Bugfix

README.md

@@ -10,18 +10,16 @@ My blog, originally based on the very helpful eleventy-base-blog v8, although it
 * Pretty 401 and 403 error pages
 
 ### Fediverse Integration
-* Mastodon [toot embedding](https://upchur.ch/gitea/n_u/nathanupchurch.com/wiki/Home#embed-a-toot-from-mastodon-using-the-toot-shortcode)
 * Link to post discussion on Mastodon
 
 ### Indieweb
 * [Auto-generated linktree-style page](https://upchur.ch/gitea/n_u/nathanupchurch.com/wiki#me) for the blog owner with support for custom attributes such as: `rel="me"`
 * Built in support for [webring links](https://upchur.ch/gitea/n_u/nathanupchurch.com/wiki#webrings)
-* Auto-generated, **styled** RSS feeds
+* Auto-generated, *styled* RSS feeds
 	* All blog posts
 	* Each individual tag
 * /now page that nicely handles posts tagged with "now"
 * Blogroll generated from _data/blogroll.js, with an automatically updated .opml so that visitors can import every blog in the list
-* Image galleries
 
 ### Fun
 * Image galleries

_data/blogroll.js

@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ export default {
 			name: "Incense, Fragrance, and Perfumery",
 			blogs: [
 				{
-					title: "Apothecary's Garden Blog",
+					title: "Apothecary’s Garden Blog",
 					feedUrl: "https://apothecarysgarden.com/blogs/blog.atom",
 					url: "https://apothecarysgarden.com/blogs/blog",
 					description:

_data/metadata.js

@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ export default {
 		},
 	],
 	weatherOnByDefault: false,
-	weatherSymbol: "❅",
+	weatherSymbol: "🌸",
 	webrings: [
 		{
 			name: "Fediring",

_includes/birb.njk

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+<!-- Birb -->
+<script>
+const showBirb = () => {
+	script = document.createElement('script');
+	script.setAttribute("src", "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/IdreesInc/Pocket-Bird@main/dist/web/birb.embed.js");
+	document.body.appendChild(script);
+};
+
+const hideBirb = () => {
+	window.location.reload();
+};
+
+const noBirb = () => {
+	console.info("Settings: Not showing birb :[");
+}
+</script>
+<!-- /Birb -->

_includes/footer.njk

@@ -17,6 +17,6 @@
 		<a href="https://notbyai.fyi/">
 			<img src="/img/written-by-human-not-by-ai-white.svg" alt="Written by humans, not by AI.">
 		</a>
-		{% include "siteSettings.njk" %}
+		{% include "settings/siteSettings.njk" %}
 	</div>
 </footer>

_includes/issoStyle.njk

@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-<!-- ISSO style -->
-<style>
-
-</style>
-<!-- /ISSO style -->

_includes/layouts/base.njk

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
 		<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/woo-mode.css" />
 		{% if tags and tags.includes('quiz') %}
 		<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/quiz.css" />
+		<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/comments.css" />
 		{% endif %}
 		{% if includeTOC %}
 		<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/toc.css" />
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@
 		<link rel="stylesheet" href="/pagefind/pagefind-ui.css">
 		<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/search.css" />
 		{% endif %}
+		<script src="/js/main.js"></script>
 		<!-- Mochi webmentions -->
 		<link rel="webmention" href="https://mochi-webmentions.meadow.cafe/webmention/mochi@upchur.ch/1/receive" />
 		<!-- Indieweb profile links -->
@@ -84,8 +86,10 @@
 			</section>
 			{% endif %}
 		</main>
+		{% include "birb.njk" %}
 		{% include "footer.njk" %}
 		{% include "weather.njk" %}
 		{% include "wooMode.njk" %}
+		{% include "settings/settingsConfig.njk" %}
 	</body>
 </html>

_includes/layouts/links.njk

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ layout: layouts/linksPage.njk
 <div class="links-container h-card" data-pagefind-body>
 	<img class="profilePic u-photo" src="{{ metadata.author.profilePic }}">
 	<h1 class="socialTitle p-name">Nathan Upchurch</h1>
-	<p class="page-block nodropcap">Beside what I do to earn a crust, among other things, I’m an incense maker and enthusiast, a classical trombonist, vegan cook, writer, mediocre photographer, and a fan of, advocate for, and occasional contributor to free and open source software. Here’s where you can find me on the internet:</p>
+	<p class="page-block nodropcap">Here’s where you can find me on the internet:</p>
 	<div class="socialLinks">
 		{% for link in metadata.socialLinks %}
 		<a class="link-button u-url" {% if link.customAttribute %} {{ link.customAttribute | safe }} {% endif %} href="{{ link.linkURL }}">

_includes/settings/controllers/birbController.njk

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+<form class="siteSettingsToggle" id="birbController">
+	<input type="checkbox" id="birbToggle" {% if metadata.weatherOnByDefault %}checked{% endif %} />
+	<label for="birbToggle">Pet bird (Will refresh page when turned off)</label>
+</form>

_includes/settings/controllers/weatherController.njk

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 <form class="siteSettingsToggle" id="weatherController">
 	<input type="checkbox" id="weatherToggle" {% if metadata.weatherOnByDefault %}checked{% endif %} />
-	<label for="weatherToggle">Show weather?</label>
+	<label for="weatherToggle">Weather</label>
 </form>

_includes/settings/controllers/wooModeController.njk

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 <form class="siteSettingsToggle" id="wooModeController">
 	<input type="checkbox" id="wooToggle" {% if metadata.wooModeOnByDefault %}checked{% endif %} />
-	<label for="wooToggle">Woo mode?</label>
+	<label for="wooToggle">Woo mode</label>
 </form>

_includes/settings/settingsConfig.njk

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+<!-- Site Settings -->
+<script>
+	const weatherSettings = {
+		handleOnToggle: turnOnWeather,
+		handleOnDefault: turnOnWeather,
+		handleOffToggle: turnOffWeather,
+		handleOffDefault: turnOffWeather,
+		settingToggle: "weatherToggle",
+		preferenceName: "weather",
+		defaultSetting: {{ metadata.weatherOnByDefault }},
+		forcedOn: false,
+	};
+	const wooModeSettings = {
+		handleOnToggle: deployWoo,
+		handleOnDefault: wooSensibleDefault,
+		handleOffToggle: withdrawWoo,
+		handleOffDefault: withdrawWoo,
+		settingToggle: "wooToggle",
+		preferenceName: "wooMode",
+		defaultSetting: {% if forcedWoo %}true{% else %}false{% endif %},
+		forcedOn: {% if forcedWoo %}true{% else %}false{% endif %},
+	};
+	const petBirbSettings = {
+		handleOnToggle: showBirb,
+		handleOnDefault: showBirb,
+		handleOffToggle: hideBirb,
+		handleOffDefault: noBirb,
+		settingToggle: "birbToggle",
+		preferenceName: "petBirb",
+		defaultSetting: false,
+		forcedOn: false,
+	};
+	settingHandler(weatherSettings);
+	settingHandler(wooModeSettings);
+	settingHandler(petBirbSettings);
+</script>
+<!-- /Site Settings -->

_includes/settings/siteSettings.njk

@@ -2,8 +2,9 @@
 	<button onclick="siteSettings.showModal();">Site Settings</button>
 	<dialog id="siteSettings">
 		<h2>Site Settings</h2>
-		{% include "weatherController.njk" %}
+		{% include "settings/controllers/birbController.njk" %}
-		{% include "wooModeController.njk" %}
+		{% include "settings/controllers/weatherController.njk" %}
+		{% include "settings/controllers/wooModeController.njk" %}
 		<button id="settingsDone" onclick="siteSettings.close();">Done</button>
 	</dialog>
 </div>

_includes/weather.njk

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <!-- weather -->
 		<!-- Based on https://codepen.io/codeconvey/pen/xRzQay -->
 		{# This include causes a symbol (text, emoji, et cetera; from metadata.weatherSymbol) to fall from the top of the viewport like snow. #}
-		<div class="fallingObjects" id="weather" aria-hidden="true">
+		<div class="fallingObjects hidden" id="weather" aria-hidden="true">
 			<div class="fallingObject">
 				<div>{{ metadata.weatherSymbol }}</div>
 			</div>
@@ -35,28 +35,14 @@
 		</div>
 
 <script>
-			const weather = document.getElementById("weather");
+	const turnOnWeather = (containerId) => {
-			const weatherToggle = document.getElementById("weatherToggle");
+		const container = document.getElementById(containerId);
-			const weatherPreference = localStorage.getItem("weather");
-
-			// Initial weather preference check on page load
-			if ({% if metadata.weatherOnByDefault == false %}!weatherPreference || {% endif %}weatherPreference == 0) {
-				weather.classList.add("hidden");
-				weatherToggle.checked = false;
-			} else {
 		weather.classList.remove("hidden");
-				weatherToggle.checked = true;
+	}
-			};
 
-			// Handle weather setting toggle
+	const turnOffWeather = (containerId) => {
-			weatherToggle.addEventListener('change', function() {
+		const container = document.getElementById(containerId);
-				if (this.checked) {
-					localStorage.setItem("weather", 1);
-					weather.classList.remove("hidden");
-				} else {
-					localStorage.setItem("weather", 0);
 		weather.classList.add("hidden");
-				};
+	}
-			});
 </script>
 <!-- /weather -->

_includes/wooMode.njk

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 <!-- Based on https://codepen.io/tommyho/pen/JjgoZLK -->
 {# This include replaces the page background with a crazy rainbow animated shader #}
 
-<canvas id="shaderCanvas"></canvas>
+<canvas class="hidden" id="shaderCanvas"></canvas>
 <script src="/js/three.min.js"></script>
 <script>
 	let scene, camera, renderer, uniforms, material, mesh;
@@ -171,30 +171,11 @@
 		uniforms.time.value = timestamp * 0.001;
 		renderer.render(scene, camera);
 	}
-</script>
 
-<script>
 	const wooCanvas = document.getElementById("shaderCanvas");
-	const wooToggle = document.getElementById("wooToggle");
-	const wooPreference = localStorage.getItem("wooMode");
-	let forcedWoo = false;
-
-	// Initial preference check on page load
-	if ({% if metadata.wooModeOnByDefault == false %}!wooPreference || {% endif %}wooPreference == 0) {
-		forcedWoo ? null : wooCanvas.classList.add("hidden");
-		wooToggle.checked = false;
-	} else {
-		wooCanvas.classList.remove("hidden");
-		wooToggle.checked = true;
-		initWoo();
-		animate(0);
-	};
-
-	// Handle setting toggle
-	wooToggle.addEventListener('change', function() {
-		if (this.checked) {
-			localStorage.setItem("wooMode", 1);
 
+	// Function for when wooMode is toggled on
+	const deployWoo = () => {
 		let wooAudio = new Audio("/audio/30995__unclesigmund__woo-2.mp3");
 		wooAudio.volume = 0.4;
 		wooAudio.play();
@@ -202,21 +183,19 @@
 		wooCanvas.classList.remove("hidden");
 		initWoo();
 		animate(0);
-		} else {
+	}
-			localStorage.setItem("wooMode", 0);
-			forcedWoo ? null : wooCanvas.classList.add("hidden");
-		};
-	});
 
-	{% if forcedWoo %}
+	// Function for when wooMode is enabled by default
-	// Handle forced woo
+	const wooSensibleDefault = () => {
-	forcedWoo = true;
-	console.log("Forcing woo mode: woo!");
 		wooCanvas.classList.remove("hidden");
 		initWoo();
 		animate(0);
-	{% endif %}
+	}
 
+	// Function for when wooMode is toggled off
+	const withdrawWoo = () => {
+		wooCanvas.classList.add("hidden");
+	}
 
 </script>
-<!-- /weather -->
+<!-- /Woo Mode -->

content/blog/incense-cigarettes-reviewing-boy-vienna-11-11.md

@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ imageAlt: "What appears to be a pack of cigarettes labeled 11:11. There is also
 synopsis: "Taking a look at Boy Vienna's viral cigarette incense sticks."
 mastodon_id: "114462578542598320"
 ---
+::: info
+Update: Boy Vienna's 11:11 sticks have since also been reviewed on [rauchfahne.de](https://blog.rauchfahne.de/en/2025/11/29/boy-vienna-1111-en/).
+:::
 [Boy Vienna](https://boyvienna.com/) is a brand from fashion designer and multi-media artist [Afaf Fi Seyam](https://www.instagram.com/zeopatra) that has been receiving attention on [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@boyvienna/video/7366977382508514603) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/zeopatra/reel/DAyIy2Lv0RQ/) for its incense cigarettes. As opposed to the tobacco variety, these "cigarettes" are designed to be lit and allowed to burn like an incense-stick; they are not to be inhaled. I knew I was going to have to try these sticks the minute they found their way onto my screen—it would seem that [everyone else felt the same way](https://www.instagram.com/zeopatra/p/DJHP0a3NnlI/), as when I made my way to the web store most of Boy Vienna's incense varieties were sold out. For 35 {{ "USD" | abbr("United States Dollars") | safe }}, I was able to snag a box of the 11:11 variety, listed as containing a blend of sage, lavender, and rosemary.
 
 [![What appears to be a pack of cigarettes labeled 11:11. There is also a card featuring the brand name Boy Vienna and a temporary tattoo featuring an image of a lipstick-print and the brand name.](/img/boy_vienna_11_11/boy_vienna_11_11_incense_cigarette_sticks_2.webp "The pack also came with a wee temporary tattoo. Fun!")](/img/boy_vienna_11_11/boy_vienna_11_11_incense_cigarette_sticks_2.webp)

content/blog/incense-review-the-world-makes-scents-hippy-hug-lavender-white-sage.md

@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+---
+title: "Incense Review: Hippy Hug, Lavender Française, and White Sage Mage by The World Makes Scents"
+description: "Reviewing Hippy Hug, Lavender Française, and White Sage Mage from The World Makes Scents"
+date: 2026-04-26
+tags:
+  - Incense
+  - Incense Review
+synopsis: "Reviewing Hippy Hug, Lavender Française, and White Sage Mage from The World Makes Scents."
+imageURL: /img/TWMS2026/the-world-makes-scents-incense.webp
+imageAlt: "A closeup of The World Makes Scents' new incense packaging with a few loose cones."
+mastodon_id: "116474428801255815"
+---
+In the interest of transparency: as readers may recall, I
+[paid Dave a visit](/blog/visiting-chicago-incense-maker-dave-of-the-world-makes-scents/)
+at the company's workshop in 2024. Since then, I've been back several times and
+we remain friends, trading ingredients, incense, and knowledge. I also received
+this incense for free. Despite this, as always, I will do my best to be
+objective.
+
+[![A closeup of The World Makes Scents' new incense packaging with a few loose cones.](/img/TWMS2026/the-world-makes-scents-incense.webp "The new packaging is fun, don't you think?")](/img/TWMS2026/the-world-makes-scents-incense.webp)
+
+## Hippy Hug Sticks
+
+First of all I'd like to point out that TWMS has updated their packaging. It's
+vibrant, colorful, and fun. The illustration on the *Hippy Hug* packaging is,
+however, clearly AI generated, which [I have some feelings about](ai/), but the
+overall effect is playful and creative, which I find refreshing.
+
+The 12 thick sticks are wrapped in colorful paper inside TWMS' trademark
+jewelry box—an improvement on the synthetic batting material which would
+sometimes cling to the sticks. I'm struck right away, as I was with each
+variety in today's selection, by the strength of fragrance from the unlit
+incense. With *Hippy Hug*, I get a lovely hit of clove and patchouli. The sticks
+are about 4mm in diameter, and dark brown, with a rather coarse texture.
+They're also solid, with little give and no crumbling or breakage in the
+package.
+
+On lighting smoky, patchouli, and sweet vanillic notes emerge. Clove follows as
+the initial burst of smoke recedes into a surprisingly gentle stream from the
+large stick. If you're familiar with sweet patchoui fragrances, such as
+*Patchouli* from Shoyeido's *Overtones* collection, *Hippy* *Hug* doesn't quite
+match this profile. While the sweetness is clear, this stick somehow leans dry,
+leaving room for the clove to mingle with what I assume is a wood binder
+(binders no longer appear to be listed on the ingredients) to make a
+spicy/smoky effect.
+
+The patchouli seems to have been used judiciously: just enough to make the
+composition work. There is undoubtedly a 'campfire' aspect to this stick,
+but it comes across as more woodsmoke than that riproaring, herbaceous
+burning-vegetation note that you get when you overdose anything leafy. In
+addition to patchouli, sandalwood, benzoin, and clove, the ingredients also
+note the inclusion of frankincense. When I look for it, I think I may be able
+to identify something of a resin-note in the fragrance, but it's certainly not
+jumping out at me. The sandalwood is also a background player here.
+
+I'd really been looking forward to trying this latest take on patchouli from
+TWMS since I learned that the team was revising and upgrading some of their old
+single-note formulas. I wasn't disappointed. As perhaps reflected by the name
+change, while still a patchouli fragrance, the new iteration has evolved from a
+single-note stick into an honest-to-god composition, and I'm here for it.
+
+## Lavender Française
+
+The fragrance of the unlit cones is lovely; a juicy lavender note with a hint
+of Australian sandalwood. This is a markedly less complex fragrance than *Hippy
+Hug,* but what it lacks in complexity is makes up for in clarity. It's
+impressively lavender-forward while somehow avoiding much of the harshness that can
+come from lavender flowers. A pleasant benzoin sweetness underscores the floral
+note. I don't notice much of a sandalwood fragrance in the burn.
+
+Like any wood-based cone, you won't want to sit right next to this incense, but
+then again you don't need to. Even in my large office, with relatively little
+airflow, the fragrance traverses the distance from the incense table to the
+computer desk with little trouble. Giving this cone some room to breathe nets a
+relatively clean, room-filling fragrance. There does seem to be a wood binder
+note that somewhat muddies the waters, but it's not terribly obtrusive.
+
+The fragrance naturally becomes a little rough around the edges as the diameter
+increases near the base of the cone, and the formerly modest smoke production
+ramps up quite seriously. That said, the formula seems to handle the change in
+diameter well. As the ember travels down the cone, the lavender begins to
+exchange its juicy, fruity character for a more herbal, camphoraceous scent.
+The fragrance also becomes more smoky, as is to be expected. In contrast to
+some of the cheap wood-and-synthetic-fragrance based cones I've tried, the
+effect here is more that of an evolving fragrance than a devolving one. I think
+I'd still prefer a stick, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy this
+experience.
+
+## White Sage Mage
+
+The fragrance of the unlit cones is a pleasant sage note. I don't get any
+sandalwood this time for whatever reason. The fragrance immediately after
+lighting is sage forward, herbaceous, and a touch smoky, although significantly
+less so than burning a sage bundle. I never could understand why people insist
+on burning sage bundles for fragrance. The result of such a large amount of
+herbs burning at once is, for me, overwhelmingly rough and unpleasant. I much
+prefer this format: carefully processed sage included in a combustible incense
+as part of a well considered formula. It's cleaner, and as sage happens to be a
+very potent herb, it still offers more than enough of a sage fragrance. In
+fact, like *Lavender Française*, the star botanical almost entirely comprises
+the fragrance here.
+
+The inclusion of a little lavender in these cones is a nice addition—the floral
+note lifts the fragrance from poultry-seasoning territory (always a risk with
+sage). The ingredients also note the inclusion of frankincense, but I couldn't
+pick it out; I suspect it may have been included to regulate the burn
+temperature somewhat. Again, the fragrance has no trouble filling the room.
+This cone is also subject to the pitfalls of the format, but it handles them
+fairly well.
+
+## Conclusion
+
+After experiencing this selection, I remain impressed at the quality of
+fragrance that The World Makes Scents is able to produce with carefully
+processed whole botanicals. As one of the very few incense brands on the market
+that you can be sure uses no synthetics or concentrates, it remains my go-to
+recommendation for people seeking an entirely natural combustible incense in
+the U.S.A.
+
+While the brand's cones are, in my opinion, some of the better examples of the
+format, I still do recommend that people nab a
+[censer](https://shoyeido.com/products/incense-holder-bowl), some
+[ash](https://shoyeido.com/products/accessory-miyakohai-ash), and buy sticks
+where possible.[^1]
+
+
+[^1]: Unfortunately, when I made my order almost all of the sticks
+were out of stock on the [website](https://theworldmakesscents.com/), and I am
+trying to wean myself off of Amazon
+[for](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Amazon)
+[ethical](https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/retailers/ten-reasons-avoid-amazon)
+[reasons](https://socialjusticebooks.org/about/why-boycott-amazon/).
+

content/blog/revisiting-sweet-agarwood.md

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+---
+title: "Revisiting Sweet Agarwood, and a Bonus Quiz"
+description: "Another attempt at making a sweet-agarwood style incense stick using agarwood skins."
+date: 2026-04-26
+tags:
+  - Incense
+  - Incense Making
+  - Incense Builds (Recipes)
+synopsis: "Another attempt at making a sweet-agarwood style incense stick using agarwood skins."
+imageURL: /img/incense-recipe-an-attempt-at-a-sweet-agarwood-incense-stick/agarwood-skins.webp
+imageAlt: "Small flat slivers, or skins, of agarwood showing darker resinated wood streaked with white unresinated wood."
+mastodon_id: "116474435778369320"
+---
+My [last attempt](/blog/incense-recipe-an-attempt-at-a-sweet-agarwood-incense-stick/#fn2) at a sweet agarwood stick was okay but, as I noted, there was room for improvement. My goals with the original build were to create a decent amount of agarwood fragrance, while mitigating the harsh note that comes with cheaper wood. Following my notes from the old build, my new objectives are to increase the amount of agarwood fragrance, reduce sweetness, and add complexity.
+
+### The Build
+|Ingredient              |Grams|% of Build|
+|------------------------|-----|----------|
+|Agarwood                |3    |24.90%    |
+|Benzoin Siam            |0.4  |3.32%     |
+|Borneol Camphor         |0.7  |5.81%     |
+|Cassia                  |1.0  |8.30%     |
+|Clove                   |1.2  |9.96%     |
+|Guar Gum                |0.35 |2.90%     |
+|Musk Root               |0.4  |3.32%     |
+|Santalum album          |4.0  |33.20%    |
+|Santalum spicatum       |1.0  |8.30%     |
+
+First of all, I included S. album *and* S. spicatum this time. I was curious to try Indian sandalwood in this version, but I also wanted to use at least a little of my superfine Australian sandalwood powder because of how it helps to make a smooth, easily extruded dough.
+
+### Results
+Rather than extruding sticks right away, I decided to burn the powder as an incense-seal to trial it. Once again, the incense is very sweet. Adding a heaping helping of S. album surely didn't help this, but I think it may be time to consider forgoing the benzoin altogether. I'm not sure I like musk root with benzoin either.
+
+The spices are there but, as everything is muddied by the excessive sweetness, it's hard to form an opinion on the spice levels. That said, this attempt is definitely missing something. I think I may include anise in a future iteration.
+
+I like the level of camphor; the coolness is close to something like Yamadamatsu's *Suifu*, although I will have to wait and see how I like it without the benzoin. One thing I do miss from *Suifu* is that rich, sort of dried-fruit note. My guess is that this comes from using a better quality agarwood.
+
+I am happier with the quantity of agarwood this time. There is still a harshness to the agarwood fragrance when the incense is burning nearby, but with a little distance everything mellows out significantly. The agarwood is pretty distinctly sour, which I'm not the biggest fan of, but I don't think there's much I can do about that as it seems to be a characteristic of the wood I'm using. So although I'm not a great fan of this particular wood in combustible incense, it's showing up and doing what it's supposed to, and I'm just going to have to be content with that.
+
+## Bonus: take the incense ingredient quiz!
+
+After building [the quiz feature](/quizzes/) something like a year ago, I have finally gotten around to making another quiz! This time, it's a test of your whole-botanical incense ingredient knowledge. So if you think you know your lavender from your labdanum, why not test your mettle and [give it a shot](/quizzes/incense-ingredient-quiz/)?

content/changelog/index.md

@@ -6,7 +6,25 @@ h1: Changelog
 includeTOC: true
 ---
 ## 2026
+### May
+* 2026-05-12
+	* Implement pet bird in settings.
+	* Refactor settings implementation. As a result:
+		* Weather now no longer active by default for users with JavaScript disabled.
+		* Settings check-boxes are disabled when the site has a hard setting default which ignores user preferences (such as in the case of the [Woo-Woo Incense Description Generator](/special/woo-woo-incense-description-generator/) page, which should always have woo-mode enabled).
+* 2026-05-03
+	* Updated [/incense](/incense).
+
 ### April
+* 2026-04-27
+	* Improved the appearance of the site settings modal and backdrop, including a nice fade-in effect.
+* 2026-04-26
+	* Updated [/incense](/incense).
+	* Updated weather to cherry blossoms for spring.
+* 2026-04-23
+	* Updated [/referrals](/referrals).
+	* Updated [/links](/links).
+	* Updated [/incense](/incense).
 * 2026-04-20
 	* Updated [/links](/links).
 * 2026-04-17

content/incense/index.md

@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ Incense making is hard. While parts of the world with strong incense cultures en
 * [*Bakhour (Turaren Wuta) In Nigeria*, Dr Ruqayya Abba Tofa](https://www.fragrantica.com/news/Bakhour-Turaren-Wuta-In-Nigeria-21456.html)
 * [*Bakhour (Turaren Wuta) in Nigeria (Part 2)*, Dr Ruqayya Abba Tofa](https://www.fragrantica.com/news/Bakhour-Turaren-Wuta-in-Nigeria-Part-2-21989.html)
 * [Chinese incense ingredient name translations](https://web.archive.org/web/20230216230731/https://talesofincense.com/scent-materia/)
+* [*Goose Pear Tent Incense*, Be-en-Foret](https://mermadearts.com/i/chinese-goose-pear-tent-incense)
 * [*Japanese Incense Types*, Kyarazen](https://www.kyarazen.com/japanese-incense-types-in-modern-day/)
 * [*Pressed Incense Tablets*, Kyarazen](https://www.kyarazen.com/pressed-incense-tablets/)
 * [*The Wisdom of Traditional Processing Methods*, Dr. Incense](https://dr-incense.com/blogs/dr-incense-blog/the-wisdom-of-traditional-processing-methods)
@@ -103,6 +104,7 @@ Incense making is hard. While parts of the world with strong incense cultures en
 * [Tame the Spirit Herbs (USA)](https://tamethespiritherbs.com/)—Herbs, Resins, Woods
 * [The Incense Dragon (USA)](https://www.theincensedragon.com/supplies)—Herbs, Resins, Woods
 * [The World Makes Scents (USA)](https://theworldmakesscents.com/)—Herbs, Resins, Woods
+* [Youherbit (Greece)](https://www.youherbit.com/)—Herbs, Resins, Woods
 
 
 ## Studies on Incense and Related Topics
@@ -116,6 +118,7 @@ Incense making is hard. While parts of the world with strong incense cultures en
 * [The Incense Makers' Guild](https://incensemakers.org/)—An invitation-only forum for experienced incense makers hosted by yours truly. Currently pretty quiet, but some good info can be found there already.
 
 ## Fun
+* [Incense Ingredient Quiz](/quizzes/incense-ingredient-quiz/)
 * [Woo-Woo Incense Description Generator](/special/woo-woo-incense-description-generator)
 
 

content/links/index.md

@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@ Unlimited creativity, zero ads.
 	* VPN
 ## Random cool stuff
 * [intertapes.net](https://intertapes.net/)—An updating collection of found cassette tapes from different locations. The audio fragments include: voice memos, field recordings, mixtapes, bootlegs and more.
+* [Pocket Bird](https://idreesinc.itch.io/pocket-bird)—A pet bird that flies around web pages as you browse. Collect feathers to unlock different birds, and find hats for your bird to wear.
 ## Sounds & Samples
 * [FreeSound](https://freesound.org/)
 * [LooperMan](https://www.looperman.com/)

content/now-burning/Now Burning_2026-04-27_10:18.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: Suzaku
+manufacturer: Gyokushodo
+date: 2026-04-27 10:18:00
+time: 10:18 AM
+---
+

content/now-burning/Now Burning_2026-04-29_09:38.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: "Kin-Kaku (Golden Pavilion)"
+manufacturer: Shoyeido
+date: 2026-04-29 09:37:00
+time: 9:37 AM
+---
+It took me a while to warm up to these sticks. No idea why—they're lovely.

content/now-burning/Now Burning_2026-04-29_11:11.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: Butterfly Spring Incense
+manufacturer: Lijiali
+date: 2026-04-29 11:11:00
+time: 11:11 AM
+---
+

content/now-burning/Now Burning_2026-05-01_13:18.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: "Moss Garden (Nokiba)"
+manufacturer: Shoyeido
+date: 2026-05-01 13:18:00
+time: 1:18 PM
+---
+

content/now-burning/Now Burning_2026-05-01_19:57.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: Boswellia Carterii
+manufacturer: Scents of Earth
+date: 2026-05-01 19:57:00
+time: 7:57 PM
+---
+Lovely notes of cold cantaloupe and honey.

content/now-burning/Now Burning_2026-05-04_10:00.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: Sarasoju
+manufacturer: Shunkohdo
+date: 2026-05-04 10:00:00
+time: 10:00 AM
+---
+Killer daily sandalwood stick.

content/now-burning/Now Burning_2026-05-05_09:11.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: Suzaku
+manufacturer: Gyokushodo
+date: 2026-05-05 9:11:00
+time: 9:11 AM
+---
+

content/now-burning/Now Burning_2026-05-05_11:44.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: Menthamericana
+manufacturer: Xinú
+date: 2026-05-05 11:44:00
+time: 11:44 PM
+---
+

content/now-burning/Now Burning_2026-05-09_14:52.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: Frankincense Oman
+manufacturer: Tennendo
+date: 2026-05-09 14:52:00
+time: 2:52 PM
+---
+Only three sticks left! :[

content/now-burning/Now Burning_2026-05-11_09:52.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: "Excellentia (Shira-giku)"
+manufacturer: Shoyeido
+date: 2026-05-11 9:51:00
+time: 9:51 AM
+---
+Some days you just find yourself in the mood for nine hours of continuous fragrance.

content/once-burned/index.njk

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 ---
 layout: layouts/base.njk
+eleventyExcludeFromCollections: true
 tags:
   - nowBurning
   - metadata
-title: "Nathan Upchurch | Once Burned: Incense I've burning in the past."
+title: "Nathan Upchurch | Once Burned: Incense I've burned in the past."
 structuredData: none
 pagination:
   data: collections.onceBurned

content/prior-thoughts/index.njk

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ---
+eleventyExcludeFromCollections: true
 layout: layouts/base.njk
 title: "Nathan Upchurch | Prior Thoughts"
 tags:

content/quizzes/incense-ingredient-quiz.md

@@ -0,0 +1,300 @@
+---
+title: "Incense Ingredient Quiz"
+description: "How well do you know your incense ingredients?"
+date: 2026-04-26
+imageURL: "/img/quizzes/incense/incense-ingredient-quiz.webp"
+imageAlt: "A very serene photo of a burning cone of incense."
+consequences:
+ - title: "What happened buddy?"
+   points: 0
+   spiel: "Damn, this didn’t go so well, did it? I’m sure with some time and effort you’ll do better!"
+   image: "/img/quizzes/incense/results/incense-quiz-0.gif"
+   imageAlt: "An animated GIF of Homer Simpson being hit by a thurible. The caption reads: Perfumed by some unseen censer, Doh! Stupid censer."
+ - title: "You’ve got a lot to learn!"
+   points: 20
+   spiel: "You got a handful right, but it’s time to hit the books!"
+   image: "/img/quizzes/incense/results/incense-quiz-20.gif"
+   imageAlt: "An animated GIF of Spongebob Squarepants reading a checklist of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy merchandise items as the camera pans across a room containing them. The items are: thermometer, ukulele, throw pillow, screensaver, incense, snail cozy, headgear."
+ - title: "Not too bad."
+   points: 40
+   spiel: "You’ve got a way to go, but there's no doubt you know a thing or two about incense!"
+   image: "/img/quizzes/incense/results/incense-quiz-40.gif"
+   imageAlt: "An animated GIF of a chunk of frankincense smoking on top of a charcoal disk."
+ - title: "You’ve got a mind for incense!"
+   points: 60
+   spiel: "You got over half of the questions right. This is some obscure knowledge—I hope you’re proud of yourself!"
+   image: "/img/quizzes/incense/results/incense-quiz-60.gif"
+   imageAlt: "An animated GIF of Principal Skinner dressed as one of the biblical three kings offering frankincense."
+ - title: "You’re good at this!"
+   points: 80
+   spiel: "You really know your incense ingredients! Well done!"
+   image: "/img/quizzes/incense/results/incense-quiz-80.gif"
+   imageAlt: "An animated GIF of a women with strings of jewels around her head blowing out the flame of a stick of incense."
+ - title: "Perfect score!"
+   points: 100
+   spiel: "Either you checked the source code, or you really know your stuff! Congratulations!"
+   image: "/img/quizzes/incense/results/incense-quiz-100.gif"
+   imageAlt: "An animated GIF of smoke rising from a stick of incense."
+questions:
+ - title: "Which of these ingredients is associated with hippies?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Styrax tonkinensis"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Pogostemon cablin"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Cinnamomum camphora"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Ferula moschata"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "This ingredient is known for its peachy fragrance."
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Osmanthus"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Mastic"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Acacia gum"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Opoponax"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "Which of these is a type of frankincense?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Bursera fagaroides"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Eriodictyon californicum"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Commiphora wightii"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Boswellia neglecta"
+     points: 5
+ - title: "Which is a type of myrrh?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Bursera fagaroides"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Eriodictyon californicum"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Commiphora wightii"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Boswellia neglecta"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "Your incense sticks are having trouble burning. Which of these ingredients might you add to fix the problem?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Acacia gum"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Charcoal"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Clove"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Myrrh"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "Your incense sticks are having trouble burning. Which of these ingredients is a likely culprit?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Myrrh"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Cinnamon"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Charcoal"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Guar gum"
+     points: 5
+ - title: "Which of these food items is not commonly used in incense?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Plums"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Wheat gluten"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Corn starch"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Pears"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "Which incense ingredient is not mentioned in the Song of Solomon?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Sandalwood"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Cedar"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Frankincense"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Calamus"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "This ingredient comes from the island of Chios, Greece."
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Spikenard"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Mastic"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Benzoin"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Osmanthus"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "This ingredient can sometimes be harvested by combing the beards of goats."
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Galbanum"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Almond tree gum"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Colophony resin"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Labdanum"
+     points: 5
+ - title: "This ingredient is banned for use in food in the USA because of its high levels of coumarin."
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Tonka beans"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Ambrette seeds"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Guggul"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Valerian"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "Which resin is typically the squishiest?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Guggul"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Elemi"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Dragon’s blood"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Palo santo"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "This wood needs to lay dead for a few years before it develops its characteristic fragrance."
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Agarwood"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Juniper"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Sandalwood"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Palo santo"
+     points: 5
+ - title: "This wood develops its fragrance when attacked by insects or fungus."
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Sandalwood"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Cedar"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Agarwood"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Rosewood"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "Which of these gums is the weakest binder?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Guar"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Acacia"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Xanthan"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Tragacanth"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "Which of these is not the name of a binder?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Laha"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Jigat"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Nanmu"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Slippery pine"
+     points: 5
+ - title: "Which of these animal parts or secretions is not likely to be found in an incense formula?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Dung"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Fur"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Opercula"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Bezoars"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "Which is not endangered?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Bursera graveolens"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Nardostachys jatamansi"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Aquilaria crassna"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Bulnesia sarmientoi"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "This ingredient is associated with a cluster of love poems by Walt Whitman."
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Calamus"
+     points: 5
+   - name: "Camphor"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Colophony"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Costus"
+     points: 0
+ - title: "Which ingredient is not a root?"
+   image:
+   imageAlt:
+   imageCaption:
+   answers:
+   - name: "Rhubarb"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Calamus"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Sumbul"
+     points: 0
+   - name: "Styrax"
+     points: 5
+---
+Do you know your lavender from your labdanum? Test your knowledge on a range of whole-plant incense ingredients.

content/quizzes/index.njk

@@ -9,12 +9,12 @@ description: "Bored? Take a fun quiz to while away the time!"
 ---
 <div data-pagefind-body>
 
-	<h1>Quizzes</h1>
+	<h1>Take a quiz</h1>
 	<p>Test your knowledge, learn about yourself, and waste your precious time, right here, right now, with a quiz!</p>
 
 	{% set postsCount = collections.quiz | length %}
-	<h2>Available Quizzes:</h2>
+	<h2>Available quizzes:</h2>
-	{% set postslist = collections.quiz %}
+	{% set postslist = collections.quiz | reverse %}
 	{% set showPostListHeader = false %}
 	{% include "postslist.njk" %}
 

content/referrals/index.md

@@ -9,7 +9,11 @@ structuredData: none
 
 Here are some referral links to services / products that I use and recommend. Yes, I do get a kickback if you buy something using these links.
 
+## Privacy
+* [Ingogni](incogni.cello.so/IaqbIpynCTd) is a service that continuously works to get your personal information from data broker databases.
+* [NordVPN](https://refer-nordvpn.com/PhakTfcNHcX) is a VPN service.
+
 ## Web Hosting, Storage, and VPS
-I like [Interserver](https://www.interserver.net/r/745483). They've always been quick to resolve any issues, I like the dashboard with integrated VNC, and their storage VPS' are super cheap.
+* I like [Interserver](https://www.interserver.net/r/745483). They've always been quick to resolve any issues, I like the dashboard with integrated VNC, and their storage VPS' are super cheap.
 
 </article>

content/status/Status_2026-04-28_10:18.md

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+date: 2026-04-28 10:15:00
+emoji: 🌿
+comment: Shoyeido's Overtones Patchouli is a banger. It really should come in a box of 450 5.25 inch sticks; I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
+---

content/status/index.njk

@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@ permalink: "/status/index.html"
 					</a><br />
 					{% endif %}
 				</span>
-
+			{% if status.data.comment %}
 			{{ status.data.comment | markdownify | safe }}<br />
+			{% endif %}
 
 			<span class="status-metadata">
 				{{ status.date | niceDate }}

package.json

@@ -29,14 +29,14 @@
 	},
 	"homepage": "https://upchur.ch/gitea/n_u/nathanupchurch.com",
 	"devDependencies": {
-		"@11ty/eleventy": "^3.1.2",
+		"@11ty/eleventy": "^3.1.5",
-		"@11ty/eleventy-navigation": "^0.3.5",
+		"@11ty/eleventy-navigation": "^1.0.5",
-		"@11ty/eleventy-plugin-bundle": "^1.0.4",
+		"@11ty/eleventy-plugin-bundle": "^3.0.0",
-		"@11ty/eleventy-plugin-rss": "^1.2.0",
+		"@11ty/eleventy-plugin-rss": "^3.0.0",
 		"@11ty/eleventy-plugin-syntaxhighlight": "^5.0.0",
 		"luxon": "^3.3.0",
-		"markdown-it-anchor": "^8.6.7",
+		"markdown-it-anchor": "^9.2.0",
-		"markdown-it-footnote": "^3.0.3",
+		"markdown-it-footnote": "^4.0.0",
 		"mdfigcaption": "^0.1.1",
 		"pagefind": "^1.4.0"
 	},