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faeriekit · 1 year

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Hello!

I was wondering, how does working in a library looks like? Is it fun? What responsibilities are there? Would you mind telling about it?

YES I want to talk about the library!! Always and any time!! Ask me any library questions and I will be excited to answer them!!

I will say that any experience in any library will depend on what role you were hired to fill. I would have a vastly different experience if I was hired to work in a college library with students, or in a medical library with student doctors, or in a law library, or in a private library or in an archive...There are lots of roles librarians fill, and each one is unique!

I, however, took every child psychology class my undergrad would let me, and now I work with the tiny babies! 🥰❤ (And the medium babies, and the preschoolers, and the kindergartners...)

I work in a public library, which means we serve a certain geographical area, and I work with a certain age group, which happens to be birth through K ages, which means that my role is to support the reading habits, language acquisition skills, and local educational efforts in town and in our school district for all the kids who fit that age group. Therefore, my responsibilities are to:

Manage the collection! This means that I make sure we're getting hot new kids books in, [especially kids books with huge educational value (ask me about how we judge this sometime)], that all the gross old busted books are tossed summarily, and that they fit our library's mission statement. Since I work with the little kids, I manage the Picture Book section, the Board Book section, the Early Reader section, the read-along books (CD books or chip-reading books), and sometimes the audiobooks and the kid tablets. I also have to know about the chapter books, graphic novels, nonfiction books, and tween/teen books, since kids will ask me about them at the youth services desk, but I don't manage those collections.

Provide programming! Librarians usually have a specialty in...something. Everyone finds their niche. It's guaranteed. This may be because most librarians are secretly neurodivergent but also because it's great to be good at something and have people learn to expect it. Some people are great at research in certain topics or know a lot about local resources or can lead certain craft programs that may be specialty only. Since I work with babies, My role is to provide a lot of storytime programs, age-appropriate craft programs, and help facilitate outside performers in the library to provide educational things I can't. (Ex. I don't know sign language, so I can't do sign language storytime. We hire someone to to this for us since it's not an easy thing to branch out.)

Perform outreach! Outreach is what it's called when the librarian shows up at your school and says "you know we have sonic comics, right?" And kids are like 'YOU HAVE SONIC??' And we're like, 'yeah, we have Dogman too'. Outreach can take many forms— Adult Services librarians might head to a community home or the food pantry or nursing homes to check out books and make library cards, but Youth Services librarians usually go to community centers, parks, and most importantly, schools! This is so that we can preach the good word of library cards to kids at an age where they can learn the values of never paying for books but still being voracious readers. Want a million books at home? Check out ten at a time, and you'll hardly ever run dry!

Now...is it fun?

I mean. I think so? I love my job; I get to see babies every day, I get to recommend the books I read as kids to kids now, and give them the hot new books when they need something more modern; I get to tell moms to stop being so weird about their kids' reading habits and just let them read comics, no, really, it has a massive impact on their willingness to fall in love with reading; I get to tell kids that they can get to pick out their own sticker if they clean up the toys when they're done playing (HUGE for them); I was trained to sing since I was yea high, and I love picture books as an art form, so planning storytimes is super fun and exciting for me! On the other hand, I'm basically performing half hour mini-shows once a week— or maybe even multiple times a week on outreach weeks— and have to have them scheduled months and months in advance before they're actually designed, and each one is new and untested. Every week. The performance anxiety can be unreal, even when I love what I'm doing. I love gossip, but I actually get overstimulated in rooms with a lot of active people for a long time, so some on-desk days can be stressful. People will harass you about changes upper admin make, but you're the one on the desk, do you're the one they yell at. My coworkers are all amazing and I love them, and that's pretty lucky, haha. The kids who see me come to their school ALL come up to me to tell me I visited ("I know, I was there! What book did you like the most?") and ask after the books and resources I showed them while I was there. I show them books and things from my childhood, things that are about to disappear. We sing songs older than some of the parents are and songs released last year. All things are give and take.

And sometimes on empty desk shifts, I write fanfic. So. ✨👍🏽📚

I would say that if you're interested in libraries, volunteer at your local one. A lot of things librarians will tell you about will sort of get washed aside when we try to infodump everything to you when you get your card. I'll be like "WE HAVE FREE WIFI HOTSPOTS AND MUSEUM PASSES" and people will be cleaning out their ears like "huh? What'd you say? Whatever." Volunteering is a great way to get out on the floor and get to know all the services public libraries offer. I got a two year degree in two years of working part-time and full-time, and now I make construction paper crafts for kids! I needed a Masters degree for that! Whack. Anyway being a librarian is like doing whatever you want and giving out freebies all at the same time, as long as you also do your homework and make sure your large collection of books is nice and clean and functional.

Also. Weed out all the racist books. "What but racist book #2 was my favorite! :(" Don't care. I work with early childhood education and baby books. If a kid sees that, their self esteem could be harmed irrevocably. Dump it.

Other roles in public libraries are different: you could work in circulation, collection development, marketing, tech services, adult services... But this is what I do! 💜📚💜

#faer winds #library posting #librarianship #uh #long post

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zorlok-if · 2 years

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Coding Tip: Books & Libraries

Was just looking at this post and thought of some new advice for learning to code. Check out books from your local library.

This may seem a little counter-intuitive or strange for learning about computers, but it's extremely helpful. As someone who has ADHD and would get overwhelmed trying to find the correct/exact answer I was looking for when I knew very little about coding terminology, books are fantastic. There are so many different options that explain (in plain language) how to code for beginners in addition to easily-readable compendiums that have all the essential information you need about a programming language (so there's no frantic searching online). Here's some that I've been using recently: ( * = my favorites)

CSS(/HTML)

CSS, The Definitive Guide: Visual Presentation for the Web (4th Edition) by Eric A. Meyer & Estele Weyl

CSS: The Missing Manual (4th Edition) by David Sawyer McFarland *

JavaScript

Sams Teach Yourself JavaScript in 24 Hours (7th Edition) by Phil Ballard *

Learning JavaScript: Add Sparkle and Life to your Web Pages (3rd Edition) by Ethan Brown

Other

An Artist's Guide to Programming: A Graphical Introduction by Jim Parker (this one is part of a series of "no-nonsense books" from No Starch Press with books aimed at teaching code visually for visual artists, I know the series has several books for learning Python—what Ren'Py uses—too)

Speaking from my experience with American public libraries, you can go online to your library's digital catalog, see what's available, and reserve books (or whatever else) to pick up. In addition to picking materials up in person, libraries may also have books lockers, drive-up windows, or curbside options if you want to minimize exposure or just avoid interacting with humans (in general I recommend looking into what your library offers for accessibility services too, both on and off-site).

In the library, if they use the Dewey Decimal System, then the coding books will be in the early 000s (around 005-006). If not or if you want help, librarians will happily show you where to look, what's available, and (if necessary) can use inter-library loans to order in books from other libraries so you can pick them up and check out from there.

Note I: This is also helpful for writing books (like how to craft intriguing plots, how to stay motivated, prompt books, improving creative writing/thinking, etc.). Creative writing and screenwriting books will be shelved around 808 in the DDS. Game writing/design is around 794 (and try checking the children's section if you don't find any in the main one).

Note II: This is helpful for learning widely-used languages like JavaScript, CSS, Python, etc., not for coding with Twine specifically (I don't think there are any books that have been written about Twine). For Twine, it's best to stick to online tutorials/templates. You can find a list of the resources I've used to learn Twine by running this template and clicking the link in the menu called "Credits + Resources". I'll also be streaming a tutorial on Twitch this Friday (July 29th) about beginning Twine and plan on uploading that/future video tutorials to this Youtube channel.

#libraries are the best #like seriously #if you haven't been to or looked into your library in a while #go check it out #you won't regret it #coding #resources #on writing

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rippeanuts1950-2000 · 1 year

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The choir working at a library

I just spent the past 2 hours volunteering at my local library and while working I realized that the choir would be great in this setting. So here’s what I think would happen if the choir volunteered at the library.

Ocean- She’s in charge of shelving, obviously. She is proud to say that she is the best at shelving out of all of the choir. In fact, she is so dedicated to her shelving that she has back pain because she’s hunched over so much. Not that she cares. The only time she stops is when Constance makes her take a break.

Mischa- He does story time! Mischa loves reading to the kids and he remembers every child who comes to story time name. He does funny voices for the kids so he can make them laugh. The kids who are regulars also draw him pictures from the story he read them that day. He has a whole wall dedicated to them in his room. Sometimes Noel watches him because he finds Mischa’s dedication to the kid’s adorable.

Noel- He’s at the info desk but he’s clearly only there for two reasons. One, they had no idea where to put him and two, this way he can watch Mischa do story time. Noel, despite not wanting to even be there(ocean volunteered the whole choir even if they said they didn’t want to because “it looks good for college!”) he scarily good at his job. Need to know where the history section is? He won’t even look up from he’s doing and will just give you perfect directions? “Your kid has extra energy and likes art? Well why don’t you go to arts and crafts time that’s run by my friends Penny and Ricky.” Yeah, he knows all.

Penny- She runs the craft part of the arts and crafts time. Penny loves arts and crafts time and she has tool belt filled with craft supplies. She tells the kids to call her Crafty and they do because she’s nice and gives them candy at the end of craft time.

Ricky- He does the art stuff for arts and crafts. He uses his ACC device to talk to the kids. He helps the kids make comic books. The finished comics books can be read in the magazine section. One kid made a comic book based off Ricky and Penny. It’s called “Crafty and Ricky, the creative team.”

Constance- You know that one librarian that everyone loves but you know not to mess with? Yeah that’s her in volunteer form. She runs the check out counter like a boss. What’s great is that when people ask her for book recommendations she can give recommendations for small children to adults. But do not talk to her when she’s only on her first romance novel of the day, she can get grouchy. She’s also in charge of like half of the events the library has and very dedicated to making them perfect.One time the library needed to rent a cotton candy machine for a carnival they were doing(my library does this sometimes) and they couldn’t find a place to get one. So she and Mischa went out an bought a cotton candy machine from the place her parents get their appliances. So now the library has a cotton candy machine.

#ride the cyclone #rtc #rtc headcanons #mischa bachinski #noel gruber #constance blackwood #penny lamb #ricky potts #ocean o'connell rosenberg

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amothersmagik · 2 years

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Merry Meet!

So, I am climbing up on my soapbox today. I see it asked all the time: "where do I start?"

And every answer seems the same: Research!

Great! But what does that mean? How and where do I research?? ... Starting out in The Craft is both easy and extremely challenging. Prior to the internet, research meant knowing or hoping to randomly meet other Practioners who could guide you. Or, if you were brave, checking a local library. At that point, starting was hard because getting access to information was hard.

Now we have the internet. And the problem exists in reverse. There is now SO much info available that it can be overwhelming at times. It certainly was for my nerodivergent brain. So I have typed up a "brief" summary of my process so that mayhap it will help others::

Research research research! There is so much out there and it can be so overwhelming. How i personally suggest you start? First, accept that you dont need fancy tools and ingredients to be a successful Witch You are enough as you are.

From a research aspect:

1. Look up the major types of spell work. (Candle, Kitchen, Jar, Offering, Sigils, Simmer Pots, Intention Spells, Oils, Sachets, Sprays, etc). This will give you an idea just how broad actual Craft and spellwork can be. Also, it will strike some examples of what to research and give you an idea what you will be most interested in. For example, I primarily love jar spells, sigils, and simmer pots.

2. Make a list of a couple types of spells or works that interest you. Like healing, self love, cord cuttings, etc. This will give you a list to work of to then build your research plan/database.

PLEASE NOTE, I PERSONALLY RECCOMEND THAT YOU DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY OF THESE SPELLS YET. I AM SUGGESTING YOU MAP THIS ALL OUT SO YOU HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE BREADTH OF THE CRAFT. It will also help you decide what kind of Crafter you will likely be. Personally, I am eclectic, and grey with very white leanings. I am not actually Wiccan, though the Wiccan aspect plays a huge role in my Craft.

Huge massive tip in looking stuff up? Using google or your fav search engine, type "metaphysical properties of____" or "magickal/magical correspondences of____" or simply "_____ Correspondences" and you can either read the articles and links or simply look through the images section. Though not everything will have extensive info available.

3. Pick a random spell. Anything. Now RESEARCH what doing that spell would entail. This will give you an idea of what kinds of things to research and where you want to put your emphasis.

For example, I wanted to do an anti anxiety spell. So I researched that. Discovered I have a flair for sigils. Then quickly realized I am an AVID Jar spell kinda gal 😅😁 So I then went searching for jar spells for anti anxiety to see what would be required. Then realized how many different ways there are to do one. Which lead me to research crystals and herbs to find what ingredients to use for what. Which lead to me making my own comprehensive hard physical copy (alphabetical, might I add) of all the herbs and plants I could find and their many uses. Did the same with crystals. Then candles and their color meanings. Which lead to color magick research.

(..... It has now been 3 years since I went looking for that anti anxiety spell and I haven't performed it yet. I HAVE found so much peace within myself as I have settled into my Craft by learning. Because remember, witchcraft is NOT always JUST about performing spells. Anyway... back on topic)

I quickly realized how much info there was out there to learn and how to go about it.

Id also research the sabbats and all they entail.

Research deities for future knowledge. Though I suggest waiting on actual deity work until you are further down your path but that is a personal preference.

Research cleansing types and methods.

At the end of the day, your path and your Craft is your own. Follow your intuition and instincts. Follow your heart and soul. And do as much as you can to research something before casting. Google is your friend. Also, i have a list of books. If you want it, just as a place to start, let me know :)

Once you start spell craft, I found it easiest to start with Sigils, once I got the hang of those, I moved on to simmer pots and candle magick (easiest ingredients to get ahold of for me). After getting comfortable with those, I moved on to Offering Spells. Then Jar Spells. I have more or less stopped there in my actual spell progression, as I have found I excel at and greatly enjoy Jar Spells. I have also ventured into oil rollers, sprays, sachets, etc. And I occasionally do rituals, like cord cuttings or ritual baths, but have not overly ventured in those directions. As such, I research as needed for those types of spells.

Shadow work and observing the Sabbats were also a huge learning opportunity for me.

People always say "do your shadow work" and it took me forever to realize they mean working on yourself. Facing your inner demons. Accepting your faults and working to correct those you can. Accepting yourself for who you are and learning to love yourself and be happy with who you are.

Researching the Sabbats and how the many cultures celebrate and honor them gave me another way to research and learn and then work that new knowledge into my craft. People jump over a fire during Beltane. Why? There is a good research topic for you. Yellow flowers, why are they important in the spring? Why are apples associated with fertility. What kinds of activities are engaged in for Samhain? Why?

And along the way of these activities and researching, you will find yourself learning things that can help you elsewhere. Like learning about the color green and its importance at Beltane will later help you in health and fertility spells.

I think I started actually performing spells about 1/4 of my way through all this research. Once I had a good enough basis to understand the materials I was working with and knew my energy and magic enough to feel comfortable and confident in my workings.

I still perform lots of research regularly, but have reached a comfort zone in my Craft where I don't do big things every day, or even every week, but I work my craft in in little ways, sometimes even unconsciously. I have found I am happy, comfortable, confident and at peace with my self and the life I live. And a stable and reliable Craft is a great addition to that peace, if not outright the building blocks for it in my case.

My inbox is open if anyone has questions. Wants to chat. Wants a new witchy friend. Etc. As a Polyamorous, Pansexual, Christian Druidic Mother and Wife who is 420 friendly...... I am an open book with nothing to hide and virtually no judgement left in my brain. I don't care who you are. Do no harm, take no shit and we will be a-okay :)

Merry Part and Blessed Be

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ubaid214 · 8 months

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Saving Money with Student Discounts on Film Rentals

Lights, camera, action! Calling all cinephiles: have you ever thought of getting into the role of a young Scorsese or Tarantino? Well, we've got thrilling information for you. In a time when movie tickets are more expensive than ever, and streaming subscriptions drain our pockets empty, there's a hidden gem waiting to be discovered - rental of student films! Affordable yet captivating, these cinematic masterpieces crafted by budding filmmakers offer an unparalleled window into the raw talent and creativity that often goes unnoticed. So grab your popcorn and prepare to embark on a thrilling adventure into the world of student films - because believe us when we say that this is one experience no real film fan should miss out on!

What are Student Film Rentals?

Student rental of films is a fantastic option to gain access to some of the best films available without having to pay full cost. They are not only much less expensive of regular rentals but they also allow you to find some great titles that you might not otherwise have access to.

There are some points to consider when renting student films but. The first is to check the due date and return policy before borrowing any films. Secondly, be aware that some schools allow students to rent films for a specific amount of time; usually at least two weeks. Be sure to confirm that the film you want is actually available for rental. Sometimes popular titles can go fast!

Benefits of Student Film Rentals

If you're a fan of films You know that movies can be expensive. But did you know it is possible to watch your favorite films without breaking the bank? Film rentals for students are a great way to save money while still being able to benefit from watching films.

Here are just some of the advantages of student film rentals:

Save cash. Student film rentals typically cost considerably less than renting from a traditional video store.

Access to a greater variety of films. Because rental companies for student films have access to a wider range of titles You're more likely to discover more movies that interest you.

Free shipping. Many rental firms for students provide free shipping, so you don't have to worry about paying extra for the cost of gas or postage.

No late fees. As long as you return your film at the time you promised, you will never have to worry about late fees with student film rentals

Pick-up and delivery options that are convenient. Many rental companies for students offer convenient delivery and pickup options, which means you can get your movies when it's convenient for you.

How to Find Student Film Rentals

If you're a fan of film with a tight budget, student film rentals are an ideal alternative. You can often find films for rent at your local library or at a video store and even on the internet. Although you may not be able to find the latest Hollywood blockbuster, there are many Indie and foreign films to choose from.

For a list of films for students in your area first, check your local library or video store. Many libraries have a section dedicated to renting films, and you can usually find a good range of films to choose from. If your library doesn't provide the service, they might be able to recommend an alternative location nearby that offers it.

You can also try searching for rental of student films online. There are a variety of websites which specialize in renting film that is independent or foreign. Just search for "student film rentals" or "independent film rentals" and you'll be sure to find many options.

If you're looking for an affordable method of watching some of the best films, think about student film rentals. You might even discover exciting new films as you go! FX6 Rentals Los Angeles

Popular Student Filmmakers

Filmmakers who are students are usually some of the most creative and inspirational people working in the film industry. They are driven by film as well as a desire to learn, and are often willing to risk their lives to achieve their goals. As a result, student films can be truly original and captivating.

If you're a film lover, then you should definitely look into renting student-produced films. They're not just more affordable than mainstream films and offer an opportunity to see something different. Student filmmakers are often unafraid to experiment with new ideas and their films can be extremely insightful and stimulating.

If you're looking for something completely different to take in, why not give students the chance to rent films? You might be pleasantly amazed by what you see.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Rental

If you're a movie lover who is on a tight budget, renting student films can be a great way to enjoy your favorite films without costing you a fortune. Here are some helpful tips for making the most of your rental experience

Do your research. All student film rentals are the same. Certain sites might offer a more selection or lower prices than others, so it pays to do your homework before you commit to a rental service.

Find out what you're looking for. You should have a handful of specific genres or titles in the back of your mind before you begin looking at rental choices. This will help you limit your options and help you find the best value for your money.

Take advantage of free trials. Many rental services offer free trial periods that can be an excellent way to try out a new service or explore a new genre without having to spend any upfront money.

Be patient. Student film rentals can be unpredictable, which is why it's essential to remain patient and keep an open mind when browsing. It's impossible to predict which film you'll find a secret gem!

Alternatives to Student Film Rentals

There are many reasons why student film rentals could be an excellent alternative for those who love film. One reason is that they tend to be more affordable than traditional rental films. Additionally, student film rentals are a fantastic way to discover new and independent films you might not have otherwise had access to.

However, there are also numerous alternatives to renting films for students you could consider. For example, many online streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu offer a wide selection of movies and TV shows to pick from. There are also several websites that offer free or low-cost movie rentals. If you know where to look you'll often find bargains on used DVDs and Blu-rays at your local thrift shop or garage sales.

Conclusion

Student film rentals are an excellent method for movie lovers to discover a range of films for a reasonable price. If you do enough research you'll discover films for students that are inspiring and challenge your perception in ways commercial films typically do not. If you're trying to find new talent or just want to enjoy some fresh stories from young filmmakers, renting student films is the perfect place to begin. So if you're searching for something fresh and different make sure you check out what your university offers!

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karendlipton23 · 1 year

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Sun And Moon Craft #shorts #kidscrafts #sunandmoon #supersimplecrafts

Best Way For Kids to Learn English – Easily Teach Your Kids to Read

Teaching a kid to read can be a fun and rewarding experience for both the child and the parent. However, reading skills can take a long time to develop. Fortunately, there are some ways to make the process easier.

Read aloud to your kid. This is the first step to a successful reading program. Not only does it encourage your kid to read, but it also gives you the opportunity to hear your child’s reading progression.

Try reading books with different levels. Start with one syllable words and gradually move on to two and three word sentences. When you do, you’ll notice that your child is more likely to understand the gist of the text.

For younger kids, cloth books or board books are ideal. You can also find a good variety of children’s magazines. Look for books on your child’s favorite topics. These will help him or her build vocabulary and learn important comprehension skills.

If you’re trying to teach a kid to read, make sure to check out the Children’s section in your local library. You’ll want to read a few books and let your child pick out a few. Your librarian can help you select the right books for your child. It can also be helpful to try out an app. There are many options to choose from, including Build A Word Express, which teaches kids to sound out words and add endings.

Use pictures to break down words. For example, if you’re teaching a child the phonics of the letter S, you could use sunflower seeds, stars and a sunflower-shaped letter S. Also, you can use magnets and alphabet stickers to help your child write the letters.

The best way to teach a kid to read is to make the experience fun. Make it a game by showing your child a series of pictures or by having him or her draw the letters themselves. Doing this will ensure that they’ll be more inclined to learn how to read.

While there are many ways to teach a kid to read, the most important thing to remember is to be patient. The process can be slow, but it’s worth the wait. Once your child has mastered the basics, you can try more advanced activities.

Read to your child every day. Reading together is a great way to promote your child’s love of reading and help build their vocabulary. Whether you choose to read from a book, a magazine or a computer screen, make it a fun experience.

Don’t forget to get books that are easy for your kid to read. One great way to start is to use a simple card to introduce letters and sounds. Kids love playing with things. They can also copy words onto paper and use magnetic letters to practice writing their names.

Reading is an important life skill that can give your child the opportunity to learn and grow. Taking the time to read with your child will improve his or her memory and reading skills, as well as increase his or her love for learning.

Via https://www.howtoteachakidtoread.com/sun-and-moon-craft-shorts-kidscrafts-sunandmoon-supersimplecrafts/

source https://howtoteachakidtoread2.weebly.com/blog/sun-and-moon-craft-shorts-kidscrafts-sunandmoon-supersimplecrafts

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howtoteachakidtoread2 · 1 year

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Sun And Moon Craft #shorts #kidscrafts #sunandmoon #supersimplecrafts

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Best Way For Kids to Learn English – Easily Teach Your Kids to Read

source https://www.howtoteachakidtoread.com/sun-and-moon-craft-shorts-kidscrafts-sunandmoon-supersimplecrafts/

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sehested66sehested · 2 years

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A Hundred And Eighty Loewe Puzzle Bag Concepts In 2021

Designed by Jonathan Anderson, the puzzle bag has turn out to be an icon at Loewe. With its progressive form, precise reduce, and give attention to utility, the puzzle bag has turn into a trend lover's collectible. The bag’s interior is accessed by the highest flap, leading to the interior compartment with a calfskin zip pull. You’ll discover herringbone cotton canvas lining in addition to an open pocket on the within. We all want these sanities and so after some waffling I decided this one can be mine. With a contribution of €0,25, you might be serving to this Gold Standard-certified project whose work offsets the environmental influence of your order. Together we will actively contribute to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals . Simply order as you all the time have, and, when choosing your most popular supply method, you'll be able to select the local weather neutral option to assist offset your carbon emissions. On the authentic model, the traces between the sections are thick and bold, distinguishing each half. But Loewe It bags—fixtures on the arms of It girls and boys the world over—have had much do with LVMH, which acquired Loewe in 1996. Because of this, I don’t think it’s going to be a “trendy” bag of the second – here right now and gone subsequent year. Rather it’s made to look informal but stylish at the identical time. Before one dives into the historical past of Loewe purses, one should first perceive how the Spanish heritage brand wound up with a really German name. wikipedia handbags (We know you understand, but in case you don’t, the e’s are each onerous and the w is pronounced like a v.) A member of LVMH’s impressive roster of luxurious brands, Loewe is, in fact, the oldest of them all. Founded in 1846, the label began as a collective of artisans crafting leather-based and suede goods in a workshop on Madrid’s Lobo Street. In truth, we have identified how the fake bag’s “LOEWE” inscription seems too thin, and how the authentic bag has its same text thicker. Explore the Library 1M+ words written for hundreds of things in tons of of guides. How it really works The most trusted service within the business, defined. Authentication Service Send us pics and information, we'll come back with a verdict. Get your a refund, guaranteed 🏅 The Legit Check Club More bang on your buck, with extra benefits. In the image with the fake vs actual Loewe Puzzle bags above, we now have identified how the pretend Loewe bag has its “LOEWE” text badly font-weight. As you possibly can see from the faux vs real Loewe Puzzle bag image above, we've pointed out how the fake Loewe bag has its stitching badly accomplished. In fact, the pretend logo is that this thick as a result of it is fit too deep contained in the leather, whereas the authentic bag has its logo fit much less deep inside the bag, and so, it seems thinner. In the picture with the fake vs real Loewe Puzzle luggage above, we now have pointed out how the faux jacket has its engravings at the incorrect thickness. If you retain stalking you would possibly be capable of discover the bag pop up from varied European shops and they usually ship responsibility inclusive. For example, proper now the sunshine pink version, which is $2700 + tax at many shops, is $2240 all in on the positioning proper now. My bag, phone, pocket book, little pouch, sanitzer, Baggu (From the Met assortment which I’m obsessed with). What we love most about this measurement is the thicker strap, and the flexibility to put on it over your again. Style with an oversized coat and take your Puzzle piece to Instagram. The Small LOEWE Puzzle bag is Jonathan Anderson’s second smallest design — slightly greater than the Mini. Guaranteed to fill the gaping ‘everyday bag’-shaped hole in your wardrobe, influencer Karen Blanchard verified that the Small Puzzle Bag is in reality an excellent funding. For the second step of the guide on tips on how to spot fake Loewe Puzzle luggage, we're going to have a look at the fake vs actual Loewe Puzzle luggage for their brand on the exterior side. For step one of the guide on tips on how to spot pretend Loewe Puzzle baggage, we are going to have a look at the inside side’s label of the pretend vs actual Loewe Puzzle luggage. See what it's like to get my item authenticated Real expertise, not self claimed. Join the Legit Check Club More bang for your buck, with more benefits and extra included. Learn tips on how to authenticate objects The most exhaustive Library of pretend vs real comparison guides. Does anyone know if this hobo fashion improves that aspect. I solely wish one of the footage showed the bag on the shoulder. Since it’s a hobo, it is sensible one would want to see it on the shoulder as it’s meant to be carried. Choose between basic tan hues, one-off prints and signature black, with or without impartial piping. loewe straw bag

#loewe bag #loewe puzzle bag #loewe hammock bag #loewe basket bag #loewe straw bag

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2022grimoirechallenge · 2 years

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January Week 2

Alright witches, it’s time for week 2. The focus this week will be on your local area. It may seem like you are super isolated in your craft and practice, but you may be surprised to find some people in your area with, at the very least, similar beliefs or practices.

Part 1 - Planning and Routine

Okay okay. So we jumped into stuff right away last week. But now it’s time to focus and get organized. Let’s make a routine. Or, if you’re organized already, add to our routine.

Set aside a specific day or time to work on the challenge. Even if it is just a few minutes a day or even an hour every day. Put it in there somewhere. During or after your coffee. Before dinner. After you shower. Before bed. Whenever works best for you. But make sure to stick to it.

That said, let’s look at the calendar year and how we fit into it in the current time. It’s January. Winter. What are our winter lives like? What do we need? What do we do? How do we do it?

Start a section in your lab book for the calendar year. Think about this time of year in relation to your practice. What things do you personally associate with this time of year? And why? Give details. Put it down so you can look back at it and learn from it. This is your craft, make it make sense. Get your hands dirty and dig deep. Why do you believe the things you do about this time of year? Traditions? How you were raised? Really think about it and give the lab notebook a good page at least. Set it up in any format you like. Paragraphs or little sections of boxes. Lists. However it works for you.

Even though it may be hard to keep up with. lets map out a rough yearly routine. One month at a time, go through the year with all the major events you know are going to happen fit into it. Think birthdays, time off work, holidays etc. Once you have each month mapped out, break it down by week. Add in things like grocery shopping, meal planning, that sort of stuff. And go further, break it down by day and add in study time, reading time, game time, relaxation and self care time.

Part 2 - The Research

So what are we looking for this week?

Look into local meetups. Posting boards. Or social venues. Even look online. See if there are any local groups of pagans or like minded people. Even if it’s not spiritual, perhaps just branching out into other interests you have (video games, library, d&d, gardening, dancing, anything!) you may find people with similar interests.

Do you know of any local covens? Groups? Are you interested in any?

Are there any metaphysical/ occult stores or shops in your area? Do you have a favorite? This could be a great place to start looking for like minded people.

How can you tell if your information sources are actually credible? What makes a credible source? Think academically. How would you find a source for any other subject you study? How would you verify it? Make sure you attempt this for all your sources! At least to the best of your ability.

What are some of the credible sources (and non credible) that you use? Make sure to keep a list of these available in your lab book. That way you can come back to them if need be. Or share them with others.

Part 3 - Practical

Here’s another practical prompt. I’m sure like me, most of you have got a bunch of spells and rituals and fun stuff saved for doing. So do one!

Look at it through the lens of the scientific method, though, and make sure to use your lab notebook for the whole process. Write it out, plan it, record the results and edit it after if need be. Check your results.

For those of you without a backlog of fun witchy tasks saved.... lets look at how to dress a candle.

Make a lab notebook page specific to this process. What is dressing a candle? Why is it done? What purpose does it serve? What tools are involved? What is the history behind dressing candles?

Once you have all of that written out, it is time to dress your own candle! Feel free to shar pictures of your process, your sources that you have pulled information from, and so on!

Good luck and happy crafting witches!

- Mod Hazel

#2022 grimoire challenge #grimoire #grimoire challenge #witch challenge #witchy challenge #magick #magic #witch #witchcraft #witchcraft challenge #witchcraft things #2022 grimoire challenge january week 2 #january week 2 #january week 2 grimoire challenge #grimoire information

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wastelesscrafts · 3 years

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Crafting on the cheap

Introduction:

When you want to learn how to mend or make clothes, the costs of tools and materials might seem daunting. However, it doesn't have to be!

Mending your clothes is a great way to save money. Every piece you mend is a piece you don't have to buy anew.

As for making clothes from scratch, the materials and especially the time you invest in your craft might not weigh up to buying fast fashion. That's true. However, there are ways to at least keep the costs of your materials down.

Making your own clothes does have one financial edge over fast fashion: as you get better, the items you produce will end up being of much better quality than your average fast fashion piece. They'll last longer, which means you'll have to buy new things less frequently.

Unlike fast fashion, everything you make will be unique, too!

How to keep things cheap:

Tools: needles, embroidery hoops, fabric scissors, crochet hooks, seam rippers, chalk, rulers, pins, darning eggs, maybe even a sewing machine,... All things you might want when you're just starting out.

If you're completely new and aren't sure if you want to invest in any tools yet, ask around if you can borrow some of these items. Maybe your crafty friend will lend you their hoop, or perhaps you've got a community centre nearby that has sewing machines available to the general public. Some libraries also run tool libraries, which are well worth a check if you're starting a new craft or even looking to remodel your home.

Don't skimp out on sewing needles. A good sewing needle is worth its weight in gold. Blunt or ragged needles will cause you much frustration, and they'll damage the item you're working on.

As for fabric markers: you could invest in some good tailor's chalk or water-soluble fabric markers, but you could also just use sideboard chalk or an old piece of soap. These will give you less precise lines as they're thicker than tailor's chalk, but they mark well and wash out easily. Don't use anything like a biro or a crayon, though. They will permanently stain your fabric.

Check if you have a local freecycle group: if you're lucky, you may find people who just quit their craft and are giving away all of their tools.

Second-hand shopping is your friend! A lot of thrift stores have a crafting section. I've managed to get almost all of the common knitting needle sizes for €5 at my local thrift store, for example. If you don't have a physical shop nearby, check out online second-hand platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Vinted, Poshmark, Depop, or whatever your local equivalent is.

Note that if you end up buying a second-hand sewing machine, you still may have to spend some extra money on maintenance or repair, depending on the state of the machine.

While this blog promotes reusing as much as possible, it's also important to acknowledge that's not always an option. You'll occasionally find cheap tools at shops like the 1 euro store, Dollar Tree, 100 yen shop,... Whatever your local equivalent is. Honestly, if you use your tools until they break (or sell/give them away once you're done with them), it's okay. You'll be using them to save other resources by mending your clothes, which will offset the use of your new tools.

Notions: thread, buttons, zippers, ribbons, lace, interfacing, elastic, bias tape, embroidery floss, beads,... You can't get started without whatever basic notions your project requires.

Just like needles, don't skimp out on thread. Weak thread that breaks easily is frustrating to work with and will cause your mends to deteriorate faster.

Again, check the crafting section of local/online second-hand shops and ask around in freecycle groups. You'll frequently find people selling/giving away their notions.

Speaking of thrift stores: a lot of second-hand shops receive more donations than they can sell due to overproduction in the fast fashion industry. My local shop even holds regular €1 sales just to get rid of their excess stock. So, don't feel bad about buying garments just to repurpose parts of them for your craft projects. Whatever you don't use now can go into your stash for future projects. If you run into uncommon sizes or disability aids, or if you live in an area with specific shortages, maybe leave those items for people who need them more than you do. Apart from that, everything's free game.

Don't throw anything away. Use your broken garments as a source of raw materials, instead. Your moth-eaten blouse probably has buttons you can repurpose. The lace on that lingerie set with the broken bra hook can be used to modify other underwear, or to cover up a hole in your favourite dress. That hoodie that ripped last week? If the zipper's still fine, it's perfect to fix up a different hoodie with.

Patterns: if you're new to your craft, you're probably looking for good patterns to follow, but even those you can often get for free.

Got a favourite garment that fits you like a glove? You can duplicate the pattern and make your own version of it.

Looking for free knitting/crochet patterns? Make a Ravelry account. They have a huge collection of both free and paying patterns available.

Need free sewing patterns? Check out sites like Freesewing.org.

Invest time into making proper pattern blocks for your body if you've already got some pattern drafting experience under your belt. Once you've got a few good basic patterns, you can modify them into anything you want them to be.

Check if your local library has pattern books.

Look up vintage patterns online. Sites like Gallica or Archive.org have plenty of magazines and even old sewing manuals available for free.

Don't forget about Pinterest! There's plenty of free patterns to be found there, too.

Ask your crafty friends if they have a pattern you can borrow.

Learn how to draft your own patterns, or how to sew/knit without patterns! It takes some experience, but once you've got a good grip on the basics, it's easier than it looks.

Materials: good quality fabric and yarn are expensive. That's a fact we can't change. What we can do is look into cheaper sources of materials.

I've mentioned second-hand shopping multiple times in this post, and I'll do it again. It's an absolute goldmine of raw materials.

Hunting down cheap yarn? Look for people who just quit knitting and are selling their yarn collection online. Browse your local thrift store for sweaters made of nice yarn that you can unravel into a new skein. Also check the shop's craft section for unused skeins, while you're at it.

Looking for fabric? Take a look at your thrift store's curtain and bedding section: once that curtain's a dress, nobody will know it once hung in front of a window. If it's good enough for princess Giselle, it's good enough for us. Just make sure your curtains/bedding are made out of materials that are suitable for making clothes. Thrifted maxi skirts and maxi dresses are also a great source of fabric thanks to their length.

A lot of fabric stores have a discount corner with leftover bits of fabrics that are too small to sell at full price.

Again, don't throw anything away. If you've turned a pair of jeans into shorts, keep the legs to patch other pants with. Your old pillow case might make for a great skirt. That leftover yarn from your last project might be just enough for a pair of socks. Be creative. Start a stash with bits and bobs that you can dig into whenever you need to patch something up or replace a zipper or something. Encourage crafty friends to also start a stash so you can trade with them.

Conclusion:

Mending and making clothes does not have to be expensive. If anything, it might save you money. While you can't reduce the time needed for your craft project (because let's face it: time is a luxury), you can find ways to at least make your tools and materials cheaper.

I absolutely live by the things mentioned in this post. Check out my latest yarn haul, for example:

[ID: 58 skeins of various types of yarn spread out on a wooden floor.]

If I had bought all of these skeins new from a shop, I'd have paid hundreds of euros. There's some very fancy wool in there! What I did instead was look up people on Vinted who were selling their yarn collections, and buy their stuff at a fraction of the retail price. It's a win-win situation: the seller gets some of their money back, I get cheap yarn, and a whole bunch of pre-existing materials that otherwise might have gone to landfill will now be turned into clothes.

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fanartfunart · 3 years

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Fly Away

Episode 4: Bibliotech

Ao3 - First - 2 - 3

(Féline Sombre & Paon Lilas designs)

Summery: An AU where Adrien never went to in-person school, not getting the cat miraculous, and found the peacock miraculous. -Adrien sets out to find the Grimoire, and Alya volunteers her investigative skills, interviewing her classmates. Until a librarian gets akumatized and traps them all in a maze of books.

(tw for sickness. very vauge. Much like canon)

Alya hummed along to her CD of Nino’s music, ignoring the sounds of siblingly chaos outside her room. Her phone buzzed and she looked down at the text.

Double A: “Hi, you’re the local superhero expert, right?”

She chuckled at Adrien’s question and texted back, “The one and only! Why? Whatcha wondering about?”

“I’m looking for a specific book, actually? An older one about superheros, with lots of different kinds. Seen it anywhere?”

She tilted her head “Just the one you said Chloé took from your dad’s???”

Adrien spent a long time typing only for his reply to read “Oh. Of course, thank you.”

Alya frowned and called him. Adrien picked up with a delay, piano music playing in the background. His voice was hushed “Hi, uh, why are you calling me?”

“What’s going on? Did you not know what kind of book Chloé, or I guess your dad, had?”

“Oh...oh um. No, no I did. Of course I knew what kind of book it was, that’s why I was asking about it. Because it’s lost and I wanted to find it, for my dad,” Adrien chuckled awkwardly.

“Why are you whispering? Are you at a concert?”

“Oh... no I’m supposed to be practicing piano right now...”

“Oh so you’re playing a recording? Huh. Smart.” Alya got up and grabbed her shoes. “Want me to ask around for your book then? It’s kinda my thing. Plus, Chloé never let me get close enough to look at it.”

“You’d do that?” Adrien whispered softly.

“Yeah boy! Don’t worry about it. If Chloé lost it during or before the Collector situation then it’s probably not too far from the school’s social circle.”

“Wow great! Oh whoops- I gotta get back to my practice, Natalie’s coming- so uh... goodbye!”

Alya chuckled “Bye Adrien.” They hung up and Alya got ready for her interrogations.

The majority of the students Alya could easily get a hold of knew nothing about where it went. So her only leads were Chloé and Sabrina. They had the same story: Marinette and Lila were the last two people they saw besides each other when the book disappeared.

She met with Lila at the library, Marinette scheduled to meet her not too long after.

Lila was looking at the mystery section when Alya waved her over. "Thank you for meeting with me."

She nodded with a smile, putting down her murder mystery novel, "Of course, what did you need?"

Alya got out her notepad, pen at the ready. "Are you aware that the book Chloé brought to class is missing?"

"It is? Oh no, I didn't. Are you looking for it for her?"

"Not exactly," Alya scribbled down a note. "For its original owner, not Chloé. But! Do you mind describing where you saw it last?"

Lila hummed and shook her head, "I'm sorry, I just remember Chloé showing it to me before she fell and ran off. I thought she had it. Sabrina seemed to really want to leave though."

"I already got Sabrina and Chloé's statements… Marinette was with you, right?"

"Oh! Yes, she was. If you want I can talk to her for you?"

"That's okay," Alya said, "I've already arranged for her to give me her story next. I'm just covering my bases."

Lila hummed and nodded, "If you don't mind my curiosity, who's the original owner?"

"Oh, the Aggrestes," Alya said, "Adrien asked me to help."

Lila raised a brow, "Adrien? He's the one whose face is plastered practically all across Paris, yes?"

Alya chuckled and nodded, "Yeah, I guess he's a little famous. He's pretty cool. He almost was gonna be in our class, actually. He would've transferred in just before you," she shrugged, "Guess his dad changed his mind."

Lila tapped her fingers across the mystery novel's cover and smiled, "Well, I don't have much else for you. Hope you find it for him. It seemed like a special book." Lila stood up, and they waved goodbye.

Adrien quietly walked up to the librarian. He smiled, “Hi.”

The librarian looked up with a barely suppressed annoyance, “Hello. How can I help you?”

"I was looking for books related to superheroes?"

He sighed, "Right there. Very popular lately." He pointed lazily and returned his gaze to his computer.

“Oh, thank you!” Adrien followed his direction towards a section that seemed to be dedicated to Féline Sombre and Ladybug. Decorated with red and black spots and green cat paw paper crafts. It was small, secluded. Creating a comfortable nook.

"Come on out, Duusu," Adrien whispered. The kwami zipped out and fluffed his feathers, tilting his head. "Any books you recognize?" Duusu hummed and flitted between the shelves of books. Adrien skimmed through the titles. (How did people get the rights to publish fiction works about the heroes? …Do Ladybug and Féline Sombre get royalties?) He tilted his head at a title "A History of Heroics: the Lesser Known Origins of Paris’s Superheroes"

Duusu came back and hovered in front of him, "Nope, nothing.”

Adrien huffed a sigh, "Well this is the last library nearby I can think of. It's got to be in somebody's private collection then, Duusu."

Duusu's head drooped, overcome with a quiet sadness. He glanced up, seeing something behind Adrien. He gasped and hid. Adrien spun on his heel. Natalie stood there, hands behind her back.

"You abandoned your piano practice and missed a photoshoot," she said, "I'm glad you're…" she looked around at the shelves, raising a brow, "taking initiative... in your learning, but you can't just abandon your responsibilities."

He nodded, hanging his head. "I- you're right, sorry..."

She glanced down at him and sighed. Her tone softened, "Go finish up and check out your books, we will wait for you outside in the car."

He looked back up with a smile, "Oh, thanks, I'll uh-" He glanced down at the book he was caught holding. Apparently he was into history today... "I'll go check this out…"

Lila waited at the doorway, much to the annoyance of the terse librarian. She ignored him.

Marinette stumbled through the doors, carrying a box of pastries. Clearly buttering up Alya to make her believe whatever lie she came up with. Lila rolled her eyes at such amateur tactics.

She sashayed towards Marinette, "Hi Marinette, how are you today?"

"Lila! Good, good, how are you?" She smiled brightly and opened the box of macaroons, "Want some? I mentioned I was visiting a friend and we had some leftovers, so my dad kinda pushed them on me."

"No, thank you. I'm just fine. But Alya was asking about that book you borrowed from Chloé. ...I'd be careful if I were you, I wouldn't want it all pinned on you. Who knows what Chloé's reaction would be."

Marinette tilted her head “She was? Why should I-”

”Well you had it last... But I know, you're so sweet, you could never steal, could you?" she smiled, grin sharp and fox-like. "Although… you’ve had ample time to return it... actually, I just remembered something... I should go tell Alya-"

"Wha- no no, I didn't steal it! It's fine, I can explain everything to Alya!" Marinette waved her hands frantically.

"Hm. You still have it right?"

"Er… No...I uh, returned it.... To the… library."

"Well should be easy to find again then," She waved a hand to the library's bookshelves, "I'd love to see it again. I'll make sure Chloé never hears who had it, if you give it to me."

"What? Why do you want it?"

"I want to return it to its original owner, that's all," she said, pressing a hand gingerly against her chest, "and do you really trust Alya to be quiet about it? She's all about truth and justice..."

Marinette frowned, folding her arms, "Alya’s more trustworthy than you, that's for sure… Whatever plan you have, I'm not going to be part of it."

The librarian abandoned his post, frowning, "Excuse me, what's going on here?"

Lila gave a pitifully sad look to the librarian, "She stole a book from one of my friends and won't return it! She loved that book and-"

Marinette sputtered. "What, I didn't steal-" The librarian raised a hand to stop them both.

"You'd make a very good actor. But, you're a tad over dramatic, young lady. I overheard your conversation. Your earlier tone clearly indicated elements of blackmail."

"Wh- well...well," Lila looked around, at a loss for how to lie her way out of this. Her hands balled into fists, "Well, you're just a dumb book scanner. You don't know what you're talking about," she said, "Stay out of it!"

He balked and his expression hardened, "Out."

She gasped, "What? This is a public library-"

"Yet, this dumb book scanner is telling you to get. Out. You blackmailed another patron and then tried to lie to me," he pointed to the doors, pen in hand. "So, I'd rather not repeat myself a third time."

Lila stomped out. Adrien tilted his head as he walked towards the counter, seeing Marinette watching the sceene. “Marinette?” She turned to look at him, raising a brow.

“Wha- Adrien? What are you doing here?”

A purple butterfly landed on the librarian's pen.

"Bibliotech, I am Hawkmoth. One too many people have dismissed and belittled you. I can give you the power to make sure everyone listens to you. You'll be the smartest person in the room at all times. In return, all I ask is for Ladybug, Féline Sombre, and Paon Lilas' Miraculous."

The librarian narrowed his eyes, adjusted his glasses, and grinned, "They'll all regret underestimating me." His glasses were now a glowing visor, his pen had seemed to have morphed into a staff. He twirled the staff in a motion that made a red “P” in the air.

“Marinette!” Adrien pointed, and ran towards her. Marinette turned and gasped as the window crashed as the pen-staff was thrown towards Lila’s receding figure. Lila disappeared as the pen touched her. Bibliotech summoned the staff back to himself, a meter on the pen filling slightly. He turned towards Marinette and Adrien.

"You seem like smart kids," he said, which didn't sound especially good to be in this context, "I hope you're ready for the test. Unfortunately, I don't have a number 2 pencil for you to borrow!"

He twirled his staff-pen and was about to hit Marinette with it, but Adrien shoved her to the floor. He stared at her for a moment. “You okay?”

She nodded and scrambled up. “Run!” She directed, pointing somewhere for Adrien to go while she ran into another opposite direction.

Adrien took the opportunity to dive behind the library counter. “Duusu, spread my feathers!”

"Akuma! Evacuate the Library!" Marinette yelled. She glanced down each row of books for a hiding spot to transform.... Come on, why does every row of books have at least one person in it?!

Alya stood up as Marinette ran toward her, "Marinette?! Akuma? Where!?" She started getting out her phone.

"Do not go toward the angry supervillain, please!" Marinette exclaimed, pushing Alya in the opposite direction.

Paon Lilas crashed into a bookshelf nearby, chuckling awkwardly. “Hi girls. Don’t mind me.” He stood back up, wobbily, as Bibliotech and a pair of people with a red “F” on their chests walked forward, expressions frighteningly vacant.

“You deserve a bad grade for your attitude!” Bibliotech called.

“My attitude? Who are you, my father?” Paon Lilas snarked back, running back towards him.

“No, I’m Bibliotech,” he said, matter of factually. He side stepped Paon Lilas’s attack and the minions grabbed the superhero.

He hummed, "I don't want to make it easy for you," Bibliotech drew the shorthand for “revise” and tapped a book shelf. The shelves bended and twisted into a maze-like structure. Blocking off Marinette and Alya together, and Paon Lilas with the villains.

"Nonono nooo," Marinette cried.

"If you can escape this I'll let you pass automatically!" Bibliotech's voice echoed. "Trust me, you'll need to pass this test."

"Ugh, we're not gonna be able to see the fight from here…" Alya turned towards Marinette, "Come on, we gotta stick together if we wanna get out of here. Two minds are better than one, girl. I'm sure the superheroes will have it handled in no time!"

Marinette sighed. "Let's just hope they can find their way through this…"

Féline Sombre called Ladybug again, and huffed as it continued to not go through. She really hoped she hadn't been caught by Bibliotech. They landed outside the library and looked around. It was eerily quiet. She cautiously walked in.

"Hello Féline Sombre. I'll give you one chance to do this easily." Bibliotech sat on the top of one of the book shelves, legs crossed, "Hand me that ring, please."

"I appreciate the please, not so much the everything else," Féline Sombre said, and extended her staff to knock him down towards her.

He blocked it with his own staff, and dropped to the ground, twirling it. "I hope you're ready to pay your late fees then."

Féline Sombre narrowly avoided being tapped with his staff and giggled nervously. "Do cats get late fee exemptions?"

"No," he said bluntly, twirling his staff and using the back half of it to throw her off balance. They grabbed onto their staff and extended it, twirling on the bar and leaping down to kick him back.

She tumbled and turned around, only for the man to have disappeared. They sighed, “Ladybug better get here fast.”

Paon Lilas threw off the other mindless drone and kicked the bookshelf. He stumbled backwards, barely avoiding the avalanche of books, vision blooming with spots. The akuma’s minions didn’t move after he was out of their grip. “Wow, is that what a failing grade does to you? He made them real dunces.... Oo, Dunce caps. That’s what I’m calling them now.”

He frowned at the rows of books and braced a hand against the wall to keep his balance. Someone nearby was very frustrated. He turned to follow it. It was probably Bibliotech.

Marinette anxiously tried to find somewhere to lose Alya. She took unexpected turns and ran ahead, but no. Alya just turned right with her, despite the fact that she was also recording everything.

"It seems Bibliotech basically gave the building a revision, like a teacher might to a student's essay." Alya narrated, "He's also making this maze really hard… Marinette no, we went that way before!"

Marinette groaned in exasperation, "Shouldn't we… split up to cover more ground?"

"I'd suggest against it," A calm, overly gentle, masculine voice said, "Besides, I’m here to help now."

Marinette froze. Please no, please no not him. Couldn’t Féline Sombre have come to save them before him? She turned around and frowned at Paon Lilas. He smiled (annoyingly) at her.

"How did you find us?" Marinette cried, throwing up her hands.

"I followed the feelings of frustration,” he said with an awkward laugh. “Anyway, we should get you out of here-”

“You’re not going to help Ladybug and Féline Sombre with Bibliotech?” Marinette said, folding her arms.

He shrugged, “Can’t be much help if I can’t find any of them, can I?” he offered a hand, "Paon Lilas, if you haven't heard of me yet."

"Alya, creator of the Ladyblog. I’ve definitely heard of you," Alya accepted the hand and instead of shaking it, he leaned down to kiss her hand. Marinette pointedly did not give him her hand or a name.

"So, you mentioned you followed our feelings- Can you tell who the emotions are connected to?" Alya aimed her phone camera at Paon Lilas, obviously preparing to interview him. Paon Lilas waved for them to follow him and started walking. Alya followed.

"Er, stronger emotions are easier to find, and akuma victims are usually really really strong… So, I can make a good guess? Uh... a few people are… loud? Emotionally. Right now, though." He seemed to wince, minutely. It was covered with a smile. He shrugged, "It's making it a little hard to isolate Bibliotech."

Marinette frowned and turned down a random turn the rest of the group had walked past. Paon Lilas turned around, "Mar- er, Miss, where are you going?"

Marinette groaned in frustration and smiled sharply at him, "Sorry, got excited."

He giggled, a strange (condescending?? No… fond?!?) smile on his lips. "I noticed. Do you need me to hold your hand? ...To keep you from running down every turn out of excitement?"

"Nope! Nope. I'm good." She stuffed her hands in her pockets and glared forward. Alya mercifully was too distracted by Paon Lilas to comment.

Féline Sombre ran past, then skidded to a halt and returned to the group. “Birdy! Seen Ladybug?”

“Nope, no Buggaboo yet. Nice of you to join us though, Kitten.”

Marinette wrinkled her nose at the nickname. Buggaboo? Really?

Féline Sombre frowned, “Okay.... We need a way to work through this maze to get to the Akuma and make sure Ladybug can find us...”

"We could help!” Alya said, “Marinette and I could make a book trail.”

“If you do that, I could probably more easily use my powers to track down Bibliotech’s emotions.”

"What?" Marinette squeaked, "Surely they can do that themselves. How about we�� find a good place to hide while they do that!?"

Paon Lilas frowned and glanced at the group. He gently pulled Marinette off to the side.

"You're nervous and frustrated... Do you really want to stay here? Wait until Ladybug captures the akuma?"

Marinette glanced around. Easy out. She nodded. "Sure, you go ahead and I'll stay right here!"

"I could give you a sentimonster to protect you, and your friend Alya, if she wants to stay too. Then Féline and I can just go find Bibliotech."

"Oh you uh, you don't need to do that. I'm fine staying here alone!"

"I want to," he smiled, "I want to help. Trust me."

Marinette frowned and nodded, "Fine…"

He fumbled forward without warning, eyes widening. He quickly straightened himself out and took a deep breath. He smiled again, like the moment never happened. He plucked a feather from his fan and imbued it with power, blowing it towards Marinette in away absurdly close to blowing a kiss. The feather fluttered into Marinette's purse and the twin masks of light appeared on their faces.

"If you need anything just tell me," he said, "I can hear it, no matter how far." He winked and the light faded.

A fluffy, black and white dog with a pink floral pattern on its forehead and paws, sat next to Marinette.

Paon Lilas turned towards Alya and Féline Sombre. "Marinette's staying here with senti-pup. Alya, what do you want to do?"

"I'm going with you, I wanna record this!"

Féline humed, "Okay but you need to keep out of the way… I still have no idea what the Akuma is in so-"

"The pen" Paon Lilas said, “The akuma’s in the pen.”

Marinette blinked, “How did you know that?”

He chuckled awkwardly, “I- er, call it intuition.”

“Huh. Great. Cool, go save the day!” Marinette pushed Paon Lilas away, as senti dog barked at the rest of them, herding them like a sheepdog.

With the group finally gone, she ran down the corner a little farther and sighed as Tiki zipped out.

"I love Alya but seriously, I could've been helping Féline Sombre already."

Tiki giggled, "What are we doing with your new buddy?"

"Oh. Right. Uh…" She took off her purse so it wouldn't disappear in her transformation. "There, let's go. Tiki! Spots on!"

She picked up her purse and made a hush motion to the dog, who wagged its tail.

They followed Paon Lilas's lead Alya trailing behind putting down books to keep them on track. The strongest emotions led them into what must be the center of the library maze. Surrounded by Dunce Caps.

Ladybug ran in behind them, Marinette's Sentidog at her heels.

"Ladybug?" Paon Lilas frowned at her, "Why do you have Marinette's purse?"

"She, uh, gave it to me, I led her out of the building and she didn't want your amok to go to waste."

He sighed, "So brave," under his breath. He shook his head. “Let's get this over with...”

Ladybug caught his arm before he could jump into fray. "We've gotta be smart about this, this whole thing is a test, right?"

He glared at her hand on his arm and pulled away. "Fine, what is your plan, M’lady?"

She huffed and then glanced at Sentidog and Alya’s phone. "Okay, Alya, I need your phone for a second. Mind pulling up a recording?"

Alya nodded and handed her the phone. Ladybug handed it to Sentidog who bounded off, as the audio began playing. The Dunce Caps turned and followed the noise, leaving the entry unprotected.

The group walked up to it. Paon Lilas tried the door and frowned. "Locked."

"It's a puzzle," Féline Sombre said, pointing to the books above the doorway. She extended her staff to allow her to reach, and began rearranging the books.

"They're all classics, but," they clicked them into place, "They were out of order.”

The door opened. Paon Lilas raised a brow, "How… do you know the library’s organization system?"

Féline Sombre looked confused, "You don't?"

The group walked in, and Sentidog returned, no longer holding the phone, clearly having dropped it somewhere. (Alya meanwhile got out her tablet to record instead.)

Bibliotech sat on a floating platform of books. “Took you less time than I thought it would... Are you cheating?” He shook his head, “Doesn’t matter, once I deal with you, I won’t have anything else in my way.”

Bibliotech flourished his pen in an P motion and moved to tap Ladybug with it. Paon Lilas jumped in front of her, taking the hit. He disappeared. The staff returned to Bibliotech’s hands.

Ladybug gasped. "Why did he do that? Ugh! Stupid bird- Lucky Charm!" A box fell into her hands.

Bibliotech focused on Ladybug. She used her yoyo as a shield on each hit, searching for how to use the cardboard box.

Féline Sombre extended her staff to meet Bibliotech, landing a solid kick. Bibliotech wrote another Revise note and created another platform for him to jump onto, away from Féline. The red meter went down.

"It's an ink pen." Ladybug whispered, "Féline, destroy the platform!"

"No problem, Bug! Cataclysm!" Féline Sombre touched Bibliotech’s platform, and he grabbed their hand. They yelped and stumbled to remain precariously on the platform. Ladybug whistled and Sentidog ran up and grabbed Féline Sombre’s leg. She shifted to a less unsteady part of the platform, trying to shake off Bibliotech’s grasp on her arm. He readied his pen.

"You forgot the lid!" Ladybug said, and threw the cardboard box up. Féline Sombre grabbed it with their free hand, and caught the tip of the pen from Bibliotech’s attack.

Bibliotech tried to pull back, but the Sentidog grabbed Bibliotech's staff, growling. Ladybug tied Bibliotech's arms in her yoyo and sentidog pulled the staff away and raced down the platforms. Féline shifted to keep a hold of Bibliotech.

Ladybug caught the dog as it jumped into her arms, giggling, "Good puppy."

It dropped the pen and she snapped it in half.

The butterfly fluttered out and the book platforms began to crumble. Féline grabbed Bibliotech and extended their staff to catch their fall, sliding down.

Ladybug caught the Akuma and threw the cardboard box in the air. "Miraculous Ladybug!"

Paon Lilas and the rest of the people reappeared. Paon instantly doubled over and coughed. His miraculous beeping.

Féline Sombre ran over to him, "Are you okay?"

He groaned, but nodded anyway. "Fine…Ya know, I was going for knocking the pen off-course but, taking the hit works too, I guess." He stumbled to a wobbling stand. Ladybug walked up to him, the sentidog on her heels. He ran.

"Wait!" Ladybug called. He turned a corner. She tried to follow him, but the aisle of books was empty. He was gone.

A mask of light appeared on her face. “Hey, Marinette. Hope you’re okay. They purified the akuma. I’m uh, pulling the amok, make sure to get your purse back from Ladybug. Sorry-” The mask disappeared, presumably because he had detransformed.

Sentidog was gone when Ladybug returned. She sighed. She was kinda going to miss that dog. Ladybug went to go help the librarian before her transformation dropped.

Adrien barely caught Duusu as the kwami tumbled out of the brooch, exhausted. He pressed himself flat against the bookshelf, taking deep breaths between bouts of coughing. Pulling out the mango chips for the kwami, he groaned and slid to the floor.

He didn't know how long he sat there. Next thing he knew, Marinette was crouched next to him. Her hand on his shoulder, gentle. "Hey, hey, are you okay?"

He looked up, "Uh… No." He glanced back at the ground, his mind going back to his mother. Her illness. Her unsteadiness and coughs. He felt tears well up in his eyes. "I don't think so."

#miraculous ladybug #ml #ml ladybug #adrien agreste #peacock!adrien #black cat!sabrina #sabrina raincomprix #marinette dupain cheng #alya cesaire #Peon Lilas AU #lila rossi #fly away fic #fanart's fanfic #fanfic #miraculous swap #the reason I'm writing this so fast is 100% Broadway's fault #sickness tw

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growing-yet-into-magic · 4 years

Text

Library Services for Witchcraft Research

(image source)

Hello, friends, enemies, Witches and Pagans. I have worked in a library for one whole month now! (Wow!) I have spent hours and hours checking out books, shelving books, and telling people about the amazing services libraries offer for free, partially because I am paid to do it but mostly so that I can see the astounded look on people’s faces. I was telling people way before they actually hired me to tell people things. Sue me. I love libraries.

Now, I can’t say that each and every library will have all, or even some of these services. A conversation with a fellow witch whose county is not even a half hour away revealed that their library has, full stop, banned any and all witchcraft and witch-adjacent topics in the library. Still, most libraries can’t get away with similar full-on bans, and it is 100% worth still checking out what your local library has to offer, witchblr.

Are you a witch? Probably! The library probably has stuff for you! Yes, you! Here is my list on the top ways to take advantage of services you might already have access to:

1) Witchcraft book lending

Fun fact: if your library uses the Dewey decimal system, like almost every library bar two experimental system libraries, the same truths will always apply: the 130s are Occult and Parapsychology, and the entirety of the 200s will have religion, including religious philosophy. Witchcraft books will usually be bounced within the 100s and 200s depending on whether they are categorized under the witchcraft itself or Wicca/Paganism. Astral projection, tarot, psychic talents...it’s got a lot of stuff you might not expect.

Ever wanted to learn how to take advantage of your garden? The library has whole sections on gardening, from container growing to transforming your landscaping into a natural wonderland. Ever wanted to learn how to sew your own ritual robes, or dye your own fabric? We have three shelves dedicated to sewing and similar crafts. Interested in learning a new language in devotion to the gods? Gaelic? Mdw Neter? A Romance language, to assuage your ancestors who wonder why you only know English? Libraries have an entire section on languages and learning them. Curious about the history of the Salem witch trials, which somehow we have like seven books about in the Criminology section? Whatever, sure. The benefit of going to a local library, by the way, is they they will probably have books about local things- local history, local hauntings, local wildlife, and local flora. You can’t really pass up stuff like that.

2) Databases

Databases are your friend. Anything you can’t find a book on? Weird, esoteric topic that no one else would think to ask books for? Databases. Gods that don’t come up when you search their names the library catalogue? Databases. Historical footnotes hopefully some grad student made their paper on? Databases. Trying to track down a lead from a lead from a lead from an already pretty vague lead, with two key words you are probably misspelling? Well, try all of those variations in spelling in databases, and see what comes up. Being part of a library gives you access to dozens and dozens of databases: At least one of them will be relevant to you in some part of your practice.

3) The ILL system

And, if you know there is a book you want that your library definitely does not have, you can always file for an ILL. An inter-library loan is pricey for the library, but not for you, and you will hopefully, eventually, get you the book you want. The entire concept is very complex: you tell the library what you want, and they ask around to see who will lend it to them. The search can take months, depending on how accessible the book is, who has is, and how long it takes to travel to you. This option may be hidden from immediate view (ours is under a very weird name inside another tab, as it’s combined with another service for requesting a book purchase), but try calling your local library and see how to find the option online. Or, if they let you, file for one in person. You’ll have to know as much about the book you want as you can, such as the title, author, volume, version, etc, so it helps to have goodreads up in another tab.

This is how I read Doreen Valiente’s works, High Magic’s Aid, and Aradia without paying real human money, y’all. It’s worth it if you can’t get your hands on something really, really expensive, rare, or both.

4) Free digital borrowing

Depending on how up to date your library is, you may have access to Digital borrowing services. Libby, Hoopla, Overdrive, whatever your library has, if you have one, you can download and “borrow” ebooks, audiobooks, digital editions of magazines...The options are unlimited! Well, okay, it is limited, in that you can only “borrow” most content for a certain amount of time, and the downloads will eventually expire, but, if you are [an adult and] pressed at home to hide your craft, you can literally download witchcraft books onto your phone’s app. For free. Without leaving the house.

5) Live Classes, Lectures, and Other Events

Check your library’s local events calendar. If you are a crafty witch, and think that creating your own tools, ritual garb, or garden, is an aspiration, see what’s up at the local library. I’m going to sign myself up for a quilting class. I want to know how to integrate hex signs into a quilt I can put on my bed. Want to learn more about local history and get closer to the land? See if the library is offering any lectures on your community. Not only can you get some good old fashioned 101 tips and tricks on crafts with an actual, real life person to help show you, for free, but you can network with other people in the area who are also interested in the same things. And they’re free. Did I mention free? It’s free.

6) Free Museum passes.

Some libraries offer these. Some do not. I’m not going to go into these in depth because I do not want to give any information about them that might be contradicted by your library’s specific service. You might be able to go and get that perfect selfie with the Aphrodite available in your state’s most prestigious museum. Ask your library if they offer museum passes; if they do not, they at least know that you have interest in this service, and might be able to look into it with enough interest.

“Wow, really?” You might be thinking, looking at this long list of library services. “Libraries weren’t this cool when I was eight and had a library card!”

Yes, really! Time marches on, and the future offers new and more interesting library services every year. You already have your rights to a library card! Go out and see what you’re getting! Get involved, go to events, check out books and new age cds. Talk to the reference desk if you have any questions; they’re going to be thrilled you’re there at all.

Witchcraft is an art that requires research, and increasingly deep research the further in you go. It will always be worth building up your personal collection of metaphysical books, but you have options to you that are not nearly as expensive, time consuming, and overly complicated. At the very least, you’ll be able to read the books you’re interested in before you end up buying something not-useful on accident! Save yourself some money and some time, and visit the library.

Blessings, and happy reading!

If you liked or found value in this post, please consider donating to my ko-fi! Thanks for reading! <3

#witchblr #witchcraft #wicca #paganism #deity worship #occult #growing-yet

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eroticcannibal · 3 years

Text

Common myths and misconceptions about home education

So in case anyone has somehow missed it, I have recently become a Big supporter of home education in a very lefty way, which has meant I have had to challenge a lot of views I have previously held about home education and that I know a lot of other lefties hold too. I am of the opinion that embracing home education, not as a last resort, but as the primary form of education for as many children as possible, is a vital part of achieving the required shifts in society needed to meet the goals of most leftists. So I am taking it on myself to convince you all that it is a very good thing, and also to clear up some misconceptions people have about home education that may make them feel they are unable to do it.

(A note, I am from the UK and shall be using UK terminology and specifics regarding law, policy and other such things will be from a UK perspective. I shall be using the term home education, as that is the legal term in the UK and is distinct from home schooling, which is the term for what school children have been doing during the pandemic.)

And I would also like to extend a quick thanks to Education Otherwise and the mods at Home education and your local authority for teaching me A LOT.

Have any questions about anything I’ve not covered here? Just let me know!

1. “Home education is illegal.”

- Sadly, home education is illegal or restricted to the point of inaccessibility in most of the world. From the research I have done, it seems that only the US and the UK have reasonable laws around home education (if I am using a very broad definition of reasonable, it is still not great). I do hope I can change this section soon, and I would *heavily* encourage people to campaign for the right to home educate post pandemic, perhaps cite any benefits learning at home has provided to children, perhaps???

2. “Home education is a tool used by religious fundamentalists to brainwash children!”

- This is a view many hold, and for good reason. For many of us, when we think of home education, we think of christian fundamentalists in the deep south of America, pulling their children out of school to avoid the liberal agenda. The truth is, anything can be used as a tool of indoctrination. This can happen in home education, and it can happen and has happened in schools too. In my own communities we have had instances of schools being a site of religious radicalization of children. The reality is this is far too complex and deep an issue to be solved by deeming any particular form of education as “bad”. I am not an expert on how best to deal with such issues, but I do feel that things like outreach and building a healthy community with otherwise more isolated religious groups would be a better way to address these issues.

3. “You need to have x qualification to home educate.”

- Again, a reasonable view to hold, given that state run and private education does require educators to hold certain qualifications, but in practice it quickly becomes evident the same does not necessarily have to apply with home education. Educational qualifications are very much focused on delivering an education in a classroom, which is a far cry from home education. During our home education of our child, my partner, who is a qualified SEN TA, has struggled far more than I have with educating our SEN child, despite the fact I hold no qualifications.

We live in amazing times when it comes to education. There are many things that parents and communities have to teach a child, and there are many things a child can teach to themself if given the tools to do so. You can even learn together! Their are endless resources available, books and games and documentaries, and even home education groups and private tutors if you feel that is the right fit for your child. You don’t need a piece of paper for your child to spend a day with their nose buried in a book, or to help the neighbor with his vegetable patch, or to cuddle up on the sofa while watching Planet Earth.

4. “You are required to follow the national curriculum.”

- This does vary by country (that allows home education). As a general rule, the stricter a country is about who can home educate, the stricter they are about what must be taught. In the UK, you are not required to follow the national curriculum. Education must be “efficient” and suited to the child’s “age, aptitude and ability”, and LAs do require that english and maths are covered. Other than that, you are allowed to tailor the content of education to the child and their interests. We have recently dropped geography for now and are only just picking up history again. It has also given us the freedom to focus on areas our child needs that would not be covered in mainstream education, such as anxiety management, trauma processing, self care and hygiene.

5. “Home education looks like school/is just filling out workbooks/etc”

- The thing you will always hear from experienced home educators when you begin home education is “home education doesn’t need to be school at home”. Much like you can tailor the content of the learning to the child, you can also tailor the delivery to the child. Some child need structure, timetable, instructions. Some need freedom and to bounce between topics. Some need to have an hour learning maths and only maths, some need to go dig up your garden “for science”. Some want to learn every day, some will need extended breaks.

Learning happens all the time, from the moment they wake to the moment they sleep. As an example, at home we have some workbooks, as both me and my child have ADHD and need someone to go “ok learn this” rather than us having to work out for ourselves what we need to cover for core subjects like english and maths. For the rest of most days my child is left to their own devices to binge youtube and netflix and work on their art. We try and go for a woodland walk every few days, where we have Deep Discussions about all kinds of topics, and we are also working on growing edible plants and baking cakes from around the world. We are more hands-off at the moment, due to the current bout of anxiety, but when that settles again we will get back to history themed crafts and STEM activities. Post-pandemic, we will be signing our kid up for swimming classes and “after school” clubs, and looking at sending them down to my mum for the home ed groups where she lives, like the forest school. A lot of home education outside of a pandemic is in groups and community based, or will make use of libraries and museums and other public learning opportunities. Frequently very little will happen at home.

In fact many home educators will advise new families to “deschool” for a while before jumping in to learning. This is a period where you “get school out of your system”, and just exist. Learning does not have to be intentional, you will be surprised how much you can achieve by just having fun.

6. “Home education is expensive.”

- It can be, ask my bank account. However, it is perfectly possible to deliver a quality education with little to no money. I’m not saying it’s easy, but it’s doable. Their are many online resources for free (check out oak academy), and libraries have plenty available too. Even paid resources can be very cheap if you know where to look. (psst, if your kid thrives with worksheets and powerpoints, get yourself a twinkl subscription, download everything you need for a year then cancel it.)

(This does not apply to exams. Get saving!)

7. “Home educated children are not properly socialised.”

- This is only really true during the pandemic. The rest of the time, home educated children are free to socialise whenever they want, with whoever they want, in whatever setting they choose. Socialisation while home educating is in the opinions of many of a higher quality, as they are not limited to groups of a similar age and background. Many home educating families form groups for their children to socialise together too. For ND children especially, socialising while home educated can be far less stressful and far more fulfilling than in school.

8. “Home educated children won’t get qualifications.”

- Just plain not true. Arranging qualifications can be costly and time consuming, but it is possible and regularly done. Some children may return to school or college to access exams for free, and I have heard of a handful of cases where individuals were able to secure prestigious university places without any qualifications. Home education also allows for more freedom with how exams and qualifications are approached, for example, many home educated children will pick one GCSE to focus on at a time, rather than covering numerous topics over 2 years and having exams for all of them at once like children in school will.

9. “Home education is a safeguarding risk/is used to cover up abuse/home educated children are not seen.”

- In the UK at least, home education is not considered a safeguarding risk, no matter what authorities may tell you, nor are home educated “not seen”. They still visit medical professionals, they still engage with their communities.

Now I shall add the relevant paper here should I find it again, but the idea that home education is used to cover up abuse to a statistically significant degree, or that home educated children are at more risk of abuse, is false. Home educating families do face a significantly higher risk of social services involvement than other families, but far less abuse is found in comparison to other families. It is also worth considering, when talking about social services involvement, that many families pursue home education due to failures by schools regarding a child’s vulnerabilities. In most cases, especially the Big Ones, where a home educated child is abused, the child was already known to authorities as a victim of abuse, therefore home educating did nothing to hide said abuse.

Children are also routinely abused in schools, which is another common reason for home educating.

10. “Home education has to be monitored or approved.”

- Depends on the country, I know in Japan home education is monitored by schools, however in the UK, monitoring is not lawful. Local authorities may make informal enquiries to ensure a suitable education is being facilitated (keep EVERYTHING in writing and please go straight to “home education and your local authority” group on FB for advice, you WILL need it!). In England, if your child is in mainstream education, you can deregister at will, from a special school will require LA approval. In Scotland deregistering requires LA approval. (Again, head to the aforementioned group for advice).

11. “You can’t work/get an education while home educating”

- It is hard to balance work, education and educating your child, but it is possible, people do it every day. Obviously, having at least one parent free to educate unhindered at all times is an ideal situation, but in the real world it often does not work that way. Parents may have to home educate regardless of their other commitments if a child truly needs to escape the school system. Many parents work or learn from home, and sometimes it is even possible to combine these activities with home education. Professional artists and crafters can pass down their skills while working, distance learners can invite their children to sit in on lectures. The really great thing about home education is it is flexible. Do you have a whole day of meetings? Let the kid play minecraft all day! Going to be in the office all day? Drop the kid off at the local forest school or something else they can do all day. Drop them with the grandparents to help with the gardening!

12. “Home educated are behind/achieve less than school children.”

- Their is no evidence that home education is of a lower quality than school education. Many children are home educated specifically because the school environment was detrimental to their education, and thrive with home education. Plenty of children are able to learn more simply by having 1-to-1 attention, without the distraction of an entire class. And others may well be “behind”, and are educated at home because of their specific needs that mean they will never thrive in an academic setting, so they are allowed to focus on learning skills that will allow them to live independently.

#word of god #home education

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sylvanfreckles · 3 years

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Eye of the Beholder

Fandom: Supernatural

Summary: Sam encourages Cas to try to express himself by taking up drawing. It seems to be a lost cause...until Castiel tries to draw Sam’s soul.

(Something warm and soft and hopeful after FebuWhump)

* * *

Sam leaned against the low wall surrounding the picnic area park and let his head tip back to catch the warmth from the sun. They'd hit this town to check on rumors of a demonic possession at the local college, only to find Claire and Kaia had beat them here and pretty much had the whole thing taken care of. Now, he was enjoying just keeping an ear on the banter as Dean checked over the girls' gear and Jack chattered enthusiastically about the old fantasy novels he'd found on one of the rooms at the bunker (apparently Kaia had heard of the author and they were bonding, much to Claire's amusement).

A hint of movement at his side had him cracking one eye open to see Cas settle into a similar posture. Watching Dean and the kids with a fond look on his face, Cas caught Sam's eye with a smile. “He's good at that.”

“Dean's always been good with kids,” Sam agreed. “Probably because he still acts like he's twelve.”

Cas gave a very un-angelic snort, and Sam shifted around enough to watch the angel now. He couldn't remember when life had been this peaceful before. There were hunts still, sure, but it finally seemed like there wasn't some big bad pulling the strings behind it all. He couldn't remember a time in his life that had been like this—just the routine of the hunt and home, with their own network of friends and family.

It took him a moment to realize Cas's attention wasn't on the others anymore. The angel was looking out across the park at a mural painted on higher wall that ran around the park's perimeter. He was pretty it was a memorial to the town's history as part of the underground railroad, based on what he'd learned before they got here.

“I think the high school kids work on that every year,” Sam commented, nudging Cas with his shoulder. “When I was researching the town I found an article that said it was one of their graduating projects, and every year a group of students repairs and restores the mural.”

Cas shook his head and looked back at Sam. “Humanity's capacity for creation will always amaze me.”

Sam blinked. He hadn't...thought about it like that. Dean had always said Cas was just a weird little nerd, but was that why he always seemed to stop when he saw a statue, or a carving, or a painting? That it wasn't a type of art he preferred, but he was appreciating the human act of creating art?

“Have you ever tried?” Sam asked, trying to be casual about it. “Making something, I mean.”

The look Cas shot him was quick, but Sam thought his friend looked grieved. “Angels weren't made to create. We can only replicate.”

Sam started to protest, but hesitated. Zachariah's Beautiful Room...he'd offered Dean things from Dean's past, not some idealized thing he'd want. Gabriel had pulled from human television to make his TV world. Even Lucifer, in creating Jack, had used a human body to impregnate a human, not some celestial act of creation.

“Have you ever tried?” he repeated.

Cas pushed away from the wall. “There's enough in this world to admire,” he replied, though he wouldn't meet Sam's eyes and his shoulders remained tense. “You don't need my...'pitiful scratchings'.”

* * *

Cas's words twisted through Sam's head as he followed the others through the small downtown area back toward the hotel. Had Cas ever tried to make something around them? Had one of them said something like that? Or was this some distant event from heaven, some other angel stomping out any fraction of individuality?

He pulled up as they passed a small, disorganized craft store. “Hey, go ahead without me,” Sam called when Dean turned around. “We need a couple things.”

Sam waited until the others turned away, giving Jack a reassuring nod and smile, before pushing the door open and slipping inside the store. It was cramped inside, with shelves and bins overflowing, and the smell of cinnamon and beeswax filling the air. It wasn't completely a lie...they always needed things like natural pigments and scraps of leather for hex bags, and some places sold essential oils or crystals he liked to keep on hand for emergencies.

It just wasn't why he was here now. He squeezed past a rack of wooden beads and nearly knocked a dressmaker's mannequin over, but finally found the drawing section. The sketchbooks were easy enough to sort through—he grabbed a large one with a dark cover that had an elastic band to keep it closed when not in use. The pages were about the size of a standard sheet of printer paper, so it was big enough for Cas to have lots of room to experiment on each page but small enough to travel with him. The drawing supplies, though, were a little harder.

Sam stared at the selection of pencils, paints, and markers. If Cas had truly never tried something like this before, where could he even begin? Would he want something like colored pencils, that would have a smooth texture on the page but need to be kept sharpened? Or paints, which might be easier to blend and shade but wouldn't be portable? Or start with the very basics and get a box of crayons and hope Cas didn't think it was too childish?

A long, flat box at the end of the shelf caught his eye. Pastels. He had a flash of memory of one of Jess's friends in college who worked with pastels, the way their hands swept over the canvas to leave bright ribbons of color and then darted back to smooth and shade. Sam could suddenly imagine Cas, pastel stick in hand, a smear of pigment on his chin, brow furrowed in concentration as he filled a canvas with bright color.

He bought the sketchbook and pastels plus some silver charms to make a stronger protection hex bag for Claire's car, to make it seem like the drawing supplies had been a spur-of-the-moment thing. By the time he got back to the hotel Dean had already ordered pizza, while Kaia and Jack had Claire sandwiched between them on the couch as they tried to convince her to watch an old fantasy movie with them (Sam was on their side, Willow was awesome). Cas looked up from picking at the label on his beer bottle when Sam walked up to the table, eyes widening further in surprise when Sam set the bag from the craft store down in front of him and presented the drawing supplies with a flourish.

“I thought you might like to try,” Sam explained as he pulled out a chair and sat down next to Cas at the room's little table. “I mean, I'd kind of be interested in seeing an angel's...uh...'pitiful scratchings', you know?”

Cas hesitantly ran the tips of his fingers over the dark cover of the sketchbook. “Sam...”

“Just try?” he suggested. He scooted closer so that his shoulder brushed Cas's, knowing the physical contact helped when the angel was dealing with something new or difficult. “No one's gonna laugh if you can't do it. Well, maybe Dean, but he's an ass.”

“I heard that!” Dean shouted. As far as Sam could tell, his brother was completely focused on something on his phone. That was obviously just an automatic response.

The angel was quiet. Then, slowly, he tugged the pastels out of the bag and lifted the lid of the box. The colors almost seemed to glow under the room's overhead light, and Cas gently brushed the bright gold stick with the tip of one finger. “I'll try.”

“Good,” Sam bumped Cas's shoulder with his own, then leaned a little more closely against him, grounding him. “I can't wait.”

* * *

Sam bit his lip as he flipped through the first few pages of Cas's sketchbook. The angel leaned against the table almost despondently, arms folded across his chest and head tipped forward so that Sam couldn't see his eyes.

“These are good,” Sam said, trying to sound encouraging. “I mean, they look just like the, uh, things you were sketching. That's...that's good.”

Technically speaking, the sketches were good. There was a vase of wild flowers Kaia had put on the kitchen table the second day of her and Claire's visit. The bust of one of the old Men of Letters. Jack's profile as he read from a large leather-bound book. They were perfect and lifelike and exact, yet somehow...empty.

Cas took the sketchbook out of his hands and gently folded it closed. “Angels weren't given the breath of life,” he said, his voice quiet in the stillness of the library. “We can't...we can't create, Sam. All I can do is copy. These are copies of life.”

Sam winced. “Maybe you just need some practice. I mean, this is your first time, right? Nobody's perfect their first time.”

His friend's smile was sad when Cas finally looked up at him. “I feel no inspiration, Sam. I look at the world and nothing calls to me. The flowers and Jack...I chose those because I knew that was what a human might choose. I could have just as easily chosen the scalpels in the infirmary, or the backseat of the Impala, or every doorknob in the bunker. There's no...it's not creation, Sam. They're just copies of life.”

With a sigh, Sam ran one hand through his hair. “Cas, a lot of artists struggle with that. Maybe you just haven't found the right thing yet. With some more time I bet you could find the, the soul of a vase of flowers, or whatever.”

Cas grunted. “Flowers don't have a soul.”

“You know what I mean. Artists, they...they capture a part of themselves in the world around them. Their art reflects their own soul, you know?”

“I don't have a soul either, Sam.”

“You know what I mean.” Exasperated, Sam took a few steps away, then paced back again. “When you look at something that kind of pulls at your heart, you can make something that has a bit of your soul in it, you know? It's what humans have done for thousands of years, even longer.”

Cas let out a mournful sigh and rubbed one hand over his eyes. “If you could see your own soul you might understand,” he said wearily. “Compared to that even an angel's true form is inadequate.”

Sam huffed out a breath. He'd just wanted Cas to have a new experience, maybe find a hobby that could bring him joy. He hadn't meant to start some kind of identity crisis. Then his friend's words caught up to him. “Wait...Cas, are you saying you can see my soul?”

His friend gave him a flat look. “I am still an angel.”

“No, no, I mean...you can see my soul?”

“Of course, Sam.”

Heart pounding, Sam spread his arms out. “Then draw that!”

Cas stared at him for a moment, then slowly shook his head. “Why would you want to see something like that?”

“Are you kidding? Of course I want to see it!” Sam turned in a full circle before grabbing one of the library chairs and dragging it in front of Cas. “Is this good? Or, wait, do you need better light?” His soul through the eyes of an angel...who wouldn't want to see that?

There was still hesitation in Cas's movements as he slowly picked up his sketchbook and lifted the cover off the box of pastels. “You're sure?”

“Absolutely.”

Cas flipped to a clean page and stared over the top of the sketchbook at Sam. Sam waited, eyebrows raised expectantly.

“Do you need me to do something?” he asked, when Cas made no move to start drawing.

Cas frowned, then reached in the box for a pastel. “Just talk. About one of your passions.”

A passion...okay, Sam could do that. Like Dean had always said, he was a huge nerd. “Oh, I found that book about cuneiform we were talking about,” he said, sitting up a little straighter. “You were right, the author was completely ignorant of the language schism toward the end of the Bronze Age....”

He talked on and on while Cas drew. The angel glanced up at him from time to time, a little smile brightening his face. It was almost exactly the image Sam had conjured in the craft store...Cas with a smear of pigment on his chin, bright colors filling the page in front of him. As he drew the angel seemed to relax, the perpetual slump of his shoulders easing back, the worry lines in his forehead smoothing out.

Sam could have pumped his fist in victory. He knew this had been a good idea.

Then Cas set the pastels down and hesitantly pulled the lid over the box. He seemed unsure of himself again, tipping the picture up to makes sure Sam couldn't see it.

“Is it done?” Sam asked. “Can I see?”

For a moment he was afraid Cas would refuse, then the angel slowly turned the sketchbook around.

Sam had seen human souls before...or at least he thought he had. They'd been wispy balls of bluish light, nothing too amazing. This was...this was something else.

The page was a riot of colors. Sweeping and dazzling, greens and blues with threads of red twisting through them, all turning back in on themselves over and over. There were jagged cracks in the swirling shapes, but they'd been filled in with a golden color so vivid he almost brushed his finger over the page to see if it felt warm.

“In some cultures,” Cas's voice was quiet as he explained, “when an item is broken they mend it with gold, so it is more beautiful and valuable because of the cracks.”

Sam drew in a breath. “This is how you see my soul?” The cracks...memories of Lucifer and the Cage, everything they'd lost, the darkness he'd hidden for so long...Cas saw them mended in gold?

“Oh, Sam,” Cas's hand was warm on his shoulder and he looked up, surprised to see tears in his friend's eyes. “This is you.”

He swallowed and looked back down. There was so much...so much hope. Despite it being almost incomprehensible swirls of color on paper, he could feel the hope and faith and trust nearly radiating off the page. Was this...was this really what Cas saw in him?

“Whoa, am I interrupting something?”

Sam pulled back, scrubbing a sleeve over his face. He hadn't even heard Dean coming. “We were just,” he tried to explain, gesturing at the page.

Dean was staring, tilting his head to one side. “Okay, man, call me crazy, but why does this look like Sammy?”

He let out a shaky laugh and ran his hands through his hair. “That's my soul, man.”

“You drew this, Cas?” Dean was leaning in even closer. “Ha, yeah, there's the little part that died when I told you Santa wasn't real. It really is your soul.”

Sam couldn't help but smile at his brother's antics and looked up to meet Cas's eyes. “Can I have this?”

“No way,” Dean interrupted, putting his hand on Cas's wrist.

“Dean, it's my soul.”

“Yeah. We're framing it,” Dean took a step back and held his hands up, like he was envisioning the drawing in a frame. “This is going next to the family pictures, Sammy.”

“We don't have family pictures, Dean.”

“We do now,” Dean clapped Cas on the shoulder. “You should do Jack next. I'll get 'im.”

“Wait,” Sam lunged after his brother. “What about you?”

“Not happening,” Dean replied, easily twisting away from Sam's hand. “Let me go get the kid.”

* * *

Jack, predictably, was thrilled. He sat in front of his adopted father, eyes bright, as he talked about his first memories of Castiel. Sam stood behind Cas's shoulder and watched the picture take shape—all interlocking golden halos bursting out of a dark shadow, radiating a light that was somehow yellow and blue at the same time that banished that darkness away. It was peace. It was strength. It was family.

It was Jack.

Claire and Kaia were next, crowding together into one of the big armchairs with their fingers intertwined. Sam had been expecting some kind of double drawing, maybe two pages side-by-side, but the drawing Cas produced was somehow Claire, somehow Kaia, and somehow a blend of the two of them that went beyond anything the human eye could see.

“That's what it looks like to be soulmates,” Cas explained when Sam asked.

When they went back to Jody's house with the girls, Jody sat for a drawing. Her soul was all graceful arcs swooping around a central, solid core. Sam could almost feel it extending beyond the page, pulling them all together around the woman who had chosen to care for the motherless.

There were others, as hunters checked in at the bunker or they met them in the field. Eileen's soul was a fury of purple and silver, sharp with the kind of love that dove into battle with sword held high. Bobby's was a blend of muted shades that spoke to the loss the older hunter had experienced, and his determination to carry on.

Sam was dropping a new sketchbook in Cas's room one day, a few weeks later, when he spotted a few loose papers that had fallen out of the old one. Meaning just to pick them up and shuffle them back in, he was startled to find he had a picture of Dean's soul in his hands.

It couldn't be anything else. While Sam's had had cracks mended with brilliant gold, Dean's looked like it had been broken and pushed in on itself over and over, more like overlapping plates of ice from a lake that had been melted and refrozen. There were layers and sharp edges, and a few twisting shadows of darkness that lingered in odd corners.

But it was warm. Despite the cracks and the broken parts...despite the trauma and ache and pain it was good. It was the soul of a man who loved so completely he would—and had—lay down his life for his family.

He heard a shuffle from the doorway, and turned to see Cas was standing there, staring at the paper in his hands with something like guilt on his face. “Sam, I...”

“When did you draw this?” Sam asked in a whisper. “He kept saying he didn't want you to do it.”

Cas hesitated, then approached close enough to gently take the drawing from Sam's hands. “It was from memory. Dean and I have always had a connection, since I pulled him from Hell.”

Sam almost laughed. “A more profound bond?” he teased. Cas's lips twitched in a smile and he nodded. “We should hang it up with the others.”

Shaking his head, Cas frowned down at the drawing. “He keeps saying no one would want to see it.”

“Well, he's wrong,” Sam looped an arm around Cas's shoulders. “Come on, I know where he stashed the extra frames.”

#supernatural #fic #sam winchester #castiel #dean winchester #jack kline #claire novak #kaia nieves #fluff #angst #souls #headcanon #artist castiel #sam is a good friend

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strosmkai-rum · 4 years

Text

SKYRIM MOD LIST, enb included

have fun!

note: some mods, though very few and for the most part insignificant, were found on the steam workshop. so if it doesn’t appear on the nexus, you’ll find it there.

some general advice for new modders/just reminders -

- always check compatibility. some mods have patches to use in combination with other mods. always read the description too.

- if you’re able, cleaning plugins is always good. i was never able to get a hang of it but that doesn’t mean you won’t have better luck.

- never, ever test mods with an actual playthrough. the chances of corruption are small, but there. start a new game; if you can’t bother with the helgen intro, use Quick Start to skip past it and begin at the cave exit instead.

- load order. can’t go wrong with LOOT or Wrye Bash. imo LOOT is easier to install and use but it’s all up to preference.

OVERHAULS -

Noble Skyrim (a HUGE overhaul of basically all exterior textures. but, if you don’t like the look this gives, i’d suggest 2k Textures for a more vanilla feel but in higher res, or Tamriel Reloaded - Textures and Parallax.)

Realistic Water Two (get the enb textures, with the watercolor effect too. they have a non-enb version as well, if you don’t use enb.)

aMidianborn retextures (i use almost everything. weapons, armor, creatures, dragonborn dlc, except the terrain overhaul. i also use the differently ebony and glass variants plugins, which basically mean that there’s multiple variants of the armor with the different retextures. they’re so cool, it’s a must.)

RUSTIC ( i also use almost everything from this too. alchemy/enchanting tables, daedra, death hounds, dinnerware, east empire company signs (i really don’t know why), elder scroll, monuments/tombstones, nordic murals, pottery, silverware, standing stones, windows, and word walls.)

Immersive College of Winterhold

Book Covers Skyrim (best book cover retex ever.)

More Interesting Loot (adds in so many artifacts/ingredients/loot from previous games it’s unreal. love it.)

Realistic Room Rental Enhanced (a SERIOUS overhaul of inns and stuff. lets you rent rooms for followers, discounts for extended stays, and makes them look nicer! oh, washtubs too.)

Immersive Roads (amazing. beautiful. incredible.)

RSChildren (children remodel)

Moonlight Tales

Breezehome Fully Upgradeable (okay this too. makes breezehome huge. like, now you can have a markarth style tub upstairs, and a decent room for lydia too. plus a secret library, and another way to enter/exit your home outside of whiterun. and a lot of other stuff i’m too lazy to list right now.)

SMIM (DEFINITELY use some sort of installer for this. killed me when i tried to manually install it. totally optional, though.)

Ruins Clutter Improved

Thane Weapons Reborn

GRAPHICS -

Unique Grasses and Groundcovers (Verdant does a great job too.)

Hybrid HD Plants and Herbs Retexture (Tamriel Reloaded flora are gorgeous as well, so are the ones from Skyrim Flora Overhaul.)

AOF Detailed Mountains (my pref, but honestly, almost all of the mountain retex mods are amazing. go wild.)

Designs of the Nords Banners (the sickest retex of banners. ever.)

Skyrim Landscape Overhaul - Stone Walls (the BEST thing you will ever see. note, if used with Immersive College of Winterhold you don’t need the corresponding patch. at least, if this is the only SLO mod you’ll use.)

SLOD Wine Cellar (y'ever have an in-game crippling alcohol addiction?)

SLOD Potions/Poisons

Gemling Queen Jewelry

Barenziah’s Glory (crown and jewel retexs)

Unique Uniques (the reworks are absolutely gorgeous. i can’t even describe them. at this point, unique is an understatement.)

Bellyache’s Dragon Retextures (they’re the hell spawn of akatosh, gotta make ‘em look cool somehow)

Apophysis Dragon Priest Masks (holy mother of god, these dragon priest retextures are beautiful. if you’re more into a horror theme, Unique Dragon Priest Masks will definitely satisfy you)

Natural Eyes

Coverkhajiits Male/Female

Dawnguard Rewritten - Arvak (so many arvak retextures here, pick and choose what you want)

Makers Mark Ingots (an ingot retexture, with minting seals/stamps on them. beautiful.)

Better Shrouded Armor (okay, this. this. if you look at the vanilla armor and say, i hate this, then you’ll love this. the armor becomes more of an armored robe with black/brown touches, and the signature hand print on the front. it’s just cool.)

Stormcloak Revival (awesome retex of the armor)

Nightingale Prime and Nightingale Pride (a retexture for armor and blade/bow, respectively)

Windhelm - Legendary Kings

Alternate Summoning Visuals

Tenets Restored (so you can actually read the damn things)

Auriel’s Bow Retexture

HD Linens

QUESTS/NEW LANDS -

Falskaar

Shadow of Morrowind

Summerset Isle

Beyond Skyrim - Bruma

Beyond Reach

Voyage to the Dreamborne Isles

VIGILANT (there’s an english voiceover and a guide as well in the files section of the voiceover)

Project AHO (you need this. you do. the quest, the npcs, the oh god, everything, is so amazing. download it.)

Carved Brink (from the makers of Project AHO, equally amazing.)

Wheels of Lull (this was the best existential crisis i’ve ever had. funny, immersive, challenging, and very, very real, i’ll be at your door in a fortnight if you don’t install this mod.)

Aethernautics (with Wheels of Lull integration patch)

Gray Cowl of Nocturnal (want some oblivion nostalgia? here you are.)

Spectraverse - Magic of the Magna Ge

Dwemertech - Magic of the Dwarves

Ravengate (underground pit fighting, hell yeah!!)

The Tools of Kagrenac (morrowind fans wya. i have never played morrowind.)

Moon and Star

The Forgotten City (gonna be getting its own game on Steam by the same name!)

Fight Against the Thalmor (all 4 parts linked)

Sinister Seven

Konahrik’s Accountments

Blackreach Railroad (trains. that is all.)

Legends of Nchuak

The McMiller Chronicles

The Notice Board (ah, witcher fans might like this.)

The Paarthurnax Dilemma (for obvs reasons)

Localized Guild Jobs (finally, choose the city you want to do a thiefy job in.)

Missing Apprentices (a college quests never implemented in-game. there’s also another mod for another cut quest called Research Thief, but i don’t use that one.)

Barenziah Quest Markers (am NOT using the wiki again to find those floaty bastards. there’s a mod that puts the stones in quest-locked areas in accessible ones instead, so if you plan on collecting them all and being done with it i suggest Non Quest Locations for Stones of Barenziah.)

Jiub’s Opus Quest Markers (not chasing these down either)

Arvak’s Skull Quest Marker (only available through steam workshop)

an addition, Wyrmstooth, though it’s no longer on the nexus and is known to corrupt save files and cause general issues (i found a version of it, though i’m not very keen on trying it after what i’ve heard. still, if you really want it, it’s not that hard to find.)

IMMERSION -

Timing is Everything (adds in delays between quests. just a little breather in between saving the world, if that even exists.)

Northern Encounters (if you love encounters and spent a lot of time in the snow for whatever reason, this is for you.)

Extra Encounters Reborn + DLC (when you love exploring skyrim, this’ll make your adventures super interesting.)

Citizens of Tamriel (on god this mod is so funny and immersive. if you download this, stop by the abandoned shack. you won’t regret it.)

Honed Metal (lets you hire a smith to temper/craft and enchant armor and weapons for you, so you don’t have to invest in the smithing tree.)

The Hunting Game (y’ever notice how pelts are like, worthless? yeah. this changes that.)

Organized Bandits of Skyrim

Better Combat AI (there’s probably a better mod for combat out there, but this is what i use. also from steam workshop)

Increased Merchant Gold Count (plenty of dif mods for this, all of them should work just fine. also on steam workshop)

Black Horse Courier Reborn (hey, remember the uhh, couriers in oblivion? well, they’re back, babey! the more quests you complete, different editions will be released to talk about the amazing last dragonborn, and there’s a (expensive as hell) book that you can buy from a courier that had all the editions from oblivion in one tidy leather-bound book.)

Take Notes (a journal mod!)

Celtic Music in Skyrim (a music replacer. it’s so calming and atmospheric, but if you want individual tracks replaced with ones of your own choosing, you can download Skyrim Audio Converter.)

Book Covers of Skyrim - Lost Library (adds in books from other tes games too, along with the fancy covers.)

Books of Skyrim (a book store in solitude.)

Touring Carriages

The Thieves Guild: More Thieves (only on steam workshop)

Thieves Guild Former Glory Enhancement

Regifting Lycanthropy: Infinite (on steam workshop)

KJ Tattoos and Lore Tattoos (needs RaceMenu to work.)

Loading Screens with Extra Sarcasm (beautiful mod. doesn’t ruin your immersion at all, actually.)

We Are Legion (nice legion overhaul. workshop exclusive.)

Immersive Patrols

All Merchants Buy Stolen Items

Realistic Crime Radius

Beyond Skyrim: Wares of Tamriel

Morrowind Imports (makes it so dunmer vendors will sell stuff like ash yams and sujamma, just a bit more immersive.)

Morrowind Border Trading Shack (workshop exclusive)

Staves of Skyrim

College Students

Better College Application

Night Eye Overhaul (good regardless if you rp as a khajiit or not)

Enhanced Cities: Docks of Solitude (workshop exclusive)

Towns and Villages Enhanced: Riverwood

Project Populate Skyrim: Winterhold (workshop exclusive)

Raven Rock Expanded

MISCELLANEOUS -

SkyComplete (lets you keep track of basically everything, including quests, artifacts, undiscovered locations and read books. update, it looks like the original file has been taken down. i do have a copy of the file should anyone want it.)

The Choice is Yours (fewer forced quests! woohoo!)

Jaxonz Named Save and Positioner (lets you have named saves, and reposition objects. the best mod for home decorating.)

Unlimited Bookshelves (put anything you want on those bad boys now! coupled with Jaxonz Positioner, the sky’s the limit to home decorating now.)

Follower Map Markers Complete (so you don’t lose them. again. also works for mod added followers.)

Bandolier - Bags and Pouches (you look really cool, and get a bit of extra carry weight too!)

Insanitys Celtic Katana

Better Training (no more level req bs here)

No Required Perks (workshop exclusive)

Lightweight Potions and Poisons

Lightweight Scrolls (because half a point for a scroll?! it’s paper, not rocks, dammit)

Weightless Soul Gems

Telescope

Thieves' Guild Bounty Clearer

Scoped Bows

Font Replacement (i use fertigo pro but you know, preference)

City Forests (just adds a few trees in a few cities, this, combined with Noble Skyrim and the enb i use makes all of my screenshots.)

Save the Dark Brotherhood (saves your tears, too.)

Hold Border Banners

Lost Books of Voryn Dreleth (adds in a few books, scattered throughout skyrim. i don’t know, they’re nice to read i guess. totally optional.)

Halls of Dovahndor (an amazing house mod set in…sovngarde! that’s new!)

The Library of Paarthurnax (always thought this was mad cool)

Sacrificial Hunter (for the boethiah quest. also known as, when you’re too attached to your followers to kill them)

No Killmoves/Killcams/Killbites (totally optional, i just don’t like the animations.)

Big Leather Backpack (it looks cool. plus extra carry weight. bags are cool.)

Colovian Leather (just a lil extra set of armor)

Elder Scroll on Back

More Salt

Open Face Guard Helmets

Faction Crossbows

INTERFACE -

SkyUI (the menu layout give me a headache though, you can use SkyUI Away to restore normal menus)

Immersive HUD

A Matter of Time (compatible with iHUD)

Warburg’s 3D Paper World Map (forget the old poorly rendered map. a new paper one, a lot more simplistic and minimalist. but, if you do want the normal skyrim map, A Quality World Map is the way to go.)

Main Menu Background Replacer (oh, there’s a lot of these. so choose your favorite. but i like this best.)

No Bethesda Intro Logo or a replacer, the one i use was taken down but went by Ironclad Bethesda.

RaceMenu

Amazing Follower Tweaks

Follower Trap Safety (miiight be included in AFT, but not sure.)

FIXES/PATCHES -

USLEEP

Fuz Ro Doh (needed for some quest mods, something abt silent dialogue.)

No More Blinding Fog (if you have that issue)

Mindflux Particle Patch (if included)

Darker Dungeons for ENB (if included)

Revamped Exterior Fog

FOR ENB:

okay, here’s the thing. i’ve been modding skyrim nonstop for three years now. i’ve gone through, a lot of enbs. the big ones, the small ones. rudy, tetrachromatic, project enb, you name it. and here’s the one that i finally found that works great, lots of customizability, awesome fps, and looks fucking fantastic.

it’s called seasons of skyrim. easy install, easy uninstall if you don’t like it. nothing else. includes further darker dungeons as well as revamped exterior fog.

my configuration’s here.

but let’s assume you don’t want to use an enb. that’s fine! there’s a lot of other ways to get dynamic lightning too. i used to use Climates of Tamriel, or ELFX, or Realistic Lighting Overhaul. note that i’m almost certain that RLO hand places light sources, so i don’t know how altered cells would go. you might be able to avoid conflict by loading the changing mod after RLO? but i don’t know for sure.

if you want help with installing anything/with enbs or are new to it, i’m always down to help.

other stuff i use -

SKSE is an obvs one.

LOOT

Save Cleaner

7zip (it’s basically a free version of winzip. cause i’m not about to pay for anything, and i manually install everything.)

wow, you made it to the end? congrats! i spent longer on this than i did sleeping last night.

#skyrim #modding #a lotta mods lmao #tes #still...modding...three years later...

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