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Reference - Blog Posts
This is about Sci-Hub. yeah we get it.. gatekeep knowledge and protect the interests of capital…
dealing with the worst case scenario
your condom breaks
you feel a lump on your breast
your friends are ignoring you
you’re stranded on an island
you got rejected by a crush
you get into a car accident
you got stung by a bee/wasp
you got fired from your job
you’re in an earthquake
your tattoo gets infected
your house is on fire
you’re lost in the woods
you get arrested abroad
you get robbed
your partner cheated on you
you’re on a ship that’s sinking
you fall into ice
you’re stuck in an elevator
you hit a deer with your car
you have food poisoning
your pet passed away
you fall off of a horse
you or your friend has alcohol poisoning
you have toxic shock syndrome
your house has a gas leak
refseek.com
www.worldcat.org/
link.springer.com
http://bioline.org.br/
repec.org
science.gov
pdfdrive.com
FAMOUS AUTHORS
Classic Bookshelf: This site has put classic novels online, from Charles Dickens to Charlotte Bronte.
The Online Books Page: The University of Pennsylvania hosts this book search and database.
Project Gutenberg: This famous site has over 27,000 free books online.
Page by Page Books: Find books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H.G. Wells, as well as speeches from George W. Bush on this site.
Classic Book Library: Genres here include historical fiction, history, science fiction, mystery, romance and children’s literature, but they’re all classics.
Classic Reader: Here you can read Shakespeare, young adult fiction and more.
Read Print: From George Orwell to Alexandre Dumas to George Eliot to Charles Darwin, this online library is stocked with the best classics.
Planet eBook: Download free classic literature titles here, from Dostoevsky to D.H. Lawrence to Joseph Conrad.
The Spectator Project: Montclair State University’s project features full-text, online versions of The Spectator and The Tatler.
Bibliomania: This site has more than 2,000 classic texts, plus study guides and reference books.
Online Library of Literature: Find full and unabridged texts of classic literature, including the Bronte sisters, Mark Twain and more.
Bartleby: Bartleby has much more than just the classics, but its collection of anthologies and other important novels made it famous.
Fiction.us: Fiction.us has a huge selection of novels, including works by Lewis Carroll, Willa Cather, Sherwood Anderson, Flaubert, George Eliot, F. Scott Fitzgerald and others.
Free Classic Literature: Find British authors like Shakespeare and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, plus other authors like Jules Verne, Mark Twain, and more.
TEXTBOOKS
Textbook Revolution: Find biology, business, engineering, mathematics and world history textbooks here.
Wikibooks: From cookbooks to the computing department, find instructional and educational materials here.
KnowThis Free Online Textbooks: Get directed to stats textbooks and more.
Online Medical Textbooks: Find books about plastic surgery, anatomy and more here.
Online Science and Math Textbooks: Access biochemistry, chemistry, aeronautics, medical manuals and other textbooks here.
MIT Open Courseware Supplemental Resources: Find free videos, textbooks and more on the subjects of mechanical engineering, mathematics, chemistry and more.
Flat World Knowledge: This innovative site has created an open college textbooks platform that will launch in January 2009.
Free Business Textbooks: Find free books to go along with accounting, economics and other business classes.
Light and Matter: Here you can access open source physics textbooks.
eMedicine: This project from WebMD is continuously updated and has articles and references on surgery, pediatrics and more.
MATH AND SCIENCE
FullBooks.com: This site has “thousands of full-text free books,” including a large amount of scientific essays and books.
Free online textbooks, lecture notes, tutorials and videos on mathematics: NYU links to several free resources for math students.
Online Mathematics Texts: Here you can find online textbooks likeElementary Linear Algebra and Complex Variables.
Science and Engineering Books for free download: These books range in topics from nanotechnology to compressible flow.
FreeScience.info: Find over 1800 math, engineering and science books here.
Free Tech Books: Computer programmers and computer science enthusiasts can find helpful books here.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
byGosh: Find free illustrated children’s books and stories here.
Munseys: Munseys has nearly 2,000 children’s titles, plus books about religion, biographies and more.
International Children’s Digital Library: Find award-winning books and search by categories like age group, make believe books, true books or picture books.
Lookybook: Access children’s picture books here.
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION
Bored.com: Bored.com has music ebooks, cooking ebooks, and over 150 philosophy titles and over 1,000 religion titles.
Ideology.us: Here you’ll find works by Rene Descartes, Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, David Hume and others.
Free Books on Yoga, Religion and Philosophy: Recent uploads to this site include Practical Lessons in Yoga and Philosophy of Dreams.
The Sociology of Religion: Read this book by Max Weber, here.
Religion eBooks: Read books about the Bible, Christian books, and more.
PLAYS
ReadBookOnline.net: Here you can read plays by Chekhov, Thomas Hardy, Ben Jonson, Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe and others.
Plays: Read Pygmalion, Uncle Vanya or The Playboy of the Western World here.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: MIT has made available all of Shakespeare’s comedies, tragedies, and histories.
Plays Online: This site catalogs “all the plays [they] know about that are available in full text versions online for free.”
ProPlay: This site has children’s plays, comedies, dramas and musicals.
MODERN FICTION, FANTASY AND ROMANCE
Public Bookshelf: Find romance novels, mysteries and more.
The Internet Book Database of Fiction: This forum features fantasy and graphic novels, anime, J.K. Rowling and more.
Free Online Novels: Here you can find Christian novels, fantasy and graphic novels, adventure books, horror books and more.
Foxglove: This British site has free novels, satire and short stories.
Baen Free Library: Find books by Scott Gier, Keith Laumer and others.
The Road to Romance: This website has books by Patricia Cornwell and other romance novelists.
Get Free Ebooks: This site’s largest collection includes fiction books.
John T. Cullen: Read short stories from John T. Cullen here.
SF and Fantasy Books Online: Books here include Arabian Nights,Aesop’s Fables and more.
Free Novels Online and Free Online Cyber-Books: This list contains mostly fantasy books.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Project Laurens Jz Coster: Find Dutch literature here.
ATHENA Textes Francais: Search by author’s name, French books, or books written by other authors but translated into French.
Liber Liber: Download Italian books here. Browse by author, title, or subject.
Biblioteca romaneasca: Find Romanian books on this site.
Bibliolteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes: Look up authors to find a catalog of their available works on this Spanish site.
KEIMENA: This page is entirely in Greek, but if you’re looking for modern Greek literature, this is the place to access books online.
Proyecto Cervantes: Texas A&M’s Proyecto Cervantes has cataloged Cervantes’ work online.
Corpus Scriptorum Latinorum: Access many Latin texts here.
Project Runeberg: Find Scandinavian literature online here.
Italian Women Writers: This site provides information about Italian women authors and features full-text titles too.
Biblioteca Valenciana: Register to use this database of Catalan and Valencian books.
Ketab Farsi: Access literature and publications in Farsi from this site.
Afghanistan Digital Library: Powered by NYU, the Afghanistan Digital Library has works published between 1870 and 1930.
CELT: CELT stands for “the Corpus of Electronic Texts” features important historical literature and documents.
Projekt Gutenberg-DE: This easy-to-use database of German language texts lets you search by genres and author.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
LibriVox: LibriVox has a good selection of historical fiction.
The Perseus Project: Tufts’ Perseus Digital Library features titles from Ancient Rome and Greece, published in English and original languages.
Access Genealogy: Find literature about Native American history, the Scotch-Irish immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries, and more.
Free History Books: This collection features U.S. history books, including works by Paul Jennings, Sarah Morgan Dawson, Josiah Quincy and others.
Most Popular History Books: Free titles include Seven Days and Seven Nights by Alexander Szegedy and Autobiography of a Female Slave by Martha G. Browne.
RARE BOOKS
Questia: Questia has 5,000 books available for free, including rare books and classics.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Books-On-Line: This large collection includes movie scripts, newer works, cookbooks and more.
Chest of Books: This site has a wide range of free books, including gardening and cooking books, home improvement books, craft and hobby books, art books and more.
Free e-Books: Find titles related to beauty and fashion, games, health, drama and more.
2020ok: Categories here include art, graphic design, performing arts, ethnic and national, careers, business and a lot more.
Free Art Books: Find artist books and art books in PDF format here.
Free Web design books: OnlineComputerBooks.com directs you to free web design books.
Free Music Books: Find sheet music, lyrics and books about music here.
Free Fashion Books: Costume and fashion books are linked to the Google Books page.
MYSTERY
MysteryNet: Read free short mystery stories on this site.
TopMystery.com: Read books by Edgar Allan Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, GK Chesterton and other mystery writers here.
Mystery Books: Read books by Sue Grafton and others.
POETRY
The Literature Network: This site features forums, a copy of The King James Bible, and over 3,000 short stories and poems.
Poetry: This list includes “The Raven,” “O Captain! My Captain!” and “The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde.”
Poem Hunter: Find free poems, lyrics and quotations on this site.
Famous Poetry Online: Read limericks, love poetry, and poems by Robert Browning, Emily Dickinson, John Donne, Lord Byron and others.
Google Poetry: Google Books has a large selection of poetry, fromThe Canterbury Tales to Beowulf to Walt Whitman.
QuotesandPoem.com: Read poems by Maya Angelou, William Blake, Sylvia Plath and more.
CompleteClassics.com: Rudyard Kipling, Allen Ginsberg and Alfred Lord Tennyson are all featured here.
PinkPoem.com: On this site, you can download free poetry ebooks.
MISC
Banned Books: Here you can follow links of banned books to their full text online.
World eBook Library: This monstrous collection includes classics, encyclopedias, children’s books and a lot more.
DailyLit: DailyLit has everything from Moby Dick to the recent phenomenon, Skinny Bitch.
A Celebration of Women Writers: The University of Pennsylvania’s page for women writers includes Newbery winners.
Free Online Novels: These novels are fully online and range from romance to religious fiction to historical fiction.
ManyBooks.net: Download mysteries and other books for your iPhone or eBook reader here.
Authorama: Books here are pulled from Google Books and more. You’ll find history books, novels and more.
Prize-winning books online: Use this directory to connect to full-text copies of Newbery winners, Nobel Prize winners and Pulitzer winners.
Ginger's New design!
Both shaded and unshaded versions.
STAR WARS CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA (2021) + Fun Facts:
Adi Gallia is respect for her powers of intuition.
Adi Gallia is a valuable intelligence source to Senate leaders, indicating some kind of diplomat to the Senate kind of relation.
Agen Kolar is known to strike first and ask questions later, he is also a valuable member of the Jedi High Council.
Agen is a master swordsmith, not just a highly skilled sword wielder, indicating there’s probably an entire Jedi discipline of sword-making?
“Anakin’s bond with his teacher, Obi-Wan Kenobi, is strong. They make a dynamic team in the Clone Wars.”
Barriss specialized in tandem fighting and used the Force to keep her actions perfectly in synch with her partner Luminara.
Coleman Trebor is the only known Vurk (from an ocean world) to have joined the Jedi Order.
Depa offers an ordered perspective to the wind-ranging minds of her fellow Jedi.
Jedi Master Mace Windu rescued Depa Billaba from space pirates who destroyed her parents. Eventually, Windu took Billaba as his Padawan. Over the years, they have developed a close bond.
“Kenobi has a healthy independent streak and truly formidable lightsaber skills.”
“The bond between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker is strong as they fight through the Clone Wars.”
Plo Koon, Saesee Tiin, and Obi-Wan Kenobi are considered great pilots of the Jedi.
Plo Koon is an awesome fighter and has strong telekinetic powers.
Saesee Tiin has more telepathic powers than most Jedi (who are closer to empathic than anything).
Torgruta Shaak Ti is one of the best Jedi fighters in group combat. Her hollow head montrals sense space ultrasonically, sharping her spacial awareness.
Stass Allie is a formidable warrior, but her talent for battlefield medicine is also impressive. These first-aid skills have saved the lives of troops under her command during the Clone Wars.
Stass Allie and Adi Gallia are cousins.
Yaddle trained Oppo Rancisis.
Yaddle has devoted a lot of time to scholarly interests, and spends much time in the Jedi Archives.
Yarael Poof has a mischievous side and enjoys playing mind tricks on colleagues.
Note: While this book was put out very recently, indicating an intention for these mentions to be canon, I would be careful of taking these as Hard Fact until they’ve appeared in an actual story somewhere (and sometimes they’re already wrong, 2019′s Master and Apprentice shows Qui-Gon was offered a seat on the Council, while this book says he wasn’t). But they are SUPER FUN details to help expand the world in the meantime!
You know what’s some crazy $hit?
This fabulous bitch
She makes a shit ton of poses (like 16,000 or some crazy nonsense). I used this lovely lady to draw so much as a teen. Whether it was some nerdy pose for my Mary Sue as fuck OCs
or for full on fight sequences
or for tragic deaths of my OCs in the arms of a totally OOC main protagonist.
this bitch hooked me up.
And with the wildest, craziest stuff that you could see in your head but had no way or resources to reasonably draw like
or this
or this
DUDE! INASNE SHIT!! So I was using her for a pose reference and decided, you know what, I owe this bitch some cash. Lemme dole it out for her. BUT then, I looked and saw she only has 286 fucking patrons!! This chick gives out free shit and spends countless hours arranging these shoots and setting this stuff up.
I’ll fork up the cash, SenshiStock. You’re worth it.
Check out this amazing woman’s stuff, and get knowledged: https://www.deviantart.com/senshistock
Overview of some topics when it comes to drawing characters who are burn survivors.
DISCLAIMER. Please keep in mind that this is an introductory overview for drawing some burn scars and has a lot of generalizations in it, so not every “X is Z” statement will be true for Actual People. I'm calling this introductory because I hope to get people to actually do their own research before drawing disabled & visibly different characters rather than just making stuff up. Think of it as a starting point and take it with a grain of salt (especially if you have a very different art style from mine).
Talking about research and learning... don't make your burn survivor characters evil. Burn survivors are normal people and don't deserve to be constantly portrayed in such a way.
edit: apparently tum "queerest place on the internet" blr hates disabled people so much that this post got automatically filtered. cool!
Cool some stuff while I have been sleeping for the past two months
Today is not a drawing day
OK Tumblr Geriatric Ward, let’s talk about your posture-
there are things you should be doing now to prevent yourself from starting to look like 🥀
Why does it matter? Future you would like to avoid the pain, limited motion, and fall risk that goes along with worsening posture.
What’s the focus?
1. Keep the flexibility in your spine
2. Stretch the muscles in the front
3. Strengthen the muscle in the back
Here are some simple things you can do daily while sitting and when you get up to go into the bathroom or the kitchen
Keep the flexibility by doing these repeated movements: 10 repetitions several times a day
The goal is to give yourself a double or triple chin. Keep your nose pointing forward, don’t let it tip up or down
Thoracic extension- use a chair with a seat back that comes up to the level of your shoulder blades. Try to bend back over the top of the chair without arching away from the seat back and without extending your neck. If the pressure from the top of the chair is uncomfortable you can place a towel there
Stretch the muscles in the front by using a door frame. This one will feel good afterwards
If this isn’t enough of a stretch you can do one side at a time. If you have the right arm up step forward with the right foot and turn slightly to the left. Then do it on the other side.
Strengthen the muscles in the back by squeezing your shoulder blades together for a count of 10 and then repeating 10 times. You can do this several times a day Hint: Don’t lift your shoulder blades up
There are lots more exercises for strengthening your back muscles but this is a good starting point and easy to do. I like doing it while driving
Tips:
Do the best you can
If it hurts stop
Envision future you saying thank you each time you do one of the exercises
TimePunk/PunkPunk: The Textening
Been largely absent from this blog this year, so of course I figured I’d make it up to you with two extremely long text posts two days in a row. Love you all!
This is the Timepunk/Punk Punk post from 2015 updated for 2018, in a format you can copy/paste, and accessible to screen readers. Added a few more *punks and clarified a few more definitions. (Feel free to message me if you know of a *punk not on the list.)
Timepunk: Advanced technologies develop in a historical (or future) period, which changes the associated society, fashion, and magic. TVTropes explanation: Either exchanges the basic technology for that of another historical period or mixes in another genre.
These are not definitions or in-depth in any way. I describe each with associations and imagery, as I’ve found these to be useful shorthand for explaining to strangers and newbies. I tried to make sure each punk had more than one discussion or labeled work online (otherwise the list would expand to include every silly discussion thread on the internet).
Note: none of these have much to do with 1960s-70s Punk music culture, other than some possible overlapping anti-authoritarian themes. These genres are derivatives of steampunk, which arose from cyberpunk.
stonepunk: Prehistoric, Neolithic, Stone Age
bronzepunk: Bronze Age, Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Mediterranean
sandalpunk, classicpunk, ironpunk, togapunk: Iron Age, Classical antiquity, Greece, Roman Empire, Atlantis, Antikythera mechanism
biblepunk: Biblical Middle East, emphasizes adventure over morality
middlepunk, dungeonpunk, candlepunk, plaguepunk, castlepunk: Medieval European, medieval fantasy, Black Death
dragonpunk, vikingpunk, wizardpunk: high fantasy, medieval fantasy, Tolkien, wizards, Vikings
clockpunk: Renaissance, early Baroque, Leonardo Da Vinci, Galileo
bardpunk: Shakespeare sci-fi
rococopunk, lacepunk: Baroque, Rococo, Colonial, Marie Antoinette, American Revolution, New Romantics
rococoa: rococopunk based on black history, Assassin’s Creed Liberation
piratepunk: Golden Age of Piracy, Age of Sail, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag
steampunk: Regency, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Industrial Revolution, Jules Verne, HG Wells
steampulp, gaslamp fantasy: steampunk focused on fantasy/adventure/romance over science fiction
steamfunk: steampunk based on black history, sometimes combined with 1970s funk aesthetics
steamgoth, dreadpunk: period gothic, supernatural, horror, Penny Dreadful
dustpunk, cattlepunk, Weird West: North American cowboy, American Indian, Wild West
Amishpunk: giant wooden robots?
gauchopunk: South American cowboy
slavicpunk: Eastern Europe, rural/pagan/mystical themes
teslapunk: steampunk focused on electricity, free energy, Nikola Tesla
nerfpunk: steampunk in bright Nerf gun colors
stitchpunk: rag doll steampunk
fairypunk: steampunk fairy tales
decopunk, flapperpunk: Roaring Twenties, Jazz Age, Art Deco, Prohibition, flappers, gangsters
dieselpunk: World War I & II, London Blitz, tank/sub warfare, bomber planes, military, noir
dieselfunk: dieselpunk based on black history
Blitzpunk, Nazipunk: dieselpunk focused on Nazis as super-villains, alternate Nazi-ruled history
atompunk: Atomic Age, Space Age, pulp, raygun gothic, Fallout
transistorpunk, psychedelipunk, weedpunk: Cold War, Vietnam War, psychedelic drugs, disco, Space Race, James Bond, Philip K. Dick
spacepunk: space opera, space exploration, sword and space, futuristic utopia, Ziggy Stardust, Star Trek
Cassette Futurism, formicapunk: late 20th century analog technology, VHS, cassettes, primitive digital, 8-bit, no internet or cellphones, The Fifth Element, Max Headroom
gothicpunk, cybernoir: post-modern, dystopian, goth and punk fusion, old World of Darkness, The Crow
cyberpunk: cyberspace, cyborgs, dystopia, Blade Runner, Neuromancer, the street finds its uses for technology
postcyberpunk, cyberprep: cyberpunk without the assumption of dystopia, Ghost in the Shell
biopunk: cyberpunk focused on genetic engineering and organic technology
nanopunk: cyberpunk focused on nanites and nanotechnology
bugpunk: cyberpunk/biopunk starring bugs
solarpunk: near-future, solar tech, environmentally-friendly tech, neo-Art Nouveau & African, Asian art
post-apocalyptic, apunkalypse, wasteland: survivalist, Mad Max, Burning Man, Fallout, west coast tribal
junkpunk: post-apocalyptic using trash and repurposed scrap for material
Geographic punk: These punks are also about advanced technologies developing in a historical society, but are based on geography and culture rather than time. So the time period and technology can range anywhere from bronzepunk to cyberpunk, though steampunk is often the springboard.
silkpunk: Silk Road, classical Chinese antiquity, Ken Liu
bamboopunk, ricepunk: East and South Asia
jadepunk: East Asia, wuxia, mystical jade tech (sometimes mystical aether tech)
edopunk: Japan
rajpunk: India
SEAsteampunk: Southeast Asia
Environment punk: Advanced technologies in an environment rather than time period. Technology can range from stonepunk to cyberpunk.
desertpunk, sandpunk: survival in a very harsh environment, often post-apocalyptic, neo-Bedouins
oceanpunk: mostly watery/oceanic world, often piratical, One Piece, Water World
skypunk: sister to oceanpunk, the sky is an ocean
Falls outside the timepunk umbrella, but still has punk in the name. Mostly literary and musical:
seapunk: oceanic, aqua, spacey dance music, “Venice Beach Acid Rave 1995”
clownpunk: clowns + punk
wizardpunk: wizard rock, Harry and the Potters
splatterpunk: extreme horror, graphic violence, nihilistic
carniepunk: urban fantasy and horror set in carnivals
mannerpunk: fantasy focusing on elaborate social structure plots
elfpunk: fairies and elves in modern-day settings
mythpunk: myths and folklore through postmodern urban fantasy or science fiction
arcanepunk: fantasy where both magic and science exist
capepunk: superhero fiction deconstructing (or reconstructing) superheroism in a “realistic” manner
feltpunk: humans and muppets live side by side (in a dystopia?), Greg the Bunny, The Muppet Show
dreampunk: overarching meta-punk examining or rewriting history to address oppression, human rights, and environmental issues, or creating new myths to address the same. Employs dream logic. Draws on other *punk genres for material and influence.
nowpunk: contemporary literature. Yes, it was coined as a joke.
I get asked a lot for tips with coloring black people, so i put together a little tutorial! (and bumps my kofi if you found this helpful)
You say too late to start, Got your heart in a headlock
I don't believe any of it
finally drawing kingdom hearts again I miss making fanart for this series
Smooching notes~!
So the people on Twitter seemed to find my notes very useful, So I am sharing them to you guys as well
have fun!
tweet
Something like this would be so colossally helpful. I'm sick and tired of trying to research specific clothing from any given culture and being met with either racist stereotypical costumes worn by yt people or ai generated garbage nonsense, and trying to be hyper specific with searches yields fuck all. Like I generally just cannot trust the legitimacy of most search results at this point. It's extremely frustrating. If there are good resources for this then they're buried deep under all the other bullshit, and idk where to start looking.
Want to learn something new in 2022??
Absolute beginner adult ballet series (fabulous beginning teacher)
40 piano lessons for beginners (some of the best explanations for piano I’ve ever seen)
Excellent basic crochet video series
Basic knitting (probably the best how to knit video out there)
Pre-Free Figure Skate Levels A-D guides and practice activities (each video builds up with exercises to the actual moves!)
How to draw character faces video (very funny, surprisingly instructive?)
Another drawing character faces video
Literally my favorite art pose hack
Tutorial of how to make a whole ass Stardew Valley esque farming game in Gamemaker Studios 2??
Introduction to flying small aircrafts
French/Dutch/Fishtail braiding
Playing the guitar for beginners (well paced and excellent instructor)
Playing the violin for beginners (really good practical tips mixed in)
Color theory in digital art (not of the children’s hospital variety)
Retake classes you hated but now there’s zero stakes:
Calculus 1 (full semester class)
Learn basic statistics (free textbook)
Introduction to college physics (free textbook)
Introduction to accounting (free textbook)
Learn a language:
Ancient Greek
Latin
Spanish
German
Japanese (grammar guide) (for dummies)
French
Russian (pretty good cyrillic guide!)
I forgot I have to be active here so here’s my Twitter tutorial on how to draw folds I made a while back to help a friend!
Introduction to Gardening for Beginners
Gardening is a rewarding and therapeutic hobby that can transform your outdoor or indoor space into a thriving sanctuary of plants, flowers, and vegetables. Whether you aim to create an English cottage garden, grow organic flowers, or cultivate a vegetable garden, starting as a beginner can be both exciting and overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the best way to start a garden, covering everything from selecting plants to understanding garden design principles.
Understanding Your Space
Before you begin planting, it's crucial to understand the space you have available. Whether you're planning an indoor garden, an English cottage garden, or a vegetable garden, the key is to assess the light, soil, and space conditions.
Indoor Gardens
For those interested in indoor gardening, consider the amount of natural light your home receives. South-facing windows are ideal for most houseplants, providing ample light throughout the day. If your space lacks natural light, consider investing in grow lights.
Outdoor Gardens
Outdoor gardening requires an assessment of your yard or garden plot. Observe how much sunlight different areas receive, noting which spots are in full sun, partial shade, or full shade. This information will guide your plant selection, ensuring you choose plants suited to your garden's conditions.
Choosing the Right Plants
Selecting the right plants is vital for a successful garden. As a beginner, start with plants that are easy to grow and maintain.
Easy Indoor Plants
Spider Plant: Hardy and adaptable, perfect for beginners.
Pothos: Low maintenance and can thrive in low light.
Snake Plant: Tolerant of neglect and ideal for low light conditions.
Succulents: Require minimal watering and are great for sunny windowsills.
Easy Outdoor Plants
Marigolds: Bright, cheerful flowers that are easy to grow from seed.
Sunflowers: Fast-growing and visually striking.
Lettuce: Quick to grow and perfect for salads.
Tomatoes: Popular and rewarding, providing fresh produce for your kitchen.
Garden Design Principles
Designing your garden involves more than just planting; it requires planning and understanding some basic design principles.
English Cottage Garden
An English cottage garden is characterized by its informal, densely planted flower beds. To achieve this look, mix various flowers, herbs, and vegetables, ensuring a continuous bloom throughout the growing season.
Plant Variety: Combine perennials, annuals, and biennials for a dynamic and colorful display.
Pathways: Create charming, winding paths using natural materials like stone or gravel.
Focal Points: Incorporate elements like arbors, benches, or birdbaths to add interest and structure.
Vegetable Garden
A vegetable garden can be both beautiful and productive. Consider the following tips:
Raised Beds: Ideal for beginners as they improve drainage, reduce weeds, and make planting and harvesting easier.
Companion Planting: Grow plants together that benefit each other, such as tomatoes with basil or carrots with onions.
Succession Planting: Maximize your garden’s yield by planting different crops in the same area throughout the year.
Gardening Tools and Supplies
Having the right tools can make gardening more enjoyable and efficient. Here are some essential gardening tools for beginners:
Hand Trowel: Perfect for planting and transplanting small plants.
Pruning Shears: Essential for trimming and shaping plants.
Garden Gloves: Protect your hands from thorns, dirt, and blisters.
Watering Can/Hose: Ensure your plants get adequate water, especially during dry spells.
Garden Fork: Useful for turning soil and mixing in compost.
Preparing the Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. Here’s how to prepare your soil:
Test Your Soil: Determine your soil’s pH and nutrient levels using a soil test kit.
Amend the Soil: Based on your soil test results, add compost, manure, or other organic matter to improve soil fertility and structure.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Planting Techniques
Understanding proper planting techniques will ensure your plants establish well and thrive.
Spacing: Follow the recommended spacing guidelines for each plant to prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth.
Planting Depth: Ensure seeds and transplants are planted at the correct depth, typically indicated on seed packets or plant tags.
Watering: Water your plants thoroughly after planting to help them settle into their new environment.
Caring for Your Garden
Regular maintenance is crucial for a healthy and productive garden. Here are some tips for ongoing garden care:
Watering: Consistent watering is essential, especially for young plants. Water in the early morning or late afternoon to reduce evaporation.
Weeding: Regularly remove weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
Fertilizing: Feed your plants with organic fertilizers according to their specific needs.
Pest Control: Monitor for pests and diseases. Use organic pest control methods, such as introducing beneficial insects or using natural sprays.
Indoor Plant Care
For indoor plants, consider the following care tips:
Lighting: Ensure your plants receive the appropriate amount of light. Rotate plants regularly for even growth.
Watering: Avoid overwatering by checking soil moisture before watering. Most houseplants prefer to dry out slightly between waterings.
Humidity: Increase humidity for tropical plants by misting them or placing them on a humidity tray.
Repotting: Repot your plants when they outgrow their containers to provide more space for root growth.
Creating a Sustainable Garden
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in gardening. Here are some ways to create an eco-friendly garden:
Composting: Recycle kitchen scraps and garden waste to create nutrient-rich compost.
Rainwater Harvesting: Collect rainwater in barrels to reduce water usage.
Native Plants: Choose native plants that are adapted to your local climate and require less maintenance.
Organic Practices: Avoid synthetic chemicals and opt for organic fertilizers and pest control methods.
Inspiration from Botanical Gardens
Visiting botanical gardens can provide inspiration and ideas for your own garden. Here are some famous botanical gardens to explore:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK): Known for its diverse plant collections and stunning landscapes.
New York Botanical Garden (USA): Offers a wide variety of plant species and themed gardens.
Singapore Botanic Gardens (Singapore): Features tropical flora and the iconic National Orchid Garden.
Butchart Gardens (Canada): Famous for its beautifully designed flower displays and themed gardens.
Connecting with the Gardening Community
Joining the gardening community can provide support, advice, and inspiration. Here are some ways to connect:
Local Gardening Clubs: Join clubs to meet other gardeners and participate in events and workshops.
Online Forums: Engage in online gardening forums and social media groups like the #houseplantcommunity or #gardeningtips.
Garden Shows: Attend garden shows and expos to learn from experts and discover new plants and tools.
Conclusion
Starting a garden as a beginner can be a fulfilling journey that enhances your connection with nature and provides a sense of accomplishment. By understanding your space, choosing the right plants, designing thoughtfully, using proper tools, and maintaining your garden diligently, you can create a beautiful and thriving garden. Embrace the learning process, seek inspiration, and connect with the gardening community to grow your gardening skills and enjoy the many benefits this hobby offers.
Additional Tips and Resources
To further assist you on your gardening journey, here are some additional tips and resources:
Gardening Books for Beginners
"The Vegetable Gardener's Bible" by Edward C. Smith: Comprehensive guide on growing vegetables.
"The Flower Gardener's Bible" by Lewis Hill and Nancy Hill: Detailed instructions on flower gardening.
"Indoor Gardening: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Grow Beautiful Plants in Your Home" by Leslie F. Halleck: Focuses on indoor gardening techniques.
Gardening Magazines and Websites
Garden Gate Magazine: Offers gardening tips, plant profiles, and design ideas.
Fine Gardening: Provides expert advice on all aspects of gardening.
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): Wealth of information on plants, gardening techniques, and garden design.
Gardening Apps
PlantSnap: Helps identify plants and provides care instructions.
Garden Answers: Allows you to ask gardening questions and receive expert advice.
GrowIt!: Connects you with local gardeners and offers plant recommendations.
Getting Started: Step-by-Step Guide
To summarize, here's a step-by-step guide to help you start your garden:
Assess Your Space: Determine light conditions, soil type, and available space.
Choose Plants: Select easy-to-grow plants suited to your environment.
Design Your Garden: Plan your layout, considering aesthetics and plant needs.
Prepare the Soil: Test and amend your soil to ensure optimal growing conditions.
Plant: Follow proper planting techniques for healthy establishment.
Maintain: Water, weed, fertilize, and monitor for pests regularly.
Learn and Connect: Continue learning through books, magazines, and the gardening community.
By following these steps and utilizing the resources provided, you'll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and thriving garden.
PLEASE do yourself a favour and check out this wikipedia-styled template for google drive, made by @ Rukidut on twitter
I decided to try to sort my ideas and whats canon regarding my ocs with this and ITS PERFECT. IT ALL FEELS SO CONRETE. and i sure as hell AM Going to continue to use this with every single OC I have until google drives is set ablaze- Just!!!!!!!!
Also; link directly to the doc, just copy the file and you have your own lil template!!!!
100 Dialogue Tags You Can Use Instead of “Said”
For the writers struggling to rid themselves of the classic ‘said’. Some are repeated in different categories since they fit multiple ones (but those are counted once so it adds up to 100 new words).
1. Neutral Tags
Straightforward and unobtrusive dialogue tags:
Added, Replied, Stated, Remarked, Responded, Observed, Acknowledged, Commented, Noted, Voiced, Expressed, Shared, Answered, Mentioned, Declared.
2. Questioning Tags
Curious, interrogative dialogue tags:
Asked, Queried, Wondered, Probed, Inquired, Requested, Pondered, Demanded, Challenged, Interjected, Investigated, Countered, Snapped, Pleaded, Insisted.
3. Emotive Tags
Emotional dialogue tags:
Exclaimed, Shouted, Sobbed, Whispered, Cried, Hissed, Gasped, Laughed, Screamed, Stammered, Wailed, Murmured, Snarled, Choked, Barked.
4. Descriptive Tags
Insightful, tonal dialogue tags:
Muttered, Mumbled, Yelled, Uttered, Roared, Bellowed, Drawled, Spoke, Shrieked, Boomed, Snapped, Groaned, Rasped, Purred, Croaked.
5. Action-Oriented Tags
Movement-based dialogue tags:
Announced, Admitted, Interrupted, Joked, Suggested, Offered, Explained, Repeated, Advised, Warned, Agreed, Confirmed, Ordered, Reassured, Stated.
6. Conflict Tags
Argumentative, defiant dialogue tags:
Argued, Snapped, Retorted, Rebuked, Disputed, Objected, Contested, Barked, Protested, Countered, Growled, Scoffed, Sneered, Challenged, Huffed.
7. Agreement Tags
Understanding, compliant dialogue tags:
Agreed, Assented, Nodded, Confirmed, Replied, Conceded, Acknowledged, Accepted, Affirmed, Yielded, Supported, Echoed, Consented, Promised, Concurred.
8. Disagreement Tags
Resistant, defiant dialogue tags:
Denied, Disagreed, Refused, Argued, Contradicted, Insisted, Protested, Objected, Rejected, Declined, Countered, Challenged, Snubbed, Dismissed, Rebuked.
9. Confused Tags
Hesitant, uncertain dialogue tags:
Stammered, Hesitated, Fumbled, Babbled, Mumbled, Faltered, Stumbled, Wondered, Pondered, Stuttered, Blurted, Doubted, Confessed, Vacillated.
10. Surprise Tags
Shock-inducing dialogue tags:
Gasped, Stunned, Exclaimed, Blurted, Wondered, Staggered, Marvelled, Breathed, Recoiled, Jumped, Yelped, Shrieked, Stammered.
Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks?
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