![\"IMG_5347.JPG\"](\"https:\/\/ic.pics.livejournal.com\/kythryne\/1084188\/8347\/8347_600.jpg\" "\\"IMG_5347.JPG\\"")
<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:193788","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/193788.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=193788"}}],"title":"ten years!","published":"2015-11-06T05:03:34Z","updated":"2015-11-06T05:03:34Z","content":"Hi, LJ! Anybody still out here, or have you all moved to Twitter and Facebook like me?![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ic.pics.livejournal.com\/kythryne\/1084188\/5694\/5694_600.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>I wanted to write something eloquent and beautiful about art and faith and Wyrding Studios<\/a> turning ten... but then I woke up last Friday with a respiratory infection that landed me in bed for a day and a half. I've been racing to catch up ever since, and there's a symmetry to that. This is my love letter to all of you. Some of you have been with me from the very start, some of you found me over the years, some of you have just stumbled across me today, or last week. You’ve shared your stories with me, trusted me with your secrets so that I could make them into art for you, sent me silly things in the mail, kept me company virtually when I’ve worked far too late into the night, bought my work, told your friends about it. You’ve helped keep a small business - and the woman behind it - going for nine<\/span> ten years. A quarter of my life.<\/em><\/p> Thank you. I write something like this every year, and every year I don’t really have the words to say how much it means. This year, more than any other year before, I don’t have the words. Just… thank you. And there is gratitude, and hope. Because I’m pretty sure I’m learning to fly on my way down.<\/em> Okay, that's enough schmoop. It's getting too dusty in here. Let's get on to the details and the deals!<\/p> I went to a sleep specialist today to discuss the fact that I basically don't sleep anymore. She took a page of notes, then looked at me in bewilderment.<\/p> Doctor: "But WHY haven't you already had a sleep study done?"<\/p> Me: "I haven't had a chance. I've been a little busy trying not to die."<\/p> Doctor: *does doubletake, hastily re-reads chart* "Oh."<\/p> Me: "The last time I saw a specialist about a relatively minor issue they found a brain tumor. Please try not to find any brain tumors."<\/p> Doctor: "...I will do my best not to find any tumors of any sort."<\/p> I think I'll keep this one.<\/p>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:192481","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/192481.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=192481"}}],"title":"Going to Readercon, BRB","published":"2014-07-10T20:06:55Z","updated":"2014-07-10T20:06:55Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"beware of redhead"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"public service announcements"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"conventions"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"nope nope nope"}}],"content":" I am absolutely bowled over by the response to my request for signal boosting yesterday. (Original post here<\/a>.<\/a>) At one point I actually had to turn my phone off because notifications were coming in faster than I could clear them.<\/p> I spent a little bit of time re-organizing the store<\/a> this morning, which is, wow, almost sold out. O.o (Also, a few things just went into the clearance section!) I’ll be getting your orders for in-stock items out today, followed shortly by intent pendants<\/a>, subscriptions<\/a> andcommissions<\/a>, and then I’ll be spending some serious time at the workbench making new shinies to restock the store.<\/p> I have no words for how grateful I am to everyone who forwarded\/reposted my plea for help, or bought things, or both. I really do love what I do, and it means the world to me to have so much support pouring in at such a rough time in my life. Thank you.<\/p> If you can’t afford to order anything right now but you’d like some business cards to give to people in person (they’re actually very snazzy bookmarks, suitable for keeping your place in your favorite book AND giving you shiny things to look at!) just email your mailing address tokythryne@wyrdingstudios.com<\/a> and I’ll send as many as I can fit in a regular envelope for a first-class stamp. (US only, sorry.)<\/p> If something is already sold<\/a> but you love it and want something similar, I am taking commissions; turnaround time is now roughly 3-4 weeks, although I will be doing an Instant Gratification session next week for quick\/inexpensive requests.<\/p> I also want to give a shout-out and enormous smooch to my friend Becky of Two Timing Tart<\/a>, who set up a $10 coupon code for me to give to anyone who ordered $50 or more yesterday. If you didn’t already get an email from me with the code, just nudge me and I’ll send it to you - her scented wax is the only stuff I’ll use in my house because it smells gorgeous and doesn’t set off my migraines, and I highly recommend all of it.<\/p>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:191138","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/191138.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=191138"}}],"title":"Signal Boost needed, please","published":"2014-06-04T18:44:56Z","updated":"2014-06-04T18:44:56Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"let's take this viral"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"art"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"work"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"long-term planning"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"y'all are superheros"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"basically calling in every favor ever"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"can't stop the signal"}}],"content":" Dear Internet: I need a huge favor.<\/span><\/span><\/p> Wyrding Studios needs a massive signal boost, effective immediately.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p> Last month, my spouse unilaterally broke up with me after nearly 14 years of marriage. I am not going to discuss why here, or in any other public forum. For now, we are continuing to live together as co-parents and housemates, but that may have to change.<\/span><\/span><\/p> Some of you already know how I feel about my beloved house, art studio, and gardens. I have worked very hard to make my home safe space and sanctuary for myself and other artists. I am not going anywhere unless I have absolutely no other choice.<\/span><\/span><\/p> For nearly ten years, <\/span>Wyrding Studios<\/span><\/a> has been my sole source of income<\/span>, in part because I live with multiple chronic illnesses that severely limit my ability to work outside the home. Even if I found a job that could accommodate my physical issues, it would pay considerably less and likely force me to permanently close WS.<\/span><\/span><\/p> I am asking for your help so that does not happen.<\/span><\/span><\/p> Wyrding Studios<\/span><\/a> has always been a business driven primarily by repeat customers and word-of-mouth recommendations. I am so profoundly grateful to everyone who has come back year after year to buy more of my jewelry as my work evolved and changed, to everyone who has told their friends and family about my website, to everyone who has asked me to collaborate on projects or design custom pieces for special occasions.<\/span><\/span><\/p> Miles starts school full-time in the fall. I plan to spend the summer bringing WS back to financial self-sufficiency. I have a number of new projects and product lines planned for the next few months. I am working on improving my turnaround and response times, and just generally making as much of the best art that I possibly can, because, in the words of my mentor and colleague <\/span>Elise Matthesen<\/span><\/a>, art is a great goodness.<\/span><\/span><\/p> Here’s what you can do to help.<\/span><\/span><\/p> Start by signal boosting this post far and wide. Tell your friends, families, and co-workers<\/span>about my jewelry<\/span><\/a>. Post links to items in the store to social media - Pinterest, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, whatever you use.<\/span><\/span><\/p> Tell them they can use coupon code SIGNALBOOST to take 10% off any order of $30 or more through August 30th. You can use it too if you want, any time you order between now and then. It's good on anything except subscriptions.<\/span><\/span><\/p> Most importantly, <\/span>just tell people I'm here<\/span><\/a>. Tell people I've been here for a long time, and I'm not going anywhere for a long time, and that I would love to make jewelry for them. Because that's true. <\/span>I want to keep making art, even out of this darkness.<\/span><\/span><\/p>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:190602","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/190602.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=190602"}}],"title":"...I said \"what's a flower?\"","published":"2014-04-25T20:52:03Z","updated":"2014-04-25T20:52:03Z","content":" I appreciate the very human impulse to offer advice, but please don't<\/a>. If you're a meningioma survivor or you've had a craniotomy, I'd welcome the opportunity to hear about things you found particularly helpful (or unhelpful) during recovery, but otherwise, please trust that I have a very fine medical team looking after me and have made an educated decision.<\/p> <\/p> If you want to help, here are some things that would be lovely and very much appreciated!<\/p> <\/p> TV recommendations. <\/b>I have Netflix. I like tv shows that are witty, snarky, or gently humorous. I lean towards mysteries, BBC shows, some sci-fi, Joss Whedon, and, apparently, FBI procedurals. Shows I have especially enjoyed include Firefly, Buffy\/Angel, Veronica Mars, Bones, Dr Who, How I Met Your Mother, Star Trek TNG, Sherlock, Downton Abbey, and Poirot. I don't often have enough attention span for movies, but I have a fondness for the old Marx Brothers films and James Bond movies.<\/p>
I don't actually know when I "officially" launched WS back in 2005. I know my last day at my old job was October 15th, and I know I planned to do a grand opening on November 1st, but I came down with the flu and ended up just unceremoniously putting a bunch of shinies on the website sometime in early November and I never looked back.
And for the past ten years, that's been my life. Unpredictable. Full of unplanned detours. Always running a little behind, always leaving something unfinished at the end of the day. never quite getting enough sleep.
But always, always, magic.
Writing something eloquent? It's not happening tonight, and I don't want to keep you waiting any longer. So instead, I'm just going to repeat something from last year's anniversary letter, because every word is still true. <\/span><\/p>
Thank you. It's been a wonderful ten years. Let's keep going.<\/p>
<\/li>
<\/li>
<\/ul>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ic.pics.livejournal.com\/kythryne\/1084188\/6012\/6012_600.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
Also, meet Jackdaw, the newest (and noisiest) resident of Magpie House. She turned up on my doorstep the day before Halloween, and when I realized she was declawed, I took her in. She's not microchipped and I haven't been able to turn up her owners, so... she's living in my studio until I can afford to get her to a vet for bloodwork so I can start socializing her with my other critters. And if anyone knows how to make my printer stop printing eleventy-three copies of the Amazon return label I printed the other day, please let me know, because no amount of clearing my print queue or turning it off and back on seems to undo whatever she did to it.<\/div>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:193447","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/193447.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=193447"}}],"title":"whimsical in the brainpan, part eleventy","published":"2015-01-05T23:55:04Z","updated":"2015-01-05T23:55:04Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"beware of redhead"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"new diagnosis yay"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"whimsical in the brainpan"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"brains"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"still not dead"}}],"content":"(Cross-posting from FB mostly because I know it will likely entertain ![](\"https:\/\/l-stat.livejournal.net\/img\/userinfo_v8.png?v=17080&v=915\")
<\/a>thewronghands<\/b><\/a><\/span>.)It's been a while since I've attended a con, so a couple of quick but very important reminders. <\/div>1. COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM, DO NOT HUG. I am a newly-single self-employed parent; I very literally can. not. afford. to get sick right now. <\/div>2. I have PTSD and am considerably more muscular than I look. Sneaking up behind me tends to end badly for everyone. Don't do it. <\/div>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:191427","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/191427.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=191427"}}],"title":"Thank you and some follow-up notes","published":"2014-06-05T15:12:03Z","updated":"2014-06-05T15:12:03Z","content":"
And February was so long that it lasted into March
And found us walking a path alone together
You stopped and pointed and you said, "That's a crocus"
And I said, "What's a crocus?", And you said, "It's a flower"
I tried to remember, but I said, "what's a flower?"
And you said, "I still love you."<\/i>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:190245","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/190245.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=190245"}}],"title":"we both know what memories can bring","published":"2014-04-02T18:12:15Z","updated":"2014-04-02T18:14:36Z","content":"If any of you still remember Morgan Nightbear from my NYC years, or if you knew him through fandom - I learned last week that he died suddenly at the end of March.
We had not spoken in a long time, but he was a kind man and I once loved him very much.
May his memory be a blessing."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:188706","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/188706.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=188706"}}],"title":"brains are WEIRD","published":"2013-10-15T15:01:12Z","updated":"2013-10-15T15:01:12Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"yarn and pointy sticks"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"whimsical in the brainpan"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"brains"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"still not dead"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"where is my instruction manual?"}}],"content":"I've noticed quite a few small changes in my visual and cognitive processing post-craniotomy - primarily in the form of fluctuating double vision (the entire world has a drop shadow now!) that I can actually accurately use as an indicator of my neurological wellbeing (is the drop shadow offset by more than a few pixels? SIT DOWN RIGHT NOW.) and damage to both short-term and long-term memory (bonus: NO SUCH THING AS SPOILERS; also, never have to worry about running out of ebooks while traveling, because OH HEY I DON'T REMEMBER HOW THIS ONE ENDS LET'S READ IT AGAIN.) And a few other things that I, erm, can't remember right now.
Yesterday I noticed what is probably the most dramatic change of all, and it's fascinating in a disturbing sort of way.
I've always been one of those knitters who prefers to work from charts, especially for knitting lace. Written patterns just made my eyes glaze over, and I quite literally could not follow them - I would find myself unable to tell where I was and would get stitches out of order or repeat stitches too many times or skip stitches or otherwise make a frightful mess out of it. If a pattern I wanted to knit didn't have a charted version, I'd chart it myself.
Since my brain surgery, I haven't been able to knit lace, or cables, or anything more complicated than a basic scarf or hat. I assumed it was because my short-term memory is trashed - I can't hold more than two or three pieces of data in my head most of the time; on a really good day I can hang onto a zip code. Phone numbers are out of the question. So I've stuck to improvised knitting for the most part, and one sweater that's basically just KNIT AROUND AND AROUND IN A CIRCLE UNTIL THE END OF TIME.
Until yesterday, when I decided that I was going to start working on a lace sweater with the gorgeous yarn<\/a> <\/a>thewronghands<\/b><\/a><\/span> sent me in her wonderful "so you have a brain tumor" care package last year. I've had the pattern<\/a> picked out for ages, but I didn't want to start it before the surgery for fear that I wouldn't be able to figure out where I'd left off, and I'm a slow enough knitter (and, um, ADHD enough that I inevitably have about a dozen projects going at any one time) that I knew I wouldn't finish it before the surgery. And afterwards, every time I looked at the chart, my brain refused to make sense of it. So I kept not starting it, and being mad that I hadn't started it, and yesterday I finally decided that I was just going to DO IT because DAMMIT I WANT TO BE KNITTING LACE AGAIN.
Turns out I can't read charts anymore. But I can read written instructions. Perfectly. On the first try. Even with a toddler literally bouncing off the walls around me.
I... well. That's a pretty astonishing piece of neurological re-wiring, right there. If you're not a knitter, this probably doesn't make any sense, but... it's kind of a big thing. I noticed the other day that I'm also having trouble reading music, which I attributed to the fact that I was looking at a fairly complicated piano arrangement and I'm more than a decade out of practice, but now I'm wondering. I used to be able to sight-read AND transpose on the fly, and I know I can't do the later anymore.
Brains, man. They're weird."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:188564","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/188564.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=188564"}}],"title":"kythryne @ 2013-08-19T14:45:00","published":"2013-08-19T18:45:08Z","updated":"2013-08-19T18:45:08Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"still not a proper girl"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"wtf?"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"still not dead"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"nobody likes burpees"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"insane enough to do crossfit"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"omfgbbqalpaca"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"llama bench press"}}],"content":"Last night I dreamed I showed up at my CrossFit gym<\/span> as usual for my Monday workout, only to discover that it was full of llamas. Nobody seemed alarmed, and the trainer was just all "OKAY PEOPLE, PICK OUT YOUR LLAMAS AND LET'S GET MOVING" in exactly the same tone of voice as when he tells us to get barbells or kettlebells or whatever.
And then he put us through a pretty normal CrossFit workout. 400 meter run for time… with your llama. Bench press for max reps… using your llama instead of a barbell. Front squats… holding your llama awkwardly over your head. (For the record, my llama got annoyed about that one.) I woke up before we got to llama burpees, which is probably for the best. <\/span>
…yeah, I don't know either. I'm headed over there at 4, and if there are llamas, I am not working out today.<\/span>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:188298","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/188298.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=188298"}}],"title":"workout logs","published":"2013-07-26T20:11:13Z","updated":"2013-07-26T20:17:16Z","category":[{"@attributes":{"term":"still not a proper girl"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"crossfit"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"what was i thinking?"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"still not dead"}},{"@attributes":{"term":"nobody likes burpees"}}],"content":"So continuing my trend of insanity, I signed up for a 6-week CrossFit challenge<\/a>. I've got one day of baseline testing left to make up tomorrow, because on Wednesday I was yelping every time I tried to go up the stairs. Working out wasn't going to happen.
Monday: Backsquat, The Chief<\/a><\/b>
I really hate backsquats. I'm too flexible in the knees and hips, so I have no problem getting into a nice deep squat… from which I then can't get up again. Managed 85lbs. 8 rounds of The Chief. Spent some time facedown on the floor questioning my sanity. I do that a lot in that place.
Tuesday: Bench Press, 500 meter timed row.<\/a><\/b>
I was possibly the only person who was overjoyed that they unexpectedly swapped out the timed run for the timed row. Got 80lbs on my bench, tried for 85 but failed it and had to be rescued by my spotter while I squeaked NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE to the great amusement of everyone around me. 500 meter row in 2:15. Rowing is fun. Half-assedly did two rounds of burpees and scaled toe-to-bar and then called it a day.
Wednesday:<\/b> Clean, Helen.<\/a>
I couldn't climb stairs without swearing. Stayed home. I get to do that tomorrow.
Thursday: Push Press, Pushups, 1 Mile Run.<\/a><\/b>
I hate running. There are no sports bras in the world adequate to keep me from slapping myself in the face with my boobs when I run. (No, really. Go try to find a high impact sports bra that even COMES in 42DDD. Now try to fasten it without dislocating your shoulder in the process.) I might perhaps hate running a little less if I could either find a sports bra or get a breast reduction, but I kind of doubt it.
I got up to 67.5lbs before failing the push press, 44 pushups in 2 minutes (surprising myself in the process) and then ran a mile... in 14:57. People were finishing the whole damn thing right behind me when was just starting my second lap around the building. I quite literally fell down at the end. (They're used to me doing that by now, at least.) And I didn't even contemplate doing the rest of the stuff at the end. Nuh-uh. I'm not THAT crazy.
Friday: Deadlift, Fran.<\/a><\/b>
My previous personal record for the deadlift was 85lbs. I went in hoping to hit 100 today. I sailed past 100 in the first few minutes and went on to get 135. So that was pretty awesome.
Then we did Fran. As I said to a friend on Twitter, I am convinced that the person who inspired Fran was either utterly evil or completely indefatigable in bed or possibly both. I got the 21 rep round, barely, and with terrible form. Then I sat on the floor for a bit and prayed that I wouldn't throw up. Then I tried for the 15 rep round. I made it to 9. Then my vision did the scary thing where it goes double and I promptly lie down on the floor because I don't want to find out what happens after that. I eventually recovered to the point where I could question my sanity. And eventually was able to wobble out to my car and get home.
<\/a>
I am going to be really happy to drop back to working out 3 times a week."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:187867","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/187867.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=187867"}}],"title":"CrossFit & gardening log","published":"2013-05-30T13:31:40Z","updated":"2013-05-30T13:32:59Z","content":"Because I need a place to keep track of stuff, and this is as good as any.
<\/div>CrossFit: started less than a month ago, finished the intro class last week. I'm mostly scaling weight at this point. Yesterday's WoD:<\/div>Warmup - Rx: team sprints, then stretches
Me: 2 minutes on the rowing machine, then stretches<\/div>Power Clean - Rx: 15 mins to work up to a heavy set of 3, then 3×3@95% of heaviest 3.<\/div>Me: 20 minutes working on form with a 45lb empty barbell.<\/div>Conditioning - Rx:<\/div>5 Thrusters (135\/85lb)<\/div>10 toe to bar<\/div>200m. run
Max rds in 12 mins
Me: 5 Thrusters (20lb dumbbells)
5 attempts at hanging from the bar (switched to situps on final round)
200m. row
For… 4 rounds in 12 minutes, which seemed to be the average for the group.<\/div><\/a>
I have got to get gloves - my failure on the bar was mostly ARGH THIS IS GOING TO DESTROY MY HANDS NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE rather than lack of strength. Borked immune system = my body doesn't know when to stop growing callus. I already spend a lot of time convincing my fingers and feet that 4mm of callus is not necessary, I can't afford to do that to my palms too. So glove shopping needs to happen, possibly tonight.
Garden:<\/div>We built a hoop house for my tomatoes this year, so I was able to put them out a full month ahead of my usual early-transplanting date. They're setting flowers! I am going to have ridiculously early tomatoes this year. I'm also trying co-planting basil in their buckets. I tend to kill basil, but I'm hoping that if I put enough seeds into the buckets I'll get a few strong plants.
I have two containers of short carrots, a big container of nasturtiums, and another of potatoes - I happened to have a bunch of sprouting potatoes right around planting time, so I hacked them up and stuck them in a container to see what would happen. They're growing like mad. I keep tossing more dirt into the container - need to do that again this week.
The asparagus patch continues to struggle. I worked on the soil this spring, perhaps next year I'll get a crop. If not, I'll probably give up on it.
In the back yard bed, I have turnips (planted thickly so I can thin them down for baby greens), some pathetic-looking cauliflower seedlings, the sorrel patch (which got re-seeded this year) and beans and peas. The peas are starting to climb the fence, the beans are considering it. Oh, and mint, which has been out for about a month and hasn't died yet. I kill mint, so that's impressive. I need to talk to the neighbor whose yard adjoins that fence about whether or not he actually wants the maple seedings that got going over the past three years of mutual garden neglect - they're blocking enough light that the peas and beans aren't doing as well as they could.
The raspberries are setting flowers and threatening to move into the neighbor's yard. And I seem to have a second bramble patch setting up housekeeping in an empty corner of the yard; I think wild blackberry. I'll probably buy a few cultivated raspberries to throw in there at some point. I'd love to get some wineberry plants, although almost nowhere sells them.
My purple clematis is in full bloom. The tiny white clematis that usually grows into the house through the living room window hasn't come up this year; not sure what happened, but I may need to replace it. The peonies are all covered in huge buds, and I plan to try making peony jelly with the petals this year. Irises are just about to pop open, and as usual, I need to hack the quince bushes back again.<\/div><\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:186962","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/186962.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=186962"}}],"title":"Out the other side","published":"2013-02-17T04:48:50Z","updated":"2013-02-17T04:48:50Z","content":"I just realized that I never updated here. Oops.
I made it through surgery just fine. They got the tumor and were able to avoid putting a plate in my skull, they are pretty sure it was indeed benign although it has been sent off to pathology and I haven't gotten the results back yet. I had no memory loss or cognitive impairment and it looks like I won't even need physical therapy. I've been home for a couple of weeks and am pretty much back to normal, although I tire very easily. The post-op steroids were horrible, steroid withdrawal was even worse, but my pain levels are significantly down already and should only get better from here. I have a horrible haircut and a very interesting scar, and a rapidly growing collection of Very Excellent Hats.
The neurosurgeon was great, the team in the OR and the ICU was fantasric, and the rest of the hospital, well, not so much. There were... issues. But I have been fine ever since I got home and I am recovering well, and I thank you all again for your kindness and support. I am glad it's over."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:186792","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/186792.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=186792"}}],"title":"Thank you.","published":"2013-01-27T03:56:02Z","updated":"2013-01-27T03:56:02Z","category":{"@attributes":{"term":"y'all are superheros"}},"content":"I've been trying to respond to everyone individually, but I still have a lot of comments to go through on my previous posts. I have quite literally been overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness and support and generosity.
I have an amazing circle of friends - my family-by-choice - and my customers are some of the nicest people in the world, but I really wasn't expecting so many responses to the "how you can help" post. It's very difficult for me to admit that I need help (because I learned the hard way, growing up, that wouldn't actually accomplish anything) but my friends kept asking what I needed, so I wrote it down. And total strangers poured out of the woodwork to bring me book and fic and tv recs, to send me knitting patterns, to send me amazing emails, to send me deliciously squishy soft yarn to knit. I lost track of how many times I got teary while checking my email this month. I have been knitting hats from patterns gifted to me, and there is joy in every stitch.
If I don't have a chance to personally say thank you before my surgery on Monday, please know that you have brought a great deal of happiness into my life at a very rough time. There are no words for how much I appreciate each and every one of you.
My surgery starts at 8:30 Monday morning in Boston and will last 5-6 hours if all goes well. Candles, prayers, mojo, good wishes, and light are all welcome. Amy will be updating Twitter (@wyrdingstudios) once I'm out of the OR. I will probably be in the hospital most of the week, but I hope to be home by next weekend.
I have been to the city of Marrow, and I will come out again.<\/i>
I'll see you on the other side."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:186582","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/186582.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=186582"}}],"title":"This is not goodbye.","published":"2013-01-04T16:05:10Z","updated":"2013-01-04T16:06:38Z","content":"(x-posted from my work blog)
Wyrding Studios is temporarily closed. I have every intention of re-opening as soon as I possibly can, but I don't know when that will be. The future is always uncertain, but especially so right now.\u00a0
On January 28th, I will be having surgery to remove a large benign brain tumor that was discovered \u00a0quite by accident last June. It might be a miracle cure for my chronic pain (maybe it really was<\/b><\/i> all in my head all this time) or it might make things worse. I might bounce right back in a matter of weeks, or I might need months of physical and rehabilitative therapy. Nobody knows.\u00a0
I am a fighter and a survivor and a mother and I will get through this.<\/b><\/i> My art is my work and my sanity and my refuge, and my customers are my patrons and my friends. The past seven years have been the best years of my life, and I refuse to give that up. I will be back.
I just don't know when.
The surgery was originally scheduled for today, but ended up being postponed until the end of the month, so I'm taking this unexpected extra time to live in the moment. I am going to spend time with my son and my spouse, and spend time thinking about art and creativity and what I want to do when I get back to work, and just take each day as it comes. It will be good practice for my recovery.
Please stay in touch while I'm away from the studio. I'm on Twitter<\/a>, I'm on Facebook<\/a>, I have email<\/a>. There's going to be one hell<\/b><\/i> of a party when I come out the other side, and I really hope you'll all be there celebrating with me.
This is not goodbye.<\/b><\/i>
-- Kythryne
January 4, 2013
P.S. While I very much appreciate the sentiment, unless you are a craniotomy\/meningioma survivor or a neurosurgeon, please refrain from offering advice. If you want to help, here's how you can<\/a>.<\/small>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:186147","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/186147.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=186147"}}],"title":"Ways To Help","published":"2013-01-04T15:29:30Z","updated":"2013-01-04T16:03:32Z","content":"Book recommendations.<\/b> My favorite series of all time is probably the Vorkosigan saga, followed by the Harry Potter books. I used to love the Valdemar and Pern novels but in later years not so much. I'm just starting into Dianna Wynne Jones and am enjoying that. I've read all of the original Sherlock Holmes stories and all of the Mary Russell books, and would love pointers towards Sherlock novels by other authors. I do have an Amazon wishlist for ebooks<\/a>, and I have the Kindle app on my iPhone if you would like to loan me a book.<\/div>
Fanfic recommendations. <\/b>My primary fandom is Harry Potter, with occasional wanderings into Dr Who and Sherlock, and on the rare occasions that I can find fic in it, the Vorkosigan universe. I prefer gen\/PG13 stuff, usually canon, not a fan of smut or kinkfic but a good crackfic is fun.<\/div>
Knitting patterns.<\/b> As I will be sporting a rather horrible haircut for quite some time, I am on something of a hat-knitting kick at the moment. I like funky and absurdly weird hats (my favorite hat ever is a felted masterpiece straight out of a Dr Seuss book) and would love suggestions of interesting patterns suited to bulky and worsted yarns to add to my Ravelry queue. I will wear truly ridiculous things on my head, really I will. And I have a Ravelry wishlist here<\/a>, should you feel a burning desire to gift me a pattern.<\/div>
If you want to send me yarn<\/b>, I will hug it and kiss it and squeeze it and call it George and send you very squeeful thank-you emails. Knitting is going to be a big part of my recovery, because it actually helps restore neural pathways<\/i>. Plus, y'know, good practice for my fine motor skills. Right now I prefer heavier yarns, anything from worsted to super bulky, as my fine motor control is not so fine just now. I love Malabrigo yarns to a somewhat unhealthy extent. Rios is pure bliss, and while I grumble about the cultural appropriation of the name, their Rasta yarn is utterly delightful for hats. I am mildly allergic to mohair, can't knit with cotton or acrylic (it hurts my hands) and love merino, alpaca, bamboo, seacell, and silk. Handspun yarn is love, especially art yarn! Please email for my home address if you want to send something.<\/div>
If you are local to Concord, NH<\/b>, we are setting up a thing where people can sign up to bring us a meal on a specific day. Amy knows how to boil pasta and order pizza. That's going to get old fast. Also, we have two dogs, one of whom is a perpetual motion machine. Please feel free to come entertain them. They have dreadful leash manners at the moment because I haven't been up to working with them in some time, but we have a back yard and they like to run around in circles and play fetch or chase a laser pointer. They don't get on terribly well with other dogs but are amazing with children. Just email for the signup link or our address.<\/div>
Interaction.<\/b> I'm on Twitter<\/a> a lot. Feel free to send amusing cat pictures things my way, or just say hi.<\/div><\/a>
My email address is kythryne@gmail.com and email is most welcome. I like silly cat pictures.<\/div>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:185912","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/185912.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=185912"}}],"title":"Free tutorial - DIY jewelry holder","published":"2012-10-03T00:20:41Z","updated":"2012-10-03T00:20:41Z","content":"<\/a>
Takes less than an hour, requires only a hammer and a few simple supplies, and you can customize it to suit your jewelry collection! These would also make great inexpensive holiday gifts - all the materials I needed to make four of them cost me less than $20.
Detailed instructions, photos, and a coupon code offer thisaway.<\/a>![](\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/images\/PinExt.png\" "\\"Pin")
<\/a>
(x-posted to ![](\"https:\/\/l-stat.livejournal.net\/img\/community.png?v=556&v=915\")
<\/a>wyrding_studios<\/b><\/a><\/span>)"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:185264","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/185264.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=185264"}}],"title":"so I had surgery","published":"2012-05-16T16:16:36Z","updated":"2012-05-16T16:28:14Z","content":"
I have been battling pain and mental instability for over twenty years now - basically, I hit puberty and my body and brain started falling apart. I distinctly remember being 12 and doing the math in my head to figure out how long it would be until menopause, because I was absolutely miserable and wanted it all to go away. And that was before it got bad in my late teens.
When I turned 30, everything suddenly got very bad. My pain - already significant - got much, much worse. I have been on narcotic painkillers for three years, including while I was pregnant because my care providers and I decided that the benefits outweighed the risks. A few months after my son was born, I also started losing my mind. As in "kept the number for the inpatient psych ward handy in case the xanax didn't work this time." I am not joking.
I'm lucky. I have amazing doctors who believed me and didn't just send me away with a prescription for Prozac. Although we did try that, for three days, until I started walking into walls and my blood pressure shot up to 150\/100 and I got yet another notation in the "allergies and adverse reactions" section of my chart. We tried a LOT of things over the years - drugs, elimination diets, exercise, acupuncture, chiropractors, herbs, vitamins, yoga, aquatic exercise, psychotherapy, you name it I have probably tried it. Nothing worked.
Some things helped a little, but it was like throwing a glass of water at a raging fire. I could barely work. I was on a first-name basis with everybody at the pharmacy and my doctor's offices. My utterly beloved son knew what "mama's too sick to play with you right now" meant by the time he was 15 months old. I was surviving, but I wasn't living.
Finally we did a trial of Lupron, which is a drug that puts the body into temporary menopause. The side effects tend to be horrific, and it can only be used for six months, maybe a year at most. It's a last resort. My doctor asked what I wanted to try next, I told her I was done trying things and wanted a hysterectomy, she said that was "not unreasonable" but asked me to try Lupron for a month so we could be certain that menopause would actually help, and I agreed because I didn't really have anything to lose at that point.
Within a week of the injection, I felt better than I had in years, even with the side effects. (ALL MIGRAINE ALL THE TIME, WITH A SIDE OF BRAIN WEASELS!) Menopause was wonderful<\/i>. I scheduled the hysterectomy as soon as I was able to line up childcare.
On May 8th, they took out everything - uterus, ovaries, the works. I woke up from anesthesia feeling like someone had thrown a switch in my head - my brain was QUIET. By the time I left the hospital the next day, my pain was no worse than it usually was, and I was off narcotics completely five days later. At a week post-op, I'm fatiguing easily and I have to rest a lot, but I'm feeling better than I have in years, my pain is minimal, and I feel sane. SANE.
<\/a>
It should only get better from here.
"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:185072","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/185072.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=185072"}}],"title":"SPORKING COMPLETE!","published":"2012-05-09T02:25:59Z","updated":"2012-05-09T02:25:59Z","content":"Surgery went great I have good drugs and am devouring english muffins. Home tomorrow!"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:184121","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/184121.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=184121"}}],"title":"seeking quiet home for introverted cat","published":"2012-03-26T22:08:25Z","updated":"2012-03-28T16:38:06Z","content":"This is Mittens.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/farm4.staticflickr.com\/3090\/2713661841_2487fc7047.jpg\")
Mittens has an anger.
Mittens is presently being forced to tolerate the existence of another cat, two dogs, two humans, and a toddler<\/i>. Mittens primarily expresses his anger by sulking in dark corners, but when provoked by such indignities as someone dropping in for tea or his dinner being five minutes late, Mittens has been known to expresses his anger with poop.
Mittens needs to find a quiet home where he can be left to sulk in peace and quiet. He would enjoy the company of fish or hamsters, and possibly one or two humans if it's absolutely necessary. ETA: He would actually be a really <\/i>good cat for someone who isn't home very much! Get an automatic kibble dispenser (we have one, it's awesome) and a self-scooping litterbox, come home occasionally, and you'd have a very happy cat.
He is six years old, give or take a bit, and is neutered, microchipped, up to date on his vaccinations, perfectly litterbox trained aside from his sporadic ANGRY POOP episodes, and in good health. We would like to initially place him as a temporary foster, to make sure we have found the right home for him, and we will cover all of his routine vet care for at least the first year. He needs to go to an experienced cat owner with NO OTHER PETS (except possibly fish or hamsters) and NO CHILDREN, and we will require a home visit and vet references. .
In all the years I've had cats, I've never had to even consider rehoming any of them, and I am only looking at doing so now because we have tried everything<\/i> and nothing has made him happy except being left home alone while the dogs are boarded and the humans are out of town. Things have gotten progressively worse over the past two years, and the noise and chaos of our household is now clearly more than he can take. I think he will probably make a marvelous pet once he gets settled in a quieter home, as he is very affectionate and friendly when he's not stressed or startled.
If you think you might be able to give Mittens the quiet and solitude he needs, please contact me and we can discuss the situation in more detail. Signal boosting is also welcome, although given that we would like to do a home visit and place him as a foster initially, his potential new person would need to be within an hour or two of Concord, NH. We will keep him for as long as it takes to find the right home.
"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:181862","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/181862.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=181862"}}],"title":"adventures in mealtimes, almost-toddler edition","published":"2011-10-28T19:27:48Z","updated":"2011-10-28T19:27:48Z","content":"Miles: NEED OATMEAL RIGHT NOW!
Me: *obligingly offers spoonful of oatmeal*
Miles: *spits oatmeal at me* NO NOT THAT OATMEAL IT ARE THE WRONG OATMEAL.
Me: fine, play with your sippycup.
Miles: OMG WHY WON'T YOU GIVE THE BABY ANY OATMEAL?
Me: *cautiously offers another spoonful*
Miles: *opens mouth, then clamps it shut before the spoon goes in*
Me: okay, no oatmeal for you then.
Miles: I AM DYING OF AN OATMEAL DEFICIENCY SO HARD TO BE THE BABY WOE.
Me: milk?
Miles: *wiggles into downward dog pose and nurses happily with one eye on the computer and one hand smacking me in the face*
Me: *eats lunch and contemplates vodka*"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:180821","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/180821.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=180821"}}],"title":" Something Approximating A Recipe For Groundnut Stew ","published":"2011-07-10T04:14:11Z","updated":"2011-07-10T04:14:11Z","content":"For those who wanted the recipe for the groundnut stew I brought to the party tonight, and for anyone else who thinks it sounds interesting...
Something Approximating A Recipe For Groundnut Stew (a la NYC Hippy Commune circa 2002)<\/strong>
I learned to make this while living in an intentional community on Staten Island years ago. (Hi, Aviva!) Having never been to Africa, I can't comment on it's authenticity, but it's tasty, easy to make, cheap, vegan, gluten-free, and reasonably healthy.
I cook entirely by the "dump things in a pot until it smells good" method, so if you need exact measurements to cook I can't help you there. It's a very forgiving dish, and it scales well, so seriously, just dump things in a pot and don't worry too much.
Makes approximately one vat of stew.
In a large pot, heat a glug or two of olive oil. Whack up an onion or two and sauté. Finely mince a couple of cloves of garlic and toss them in too, and turn the heat down so it doesn't burn. (All of our recipes from that place started with "first, chop up an onion and a bunch of garlic.)
Mince or grate a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger root (sans peel) and toss that in too. Then add some spices. I used Atlantic Spice Company's garam masala<\/a> this time because it was handy, but you need a minimum of cumin, cinnamon, and something with a bit of heat. (Cayenne works nicely.) How much? Eh, a fair bit. Use lots if you like things strongly flavored or less if you have wimpy taste buds. Then dump in an enormous glob of peanut butter. Don't ask me how much exactly, peanut butter is a pain to wash out of measuring cups so I just scoop it straight out of the jar. Stir that all around for a minute or two.
Now dump in a big can of diced tomatoes, juice and all, and turn the heat down to a simmer while you chop up the rest of the vegetables. You want some carrots (half a dozen or so), a sweet potato or yam (a nice big one) and some cabbage (red or green, a couple of cups worth.) Toss all of that in the pot, bring the heat back up, and add enough water to cover everything.
Leave it on the stove to think about itself for a while. When the root vegetables are mushy and it smells good, it's done. Adjust the seasonings to taste and serve over quinoa.
"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:180548","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/180548.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=180548"}}],"title":"six months","published":"2011-06-30T19:05:18Z","updated":"2011-06-30T19:21:01Z","content":"Miles is six months old today. I don't quite believe it. I mean, it was just yesterday that he was born, right? And just the week before that when I found out I was pregnant? And now somehow I have this chubby little boy who is sitting up all by himself and trying to crawl and oh god next week he'll be going to college.
I celebrated by sleeping in until shortly before noon (for the definition of "sleeping in" wherein I actually mean "woke up every hour or two just long enough to flop a boob in his general direction") and then presenting him with a lankycat<\/a> and taking about a million photos. Then we ate lunch (he had a few bites of my potatoes) and I took a shower all by myself for the first time since he was born (all hail the bumbo chair!) and now he's napping. When Amy gets home tonight he has two more half-birfday pressies, board book versions of Go Dog Go<\/u> and The Very Hungry Caterpillar<\/u>. This weekend we will have a little party. ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/farm6.static.flickr.com\/5108\/5888283252_5bfa9db7cc.jpg\")
Happy half-birfday, my beloved child. You are worth all the years it took to get you.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6032\/5887717585_e64f4874a1.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/farm6.static.flickr.com\/5271\/5887717245_795a04d6c6.jpg\")
"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:kythryne:180418","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/180418.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/kythryne.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=180418"}}],"title":"halp?","published":"2011-06-25T15:32:35Z","updated":"2011-06-25T15:32:35Z","content":"I know it's possible<\/em> to have a sticky post on an LJ community. However, I can not figure out how<\/em> to do that, and my google-fu is failing me. And I really, really, REALLY need a sticky post on <\/a>savemia<\/b><\/a><\/span> .
If you can make this happen, please let me know. If bribery is necessary, I have shiny objects."}]}