Welcome to the Burrow

Musings of a pet badger. That's all the warning you get, really.

[arthurthebadger]

[waitingforgod]

A song for those people sorted into Hufflepuff-get your pride on!

[growinglightroom-deactivated201]

PRO BADGER VACCINATION.

ANTI BADGER CULL

People who are supposed to be protecting wildlife and animals are the ones who kill them, #NaturalEngland  #ForestryCommission, #DEFRA. Where is the future of humanity going. 

[kirstenbayes]

The UK badger cull is coming back, from next week. Activists are ready to stop it. Info and pic via Stop the Cull.

[crowbabyy]

[time-for-tea-and-crumpets-deact]

[saveearthwithaclick]

Stop Future Badger Culls!

Click here to access the petition.

As the badger culls in two pilot areas have thankfully ended for this year (although the Government wants to continue them for the next three years, and roll them out to other areas), it is vital that our MPs understand the strength of feeling against the Government’s policy. The Government needs to recognise the continuing widespread opposition throughout the country to badger culls. If you agree that badgers shouldn’t be made the scapegoat for a problem they didn’t cause and the victims of a policy that won’t work, please write to your MP.  We have provided a draft letter, but please add your personalised comments to make your own views clear. If your friends or family are similarly angry about the Government’s policy, please encourage them to also contact their MP. Thank you.

Click here to access the petition.

[lucybellwood]

This Father’s Day, give the gift of badgers.

[arthurthebadger]

vikinginyogapants started following you

'Lo, Maker's Maker.

[zooborns]

Rescued Badgers Snuggle Up at Secret World Wildlife Rescue Center

Secret World Wildlife Rescue, a wildlife rehabilitation center in South West England, is busy taking care of spring’s first badger cubs. The four rescued cubs were all found orphaned or abandoned, but they’re in good hands now.

Learn more at Zooborns.

[monaproof]

Finally deciding to confront real-life problems.

[ravenfirethief]

Ragnarok Denied

[arthurthebadger]

Arthur didn’t protest as he was hugged on, and settled against the goddess’ belly, nearly purring.  "I love mum, she’s why I’m here, hurrrm.  Maker made me to keep her company an’ protect her when he’s not here."  

He stretched a bit and laid his head on her breast, looking up at her with bright black eyes, his nose never quite going still.  "If you’re sorry over what you did, an’ she’s forgiven you, then ‘sawright.  Naw use goin’ back an’ mucking around with things.  An’ mum dun use magic.  Least not like Maker does.  She jus’ likes people feelin’ at ease."  

[ravenfirethief]

Hel giggled and bent down to rub noses with Arthur. “You are silly, do you know that? I didn’t mean she literally uses magic, like anyone in my family. I meant that she’s so good at making people feel loved and safe and comfortable, that it’s as if she were using magic even without it.”

She let out a contented sigh and relaxed, while her fingers idly moved through Arthur’s fur, finding the best spots to scritch and pet. “And you, you little menace, are just as good. Don’t tell him, but you’re even better to cuddle than Jormi.” She bit her lip and said softly, “Maybe it’s because he’s always afraid that if he’s not good enough, we’ll throw him away, while you’re just being lovable and enjoying the attention. I wish he weren’t so afraid, but ….” She trailed off, buried her face in Arthur’s fur, and rocked, holding the badger tightly.

[arthurthebadger]

Arthur gave a patient huff and let her do as she needed until her rocking had slowed and she started to relax again.  He did love cuddling, even if it was upset cuddles.  He nudged at her neck and spoke quietly.  "Mayhaps I should meet this Jorrmee.  Prolly will sooner or later, aye?  But I promise, I won't tell him."  He gave a little murrr and relaxed again.  

"I dunno," he mused, "yer dad calls her a witch a lot."

Hazel brought in two cups of minnestrone soup and some grilled cheese sandwiches along with some more coffee as promised.  "Here we are, dear.  Eat as much as you need, I have plenty of soup and can always make another sandwich or four if needed."  She chuckled as she set the tray down on the low table.  "But you only eat what you want, alright?"  She sat herself on the other end of the couch and took a mug with a spoon and a sandwich, tucking in happily.  

[shieldtwin1]

Excuse me...

Send me an “Excuse Me” and I’ll tell you my muse’s reaction to being Interrupted while… Result:13

13. Crying

AJ looked up from the computer screen as he heard a soft voice. There was no way he could hide the fact that he had been crying like a baby. Normally he would have been snotty and snapped at the interruption, but he recognized Hazel’s voice. He explained, “End of Marly and Me.” The movie always made him cry and yet he insisted on watching it. 

[agentbrompton]

She grinned to him over the serving bar that separated the kitchen from the sitting room.  ”Black it is.  Really, be at home and relax.  Arthur is around here somewhere so don’t be surprised to see a stripey creature waddling about.  He won’t hurt you.”  She pulled a sealed cannister from the cabinet and turned on the teakettle before getting to grinding the beans.  They gave off a rich aroma even without being brewed, and grinding just spread that heavenly scent until he could smell it no matter where he was in the space.  

The place had small personal touches here and there, many in the form of photographs.  Most of them were atop the old, polished upright piano that graced a wall between the kitchen and the bedroom door.  The top had a cloth draped over it and there were many framed photos there.  Some were old, likely family pics.  Others were much newer, many of them agents here aboard the helicarrier.  One was very very familiar, Zingari’s smirking face staring back at him as he leaned on the short chef, his arm resting atop her head as she rolled her eyes.  

A nose emerged from a short burrow in a container of dirt off to his right, near her desk.  It was black and shiny and worked a  mile a minute as it processed the new person’s scent, trying to figure out why he looked like Alastor but smelled nothing like him.  

[shieldtwin1]

Sitting down, he couldn’t help but to continue surveying the room. It was warm and inviting, reminded him a bit of home. “Who is Arthur?” He asked as he noticed the piano. It was a fine instrument and reminded him of when his mother had tried to get the twins to learn to play. That hadn’t taken, but at least they had developed a love for music. Drums were more AJ’s thing. He was about to comment when the decadent smell of the coffee permeated the room. “That smells wonderful.” He smiled over at her. “You weren’t kidding about reserve roast. It’s been a very long time since I had really good coffee.” He wasn’t lying about that. Aside from his mother, Shannon had made the best coffee. She preferred hazelnut. The memory made him smile.

AJ’s attention returned to the piano and all the nice pictures she had on top of it. He noticed the one of her and Alastor. Clearly they were good friends at the very least. No wonder she had looked at him strangely when they had met initially. Looking at all the photos just reinforced the feeling of ‘home’ that her quarters elicited. He was just turning back to look at Hazel when he heard a strange noise. Looking to his right he first saw dirt moving, then he saw a nose, and then … what the heck? Out of reflex he scooted back on the couch, letting out a very unman like squeak.

[arthurthebadger]

Arthur popped his head up entirely out of the burrow at the squeak, concerned over this human's reaction.  He hauled himself out and shook any loose dirt off before hopping down to the carpet.  He slowly waddled over and stopped just out of kicking range, sitting on his rump and peering up at the man.

Hazel came 'round the bar and leaned over the couch to see what the trouble is.  "Oh, AJ...this is Arthur.  He's my little furry companion...not quite your normal badger, he was a gift from Mr. Laufeyson some time ago.  He won't hurt you, so long as you're not trying to hurt me.  He's terribly friendly and a wonderful listener."  She blinked and walked to her desk, picking up a small collar and bringing it to fasten around the badger's throat.  "There.  Agent Zingari made this for him...he's actually very smart and funny.  This way I can hear what he's saying...and you can too."  She snapped the collar on and stood up.  "Arthur, this is AJ."

She moved back into the kitchen.  "You know, this coffee is really an excellent batch.  Nearly done, I promise, and we'll take care of that lack of good stuff for you."

Arthur scritched under his chin with a long black claw.  A somewhat thin, tinny voice with a decidedly English rustic accent came across from the tiny speaker attached to his collar.  "Hallo there, AJ.  I'm Arfur.  Nice to meet you."

[ravenfirethief]

Ragnarok Denied

[agentbrompton]

Hazel laughed and raised her brows.  ”What?  No…of course I *have* done that…we had them growing up and cocoa aplenty.  I just don’t have one in this flat.  I’ve not been deprived, I promise.”  

"Now, speaking on cocoa….and coffee, I do believe that your father said that both of my supplies came from that being.  I didn’t give you that coffee when you got here because I didn’t want to spare the time to roast and grind a fresh batch.  But the cocoa I can do very easily and I’ll get lunch too. And don’t worry on the creams.  I’ll help you with that when we’ve eaten.  It’ll make you feel better.”

She gently shooed her towards the couch.  ”Go relax and I suspect Arthur will join you.  Cocoa coming up.”   And she disappeared into the kitchen to make that happen, sounds of pots, pans and grinder and whisking and such ensuing.  

[ravenfirethief]

Hel laughed happily as Hazel shooed her, just like she imagined a real big sister would do, and gave herself over completely to the experience of being fussed over. She settled on the couch, pulled her feet up under the robe, and patted the cushion beside her, while looking around with a relaxed, happy smile.

"You must have the best time ever living here, Arthur. She’s everything I ever imagined a big sister must be like. Kind of makes me feel guilty about the way I treated her when I first met her. It’s too bad Daddy is so fussy about not messing with time, or I’d go back and tell myself to not be such a brat."

She reached out to hug the fuzzy menace, and let out a long, contented sigh. “This is what I try to make people feel like when they get to me. Hazel manages it without even trying. Must be big sister magic.”

[arthurthebadger]

Arthur didn't protest as he was hugged on, and settled against the goddess' belly, nearly purring.  "I love mum, she's why I'm here, hurrrm.  Maker made me to keep her company an' protect her when he's not here."  

He stretched a bit and laid his head on her breast, looking up at her with bright black eyes, his nose never quite going still.  "If you're sorry over what you did, an' she's forgiven you, then 'sawright.  Naw use goin' back an' mucking around with things.  An' mum dun use magic.  Least not like Maker does.  She jus' likes people feelin' at ease."  

[strikelikeahawk]

[text] Mike, luv. I'm going to be groundside for a while. Agent Lenormand has been poisoned and is currently in a coma. I can't do any more for him than I already have, but I can't leave him here alone, he's my brother. So...Henry will treat you well if you need anything until I get back up there.

[text] Let me know if you need anything.  I may not know him, but if he’s special to you I’d be happy to help in any way I can.  My slate is mostly clear right now, and I’ll keep it that way, just in case.

[arthurthebadger]

The badger’s nose never really stopped working, blind in the ruck but had it pressed up to a small gap in the top.  "Zhawn is hurt?"  A soft grumbling deep growl sounded.  "Mum’s gonna be upset for sure.  ’m good with flyin’.  I go up an’ down wit’ mum all the time to her howse in the city."  

Arthur thought carefully and nodded to himself, scritching at his throat with a long claw in the dark coziness of the pack, the rhythm of Mike’s walking was nearly like rocking and it made him want to drowse.

"Thankee fer bringin’ me to her.  I was wonderin’ where she was.   And aye, I’ll take good care of her for you.  You mean lots to her an’ don’t you go gettin’ hurt too."  

He settled and kept sniffing, the scent of jet fuel strong as they entered a smaller space and Mike set the ruck down to secure it in the jumpseat next to him.  Arthur kept his head down and rested, ears and nose always vigilant, and glad that he was going to see his mum and her brother.  

[strikelikeahawk]

"You’re welcome.  It’s my pleasure to help."

The flight down was smooth (for once …Agent Storm wasn’t at the controls today) and once they had landed he unstrapped, shouldered the ruck and walked to the car.

Mike opened the bag and put it on the floor of the passenger side “We’ve got the car this time Arthur, so just make yourself comfortable and we’ll be on our way - we should be there in about 20 minutes.  Once we’re there I’ll get you back into the pack and leave you with your mum.”

While the car warmed up he sent a text to AJ & Drew:

[text] on the ground, heading to meet with Hazel about Jean

[text] are you two up to lend a hand tracking this mess down

[text] I promised Hazel I’d look into it, and I’d like a somebody watching my back while I do.

[arthurthebadger]

Arthur thought about it and chose to stay put.  The ruck was comfy and the sweatshirt smelled like Mike, which wasn’t a bad thing.  ”I’m good in here, thankee.  Prob’ly less trouble for you if no one sees me, hurrm.”  He curled up again and bided his time.  Twenty minutes didn’t sound like too long. 

He was obviously delighted when Mike scooped him out and handed him over to Hazel.  He got a lot of teary kisses and cuddles as Hazel explained what was going on with her brother, Zhawn.  The nose was again going a mile a minute here…lots of odd chemical and biological smells that he’d scented before near the hospital suite up on the ship, only this time they were everywhere.  And Zhawn was still and quiet.  Too quiet.  That man didn’t know how to be quiet so this was really not good.

Mum set him down on the bed at his feet and kept talking to Mike as he snuffled and carefully crawled his way up one of his legs, minding his claws.  He nosed at one of the man’s hands with no response.  Hurrrm.  Well, he was a patient thing, and so he curled up there between his hand and his hip, his head looking down the bed so he could see the doorway.  If nothing else, he could be on guard while Zhawn slept.  

[beatonna]

If you aren’t totally quaking in your boots at the news of millions of bees dead, yet again, you’re nuts.

[unclegrandpaapologist-deactivat]

this should be concerning a lot more people than it is

not only because bees are one of the most important animals in the world and their job is a lot more than gathering honey but also because they are what scientists refer to as an “indicator species”

this means that when their populations start dwindling and then rapidly dropping, humans need to watch their shit because that means that environmental factors are too difficult for THEM to live in, so it might be difficult for US to live in, too. bees basically act as an indication that humans have a lot to worry about and when they start dying like this it deserves a lot more than a few headlines.

[yourbestfriendemily-deactivated]

last year my biggest worry was the steep decline in bee population and apparently thats not about to change anytime soon. people have told me to my face that they think its strange I’m so concerned for the bees. read this you selfish fucks

[thats-so-ravenloft]

Get excited, motherfuckers.  Without bees, we will die off.  Bayer and Monsanto continue to produce the chemicals that have been proven to kill them, and the government has their backs.  Bees pollinate 30% of our food in the US and we are passing legislation to PROTECT the scumbags responsible for killing them.

I preach this shit to everyone who will listen and I always get “WAAAAH I HATE BEES THEY STING AND THEY ARE BIG MEANIES!” but think about your future life without kiwis, cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, peaches, sunflowers, cotton, apples, plums, pears, mustard, celery, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, beans, cherries, melons, turnips, canola oil, alfalfa, soybeans, lemons, oranges, and I could go on forever.

Bees are amazing creatures who are responsible for the comfortable lives we lead in this country and we cannot sustain and feed our population without them.

[i-suck-deactivated236543-deacti]

Alright you guys, there’s a good amount of notes on this but it’s only making us aware of the problem, not telling us what we can do to help. We can do something to help and YOU CAN HELP, YES THAT MEANS YOU. ALL YOU NEED IS DIRT, A FEW BUCKS, AND A MOMENT OF YOUR TIME TO MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE, LITERALLY. 

Plant flowers that bees like and that attract them.

Bees prefer flowers that are blue, purple, and yellow. Choose flowers that bloom successively over the spring, summer, and fall seasons such as coreopsis, Russian sage, or germander. They especially love clover! Other plants include sage, salvia, oregano, lavender, ironweed, yarrow, yellow hyssop, alfalfa, honeywort, dragonhead, echinacea, bee balm, buttercup, goldenrod and English thyme. Buy seeds online.

GET RID OF THE PESTICIDES!!

If pesticides are killing off the bees so easily, what do you think it’s doing to us? The EPA says studies have shown pesticides can cause birth defects, nerve damage, and cancer. There are other ways to get rid of pests in the garden than using chemicals. Organic Garden Pests shows you how to keep off the bugs the organic way.

Give the bees a free home!

Giving bees a “bee block” alone is a huge load off their backs! You can buy homes here or  You can even build your own. 

Please, if you have already reblogged this, reblog this is again with what I have posted onto it so you know what you can do to help. We can make a difference.

Sources and other helpful links:

5 ways to help our disappearing bees

How to “Friend” Your Native Bees

Why gardening is good for your health

Silence of the Bees

[thegreenwolf]

Quick mention of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, a nonprofit group doing a LOT of good work for bees and other pollinators, among others.

[tessa-matsuoka]

Guys, if all the bees died we’d have FOUR YEARS to live.

[wisteela]