TIL this week: kidney stones suck. Had my first one this week. Never want to repeat that experience. Glad it seems to have passed and I’m recovering well. I so did not need this delay though. Too much to do to be down for the count. P.S. I drink plenty of water. ;)

If you see this, post an anime you love. (This is Delicious in Dungeon. I couldn’t decide between it and Steven Universe.)

I also begin with plot. This is an excellent essay about where writers begin. #WriterSky

There are two kinds of writers: people who write to figure something out, and people who write to share what they’ve already figured out.

Today’s the day long slog of imaging, tests, and appointments at Fred Hutch for the 1 year post-cancer check. At least it’s pretty outside but being here makes me think about my cancer journey, DiNozzo’s, and soon, Riley’s. :/

This seems like a good weekend to check in on your friends and neighbors. Between the government shutdown (and all that entails), and everything else going on...even the "mom" friend could use a helping hand. Or at least a friendly word.

Haven’t gone to look because it’s dark and still rainy but something came down & bounced down our roof. It was loud too. Welcome to fall wind storms in the PNW!

BIG thunder just hit here, one that reminds me of the storms we got in Texas. I miss the lack of thunder in the greater Seattle area. Loving the rain. Meds are keeping Riley’s seizures in check for the moment. Just waiting for the upcoming appt with all his specialists.

Things seem hopeful tonight, which is good, but remember, this is a marathon. Fascism cheats. They steal and lie. They will not give back what they stole so easily. Keep fighting back against them. Don’t stop.

I’m glad we have seizure meds for Riley but…these hospitals need to stop sending people home w/ fucking cherry flavored meds for a CAT. He’s a cat, not a 5 year old child. Riley won’t swallow his liquid hell. This is going to CAUSE a seizure fighting him to try and get him to not spit it up.

I get 20+ of these daily. @scalzi.com did a blog post about them as well. Head’s up writers. Scammers are hitting our email boxes hard right now.

Change one letter, ruin a candy: S&M’s ;)

With the Republican shutdown, families are going to find themselves in increasingly tight situations. Share this far and wide.

It’s a chilly morning here (43 F) so the fireplace kicked on. Made me think of DiNozzo. He loved stretching out on the rug in front of it after breakfast. He also loved rolling around in catnip when the warmth made him frisky. I miss that fuzz-ball.

As other people have noted, if you have local food banks, now would be an excellent time to donate cash to them, if you have the cash to spare. We will be upping our donations to food banks and hunger-related charities here in Ohio.

PNW folks, please be careful with all these wind gusts. This is the time of year that trees get knocked over! #wawx

Ah, fall in the PNW. Atmospheric river and wind storm time…go!

On Threads, the usual suspects are telling ppl about to lose SNAP benefits to just start a garden. As a gardener, I had to laugh. You need at LEAST an acre of land to feed a family of 4. Start-up costs are enormous. But yes, subsistence farming on the balcony of your rental apartment is the answer

I would /do something/ about this. I'm known for pet rescue missions. However, I also have 4 cats and cannot help right now. Can you?

Menstrual products should be available in all restrooms at no cost. If there is toilet paper, there should be menstrual products. Free.

Define your music taste in 8 artists: 1. Tori Amos 2. Tool 3. Nobuo Umatsu 4. Prince 5. Loreena McKennitt 6. Imogen Heap 7. Billie Eilish 8. Soundgarden

If your MMR was before 1989 and you have insurance, get your titers checked. You might need a new one—I did.

What’s the best one liner in movie history?

B&N has dropped their Best Books of 2025 list with 2.5 months left in the year so here's your reminder that "best" is arbitrary, time is a construct, and there are still a ton of good books coming out that shouldn't be ignored just because the credits are rolling early

Yesterday, shortly after 2:30 PM, my little shadow guardian and editing sidekick, DiNozzo, died in my arms here at home. The change in his health was sudden and drastic. With the help of Compassion 4 Paws, we helped him head out on his final adventure. (1)

Currently sitting at the pet ER so I hop online for the first time in a few days. It seems the world has continued to explode without me. O_o Oof. Also, EA games can go fuck itself.

This is terrible news. :(

We really need to get a roll on moving (selling house, looking for new place, etc.) but first, could the cats stop having emergencies long enough for us to do so? *sigh*

Fascinating that these right wing goons who are so anti abortion are so chill about using abortion-causing chemicals on crowds.

Quote with your first anime— I probably saw some bits & pieces in passing but the first I purposefully watched is below.

This is awesome.

Starting to get really windy here. Storm moving in—first of the fall rains and about time too. We need the rain badly. #FireSeasonSucks #I’mOnlyHappyWhenItRains

Portland is quite peaceful this weekend, and has been for some time.

If you’re attending the online #FlightsofFoundry con this weekend, I’ve got a chat & chill on Sat. plus a few panels. 🙂 One today on Gender and one on Sunday about maps & cartography. If I get the spoons, I’ll post a schedule but otherwise, you’ll have to check their website for programming.

I am sad to learn that @disappearinjon.wandering.shop.ap.brid.gy has lost his battle with cancer. I first met him after being in an anthology with him at the Locus Awards. We were colleagues that chatted on social/Discord and I know he will be missed by many. Also, #FuckCancer

Air quality is unhealthy AF right now due to wildfire smoke. 176 here and an official air quality alert until tomorrow. My lungs feel it, as due my allergies. Ugh. Wildfire season sucks.

As someone who has been tear-gassed, briefly, you cannot underestimate the sheer determination that must be driving him. He’s a role model, and the photographer should be in contention for a Pulitzer.

I've got a dentist appointment & then my release party today! It's also Talk Like a Pirate Day & depending upon how much dental work I have done, it maybe easier for me to talk like a pirate than I thought! Make sure you clear your calendar tonight and hop online for this party. :) #BookSky

Tomorrow night at my book release party online, we’re playing some interesting book games that I’ve been working on today. Test ran them through Molli today, which ended in both is us in stitches. 😂😂 Yep, gonna be fun. :)

Boahim Trilogy Trivia continues with the last tidbit! Both the TV show Leverage and the video game series Assassin's Creed influenced the writing of this series. Definitely Leverage. Check out the complete trilogy at bookstores everywhere or directly at shop.ravenoak.net #BookSky #NewReleases

Boahim Trilogy Trivia continues with TidBit #4: Boahim was the first place/location name I came up with, which then led to the creation of the Little Dozen Kingdoms of Boahim. The word is loosely based on Hebrew and means Unity. #BookSky #NewReleases

Boahim Trilogy trivia continues with Tidbit #3: Ida wasn’t written into the first draft of Amaskan's Blood. O_o She became such a reader favorite. I'm glad she ended up a character in this trilogy. She's getting her own book in 2026... #BookSky

Continuing the Boahim Trilogy trivia... Tidbit #2: Amaskan’s Blood was always about twin girls as major characters, though in the first draft (before I’d done enough world building), Adelei was named Robyn and Margaret was named Renee. #BookSky

With the release of Amaskan's Honor, I'm going to tease out some trivia about the Boahim Trilogy... Tidbit 1: Amaskan’s Blood was originally titled Assassin’s Blood. I changed it because I wanted something more unique. #Boahim #BookSky

Just a reminder about my release party on Friday for Amaskan's Honor! I'll post the direct link on Friday just before the party on my website. Bring your own beverage on this Talk Like a Pirate Day while we party. Friday 9/19 at 6:30 PM PT / 9:30 PM ET. #BookSky

In honor of Amaskan's Honor's release yesterday, today's word for #WordWednesday is the word that started everything in this trilogy... the word ASSASSIN.

Happy Release Day aka Book Birthday to me! Amaskan's Honor is officially out in the world and the epic trilogy is done! I can't express how hard it was to finish this trilogy and not just because of health complication brought on by both Big C's. 1/ #BookSky #NewReleaseTuesday #EpicFantasy

Starting a new blog post series about disability and writing, with a focus on the new me and my new realities now with additional disabilities on board, aka long C0VID. This is part I, A New Me. You can read it here: www.ravenoak.net/a-new-me-par... #AuthorSky #WritingCommunity #DisabilitySky

I promise I still exist. Molli is not in a good place physical and mental health wise. I am juggling *a lot* so my presence here is going to be sporadic for a bit.

Blog: A Couple of Words for You. I collect new-to-me, interesting words. Now I'm sharing them with you. (As well as a picture of a sleeping kitten.) jenniferbrozek.com/blog/post/20...