Swans are back at our local lake! It's the same young pair that were there in the spring - they definitely know me, they came over and were asking for food as soon as they arrived. Other swans usually stay aloof and at a distance from me. These ones have grown a lot since the spring when they still had some of their baby plumage. The "police tape" is due to the lake being classed for fishing due to blue green algae. #swans #waterbirds

Went for a walk on Long Mynd in Tuesday. Lovely scenery as usual, with dramatic looking skies. Starting to feel more autumnal now. #countrysideViews #Shropshire #ponies

Second chair now re-covered. Wife is pleased! Took about 2 hours all told. #refurbishment #maker #upcycling

#refurbishment success! I re-covered my wheelie chair with some fabric I bought years ago, but put off because of... things... like burn out. My capacity has been returning of late and motivation with it. I found the material whilst tidying my workshop, and decided to give it a go. The seat cover was a pain in the ass, but I managed it. Planning to do my wife's (identical) chair today - wish me luck. #maker #upcycling

There's more of us than you... Shrewsbury says no to the fash. 3x more at the counter protest than flag shaggers march (350 Vs about 100) #antifa #fuckthefash #resist

The fash are having a march in Shrewsbury today, so we're going to the counter protest. Paul fuckwit Goulding (of Britain first notoriety) is apparently going to be there. #antifa #fuckthefash #nopasaran

Went to see my birds and observe the lunar eclipse at Apley Pool, Telford. #eclipse2026 #wildlife #eclipse

Thought this was interesting - plants growing in the shape of tractor tyre tracks on our evening walk to feed the ducks and geese at a nearby pool. I suppose the pants survived initially because they were lower than the surrounding soil, but now they're setting enough to resist the passing of many feet.

I remember we first met

You were a tiny, fluffy thing

So hungry and flea infested

So wild but quick to purr

Sleep my little one

Tired of chasing string

Rest my furry friend

Nestled in my palm

You grew up so quickly

Losing tiny baby teeth

So handsome and strong

So wild but quick to purr

Sleep my wild one

Tired of hunting flies

Rest my furry boy

Draped across my arm

You kept the neighbours busy

Stealing their cat's food

So dashing and suave

So wild, but quick to purr

Sleep my daring one

Tired of plundered treats

Rest my little guy

Stretched across my lap

You ruled this neighbourhood

Your territory all

Rest my feisty boy

Lounging in the sun

Sleep my handsome one

Tired of the patrol

Rest my watchful lad

Snoozing on the wall

#catsOfMastodon #TheLongGoodbye

RE: https://autistics.life/@cybervegan/116879540783475005

Mac is now gone. He had a day of pampering and treats, and lounging on the back patio. It was peaceful and he wasn't stressed. We buried him last night in one of his favourite hidey holes in the garden.

Thanks again for all your kind words, they were much appreciated.

Barely holding back the tears as I write this. Tonight we are saying goodbye to our beautiful 17 year old moggy, Macro. He' was always a feisty boy, and quite a character, and much loved by us all. Not surprising he was feisty, as he was born in a junk yard, and abandoned by his "feral"mother after all his siblings were killed when they moved the metal skip they were nesting in. He arrived in our lives when my mechanic who worked next door to the junk yard called and told me about him. He was about 5 weeks old and cute as a button.

He's been on thyroid meds for about 3 years, and has done quite well on them, but he's deteriorated a lot recently. My wife is just back from the vet's and they say the time has come. Tomorrow afternoon we have the appointment.

He's going to be getting lots as many treats and as much fuss as he wants tonight.

Here he is as he was a few years ago before he was so sick.

#catsOfMastodon #goodbye #TheLongGoodbye

Home sprouted mung beans stir fry with shredded mushrooms, deep fried tofu and green beans. Seasoned with garlic and soy sauce. #veganFood #vegan

I've been feeling a bit better for the last week or so, and as my brain has started working better, I was wondering about my visual symptoms that I'm getting along with my Autistic burnout.

I get two primary visual "effects" - TV static - and a "laggy" feeling, like I'm playing a video game with a very low frame rate, and the screen updates are "jumpy" and a bit too late.

I knew the TV Static effect is called "Visual Snow Syndrome" but I've now found out it is often linked to stress and anxiety, which tracks. It can also be linked to Autism, though not exclusive to it.

The laggy feeling also has a name "Visual Clipping" and, yet again, is linked to stress, though I haven't found anything (yet) that says it's linked to Autism.

Does anyone else get either or both of these? If so, do you have any strategies to deal with them?

#ActuallyAutistic @Autistics #AutisticBurnout

@autistics Is anyone interested in filling in a research questionnaire for my step-enby on "Autistic traits, alexithymia and attachment"? They are struggling to get enough participants locally and this would help them gather the data they need for their psychology dissertation. They are #Autistic themselves, and studying psych in order to help other Autistic people. It's available at https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/glos/dis-questionares

Please boost for reach!

@AnarchoNinaWrites I like that phrase:

BILLIONAIRE PEDOPHILE NAZI CULT

@pluralistic I still have to finish off Enshittificaton, too - though I'm 2/5 the way through, shouldn't be too long. Always a great read from mister Doctorow, fiction or non-fiction.

Merry Crimbo all! My wife decided to feed my Cory Doctorow/ @pluralistic addiction and gave me a couple of his older works. I know what I'm going to be doing for the next few weeks! #merry #Crimbo #seasonsgreetings

@pluralistic I'm listening to Novara Media tonight and it's clear you have made a big impression on Aaron Bastani. Talking about digital dependence on US tech companies - things you have been saying for ages.

#climateCrisis #ai #economy #financeteFinance

Hey @autistics can you please chip in with reasons why CBT is bad for Autistics? I have a follow-on appointment today (edit: in a couple of hours!) to talk about alternatives to CBT, because I had an NHS "Talking Therapy" phone appointment yesterday about my ongoing #AutisticBurnout due to work stress. The lady was very nice, but told me that essentially what they offer is CBT, to which I said "no way", but I now feel I need a bit more information to be able to defend my decision. #ActuallyAutistic