Fifteen Minutes of Scrawl

Original prompt: Hot hues: Sun-bleached turquoise. Overripe watermelon. Green grass after a thunderstorm. Roadside wildflowers. Summer makes everything brighter: What color are you craving more of right now? Juicy watermelon pink Thunderstorm cloud blue-gray Firefly glow yellow Sweet lake blue Petrichor green Deep, subtle glitter emerald Bright tiger lily orange Molten sunlight gold Fresh cream Soft Highland cow red-brown Femme fatale lipstick red Glinting obsidian blade black Delicate forget-me-not purple Opal iridescence New penny bronze (Prompt provided by Kimisha Cassidy) Photo by Victor on Unsplash

Time for some uncomfiness.  I love that Tigerlily doesn't have cabin-appropriate shoes Wait the kids are living in the hotel too? Gino is so awkward Darcey, your friend is trying to help you Lol at Darcey hoping 13 is a lucky number Excited for this Loren-organized girls' night (is Noga coming?) Why did you quit the job, Guillermo? What about Guillermo getting deployed, Kara's mom? What is this thing Jasmine is in? Hot take, dads watching their own kids isn't "babysitting" Gino, you're a weirdo Adnan makes me uncomfortable Ho boy do Kara and Guillermo need therapy I'm always more inclined to believe Jasmine Georgi's stress is coming off as douche Georgi will still not tell Darcey he loves her Talking about boundaries is probably good, Libby You can talk to someone without sleeping with them, Gino I feel bad for Jasmine Next time we have to watch Brandon and Julia roleplay Next time Libby and Andrei arrive in Moldova Next time Kara still has hope Ne...

This is a companion piece to "15 things I'm moving away from" .  Being a mother (started to think seriously about a timeline) Becoming a homeowner (Zillow browsing is now a hobby) Finding ways to treat myself that aren't food (not that food will never be a reward, but it's good to have other tools in the toolbox) Taking more photos (I miss it) Styling myself in ways I enjoy (got some fun nail polish, for example) Dating (the apps are tough, but I'm trying dammit) Driving (I've looked up a driving school) Traveling more (it feels easier now) My interest in cryptids (just some fun) Saying yes more (trying to be less of a homebody--NB: just less, not looking to be a huge partyer or anything) Trying new experiences (mermaid class perhaps?) Practicing more self-care (this will take some practice) Accepting grief (this is difficult, but I'm working on it) Using my vacation time (this goes hand in hand with #8) Being more politically active (trying) (Prompt p...

Time for the finale!  Yes with the Star Wars  reference, Irene It does feel too soon for a finale I did think it would be Mistress coming back, but I do love Kerri I mean, yeah Aja, the queens will probably try to be shady, but it's unclear how that would be beneficial to them Kerri, it's specifically the fiercest lip sync competition (loving your light saber hair piece though) Irene, Lydia is quite a strong lip syncer I love Ru's voluminous look Aja's look has piqued my curiosity Bosco looks great Daya's eyes are so cool I like Ginger's look Irene's look reminds me a tad of Bosco's runway from last week Jorgeous's look has great movement Lydia looks incredible Kerri is gorgeous Lol a seeded bracket seems wild for this But thanks to Irene for the explanation! Omg I love the P!NK song that's up for grabs Okay so Ginger definitely won that (and Ru agrees) Lol it is pretty funny that they keep making the queens stand up and down for the announcement...

There will be a companion piece to this in two days. Putting my identity into my job (it doesn't need to define me) Unhealthy body image (it's slow going, but I'm working on it) Hiding my body (I wore a two-piece swimsuit and did a photoshoot, and only got compliments) Inertia when it comes to reading (audiobooks help a lot) Back pain (I threw it out, and, boy, did that suck) Holding on to clothes that don't fit (don't need 'em) Keeping items I don't need and don't mean anything to me (like the item above, don't need 'em) Not listening to my body (this will take some practice) Shopping too much (it's a coping mechanism of mine and will take some time to undo) Thinking audiobooks aren't reading (a smaller thing, but definitely a belief I have been moving away from) Feeling shame for my reading choices (everyone should read what they want! who cares if I read a romance novel feat. the Loch Ness Monster?) Beating myself up for missing self-i...

I suppose I say yes to many small things without thinking. Though I don't think that's what this prompt is getting at. After all, who'd want to read about me saying yes, actually, I would like you to pass the salt? Instead, I picked to write about what stood out in my mind when I thought over this prompt (which I did for some time). At my cousin's memorial service in Waltham, MA, I met "the girls." "The girls" were two women--I think about my age, but I'm also notoriously terrible at telling such things--who lived together in a renovated bus on my cousin and her wife's land in Vermont. They stood together and took some turns reading wonderfully touching and heartfelt words about my cousin--whom they said they viewed as a mother. While it was immensely meaningful, it was, understandably, difficult for the two of them to get through. I read some words myself, but I struggled as well. In order not to cry throughout the whole--brief-- speech, I m...

Time for a nap! At a slumber party with friends (think sleeping bags in a living room) At my beloved summer camp Beside a babbling brook, on moss, with a loved one Cuddling Velma and Hoban In a clearing, on soft grass interspersed with wildflowers, with a loved one In a treehouse in a beautiful forest In a window, under a blanket as rain falls and gentle thunder rumbles In a window, under a blanket as snow falls In my favorite bookstore, after hours (with permission of course) In the Beast's library from Beauty and the Beast On a friend's couch while watching a movie I've seen before (and they don't mind) On my mom's couch with my head in her lap Poolside, on a comfy lounge chair under an umbrella, with loved ones Watching the Northern Lights from a bed, through a skylight Watching the sunset at the Point with friends (Prompt by Eleanor Pratt) Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

Time for an explanation for the emergency?  Oof a broken leg is no joke Jennifer is actually being really nice to come as a translator Why is Tim so scared of a fig? Yeash, Colt fractured his leg? Okay, breaking Usman's heart is a bit much, Tim Men gotta stop being so possessive I think Jennifer is making up that Rob and Elise had sex today I could be about a Jennifer/Chantal ship Chantal, you are saying stuff on camera... Okay, it's not cool to be talking about women like this Tiffany is not lying to the guys though, Rob So, yes, pushing is not chill, Jay, but the other dude (whose name is escaping me) was being wild Girls' night escalated Next time the boys' night fight continues Next time Jennifer says she's been honest Next time Tim hopes to bond with Elise Next time Courtney is still really rocked by Colt's injury Next time the rumor about who is sleeping with Rob is addressed Next time looks good! Can't wait! (Prompt by me) 90 Day Fiancé: Hunt for Love...

These are in no particular order. Kirk/Spock,  Star Trek Daryl/Carol, The Walking Dead Legolas/Gimli, The Lord of the Rings Sam/Frodo, The Lord of the Rings Remus/Sirius, Harry Potter Alicent/Rhaenyra, House of the Dragon Haruhi/Hikaru,  Ouran High School Host Club Tamaki/Kyoya, Ouran High School Host Club Eloise/Cressida, Bridgerton Penelople/Derek, Criminal Minds Edgin/Xenk,  Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Bucky/Cap, Marvel Katara/Zuko, Avatar: The Last Airbender Poe/Finn, Star Wars Stiles/Derek, Teen Wolf (Prompt by Emily Kleeman) Photo by Katherine McCormack on Unsplash

Not sure what's going to happen this episode, since we only got a season preview last episode. Wait, Gino, you hadn't told this lady about your deal? This tongue stuff is too much for me Loren...did I see you look pleased at your friend getting so worked up? Andrei is rude as hell Georgi is trying to be reasonable (IMO) Tigerlily whacks her own weeds? Tigerlily, if you can afford to drop $24k on toilets, you can afford to hire someone to renovate the cabin I mean, I do think even if Tigerlily doesn't convert, she could read at least like some cliffnotes of The Quran I'm glad Jasmine has a friend Of course we have another 90 Day  singer in Kara Oop Guillermo doesn't know if he loves and cares about Kara Having your husband come to your birthday party is pretty basic tbh Natalie is asking questions late/Gino is very late in being upfront Yeah, Noga did have a big reaction, Libby, but Andrei was being a jerk Alexei and Loren did not add much to this Georgi, don't t...

Just having some fun!  How have your reading tastes changed over time? I used to be a bit snobbier I think, especially in regards to romance novels (which I now adore). I also don't have the reading stamina that I used to. For instance, I used to read and reread an epic fantasy series with epic page counts, but now I prefer a quick read and/or an audiobook What’s the last great book you read? A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske The last book that made you laugh? Under Loch and Key  by Lana Ferguson What book did you feel as if you were supposed to like, and didn’t? Great Expectations  by Charles Dickens You’re organizing a literary dinner party. Which three writers, dead or alive, do you invite? Ursula K. Le Guin, Mary Shelley, and Kimberly Lemming Who is your favorite fictional hero or heroine? Difficult to say, but probably Alanna of Trebond in The Song of the Lioness  series by Tamora Pierce Your favorite antihero or villain? Mr. Croup and Mr. Vandemar (from N...

Time for the talent show! Mistress is pissed Wait next week is the lip sync smackdown? Is that right? Bosco totally deserved the reading challenge win Hilarious that people want to hire Aja to jump off a box for weddings I like this pairing for rehearsals Wait, Aja, are you going to dance with a real machete? Some real talk from the queens about the current political climate I'm really liking Ru's look Aja's number made me so nervous but in an exciting way Bosco's routine was fun Daya's act was fun and that staple made me drop my jaw Ginger's performance had some great comedy and references in it Irene was pretty funny Jorgeous is such a fantastic dancer Lydia was ridiculous but good? Mistress's sketch was, overall, really great, but I think she needed to slow down in the non-side effect part of the speech Aja looks great, but I feel like we've seen similar looks before Bosco's look is beautiful and clever I love the poof in Daya's look, but the ...

Who knew we'd get here? I appreciate having this blog as a daily task I appreciate having a blog at all (thanks for reading!) I appreciate having a writing outlet I love having readers (hey, that means, you!) I love having a place to brainstorm I love having a creative space I want to thank you for reading I want to thank you for providing prompts (send more!) I want to thank you for supporting me This blog has helped me process This blog has helped me memorialize This blog has helped me think through things This blog means I am forced to write SOMETHING every day This blog means I connect with those I love This blog means so much to me (Prompt by me) "2500" by Eva the Weaver .  Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic .

Time for an emergency?  Crocodile! Cole, you are being weird, but, yes, Jennifer is lying I love that Usman isn't about Nikki rescuing animals A beer spa, love it Chantal, my love, please get a swimsuit that fits Ah time for me to be uncomfy How was Usman supportive? Oop Usman has some IDEAS about bisexuality Get it, Chantal Yes, Courtney, get money for those feet pics These women are so awkward and hilarious Colt, don't do the accent I love that Tiffany is getting all the dates You did wait too long, Colt Colt, how are you this invested already? Lol Jennifer spent the night with Rob and is now having therapy with Cole I would like to see Tim and Elise connect IF that's what's happening Ambulance time! Next time Usman asks about what "performance" means Next time we have fun with aphrodisiacs Next time is girls' night and boys' night Next time there is a fight? Next time, do we find out who was in the ambulance? Next time should be good Can't wait!...

Who wants a letter? Getting personal mail makes me smile Getting personal mail cuts through the junk I get Getting personal mail allows me to reach out to people I may find it difficult to otherwise I like finding good pens I like making return address labels I like thinking about others' receiving my mail I love staying in touch I love buying cute stationery I love purchasing fun stamps (seriously, I have D&D themed ones at the moment) It's a way to show love It's a way to slow down It's a way to have a conversation at a slow pace Writing by hand feels personal Writing by hand makes me think Writing by hand allows me to process (Prompt by me) Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Time for the season premiere (which I was 3 minutes late to)! Pirate costume for Andrei but also naked? Andrei called Libby's family a cult, right? Lovin' this crossover of couples we've been promised I hate this haunted house for both me and Darcey Darcey doesn't know how old Georgi is Darcey is comedy gold Do we have to objectify Yara this much? The show tricked us! Ho boy Gino kicked Jasmine out of the house Kara and Guillermo are awkward Okay not talking for 3 days when you have a kid that little is wild to me Why does Loren have braces now? I hated it when Gino complimented her skin Loren, Libby moving isn't your decision I think Georgi was just trying to convey his parents' expectations Gino, please stop telling me what's turning you on Jasmine, move on Well Loren and Alexei's dinner party escalated This season Darcey and Georgi have a honeymoon This season maybe Gino has sex This season Julia gets fertility tests This season Jovi said someone is u...

Spoilers for the whole season! HOW DID SO MANY COUPLES GET ENGAGED?! And yet none got married Mel was definitely ready to run away with Dayna I do wonder if either will cover up or remove their matching tattoo I'm so glad AJ and Britney are still happily together I also love that they coordinated reunion outfits (and that two vases matched them too) Marie is (rightfully) PISSED at the reunion (so pissed that I wonder if she was pressured via her contract to attend the reunion) I wish (as I do for many reality shows) that part of the "social experiment" included therapy What did Kyle and Bridget mean that fiancé is the only gender neutral term? Partner? Significant other? Spouse? Joanna Garcia Swisher continues to baffle me as a host (even though AJ said nice things about her hosting) I can't believe it took til the reunion to find out that Marita and Ashley had cheated on each other (although it's possible some of this "cheating" as while they were broke...

Time for the merge and Snatch Game! For a moment, Ross looked like Tina Burner All of bracket 1's looks are incredible I do like all of bracket 2's looks, but they're not as standout as bracket 1's I also like all of bracket 3's looks, but Cynthia's is the standout for me Yes! A judge I know AND love Daya, Ginger was trying to play it cool Wow Mistress is already stirring the pot Aw, Mistress, I'm glad therapy helped you Oop Ru doesn't know several of these impersonations Mistress is not doing well Oh, Aja, I'm so sorry I love Ru's look Bosco's look is really cool, but the hair isn't my favorite I liked Jorgeous's suit look so much better than the Ruveal Daya's glitter sweat is fun Cynthia looks beautiful but the look wasn't my favorite I love Irene's look Aja's look is pretty cool Lydia is beautiful  I loved Ginger's look Mistress is stunning Yes, Ginger needed to be the winner I think Lydia shouldn't have bee...

Spoilers for the first three episodes, but don't tell me more! I think I've finally learned everyone's names My friends I'm watching with have ominously told me that some of the women whose names I struggle to remember will become quite memorable Why is Joanna the host? Could we not find someone queer? Also, she doesn't even do anything I think Marita just wants to be single  I feel so bad for Magan and Pilar whose families do not accept them How does coming out over email feel more dated than coming out over letter? Like every reality show, ho boy could some of them use therapy I maintain that having trial marriages with other people is a wild way to figure out if you want to marry someone else I said something mean about Bridget's hair that I probably shouldn't repeat I hope Magan does take the MCAT This is a very attractive cast Kyle reminds me of someone and I can't put my finger on it A meme has also let me know there will be a fight about brussel s...

Time for some rumors and confrontations.  Jennifer be lying Courtnery is great TV Are they roaches? I love the four people chilling together Blurry porn (but this time there is a raccoon popping into frame this time) Usman just jumping into inviting a woman to Lagos Rumor time Why is everyone working out? Rob isn't being disrespectful by having sex with a single woman... God I don't like Cole Okay well now Rob is lying, but does he owe Cole this information? I mean, Jennifer, Tim has a style...it may not be stylish, but he has a POV Aaand that escalated quickly Next time Chantel gets to go on a date Next time Chantel calls her boobs flotation devices Next time Usman didn't prepare his date for the date activity Next time Courtney is jealous Next time Tiffany gets asked on another date Next time Colt does Usman's accent Next time there is an ambulance  (Prompt by me) 90 Day Fiancé: Hunt for Love , TLC Promotional image source

My cousin Alice was someone very special to me. Here are 15 things that make me think of her (in no particular order). Frogs (my brother and I used to catch them in the creek by her house before releasing them again) Violin (her chosen instrument) Ring bearers (I was a ringbearer in her first wedding/commitment ceremony) Purple (her favorite color) Growing my hair out (when I was a kid, her hair was down to her lower back) Wiggling my nose like a rabbit (she taught me) Rottweilers (she had a beloved one named Taz when I was a kid) Telling jokes (she'd always ask me as a kid to tell her a joke) Dollhouses (I remember playing with her as a kid) Organizing (she used to do it professionally) Arts and crafts (I always have admired her creativity) WGBH (she used to work there) Pesto (I remember her making it from basil she grew) Gardening and the outdoors (her homes always had beautiful outdoor space) Love (she and her wife were one of my earliest examples of a loving marriage) (Prompt b...

Time for the second part of the tell all. Ah so we pick up in this hot mess So Any and Amani have a sex date I missed what this friend brought to the conversation Shekinah is taking this too seriously Matt is so mature (sarcasm detected) So Sarper got Shekinah a ring...finally Lol Sarper does a LOTR joke Juan was building stuff in Colombia? Daniele and Yohan are back together?! Did Megin really say, "Bitch, bye!"? Megin looks heartbroken that Jessica said she doesn't need Megin to protect her Um, Daniele, I don't think I'd be fine with someone cheating on me all the time even if they keep telling me they've been cheating WHY IS DANIELE HERE? Ah because Daniele and Shekinah have beef Now I could believe that Shekinah paid for bots to boost her own profile, but to pay to go after Daniele...I just doubt that Okay, Daniele, Mahdi may have pointed at you, but you got in his face (not vice versa) Ha I love that both Mina and Mark worked in a strip club Mina used her...