Shai-Hulud doesn't usually rest on top of the sand like this. Maybe he's helping look for my eraser.

I walked in when he was headed to his water bowl last night. He stopped and watched like he was concerned I would want an invitation to join him.

My favorite eraser has disappeared! It fits very comfortably in my hand and does not make eraser smudges. I've searched everywhere, whether it should be there or not. Come home, eraser! I love you!

I figured out how to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on my flute! 🐑🎼

Because, you know... that's my superpower. Being able to figure out how to play it on pretty much anything.

The real test is whether or not I will develop the necessary skill to play "Thong Song".

We got a calendar that will give encouraging messages for this year.

Maybe I should think about why I talk about getting to know other instruments, spending time with them...but then "figure out how the flute works".

My family really needs to start asking where the inspiration for my creative pursuits comes from before they go into encouragement mode. I don't think they understand Ian Anderson is who I picture when I'm pushing myself to figure out how my flute works.

I figured out why I couldn't get a good, consistent sound from my flute. And why finger placement was so awkward. I was holding the flute backwards.

Cat does not like the flute! Her ears flattened, she glared and moved across the room to glare more. I'll play my ukulele later. She lays by my feet for that.

I think somebody in the house refilled one of the distilled water bottles with tap water. I may have been poisoning my Cape Sundew for the past couple of months. But I don't think it's too late to save her!

It's not like I track people down and try to recruit them for this. People feel the need to volunteer this information when they see me minding my own business with my hoop. I don't think I'll ever understand telling someone why you can't do something when they didn't ask and you're not actually looking for help or advice.

"I'd probably just end up slapping myself with the hoop if I tried to do the things you do!"

Probably, yeah. Because I'm super clumsy and had plenty of brusies for the first couple of years because it's a 15 pound hoop and I slapped myself with it all the time. But I eventually developed the strength and muscle control because I kept practicing.

"I'm not as flexible as I used to be!"

It keeps me flexible. I have inflammatory arthritis throughout my body. My doctor wishes she was as flexible as me, assuming I'm having a good day. I move better than people expect even on bad days. It won't work for everyone, but someone who does not have physical disabilities saying this do me seems ridiculous.

"Oh, maybe if I was younger!"

But...I'm well in my 40s and they're younger.

"I'm too fat for that!"

You just saw me do it. I'm very obviously a larger size than you. Don't get a hoop made for kindergarteners.

Bless the hearts of people who don't actually wish they could do things with hula hoops, they just like talking about not being able to do stuff.

Owlbear names! Arthena or Owlsula?

Arthena is Arth (bear) + Athena (her connection with owls).

Owlsula is Owl + Ursula (feminine little bear).

I have a steel tongue drum, and I have found that I love making up music on it by dealing out a few cards and then playing the numbers! I learn to play favorite songs (or sometimes just songs I have the skill for) on stringed instruments. I wasn't enjoying that as much on the drum. Surprise melodies are wonderful for it, though!

I was looking through the 1 star app reviews for CoSo in the Google store. I have no idea what app those poor people thought was CoSo. Like, it's not just different opinions about things...I have had a completely different experience here!

Months and months ago, I wasn't sure about people being interested in #divination done with gaming dice. I got encouragement here to write about it. (Thanks, CoSo! 💜) So if you are interested, I've finally worked things to the point where I can write for others about how I do it.

https://diydiv.substack.com/p/what-are-polyhedral-dice