Humor, Lord of the Rings, Works-in-Progress

Prancing Pony Podcast Season 6: Summary Stats

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Here is my best whack at summarizing the pop culture references made during The Prancing Pony Podcast’s sixth season. As I was looking through my data, I realized once again just how unscientific this whole process is (see my self-made rules here). The time-span the project covers has made it really difficult for me to be consistent.

First, I have to say how much I enjoyed this season, which covered Book IV of The Lord of the Rings (Frodo, Sam, and Gollum traveling to Mordor). Alan Sisto and Shawn Marchese did a spectacular job with the readings. They have both developed into skilled voice actors. I loved everything they did with Gollum, from their dramatic reading of Gollum and Sméagol arguing (episode 232) to their speculation on what his dating profile would include (episode 247).

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Birds, Nature Journaling

Nature Journaling Bird Tracks: Using Comparison to Improve Observations

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Last fall, I observed a bald eagle bathing on the lake shore. Later, I walked the beach looking for any prints the eagle might have left. Journaling about bird tracks seemed like an easy task, but it wasn’t until I compared tracks from different birds that I really learned something.

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Sewing

Turning a Tiny Box into a Travel Case

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One of the YouTube channels I’ve been watching while sick is diy Handy Mum Lin TV. Her sewing videos are quiet and soothing, and scratch the “I want to be sewing” itch when I don’t feel well enough to do it myself. My favorite videos are the ones where she sews everything by hand.* I have made extensive notes from a couple of them, so I can try her projects, but so far, I keep making the same one: small round boxes.

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Health

Finding The Upside to Heel Fissures

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I was already struggling with pain and fatigue when I hurt my foot. I thought I’d stepped on a shard of glass, but my dry foot had cracked naturally. I slathered my feet with hand cream and seemed fine. I would walk down the hall or across the kitchen without a problem. Then some step apparently no different than the others would result in stabbing pain. I would limp for a short while, then the cycle would start again. That’s when I learned about heel fissures.

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Art, Creativity, Videos

Why You Should Watch Craftastrophe

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I’ve been sick. A lot. Unable-to-sit-up-and-craft sick. So I’ve been indulging in vicarious crafting, watching others create on YouTube. Grateful … More Why You Should Watch Craftastrophe →