Silversprite
@silversprite.bsky.social
Researcher and student: Planetary Boundaries, biodiversity, apples, orchards, and sustainability. Also interested in climate change, European heatwaves, Deep Ecology, GCR and ER, and impacts of novel chemicals. Also judges cake. Elsewhere: Wordshore.
(2/2) I stopped myself from the seductive purchase of 50 slices of Gouda cheese by making a displacement purchase i.e. buy something which is both healthier, and a pleasant distraction, instead. Psychology for the win.
Voila: I am now the owner (till it's eaten) of a Fondue with Swiss Cheese kit.
Voila: I am now the owner (till it's eaten) of a Fondue with Swiss Cheese kit.
November 13, 2025 at 11:24 AM
(2/2) I stopped myself from the seductive purchase of 50 slices of Gouda cheese by making a displacement purchase i.e. buy something which is both healthier, and a pleasant distraction, instead. Psychology for the win.
Voila: I am now the owner (till it's eaten) of a Fondue with Swiss Cheese kit.
Voila: I am now the owner (till it's eaten) of a Fondue with Swiss Cheese kit.
(1/2) It was a close call, but I did not purchase the reduced price packet of 50 slices of Gouda cheese.
+ve: It's 50 slices of Gouda cheese. It's (suspiciously) cheap: £5.59 for a kilo of cheese. The use by date is several months away.
-ve: Needs to be eaten within 3 days of opening. Challenging.
+ve: It's 50 slices of Gouda cheese. It's (suspiciously) cheap: £5.59 for a kilo of cheese. The use by date is several months away.
-ve: Needs to be eaten within 3 days of opening. Challenging.
November 13, 2025 at 10:58 AM
(1/2) It was a close call, but I did not purchase the reduced price packet of 50 slices of Gouda cheese.
+ve: It's 50 slices of Gouda cheese. It's (suspiciously) cheap: £5.59 for a kilo of cheese. The use by date is several months away.
-ve: Needs to be eaten within 3 days of opening. Challenging.
+ve: It's 50 slices of Gouda cheese. It's (suspiciously) cheap: £5.59 for a kilo of cheese. The use by date is several months away.
-ve: Needs to be eaten within 3 days of opening. Challenging.
It's off to an engaging start, and wondering if Pluribus will emerge as the cerebral dark humour sci-fi TV of this decade.
November 11, 2025 at 9:34 AM
It's off to an engaging start, and wondering if Pluribus will emerge as the cerebral dark humour sci-fi TV of this decade.
And dream of catnip.
November 10, 2025 at 9:32 PM
And dream of catnip.
(3/3) it is time for cake. Perhaps it is always time for cake?
Bearing in mind there is an uncertain quantity of mince pies back at base, selected a small cake topped with nostalgic sugary sweets. Swizzels Fizzers for the win.
Sugar with the addition of a small quantity of flour. Never change.
Bearing in mind there is an uncertain quantity of mince pies back at base, selected a small cake topped with nostalgic sugary sweets. Swizzels Fizzers for the win.
Sugar with the addition of a small quantity of flour. Never change.
November 6, 2025 at 10:09 AM
(3/3) it is time for cake. Perhaps it is always time for cake?
Bearing in mind there is an uncertain quantity of mince pies back at base, selected a small cake topped with nostalgic sugary sweets. Swizzels Fizzers for the win.
Sugar with the addition of a small quantity of flour. Never change.
Bearing in mind there is an uncertain quantity of mince pies back at base, selected a small cake topped with nostalgic sugary sweets. Swizzels Fizzers for the win.
Sugar with the addition of a small quantity of flour. Never change.
(2/3) Taking the day off, dropping off to check where I am with life things, check in with the team, write cards, buy a cardigan, and a couple of lattes while listening to the regular barista tell anecdotes from her unusual life outside of the 8 to 4.
But now, with cat, first coffee in the library.
But now, with cat, first coffee in the library.
November 6, 2025 at 7:08 AM
(2/3) Taking the day off, dropping off to check where I am with life things, check in with the team, write cards, buy a cardigan, and a couple of lattes while listening to the regular barista tell anecdotes from her unusual life outside of the 8 to 4.
But now, with cat, first coffee in the library.
But now, with cat, first coffee in the library.
(1/3) Nearly dawn; peering out of the library window. The spider I've named Toby lurks, weblingering.
Overnight email has brought very good news. I can finally wind down a side project of several years administrative wrestling.
And begin another which has been prowling 'round the back of the mind.
Overnight email has brought very good news. I can finally wind down a side project of several years administrative wrestling.
And begin another which has been prowling 'round the back of the mind.
November 6, 2025 at 6:54 AM
(1/3) Nearly dawn; peering out of the library window. The spider I've named Toby lurks, weblingering.
Overnight email has brought very good news. I can finally wind down a side project of several years administrative wrestling.
And begin another which has been prowling 'round the back of the mind.
Overnight email has brought very good news. I can finally wind down a side project of several years administrative wrestling.
And begin another which has been prowling 'round the back of the mind.
Halloween sunset 10 years ago, across the toposcope on Beacon Hill, Leicestershire.
Wishing you health, warmth, and good food, in the year ahead.
May you quietly thrive, succeed in that which matters to you.
And journey with kindness, a friend to flower and tree.
Wishing you health, warmth, and good food, in the year ahead.
May you quietly thrive, succeed in that which matters to you.
And journey with kindness, a friend to flower and tree.
October 31, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Halloween sunset 10 years ago, across the toposcope on Beacon Hill, Leicestershire.
Wishing you health, warmth, and good food, in the year ahead.
May you quietly thrive, succeed in that which matters to you.
And journey with kindness, a friend to flower and tree.
Wishing you health, warmth, and good food, in the year ahead.
May you quietly thrive, succeed in that which matters to you.
And journey with kindness, a friend to flower and tree.
Am I the only person who finds it unnervingly distracting to be watched while I'm trying to read a book?
October 29, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Am I the only person who finds it unnervingly distracting to be watched while I'm trying to read a book?
Irresponsibly posting my location on social media
October 29, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Irresponsibly posting my location on social media
Sainsbury's going optimistically heavy on the Christmas all butter mince pie stock. This display is also three layers deep.
October 28, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Sainsbury's going optimistically heavy on the Christmas all butter mince pie stock. This display is also three layers deep.
Deeply into re-reading The Quincunx, but already want to travel back in time and reality, meet the protagonist, shake him and shout STOP BEING SO NAIVE.
When finished, returning to MR James. It's the time of year for unsettling, creepy, ghosts-which-aren't short stories. 'The Mezzotint' especially.
When finished, returning to MR James. It's the time of year for unsettling, creepy, ghosts-which-aren't short stories. 'The Mezzotint' especially.
October 27, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Deeply into re-reading The Quincunx, but already want to travel back in time and reality, meet the protagonist, shake him and shout STOP BEING SO NAIVE.
When finished, returning to MR James. It's the time of year for unsettling, creepy, ghosts-which-aren't short stories. 'The Mezzotint' especially.
When finished, returning to MR James. It's the time of year for unsettling, creepy, ghosts-which-aren't short stories. 'The Mezzotint' especially.
When the weather permits, and the rapidly shortening hours of daylight allow, it's a colourful season to wander around the village a'while.
October 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
When the weather permits, and the rapidly shortening hours of daylight allow, it's a colourful season to wander around the village a'while.
The sprawlingly huge garden centre I wandered round earlier, even had a "Chocolate Library".
Not even @cilip.bsky.social has a chocolate library. Perhaps it should?
(I'm not sure if food librarians are a thing, and defer to the expertise of @bookishjulia.bsky.social on such matters)
Not even @cilip.bsky.social has a chocolate library. Perhaps it should?
(I'm not sure if food librarians are a thing, and defer to the expertise of @bookishjulia.bsky.social on such matters)
October 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The sprawlingly huge garden centre I wandered round earlier, even had a "Chocolate Library".
Not even @cilip.bsky.social has a chocolate library. Perhaps it should?
(I'm not sure if food librarians are a thing, and defer to the expertise of @bookishjulia.bsky.social on such matters)
Not even @cilip.bsky.social has a chocolate library. Perhaps it should?
(I'm not sure if food librarians are a thing, and defer to the expertise of @bookishjulia.bsky.social on such matters)
Tried to find my way back to the cafe. Had to ask.
Her: Go past the Barbour, turn left at the footwear, then keep going and it's on your left.
She was right, though my brain kept screaming THIS IS A GARDEN CENTRE EVERYTHING IS WRONG.
Her: Go past the Barbour, turn left at the footwear, then keep going and it's on your left.
She was right, though my brain kept screaming THIS IS A GARDEN CENTRE EVERYTHING IS WRONG.
October 25, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Tried to find my way back to the cafe. Had to ask.
Her: Go past the Barbour, turn left at the footwear, then keep going and it's on your left.
She was right, though my brain kept screaming THIS IS A GARDEN CENTRE EVERYTHING IS WRONG.
Her: Go past the Barbour, turn left at the footwear, then keep going and it's on your left.
She was right, though my brain kept screaming THIS IS A GARDEN CENTRE EVERYTHING IS WRONG.
In the garden centre. It is shockingly huge and seems to sell everything. Toys, foods, furnishings, a bakery, Christmas tat, farm shop, possibly even plants (not got to that part yet). There is a big restaurant and a cafe, both already crowded.
Looking at one of the many Christmas displays.
Looking at one of the many Christmas displays.
October 25, 2025 at 10:03 AM
In the garden centre. It is shockingly huge and seems to sell everything. Toys, foods, furnishings, a bakery, Christmas tat, farm shop, possibly even plants (not got to that part yet). There is a big restaurant and a cafe, both already crowded.
Looking at one of the many Christmas displays.
Looking at one of the many Christmas displays.
Second trip out. Taking advantage of the £1 weekend bus fares to go to the big Webbs garden centre to do a bit of apple tree research.
(hoping I won't turn into a stereotypical "Garden centre on a Saturday, mow the lawn on a Sunday" English suburbanite)
(hoping I won't turn into a stereotypical "Garden centre on a Saturday, mow the lawn on a Sunday" English suburbanite)
October 25, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Second trip out. Taking advantage of the £1 weekend bus fares to go to the big Webbs garden centre to do a bit of apple tree research.
(hoping I won't turn into a stereotypical "Garden centre on a Saturday, mow the lawn on a Sunday" English suburbanite)
(hoping I won't turn into a stereotypical "Garden centre on a Saturday, mow the lawn on a Sunday" English suburbanite)
A family of four just loaded up the maximum 3 tubs of Quality Street each, into their respective trolleys.
The young child is grumpy that her tiny kiddie trolley is suddenly full.
Her: "BUT I DON'T WANT IT."
Dad: "They aren't for you. They're presents for others."
Her: "I WANT CARTOONS."
The young child is grumpy that her tiny kiddie trolley is suddenly full.
Her: "BUT I DON'T WANT IT."
Dad: "They aren't for you. They're presents for others."
Her: "I WANT CARTOONS."
October 25, 2025 at 7:20 AM
A family of four just loaded up the maximum 3 tubs of Quality Street each, into their respective trolleys.
The young child is grumpy that her tiny kiddie trolley is suddenly full.
Her: "BUT I DON'T WANT IT."
Dad: "They aren't for you. They're presents for others."
Her: "I WANT CARTOONS."
The young child is grumpy that her tiny kiddie trolley is suddenly full.
Her: "BUT I DON'T WANT IT."
Dad: "They aren't for you. They're presents for others."
Her: "I WANT CARTOONS."
Strolling to the supermarket. Everything is damp and cold. A quick in and out job, then back for coffee #2.
October 25, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Strolling to the supermarket. Everything is damp and cold. A quick in and out job, then back for coffee #2.
(2/2) Other varieties of apples, which are not Red Delicious, are available.
A few, displayed or sold in Tenbury Wells (a small town in Worcestershire) this time last year, below.
A few, displayed or sold in Tenbury Wells (a small town in Worcestershire) this time last year, below.
October 24, 2025 at 8:32 PM
(2/2) Other varieties of apples, which are not Red Delicious, are available.
A few, displayed or sold in Tenbury Wells (a small town in Worcestershire) this time last year, below.
A few, displayed or sold in Tenbury Wells (a small town in Worcestershire) this time last year, below.
(1/2) Egremont Russet has entered the chat.
A proper bite, makes for a rarified scrumpy, and versatile enough to grow in Worcestershire hedgerows, and gardens on islands in the Outer Hebrides (picture).
A proper bite, makes for a rarified scrumpy, and versatile enough to grow in Worcestershire hedgerows, and gardens on islands in the Outer Hebrides (picture).
October 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
(1/2) Egremont Russet has entered the chat.
A proper bite, makes for a rarified scrumpy, and versatile enough to grow in Worcestershire hedgerows, and gardens on islands in the Outer Hebrides (picture).
A proper bite, makes for a rarified scrumpy, and versatile enough to grow in Worcestershire hedgerows, and gardens on islands in the Outer Hebrides (picture).
We are now in the season of big reductions on suntan lotions, sprays and creams. Coincidentally, or confusingly, everything is pumpkin orange.
(I type this as nearly horizontal rain, from an angry grey sky, smashes against the supermarket windows)
Hurry while stocks last?
(I type this as nearly horizontal rain, from an angry grey sky, smashes against the supermarket windows)
Hurry while stocks last?
October 23, 2025 at 7:39 AM
We are now in the season of big reductions on suntan lotions, sprays and creams. Coincidentally, or confusingly, everything is pumpkin orange.
(I type this as nearly horizontal rain, from an angry grey sky, smashes against the supermarket windows)
Hurry while stocks last?
(I type this as nearly horizontal rain, from an angry grey sky, smashes against the supermarket windows)
Hurry while stocks last?
While a Worcestershire village with a wide variety of apple trees (new, heirloom, uncertain provenance) is pleasant to wander around, every windy day in late summer and autumn brings windfalls. Many windfalls.
On today's walk, counted 8 more houses and 1 shop with boxes and trays of apples outside.
On today's walk, counted 8 more houses and 1 shop with boxes and trays of apples outside.
October 22, 2025 at 9:11 PM
While a Worcestershire village with a wide variety of apple trees (new, heirloom, uncertain provenance) is pleasant to wander around, every windy day in late summer and autumn brings windfalls. Many windfalls.
On today's walk, counted 8 more houses and 1 shop with boxes and trays of apples outside.
On today's walk, counted 8 more houses and 1 shop with boxes and trays of apples outside.
Last harvest from the tree, a faithful source of many eating apples this summer and autumn. Chucking kitchen wastewater under and around it every evening through the hot summer days may have helped.
Apple crumble incoming.
Apple crumble incoming.
October 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Last harvest from the tree, a faithful source of many eating apples this summer and autumn. Chucking kitchen wastewater under and around it every evening through the hot summer days may have helped.
Apple crumble incoming.
Apple crumble incoming.
Walk around dawn, taking in a suburb, fields, a supermarket at opening time (yellow stickered items FTW); frustrated, tense commuters; passing a Maccie D's and a Greggs, crowded with school pupils; dog walkers (happy), joggers (in pain); golfers annoyed at me ambling over their precious fairways.
October 21, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Walk around dawn, taking in a suburb, fields, a supermarket at opening time (yellow stickered items FTW); frustrated, tense commuters; passing a Maccie D's and a Greggs, crowded with school pupils; dog walkers (happy), joggers (in pain); golfers annoyed at me ambling over their precious fairways.