baby’s first merthur

Writing Reference: Medicinal Herbs

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10 plants for your character's medicinal herb garden

PLANT — When to Plant — Conditions & Care — Medicinal Uses

1. ALOE VERA — spring/autumn — sunny site indoors; pot up as needed; do not overwater — fresh plant gel for minor burns and wounds
2. CALENDULA — spring/autumn — well-drained soil; full sun; remove dead flower heads — cream for cuts, scrapes, inflamed skin; infusion for fungal infections
3. COMFREY — spring/autumn — warm sunny site; moist soil — ointment or poultice for sprains and bruises (use the leaf only)
4. FEVERFEW — autumn/spring — well-drained or dry, stony soil in sun — fresh leaf or tincture for headaches and migraines
5. LEMON BALM — spring/autumn — moist soil in sun; cut back after flowering — infusion for anxiety, poor sleep, and nervous indigestion; lotion for cold sores
6. PEPPERMINT — spring/autumn — sunny but moist site; do not allow to dry out — infusion for indigestion and headaches; lotion for itchy skin
7. ROSEMARY — spring/autumn — sunny sheltered site; protect with burlap in winter — infusion as a stimulating nerve tonic and to aid weak digestion
8. SAGE — autumn/spring — well-drained or dry, sunny, sheltered site — infusion for sore throats, mouth ulcers, and diarrhea
9. ST. JOHN'S WORT — spring/autumn — well-drained to dry soil with sun or partial shade — tincture for depression and menopause; infused oil is antiseptic and heals wounds
10. THYME — spring/summer — well-drained soil, may need a layer of gravel; sunny site — infusion for coughs, colds, and chest infections; lotion for fungal infections

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References

bramble

Merlin's Feedback

(a ficlet in gifs, by Saladscream)

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My first entry for the @merlinbingo! The prompt was "Arthur's rooms". 😊

Transcript of the scene (also available in the gif descriptions):

[Early morning in Arthur’s chambers, Merlin is pulling the curtains, while Arthur is still asleep]
Merlin: Alright, up and at ’em!
Merlin: Come on.
Arthur: [groans] I need more sleep.
Merlin: Up!
Arthur: Leave me alone.
Merlin: Come on.
Merlin: [stuffs a scone into Arthur’s mouth] Shagging me all night is no excuse to sleep in.
Merlin: Oh and I have a surprise for you.
Arthur: [suddenly interested] A surprise?!
Merlin: [busying himself at Arthur’s desk] Yeah, I wrote you a feedback.
Arthur: [still in bed, but now propped on his elbows] A *feedback*.
Merlin: Just a few remarks and judicious pointers. [unrolls a very long scroll of parchment]
Arthur: That was our *first* time together.
Merlin: [gazing proudly at his lengthy work] Nothing wrong with a little constructive criticism.
Arthur: [staring in dismay] You can’t be serious.
Merlin: First, foreplay. We were a little rushed, there.
Arthur: I call it passionate.
Merlin: Next, stamina. Let’s say you’re out of practice.
Arthur: [looks away and pouts]
Merlin: Creativity… I’ve seen better.
Arthur: [looks at Merlin in surprise]
Merlin: Endowment. [looks at Arthur under his eyelashes] I’d say average.
Arthur: [now positively insulted] Now hang on.
Merlin: Enthusiasm. [grinning] Quite endearing!
Arthur: [terminally embarrassed, flops back on his pillow]
Arthur: [mumbles as he rolls over away from Merlin and burrows under his cover] Trust me to fall for an utter prat.
Merlin: [smiling] On the upside, it can only get better from here.
Merlin: [goes to Arthur] Come on, don’t sulk.
Merlin: [tries to wrench the cover from Arthur’s resisting hands] You just need practice!

I love that Arthur’s first full sentence to Merlin was “do I know you?” Regardless of the circumstances of which the question was asked during, there’s something hauntingly and fatefully beautiful about those words being the first someone would speak to their soulmate.

the fact that eric kripke isn't even christian really adds something to the way christianity is depicted on supernatural. because its really not about being christian at all, but about living in america, a country dominated by christianity, and having to decide for yourself how to handle that. faith is huge in supernatural, and the mythology of the show is very bible-centric, but notably, christ is never there. even sam, who starts out revering the angels, who once said he prays every night, doesn't actually call himself a christian or imply that he believes in jesus--the show is steeped in christianity and biblical lore and yet neither sam nor dean are christians. in fact, over and over again the church itself is depicted as a haunted house that sam and dean will only ever enter as strangers, as outsiders. priests, preachers, faith healers, chapels, crypts, etc. are all just iconography that create an intense sense of unease that sam and dean respond to instantly. as a jew, its very relatable. an essential part of living in america when you're not christian is that exact sense of unease, of knowing that the culture of your country has ensured that you'll get knocked over by christianity no matter where you go, that you'll see hundreds of people truly believing they're good people while doing awful things in the name of their god, and you have no choice but to confront that. kripke gets it

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here, have a silly little rough sketch inspired by this post from @fellshish <3

gwen art? in this economy?