My ADHD brain in blog form.
Posted in Fountain Pens
I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while, but it kept getting pushed back. So, some of these pens are rather old at this point. However, the premise still holds true: all of these pens remind me of of other, non-pen, items.
Please note: I’ve borrowed all of these images, they are not mine. Each image links to the page where I found it. In the future, some of the links likely won’t work.
Posted in Personal
There’s a small chance you noticed that I didn’t post much last month. The few posts I shared at the beginning of April were pre-written.
On March 29, my first cat, Sandy, died unexpectedly at the vet during a drop-off appointment for a very routine blood sugar monitor application. He was my little old man, my Sandman, my Colonel Sanders. Needless to say, I wasn’t really feeling like myself.
I know a lot of people are against others sharing tragedies, but every time I tell the story, it gets a little easier. I’ve been finding it’s true that a burden shared is a burden halved.
Posted in Cat
This post is a continuation of my series on her treatment and integration into the household. If you haven’t already, I suggest reading my previous posts on her. You can find them on her tag page.
Like the previous posts, this one is in a journal-esque format. I’m covering major/important events and updates, rather than what happens each day.
Posted in Fountain Pens, and Ink
I came across the following information as the pinned comment on Liane Likes‘ video Part 1: My Fountain Pen Journey, Conversation with seemownay. The comment was posted by Iron Mic; unfortunately, I don’t have any further information about them. I copied and pasted the information directly from the comment, but I added a couple of paragraph breaks to make it easier to read.
Posted in Fountain Pens
This post is an answer to the questions in Liane Likes‘ video Part 1: My Fountain Pen Journey, Conversation with seemownay. Liane Likes collaborated with seemownay who posted How many Fountain Pens is enough? Interview with lianelikes Part 2 of Conversation.
I discovered Liane Likes’ video through Ink Journal’s weekly newsletter.
Posted in Fountain Pens
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.
Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉
Jim bought his first Gioia pen well over a year ago, and has really enjoyed having it in his collection. However, until the Cameo Edition was released, their library of models hadn’t really called to me.
Posted in Cat
This post is an overview of Athena’s third month of treatment. If you haven’t already, I suggest reading my previous posts on her treatment. You can find them on her tag page.
Like the previous posts, this one is in a journal-esque format. I’m primarily touching on major/important events and updates, rather than what happens each day.
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.
Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉
For the first time, I’ve been privileged to receive a pen for review. However, rest assured that this post, and all views that I express, are my own. Ruth of Shibui North reached out to offer me a pen in exchange for a pen porn post. Once I got over my shock, and confirmed all pertinent details, I chose the Pocket Fox Asa No Ha in Cherry Black.
Posted in Fountain Pens
It’s time again to feature new-to-me indie pen makers. Every so often, I post an update to my original Indie Pen Makers post. So far, I’ve posted an update and an addendum. These update posts are meant to let new-to-me pen makers have their time in the spotlight, and allow you to know who is “new.”
Since the pen-making world is constantly changing, I’ve decided to create a permanent reference page of makers I know of. Every time I post about indie makers, I’ll update that page, adding new makers, and removing any who have left the field. This means I’ll no longer update past indie maker posts.
Keep in mind, I have not purchased a pen from most of these makers, so consider this an informational list, not an endorsement.
Posted in Personal
As I briefly mentioned in my BWIPS 2023 post, I’ve adjusted my treatment for ADHD recently. Before I get into it, for those who haven’t read my ADHD journey post, allow me to give you a quick overview of what’s been going on.
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.
Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉
In late January, I saw a post about Nahvalur’s Lunar New Year special edition. After having been told there would ne be resin versions of the Nautilus with porthole ink windows, the Lunar New Year special edition surprised me.
However, despite the beauty of the pen, I made myself wait until February to buy it. After all, I’d already bought too many pens. The universe was clearly looking out for me — or rewarding me for good behavior — as, during the self-enforced wait, I came across a post for the Enigma Stationery-exclusive Brilliant Bunny limited edition of 50 pens.
Posted in Pen Shows
Last weekend was Baltimore Washington International Pen Show (BWIPS) weekend. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, or if you know me, then you know BWIPS is my favorite pen show. This year, however, was significantly different than previous years for me and Jim.
We attended this year’s BWIPS without any responsibilities. We didn’t volunteer, and we didn’t commit to teach any classes. It was nice, from that perspective, to attend a show like “normal” people. We didn’t have to worry about schedules or anything.
by Victoria Lynn
Genres: Regency Romance
Release Date: June 21, 2022
Pages: 335
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆ – Did not finish
★☆☆☆☆ – Hated it
★★☆☆☆ – Disliked it
★★★☆☆ – Okay
★★★★☆ – Liked it
★★★★★ – Loved it
Read the full explanation of my book rating system.
In this low angst, a sweet retelling of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bennet is not just idle, he is actively cruel. And Mrs. Bennet, while still uneducated, must do whatever she can to protect her daughters from their father.
Mr. Darcy’s epiphany comes much earlier than in canon and it changes his relationships not only with the Bennets but with his sister, his cousin Anne, and Bingley.
When the Bennet matriarch moves to an estate outside of Bath with her daughters, Bingley follows and so do both Darcy siblings.
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.
Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉
If you saw my 2023 wish list post, then you know I’ve wanted one of the Gravitas Pens Universe pens for a while. I had to give the initial release a miss because of Athena’s illness, but I was determined to get one from the next release, and I did.
by Kimbelle Pease
Genres: Regency Romance
Release Date: September 30, 2021
Pages: 368
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆ – Did not finish
★☆☆☆☆ – Hated it
★★☆☆☆ – Disliked it
★★★☆☆ – Okay
★★★★☆ – Liked it
★★★★★ – Loved it
Read the full explanation of my book rating system.
One warning, two cautions, and a note:
WARNING: In deference to a truth universally acknowledged that men do not behave the same when no women are present as they do in mixed company, this vagary does have occasional uses of profanity. The men in my life would consider it amusing but naïve to afford the same semantics of conversation for wholly different circumstances such as these, or they would should one of them choose to read it.
This vagary proposes an alternate telling of the original Pride and Prejudice and considers what may have happened should the characters have been afforded a slightly altered set of circumstances. What if Mr. Darcy had accepted quite early that he was falling in love with Elizabeth? What if Elizabeth was the least stubborn of her sisters? What if Mrs. Bennet was allowed to settle in mind and spirit? What if Mr. Bennet exerted himself on behalf of his daughters? What if Mr. Collins was in some way welcomed as the next owner of the estate? Those are only some of the twists within this tale, and while not canon, I hope I gave your favorite character a moment unto themselves that will make you smile.
CAUTION: I want to specifically state that this vagary is not for all Pride and Prejudice genre readers. If one reads to find fault in what is not canon, I’ve been most forthcoming about the fact that it is a vagary, so you should already be on your guard and perhaps pass it by. For those of you who are strict authoress-guidelines conscious, I will argue that in all time periods people spoke with the use of contractions. To that end, I was true to life rather than follow her pointed non-use of them. Outside conversation, however, you will not find them, and I hope that soothes any feathers which may be ruffled at such a bold defiance.
CAUTION: My editor also requested that I issue a point of clarification on her behalf. I confess that as an author em-dashes drive me nanabas, so in conflict with her excellent advice, I did not include many of them where she said they should be. Despise me for it if you must, but no novel, story, prose, or verse ever hinged on one’s use. The lacking or use of a comma, however, has cost millions. I promise that for those, I let her fully guide me.
NOTE: My personal pleasure in writing this book was the intent to make any who read it find themselves staying up at night; not because ODCs are near death, have been forced to do that which they despise, or are off chasing Lydia again, but because I believe I am not the only one of us who dearly loves to laugh.
I don’t know where February went. How are we already in March? This year is racing by. But, new month means new pen perchases overview.
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.
Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉
This particular pen was a commission from Analog Notes. After getting my pen with Chrysanthemum petals last year, it occurred to me that this, finally, was an excellent use for some dried petals I had saved.
Posted in Cat
This post is an overview of Athena’s second month of treatment. If you haven’t already, I suggest reading my posts on her first week of treatment and her first month of treatment. If you want to dive deep into her story, check out her tag page.
Like the previous posts, this one is in a journal-esque format. I intend to only touch on major/important events and updates, rather than what happens each day as I did in the first week post.
When Athena was diagnosed with FIP, Jim and I had no information about what to do or expect. With research, we’ve learned a lot, but there are things I wish I’d known before starting her treatment, both to spare her some trouble and to better prepare myself.
Please note: At the time of writing, I do not have any experience with the oral (pill) form of treatment. It looks like we’ll be starting oral treatment soon, so I may have some “lessons learned” a bit further on.
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.
Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉
Those of you who have been here for a while know I like the Benu Talisman model. So, when Azizah of Gourmet Pens told me she would have an exclusive Talisman, I was sold before I even saw the pen. When I saw it, I was at “shut up and take my money” levels of interest. The delightfully ostentatious True Unicorn is a smorgasbord of color and sparkle — and not for the faint of heart or those who delight in minimalism.
