Natasha Ranken

In today's installment of "why do you even HAVE that?" , a co-worker asked once why I keep a pack of socks in my drawer. I explained that I don't like wet feet. After it rained and there were large, unavoidable puddles, they understood. My only rule is they must be washed before being returned.

Me, her bestie: You have not learned that stitch, nor the 20 leading up to it. We will start with how tension and yarn thickness affects design. Small steps, or you'll burn out again.

It’s really hard to describe to people who are not artists how survival mode does *not* inspire creativity, as the myth would have us believe. It suppresses creativity as you try to limit every possible risk – and the opportunities that come with them.

There are many dragonflies zipping around outside my windoor today. Feast, my beauties! Eat your fill of mosquitoes and remove them from the world! Gorge yourselves and make more of you to eat up many more of those horrible bloodsuckers.

Oh dang. This is an excellent analogy.

The animals are still here.

Show love to the Parent!

Smooch!

Ooh, which one?

Multitasking is a lie anyway. It's task switching no matter what.

I received a double-bun alert this morning. Send tea; it's going to be a doozy. #harbingerbun

I'm only still there for the picture feeds. Rats, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, the news of a select few photogenic people...

Yes, this is who I came to see. <3 I feel crummy from my covid and flu shots, and thought "I wonder if Kage posted any Lil Guy..."

Caucasian woman with red hair and cat eye glasses. There is a curl of hair in the middle of her forehead.

Uhoh. Everyone beware. I don't know which one it will be. XD

And then found an online community where you belong anyway.

A comic of two foxes, one of whom is blue, the other is green. In this one, Blue approaches as Green is packing a suitcase. Blue: Do I have to come to your friend's wedding, too? Green: No. Green turns to look at Blue. Green: You're invited, but not expected. Blue's expression turns to an incredulous frown. Blue: What does that mean? Green reaches towards Blue, and they kiss. Green: It means you can come if you want to, but they know that you won't want to.

See you all next monday!

Bodies are so weird

Thank you, little Hedgie!

Today in "it could only happen to me," I learn that I do not have an ear infection. I have a bug bite at the base of and behind my ear that has welted up and kicked off a Weird Allergy Thing of Inflammation and Swelling. The pharmacy is out of the medication, so I don't get to start it until Thu.

I wish there was a way to hammer in this message that the vaccine is basically just an education module for your immune system. It’s a fkn training sim!

VACCINE ➡️ TRAINING SIM

When a vaccine does its job, what ultimately protects you?

It’s STILL your fucking immune system doing the hard yards!

Donate to Support Our Journey to a New Beginning, organized by Noah Stark I'm Noah, a gender-nonconforming, transgender man living in Albuquerque with two sen… Noah Stark needs your support for Support Our Journey to a New Beginning

See, the thing is, Noah is depending on us to help him get a fresh start in California, as he’s facing an eviction we can’t prevent. He’s a trans friend of a friend who needs to move back home urgently. Please help if you can by sharing or donating. gofund.me/2533cde9d

Donate to Support Our Journey to a New Beginning, organized by Noah Stark Welp, here we are. Eight months ago, I reached out for help and was able to keep my … Noah Stark needs your support for Support Our Journey to a New Beginning

gofund.me/8678b2606

Trying to help my friend out raising funds for a trip to a steady place to live.

🛎️ Come get your 100% organic, tablet to table art!

Sigh. As a grown adult, you'd think I'd have control of my own body, but I cannot deal with those eye pressure pen things. I can barely deal with the air test, and I simply cannot allow the pens near me. It's not won't; my body refuses. I can't control it no matter how I try.

Donate to Monthly Bills for Mom and Me, organized by Sonia Sulaiman Hi, my name is Sonia Sulaiman. I'm a recent graduate of Clarion West Writer's Workshop, an… Sonia Sulaiman needs your support for Monthly Bills for Mom and Me

Another friend who could really use some help this month:

www.gofundme.com/f/monthly-bi...

Donate to Support Our Journey to a New Beginning, organized by Noah Stark Welp, here we are. Eight months ago, I reached out for help and was able to keep my … Noah Stark needs your support for Support Our Journey to a New Beginning

gofund.me/8678b2606

Trying to help my friend out raising funds for a trip to a steady place to live.

My particular organ is subdued with chemicals, and insurance won't cover removal as long as the chemicals are working.

If your malfunctioning organ is any parallel to mine (sadly not removed), you may find yourself feeling way too warm, and will eventually begin marveling at how dark and thick your blood is when you get cut. It lasts a few moments before you realize you need to stop the bleeding.

I interrupt your day to bring you Lil Guy, the chinchilla timeline cleanser. Repost as required

Mmm. I woke up too early and came to Bluesky specifically to see this empty-headed little squishball. <3