Waxing Poetic

Ahh Gentle Reader,  After I was sexually assaulted, in 2019, my crisis counselor instructed me to keep a journal. She didn't give me prompts, just told me to journal. And I did. I journaled about my abusive ex, my rapist, the FWB I had after that, and more.  I picked up that journal a couple days ago, and the entry that caught me was from August of 2019, and simply said, "I am afraid I am going to be alone forever.". And it almost made me laugh, given that I have found my partner, my love, my home.  So I reflected on it for a few minutes. I took a picture of it for posterity's sake. And then, I THREW THE JOURNAL AWAY!!!!  Because I DON'T LIVE THERE ANYMORE!!!!  I'm no longer a broken, hollowed out husk of a woman, a fragment of who I was, a monster filled with RAGE. I am changed, I can't deny that. But I am a strong, loving, compassionate, beautiful soul. I see the beauty all around me. I love with my whole self, as I once did. And I'm able to accept t...

Ahh, Gentle Reader, As I sit here in the dark waiting for my Sweetie to wake up, it occurs to me that what I'd most like to be doing is working on a handmade journal for a dear friend. The terminology is moving from "junk journals" to "handmade journals", which I like better. They aren't junk, they are made with love, and yes, maybe some upcycled materials, but also beautiful items bought or thrifted or discovered along life's path.  Creating these journals is my favorite hobby, after penpalling, of course. I just love how many techniques and supplies you can incorporate!!  If you want to add a real, crocheted doily, go for it! If you want to stain paper with Easter egg dye, do it! If you want to sew each page with your sewing machine, doooooo it! It is just the most fun creative outlet, in my opinion. And I love giving them as gifts! People are just so amazed that I can create them, which is kind of funny, cause it's mostly "gluing paper to oth...