catastrophic floods with the high elevation, the spring-fed stream that runs through the territory also seemed like a guarantee against any future droughts, and the area had plenty of prey to feed the clan. But the real deciding factor was the soil!

The idea was basically that they found a place where the very ground seemed to be blessed by Starclan. I've written about this on the blog before, but it was wayyy way back and I haven't mentioned it again since then HAHA, but I based Micaclan's territory on a place I used to hike every now and again. The area used to be the location of a mica mine, and the ground there still sparkles with all the tiny shards of minerals in the ground (which is actually why they're called Micaclan; I gave them the name before I'd fully decided on the clan not being from the area originally lol). So they basically were like "if this isn't a sign from Starclan then I don't know what is" and set up camp! It ended up being the right choice in the end, because they found the Moonmirror in the abandoned mine on their territory, which gave them much needed access to Starclan (even if they can't use it outside of emergencies).

For border threats, I imagine them dealing with all sorts of things, especially in the beginning when they were just establishing their borders. I think of micaclan's territory being far enough from human civilization that they don't have to worry about construction or cars or anything, but close enough that they have a human hiking trail acting as one of their borders, or at least having a hiking trail close enough that they have to deal with the occasional stray dog or human. In addition to this, predators like black bears or coyotes would make trouble for the clan, and maybe a mountain lion drifted through the territory at one point (which would have been a harrowing time indeed).

As for rogues or other groups of cats, I think they might've brought that trouble with them! It's hard to conceal a big group of cats traveling in search of a new territory, and I think they drew some unwanted attention on their way up to the mountain. Maybe other groups noted them, and decided to let the strangers do the hard work of staking out a good territory before swooping in to take their place? I don't think there were any other cats living where Micaclan ends up, so they wouldn't be contesting land with any other resident cats. Those that threatened their new borders were usually looking to try to take their place. Basically they were like "so the weirdos you pegged as 'death within the month' 5 moons ago are actually now thriving and looking well-fed and healthy living on the mountain? I guess it can't be THAT dangerous, why don't we live up there instead? they can find somewhere else again, they're obviously good at finding nice territories."

the general gossip on micaclan as a group through the years basically goes like this: I heard there was a big group (a clan?) passing through looking to set up a new territory, hope they don't settle here -> apparently that big clan that passed through a few moons back is living further up the mountain? wonder how long it'll be before they're eaten by bears -> there's a big group of cats living further up the mountain, maybe the mountain makes for a good territory after all... -> there's a weird cat cult up the mountain and if you step on their turf they will Kick Your Ass

[myths-of-fantasy]

I should be working on my other days

I am actually integrating magic more into The Black Wolf Capers.

Anyway VILE was now founded by a cult that worshipped a god, Greed who would offer his followers endless and eternal riches and is in constant conflict with the followers of Envy. Carmen was meant to be a vessel for Greed, merging with her soul to grant him physical form so he could better influence the world, but Dexter Wolfe tried to run off with her. It didn't work obviously, but eventually Carmen escaped before the transfer could happen.

Now VILE is chasing her around the world, both bc she's destroying their organization and also is preventing them from releasing Greed.

[maskyartist]

i did it :) healing,,,, more ramblings in the tags

[blueboyluca]

The rains coming has meant Topaz has lost her potty skills again and when one dog pisses inside they all do. 😭 Having three dogs is not great, at least not when one is an adolescent and two refuse to pee in the rain and the third will mark where the others go. 😭 😭 😭

[solomiracle]

obey me maid event but it's like akiba maid war

[betterusernamethanthelastone]

Got to go straight up silly mode with Team Rocket themselves today :D

[moe-broey]

SECOND CLEAR OF THE TOWER‼️‼️‼️ This time w Murch's pallette!!!!!!

[toytulini]

sodies are fun, but i miss ink armor. i preferred it

[astralynx]

[kintatsujo]

When I say I have known women who mansplain

My tenth year at the grocery store I not only knew a woman who refused to believe I'd worked there for ten years but continued to explain to me things that used to be at the store five years before as if I wasn't a local who would have plenty of reason to be in the store even if I hadn't been working there for ten years

Stupid egotistical women exist

[akkivee]

samatoki blowing smoke rings 🤭💙💙💙

[orangefuckingjuice]

everytime i start using a weapon more and more in splatoon and think “ah alright i could main this” i look it up and people are shitting all over it 😭 this is the forth time im i just choosing the worst weapons or does everyone just have hatred harboring in their inky hearts

[little-peril-stories]

[Image ID: a screenshot from the Nanowrimo website, showing 25,522/31,000 words. End ID.]

I broke 25k this morning yayyyyy

[thebleedingeffect]

In my heart of hearts I truly do just want to write a self insert that interacts with the main story that's it really

[brianwilder]

Understanding Pests and Fungus: Insights from Wellington Garden Club’s Talk on Tree and Turf Health

The Wellington Garden Club (WGC) is set to host an insightful meeting on September 9, 2024, at the Wellington Community Center. The event will feature a presentation by Mike Sands, a certified horticulturist and Master Naturalist with extensive experience in horticulture. This session promises to shed light on the crucial topics of pests and fungus that commonly affect trees and turfs.

Expert Speaker: Mike Sands

Mike Sands is a highly respected figure in the field of horticulture, bringing over two decades of expertise to his role. Currently serving as the head horticulturalist and spray technician for the Village of Wellington, Mike holds multiple state licenses in various categories, including ornamental and turf, right-of-way, aquatic, and natural area management. His deep knowledge and practical experience make him an invaluable resource for understanding and managing garden health.

Focus of the Presentation

Mike’s presentation will cover the following key areas:

Mike Sands’ Background

In addition to his role with the Village of Wellington, Mike is affiliated with Tangled Roots Orchid Nursery in Loxahatchee, where he specializes in bifoliate Cattleyas—orchids that are often misunderstood. The nursery is known for its innovative use of 3D-printed biodegradable pots and a newly developed line of fertilizers. Mike’s broad expertise also includes his past read more