Merry Meet Monday - Witchy News of the Week (Apr 6 - 12) 🌗

[Amethyst]

@georgia

Did they mention of what she is the patron?

I think they were mostly joke candles, like the Keanu Reeves one. But the one I liked just said Saint Betty the Golden.

Betty White

Keanu Reeves

Robin Williams

Freddy Mercury

They’re fun for a laugh!

[georgia]

@Amethyst

mostly joke candles

Ah, but that’s what starts the beatification!

@Amethyst

Saint Betty the Golden

She certainly was!

[Artemisia]

Personal note - as someone on an anti-inflammatory diet for several health conditions, part of my diet is 85% cocoa chocolate. I’ve seen the rising costs of chocolate and keep an ear to the news

In regards to chocolate scandals, while I’m not necessarily defending them, part of the issue is that candy manufacturers are reacting to soaring ingredient costs driven by severe cocoa shortages, climate-related crop

crop failures

• Devastating Crop Diseases
  • Cacao Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV): A viral pandemic that can reduce harvests by 25–50% and eventually kills the trees. In some regions of Ghana, over 80% of the crop has been affected.
  • Black Pod Disease: Excessive wetness has spread this fungal rot, which rapidly destroys fruit and further tightens global supply.

in West Africa, and high demand. and many companies have chosen to use less cocoa powder to avoid having to raise the price of chocolate.

It’s a tricky spot to be in for sure and on my end, I hate that prices keep going up and I now often can’t find what I need in stock. Love my chocolate

PBS article

Today.com article

[Feathertip]

You are correct - that’s part of the motivation to produce cheaper alternatives. BUT - it would have been nice to run a PR campaign about it, focus groups, whatever, to gauge public preference. Some people will gladly pay more to maintain product integrity, and of course crop failures happen. Cocoa is an agricultural product.

The way it was presented backfired on the manufacturers and makes it too easy for us to rant about corporate greed - they didn’t give their customers a voice here. tut-tut, I say.

[Artemisia]

@Feathertip

been nice to run a PR campaign about it, focus groups, whatever

oh 100%! The sneaky things like shrinkflation - making the bars smaller but keeping the price the same isn’t cool at all.

[Amethyst]

@georgia

Ah, but that’s what starts the beatification!

Wouldn’t it be funny if a thousand years from now, someone found one of those joke candles and thought it was the real thing?

[Greenbriar]

@georgia

Ah! A rare find! Looks good! Thank you so much!

You’re very welcome. I hope it helps you too!

[shanna5]

@Feathertip

In other news close to my heart - I saw my first Cabbage White butterfly yesterday!
Its hard to see (on purpose) but I saw a Mourning Cloak butterfly yesterday!

[Amethyst]

Wow. He’s camouflaged very well!

[shanna5]

I would have never seen him if I hadn’t watched him flutter down.

[Amethyst]

You’re lucky! Right place, right time. I’m always a day late and a dollar short.

[Feathertip]

@Feathertip

I saw a Mourning Cloak butterfly yesterday!

Oh, he’s beautiful! Thank you for sharing this!

@Amethyst

He’s camouflaged very well!

He’s “cloaked”! It’s meant to fool us predators!

[shanna5]

If you like that guy, you’re going to love this weirdo! I’ve never seen a squirrel sploot out like this. Reminds me of our guinea pigs.

[Feathertip]

I love Fox squirrels!! Aren’t they funny and sweet?

We were great friends with one. She’d show up at our back door and we finally started leaving little nut pieces for her.

We called her Miss Red, and when she finally had her babies she brought them over for an introduction.

Here she is at the back door, teaching one of them how to mooch while a more cautious one watches from the deck:

I did witness them stretching out on the driveway exactly like your little friend up there - aren’t they funny?

This little family packed up and left my back yard, and I miss them every day. Nothing but the gray and black squirrels out there these days.

Enjoy your little red friend! Thanks for posting this; they are near to my heart!

[Amethyst]

@shanna5

If you like that guy, you’re going to love this weirdo! I’ve never seen a squirrel sploot out like this. Reminds me of our guinea pigs.

It looks like it’s tired but wants to sit up and eat, all at the same time! Cute!

[shanna5]

Oh I love this!! She is so cute! I sometimes lure them to the porch so I can watch them play and eat. But I mostly keep them out in the yard. They come to my yard in droves. I can’t be too generous or I’ll be overrun! It all started by trying to lure the crows! I am so happy to report, I’ve had 4 crows become regular visitors to my yard.

[Amethyst]

Aww! What a cute little murder of crows!

I know a flock of crows is a murder, but this is a really small amount. Maybe a Justifiable Homicide of Crows would be a better term.

[Feathertip]

Those crows are very majestic! They must get along well with the Fox squirrels and share the bits you’ve provided. It must be wonderful to see all these critters feeding and playing in your yard - I know it’s one of my life’s joys!

@Amethyst

I know a flock of crows is a murder, but this is a really small amount. Maybe a Justifiable Homicide of Crows would be a better term.

[shanna5]

@Amethyst

Maybe a Justifiable Homicide of Crows would be a better term

It’s so funny you say that, I call them “Attempted Manslaughter”! I never get more than 4. I think they are a family because it’s always them.

[Amethyst]

@shanna5

It’s so funny you say that, I call them “Attempted Manslaughter”! I never get more than 4. I think they are a family because it’s always them.

I love that! That fits so much better! LOL! It’s a cute little family of crows. You’re so lucky!