Hester Duffy
@wordlessreader
She/Her Associate Professor at Warwick. Interested in developmental psycholinguistics, neuroscience, research methods, bee-keeping, Gaeilge, vintage clothing, dressmaking. Pinko lefty woke type but not that fond of tofu.
I'm in the west of Donegal for an Irish language summer school. Beautiful views, lovely, interesting people, ah labhairt an teanga. My happy place.
My first actual honey harvest! It's not a very big harvest, but enough to extract and fill a few jars.
Finished making a new summer dress. Made some mistakes making it, but it's pretty, it fits nicely, and I'm delighted with it.
I am proud of the fact that I have now been learning Irish for a thousand days.
I practiced my smoker-lighting technique, successfully, and tidied up my rose bushes which are in full, glorious bloom at the moment.
Yesterday I helped about 50,000 friends move house. My bees are now in a lovely countryside site, and I wish them every happiness in their new home.
Started making a new dress. I wasn't sure I'd have enough fabric, but just about managed to fit everything on. It will be a 50s style shirt dress, in toile de juoy print cotton.
I made a pink boiler suit. It is ridiculous and I love it, and can now cosplay Penelope Pitstop or a somewhat faded Barbie if I want to.
Tentacles (R, pronounced like a Greek philosopher) was a little lonely, so I have just received a companion (L) which I have named Richard, because it has a crack in its bottom (don't we all?) and is therefore a little leaky. Thank you @roseschmits.bsky.social, it is stunning!
A modern-day St Gobnait. While obviously I condemn violence and also irresponsible beekeeping, I cannot help feeling a sneaking respect for this queen.
Built a nucleus hive, as a temporary hive for a small colony of bees. I have a small colony in a poly nuc but the wooden one is prettier. They don't care either way but I prefer this one.
Bees are amazing. One of our colonies decided to swarm today, while we were doing a bit of tidying up in the apiary, so we got to watch the whole process, and then get them settled into a new home.
Been doing a bit of sewing, and I am very pleased with how this turned out. Just need some nice warm weather so I can wear it!
These are my girls. The fact that they're bringing in so much pollen almost certainly means the Queen is laying lots of brood inside.
A bit of weekend baking; a carrot and courgette loaf topped with brown sugar and pecans. Nice texture, not too sweet, a nice fairly healthy treat for breakfast.
My girls are bringing in loads of pollen, which almost certainly means the Queen is laying like a champ.
I regret to inform you that this is some guy's whole profile and just, what is wrong with him?
A propos of nothing in particular, just because the horrors persist but so must we, this is my new (not new, 1970s danish) light fitting, picked up at auction, and newly installed.
I have just received, and very carefully unwrapped, my very own tentacle pot, made by the incredibly talented @roseschmits.bsky.social . I love it so much!
Just received this gorgeous print from the very talented @ciaraioch.bsky.social , along with an assortment of little extras. I love it, and it will take pride of place on my office wall!
My contribution; a ground squirrel in Fuerteventura, enjoying half a grape.
Made the Christmas cake! Also finished most of my Christmas shopping but I can't really show that.