One for Sorrow, Two for Joy

'ahi | yellowfin tuna

The ʻahi is a symbol of abundance. Their presence reflects the generosity of the ocean, often watched over by the akua (god) of fishing.

he'e | octopus

For many ʻohana (families), the heʻe is also recognized as an ʻaumakua, an ancestral guardian that offers protection and guidance.

mōlī | Laysan albatross

The Hawaiian mōlī (Laysan albatross) is seen as a messenger, carrying ʻike (knowledge) across great distances.

In Hawaiian culture, many ocean animals are revered as aumakua, ancestral guardians that protect the ‘ohana (family). Their presence is deeply embedded in moʻolelo (stories) and often symbolizes virtues like strength, endurance, and resilience. This profound appreciation represents a spiritual interconnectedness and respect between humans and the sea. 

Mahalo (thanks to) Marlo Lualemana (@marlolualemana on IG) for sharing her knowledge and culture.

Wanting something requires dopamine signaling, but liking something doesn’t.

If you have a mental illness/disorder that affects dopamine, you might feel that you don’t want to do the things that you like. You do still like them. You will appreciate having done them.

Let your likes guide you.

(If you want to read more, here’s one experimental paper about it. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5171207/ This theory called the incentive-sensitization theory was originally created to explain behaviors in addiction but can be applied elsewhere as well)

Highlights include:

For your first two years (when you were small) you lived in a foster home with people who raised you into a very polite young man. Two is like you plus me, that's what two is.

Some people adopted you before me and they called you Timmy (which is a stupid name) and they returned your ass almost immediately because you were so annoying at that age.

Like think about how annoying you are right now at seven years old, but way worse.

I'm better than them though, I don't call you Timmy and I wore earplugs to bed for three years because you love to scream at bedtime. Earplugs are like when I roll over and go back to sleep even when you are yelling so so so loud.

I got you at a time in my life when I was really sick (being sick is like when I'm up late because I'm throwing up and you are a very handsome good boy who sits with me) and they had to put me asleep for a procedure. A procedure is like what happened to you when they put you asleep and took your balls away.

The reason that this comparison is inaccurate is because humans have the ability to use reason and make logical choices, but cats don’t. Humans see a car coming and wait until the street is clear to cross. Cats don’t. Humans know not to eat strange food on the ground. Cats don’t. Humans can look up which plants are toxic and avoid them. Cats can’t. Humans don’t eat raw rabbits and rodents that may carry disease. Cats do. Humans who hunt follow laws that prevent them from killing endangered species (besides shitty poachers). Cats don’t.

A far more accurate comparison would be a cat and a toddler. They lack the ability to recognize danger and don’t have the ability to reason that an adult does. I’m sure a toddler would have a great time roaming around the neighborhood, but no one is going to argue in favor of that. People can understand that doing that is irresponsible and dangerous. But no sane person is going to lock their toddler inside and provide them with nothing to do; no one is saying we should do that for cats either. Play with them. Provide cat trees. Rotate their toys. Give them puzzle feeders. And if you want them to go outside you can leash train them. Or build a catio. The options aren’t let them roam vs. never provide them with entertainment. If it is unbearable to entertain and care for a cat that is kept indoors, you probably shouldn’t own a cat.

Would you let your dog roam? Or your bird? How about your rabbit? I’m sure all of these animals would have a great time running (or flying) around the neighborhood, but we generally recognize that this is a bad idea. It’s no different for cats. We are caretakers for our animals, so it is up to us to use our big brains to make logical choices about what they should or shouldn’t do. We have the ability to understand the risks associated with free roaming. Cats don’t. We can weigh risks and benefits before making a decision. Cats can’t.

I wanted to use what ‘reach’ I may have here to share the Carolina Wildlife Center’s urgent plea for donations. If they are unable to raise $75,000 to cover ongoing and future care of their wildlife patients, the center will have to close July 20th, 2026. The services provided by CWC to the community are incredibly valuable, and without them, many wild animals will suffer without the care they need.

Original post

"You are my soulmate. We are forged together by battle and tears and love. Also my brother's coming along."

"Isn't it weird that your brother in law is always hanging around?"

In these chapters, we learn all about Sir Walter's history and present-day concerns. We even learn all about Elizabeth's hopes and disappointments in the realm of romance. If you knew nothing of the story, you would likely assume she is going to be the main character and her path toward marriage the main plot.

Anne's love story, which is what the whole book is actually about, isn't introduced until chapter 4.

And yet, it is not missing from the first three chapters. There are references to it hidden throughout, a presence lurking in the background, even though as a first time reader you couldn't see it.

The reference to Anne "happening to be not in perfectly good spirits" one winter in Bath is a reference to her devastation after her breakup with Wentworth.

Anne's casual knowledge of what Admiral Croft has been doing shows she's been keeping track not just of Wentworth but of his family all these years, and thus how much she still cares about him.

The way she holds back from naming Mr. Wentworth, Frederick's brother, even though she knows exactly who Mr. Shepard is talking about, shows how greatly the whole affair still pains her, that she doesn't want to even speak his family name and/or doesn't want to remind everyone of her past connection with him.

Adopts now up on my Kofi! Reblogs are so greatly appreciated ❤️