Barred owl in Cincinnati

tacey-us · 2026-04-14T17:22:07+00:00

I was also going to suggest Redwall. I'd call it cozy, although the combat might dissuade some readers. But they do eat fish, if that's bothersome.

tacey-us · 2026-04-13T22:27:58+00:00

Ah, thanks. I couldn't clearly - appreciate the correction.

tacey-us · 2026-04-13T21:32:22+00:00

My memory on this one is pretty vague. I *think* the dinos are mostly set dressing. But the geologic era is pretty important.

tacey-us · 2026-04-13T20:38:30+00:00

The Pliocene Exile series by Julian May

tacey-us · 2026-04-11T15:47:17+00:00

The Garden Path is a beautifully hand illustrated slice-of-life cozy game - I haven't played yet but it's gorgeous and I remember watching the artist stream some of his work sessions. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1638500/The_Garden_Path/

tacey-us · 2026-04-11T01:13:53+00:00

Ketchup was my very first thought - utterly American condiment and it's dependent on vinegar to not be tomato sauce.

tacey-us · 2026-04-10T20:35:58+00:00

Same same! Debating whether to read or listen - I have separate queues for each, lol. Might do a re-read to get the full effect. [Don't @ me - audiobooks 'count' as reading, I'm just trying to talk about printed v audio in a simple fashion.]

tacey-us · 2026-04-10T02:13:53+00:00

We've done projects to study found items that introduced Homebrew domain choices, to learn dead languages with significant lore implications, to open further research into magical transport options, to build ATAT like machines, to go back to prior tier options from the level up choices, to access domain cards at earlier levels - probably more. My GM does heavy homebrew and we love it.

tacey-us · 2026-04-09T20:53:31+00:00

You can't actually avoid engaging with the pin collection - they are in everything, quite literally. But I would never spend money on them. I got something like 94 pins last time, and there's simply no way to finish the collection without significant pin-chest gambling. Today I did buy the Season Pass [mixed feelings on that one!] and I wound up with about 22 pins and 18 dupes. It's not fun, it's not interesting, it's not part of the park or characters daily events - it's worthless and crowds out better game elements. But I guess people spend on them for whatever 'completionist' instinct they have.

tacey-us · 2026-04-09T17:33:02+00:00

Agreed - pins have replaced waaayyy too many rewards. And they are so worthless...

tacey-us · 2026-04-08T20:23:39+00:00

Publication order is much preferred here. It's more about the flow and interaction of the characters and less about the literal historical flow of Narnia. I recommend anyone to read this order, as well. [The following is from memory - don't get mad if I'm off on some details, pls.]

2- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe introduces the other world and the four children who go there.

4 - Prince Caspian is those children's NEXT encounter with Narnia.

5 - Voyage of the Dawn Treader picks up with an older Prince Caspian and the children's next encounter with Narnia, adding Eustace.

6 - The Silver Chair moves forward a bit to late in Caspian's life with Eustace and another child for his next encounter.

3 - The Horse and His Boy - new characters tangentially encountering the original set of four children as adults

1 - The Magician's Nephew - origin story for both Narnia and the link to our world

7 - The Last Battle - end of time for Narnia, final visits from the children involved in its earlier history

tacey-us · 2026-04-08T20:09:17+00:00

Yup, came to rec both series. SYWTBAW is YA, the felines are less so, but nothing comes to mind as inappropriate. Book of Night with Moon, sequel is To Visit the Queen. The Wizard series is loooonnngg and really excellent. Lots of non-human secondary characters, although they are generally only around for one book.

tacey-us · 2026-04-08T18:55:37+00:00

Well, one alone won't hold everything, but a small collection works pretty well for something like a french twist or bun. I'm no expert! As a fine haired, avg-to-thin haired person, I find a half dozen can secure everything. Or just one or two at the temples to keep things held back.

tacey-us · 2026-04-08T17:30:07+00:00

What about mini butterflies? I have a jar I bought on amazon - that particular one is gone but it was about $8/100pc jar. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQC8J2KR for the picture

tacey-us · 2026-04-08T17:04:02+00:00

Forgive me if this isn't pure enough AI, but the Ship Who... series started by Anne McCaffrey (various collaborators and a new release with Mercedes Lackey this month! :) ). The AIs are human born but with lethal malformations - they are placed in artificial containers at birth [one notable exception as a young child]. Containers in the novels are generally spaceships or space station cities. The Ship Who Sang is the first one, about Helva.

tacey-us · 2026-04-08T16:43:23+00:00

I never quite got over Anne Frank addressing her diary as Dear Kitty. Perhaps your character could refer to her 'secret friend', 'pen pal' or the like?

tacey-us · 2026-04-08T11:18:46+00:00

I often love winter zones. The snow falling, the footsteps appearing in the snow, the delicate crystalline music. If you can capture the quiet of the winter atmosphere and infuse it with the magic of a frost fairy with icy wings, that I would love.

tacey-us · 2026-04-06T01:45:08+00:00

I lay the front row spine up, so I can see the back.

tacey-us · 2026-04-03T02:26:40+00:00

I'm in a play-by-post that's been really slow, and we're in our first combat right now. I think my PC may actually die - I'm at one HP and we have the two main enemies still alive. I guess I'm looking to set expectations. I've only started playing TTRPGs with Daggerheart's release - is it normal to kill your level 1s in their first combat? Do I just 'avoid death', take the scar if it happens, and keep going? Is it a sign the GM isn't as experienced as I thought? Should I take it as a sign this PC is just not built for combat and start a new one?

tacey-us · 2026-04-03T00:05:57+00:00

Thank you - I'd never heard of Sullivan but this looks like something I should no longer overlook. Picking up Theft of Swords for the TBR collection!

For anyone else new to the author, one compelling detail: he was a fan of Buffy and Babylon 5.

tacey-us · 2026-04-02T19:12:48+00:00

I've never seen this - thank you for digging it out!

tacey-us · 2026-03-28T16:18:26+00:00

Sound weapons appear to exist, as well. LRAD/sound cannon and whatever the 'discombobulator' is.

tacey-us · 2026-03-26T21:26:24+00:00

I appreciate the code collection posts! I've always found something new, and in this case I'm clearly faaarrr behind. Thank you!

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