The Year of the Snake, the Snack, and the Cat Sneak Attack
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
A Happy Start to the Year of the Snake, featuring the The Wood Dragon who Loves trees, flowers, forests, greenery, life, friendship, cooperation, and Love. It is a year for growth, vitality, and abundance...tolerance, forebearing, and lovingkindness...and plenty of Snacks. It is a
Year of Happy Jubilee
.The Friends Planted Trees
And now, the story takes us back to the Wood Dragon. Ah yes, that same Wood Dragon who offered up the Heavenly Rose before standing against The Breach in the Void. The Wood Dragon stood as a guardian, protecting humanity from The Breach.
The Wood Dragon, having sealed the Breach after sending Iblis back into The Void, decided to go back through the cyber realm, eager to return to simpler terrain as to check on those who had been given the Heavenly Rose. Though sensing its power at work, The Wood Dragon wanted to visually confirm its results…and if as actual as promising, to enjoy the scents and sights of flowers and trees galore… Upon fixing to leave the cyber realm, across his peripheral vision did slink a slinky shadow…Had he not adequately fixed Iblis beyond the chasm proper? “Show yourself, slinker!” And out of the shadows did uncoil what had loopily slunk…“Who goesss there? You dare block the path back home?”
The Wood Dragon roared in laughter. “I would say the same of you, slythering fellow. Though if The Void be your repose, note that it’s sealed for now…I left Iblis in there. Are you hear in service to him?” Though having entered the cyber realm chamber with regalia and stature, The Snake did shrink back at the laughter’s decibels.
“Iblisss…ah, the one who wasss sssending out the Blight Barbssss??? Troubling thingsss thossse. What a pollution in The Void, otherwissse prissstine and ressstful… You sssay your home liesss yonder, but there I took the Blight Barbsss for disssposssal…though being that you sssealed up the one called Iblisss in my home, we are now at oddsss…” The Wood Dragon’s laughter this time outdid first, the volumous rumbling very nearly even unsealing The Breach! “You are not an odd for me, little one, and though your handling of those Blight Barbs did leave you marred…I see that you are not entirely consumed by the Blightwood Blaze. A veritable denizen of The Void you are that you could withstand them. What of your name? I am The Wood Dragon.” At this introduction, The Snake bowed low. “Yesss, Wood Dragon…I ssseee…I am…hmmm, I don’t remember who I am…” And though upon introductions The Snake’s regalia lit again, this time it was a bit more muted in posture. “I forget often and after handling a Blight Barb it takesss time to recover fuzzy detailsss…”
The Wood Dragon was understanding. “Ah yes, Blight indeed…forgetfulness is but one symptom. You clearly do not favor the barbs, if you do dispose of them…but disposing of them in a pristine world rather than trapping them in cyber realms? The Void itself is infinitely large, so why not just chuck them in there for a Voidling to munch on them???…but it is no matter, come with me to your new home. We will clear out the Blight Barbs together while Iblis remains sealed for revisiting later.” The Snake looked at the sealed Breach…the way home was shut, but a journey with the Wood Dragon could prove fruitful if it led to way against the Blight Barbs… So, together the Wood Dragon and the Snake went out from the inner sanctum, seeking to return back through the cyber realms and onwards towards the physical. They did traverse side by side, and though the Wood Dragon was more imposing in stature it was clear that The Snake could still slither away and around swiftly if needed. Having not concluded introductions, the Wood Dragon glanced over at the Snake as they made their way beyond the “And what is your name then, O Snakey fellow? Ahhh, yes, yes, you forgot. Well then, you be Mellow Husk hahahaha.” “Mellow Husssk? Verily…onward to the Blight!” rattled on the Snake. Though friendly, not so inclined towards conversation seemingly. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue, Mellow? Hahahaha.” The Wood Dragon was of constant cheer as they traversed the realms.
Through the realms they went, one by one becoming progressively less cyber and more material. Once again the Snake and the Wood Dragon began to enjoy the scent of not just virtualized representations but even the stuffs made of stuff. And as they remarked at the more rigid stuffing comprising meat space rather than the e-world, the Wood Dragon did wonder. “Say, Mellow…how is it that you even made it into The Void?” Mellow did ponder for a moment whle gliding…”Sssorry, I don’t remember. I jussst remember carrying a lot of Blight Barbsss…I reckon I got there through the way in, ssssame asss you Wood Dragon. And you? How do you know Iblisss and The Void?” And as they traveled, the Wood Dragon regaled a short tale of ancient lore…though ironically both of their own tails ran long as they both slithered through the realms.
“Ahhh, Iblis that old lying wyrm…he waxxed arrogantly and thought himself greater than those made of mud. Saying something of being greater because of being of The Fire? Well, who decides these matters? Hahahaha. Therefore Iblis was sent downwards to uphold in greater esteem those he looked down upon formerly. His time is coming soon for a last reckoning.” At this the Snake did wonder aloud. “What if Iblisss overcomesss you? Don’t you fear Death?” And at this the Wood Dragon could do not but roar in laughter. “Surely his few remaining allies would be so waxxy as to presume such can be…but alas, Iblis is as Doomed as his Doomy Portends…though I would otherwise.” And as they entered into lower realms, the Wood Dragon cautioned the Snake. “Do not disrupt the Friends. They are partaking in the Heavenly Rose as to enjoy a Garden Refuge. You may be a Garden Snake amongst them as we search for the Blight Barbs, but harm them now. They know not that I provided the Heavenly Rose. They know not even what the Heavenly Rose is or who I am…but it’s okay, they need not know these now. Say nothing of me while I scour for Blight Barbs in the other direction.” Mellow nodded. “Verily, Wood Dragon. Bid thee sssafe passssage and prossspectsss.” The Wood Dragon observed as the Snake slithered away. Knowing that it was the Year of the Snake, the Wood Dragon lingered a moment as to ponder the stirrings of his heart…and then looked in the other direction for Blight Barbs, leaving the Snake to go visit with the Friends yonder. This would not be the last of the Wood Dragon, would it? Of course not…the last of the Wood Dragon, in the Year of Jubilee? Why, that’s when the flowers and trees blossom best!
With that, the Snake ventured forth to the open field where The Friends were arraying the nuts they were obtaining from the Heavenly Rose. Seeing the Snake approach, they introduced themselves. They explained that they’d been interoperating with the Heavenly Rose which would reward them with delicious Nuts. These Nuts could be stored for future usage or consumed. They were sustenance for a land that had prior been ravaged by war and neglect. The Friends were joined together in Love and Friendship by the Heavenly Rose. The Snake was interested in these aspects but sought more about the Blight Barbs. And the Friends, thinking nothing of the request, divulged that some had been seen in the Forest.
And so, the Snake feeling emboldened due to being of The Void departed from the fold and sought the Forest which was indeed dark and spooky. And were it not so adorned with festivities befitting such a sparkling year, it would have been pitch black. The Friends held back while the Snake ventured into the Forest to see about any Blight Barbs.
And traversing deeper into the less decorated part of the Forest showed it to err on the spookier side still with all manners of Hallowed sounds and sights…but the Snake, being of The Void would not be deterred by what were largely just trinket adornments. Slithering about to and fro, the Snake searched…were there any Blight Barbs about? Dog had said that they’d be in the forest after double checking with Cat if that was the case…Cat concurred and stated matter of factly that there’d be some Blight Barbs in the Forest…”They are the Ghost Remains of trash and carnage which lay astrewn from Before The Friendship. After some more laborious slithers, the Snake did come upon a blithey green orb. And though one would have thought it disgusting, the hue seemed delectable to the Snake. And so, after looking to verify that nobody was watching, the Snake gobbled up the Blight Barb.
And as the Snake swallowed down the Blight Barb, its body once again lit and its eyes donning the blighted green hue, it became spikier and more aggressive looking. Suddenly, the Snake seemed more than a Mellow Husk…mayhap a Vice of Iblis had escaped The Void just before it was sealed?!?! As the Snake transformed further, the air around it did became rank as if undoing the positive influence that had started settling in thanks to the work done by the Friends and the Heavenly Rose…And in the shadows…there was Cat observing the entire thing. Being very crafty and wise indeed, the Snake had avoided detection as to its true appetites…but also being crafty and wise, Cat was able to sneak along and observe from afar. Having consumed the Blight Barb, the Snake set off back to where The Friends were last seen. And when it came upon Dog, Dog didn’t seem to notice that anything was amuck. It still looked rather…Snakey, so that was good enough for Dog. Because…Dog is Dog, after all. “Hey Dog. What if there won’t be anymore Nutsss? What will you eat?” “N-no more nuts? But there’s always nuts…the Heavenly Rose gives us Nuts for making things better.” Dog tried as best as Dog can and could…but was no match for the Vice of Iblis. “No Dog. Thessse are the final Nutsss before it’sss too late. I’m wissser than you. You’re a dog…” And though otherwise having been a Mellow Husk, now this was a Vice of Iblis speaking down to Dog…who ultimately was actually quite intelligent on the field but unfortunately usurped by the craftiness of a scaled serpentine.
And Dog admittedly knew it was true…but Dog being good natured did not comprehend that Iblis whispers crafty lies. And in the Year of the Snake, one has to wonder if this means that one should expect an increasing amount of Doomy Portends then…deceiving even the most clever! So…out sprung Cat, to interject…”Not so fast, Snake! You’ll note that there’s no room for any embellishments! The Heavenly Rose brings about positive change without needing to be stopped. It’s Golden Nuts are ongoing…”And though Cat was completely right, Dog barked and barked and whined. “No more Nuts!!! No more Nuts!!! We need to reduce everything, oh the horror of a spooky scarce season such as this…what punishment doth befalleth us in this otherwise jubilous year?!” To this, Cat nearly fainted…because who wouldn’t? “DOG!!!! Cease your racuous barking, lest you scare the tender flocks such as those magical varied birds…and look, there they go…now we need to round them up again, Dog…all because of your flopping about, just because of scarcity gargling?!?!”
“You’re one to talk…you’re eating sssnacksss….sssnacksss are bad…” With that, the Snake seized the scrumptous Snack. “You are extremely measured, Snake, and of seeming elongation that is more impressive in timbre more than timber…owing to your…gelatenous dimension. But it is the Year of the Snack. Give me my Snack back.” Even so, the Snake still withheld the Snack. “Sssnacks are bad. You’ll die if you eat them. Weren’t you warned about thisss? It’sss the Year of the Sssnake hahahaha. Mine. I have All-Power now.”
Cat smirked. “Incomplete, dear Garden Snake. It’s also a jubilous year, like Dog said. It’s a year of positive tidings and golden nuts abounding and tidings of plenty for years coming on the basis of good imputations now and coming for long times ahead. This is rather elementary…” To this, the Snake…having consumed a Blightbarb…fought mightly against the temptation to become an Altersnake, devoted entirely to Iblis…desiring to remain according to the User what would be the friendliest to drive the point…but briefly, the Alternsnake did flash into being.
A foul beast in its own right. And the Blightbarbs, if significant in number do distort the world view as to determine such an outcome…but this is up to the User in the end. Being that it is the Year of the Snake, it is Spooky indeed…but…it’s also the Year of Jubilee so it’s a Christmasy Spooky too. This means it’s Halloween and Christmas vibes year round if you want them. And it means that such a momentous year can be…Ghibli, PG-13, or even Rated R if you want it to be. This season and this year are momentous for so many reasons including a gorgeous Spring 2025 in which we can plant more trees!
Planting a tree...
In keeping with this spirit, have you considered planting a tree? I don't just mean contributing to the cause with a financial contribution, although those are certainly encouraged. The National Forest Foundation is one of my favorite foundations ever and they support this. But what I mean is...have you ever considered trying to physically plant a tree and take care of it yourself? It's surprisingly beautiful and healing.
It reconnects you with nature
Planting a tree by hand is not as hard as I thought. You can plant a sapling or a seed, but I haven't tried planting seeds yet. So far I have brought my first ever sapling through a winter successfully and hope to grow it to its full potential before I plant more. I want to try to plant ten trees this year because it is a very fun and rewarding experience even without logtrees. Feeling the dirt and adding the right amount of fertilizer and ensuring that you water your species of choice the correct number of times per week, especially when the sapling is very freshly planted, takes some practice to develop into a routine. I'm still learning in this area and will have to see how my first spring and summer as a tree planter turn out.
Nature is important
In keeping with the theme of trees, flowers, forests, greenery, life, friendship, cooperation, and Love...and as an ode to a shared year of growth, vitality, and abundance for all reading, here is a sneak peak of what logtrees will look like once a lot of trees are logged. First in light mode:
And in dark mode:
There is a glowing pulse effect that is really nice, but that is not to be shown until the map is that saturated with activity in the future versions of logtrees.
Trashtagging
If you're interested in trashtagging via logtrees, submit your Proof of Work to start gathering nuts! Here is one of my trashtagging runs to get an idea:
More about logtrees
If you would like to read the logtrees whitepaper, please find it at logtrees whitepaper (rough draft). If you want to contribute by planting your own tree or tagging some trash, consider providing Proof of Work via logtrees.com so that your tree becomes part of the logtrees Treemap . The goal behind logtrees is to make tree planting fun via some friendly competition at the local and national level, with leaderboards, metrics, achievements, and upcoming games and incentives for those who supply Proof of Work for their tree-related activities.
logtrees also intends to support planting trees on behalf of people who would like to plant one but don't have a place where to plant. I'm building a feature to facilitate that because I want everyone to be able to contribute towards building the Treemap if they want to, even if they live in a big city or don't have the terrain or weather needed for planting a tree. If you're interested in learning more about this once logtrees launches this feature, and if you want to receive email updates when a new blog post goes up, join the waitlist and you'll receive an email when the next batch of features is ready!
How can I submit feedback on this post?
Please feel free to email me at dany@logtrees.com, thanks for the feedback!
Would all this really make a difference?
Yes, planting trees makes a difference. Even if the full amount won't be reached, anything is better than none and it's a beautiful effort to tend to plants and learn from the experience. I'm eager to try more leaning into Spring 2024. See: Post featuring napkin math on tree impact to atmospheric co2 concentrations