Citrus Ice by Diamine

The above photo was taken in direct sunlight. Ink is swatched on Clairefontaine 90gsm paper, using a glass dip pen. Specs Name: Citrus Ice Maker: Diamine Color Family: Orange Properties: Shading, Shimmering Purchased at: Vanness What’s in a name? Originally in Diamine’s 2017 Shimmertastic collection of shimmering inks, this yellow-orange ink has silver shimmer and moderate shading properties. Swatches A large swatch of ink showcases the darkest this ink gets, as well as the maximum properties it has (when held at the right angle to show any shimmer or sheen). But what about when you’re writing a letter or notes with it? […]

Posted September 7, 2022 by bethwyrm in Fountain Pens / 0 Comments

BuJo Tour- September

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been ready for it to be September for months. After a truly crummy end of August, thanks to my third round of COVID-19, being scammed out of money (criminal report has been filed, but changes of recovering my $$ are nil), and some unexpected medication side effects, I’m very excited for this month. The weather and general atmosphere turning to Fall is aces, all the way. I’m eager for the cozy comfort of sweaters, stews, and afternoon tea sipping. Also to watch Leilani lose her mind trying to chase and chew every falling […]

Posted September 6, 2022 by bethwyrm in Life Update / 2 Comments

The First Voyage

Ahoy, readers! The first week of pillaging has ended (I knew, ’twere a short one) and Scurvy Sal has sent me an accounting of all that passed. Now, bear in mind her spyglass gets a mite foggy betimes, and she is fond o’ her rum, so if something be missing from this log, give us a shout! Also, as some have asked, Scurvy Sal had her portrait done at https://www.dolldivine.com/pirate-creator.php and if you do likewise, please share it with #Pirateathon on social media, so we might all admire ye countenance. Captain’s Log Last weekend was our first Bookish Broadside and […]

Posted September 5, 2022 by bethwyrm in Book Challenge / 4 Comments

Godlings and the Gates of Chaos by Luke C. Jackson

Characters: 7, several of the characters immediately had personalities that shone through (Chaac and Ra, most notably), and I could distinguish between them. Some, such as Tiamat, had an intriguing backstory that was glazed over, but I found myself rooting for them all anyway. Atmosphere: 7, the graphics are vividly colorful and engaging. I tend to prefer more subtlety in my graphic novels (artwork and story), but I think this is aimed at YA readers and it definitely has a “classic superhero” vibe to it, so that fit. I wished we could’ve explored the underwater base more, because the possibilities […]

Posted September 4, 2022 by bethwyrm in Book Review / 0 Comments

Shimmering Seas by Diamine

The above photo was taken in direct sunlight. Ink is swatched on Clairefontaine 90gsm paper, using a glass dip pen. Specs Name: Shimmering Seas Maker: Diamine Color Family: Blue Properties: Shimmering Purchased at: Goulet Pens What’s in a name? Meant to evoke the effect of sunlight shimmering on the ocean, this is a color from the 2015 Shimmertastic Collection. Swatches A large swatch of ink showcases the darkest this ink gets, as well as the maximum properties it has (when held at the right angle to show any shimmer or sheen). But what about when you’re writing a letter or notes with […]

Posted September 3, 2022 by bethwyrm in Fountain Pens / 0 Comments

Dead of Night by M.R. Forbes

Characters: 7, while I was invested in the MC and one secondary character, I found it difficult to care about the love interest secondary character. I was definitely more about the world and plot/mystery than the characters. Most of the secondary characters just weren’t developed enough for me to be invested. Atmosphere: 9, reading this was like watching a movie- I could see every scene clearly in my head (which is sometimes difficult for me with action sequences, because of my inability to think spatially these days). From the description of the humanoid fantasy races to the physical locations (Chicago, […]

Posted September 2, 2022 by bethwyrm in Book Review / 0 Comments

Launch the Ships!

Today marks the official start of the Pirateathon! Each Monday, I’ll be posting a brief recap of what our intrepid corsairs have been up to, whilst Scurvy Sal keeps ye abreast of all things nautical on a more regular basis (I’d say daily, but the lass has a fondness for rum an’ ain’t the most reliable of shanty masters). Joining us on the Spanish Main, canons primed and cutlasses drawn, are: Four-Eyed Annie Shannon Scurvyshorts Miss Mayhem Ellorie Wine Winifred ‘White Hair’ Grail Captain Tea of the Sea Aurelia Sherwood Whinin’ Jane Dawkins Sarrr the No Beard Pirate Chelle ‘Devil’s […]

Posted September 1, 2022 by bethwyrm in Book Challenge / 0 Comments

Beryl by Lamy

The above photo was taken in direct sunlight. Ink is swatched on Clairefontaine 90gsm paper, using a glass dip pen. Specs Name: Beryl Maker: Lamy Color Family: Pink Properties: Shading Purchased at: Goulet Pens What’s in a name? Part of Lamy’s Crystal Ink collection, named for gemstones, Beryl is named for the bixbite variant of that stone- which is a near perfect shade match for this ink. Swatches A large swatch of ink showcases the darkest this ink gets, as well as the maximum properties it has (when held at the right angle to show any shimmer or sheen). But what about […]

Posted August 31, 2022 by bethwyrm in Fountain Pens / 0 Comments

My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood

Characters: 7, how Margaret Atwood makes me amused by and care about two characters in only 32 pages is beyond me, but there we are. This story is about mother/daughter dynamics, about the malleability of truth and reality, and spins a bit on the adage about one being destined to become their parent. Atmosphere: 7, I could absolutely picture every scene, from the pink angora sweater with rabbit fur cuff and pom poms, to the awkward father meeting in a French restaurant, to the omnipresent threat of pointing. Writing: 8, it’s the evocative language that somehow shreds right down to […]

Posted August 30, 2022 by bethwyrm in Book Review / 2 Comments

Leilani’s Report Card for August

What did we get up to in this, my birth month? Well, in addition to some gains and some frustrations in training, Leilani’s GI issues also came to a head this month. So on the vet’s suggestion I’ve switched her to a hydrolyzed protein diet (the protein is broken into amounts so tiny, it won’t inflame her digestive tract) for 4 weeks, with no treats. In mid-September, I’ll start slowly reintroducing things into her diet (one at a time, waiting a week between new items) to see what might set off GI upset. The going theory is that she’s allergic […]

Posted August 29, 2022 by bethwyrm in Life Update / 0 Comments