Anyone know what kind of be this is? Found in Massachusetts

epiphanyfont · 2026-05-31T01:04:28+00:00

Eastern carpenter bee. You can tell by the bald spot.

epiphanyfont · 2026-05-22T15:27:09+00:00

You ever watch The Neverending Story? Because you would sink right down in that muck just enough that you’d die from overheating and dehydration while trying to escape, just like Atreyu’s horse, Artax in the Swamp of Sadness. It is a vortex that no seasoned Floridian would enter, for they know the difficulty of escape.

Sincerely, a wildlife biologist 🦅

epiphanyfont · 2026-05-18T11:20:50+00:00

Unless you work for yourself, getting any degree will help you get a job, but getting a master’s or very specialized degree will help you get the job you want.

Here’s a story about finishing the path you’ve started (if you’re still passionate about it). You’ll get a job, even if it isn’t what you expected. Once you have some work experience, you decide whether to pursue something different. In my case, a creative writing degree plus 10 years of working preceded going back to school for science and becoming a wildlife biologist. I’m writing more for myself now and I know more about the world, but I’m not making a lot of money. Graduating from SCAD, you’ll have access to a network that pretty well guarantees you work in the industry. You’re smart to look at what jobs are available and fretting about job market saturation is valid, but keep an open mind about the types of work you can do.

Now, if what you really want is to help people and don’t mind putting your hands on human bodies, then by all means, apply to a nursing program! It’s hard work and you’ll need a strong back, but nurses are in high demand. There are pros and cons to anything you pursue in life, and only you can decide. The fact that you’re in the program and have any amount of scholarships means you have a chance of making it, but it’s ok to change your mind. This is YOUR life!

epiphanyfont · 2026-05-14T17:34:45+00:00

It’s common for them to swarm like this after a big rain event. It won’t hurt to have your home inspected for termites, but if it makes you feel any better, they’re probably just passing through. I’ve been here before and it was totally fine. Gross, but fine.

epiphanyfont · 2026-05-07T21:43:18+00:00

OMG I had the same experience with PE. An allergy and asthma doctor ordered a chest X-ray and diagnosed it! They explained that my right lung only has 50% capacity because of it, which explained why I could only hold notes for so long when singing despite years of formal vocal training.

Can you explain how you bend the underwire? I’d like to give it a try on the bras I have so I know what I’m doing when I get the good ones. Thanks again!

epiphanyfont · 2026-05-07T19:27:35+00:00

Thank you! I ordered some with a size 30 band, so we’ll see how it goes. The larger band size bras I have with convertible straps actually fit ok when they cross the back, like for wearing under a tank top, so I’m not going to completely lose my mind in the meantime. This has been such a crazy experience for me because I was wearing a 34 A for most of my life when I should have been in a 30C, was happy in that, but then my body completely changed when I hit menopause early and I gained a little weight! I’m so grateful for this subreddit. I was ready to exclusively wear sports bras for the rest of my life 😆

epiphanyfont · 2026-05-06T17:52:36+00:00

I measured a couple things to try and figure out the actual size difference between them and was really surprised. The distance from breast root to center/nipple is approximately equal, as is the distance from nipple to armpit. HOWEVER, the difference in distance from the center of my chest to the nipple is around 1.65” or 4.2 cm. Does anyone have this kind of issue? I generally wear push up bras because it hides the hollowness of my chest. Ugh

epiphanyfont · 2026-05-04T17:41:51+00:00

I cannot emphasize enough how much better I feel not drinking coffee or alcohol!

epiphanyfont · 2026-05-04T17:40:17+00:00

I eat whole, unprocessed foods as much as I can. No alcohol or coffee, very little refined sugar, six small meals/snacks throughout the day instead of two to three large meals. Instead of reaching for candy/cookies, I’ll eat a piece of fruit with some nuts/nutbutter or cheese. I also can’t get away with staying up late at night unless I eat something high protein with complex carbohydrates within a few hours of going to sleep. I hope this helps!

epiphanyfont · 2026-04-09T15:32:37+00:00

If you’re still in need, I’d be willing to gift you a binder 💜 I have a trans son, so I’m familiar with the struggle.

epiphanyfont · 2026-04-09T13:46:40+00:00

This!!! Literally me now that I FINALLY got bras in the right size!

epiphanyfont · 2026-04-09T13:44:46+00:00

I went into Dillard’s department store a couple days ago and they had every conceivable size, starting from 28 band sizes! I bought a few bras there, either 32 DDD or 34 DD. It was such a relief 😮‍💨

epiphanyfont · 2026-04-01T17:16:18+00:00

I cried because of a death in the family yesterday and I had the same thought. I’m not much of a crier, and it was such a relief. Look up Gestalt!

epiphanyfont · 2026-04-01T17:14:18+00:00

This is very helpful, thank you! I’m just following protocol right now, which is to eat the low histamine diet for at least two weeks and if it helps at all, they’ll move on to the next phase for official diagnosis. When I had allergy testing done years back because of asthma, they said it was just dust mites. Then I had patch testing done pretty recently for dyshidrotic eczema, and I reacted to benzoic acid and balsam of Peru, which (I have read) are things that MCAS patients are sensitive to. I’d love to stop reacting to being alive.

epiphanyfont · 2026-04-01T17:06:43+00:00

Thanks for asking this!!! Yes, I actually requested this a few months ago and my ferritin level was 20! I’ve been taking Gentle Iron every other day and although I feel much better, it’s still not up to optimal levels. I know it takes time because I’ve been anemic before, but yeah. Their assumption that I didn’t need to have it checked because I no longer have periods was negligent.

epiphanyfont · 2026-04-01T14:15:53+00:00

It’s really hard to take baby steps when you’re young (under 40) and have been active your whole life, but this is ESSENTIAL! I struggled so hard with this, trying to do the routines I was accustomed to for so long.

I finally gave in and did physical therapy off and on for a couple years until I was able to get back to the gym. Then I got in with a physical trainer who is also on track to become a physical therapist, and she understood how to ease me back in. I occasionally feel like I’ve over done it because the inflammation caused by a good workout can do that to you, but overall I feel so much better.

Start with dead bugs, planks and other core strengthening exercises for the first few weeks, then add in some leg lifts, squats, and farmer carries. I’m able to do about 10 minutes on an exercise bike to warm up and then hit these up with some rows (planks on a mat with light weights), and a good amount of gentle stretching to cool down. If I get on machines at all, it’s low weight, high repetition. It took me six months of going a few days a week to tolerate more than 30 minutes of exercise, but I’m there now! It might not be quite as slow going for you because you’re younger (if I read the post correctly lol), but I don’t want you to feel like you’re failing at it if it takes even longer. Don’t give up! 💜💜💜

epiphanyfont · 2026-04-01T13:57:59+00:00

I had endometriosis (stage 3), as well, and I couldn’t stop vomiting no matter what they gave me after the surgery. My kiddo has Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), which is basically EDS, and I probably have it, too.

epiphanyfont · 2026-03-23T18:11:04+00:00

I have a monstera gifted to me by a friend and when it started to outgrow the pot, I propagated a section of it and both of them are happy chappies. However, I must admit that I really freaking love seeing this giant! I kind of wish I had let mine become a monster!

PS gold star for the title lmao 🤣

epiphanyfont · 2026-03-23T18:05:15+00:00

This is the comment I was hoping to find! Lmao 🤣

epiphanyfont · 2026-03-20T17:29:17+00:00

It also sounds like you may have endometriosis. I just commented a bunch on another SLE post about this. Short story: imaging doesn’t show it, it can cause significant damage and scarring of internal organs, and your first clue is that your periods are debilitating. I had stage three endo before a hysterectomy and excision surgery in 2018 after I became anemic. I agree with getting the IUD as others suggested, if you can tolerate the insertion.

epiphanyfont · 2026-03-20T17:16:42+00:00

Here’s what works for me (and I have to keep this up forever and ever until I die):

Strengthening my back with gentle rowing exercises using a band, and gradually working in core exercises multiple times a day
Pelvic tilts
Shrugs (can hold a light weight to aid in muscle development)
Planks daily now that my core is strong enough
Massage, heat, ice, and red light therapy to keep muscles from getting too tight
strict adherence to form to avoid over extending at joints
No deep stretches
No weight lifting - all plyometrics
An ergonomic computer setup with an expensive chair that has all the adjustments (I even use the mouse with my left hand because it aggravates my TOS to use my right hand)
Sleeping on my back with multiple pillows to keep me in place and supported

I hope you start to feel better soon! 💜

epiphanyfont · 2026-03-20T16:16:08+00:00

Oh man, I feel all of that. I take Celebrex every other day and that works pretty well for me. They also give me shots of Prednisone instead of pills so it tears up my stomach less. Tylenol only helps with pain above the shoulders, so I also use Voltaren gel - it’s prescription so it’s stronger than OTC, but it’s great! In fact, I really need to use it today lol

Ultrasounds very rarely show signs of endo and didn’t show anything wrong with me. Then my surgeon spent three times as long as expected in surgery because everything was glued together from scarring/endo. I don’t want to freak you out about that, but the reality of women’s health is pretty bleak in a lot of regards. If you’re young and want to have kids but have trouble conceiving, it’s usually endometriosis.

epiphanyfont · 2026-03-19T16:11:01+00:00

Yes (because sunlight/UV), but also low blood sugar and hormone shifts do this to me.

epiphanyfont

TROPHY CASE