The Day in Spikedluv (Thursday, Jan 22)
Jan. 23rd, 2026 07:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
spikedluvI hit Walmart while I was downtown, but only because they were running out of dog treats at the garage. (Pip’s father has taken on the task of providing treats for the dogs at the garage ever since we had our first dog, Shiloh, and Pip started taking him up as a puppy. But his dad was sick with bronchitis and missed a whole week and didn’t bring in anything this week when he came back, hence the need for me to pick something up.)
I did a load of laundry, hand-washed dishes, emptied the dishwasher and ran another load, went for several walks with Pip and the dogs, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, and scooped kitty litter. We had spaghetti for supper. I also mixed up a meatloaf for tomorrow’s supper.
I got some more writing done! ~800 words today. I’m currently at ~8,000 on this fic and will easily make the 10,000 requirement for SFBB. I watched Best Medicine and some House Hunters International.
Temps started out at 34.3(F), which was a huge surprise! (The TWC app said it was going to be 18 for the overnight low and 33 for the high, which we’ve already exceeded.) It dropped a bit to 33.1 before I left. and reached 38.7.
The forecast for the snow storm has changed, but not for the better. Now they’re calling for 5-8" during the day Sunday, 5-8" overnight, and 1-3" on Monday. Really DNW! *cries*
I’ve heard that this storm is supposed to be massive and hit the south pretty hard, as well. I hope everyone in the path of this thing stays safe and warm.
Mom Update:
Mom was doing okay; tired, as usual. The slightest effort tuckers her out, which is really sad to see. We ate our lunch together. A friend of hers showed up while I was there and even stayed after I left. (She had to move her car so I could get out of the driveway, and sometimes she would take that as an excuse to leave, but she didn’t today.)
Sister S called while I was there and told mom she was bringing down supper for her. Meatloaf, which mom loves. She was looking forward to it, but afraid she wouldn’t be able to eat it.
I did a load of laundry, hand-washed dishes, emptied the dishwasher and ran another load, went for several walks with Pip and the dogs, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, and scooped kitty litter. We had spaghetti for supper. I also mixed up a meatloaf for tomorrow’s supper.
I got some more writing done! ~800 words today. I’m currently at ~8,000 on this fic and will easily make the 10,000 requirement for SFBB. I watched Best Medicine and some House Hunters International.
Temps started out at 34.3(F), which was a huge surprise! (The TWC app said it was going to be 18 for the overnight low and 33 for the high, which we’ve already exceeded.) It dropped a bit to 33.1 before I left. and reached 38.7.
The forecast for the snow storm has changed, but not for the better. Now they’re calling for 5-8" during the day Sunday, 5-8" overnight, and 1-3" on Monday. Really DNW! *cries*
I’ve heard that this storm is supposed to be massive and hit the south pretty hard, as well. I hope everyone in the path of this thing stays safe and warm.
Mom Update:
Mom was doing okay; tired, as usual. The slightest effort tuckers her out, which is really sad to see. We ate our lunch together. A friend of hers showed up while I was there and even stayed after I left. (She had to move her car so I could get out of the driveway, and sometimes she would take that as an excuse to leave, but she didn’t today.)
Sister S called while I was there and told mom she was bringing down supper for her. Meatloaf, which mom loves. She was looking forward to it, but afraid she wouldn’t be able to eat it.
Of enthusiastic pitbulls and black eyes
Jan. 22nd, 2026 11:01 pmverushka70So. Couple nights ago, my over-exuberant pitbull mix was enthusiastically trying to tell me something, which I - stupid hooman - wasn't sure about. As I bent down to ask him "Out? Wanna go out?", he jumped up at the first "out-" syllable, and bonked me right in the eye with his big ol' head. RIGHT in the eye. Big, BIG head.
My cat - who had a perfect view of this - smirked at us both from his cat tree, of course. (He is the boss of us both - but mostly the dog that's six times his size.)
I didn't think much of it at the time - just "you goofball!". It was only yesterday morning, getting ready for work, that I looked in the mirror and thought "huh, that's a really dark circle under my right eye." Took off my glasses and whoa. It wasn't a dark circle... It was the beginning of a black eye.
I can't be mad at my dog - he didn't mean it. Plus if I read him better, I'd have figured out what he wanted before we bonked heads.
The black eye has only gotten worse/darker/more black and blue over the last 24 hours, like they do. Sigh. I may look like a domestic violence victim, or like I was in a fight... But luckily the story behind my black eye is merely one of my dog's typical over-enthusiastic, bull-in-a-china shop-type behaviors. I told my coworkers, after I got a few double-takes from them. But I'm secretly just waiting for a stranger to mention it, so I can reply with something snarky, like "You should see the other guy/gal", heh.
It will get/look worse before it gets better. Sigh. Dogs. Like my oldest sister used to say: simply organized, but lovable. He's snuggled up next to me on the couch right now. Him and his massive head...
My cat - who had a perfect view of this - smirked at us both from his cat tree, of course. (He is the boss of us both - but mostly the dog that's six times his size.)
I didn't think much of it at the time - just "you goofball!". It was only yesterday morning, getting ready for work, that I looked in the mirror and thought "huh, that's a really dark circle under my right eye." Took off my glasses and whoa. It wasn't a dark circle... It was the beginning of a black eye.
I can't be mad at my dog - he didn't mean it. Plus if I read him better, I'd have figured out what he wanted before we bonked heads.
The black eye has only gotten worse/darker/more black and blue over the last 24 hours, like they do. Sigh. I may look like a domestic violence victim, or like I was in a fight... But luckily the story behind my black eye is merely one of my dog's typical over-enthusiastic, bull-in-a-china shop-type behaviors. I told my coworkers, after I got a few double-takes from them. But I'm secretly just waiting for a stranger to mention it, so I can reply with something snarky, like "You should see the other guy/gal", heh.
It will get/look worse before it gets better. Sigh. Dogs. Like my oldest sister used to say: simply organized, but lovable. He's snuggled up next to me on the couch right now. Him and his massive head...
Write Every day 2026: January, Day 22
Jan. 22nd, 2026 10:44 pmtrobadoraI'm incredibly tired again today for no discernible reason. *sighs*
Today's writing
Still slowly working on things. Still not gaining any momentum, but haven't thrown in the towel either, so there's that?
Tally
( Days 1-20 )
Day 21:alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilme
Day 22:china_shop, trobadora
Let me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
Today's writing
Still slowly working on things. Still not gaining any momentum, but haven't thrown in the towel either, so there's that?
Tally
( Days 1-20 )
Day 21:
alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilmeDay 22:
china_shop, trobadoraLet me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
The Day in Spikedluv (Wednesday, Jan 21)
Jan. 22nd, 2026 07:26 amspikedluvI switched my morning around and left home an hour later than usual. In that hour I put a chuck roast in the crock pot and did some online fandom things. I went with the Cinnamon Orange tea again this morning. Downtown I hit Price Chopper, then went to my chiropractic appointment.
THEN I went to McD’s and got some writing done; ~700 words, which is less than the last couple days, but it’s not nothing, so \o/
I picked the dogs up on my way home (my winter schedule for picking up the dogs has been different than usual because I tend to not want to go back out and get them if it’s cold or snowy), where I put groceries away and walked them (I had on so many layers!).
I prepared lunch for all of us (including Midnight who was howling for more food – he’ll sometimes eat very little on a day, then be starving the next day, and apparently blaming me for it), though I planned to take mine with me.
I hit the post office and filled my gas tank on the way to visit mom (where I ate my lunch). When I got home I took the dogs for another walk (and fed Midnight yet again; apparently today was a day when he wanted all the food *g*).
I also did a load of laundry, hand-washed dishes (why does it seem like dirty dishes just sort of keep appearing?), checked on Midnight’s dry food and water dishes (this is where I normally say ‘scooped kitty litter’, but there was nothing to scoop, probably because yesterday was a day he didn’t eat much), and paid a bill online. When Pip got home we went for another walk.
One nice thing was I received a set of tea bag coasters that I’d ordered. With sunflowers on them!! (I tried to link to them, but apparently they are sold out so it won’t even link to the item so I can show you.)
ETA: Forgot to mention that I watched one of my fave HGTV programs, Fixer to Fabulous!
Temps started out at 9.0(F) and dropped exactly 2 degrees to 7.0 before I left the house. The high I saw was 25.5. We had a tiny bit of snow late afternoon, big fat flakes, but not enough to accumulate, thankfully.
The bad news is that I’ve been concentrating on the low temperatures we’ll be having (overnight lows in the negatives and highs in single digits) and Pip informed me that we’re in for a big snow storm Sunday. 3-5" during the day, 3-5" overnight, and an additional 1-3" Monday. DNW!!!
Mom Update:
Mom was doing okay when I saw her. She was tired. And cold. She used a heavy blanket when she’s in her recliner, but I suggested she turn her heat up. (She has it set at 70, but her living room felt cool even to me, and I generally overheat.) She ate lunch while I was there. I got her mail and wrote out a check that I put back in the mailbox, stripped her bed, and brought home her laundry. I also opened one of her protein drinks, because I’m handy that way. *g*
She’s looking forward to company tonight, a woman she knows from the village who just recently found out that mom was sick. She called her yesterday to ask if she could come visit. So that’ll be nice for her.
ETA: I later learned that Sister A and Ian also visited her.
THEN I went to McD’s and got some writing done; ~700 words, which is less than the last couple days, but it’s not nothing, so \o/
I picked the dogs up on my way home (my winter schedule for picking up the dogs has been different than usual because I tend to not want to go back out and get them if it’s cold or snowy), where I put groceries away and walked them (I had on so many layers!).
I prepared lunch for all of us (including Midnight who was howling for more food – he’ll sometimes eat very little on a day, then be starving the next day, and apparently blaming me for it), though I planned to take mine with me.
I hit the post office and filled my gas tank on the way to visit mom (where I ate my lunch). When I got home I took the dogs for another walk (and fed Midnight yet again; apparently today was a day when he wanted all the food *g*).
I also did a load of laundry, hand-washed dishes (why does it seem like dirty dishes just sort of keep appearing?), checked on Midnight’s dry food and water dishes (this is where I normally say ‘scooped kitty litter’, but there was nothing to scoop, probably because yesterday was a day he didn’t eat much), and paid a bill online. When Pip got home we went for another walk.
One nice thing was I received a set of tea bag coasters that I’d ordered. With sunflowers on them!! (I tried to link to them, but apparently they are sold out so it won’t even link to the item so I can show you.)
ETA: Forgot to mention that I watched one of my fave HGTV programs, Fixer to Fabulous!
Temps started out at 9.0(F) and dropped exactly 2 degrees to 7.0 before I left the house. The high I saw was 25.5. We had a tiny bit of snow late afternoon, big fat flakes, but not enough to accumulate, thankfully.
The bad news is that I’ve been concentrating on the low temperatures we’ll be having (overnight lows in the negatives and highs in single digits) and Pip informed me that we’re in for a big snow storm Sunday. 3-5" during the day, 3-5" overnight, and an additional 1-3" Monday. DNW!!!
Mom Update:
Mom was doing okay when I saw her. She was tired. And cold. She used a heavy blanket when she’s in her recliner, but I suggested she turn her heat up. (She has it set at 70, but her living room felt cool even to me, and I generally overheat.) She ate lunch while I was there. I got her mail and wrote out a check that I put back in the mailbox, stripped her bed, and brought home her laundry. I also opened one of her protein drinks, because I’m handy that way. *g*
She’s looking forward to company tonight, a woman she knows from the village who just recently found out that mom was sick. She called her yesterday to ask if she could come visit. So that’ll be nice for her.
ETA: I later learned that Sister A and Ian also visited her.
Crochet - 'Sakura' Market Bag
Jan. 21st, 2026 06:59 pmkaliraSo I've finished two things from The Pile, time to reward myself by starting something new, right? >.>
( the finished projects )
Today's project!
Shortly after I catalogued all the yarn that my friend (and her husband, but really, I knew before he was talking about the couple of hours in the yarn store who picked it out XD even if she's not a fiber-crafter herself) gifted me recently - a lot!!! - I had a Thought for one of the skeins, but I made myself wait until I'd finished at least one WIP on Ravelry.
Picked one of those colour-changing DK skeins (the darker one, which is a perfectly fine colourway but maybe not one I'd have chosen myself, a bit beigey) to use trying a market bag of the mesh style, but with a pretty design on the base - a design that requires a fair bit of front post stitches, which I hate post stitches - so some more practise ought to help me get better at them. (And it has, already, so, woo!)
I'm taking a pause now - possibly into tomorrow XP - 15 rounds in and getting into The Boring Bit (that is, the bajillion chains that will make up the mesh sides), and perhaps to play on the![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
threesentenceficathon more!
Also, while I was working on the (unfamiliar, tricky) base, I took photos every round; it was neat to see it grow! Here's some of them:
( flower base progression )
It's pretty! . . .but it is absolutely not a sakura blossom. >.>;
It's this pattern, though I've actually been using the video tutorial by a friend of the pattern designer (shockingly, because I hate videos for instructions, but her style is good and I need just a little better idea than the written pattern to get started every round).
And technically speaking I won't count it as adding to The Pile until/unless I do a count check and it's still in progress - so I just have to finish it before the end of the month. ;)
( the finished projects )
Today's project!
Shortly after I catalogued all the yarn that my friend (and her husband, but really, I knew before he was talking about the couple of hours in the yarn store who picked it out XD even if she's not a fiber-crafter herself) gifted me recently - a lot!!! - I had a Thought for one of the skeins, but I made myself wait until I'd finished at least one WIP on Ravelry.
Picked one of those colour-changing DK skeins (the darker one, which is a perfectly fine colourway but maybe not one I'd have chosen myself, a bit beigey) to use trying a market bag of the mesh style, but with a pretty design on the base - a design that requires a fair bit of front post stitches, which I hate post stitches - so some more practise ought to help me get better at them. (And it has, already, so, woo!)
I'm taking a pause now - possibly into tomorrow XP - 15 rounds in and getting into The Boring Bit (that is, the bajillion chains that will make up the mesh sides), and perhaps to play on the
threesentenceficathon more!Also, while I was working on the (unfamiliar, tricky) base, I took photos every round; it was neat to see it grow! Here's some of them:
( flower base progression )
It's pretty! . . .but it is absolutely not a sakura blossom. >.>;
It's this pattern, though I've actually been using the video tutorial by a friend of the pattern designer (shockingly, because I hate videos for instructions, but her style is good and I need just a little better idea than the written pattern to get started every round).
And technically speaking I won't count it as adding to The Pile until/unless I do a count check and it's still in progress - so I just have to finish it before the end of the month. ;)
In this essay I will
Jan. 21st, 2026 05:25 pmjadelennoxGandalf was a chickenshit with no self-control who could have prevented the massive death toll at Pelennor Fields. Take the ring, kill the baddie, jump into Mount Doom before it has a chance to corrupt you. But nooooo, it's way more fun to have a grey-Maia/fire-Maia punch-up in a bottomless pit in order to emerge in a gleam of backlighting and inspirational music riding a glowing horsey like a tween girl's puberty dreams, than it is to take the ring, zap in, punch the eyeball Maia in his dumb eyeball, and then jump into the lava.
Write Every day 2026: January, Day 21
Jan. 21st, 2026 10:49 pmtrobadora61% of respondents find shorter fic easier to write than longer! And the majority of respondents mostly write stories between 1 and 10k words. Interestingly, the 10-50k range seems to be the rarest!
For me, I find longer fic easier because I can much more easily come up with ideas for longer stories than shorter. Self-contained small things? I wish I could write them more often! But most story ideas I have want to be longer, alas.
I used to write more shorter fic, but I've mostly lost the knack, possibly because my current fandoms lend themselves to that less? Or it may be me that's changed. *g*
Today's writing
So far I'm failing at gaining any kind of writing momentum this month, but I'm still working on things. A little progress.
Tally
( Days 1-15 )
Day 16:badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilme
Day 17:alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
Day 18:badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, cornerofmadness, luzula, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
Day 19:alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
Day 20:badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
Day 21:alightbuthappypen, trobadora, ysilme
Let me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
For me, I find longer fic easier because I can much more easily come up with ideas for longer stories than shorter. Self-contained small things? I wish I could write them more often! But most story ideas I have want to be longer, alas.
I used to write more shorter fic, but I've mostly lost the knack, possibly because my current fandoms lend themselves to that less? Or it may be me that's changed. *g*
Today's writing
So far I'm failing at gaining any kind of writing momentum this month, but I'm still working on things. A little progress.
Tally
( Days 1-15 )
Day 16:
badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilmeDay 17:
alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilmeDay 18:
badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, cornerofmadness, luzula, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilmeDay 19:
alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilmeDay 20:
badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilmeDay 21:
alightbuthappypen, trobadora, ysilmeLet me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
I realise it's only been a week.
Jan. 21st, 2026 08:34 pmhindsightseeingBut in an attempt to not fall out of the habit of journalling too early... I am still alive!
I have, admittedly, fallen off the wagon in terms of keeping up with the last few Snowflake challenges. It's quite possible I'll catch up with some at a later date -- I could ramble about my favourite tropes for a decade, but, as in the Top Ten challenge, choice paralysis prevented me from being able to pick one or two and stick with them.
That said... I am currently neck-deep in the final stretch of a longfic, which is consuming approximately 93.5% of my brainpower, and when I'm not working on that I am playing Stardew Valley (Expanded), because basking in 32-bit summer sunshine is a much-needed respite from the current stupid weather. So, that's where I've been for a week.
Anyhow. This is just my silly attempt -- no doubt the first of many -- at an "it's been a while, and I will make myself post something, goddammit, even if it's substanceless" post. Hi!
I have, admittedly, fallen off the wagon in terms of keeping up with the last few Snowflake challenges. It's quite possible I'll catch up with some at a later date -- I could ramble about my favourite tropes for a decade, but, as in the Top Ten challenge, choice paralysis prevented me from being able to pick one or two and stick with them.
That said... I am currently neck-deep in the final stretch of a longfic, which is consuming approximately 93.5% of my brainpower, and when I'm not working on that I am playing Stardew Valley (Expanded), because basking in 32-bit summer sunshine is a much-needed respite from the current stupid weather. So, that's where I've been for a week.
Anyhow. This is just my silly attempt -- no doubt the first of many -- at an "it's been a while, and I will make myself post something, goddammit, even if it's substanceless" post. Hi!
Half A Moon 2026
Jan. 21st, 2026 02:34 pmspikedluvLast year I participated in halfamoon for the first time. I enjoyed it and have been looking forward to this round. The prompts for this coming round (beginning Feb 1) have been posted HERE.
Per the mod, this year is all about archetypes. So I've listed the seven feminine archetypes on the odd number days and then something that plays against that on the even number days.
I’m including the prompts here because I need to think about them some. Yes, I’m thinking they’ll all be Jessica again, but that’s not set in stone.
( prompts )
halfamoon for the first time. I enjoyed it and have been looking forward to this round. The prompts for this coming round (beginning Feb 1) have been posted HERE.Per the mod, this year is all about archetypes. So I've listed the seven feminine archetypes on the odd number days and then something that plays against that on the even number days.
I’m including the prompts here because I need to think about them some. Yes, I’m thinking they’ll all be Jessica again, but that’s not set in stone.
( prompts )
Wednesday Reading Meme
Jan. 21st, 2026 02:11 pmspikedluvWhat I Just Finished Reading: Since last Wednesday I have read/finished reading: Nothing! I’ve watched a lot of tv and did a lot of writing in the last week, which didn’t leave much time for reading.
What I am Currently Reading: Still working on Husband Material (London Calling) by Alexis Hall.
What I Plan to Read Next: Probably the other library book I have out as I've only got one renewal on it.
What I am Currently Reading: Still working on Husband Material (London Calling) by Alexis Hall.
What I Plan to Read Next: Probably the other library book I have out as I've only got one renewal on it.
The Day in Spikedluv (Tuesday, Jan 20)
Jan. 21st, 2026 06:18 amspikedluvToday was an actual no-shopping day!
I did two loads of laundry, hand-washed dishes, did a load in the dishwasher, went for several walks with Pip and the dogs, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, scooped kitty litter, and showered.
I watched the final three eps of Heated Rivalry. (I know I said I wasn’t going to comment until I did a re-watch, but why did no one tell me how emotional I was going to get over the final eps?!! Also, Christina Chang makes one guest appearance on Numb3rs and I remember her for the rest of my life, apparently.)
Despite spending so much time on that, I also found time to write! I added ~1,400 words to my SFBB fic! I had some tea in the afternoon, and chose Afternoon tea, which seemed kind of tasteless to me. Since I like my tea weak, I didn’t think that could actually happen.
ETA: I forgot to mention that I watched HGTV's Home Town! I liked this ep. They did a reno for a couple where the wife has fibromyalgia. Also, interesting how many people moving to Laurel do so because of the show!
Temps started out at 10.7(F) and dropped to 9.5 before I left the house. The forecast called for a high of 13, but it reached 19.9. It was windy, though, so it felt much colder. So freaking windy! There was some sun, which helped with my mood, but didn’t make it feel any warmer.
Mom Update:
Mom sounded okay when I talked to her. She’d had some company throughout the day; my aunt and uncle were there earlier and Sister A was there when I called. The Hospice nurse visited today. Mom said eating was going well, so that's a bonus.
I did two loads of laundry, hand-washed dishes, did a load in the dishwasher, went for several walks with Pip and the dogs, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, scooped kitty litter, and showered.
I watched the final three eps of Heated Rivalry. (I know I said I wasn’t going to comment until I did a re-watch, but why did no one tell me how emotional I was going to get over the final eps?!! Also, Christina Chang makes one guest appearance on Numb3rs and I remember her for the rest of my life, apparently.)
Despite spending so much time on that, I also found time to write! I added ~1,400 words to my SFBB fic! I had some tea in the afternoon, and chose Afternoon tea, which seemed kind of tasteless to me. Since I like my tea weak, I didn’t think that could actually happen.
ETA: I forgot to mention that I watched HGTV's Home Town! I liked this ep. They did a reno for a couple where the wife has fibromyalgia. Also, interesting how many people moving to Laurel do so because of the show!
Temps started out at 10.7(F) and dropped to 9.5 before I left the house. The forecast called for a high of 13, but it reached 19.9. It was windy, though, so it felt much colder. So freaking windy! There was some sun, which helped with my mood, but didn’t make it feel any warmer.
Mom Update:
Mom sounded okay when I talked to her. She’d had some company throughout the day; my aunt and uncle were there earlier and Sister A was there when I called. The Hospice nurse visited today. Mom said eating was going well, so that's a bonus.
Write Every day 2026: January, Day 20
Jan. 20th, 2026 11:21 pmtrobadoraWhat I did during my lunch break: assemble Ikea shelves \o/
What I didn't do during my lunch break: write /o\
(And then the entire afternoon was non-stop meetings until smoke came out of my ears.)
Today's writing
A little more than an alibi sentence, but not much more.
WED Question of the Day
Tally
( Days 1-15 )
Day 16:badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilme
Day 17:alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
Day 18:badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, cornerofmadness, luzula, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora
Day 19:badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora
Day 20:china_shop, trobadora
Let me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
What I didn't do during my lunch break: write /o\
(And then the entire afternoon was non-stop meetings until smoke came out of my ears.)
Today's writing
A little more than an alibi sentence, but not much more.
WED Question of the Day
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 18
I find ...
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shorter fic easier to write than longer fic
11 (61.1%)
longer fic easier to write than shorter fic
4 (22.2%)
something else (see comments)
3 (16.7%)
I mostly write ...
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drabbles and ficlets (<1k)
2 (11.8%)
short fic (1-3k)
5 (29.4%)
medium length fic (3-6k)
4 (23.5%)
longer fic (6-10k)
4 (23.5%)
long fic (10-20k)
0 (0.0%)
very long fic (20-50k)
0 (0.0%)
epic fic (>50k)
2 (11.8%)
I often write ...
View Answers
drabbles and ficlets (<1k)
9 (56.2%)
short fic (1-3k)
12 (75.0%)
medium length fic (3-6k)
8 (50.0%)
longer fic (6-10k)
7 (43.8%)
long fic (10-20k)
3 (18.8%)
very long fic (20-50k)
1 (6.2%)
epic fic (>50k)
3 (18.8%)
Tally
( Days 1-15 )
Day 16:
badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilmeDay 17:
alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilmeDay 18:
badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, cornerofmadness, luzula, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadoraDay 19:
badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadoraDay 20:
china_shop, trobadoraLet me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
Personalised bingo card offer
Jan. 20th, 2026 06:16 pmthisbluespiritHello, I am still recovering, etc. Quite nicely as these things go, but still not up to doing all my usual little things.
Anyway, thought of something fannish and fun I could do if anyone wanted it - I made a personalised bingo card fortheseatheseatheopensea once, which was fun, and I do always love doing that kind of thing. So...
... if anyone else would find a custom-made bingo card (for writing/creating prompts) fun/useful/inspiring, comment here and I will have a go at making you one!
(I'll use the Bingo Generator, so it's very easy, and if I fail and include some rubbish prompts, a new card without such prompts can magically be re-generated with no trouble. Will do any size from 2x2 to 5x5.)
So just comment here if you'd like one & say what size card you'd prefer. You can also point me to/away from any fandoms/prompt types etc if you'd like, but no need. (If I'm really stuck for some reason, I'll just ask you for some pointers!)
Anyway, thought of something fannish and fun I could do if anyone wanted it - I made a personalised bingo card for
theseatheseatheopensea once, which was fun, and I do always love doing that kind of thing. So...... if anyone else would find a custom-made bingo card (for writing/creating prompts) fun/useful/inspiring, comment here and I will have a go at making you one!
(I'll use the Bingo Generator, so it's very easy, and if I fail and include some rubbish prompts, a new card without such prompts can magically be re-generated with no trouble. Will do any size from 2x2 to 5x5.)
So just comment here if you'd like one & say what size card you'd prefer. You can also point me to/away from any fandoms/prompt types etc if you'd like, but no need. (If I'm really stuck for some reason, I'll just ask you for some pointers!)
Snowflake Challenge 2026 #10
Jan. 20th, 2026 03:33 pmbedesChallenge #10
Choose something you love and create a mini mood collection of three (or more) items that evoke your feelings about it. You don't have to limit yourself to visual media, or collect the items into a special format like a square (though you can if you'd like).
Subject: In Stars and Time (indie video game)
Moodboard:
Playlist (click the "play" button):
Moodboard:
Playlist (click the "play" button):
ENCORE!
1:07 / ∞
▶︎
THE RECORD PLAYER SONG ☆ Daisy the Great
"i need a dictionary
someone look me up and define me
please remind me who i'm supposed
to be around you
so you will do what i want you to
i'm always winning the wrong game
i don't remember my real name"
someone look me up and define me
please remind me who i'm supposed
to be around you
so you will do what i want you to
i'm always winning the wrong game
i don't remember my real name"
FLIGHT OF THE CROWS ☆ Jhariah
"well, i think that i've gotta go and i don't know why
but i need you to promise me that you won't cry
'cause you'll be fine and so will i
so, just let me out of your mind
in the morning, you'll learn i disappeared off into the night so quietly
that your love for me will vanish, too."
but i need you to promise me that you won't cry
'cause you'll be fine and so will i
so, just let me out of your mind
in the morning, you'll learn i disappeared off into the night so quietly
that your love for me will vanish, too."
LOVE LIKE YOU ☆ Steven Universe OST
"when i see the way you look
shaken by how long it took
i could do about anything
i could even learn how to love like you
love like you
love me, like you"
shaken by how long it took
i could do about anything
i could even learn how to love like you
love like you
love me, like you"
Snowflake Challenge 2026 #9
Jan. 20th, 2026 02:13 pmbedesChallenge #9
Talk about your favorite tropes in media or transformative works. (Feel free to substitute in theme/motif/cliche if "trope" doesn't resonate with you.)
Since I already talked about my all-time favorite trope last year, internalized homophobia, I'll talk about another favorite: character studies!
"Character Study" is actually my most-used tag on AO3 (if we're not counting "Betaed", which I don't), and that's because I absolutely adore both writing and reading them. The name of the game is exactly what I love about fanfic: getting into a character's head.
In writing, it's a very fulfilling exercise. It's an exploration of the character in question, and how you (you, specifically!) interpret their actions, their motivations, and their mental state. And, in reading, it's a fun way to explore how other people interpret the character, helping you appreciate your faves through a fresh set of eyes!
The Day in Spikedluv (Monday, Jan 19)
Jan. 20th, 2026 07:25 amspikedluvI hit Walmart while I was downtown and Stewart’s on the way home.
I did a load of laundry, hand-washed dishes, went for a walk with Pip and the dogs, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, and scooped kitty litter.
I made a pumpkin pie because mom asked me to. (I make it in a small shell, so put some of the pumpkin filling in a small pyrex dish. I took her that dish. She had it when I made it before Thanksgiving and really enjoyed it.)
I went with one of my own teas again this morning, Celestial Seasonings’ Mandarin Orange Spice. This blend combined the tart flavor of mandarin oranges with aromatic spices, cloves, and coriender to create a bright. lively brew that transports tea drinkers to exotic destinations with every sip. I wouldn’t say I was transported anywhere, but it tasted good.
My stomach tried to rebel on me again this morning. ( cutting for those who don't care to read )
We went to Texas Roadhouse with friends for supper, yay! I managed to write ~300 words on my SFBB fic and Zoo Tampa was my background tv in the evening. I wish I’d gotten more written, but between going downtown, visiting mom, and eating out, there wasn’t much time for it.
Temps started out at 19.4(F) and dropped to 15.6 before I left the house! There was sun in the morning, but then it was overcast. Temps reached 27.3. The roads were good in the morning, but the wind picked up, so we ran into some snow blown into the road on our way to Texas Roadhouse.
Mom Update:
Mom was doing ~okay when I saw her. She seemed tired. She’d already eaten, but even so she had some of the pumpkin pie filling I took her. Sister A was there when I arrived and Ian showed up after. Her BFF showed up later in the afternoon and Sister S was there when I called in the evening. She had a nice string of visitors, which she likes.
I did a load of laundry, hand-washed dishes, went for a walk with Pip and the dogs, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, and scooped kitty litter.
I made a pumpkin pie because mom asked me to. (I make it in a small shell, so put some of the pumpkin filling in a small pyrex dish. I took her that dish. She had it when I made it before Thanksgiving and really enjoyed it.)
I went with one of my own teas again this morning, Celestial Seasonings’ Mandarin Orange Spice. This blend combined the tart flavor of mandarin oranges with aromatic spices, cloves, and coriender to create a bright. lively brew that transports tea drinkers to exotic destinations with every sip. I wouldn’t say I was transported anywhere, but it tasted good.
My stomach tried to rebel on me again this morning. ( cutting for those who don't care to read )
We went to Texas Roadhouse with friends for supper, yay! I managed to write ~300 words on my SFBB fic and Zoo Tampa was my background tv in the evening. I wish I’d gotten more written, but between going downtown, visiting mom, and eating out, there wasn’t much time for it.
Temps started out at 19.4(F) and dropped to 15.6 before I left the house! There was sun in the morning, but then it was overcast. Temps reached 27.3. The roads were good in the morning, but the wind picked up, so we ran into some snow blown into the road on our way to Texas Roadhouse.
Mom Update:
Mom was doing ~okay when I saw her. She seemed tired. She’d already eaten, but even so she had some of the pumpkin pie filling I took her. Sister A was there when I arrived and Ian showed up after. Her BFF showed up later in the afternoon and Sister S was there when I called in the evening. She had a nice string of visitors, which she likes.
Write Every day 2026: January, Day 19
Jan. 19th, 2026 11:01 pmtrobadoraIn the first draft poll, 30% of respondents usually produce a first draft that's very close to the final draft, and no one usually produces first drafts that barely bear resemblance to the final draft. And most respondents (57%) at least sometimes produce a first draft very close to the final draft. *g*
For the "usual" question, slightly more people have too-wordse first drafts (25%, compared to 20% for too sparse), whereas in the "sometimes" question, too sparse is more common (38%) than too words (23%).
(70% of respondents believe that tickyboxes know no such thing as overkill, btw!)
As for me, it differs wildly - I used to produce very clean first drafts that didn't get changed much during editing/betaing, but for the last several years now it's been much more inconsistent. The more I struggle with either writing or finding time/energy to write, the worse my first drafts get - because sometimes I just have to get something, anything, down first, or I won't get anywhere at all. But it's pretty frustrating, so I want to get back to how I used to write, and I need to figure out how to do that with less time and energy than I used to have ...
One thing's remained the same, though: my first drafts are generally too sparse, which is why they always grow - sometimes considerably - during editing as I flesh them out and add in all the things that I had in my head but didn't put in the actual text. *g*
Today's writing
Again not as much as I'd like. I need to actually sit down and finish something, but it's hard to find the energy.
WED Question of the Day
Today I don't have a poll, but instead a request for advice: when you're low on energy, do you have any strategies that make it easier to write? Or to get started writing, at least? Because I often find myself just staring blankly at a page for way too long until I somehow get going, and I'd really rather not. *g* When I have more energy, I can usually get there much more easily, which is really unfair. :p
(I want to be writing! I feel better once I actually get started writing! But getting there is such a pain on some days. *grumbles*)
Tally
( Days 1-15 )
Day 16:badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilme
Day 17:alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
Day 18:badly_knitted, chanter1944, cornerofmadness, luzula, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora
Day 19:china_shop, trobadora
Let me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
For the "usual" question, slightly more people have too-wordse first drafts (25%, compared to 20% for too sparse), whereas in the "sometimes" question, too sparse is more common (38%) than too words (23%).
(70% of respondents believe that tickyboxes know no such thing as overkill, btw!)
As for me, it differs wildly - I used to produce very clean first drafts that didn't get changed much during editing/betaing, but for the last several years now it's been much more inconsistent. The more I struggle with either writing or finding time/energy to write, the worse my first drafts get - because sometimes I just have to get something, anything, down first, or I won't get anywhere at all. But it's pretty frustrating, so I want to get back to how I used to write, and I need to figure out how to do that with less time and energy than I used to have ...
One thing's remained the same, though: my first drafts are generally too sparse, which is why they always grow - sometimes considerably - during editing as I flesh them out and add in all the things that I had in my head but didn't put in the actual text. *g*
Today's writing
Again not as much as I'd like. I need to actually sit down and finish something, but it's hard to find the energy.
WED Question of the Day
Today I don't have a poll, but instead a request for advice: when you're low on energy, do you have any strategies that make it easier to write? Or to get started writing, at least? Because I often find myself just staring blankly at a page for way too long until I somehow get going, and I'd really rather not. *g* When I have more energy, I can usually get there much more easily, which is really unfair. :p
(I want to be writing! I feel better once I actually get started writing! But getting there is such a pain on some days. *grumbles*)
Tally
( Days 1-15 )
Day 16:
badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilmeDay 17:
alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilmeDay 18:
badly_knitted, chanter1944, cornerofmadness, luzula, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadoraDay 19:
china_shop, trobadoraLet me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)