UnconventionalEmma

UnconventionalEmma, 6 days ago to random

A temperate rainforest in the Lake District has been declared a national nature reserve in a move that will protect the rare ancient habitat for future generations.

The Borrowdale rainforest is one of the few surviving examples of a “mysterious and untouched” landscape that covers less than 1% of the UK.

The area’s high rainfall creates a humid environment resulting in lush, moss- and lichen-covered woodland with ancient oaks and other historic native species.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/22/lake-district-borrowdale-rainforest-declared-national-nature-reserve

UnconventionalEmma, 7 days ago to random

Three common English phrases refer to bees:

You can be "a busy bee", because we all know bees are hard workers.

If something is "the bee's knees", it's great. I don't know why, I would have to look it up.

And if you have something on your mind that you won't shut up about, then obvisouly you "have a bee in your bonnet", even though no one wears bonnets anymore, except during historical reenactments.

My question is this - what are the common bee-related phrases in other languages?

UnconventionalEmma, 10 days ago to books

What’s the most interesting book you’ve ever found on the shelf in a holiday cottage, or inside a little free library?

#books

UnconventionalEmma, 1 month ago to random

I read a book yesterday. It wasn't a long book, or a particularly good one, and it contained a sentence I find annoying:

"His forearms led to toned biceps that made me question the dexterity of his white undershirt."

Because I don't really understand what it means.

UnconventionalEmma, 1 month ago to random

I'm trying to find an article I read earlier this year, or maybe the end of last year, and it's going to drive me nuts until I do!

It may well have been in the Guardian.

It was about an area (I think in the south east of England, possibly greater London) that is now a wildlife reserve.

But it is home to abandoned buildings of some sort that present a toxic hazard and need careful monitoring.

I think it was about someone going into monitor the wildlife.

Ring any bells?

UnconventionalEmma, 1 month ago to books

Ok, Mastodon - I have a question I need help with.

What are some classic stories (novels, poems, anything really) set in libraries, or about books? 📚

Is there anything really famous?

Please RT to boost my reach!

Thanking you kindly.

#books #bookstodon

UnconventionalEmma, 1 month ago to random

Really don't put a URL in your email signature if it doesn't resolve.

I see you, you non-human you.

🧵

UnconventionalEmma, 2 months ago to random

Being an unsophisticated British lout, every time I see the word "aurochs", my brain immediately responds:

"Yeah, aurochs to you too, mate!"

🤦

UnconventionalEmma, 2 months ago to random

Black bears exploring a swan-shaped pedalo.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-68647650

UnconventionalEmma, 2 months ago to random

A couple of days ago I tidied the floor in my office, and now it looks like someone else's office and I don't like it.

UnconventionalEmma, 2 months ago to Etymology

Oh, this is lovely. A study on the #etymology of lake names.

It starts with a word I had to look up - limnology - and then moved onto the fact that “Troll” can be found in 193 Swedish lake names according to the Swedish lake registry, with 72 Trolltjärn (Troll Tarn), and 33 Trollsjön (Troll Lake).

https://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lob.10613

UnconventionalEmma, 3 months ago to random

At no point since our new lawn was laid in December has it been dry long enough for us to mow it.

UnconventionalEmma, 3 months ago to solarpunk

Flowers grown on inexpensive floating platforms can help clean polluted waterways, over 12 weeks extracting 52% more phosphorus and 36% more nitrogen than the natural nitrogen cycle removes from untreated water, according to our new research.

In addition to filtering water, the cut flowers can generate income.

#solarpunk

https://theconversation.com/flowers-grown-floating-on-polluted-waterways-can-help-clean-up-nutrient-runoff-and-turn-a-profit-215127

UnconventionalEmma, 3 months ago to random

BBC News has a story about Historic England funding six projects around Yorkshire's working-class heritage, and this is the best photo they could find to illustrate it.

UnconventionalEmma, 3 months ago to random

Every day, people across Britain are being hit with a hidden ‘Roll Tax’ because toilet roll is classed as a luxury - meaning it’s subject to an extra 20% VAT. That's a bum deal - especially when caviar, helicopters and marshmallow teacakes are VAT-free.

We are calling on the Chancellor and Treasury to scrap the 'Roll Tax' and put money back into people's pockets. For our part, we commit to passing the saving straight onto the consumer.

https://www.change.org/p/scrap-the-roll-tax-toilet-roll-is-not-a-luxury

UnconventionalEmma, 3 months ago to random

At least Brain waited until 6am today to tell me it had worked out how magical Fire Wards work, and would like me to write that down, now please.

UnconventionalEmma, 4 months ago to random

Currently very teed off with my MIL, who can't accept that I don't want to celebrate my birthday. Every year I tell her I don't want a fuss, and every year she manages to make one regardless. (The last two have ended in tears due to her.)

This year she's upped the ante, saying she wants to go out to lunch to celebrate my birthday along with my SIL's and Ryan's, which are all clustered together.

Great. Can't refuse that one without coming across as a right arse.