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Book Review: Gideon the Ninth
You’ve never read a book like this before, I can guarantee. Described as a science-fantasy, Gideon the Ninth transcends genre in its whirlwind narrative and utterly enthralling setting. Synopsis: “The Emperor needs necromancers. The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman. Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead bullshit. Brought up…
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How to Survive Winter With Chronic Pain
I would love winter if I didn’t have chronic pain. It’s so lovely to cuddle up under a massive blanket with a mug of hot chocolate. Being warm and cozy is one of my favourite things, and it just doesn’t feel the same any other time of year. Unfortunately, winter is the time when my…
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June Crafting Roundup: What I’ve Been Making This Month
This month has been a big one for crafting! After a long dry spell, I picked up my crochet hook and bought some new materials to get back into that beautiful creative state of mind. Recently I’ve taken an interest in polymer clay. I started out by crafting a pair of mushroom earrings for myself.…
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Creature Feature: Spotted Hyenas
I know what the common perception of hyenas is: cruel, cowardly scavengers who leech off of other predators’ hunts. When we think of these animals, we most often think of the trio from The Lion King. Disney actually got in a bit of trouble over its depiction of spotted hyenas. The animators went to the…
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I’m Chronically Ill, Not an Inspiration
When you’re part of a minority, people expect you to speak on behalf of everyone in that minority. If you speak publicly about your experiences, they expect you to be a good activist, someone to point to and say: “See? If they can do it, so can you!” But that’s not fair. My experiences with…
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Creature Feature: Elephants, the Gentle Giants of the Land
Elephants are truly gorgeous creatures. While I usually write about the weird and unnerving animals on this blog, I want to also appreciate these gentle giants. Elephants are known for their size and strength, and are symbols of wisdom and peace. They are the largest land mammals on earth and have caused their fair share…
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Books I Hated in High School but Love Now
Ok, strictly speaking, I didn’t “hate” any of these books – but my classmates certainly did! It will come as a surprise to no one that I was a huge bookworm all through school. Even after I finished high school and studied journalism, I always packed a book with me on the train. Whether you…
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These Plants Can Kill: Deadly Flora
“Every rose has its thorns”. We all love the sight of a beautiful garden, but sometimes the loveliest appearances hide a deadly nature. Jane Percy, the Duchess of Northumberland, decided in 1995 that she wanted to grow a garden exclusively containing harmful plants. She originally thought of a medicinal garden, but she changed her mind…
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What I Learnt From Knitting My First Jumper
When I decided to write about knitting a jumper last year, my wrists immediately started screaming “never again”. I’ve written previously about how great knitting is for chronic pain, but I didn’t mention how damaging it can be. When I’m knitting or crocheting, I tend to get lost in the pattern and flow. I’ll usually…
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Creature Feature: Cuckoo Birds and Brood Parasites
When we think of parasites, we typically think of unpleasant creepy-crawlies like leeches or ticks. Today I’d like to introduce you to the brood parasite, the most famous of those being the cuckoo bird. You might recognise the cuckoo as the little bird that pops out of old clocks, but it’s really their parenting habits…