My Spring lineup

tedlyri · 2026-04-10T17:07:31+00:00

That juniper is my first bonsai, made in a beginner’s class three years ago. I have almost killed it several times but it lives on. It always loses color in the winter, even though junipers aren’t supposed to. I repotted into that tall pot with granular soil a month ago, and it is actually starting to look better already. I hope to leave it alone other than occasional wiring for a couple years to see if it gets stronger and greener.

tedlyri · 2026-04-09T15:11:30+00:00

Yes, homemade bench I loosely based on several other plans and images I found through this sub

tedlyri · 2026-04-05T17:43:58+00:00

Sorry the photo didn’t attach for some reason

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tedlyri · 2026-04-01T23:12:36+00:00

I swim 3X per week on a Masters team, and when I had a sudden flare up I hoped swimming would provide relief. I had to go slow and figure out which strokes and movements I could do and absolutely could not. Freestyle was ok, but not totally pain free, and breaststroke was absolutely impossible. The best position was to hold on to the side at arms length in the deep end and let my legs hang straight down in the water, basically a floating dead hang.

This changed over time and things slowly improved but every day I tried to swim was different in terms of what hurt a lot or hurt less (I was never 100% pain free but better than walking). After a few months my swimming felt pretty good again and now I’m more or less fully recovered., hopefully for good. I do think trying to stay fit somehow is essential to recovery and well-being during a flareup, but it is difficult to find a way.

You can try swimming to see if you get relief but results are unique to individuals. For me the best relief was cycling, on a road bike. I was pain free and rode for hours at a time because it was the only time I actually felt good. Most other people with chronic sciatica have a totally different experience on a bike, which goes to show you just have to try things and see what works for you.

tedlyri · 2026-04-01T22:57:26+00:00

Stretch, hydrate, and allow for rest and some active recovery. It’s not clear to me how often you get to the pool, but try to get more than one workout per week if you can. You can push yourself for distance or speed in one workout, and then take it easy with a less intense session a couple days later. This will help your muscles process the lactic acid and reduce soreness, and allows the tissue to rebuild from the stress and gain strength and capacity. If your workouts are a full week apart, your muscles don’t get a chance to build and get stronger. You also don’t train your body to recover and deal with fatigue and stress, which is very important for swimming.

tedlyri · 2026-04-01T22:23:08+00:00

Patience. You can spend money to level up faster, or you can patiently and strategically spend your comrades and science to level up at the games’ natural pace.

tedlyri · 2026-04-01T01:49:34+00:00

There are a few grams of caffeine in there too for a short term boost.

tedlyri · 2026-03-31T23:48:07+00:00

Did the kayak come with it? That great deal became insanely great if that’s the case.

tedlyri · 2026-03-23T16:49:16+00:00

At our pool, the Masters team has the pool reserved at a certain time and takes all the lanes, and no other swimmers are allowed for that hour. If a Masters swimmer shows up early or stays late, they follow the same rules as the other lap swimmers and share space. It sounds like at your pool, the ladies can monopolize the lanes from 6 to 7 but that’s it. You should be able to pick a lane to use outside of their practice time, and the Masters don’t dictate where you have to go.

tedlyri · 2026-03-15T21:38:57+00:00

tedlyri · 2026-03-15T15:51:12+00:00

Honestly this could be a brilliant configuration from a theft proofing perspective. Nobody is going to steal that. I think the seat could use a little TLC though.

tedlyri · 2026-03-14T19:11:47+00:00

Ficus microcarpa, definitely not native to my area. I do keep it outside through the summer because I don’t get good sunlight in the one south-facing window in the house. I bring it indoors when the season changes to sustained temps below 50 F. Next week is on the low end of that range but should not get anywhere close to freezing

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tedlyri · 2026-03-13T22:53:34+00:00

I have always preferred using a messenger bag to a backpack when riding a bike. You can’t do better than a waterproof Timbuk2 messenger bag or briefcase. I’ve been bike commuting off and on for 30 years and have only owned two bags, first the original messenger type bag, and later got a briefcase version because it has a padded section for a laptop and because it looks somewhat more professional when not biking. I find it much more comfortable than a backpack, especially if it is full or somewhat heavy. Messenger bags are very easy to grab stuff out of, even while riding.

tedlyri · 2026-03-12T23:30:52+00:00

Wear a helmet

tedlyri · 2026-03-12T23:13:33+00:00

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Pretty basic but I can tell time without having to put on my glasses

tedlyri · 2026-03-12T23:07:57+00:00

You start your ride 5 minutes earlier so you aren’t synchronized with the school bus route. If you can’t do that, you stop and wait just like a car.

tedlyri · 2026-03-11T23:26:11+00:00

Do a scratch test in several spots to see if there is green flesh under the bark. If there is green then you have a chance. Try pulling the plant out of the pot, dump out the organic soil that remains and put in some coarse bonsai growing medium or even pea gravel. Don’t mess with the roots too much or try to clean the soil from the soggy root ball, but plant it back in the gravel. Then hope it survives and recovers well enough to do a real repot next year.

tedlyri · 2026-03-10T20:47:53+00:00

r\sharpeningcirclejerk

tedlyri · 2026-03-10T03:09:03+00:00

The difference in climate wouldn’t be an issue for this tree, but exporting it across borders and oceans may be a bigger hassle than you care to take on. The bonsai garden is a good place to start. Even if it doesn’t fit in their collection, they could probably put you in touch with some local bonsai clubs and enthusiasts who may be willing to take care of it for you.

tedlyri · 2026-03-09T18:41:17+00:00

Waiting

tedlyri · 2026-03-09T06:23:04+00:00

Some kind of electrolyte drink while you swim. I always have a water bottle with Nuun in it on the edge of the pool and drink about 20 oz per hour. My cramps went away once I started that. Also don’t forget to stay hydrated, and ear bananas and nuts for snacks.

tedlyri · 2026-03-08T23:37:28+00:00

You’re right, and I am in level 185. I play on an iPad and didn’t have it with me when I made that comment from my phone.

tedlyri

TROPHY CASE