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lea_hazel
 | March 31st, 2026 01:05 pm
The thread I'm hanging by is gossamer-thin, but I'm hanging.
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no_true_pair [smallhobbit]
 | March 31st, 2026 10:50 am - The Meeting on the Island: Rescue (Spooks (MI5), Ros Myers/werewolf!Lucas)
Title: The Meeting on the Island: Rescue Fandom: Spooks (MI5) Pairing/Characters: Ros Myers, werewolf!Lucas Content Notes: PG. This is a six part story, in which Lucas North is a werewolf, but remains a valued part of the team. Prompt: March 31 Ros Myers & Lucas North Glory The Meeting on the Island: Rescue on AO3
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tamaranth
 | March 31st, 2026 09:43 am - 2026/046: Night Life — John Lewis-Stempel
2026/046: Night Life — John Lewis-StempelI keep looking around the dark corridor for secret drinkers, then understand that the beeriness is the fermenting combination of all the midsummer scents, and it is old and original. A Neanderthal standing on the bank of the river, spear in hand, would have known it. [p.108] Subtitled 'Walking Britain's Wild Landscapes After Dark', this is a short collection of pieces about Lewis-Stempel's thoughts and experiences of walking at night -- on the Welsh coast, in the Lake District, and on the Thames Path at Hammersmith (adjacent to the London Wetland Centre). He's a farmer, and in some of the essays there is a lovely sense of comfortable familiarity with his land. I realise that I miss having 'my' land, the places I'd walk every day, the places so familiar that I notice any change and every seasonal recurrence. Lots of fascinating facts and observations here: I learnt that birds flying in a V formation can fly almost twice as far as one bird flying alone; that the word 'delirium' is rooted in the notion of going off track when ploughing; that brent geese are named for their dark colour, 'brent' being a corruption of the old Norse 'brantr', burnt. I appreciated his unease when in London ('I'm fritted by the city at night') but could not help thinking that I would not be keen on walking alone, at night, along the darkest part of the Thames Path. (Men's fears are different from women's.) Overall, though, I really appreciated his observations and his sheer joy in existing as part of the natural world. Current Mood:: thoughtful
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calimac
 | March 31st, 2026 01:43 am - Alan Bostick
I was quite surprised to read from File 770 that Alan Bostick had died a week ago, both because, well, he was younger than I, and because I'd had hoped to have heard such news through the personal grapevine. Alan was a long-standing member of the Bay Area/Seattle fannish nexus, having lived in both places at various times. He was, as F770 noted, first known for one of the first of a 1980s wave of "ensmalled" fanzines, short and frequent, which he appropriately titled Fast and Loose. In recent years his principal activity was playing poker - Texas Hold 'Em was his variety - at which I gather he became quite skilled. Alan and I were friendly in our earlier years - I was on the mailing list for the entire run of Fast and Loose - but over time he seems to have found me exasperating, and consequently I felt uncomfortable with him. Nevertheless he could be friendly, waving hello when we came across each other at the eclipse viewing party at Redding's Sundial Bridge in 2012. The last time I saw him was a month ago at Corflu. He greeted me when we passed in the hallway, but alas he was wearing a full-face mask and I didn't realize it was him until too late to respond. I'd like to offer you a sample of Alan's writing, but all I can dig up are two issues of Fast and Loose, both from 1980 and both numbered 3 for some reason, but both devoted mostly to discussion of procrastination over getting the next issue out. One of them starts like this: "I can't do it, I can't do it," I said with my mouth. The person to whom I was speaking with the aforementioned orifice was Teresa Nielsen Hayden, who is my roomate, and the subject was her question-- "When are you going to publish another issue of Fast and Loose, 'the Frequent fanzine'?" "I can't, I tell you!" I shouted. "Russian troops are in Afghanistan, Iran has been holding American hostages for over 100 days, Canada just raised the price of export oil 30%, and they're going to draft my fair young bod to die in Afghanistan!" Doesn't sound much cheerier than today, does it? It didn't seem so at the time, either. Anyway, Alan's housemates (a more accurate term) eventually convince him that "There are over four billion people living on this planet right now. Statistically speaking, one of them ought to be publishing Fast and Loose." "I said with my mouth," by the way, is I think a Burbeeism - or if not, it falls in the same category - one of a number of verbal mannerisms introduced into fannish discourse by Charles Burbee in the late 1940s, and used by subsequent acolytes to communicate that they were faanish [sic] fans, fans into fandom for fandom's sake, and not bound to discuss science fiction or anything serious and constructive like that. Instead, they'd write about whatever came to their minds, such as - in this case - not writing anything. Typical of this breed of fannish writing. Anyway, that was a bit of Alan vintage 1980: light, attempted humorous, a bit self-indulgent, but enjoyable if you were his friend or regular reader.
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tamaranth
 | March 30th, 2026 11:25 am - 2026/045: The Casefile of Jay Moriarty — Kit Walker
2026/045: The Casefile of Jay Moriarty — Kit Walker"...since when do children’s authors incite hate crimes?” “In this case, just within the last few years,” Jay said. “If Clay was a bigot before that, she at least kept it to herself.” [p. 139] Collects the first five instalments of the 'Jay Moriarty and Sebastian Moran' series, in which Moriarty is a brilliant hacker (and trans man) and Moran is ex-SAS. Together, they fight crime... The setting is contemporary London: the crimes they fight range from a cover-up of lethally-faulty aviation software to -- as per quotation -- a transphobic children's author, Anya Clay, revealed to be appropriating money from her own charity. I read the first of these novellas, which is available for free at Amazon, and promptly purchased the collection, because I like Moriarty (and his evolving relationship with Moran) so much. Fun, pacy, violent and cunning: highly enjoyable, though animal lovers may wish to skip 'Sebastian Moran Gets Mauled by a Tiger'. Current Mood:: busy
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no_true_pair [vilakins]
 | March 31st, 2026 09:39 pm - A Question of Glory (Blake's 7 - Roj Blake & Olag Gan)
Title: A Question of Glory Fandom: Blake's 7 Pairing/Characters: Roj Blake & Olag Gan Content Notes: None Prompt: 31 March - Roj Blake & Olag Gan: glory A Question of Glory
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smartbitches_feed
| March 31st, 2026 08:00 am - Hide Your Wallet: March 31st Release Week
Posted by
Amanda
https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2026/03/hide-your-wallet-march-31st-release-week/ https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?p=168471
Happy Tuesday!
It’s the last day of March and a pretty big release day. I feel like there’s a little bit of everything from historical romance to non-fiction.
Which new books are you excited for? Let us know in the comments!
A Widow’s Charm
Author: Caitlyn Paxson Released: March 31, 2026 by Del Rey Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, Historical: European, Romance
In this witty fantasy romance, a widow attempts to resurrect her dead husband by blackmailing her rakish necromancer neighbor—only to find herself falling for him instead.
“Witty, whimsical, and deeply kind, A Widow’s Charm is beyond charming—it’s wholly enchanting.”—Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author of The Everlasting
Lady Hildegarde Croft is accustomed to changes in position. After all, she rose from maidservant to lady of the manor when she married Lord Thorgoode Croft. But when he dies unexpectedly, the plans that would have protected her and the people of Croftholde die along with him. What’s a widow to do?
Potential salvation arrives in the form of Lord Elmwood, who is fleeing the consequences of using his forbidden Charm to raise the dead. Now he’s injured, destitute, and hiding out at the neighboring estate.
For Hilde, blackmailing Lord Elmwood to resurrect Thorgoode seems like the perfect solution. For Elmwood, beautiful Lady Croft seems like the ideal distraction from his troubles. The problem is, all she wants from him is the horrifying power he knows he can never use again.
Sarah: A widow attempts to blackmail the necromancer next door into reanimating her husband to save his estate and her life, and then the necromancer is hot. Historical.
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
The Dreadfuls
Author: A. Rae Dunlap Released: March 31, 2026 by Kensington Books Genre: Horror, Historical: European, Mystery/Thriller
A Victorian-era Nancy Drew meets The Woman in the Window as true crime and historical fiction collide in this atmospheric thriller featuring real-life figures and a rebellious, uniquely inventive young reform school inmate determined to solve the serial killer case dominating the headlines in London, and soon, in the world: the Jack the Ripper murders.
London, 1888. Committed to the Whitechapel Hall Reform School for “incurable delinquency” 15-year-old Adelaide “Dell” Morton is a precocious, defiant misfit. She’s also a voracious reader of true crime and detective fiction, including the sordid, sensationally popular Penny dreadful stories. In an unlikely stroke of luck, she’s found a kindred spirit in her poised, perfectionist roommate, Pippa. Their obsession is only further fueled by the Jack the Ripper murders blazing a trail of terror throughout London’s seediest streets . . . right outside Whitechapel Hall’s front door.
Desperate for adventure, they embark on their own investigation—and discover an ally in Noah, son of the local butcher. But Noah’s motives are not mere fascination: His father is the prime suspect. Noah is desperate to clear his name, and Dell and Pippa are only too eager to help.
Their budding spywork soon yields shocking results: they witness straightlaced Whitechapel teacher Miss Kaye escaping the school the night of the latest crime. Could Jack the Ripper be a she? Delving into Miss Kaye’s background, Dell is both horrified and thrilled to find that within Miss Kaye’s past lies a chapter dark enough to rival any Penny dreadful . . .
Dell’s fixation with Miss Kaye reaches dangerous heights while a series of suspicious events leave Miss Kaye in sole command of Whitechapel Hall. Trapped in their teacher’s ever-tightening web of control, the three devious detectives devise a risky plan to track her. But what ensues may only propel them ever deeper into secrets, lies, ruthless acts, and betrayals that go back decades—and a confrontation that will irrevocably change the fates of all involved . . . if they survive.
Amanda: I was on board with “A Victorian-era Nancy Drew.”
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Game On
Author: Navessa Allen Released: March 31, 2026 by Slowburn Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance Series: Into Darkness #3
Book three in the No.1 New York Times bestselling Into Darkness series, following the dark rom-com sensations Lights Out and Caught Up . The game is on for these enemies-to-lovers with laugh-out-loud banter and scorching-hot brat play.
I hate that woman.
Tyler Neumann has spent years looking for his father, and not because he wants to meet the man. No, he wants to destroy him. And he’ll manipulate whoever he can to exact his revenge.
Including Stella McCormick. She’s everything Tyler hates. Her wealth and privilege have protected her for her entire life, and Tyler thinks it’s time she finally paid the price. Whether she’s ready to or not.
I hate that man.
Stella might not believe in love at first sight, but loathing at first sight – no question. From the moment she sets eyes on Tyler in her tattoo parlor, she knows he’s the devil planning to make her life hell.
Forced to play the part of his girlfriend and invite him into her family’s glittering circles, Stella quickly clocks Tyler’s ulterior motives. But love and hate are two sides of the same coin, and soon she doesn’t know which is being blackmailed by a man who wants to ruin her, or that they can’t seem to keep their hands off each other.
Game On is an enemies-to-lovers dark romance with morally grey characters. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the content warning at the beginning of the book.
The third book in the very popular Into Darkness series.
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The Geomagician
Author: Jennifer Mandula Released: March 31, 2026 by Del Rey Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, Historical: European, Romance
When a Victorian fossil hunter discovers a baby pterodactyl, she vows to protect him with the help of a fellow scholar—her former fiancé—in this enchanting and transporting historical fantasy.
Mary Anning wants to be a geomagician—a paleontologist who uses fossils to wield magic—but since the Geomagical Society of London refuses to admit women, she’s stuck selling her discoveries to tourists instead. When an ancient egg hatches in her hands, revealing a loveable baby pterodactyl Mary names Ajax, she knows this is the kind of scientific find that could make her career—if she’s strategic.
Mary contacts the Society about her discovery, and they demand to take possession of Ajax. Their emissary is none other than Henry Stanton, a distinguished (and infuriatingly handsome) scholar… and the man who once broke Mary’s heart.
Henry claims he believes in the brilliant Mary, and that he only wants to help her obtain the respect she deserves. She knows she can’t trust her fellow scholars, who want to discredit her and claim Ajax for their own—but can she even trust Henry, who seems intent on winning Mary back?
Now Mary has a new mystery to solve that’s buried deeper than any dinosaur She must uncover the secrets behind the Society and the truth about Henry. As her conscience begins to chafe against her ambition, Mary must decide what lengths she’s willing to go to finally belong—and what her heart really wants.
Amanda: This sounds delightful!
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How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay
Author: Jenny Lawson Released: March 31, 2026 by Penguin Life Genre: Memoir, Nonfiction
Warm, insightful, and witty, the first book of advice from New York Times bestselling author Jenny Lawson—aka the Bloggess
Jenny Lawson is full of contradictions. She’s a celebrated author but battles self-doubt, paralysis, and anxiety. She’s an award-winning humorist but struggles with treatment-resistant depression. The questions people most often ask her are, “How do you do it? How do you keep going even when it feels impossible? How do you keep creating?” This book is her answer.
In How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay, Jenny shares more than one hundred humorous, heartfelt, and genuine tools and tricks that she relies on to keep her going even when her brain isn’t working properly due to depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She also offers tips to stay passionate and focused on creative endeavors, especially when everything around you is saying to give up.
With chapters like “Wash Your Brain More Than You Wash Your Bra” (sleep, you beautiful human), “Working on Easy Mode Is Still Working” (asking for accommodations is okay!), “Celebrate Good Times, Come On!” (make it a habit to celebrate the good things), and many more, How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay is a balm and companion, reminding us all that we are not alone. It’s for anyone who struggles with self-doubt, guilt, motivation, and mental blocks and wants to rekindle their passion for creating. Funny, simple, empathetic, and full of hope, it will encourage you not to just survive but to find and curate joy in the face of difficult times.
Amanda: Lawson is an autobuy for me!
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Kill the Puckers
Author: Sam Evans Released: March 31, 2026 by Super Gravity Press Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Alyssa Reed has always been a problem solver and a fan of the long con. So, when the justice system fails her best friend, Alyssa takes it upon herself to set things right. And as far as Alyssa is concerned, setting things right means killing the hockey players who assaulted her friend.
There’s just a minor problem, and it’s not means or motive. It’s opportunity and access. But when Alyssa snags a date with the team’s head coach, Mark Eriksson—after stalking him for weeks, shh!—access to the team may no longer be a barrier to entry. At least, not if she can convince Mark she’s serious about him.
When hockey players start dropping like flies and Mark becomes increasingly suspicious, Alyssa has to decide if it’s just great sex that makes her want to trust Mark or if her feelings for him have outlived the long con and evolved into something more than a means to an end.
Amanda: This sounds batshit and I’m here for it.
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The Scoundrel and the Siren
Author: Christy Carlyle Released: March 31, 2026 by Avon Genre: Historical: European, Romance Series: Princes of London #2
In the next installment of the swoon-worthy Princes of London series, Christy Carlyle takes readers on a heart-pounding hunt through Norfolk where a legendary treasure hunter and a fierce local woman battle over a Viking hoard, each determined to claim it for their own—and neither willing to lose their heart in the process…
Dominic Prince is passionate, tenacious, and determined to carve out a legendary name for himself—just like his famous treasure-hunting father. When an American tycoon funds his expedition to uncover a Viking hoard in Norfolk and ship it across the Atlantic, Dominic sees his chance to claim glory. If he can unearth a treasure trove so magnificent it lands him on the front pages of newspapers in both England and America, his success will finally be undeniable.
Tess Hawthorne doesn’t quite know what to make of the entirely too handsome scoundrel who shows up in her village seeking the very treasure she’s been hoping to find all her life. When he asks to employ her knowledge and familiarity with the locals to assist on the dig, she accepts.
But she doesn’t want whatever treasure they find to leave England, and she certainly doesn’t want to lose her heart to the man determined to claim it…
A treasure hunting historical romance!
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This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me
Author: Ilona Andrews Released: March 31, 2026 by Tor Books Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Series: Maggie the Undying #1
Outlander meets Game of Thrones in this blockbuster new epic fantasy series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author duo Ilona Andrews.
When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy, and naked in a gutter, it doesn’t take her long to recognize Kair Toren, a city she knows intimately from the pages of the famously unfinished dark fantasy series she’s been obsessively reading and re-reading while waiting years for the final novel.
Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic, and mayhem? Her encyclopedic knowledge of the plot, the setting, and the characters’ ambitions and fates. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she’s coming to love—a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures, and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to get home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes—and attentions—of dueling princes, dukes, and villains, all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the way she knows their stories will end: in a cataclysmic war.
For fans of Samantha Shannon, Danielle L. Jensen, Sarah J. Maas, and isekai and portal fantasy, This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is the beginning of the most epic adventure yet from genre powerhouse author duo Ilona Andrews.
Amanda: Portal fantasy is having a moment and I’m here for it. (I’ve also been consuming a lot of a isekai webtoons.)
Add to Goodreads To-Read List →
https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2026/03/hide-your-wallet-march-31st-release-week/ https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?p=168471
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farsidecomics_feed
| March 31st, 2026 07:15 am
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farsidecomics_feed
| March 31st, 2026 07:15 am
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farsidecomics_feed
| March 31st, 2026 07:15 am
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farsidecomics_feed
| March 31st, 2026 07:15 am
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farsidecomics_feed
| March 31st, 2026 07:15 am
https://www.thefarside.com/2026/03/31/4  “And I tell ya ... the next trail drive I sign onto, I’m readin’ the fine print!” https://www.thefarside.com/2026/03/31/4
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vriddy
 | March 31st, 2026 08:42 am - What goes into a word count pledge
Get Your Words Out has pretty flexible and generous guidelines on "what counts" when choosing a word count pledge. My brain, however, doesn't count the same way. (I started by writing "unfortunately" instead of "however" but got stuck on the word -- I don't particularly think it's a bad thing! It just is a thing.) When I first joined GYWO, I was already writing just about everyday and tracking "streak" with 4thewords. I was more interested in finding out how many "story words" I could write in a year, and challenge myself there. I still am... but recently, I'm also discovering the ways in which this works against me, too. For example, I HATE deleting stuff in general, but according to my way of counting words, if it's deleted or rewritten from scratch, then it shouldn't "count" because I have nothing to show for it at the end of the year. As of this January, I tentatively started counting deleted words in that I shelved the first version of the Leopard/Tree K-9 fic in January (1.2k words) because it came out with the same frustrating "flatness" issue I mentioned a few times recently. The second version I wrote in February ended up at 7.5k words and I'm a lot happier with it! In terms of content it's not that different, in the end, but it's (clearly!) expressed very differently, with a lot more emotion too, much more satisfying to me. I guess the first version could be considered a "Draft Zero" in a way; I was telling the story to myself and figuring out the broad strokes. I broke it down very differently in the second version, which I only could do once I knew where I was going. I'm vaguely tempted to write yet another version with (craft) stuff I've learnt recently, but we'll have to see about that!! I haven't even finished editing the new version, yet. Another way I noticed my way of counting words works against me is in prep time. I (joyfully!) use the snowflake method, and so far that's meant "plot plot plot OMG SO EXCITED I'M JUMPING IN" which is fine, like, I wanted to see if I could finish long things. But having to do another set of structural changes after 3 rounds of editing and beta-reader feedback on the cursed witch was so painful, I know I should spend more time in the planning stages... but between "excitement for the story" and "nothing really 'counts' until I start writing actual story words", it tends to push me toward starting the writing asap (even though a snowflake outline is veeeery many words by the time it's done!). And likewise, I have written <500 "story words" this month, but I wrote a post-draft outline for the soul thief, then spent EXTENSIVE time planning all the structural changes I want to make, to the point where my new outline stands at about 10k words now. Grew from 30 scenes to nearly 50. And that doesn't include any of the analysis/brainstorming I did as prep writing by hand. At first, I tried measuring "time" because as annoying as tracking can be, I've been finding that very helpful for understanding the amount of effort editing takes. I don't like that at all for plotting/brainstorming though, because it's "thinking" and that's less predictable or tangible. I think counting the snowflake and outline words could work decently, though, or is worth a try at least. But I don't really want to add those words into my GYWO pledge, I think, even though that would mean I met my monthly goal... Hm... HMMMMMMMMMMM... Hm!! Okay. I think I would like to track the planning word counts on my spreadsheet, but separately from my "story words" (no idea what that's gonna look like, yet!). I'm not changing what I'm counting for GYWO this year, because I signed up with a particular way of counting in mind. I'll see how I feel about it when pledging for next year opens in December. Right now, I'm leaning toward still pledging only for "story words" going forward because, for me, that's what I'm interested in challenging myself to write more of. If I finished a year with only planning words, I would be massively disappointed. But, if I notice that counting planning/plotting separately means I still get antsy and rush too early into writing "words that actually count" then I will have to reconsider. I'm really hoping the amount of planning I'm making ahead of revising the soul thief will result in a lot less pain than the cursed witch revisions turned into, but we shall have to see. I'm excited about it, too! And of course, daunted as well :D /o\
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james
 | March 31st, 2026 12:41 am - Chocolate poll
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james
 | March 30th, 2026 11:45 pm - Cheese, potatoes, and goop
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dine
 | March 30th, 2026 11:14 pm - what greater gift than the love of a cat
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apod_feed
| March 31st, 2026 05:49 am
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kevinandkell_feed
| March 31st, 2026 12:00 am - Eyes down here
http://www.kevinandkell.com/2026/kk0331.html Comic for Tuesday March 31st, 2026 - "Eyes down here" [ view ] On this day in 1997, the crowds were starting to gather outside once they learned that Fiona had the power to heal broken machines... [ view ] Today's Daily Sponsor - No sponsor for this strip. [ support ] http://www.kevinandkell.com/2026/kk0331.html
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starandrea
 | March 31st, 2026 12:07 am - "I like how Adam comes out on the stage and acts surprised by every guest he scheduled." (rsj)
By golly, they ARE crocuses! Only I could be this surprised by something I clearly planned for, planted, and carefully protected not four months ago. ( yellow crocus )I love a good crocus (apparently) but the dwarf irises are also stunning. And the first to bloom! ( purple iris )Daphne and I were at this boat launch yesterday and there was still too much ice to put a craft in the water. Which makes today ice out! (Ice out is usually a lake thing, the first date when every dock or landing on the lake is free of ice in the spring, but I feel fine applying it to a single river launch.) ( the surface of the water is moving again )Yesterday I performed my random spot check of winter sown seed containers and I found a live one! There are sprouts in the container labeled "blue flax"! I do not know what blue flax is, but I hope I will find out this year. ( blue flax germination )I was taking Daphne to a park this evening, but we stopped at this boat launch instead. It's an "all-tide" boat launch next to an overpass that was built on ferry right-of-ways. The beach under the overpass is always pretty, but especially when the sun streams in as it sets. ( sunset )
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merriamwebster_feed
| March 31st, 2026 01:00 am - genteel
https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/genteel-2026-03-31
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 31, 2026 is:
genteel \jen-TEEL\ adjective
Genteel means “of or relating to people who have high social status” and can be used as a somewhat old-fashioned synonym of aristocratic. It can also be used to describe something with a quietly appealing or polite quality, as in “genteel manners.”
// Their genteel upbringing shaped the way they viewed the world.
See the entry >
Examples:
“The duo met at Oxford and were briefly bankers. They understand the genteel, often mysterious (at least to Americans) mores of the British upper class ...” — Jacqueline Cutler, The Daily Beast, 28 Jan. 2026
Did you know?
In A History of the Novel (1975), David Freedman wrote of Theodore Dreiser, “Certainly there was nothing genteel about Dreiser, either as a man or novelist.” Indeed, few of the many uses of the adjective genteel would seem to apply to the author. When it comes to the use of genteel to describe people or things of or related to the upper class of society, for example, Dreiser doesn’t fit the bill: unlike many of his contemporaries, including Edith Wharton, Dreiser came from poverty. His novels, too, are hardly genteel in the sense of “striving to maintain the appearance of superior or middle-class social status or respectability.” Sister Carrie, his best known work, features a heroine who goes unpunished for her transgressions against conventional sexual morality. In fact, the book so troubled the genteel (“polite”) sensibilities of Dreiser’s publishers that they limited the book’s advertising, and it initially sold fewer than 500 copies. Sister Carrie is now considered a masterpiece, and Dreiser, according to Freedman, “the supreme poet of the squalid” who “felt the terror, the pity, and the beauty underlying the American Dream.”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/genteel-2026-03-31
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