atherleisure | Network

We seem to have gotten behind here. My apologies. Allow me to sum up.

On Saturday, February 21, I gave my presentation at the Waterville Public Library to a small, but enthusiastic room. Questions were asked and answered, books were signed. I had a good time.

I came home and collapsed, got up Sunday, did some work on the WIP, cleaned up the chaos in my "business office," and noticed that my back was hurting.

Aha! I said to myself. Self, this is a perfect time to test the pain-killing features of a thc gummy (1/4 strength). Possibly, I was not wrong; nonetheless, it wasn't my best thought ever. It turns out that thc, even in small amounts, gives me a Really Ugly high, which I could have put up with, if it had nailed the pain, which it didn't. Worse, it didn't even put me to sleep.

Followed Monday, with back pain and exhaustion, being treated with Motrin Duo, and today, Tuesday, when I though I had gotten ahead of it, and actually worked an hour on the WIP this morning before the pain came screaming back, so that's two lost days, and I? Am not amused.

I am feeling somewhat better this evening -- witness the fact that I am writing to you here.

I thought I had to go out tomorrow for a bone density test, and was weighing the wisdom of that, but it seems I misremembered, and the test is on Thursday afternoon, by which time, she said sternly, I hope to GHOD I'm back to what I like to call normal.

So, in terms of catch up -- y'all didn't miss much, and I'm actually glad you missed most of it. Here's a pic from my talk. Photo by Kiri Guyaz.

rolanni

9 *I Dare (Liaden Universe® #6), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller*
8 Cuckoo's Egg, C J Cherryh, (audio first time)
7 *Plan B, (Liaden Universe® #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
6 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (audio first time)
5 *Carpe Diem (Liaden Universe® #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
4 *Conflict of Honors (Liaden Universe® #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
3 *Agent of Change (Liaden Universe® #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
2 A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets (Lord Julian #10), Grace Burrowes (e)
1 Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green, Linzi Day (e)

________
*I'm doing a straight-through series read in publication order

**I screwed up and moved right on to I Dare from Plan B, therefore deviating from publication order. I will now amend myself and go back to pick up Local Custom.

cupcake_goth

The background: last year MCR announced the second US leg of the Long Live the Black Parade tour, with the city/date closest to me being Oct. 24 in L.A.. The Stroppy One sighed at the inevitable, and cass404 braved the Ticketmaster queue to get us tickets. the Ticketmaster online queue to get us tickets. Then MCR announced the final two shows of the tour, both in L.A.: Oct. 30 & 31. Cue much wailing from me, because there was no way I could afford to stay in L.A. for a week.

Last weekend, the Stroppy One suggested I ask Cass if I could stay at her place for a week, and the we head back to L.A. for the concerts. I stared, asked if he was okay with me missing our anniversary to go see MCR. He pointed out that he wouldn’t have suggested it if he wasn’t, just see if tickets were available you silly head.

So! After conferring with Cass, I’m going to see if any tickets are available. Because spending time with Cass is something I desperately miss, and omg my precious cupcakes of bombast.

cupcake_goth

- While I still love love love this dress from a Ukrainian designer, I went to another website to ogle an embroidered long linen jacket that I've also pined over, and now I can't decide which to buy in a few weeks. I'm now leaning toward the linen piece, because that would be more versatile.

- I spent some time idly searching for granny and/or "Victorian" boots across eBay, Poshmark, and Depop, and let me tell you, there is nothing out there with combination of a pointed or almond toe shape, lace-up, a side zipper, and a 2" block or walking heel. But then I had the possibly brilliant thought of taking a pair of my existing lace-up boots to a cobbler to have a side zip put in. I need to ponder this some more, but I sense a trip to the cobbler in my future.

- Remember that fabric with the Haunted Mansion wallpaper print on AliExpress? It arrived, and the print quality is good! The actual color isn't pink, but a bright wine, which also works for me. When the Stroppy One saw the fabric, he told me to order more, as he wants a waistcoat in it, and possibly a jacket.

---

I'm constantly tired, no matter how much sleep I get, and I'm having non-stop stress nightmares every night. Dear Brain, a nightmare of the Stroppy One presenting us with divorce papers because we got his coffee order wrong is ridiculous, as is the one where he abandons me at airport security and walks off with my passport and Clovis Devilbunny. RIDICULOUS, STOP IT.

rolanni

Exercises in Futility Number Five Thousand Four Hundred Thirty-Three.

Google Home Assistant: And! I can do more things now. You can ask me complex questions and I'll be able to answer with help from Gemini!

Me: Hey Google. Why did the AI companies steal my life's work?

Google Home Assistant: . . .I'm sorry. I don't understand.

Yeah, me, too, Google. Me, too.

Well.

The WIP currently stands at 129,943 words. I'm still fixing the baby fixes. Once that's done, I need to write some scenes and put them where they belong. Deadline is April 15.

I have Remarks for my event on Saturday. I have also a Reading.

It is not supposed to snow on Saturday, but it will snow on Friday night.

In the meanwhile, and as much as I haven't been around this week -- tomorrow, February 20, the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory will be closed. Thank you for your understanding.

Everybody stay safe.

Tali and Rook, birdwatching

rolanni

Tuesday. Partly cloudy and warm-ish. A good day for a ride, actually.

I'm just back from Bath, having come the Long Way Home, getting the car washed and picking up a Forbidden Sandwich at Subway, this in addition to the peppermint mocha and ricotta-cherry Danish I treated myself to at Cafe Creme after my doctor's appointment, which?

Was a success of its kind. I got my levothyroxine dosage put back to where it's been for the last decade or more, and I was given an A1C test (first time for everything, I guess), and scored a 4.5 of whatever it is they're measuring, which they seemed happy with, and since there was no new medicine attached to whatever it is, I'm happy, too.

Also? No more doctor appointments and only one test on the time map until November. Unless Something Comes Up, which -- fingers crossed.

As mentioned above, I came home via Rte 1 and 27, and was able to honor the Ancient Pact to sing along with "Sloop John B" when it popped up on the radio. I also tried to sing along with "Wild, Wild West," but I really only remembered, "I love her eyes and her wild, wild hair," which I sang with Verve.

I'm now going to tinker with my Remarks, remembering to eat my Forbidden Sandwich and to go to needlework.

What song(s) did you sing along with this morning?

Today's blog post title brought to you by The Beach Boys, "Sloop John B"

rolanni

Sunday.

No screaming today, though I'm being hard on myself for not getting "enough" done on the WIP. That I've rearranged several chapters and rewritten four more is the merest bagatelle.

I really need a time-turner.

This week upcoming has me phoning The Earth tomorrow. Tuesday, I'm wanted in Bath at an Unghodly Early Hour, with needlework in the evening. Firefly visits her vet on Wednesday afternoon. Thursday is blessedly free. Friday morning, Sarah's scheduled to come in and clean, and it is also the 2nd anniversary of Steve's death. I'm giving a talk at the library on Saturday afternoon, when it's supposed to -- *checks wunderground* -- ah. Downgraded to "snow showers." Much better.

It is entirely possible that I will not be much around for the balance of this week.

Everybody be well. Stay safe.

I'll look in as can.

rolanni

8 Cuckoo's Egg, C J Cherryh, (audio first time)
7 *Plan B, (Liaden Universe® #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
6 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (audio first time)
5 *Carpe Diem (Liaden Universe® #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
4 *Conflict of Honors (Liaden Universe® #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
3 *Agent of Change (Liaden Universe® #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
2 A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets (Lord Julian #10), Grace Burrowes (e)
1 Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green, Linzi Day (e)

________
*I'm doing a straight-through series read in publication order

rolanni

A very nice day out. The Belfast Indoor Farmers Market is the place to be on a Saturday in February, and I don't think it was just the Valentine's Day Effect.

I purchased many frivolities, including this new leather bag, which, if I've got to be carrying my passport with me, my usual go-to bag is too small. This one has three compartments: one for your phone; one up front, which you're looking at, and a big central compartment. At the time this picture was taken, this bag held my Boox, my "papers," wallet; business cards; lighthouse passport; other paperwork; and the charging cords for phone and Boox. It obviously was not holding my phone, because that's what I was using to take the picture.

I also bought savory mushroom and veggie pie for lunch, a tea cake, for dessert, a bottle of ligonberry mead from Run Amok Meadery (which has an awesome label, not only for the graphic, but for the Denial Clause: "In my own defense, the moon was full and I was left unsupervised.") Um, what else -- ah. A small round of whole wheat sourdough, six Asagio cheese bagels in the Maine Economy Size, and a pair of local alpaca kneehighs, because I have discovered it to be a Universal Truth, that one cannot have too many alpaca kneehighs.

I have a couple things to do here on the computer, because I also distributed cards, and got a nibble from a jury member of the Maine Craft Store in Ducktrap, who sent me "something." After that -- and this -- I believe i will continue my Writer's Day Off by viewing another episode or three of the Silly Show I tapped last night, "My Demon."

The drive was nice, and after I left Belfast, I went down to Camden to say hello to the harbor, before I turned around and came home.

And that is: Run Amok Meadery
imMEADiate Gratification
Honey-Lingonberry Wine

rolanni

Sigh. Friday. A semi-productive day, enlivened by random moments of wishing to scream. An Executive Decision has therefore been taken.

Tomorrow is a Writer's Day Off, even though I feel like I don't have the luxury of time. I gotta get outta this house, and the Plan is to go to the Inside Farmers Market in Belfast tomorrow, and Have an Outing. I give myself permission to spend money on frivolities. Possibly, I will even eat lunch.

Hopefully this will address the Inclination to Scream.

In the meantime, Rook has convinced Tali that it is too Happy Hour, so I will be making up the bed for the night, and possibly finding something Silly to watch while I have a glass, or two, of wine.

I hope everyone had a delightful Friday the Thirteenth.

Be well. Be safe.

I'll check in as can.

cupcake_goth

- I'm still dithering about the striped blouse and skirt from Blackwood Castle. The dithering continues because 1) do I really need more clothes? and 2) ...

- I spent a not-inconsiderable sum on a one-of-a-kind pendant from Bloodmilk. I missed it when it was originally for sale, but the woman who bought it is in France and realized that because of other things, she couldn't afford the tariffs and other shipping nonsense. She's reached out to Bloodmilk and they will ship it directly to me.

- Having bought that has also helped me deal with the extreme annoyance of learning that Chanel brought back Rouge Noir lipstick as a limited edition and it's already sold out and is going for double the original price over on Poshmark. Both the Stroppy One and minim-calibre reminded me that there was no way of seeing the color IRL (of course it was an online/boutique only release), so I had no way of telling if the color was accurate or if it skewed warm like so many dark blackened red lipsticks do these days.

- AMC has released another teaser trailer for The Vampire Lestat! Plus finally released the first single, "Long Face", for sale on various music platforms, and UPDATED THE MERCH STORE WITH A TOUR SHIRT. Sooooo those are things I tripped and hit the Buy Now button for.

- The Ghost concert is Sunday, wheeee! Faux -Satanic metal + bombast is exactly what I need right now. Shallow Fashion Details for my planned outfit:

Black and pink striped unnerving governess dress
Black lace and ribbon jabot that has the "Memento Vivre / Memento Mori" ribbon from Kalma as the focal point
Wide black elastic belt with skeleton hand buckle
Hair pulled up under a vintage black silk top hat (it's a short crown hat, so it won't block anyone's view) festooned with veils
Black and pink Dr. Martens
Black face mask

Now to hope I can manage to dye at least the front half of my hair so it's not a faded mess that shows beneath the hat.

rolanni

Wednesday. I was not prepared to find 6 inches of snow on the ground when I got up this morning. I had been informed that there would be snow showers today, but that last night would be "clear."

So, anyway, got up to find 6 inches of "clear" on the ground, and had literally just gotten my boots on to go out to deal with the steps and making a path to the garage so Tali could keep her appointment with her doctor, when the plowguy swooped in and started in to work.

Best. Plow. Guy. EVER.

Relieved of snow-clearing duties, I had a cup of tea, some cottage cheese, and grapes. Then I gathered Tali up from her bird-watching post and bore her, not without complaint, to her appointment. Tali is pronounced healthy and beautiful. She Officially Weighs 13.0 pounds, and she has had her 3-year distemper shot. Her toes were also cut off, all the way around.

For those interested, it is still snowing, very lightly, and is expected to stop around 11:30.

My business today is to finalize my Remarks and choose passages to read. I will probably make broccoli potato soup for lunch, and use my new! food processor to make a batch of hummus. I have two lemons, though I'm not sure I possess a juicer, anymore. I had a glass one from my grandmother, but I haven't seen it in a while. Of course, I haven't needed to juice anything in a while.

Tomorrow will begin another 5-day sprint on the WIP, taking beta reader comments into account. I think I have chicken breasts in the freezer. Might be I should bake one or two so that I'll have easy lunches to draw on. There's a plan.

Upon arriving home, and being freed from The Cage, Tali relieved her feelings by smacking Rook in the head several times, and then having a mouthful or two of dry food to replace the resources depleted during Her Ordeal.

I made myself a cup of hot chocolate, and considered the question of whether or not I'm going to try to install my blindster today. If it works, I can order in three more and there's the sliders dressed.

Remarks first.

How's everybody doing?

Here is Tali, post-Ordeal:

#
Made hummus. Had to check the interwebs again to figure out how to make it do, since just sliding the switch to "puree" did not evoke the desired motivation. Turns out you need to press the handle after deciding between "chop" and "puree".

Despite which, much the easiest way to make hummus so far discovered by this household. I did not find the old glass juicer; I'm of the opinion it left the household sometime back (Note to self: buy juicer), but the lemons were easy enough to squeeze by hand.

Having now accomplished an Accomplishment -- Remarks.

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At Her Leisure

An account of a lady's leisure hours

Network

Apologies and short catch-up

Books read in 2026

Fangirl geebling

(still) pondering shallow consumerism (always)

Office Closed Tomorrow

See how the mainsail sets

Upcoming Scarcity of Rolanni

Books read in 2026

Writer's Day Off

The Friday Report

A list of random things, mostly shallow consumerism

Wednesday on the move

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February 2026

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