truth is a demure lady

Hi!! So good to hear from you! <3

And yes it has been a minute, hasn't it? 😅😅😔

The good news: Yes! I am absolutely still writing Over Fathoms Deep!

The bad news: I made a decision to prioritize other writing projects this past year (including trying to finish the first draft of my first original novel!) which means that I have not *actively* worked on it in several months. I actually took a whole year off from teaching last year in order to entirely focus on writing my novel (and also do some academic writing/projects) and I was optimistic that I would also be able to continue writing OFD at the same time. Unfortunately, I didn't manage it. And now since September I am back to teaching again and having a full time job, which means less time for any fun/creative writing, fic or otherwise. I've also had a big article deadline due this month which has taken up all of my extra time outside of work this fall, so I've done NO fun writing since September (😫 my soul is starting to wither as a result...)

More good news: I miss OFD!!!! So I'm going to make it a priority to get a new chapter up as soon as I get some free time later this month. I'm almost done with this academic article I need to finish, and the term is about to end, so once I get through grading, I will have almost a month off for Christmas, which means TIME TO WRITE AGAIN. Also, me and @truthisademurelady have planned a writing retreat in a couple weeks, where we will do nothing but write in a cozy cabin in the forest by a river for THREE WHOLE DAYS and I am planning to dedicate that time to OFD.

So, a lot of words to say: I am hoping to get a new chapter together very soon! ("Very soon" meaning in my language in the next couple months...)

Equal opportunity benefits can be far-reaching

I had like one, maybe two friends who were all like FUCK YEAH YOU PAINT IT WHATEVER COLOR YOU WANT, PURPLE BEDROOMS ARE AWESOME.

But when they actualy saw the finished bedroom, every single one of them was like, “Oh yeah, that’s really pretty.” (Well, the ones who supported me from the beginning were more like WOOHOO.)

MEAN YOU HAVE TO ABANDON

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY.

When I bought my house, the kitchen was multiple shades of dingy white. It was dismal, but it was now mine! So went to the hardware store for paint (well, several trips, painted swatches on panel, etc — I’m very picky. But this was the final, ‘real’ trip). It was a busy day in the paint section. There were at least five people behind me in line.

Now, remember, latex paint is slightly lighter and brighter when wet than it is when dry. And I’d decided to paint my kitchen candy-apple red. The hardware store employee took my gallon off the Paint Jiggler and cracked it open to put a dab on the top, revealing the most incredibly deep pink, and behind me I hear the entire line of people say,

“Oh my god.”

…in perfect chorus.

This is the door to my garage. It used to be white. Live your best life.

Mischief the cat says “Who goes there?”

Every visiting friend says “This is so cool.”

my garage. It used to be

white. Live your best life.

not decorating trends; those have always existed. but the idea that color and decoration is inherently childish

this is the dining room at the Eustis Estate in Milton, Massachusetts, from 1878 (where I used to work, briefly). the walls are TEXTURED MICA SHIMMER on a green background. Adult Space For Adults!

A jewelry shop in Paris c. 1901. kids can’t buy jewelry!

who can forget the classic 1950s colorful bathroom? I’m not a huge fan, but still! adult space! bright colors; decorative designs!

This is the dining room (ignore the lack of wall art, we’re working our way up to it)

this is the pantry floor:

(the pantry is themed after a TB asylum in Saranac Lake, don’t ask)

We have a space themed room that’s light pink. Our room is skeletons and vampires themed and it’s completely painted, floor and ceiling in addition to the walls. The kitchen and halls are deep purple. We’re going to paint the bathroom mustard yellow.