Fifteen Minutes of Scrawl

I'm sure I'm missing some, but these are ones that I have either heard great things about, bought from in-person, but can't speak to their online capabilities, or that I have been curious about. They are in no particular order.  I also wanted to, again, highlight my post "15 websites (including Etsy shops) that I can personally recommend for buying holiday gifts" . I was inspired to do this by  We Ain’t Buying It , which is calling on people to stop shopping at Target, Home Depot, and Amazon between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday. You can read more about this boycott on their website (linked above) or in  The Hill 's article  "‘We Ain’t Buying It’: These retailers are being targeted by holiday shopping boycott" by Alix Martichoux . Goose Creek (okay, I forgot this one for the previous post, I have bought from them online before and love their candles): Premium Scented Candles – Elevate Your Space with Luxurious Fragrance. Moss Amigos  (okay, I fo...

Hey Dad, Happy 71st birthday. Yes, I know I'm writing this five days early, but it's what works best with my blogging schedule--call that selfish if you want, but it is what it is. And, you know, this year your birthday is on Thanksgiving and I think I won't be up for writing to you that day. So, here we go. Life has been complicated since you passed away in March. Grief comes and goes, though, I suppose, never fully goes. At first, the shock and confusion of what I was supposed to actually do dominated my mind. But friends helped quite a lot with holding me gently and making me know that they cared and were thinking of me. Now, though, the rentlessness of life is settling back in. I still have to get laundry done, alone. I still have to feed myself, (mostly) alone. I have to clean my apartment and myself, alone. I suppose I did all of those things before you died, but somehow it feels different now that you're gone. I suppose I don't really know what exactly to say...

I'm sure I'm missing some, but these are ones that I have found success with (either for myself or others). They are in no particular order.  I was inspired to do this by  We Ain’t Buying It , which is calling on people to stop shopping at Target, Home Depot, and Amazon between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday. You can read more about this boycott on their website (linked above) or in The Hill 's article "‘We Ain’t Buying It’: These retailers are being targeted by holiday shopping boycott" by Alix Martichoux . Libro.fm : Libro.fm makes it possible for you to buy audiobooks through your local bookstore. Choose the bookstore you’d like to support, and they will get a portion of every purchase you make. Svaha : A one-stop shop for all nerdy, niche apparel and accessories! Explore literature, gaming, art, tech, science, space, and more -- and enjoy 100% cotton comfort with the most spacious pockets you'll ever wear. Paola's Pixels : Dungeons and Dragons inspi...

Here are some short pieces based on things that have happened in my life recently. Fender Bender Yesterday, I was walking my dog for his midday walk, and I walked past two people disagreeing over a fender bender. One was a woman in a blue car, and one was a man, parked ahead of her in a black car. The blue car woman was saying that the black car man had backed into her car and scratched it. The black car man said that the scratch must've already been there because there wasn't any blue car paint on his black car.  I will note, quickly, that the black car was definitely parked in front of a fire hydrant. Moving on. Shortly after wrapping up my walk with my dog, I walked past the bickering again as I had to walk to meet someone. Now, the blue car woman was joined by a man and the black car man was joined by a woman. They were each telling their story to their new guest and that's when two police cars pulled up. I know I'm not a law enforcement expert, but I really do thin...

Please do not judge! Also, always happy to learn more fun facts. New Mexico voted that Pluto is a planet when it passes over New Mexico (otherwise it is not) Orcas are dolphins An owl's eye color indicates what time (roughly) they hunt Andorra has co-princes, one of whom is the president of France If you were born before May 25, 2025, you shared this planet with, at least, a grandson of the US's 10th president, John Tyler (who lived from 1790-1862) Sharks are older than trees At one point, there were three simultaneous popes The Travels of Marco Polo were not, in fact, written by Marco Polo Since NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida shares a border with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, alligators are commonly found on the grounds of NASA The oldest dog on record lived to be a little over 31 years old In Arkansas, you can have 6 bobcats if you caught them in Arkansas, but 7 rabbits you caught in Arkansas is, legally, too many rabbits Andrew Jackson's parro...

Time for family drama? Pattiya is straight up lying that she and Dylan's mom got along well Oof Dylan says not to trust his brother?! Omg what is Dylan doing? Okay, this song isn't great, but it would work on me too Was Anthony suggesting Manon not use an umbrella? Oof Manon, you're taking this too hard Wait, wait, wait, you all are RENTING the espresso machine? JENNY! IT WASN'T PLUGGED IN?! Did Chloe say she thought Jonathan was a waiter? Chloe, your mom is trying to understand Chloe, you shouldn't play the lottery every weekend Manon, you were not playing it cool Wait does Anthony not have any friends? THERE IS ASBESTOS?! Oof Dylan tricked Pattiya into eating kangaroo...yikes Yikes this dinner is uncomfy That smirk that Dylan has in his confessional is evil Manon, THEN WHY WAS THIS THE PLAN?! Next time Sumit's friend comes to judge Family Cafe Next time we find out Sumit doesn't have chairs for Family Cafe? Next time Anthony wants to see goat butts? Next t...

These are (mostly) Christmas-y, but not all! Also, some of these I have read/watched/listened to before. The Merry Gentlemen A Merry Little Ex-mas Love You a Latke  by Amanda Elliot The Nightmare Before Kissmas  by Sara Raasch Good Spirits: A Novel by B.K. Borison A Mannequin for Christmas: A Novel by Timothy Janovsky Til Death Do Us Blart 2025 My own YouTube recordings of A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens Jingle Bell Heist Our Little Secret Single All the Way My Secret Santa The Muppet Christmas Carol The Nightmare Before Christmas Nailed it! Holiday! (Prompt by me) Photo by Eleonora Albasi on Unsplash

Time for part 2 of the tell all! Is Libby making fun of Jovi saying "y'all"? Oop the cut to Darcey after Libby talking about how she and Loren are against plastic surgery and fillers etc Lol Andrei and Alexei disagreeing that they have some similarities Wow they prayed Lol this poor bartender Why did we start this convo without Libby? Oof, Yara, you're saying Andrei and Libby even push family away? Guillermo, up your dare game Wow I don't need to watch Matt suck Jasmine's toe (though it isn't as bad as watching Jasmine suck Gino's toes) Lol Matt is funny Oop no one picked up the mysterious phone number Gino found Oop the mysterious number texted Andrei I love how Jasmine roped in two people for this dare Libby, you are not subtle I do not believe you, Gino Ew I don't need to watch Georgi crush Darcey Honestly, I'm glad TLC provides hair and makeup I don't like these other men weighing in on Kara's actions Oop, Kara, that's too much ...

I've been reading several The Bachelor  inspired romance novels lately so here are some additional romance novel pairings based on various reality shows. The Bachelor : Main and a contestant (I actually haven't seen this combo yet) The Bachelor : Two producers Survivor : Host and contestant (I do believe Jeff Probst dated at least one contestant after the show wrapped) Suvivor : Host and producer Survivor : Producer and contestant Survivor : Two contestants (which has actually happened) Survivor : Two producers RuPaul's Drag Race : Two contestants (has happened in real life) RuPaul's Drag Race : Host and contestant RuPaul's Drag Race : Host and producer RuPaul's Drag Race : Producer and contestant (I believe hookups at least have happened) Love is Blind : Contestant and producer The Real Housewives : Housewife and producer (I believe something like this has happened) The Real Housewives : Two housewives (there have been hookups, but I'm talking about LOVE) T...

Here are some short pieces based on things that have happened in my life recently. Dogsitting I have been dogsitting a fair bit recently. I see it as a huge perk for both me and my dog, Hoban. Hoban is, shall we say, selective when it comes to other dogs and so this dog that I dogsit for, Nellie, is a welcome friend. Hoban and Nellie are great friends and get along splendidly. If Hoban is ever too much, well, Nellie is bigger so she just kinda schools him to calm it down. I also get to cuddle with two dogs at night which is just so good for my soul. Also, there is a yard at the house I dogsit at so the dogs get to run around and I don't have to worry about them dragging me in different directions on a walk. Seeing the dogs play and even just interact or squabble for my attention just makes me smile. I love being able to dogsit and I think I get a ton out of it. Eating I have been working on my relationship to eating and food. It feels like such achingly slow progress. Why can other...

Yes, these might already exist, but these are things I'd like.  Canldes shaped like small gourds Thanksgiving turkey garland Thanksgiving turkey lights A motion-activated turkey that gobbles when you walk by Gravy boat shaped like a turkey Turkey feather wreath Lights or candles tha tlook like cranberry sauce right out of the can Cranberry-scented candles A turkey made out of pumpkins A turkey jack-o-lantern Cranberry garland Inflatable turkey Inflatable cornucopia Cornucopia-shaped candle Wreath made of cornucopias (Prompt by me) "07-thanksgiving-53.jpg" by Roxanne Sutton . Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic .

Time for some revelations? I do want the bread filled with potato, Sumi Oop Sumit's dad is using unfiltered water I do agree though that Sumit should've taken care of the water situation earlier Dylan, I'm willing to bet that you picked this store and that you also didn't think to check what the price range was of it prior Dylan, I do have a difficult time believing you that the only reason you haven't proposed to Pattiya is she is bad with money Aw hell yeah, I want to go to tea and wherever they filmed this B-roll for Greta Aw I love Matthew's family Oh, Greta, I'm so sorry Oof Brian is saying Luke has Stockholm syndrome Jenny, you just need to watch a video Jenny, I think giving out some samples is okay (but I do udnerstand that opening a business is super stressful) This seems like a sweet date for Greta and Matthew Ah Greta is coming clean Aw Matthew is doing okay Next time Pattiya and Dylan go to a strip club Next time Luke buys Madelein a puppy Next t...

I need to write up a nomination for myself so I'm just going to brainstorm.  I love books I've worked at one of the two bookstores before Books are important to my life and my family I am passionate about both stores... ...but especially the one that I feel is underrepresented I have ideas for the stores I am a member I support the booksellers' union I'm a hopeful author I'm kind I'm logical I give measured responses I do dream of one day opening a bookstore, so perhaps this is a more realistic way to get that feeling I'm born and raised in the neighborhood the stores are in I think I'd enjoy it (Prompt by me) Photo by Jaredd Craig on Unsplash

Time for part 1 of the tell all! I wonder if this is the same house as last time (I do not remember nor do I care enough to do the requisite research) When and where was this filmed? Why are Darcey and Georgi so sweaty? Oh wow this was filmed just one month after we left Julia and Brandon, so she's still expecting Lol I'm so glad that production didn't have Gino sneak up on Jasmine So many of the parents in this group are like "Thank god, I get to sleep tonight" Ugh, Jovi said Jasmine loves Gino like a father Omg Loren, why did you agree to do this show again? I hate all these men talking about Jasmine I really don't think that Jasmine scammed Gino Wow Gino said Matt isn't going to "get a freebie" Gino sucks so much Jovi, you think you can take Andrei? Omg there is a bartender Gino, you cannot call Jasmine a bitch Yara, are you on Gino's side? I hate that Aw Kara said something nice to Guillermo Guillermo, you and Kara should figure out how t...

Can anyone help me remember the title? It's historical England or US Though I think England The woman has a green dress on the cover The woman is a widow The man had like disappared for a portion of his adult life And his former fiancé has nearly gotten engaged to someone else Who is evil! So the man decides, eventually, that he must assert his previous marriage contract with his former fiancé to save her The man and woman have elicit trysts in like a cottage The woman had never had pleasure from sex before the man I believe he initially made a bet with her that he could teach her about sexual pleasure without using his hands And he does I remember they think they're going to only have one more passionate night before the man gets engaged to his former fiancé I don't remember how it resolves, but the man and the woman get together I believe the author is a woman (Prompt by me) Photo by m carty on Unsplash

On Sunday, I had the joy of seeing Reptiles Alive!  at the Field Museum. Unlike most exhibits at the Field, Reptiles Alive!  does contain living specimen along with its taxidermy. While the taxidermy allowed for up close inspection of reptiles posed curiously and, often, demonstrably, the living reptiles offer a direct connection and a delight that just cannot happen otherwise. However, this wasn't the only fabulous thing about Reptiles Alive! . I honestly learned a lot about what makes a reptile. For instance, I learned that some snakes give birth to live young whereas I had assumed all repitles lay eggs. I also learned some about the differences between snakes and legless lizards (which I didn't know existed).  Reptiles Alive! thus challenged some notions I had about these creatures and I'm grateful for it. Of course, for me, the highlight was the African dwarf crocodile and the alligator hatchling. Now, the African dwarf crocodile was hilariously "hiding" under...

Way back in 2019, I wrote "15 things I've been meaning to watch" (I also did a series of pieces of media that I want to watch/read/play/listen to in 2024 ). So now is a 2025 list focused on shows and movies. Ginny & Georgia : Free-spirited Georgia and her two kids, Ginny and Austin, move north in search of a fresh start but find that the road to new beginnings can be bumpy. The Residence : Cordelia Cupp, an eccentric detective, arrives at the White House in order to solve a murder which happened during a state dinner. Arcane , season 2: Amidst the escalating unrest between the rich, utopian city of Piltover and the seedy, oppressed underbelly of Zaun, sisters Vi and Powder find themselves embroiled in a developing conflict over clashing convictions and arcane technologies. Wednesday , season 2: Wednesday returns to Nevermore and, while developing her psychic abilities, must face a new tormentor and prevent her roommate's death. Delicious in Dungeon : D...

Here are some short pieces based on things that have happened in my life recently. Romance I've been slowly reading a romance novel lately that I just finished recently. It's called Fan Favorite  and it (mostly) takes place on the set of a fictional version of The Bachelor . I really enjoyed it, so I moved on to another romance novel also set on the set of a fictional version of The Bachelor . This one is sapphic and called Here for the Wrong Reasons . I plan to move on after that one to yet another romance novel set on a fictional version of The Bachelor . This final one is called The Charm Offensive  and is queer as well. I plan to go to a romance only bookstore on Saturday so I may even find yet another reality TV show-based romance novel (though perhaps I've tracked down the three best--who knows?). If you have one to recommend though, I'm all ears! Scab I think I've been too itchy lately (I'll talk to my doctor, don't worry). After scratching my back to...

SSDGM! I heard a dulcimer for the first time! Twas lovely! Alice Clement 's story and solving the dulcimer murder is movie-worthy While both Karen and Georgia looked lovely, I really coveted Karen's dress I wonder if more of Karen and Georgia's family was in the audience since they were filming Karen kinda let it slip that they were filming something for Netflix The murders of Frank T. Ringi and Dr. Martin R. Sullivan by  Jonathan Preston Haynes were tragic, but important to hear about It was also lovely to hear from someone who knew Dr. Sullivan directly It was so comforting to be around so many people who listen to the same podcast as me I got several compliments on my older MFM shirt that reads "Toxic Masculinity Ruins the Party Again" I kinda wish I would've been able to tell one of my hometowns That said, both pre-chosen (and likely vetted since they were filming) were great I got to meet the person who sold me my ticket (I found her selling it on a murd...

Time for some more family-related drama? I'm so glad Chloe's mom is coming to Aruba Madelein, I'm surprised you want to keep working with this man These randos walking by are really distracting Manon is TIPSY Well that was anticlimactic Oop Chloe's mom is concerned Love that Luke is being called "very dirty" Oof, Manon's dad told her to change her character Oof Chloe and her mom are already clashing over money Oop, Chloe, you don't remember your mom paying your rent? Next time Sumit's family's cafe begins! Next time Sumit's dad thinks you can use bathroom water for the food Next time Pattiya and Dylan fight over money Next time Pattiya reveals her debt Next time Luke's friend tells him to end it with Madelein Next time Matthew takes Greta to meet pigs and pick apples? Next time Greta tells Matthew she's unsure about kids now Next time Matthew is surprised Next time should be good Can't wait! (Prompt by me) 90 Day Fiancé: The Oth...

Just making myself a to-do list. Take the trash out Do laundry Water my plants Backup my photos Read Write book reviews Post some things on my nieghborhood's Buy Nothing group Take down my Halloween decorations Plan some things to do while my friend is here Run my dishwasher Pack for dogsitting Check out more condos Do yoga Bathe Hoban Make the pasta dish I have planned (Prompt by me) Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Time for kid talk.  Gino is already grossing me out So...Gino is writing his dating profile in Word and using his phone to look up tips even though he's on his computer... Gino, you suck Jasmine, I'm laughing at you talking about your mother-in-laws being dead I appreciate Jasmine asking how she can make a good impression on Matt's mother Matt, you need to propose to Jasmine in order to be engaged Coco is concerned Brandon doesn't come across as a biker Okay, Julia, maybe tell your parents so they can have time to plan to come out and visit? I don't understand Julia's medical condition Jovi is making a s'mores kebab Smorf is hilarious Libby, how can you be mad that Yara told Loren what you said when you SAID IT ON CAMERA? So Jasmine and Matt have oyster shells on their wall Aw Matt's mom likes Coco too Always great to hear a man in his 30s was "like a child" until like a year ago Aw Matt's mom and sister are sweet I'm so uncomfy watchin...

I started the condo search process yesterday (when I meant to post this)! Just sort of a thought dump post-tours. Wow four tours required a lot more energy than I thought it would I really like my realtors I wonder how much I can strike the balance between modern and more space I do think I lean more towards the space side of things I really need fewer stairs to my condo I think I prefer more colorful apartments than the more modern and sleek looking ones (yes, I do realize that I could repaint) Windows are really important to me I wonder if I'm really ready to take this step I'm not sure how I'll know that I'm sure I want to make an offer I feel fairly ignorant of the process I feel kinda non-adult, but I feel like I want my mom to see the places I want a place I can grow in I want a place I can entertain in I want a place with room for a baby I would love a place with some outdoor space (Prompt by me) Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash