Endless Ends

[Endless_Night]

My backyard currently has a fence on either side of a giant tree and the fence is bulging out on both sides.

It isn’t awesome. I guess whoever built the fence figured they’d be long gone before they had to deal with it and they were right.

You could build the fence up to the tree, but leave about two feet (?) on either side and use a more flexible/removable fence where the real fence ends and the tree begins? That way you can remove parts of it as the tree grows?

Send me a picture, pretty please? Knowing what to avoid is helpful.

 

[investor2020]

It is nothing but morally wrong to make even militarily adjacent investments, right?

(That is a rhetorical question.)

Looked up the definition before responding . . .

Definition: Investments that support military capabilities without being direct military expenditures.
Types: Includes technology, infrastructure, and logistics that enhance defense readiness.
Purpose: Aims to strengthen national security and military effectiveness.

I don't see anything wrong with investments that "enhance defense readiness" . . . especially items that take advantage of new technology . . . surely those who are anti-US are doing so as well.

 

[seela]

My Grandmother was a lady. As was her mother before her.

You know, the southern kind. Big, flowery hats in the spring, afternoon tea, woodworks through the church, and gardening.

One of her many isms, was that ladies gardened.

She often said to me, "Little Endless, (she called me little endless ) a true lady understands the importance of gardening."

I know nothing of gardening. Naught. (I'm not sure what happened to my parents' generation. )

Gardening, however, is required to a certain extent in this ongoing project. Mostly I've been making a hash of things as I learn, which is why I've been procrastinating digging up nasturtium bulbs to overwinter.

I don't wanna. But I'll be mapping out an ordered garden in that area next fall and my window is closing. Soon the leaves will completely die back and I'll have no idea where to dig, meaning I'll lose those plants.

Today. Today, I hoisted baby shovel and set forth. There appears to be no baby shovel emoji.

Things I have learned:

-squirrels like to bury pecans under the leaves which makes it tricky to find the bulbs.
-a lizard will jump on, and cling, to your face the minute you sit on the kneeling pad.
-the previously no-cloud-sight heavens will open within fifteen minutes to deluge you with rain.

There is a reason gardening has died out.

Mother nature is snotty.

I just found your thread!

It might be my masochism showing, but this sounds so wonderfully exotic to me. I love how you vividly describe it and I’d love to see it for myself. We could act all ladylike, sip tea and eat finger sandwiches, too. Then give the finger to Mother Nature for being snotty.

My paternal grandmother, who I never met, was a great gardener. I’m sure there’s bits of her sloshing around in my dna, so I could try to channel that part and act like I can garden, too, if that’s helpful.

 

[Endless_Night]

I just found your thread!

It might be my masochism showing, but this sounds so wonderfully exotic to me. I love how you vividly describe it and I’d love to see it for myself. We could act all ladylike, sip tea and eat finger sandwiches, too. Then give the finger to Mother Nature for being snotty.

I plan to host afternoon tea parties with cucumber sandwiches, china tea, and delicate iced little cakes. Expected attire will be light summer frocks, gloves, and ribboned straw hats heavy with flowers.

I mean, not really, but it sounds fun.

My paternal grandmother, who I never met, was a great gardener. I’m sure there’s bits of her sloshing around in my dna, so I could try to channel that part and act like I can garden, too, if that’s helpful.

All help is gratefully appreciated. We have been in the middle of a drought, but somehow I find myself sitting here waiting for the drizzle to let up enough so I can finish liberating the paper white narcissus I abandoned yesterday in my sprint for cover.

Mother Nature.

 

[Endless_Night]

I have always disliked the film version of The Long Goodbye (1973).

So much so that I can barely bring myself to view. I've never been able to put my finger on exactly why. This article sums it up perfectly.

The Long Goodbye was an incredible novel. Not just a detective novel, but an iconic, possibly Great American Novel. Yet Altman (the director) changed the ending. Like, really change the ending.

"Imagine Gone With the Wind closing on Rhett saying, “Sure, what the hell, I’ll stay a little longer.” Or Empire Strikes Back with Darth Vader shrugging, “Yeah, Luke, I knew your dad. He was a nice guy.” That’s how much Altman changed it."

Leading to this:

"He gutted the point of the story and obliterated the entire moral content of Philip Marlowe’s character."

And not only Marlowe. It changed the whole moral context of the story.

So. Yeah.

 

[Endless_Night]

I don't see anything wrong with investments that "enhance defense readiness" . . . especially items that take advantage of new technology . . . surely those who are anti-US are doing so as well.

Oops! Sorry. I just realized I missed this!

The tricky part here is the limited to defense readiness. Is any military technology limited to such application?

Genuine question. I'm curious if that is so and how applications are limited. It seems like any tech could be used for both defense and aggression.

 

[Endless_Night]

I also realize used the term nasturtium and narcissus interchangeably. And said overwinter when I meant oversummer.

Mother Nature isn't the only one who doesn't have herself together.

Now, if could just impose my will on others.

Kidding!

I kind of already do.

 

[Endless_Night]

We seem to have a bumper crop of barn swallows this year. Which I love.

I am not a spring person. My summer seasonal disorder views spring (nice in itself) as a herald to the hellscape of summer's unrelenting sun. Fall is my season. Lovely, lovely autumn with its shorter days and cool breezes.

The barn swallows, however, are just a complete joy! The twitter and warble and chat to each other constantly. Both early morning and late night. The nests are congregated in an area close to a room I spend a lot of time in, but you can hear them through most of the downstairs. It's like living in a small aviary.

And the babies are sooooooo cute!

This year we have six nests! The most we've ever had.

It makes me happy.


Plus, they are the daytime counterpart of bats. The eat mosquitoes.

 

[Endless_Night]

Also. My gluts are sore, and people who can do handstands are magic.

Full disclosure: The latter is said by someone who can't do a pull-up.

Yet.

 

[Apisto42]

Oops! Sorry. I just realized I missed this!

The tricky part here is the limited to defense readiness. Is any military technology limited to such application?

Vanishingly small chance. The best defense is overwhelming offense.

Genuine question. I'm curious if that is so and how applications are limited. It seems like any tech could be used for both defense and aggression.

You can decide to not invest in those companies because they are not hurting for investors.

 

[Endless_Night]

Vanishingly small chance. The best defense is overwhelming offense.

This is my take. Anything that can be used for defense can be put to use for offense. I'm just curious if @investor2020 has a rebut. It seem just within possibility there is something that could be turned to defense only. Just.

In spite of my earlier comment, I'm not making a moral judgment.

Just curious about possibilities. Munition manufacturing is an area where my knowledge is quite limited.

 

[Apisto42]

This is my take. Anything that can be used for defense can be put to use for offense. I'm just curious if @investor2020 has a rebut. It seem just within possibility there is something that could be turned to defense only. Just.

In spite of my earlier comment, I'm not making a moral judgment.

Just curious about possibilities. Munition manufacturing is an area where my knowledge is quite limited.

Drones are the future of warfare.

 

[Endless_Night]

Yesterday was rainy. I planned to spend the day curled up with a book or two, relaxing.

Instead, there was a milk crisis. A mishap which meant I needed to use up milk. Two full gallons.

So, instead, I spent the day in the kitchen. So. Much. Baking.

Sorghum drop biscuits (two batches) skillet cornbread, hot milk cake, buttermilk biscuits, pecan cornbread muffins.

Not to mention, evaporated milk, hot chocolate, and kheer (three batches).

Baking under duress.

And so much more. *thunk*

I plan to absolutely nothing today.

Well, mostly nothing.

Well, we'll see.


Right now I'm watching Mountain Shark (2024). Which is shaping up to be even more terrible than it sounds.

I'm considering it a little cinematic amuse-bouche until I get outside enough caffeine.

Meaning I'm too lazy to change the channel at this current point in time.

 

[investor2020]

" Anything that can be used for defense can be put to use for offense. I'm just curious if @investor2020 has a rebut."

If you can't detect what's coming at you, your offense is useless.

 

[Endless_Night]

" Anything that can be used for defense can be put to use for offense. I'm just curious if @investor2020 has a rebut."

If you can't detect what's coming at you, your offense is useless.

This seems more a recap than an answer.

The tricky part here is the limited to defense readiness. Is any military technology limited to such application?

Genuine question. I'm curious if that is so and how applications are limited. It seems like any tech could be used for both defense and aggression.

This was my actual question. Let me try to clarify:

Are you aware of any specific military tech that are only applicable for defense?

Again, not making a moral argument. Merely a quest for information.

 

[Endless_Night]

Mountain Shark is turning out to be truly terrible.

What's even more terrible is that I've seen it before.

Apparently it was so terrible I forgot.

 

[investor2020]

To explore military technologies specifically designed for defense purposes, consider the following

1. Ballistic Missile Defense Systems - Designed to intercept and destroy incoming missiles before they reach their targets.
2. Radar Systems - Used for detecting and tracking aircraft and missiles, enhancing situational awareness.
3. Cyber Defense Tools - Protect military networks from cyber attacks and unauthorized access.
4. Anti-Drone Systems - Technologies developed to detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones.
5. Fortification Materials - Specialized materials used to reinforce structures against attacks.
6. Electronic Warfare Equipment - Tools designed to disrupt enemy communications and radar systems.

NEW YORK, Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The landscape of emerging technologies in the defense sector, from sustainable materials and advanced sensing capabilities to innovative power solutions, highlights the urgent need for rapid acquisition processes, such as Other Transaction Authorities, to ensure that the government can swiftly integrate these innovations and maintain a strategic advantage in an increasingly complex global environment. A report from NSTXL.org, an industry insider in the emerging technologies in the defense markets reported that: "In an era where technological advancements are rapidly reshaping military operations, acquisition processes within the government are a key element to success. The defense industry is experiencing a surge of emerging technologies that promise to enhance capabilities and improve operational efficiency. From artificial intelligence and machine learning to innovative materials and novel detection methods, these advancements are crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. Recent technical presentations at the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Emerging Technologies conference in Washington, D.C. highlighted a variety of groundbreaking developments, showcasing the imperative for the government to adapt quickly and utilize the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) in order to harness these innovations for national security."