Rene Astle 🍁🌻
@castle88.bsky.social
Author of science fiction and fantasy where characters find their families and their place in the world ... or the universe. Reader of same. Urbanist and environmentalist (the former stemming from the latter). She/her. Find me at reneastle.substack.com.
Pinned
Rene Astle 🍁🌻
@castle88.bsky.social
· Mar 8
If you're looking to (temporarily) escape to the great big sea of stars, book 1 in The Lyra Cycle is free at your favourite online retailers.
Follow the ragtag crew of the cargo ship Lyra as the reluctantly get embroil in adventures they didn't ask for.
books2read.com/lyracycle1
Follow the ragtag crew of the cargo ship Lyra as the reluctantly get embroil in adventures they didn't ask for.
books2read.com/lyracycle1
This is so cool... I mean hot, I mean... using heat from the large hadron collidor to heat homes and businesses instead of it just dissipating into the atmosphere.
CERN pone en marcha nuevo sistema que transforma el calor residual del Gran Colisionador de Hadrones en calefacción para miles de hogares y comercios en Francia.
ecoinventos.com/cern-pone-en...
ecoinventos.com/cern-pone-en...
CERN pone en marcha nuevo sistema que transforma el calor residual del Gran Colisionador de Hadrones en calefacción para miles de hogares y comercios en Francia
El LHC ya calienta viviendas: CERN transfiere hasta 5 MW de energía térmica a un barrio cercano en Ferney-Voltaire.
ecoinventos.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:23 AM
This is so cool... I mean hot, I mean... using heat from the large hadron collidor to heat homes and businesses instead of it just dissipating into the atmosphere.
This is me! Though it's not my PS3 - it's one gifted to me when someone I knew upgraded. The library only has some things in BluRay.
Local Blu-ray player used to be PlayStation 3
Local Blu-ray player used to be PlayStation 3
VICTORIA, B.C. – Local thirty-five-year-old Dion Miller has reportedly salvaged his old PlayStation 3 from a storage bin and repurposed it as his last way to watch Blu-rays, a move that has delighted...
www.thebeaverton.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:34 PM
This is me! Though it's not my PS3 - it's one gifted to me when someone I knew upgraded. The library only has some things in BluRay.
This is so fantastic!
Princess Sky, inspired by my neighbor’s kitty, Sky. (Acrylagouache and a little colored pencil)
January 28, 2026 at 7:15 PM
This is so fantastic!
I'm Team Life! Okay, that's what I'm cheering for even though I am not an astrobiologist.
A recent study hinted that #Europa’s ocean might be geologically too quiet to support life. But new research suggests nutrients in Europa’s icy crust could seep into the ocean below, keeping the possibility of life alive. 🦠🔭
buff.ly/09obOK8
📸 NASA/ JPL-Caltech/ SETI Inst.
buff.ly/09obOK8
📸 NASA/ JPL-Caltech/ SETI Inst.
January 28, 2026 at 2:54 PM
I'm Team Life! Okay, that's what I'm cheering for even though I am not an astrobiologist.
I don't know - I think my mom always knew. Dad, however, doubting.
Parents shocked to discover house they have lived in for twenty years has heating
Parents shocked to discover house they have lived in for twenty years has heating
BARRIE, ON – A local couple who have lived in the same house for over two decades have been shocked to discover their home has heating.
www.thebeaverton.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:39 AM
I don't know - I think my mom always knew. Dad, however, doubting.
I know need a brief escape sometimes. and what better way than a cozy scifi mystery.
If you are looking for a quick escape, here’s the start of a cozy scifi mystery where everything turns out okay. #scifi #sciencefiction
The Trouble With Gravity - Part 1 of 3
Case File #9 - a cozy sci-fi mystery set on Indigo Station, where a gravity failure turns into something much stranger—and much more personal.
armchairalien.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:44 PM
I know need a brief escape sometimes. and what better way than a cozy scifi mystery.
Book 4 of 2026 done. Definitely an ideas book, though I liked Automatic Noodle by the same author more.
January 26, 2026 at 6:37 AM
Book 4 of 2026 done. Definitely an ideas book, though I liked Automatic Noodle by the same author more.
Another images from the files as I clean up my phone. I need to get back into doing more art.
January 22, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Another images from the files as I clean up my phone. I need to get back into doing more art.
Although I don't knit, I love this... And because I *do* sew, I might have lots of bits of fabric.
The “Watermelon Wrap” method - furoshiki - makes a fantastic knitting bag.
This holds a sweater’s worth of yarn and is essentially a knitting bucket when open.
#KnitSky 🧶
web-japan.org/niponica/nip...
This holds a sweater’s worth of yarn and is essentially a knitting bucket when open.
#KnitSky 🧶
web-japan.org/niponica/nip...
January 21, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Although I don't knit, I love this... And because I *do* sew, I might have lots of bits of fabric.
This doesn't really count, but when I lived in Korea, I was walking into the wind, which meant my eyes were tearing up. A woman stopped to ask if I was okay. I was (just the wind), but it was so heartwarming that she'd ask a stranger that. And she'll never know how much that made my day.
We were in one of our bad financial periods, and while trying to buy dog food at PetSmart, my credit card was declined. The woman behind me in line paid for it.
(Oh man I just teared up remembering that!!!)
(Oh man I just teared up remembering that!!!)
TIMELINE CLEANSE
When's a time that a stranger helped you in an unexpected, maybe even small way?
When's a time that a stranger helped you in an unexpected, maybe even small way?
January 19, 2026 at 9:59 PM
This doesn't really count, but when I lived in Korea, I was walking into the wind, which meant my eyes were tearing up. A woman stopped to ask if I was okay. I was (just the wind), but it was so heartwarming that she'd ask a stranger that. And she'll never know how much that made my day.
You had me at floating cities. An airship is icing.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story.
Floating cities above. A lethal descent below.
An airship diving where none returned.
She goes anyway.
#scifi #scifibooks #sciencefiction
books2read.com/HopeFeathers
An airship diving where none returned.
She goes anyway.
#scifi #scifibooks #sciencefiction
books2read.com/HopeFeathers
January 19, 2026 at 1:01 AM
You had me at floating cities. An airship is icing.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story.
Although my part of Canada doesn't get much snow, I have lived in others and this is 100% true.
Shovelling snow found to be number 1 cause of Canadians muttering ‘fuck this fucking shit’ over and over
Shovelling snow found to be number 1 cause of Canadians muttering 'fuck this fucking shit' over and over
OTTAWA - A new study indicates that the biggest cause of Canadians repeatedly exclaiming 'fuck this fucking shit' is shovelling snow.
www.thebeaverton.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Although my part of Canada doesn't get much snow, I have lived in others and this is 100% true.
I started cleaning out images on my phone and got distracted.
January 15, 2026 at 3:21 PM
I started cleaning out images on my phone and got distracted.
First two... three books of the year finished. Murderbot 3 and 4 and Mickey7.
January 14, 2026 at 9:06 PM
First two... three books of the year finished. Murderbot 3 and 4 and Mickey7.
Happy book birthday @mjblehart.bsky.social!
(psst, you can also read one of MJ's stories in Now I have a Raygun, Ho-Ho-Ho ... not the same series but I enjoyed it).
(psst, you can also read one of MJ's stories in Now I have a Raygun, Ho-Ho-Ho ... not the same series but I enjoyed it).
Today marks the publication of my newest novel – Forgotten Fodder book 7 – Conspiracy Theory!
www.mjblehart.com/the-next-new...
.
#newnovel #bookrelease #selfpublishing #writer #author #scifi #clones #forgottenfodder #sciencefiction #scifibook #crime #conspiracy #writers #books #ebooks #paperbacks
www.mjblehart.com/the-next-new...
.
#newnovel #bookrelease #selfpublishing #writer #author #scifi #clones #forgottenfodder #sciencefiction #scifibook #crime #conspiracy #writers #books #ebooks #paperbacks
The Next New Novel Release Day - MJ Blehart - Author
Thanks for joining me on this next new novel release day. Today marks the publication of Forgotten Fodder Book 7 - Conspiracy Theory.
www.mjblehart.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Happy book birthday @mjblehart.bsky.social!
(psst, you can also read one of MJ's stories in Now I have a Raygun, Ho-Ho-Ho ... not the same series but I enjoyed it).
(psst, you can also read one of MJ's stories in Now I have a Raygun, Ho-Ho-Ho ... not the same series but I enjoyed it).
It's a nautical day. I listened to The History of English on my run today where I learned the origin of 'three sheets to the wind'.
![Comic: Common Sailing Rigs. [18 boats with different sail types, labeled.] Lateen; Bermuda rigged sloop; Ketch, Gaff rigged sloop; yawl; schooner; Ketch-rigged Gaff; Kloop-rigged sketch; bunkbed rig; Flettner rig; Oops, all Spinnakers; keel rig; kite rig; longsail rig; deckhand obliterator; offset rig; mastless rig; unclassifiable chaos rig.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreientc5tredyz4kyj4ifwiiu2diy5zkxze6pnlbtcyxlntwlkg43ku@jpeg)
January 14, 2026 at 1:24 AM
It's a nautical day. I listened to The History of English on my run today where I learned the origin of 'three sheets to the wind'.
Ah, portfolio day - time to find new artists to follow.
I love the atmosphere in these.
I love the atmosphere in these.
Oh hello #PortfolioDay
My name is Sean and I'm currently a freelance artist that specializes in environment/illustration work.
I'm available for work and commissions. You can dm or asks for quotes at junkbrush@gmail.com
My name is Sean and I'm currently a freelance artist that specializes in environment/illustration work.
I'm available for work and commissions. You can dm or asks for quotes at junkbrush@gmail.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Ah, portfolio day - time to find new artists to follow.
I love the atmosphere in these.
I love the atmosphere in these.
These are amazing!
It's a bit chilly, so how about some bejumpered birds?
#birds #art #linocut #linoprint #printmaking
Liquoricelino.etsy.com
#birds #art #linocut #linoprint #printmaking
Liquoricelino.etsy.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:33 PM
These are amazing!
I love this image - the black and white with just a splash of colour.
January 10, 2026 at 11:00 PM
I love this image - the black and white with just a splash of colour.
So things are shit, but there's still amazing things in the world. I discovered this 3D map of the Rapa Nui Moai quarry via an @stefanmilo.bsky.social video (nebula & YT). If you watch the video, I suggest having the map open at the same time.
#scienceiscool
gis-core.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant...
#scienceiscool
gis-core.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant...
3D Viewer
gis-core.maps.arcgis.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:34 AM
So things are shit, but there's still amazing things in the world. I discovered this 3D map of the Rapa Nui Moai quarry via an @stefanmilo.bsky.social video (nebula & YT). If you watch the video, I suggest having the map open at the same time.
#scienceiscool
gis-core.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant...
#scienceiscool
gis-core.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant...
This is lovely!
I just stumbled upon featherbase, a database of feather pictures from a bunch of bird species.🪶
So pretty!
www.featherbase.info/zh/home
So pretty!
www.featherbase.info/zh/home
January 7, 2026 at 5:02 AM
This is lovely!
New runners from Yul Run have gone for a test jog up and down the hall in my building. So far, so good - toe box is wide enough.
With these colours they could almost be my new dress sneakers.
With these colours they could almost be my new dress sneakers.
January 6, 2026 at 10:34 PM
New runners from Yul Run have gone for a test jog up and down the hall in my building. So far, so good - toe box is wide enough.
With these colours they could almost be my new dress sneakers.
With these colours they could almost be my new dress sneakers.
Where do I start?
Is it when I forgot a towel and titptoe ran across the wet tiles, and dropped like a bag of bricks? Volleyball-sized bruise.
Or when I was out for a run and tripped on the sidewalk and dropped like a bag of bricks? Split my forehead open.
Or should I go bag into childhood? 😆
Is it when I forgot a towel and titptoe ran across the wet tiles, and dropped like a bag of bricks? Volleyball-sized bruise.
Or when I was out for a run and tripped on the sidewalk and dropped like a bag of bricks? Split my forehead open.
Or should I go bag into childhood? 😆
Playing Loki in a LARP, I used theatrical scar makeup to make a rune-shaped scar on the spot where he traded blood with Odin when they became blood brothers. I’d used that makeup before without trouble, but this time my skin reacted & made a REAL scar which lasted 3 years.
My own fault, and yet. ❤️🔥
My own fault, and yet. ❤️🔥
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Where do I start?
Is it when I forgot a towel and titptoe ran across the wet tiles, and dropped like a bag of bricks? Volleyball-sized bruise.
Or when I was out for a run and tripped on the sidewalk and dropped like a bag of bricks? Split my forehead open.
Or should I go bag into childhood? 😆
Is it when I forgot a towel and titptoe ran across the wet tiles, and dropped like a bag of bricks? Volleyball-sized bruise.
Or when I was out for a run and tripped on the sidewalk and dropped like a bag of bricks? Split my forehead open.
Or should I go bag into childhood? 😆
Well, I now have rough notes on the first two chapters of a brand new story idea. I need to finish the work-in-progress, not have new ideas.
January 6, 2026 at 6:16 AM
Well, I now have rough notes on the first two chapters of a brand new story idea. I need to finish the work-in-progress, not have new ideas.