rose ▪ bud ▪ thorn - july 2026

rose The break from everything went well. I'm enjoying the mindset shift it brought, and am appreciating that I'm currently putting my focus elsewhere; on my comfort, my rest, my play, my relationships, instead of being highly ambitious in so much else. I've also gotten rid of some unnecessary people-pleasing behavior that had emerged especially around this blog. I feel more protective and selective over who or what I give my attention and efforts to. I read a nice amount of books, and I have some blog posts scheduled about them. I started playing FFXIV. I'm now a Level 55 Black Mage; I'm otherwise a big fan of Miner, Botanist, and Fisher. Still trying to figure out the Red Mage stuff. Went to a faerie convention with lots of artists, board and card games. My MtG proxy decks arrived. I made a bug deck with Fumulus as commander, and a poison deck with Vishgraz. Got to play them at the event, and I am very very happy with them! I made more art. A self portrait, and a longer project with…