It’s been over two years, and it feels like a lifetime. So many things have happened in the world and with me personally. Those things were just taking shape when my last post went live. I was in a bad place, mentally and emotionally. But that place got me to a place that is ultimately so much better. So, here is a bulleted list of most of the things that have changed in my life, in no particular order.
Continue reading “I’d Like To Take A Moment: A Bulleted List of Life Events”
A Hobbit’s Walking Tale by fogisbeautiful
“It was on May the First that the two came back at last to the brink of the valley of Rivendell, where stood the Last (or the First) Homely House.”
~The Hobbit, Chapter 19: The Last Stage
We made it back to Rivendell!
We’re so close to being home, you guys! So close! I’m pretty excited 🙂
Anyway, we all know that’s not why you’re reading this blog…so!
Fog’s Cute Animal Of The Month
The cute animal of the month is…
The blue dragon nudibranch! Species name Glaucus atlanticus, aliases include the sea swallow, blue angel, blue glaucus, blue dragon, blue sea slug and blue ocean slug. They’re only about three centimeters long and they have the coolest camouflage! They float on the surface of the water (upside down, hardcore parkour! ;P) so one side is blue to match the color of the ocean from above, and the other side is silver to blend in from underneath!
I gotta be honest though, these little suckers are dangerous af, while also being cute.
Their natural food source is the Portuguese man o’ war, okay? These suckers do not play around! And the reason they’re so dangerous (and you do NOT want to pick one up, okay, just don’t) is that as they are eating the man o’ war, they store the venomous bits in their tendrils, and then concentrate that shit, so it’s even worse! Seriously, these guys are so bad ass, I actually can’t even…
See you guys next time!
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Available Now!
Updated the hashtags, 3.3.18!
Updated the list, 2.26.18!
Update 2.25.18– I’ve updated the list! And I apologize if anyone was having trouble commenting earlier 😦 I think I’ve fixed the problem, but if you still have issues, you can drop me a message on my Facebook page with your info and I will get you added as quickly as possible!
International Women’s Day is March 8th, 2018, and I have something very special in the works. For the week of March 4th- March 10th, I thought it would be cool to celebrate all the amazing women authors out there in the world!
So, here’s the dealio. I didn’t read anything this past month. I’ve been doing a lot of podcasts and TV, but just…books are giving me a hard time right now. So in lieu of me pretending like I did something when I didn’t, I’m gonna tell you about this cool thing I’ve started:
Continue reading “Have You Hugged A Book Today?- January 2018”
Read the original blog post by Elissa here: New Blog Feature: Girl Books
“We need more books that feature strong, loving, nurturing female protagonists…”
I consider myself a feminist. It took me a while to come to that conclusion, because I have a different viewpoint on feminism than most “traditional” feminists, in that I believe feminism not only means the right to choose to buck traditional gender roles, but also the freedom to choose to embrace those gender roles. My mother is a stay-at-home mom who raised two kids on a farm (one of them home-schooled), and she is one of the most kick-a$$ women I know, despite never having actually kicked anyone’s a$$. She has lived the life that made her happiest, despite the world and “feminists” constantly berating people and labeling her life as the “weak” choice. I can tell you, for a fact, that I don’t have the courage and strength to do what she has done.
We (and by “we” I mostly mean women, though this can apply to anyone that feels forced into a box) are constantly bombarded with the expectation that we must do everything a man does, and if we don’t then we have failed as feminists. I don’t think this is true. I believe we have a duty to live the life that is going to make us happiest. If what makes you happy is kicking the bad guy’s butt and being physically stronger than the average bear, than go for it! You deserve that life! But if your idea of happiness more closely resembles a Jane Austen novel, complete with a handsome man to sweep you off your feet and a beautiful home with tons of little ones running around, then that has just as much value, and it certainly doesn’t make you a bad feminist.
I completely agree that we need more books that don’t portray feminity as the kryptonite of feminism, and I, personally, am looking forward to this series. There is so much more to strength than physical power. Just ask my mom.
Thanks to my friend, Elissa, for standing by her convictions and beliefs! You go, girl! I’m always rooting for you 🙂
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Available Now!
I know this is quite late, but I should be getting back on schedule again this month. Thank you guys for your patience with me! 🙂
A Hobbit’s Walking Tale by fogisbeautiful
“It was spring, and a fair one with mild weathers and a bright sun, before Bilbo and Gandalf took their leave of Beorn, and though he longed for home Bilbo left with regret, for the flowers of the gardens of Beorn were in springtime no les marvellous than in high summer.”
~The Hobbit, Chapter 18: The Return Journey
Well, while Bilbo and Gandalf might have had the luxury of a long stay at Beorn’s, we’re just gonna dive right in and get started on the last leg of this journey in 2018!
Besides, I don’t care to deal with bees as big as my thumb, thanks very much…
And of course, let us not forget the real reason you all read this blog!
Fog’s Cute Animal Of The Month
The cute animal of the month is…
Highland cattle. Mostly because, lately, I’ve been feeling this emo-vibe on a deep, spiritual level. Seriously.
But the calves are really adorable. Just look at these fluffy little babies of goodness and light:
And sometimes the adults toss the emo-vibe and let the goofiness loose:
And if that doesn’t make you feel better about your life, I honestly don’t know what will 🙂 See you guys next time!
~~~
Available Now!
I know this is quite late, but I should be getting back on schedule again this month. Thank you guys for your patience with me! 🙂
A Hobbit’s Walking Tale by fogisbeautiful
“Yuletide was warm and merry there; and men came from far and wide to feast at Beorn’s bidding.”
~The Hobbit, Chapter 18: The Return Journey
I’m going to consider it a good omen for the new year that we have come to the house of Beorn at Yuletide.
We’re gonna make it through this, guys. We’re gonna make it 🙂
And since this is turning into my shortest blog post of the month, here we have:
Fog’s Cute Animal Of The Month
The cute animal of the month is…
The echidna! Also known as the spiny anteater, they are like the cutest cross between a hedgehog, an anteater, and a mole.
They are one of only four species of mammals in the world that lay eggs, and the babies are called puggles. If that isn’t the cutest thing you’ve ever heard in your entire life, then I question your humanity.
See you guys next time!
~~~
Available Now!
…and all through the blog, everything had been updated. Now, let’s have some eggnog!
That’s right, I’ve spent my Christmas Eve updating the website! You might not notice much difference if the blog is all you’re interested in: a color change, some font updates, and the like. The biggest change you might notice is that the Book Review Stars Explained! page has been moved in the header. It’s now underneath the Blog menu.
The biggest change has been made to the Home page of the site. I now have a featured page (showing where you can buy “Doubt The Stars”, which is out in paperback, by the way!) and a neat little About section. It looks pretty cool if you wanna check it out 🙂
I know I’ve been slacking on the blogging front this month. I’m going to try to catch up on that as much as I can in the next week or so. In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
A Hobbit’s Walking Tale by fogisbeautiful
“Anyway by mid-winter Gandalf and Bilbo had come all the way back, along both edges of the Forest, to the doors of Beorn’s house; and there for a while they both stayed.”
~The Hobbit, Chapter 18: The Return Journey
I finally made it! I finally made it around Mirkwood!
Now we’re on to Beorn’s place for a little break and then continuing on home.
Yeah…we’ll see how those famous last words go ;P
A Hobbit’s Walking Tale by fogisbeautiful
“[Bilbo] had many hardships and adventures before he got back. The Wild was still the Wild, and there were many other things in it in those days besides goblins; but he was well guided and well-guarded-the wizard was with him, and Beorn for much of the way-and he was never in great danger again.”
~The Hobbit, Chapter 18: The Return Journey
Oh my god, I AM STILL WALKING AROUND MIRKWOOD!!!
Not anymore, Bilbo. I swear to god, I take a month off and I’m still wandering around this god-forsaken piece of…land.
…and I would like to get AWAY from the damn thing as soon as possible. Seriously, my god.
Hopefully we’ll be free of it next month. Stay tuned!
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FogIsBeautiful 