Before jumping into the heart of this post, I want to start off by discussing the fact that the feed reader – Bloglovin’ – that I have used for the past several years as a means of following just about every blog I comment on with any degree of regularity has continued to be down for multiple days/weeks in a row several times throughout the last few months.
Daily (often multiple times) for weeks now, I have been checking to see if Bloglovin’ was back up again this month. As of the time of writing, it still is not. 😟
Prior to adopting Bloglovin, which is a free service with no cap (that I am aware) on the number of sites users can follow, I used Google’s feed reader.
This was a terrific feed reader and I would still likely be utilizing it were it not for the fact that Google shut it down ages ago now (despite impassioned pleas from users for them to keep it alive).
There are certainly other feed readers beyond Bloglovin’ out there. However, the majority of them only allow you to have a relatively small number of blogs that you can follow for free with their service (25 – 100 tends to be the norm across freemium feed reader providers).
Beyond that cap, they want to charge you to upgrade in order for you to be able to follow a greater number of sites. Such costs are typically applied monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Ideally, I would prefer not to have to pay for a feed reader. That said, if Bloglovin’ continues to be down for long periods (or never returns altogether), I will have to come up with some sort of alternate solution here – be it free or paid.
As will, no doubt, many others who have stuck with the Bloglovin’ platform over the years – even after its mid to early 2010s heyday.
To add insult to injury, not only is the feed element of Bloglovin’ down, but the very same error message (in the screenshot above) appears when I click over to the page that normally shows me the extensive list of blogs that I follow.
Nooooooo!!! 😱
Therefore, if I cannot gain access to that list (which I do not have recorded anywhere else), I will need to refollow those of you who comment here through whatever alternative to Bloglovin’ that I end up going with.
I am hoping that things don’t come to me having to abandon Bloglovin’, but by the same token, missing out on commenting on many of your sites in recent weeks is not something I want to continue experiencing all summer (or longer!) by any means.
🌟 If I am a regular or even semi-regular commenter on your blog, could you please leave me a comment below with your site’s URL so that I can start composing a new list of my regular blog reads to use if/when I do have to switch to a different feedreader? (Thank you very much in advance!) 🌟
And by the same token, I know that a fair number of you follow this site via Bloglovin’. So that we don’t risk losing touch, please feel free to sign up for my newsletter (located on the upper right-hand sidebar of this site).
At present, this simply emails each new post I publish on Witchcrafted Life to your inbox, so you won’t be inundated with actual newsletters (though, one day, I may start sending the occasional one out) and will still be able to follow along here if you are not planning to decamp to a different feedreader yourself.
As well, if you happen to use or know of any reliable, enjoyable feedreaders that are either free or very well-priced, likewise please share it/them in the comments below.
(I will be investing a number of Bloglovin’ alternatives featured in this post on the subject, but would love to hear more about your faves and recommendations, too!)
And, as you likely deduced after reading the above paragraphs, this is the sole reason why I have not been leaving blog comments on many of your sites over the past 3 – 4 weeks. I am very sorry about that, everyone, and really hope to get this issue sorted out ASAP!
Now, on with our latest edition of Magick, Crafty Makes, and Me.
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In Leo Tolstoy’s renowned classic, Anna Karenina, he penned the line, “spring is the time of plans and projects.”
This is a sentiment that I very much agree with. However, I do feel that it usually rings even truer for me during the fall.
After all, they don’t call Samhain / Halloween the Witch’s New Year for nothing! And what new year would be complete without a few new hopes and ambitions?
As winter waned and the first telltale signs of spring returned – despite the ever-worsening state of my physical health (I do not have any positive updates to report there, unfortunately, and so will say no more on the topic for the time being) – I was suddenly struck with one of the biggest waves of creativity that I have ever experienced.
It struck me like a bolt of lightning sent down by my muse and, I am very happy to say, is still going strong. 🥳
I have been floating on a crafty cloud nine all spring long and have jotted down literally hundreds of possible project ideas over the past few weeks.
This has been a joyous state to experience and one that is doing wonders in the process for my mental health, which is a terrific added bonus.
Periods don’t like this don’t come along every day for a lot of us and I am trying to soak up and be grateful for every second of amped-up creativity.
Weather wise, despite the fact that snow stopped falling in our neighbourhood a touch earlier than most years (late March vs the usual some point in April), we had next to no proper spring this time around.
Cool weather tinted in shades of worn pavement and faded blue flannel filled the bulk of our days. Enough rain to have one wondering if Amazon sells ark kits torpedoed itself at the ground for days – sometimes even weeks – very nearly on end.
Now, to be fair, I rather adore cool, grey weather and share Wednesday Addams’ sentiment that it is, “so nice and gloomy”.
Yes, I am one of those souls who tends to find damp weather, mild temps, and the need for multiple layers well into June to be an enjoyable experience. 🥰
That said, I am not averse to sunshine and can scarcely wrap my head around the fact that with the Summer Solstice/Litha having come and gone for another year, the days will now grow shorter until winter’s rebirth at Yule.
I don’t know if I would personally go so far as to say that I feel seasonally shortchanged, but I am definitely looking at my receipt very closely as I exit the weather store. 😄
To my mind, the best positive to experiencing a far damper and cooler spring than usual is that it has done wonders to keep the annual horrific wildfire season that consumes (quite literally) much of BC in its fiery bite each spring/summer/early fall largely at bay.
So long as I live, I doubt I will ever forget the incredibly vivid red and orange coloured skies of last year’s forest fire season, as we spent days on end hosing down our house and yard to try and keep any live embers in the air from igniting our property.
(See this post of mine for unedited photos of exactly what I am talking about.)
All the while, sitting for about a month on evacuation alert, our most important documents, electronic devices, and a few treasured items neatly piled near the front door to grab at a moment’s notice had an evacuation come in.
Mercifully, that did not happen. Nor was our home or yard damaged by the huge blazes that roared loudly mere kilometres away.
However, the record-shattering heatwaves last year did do damage to some of the lofty evergreens in our backyard, with a decent smattering of their branches still bleached a distinctly rusty brown hue.
This spring was unquestionably a nippier than usual one, but that does not necessarily guarantee that we will be in for a gentle next three months.
Few things can turn more quickly on a dime than Mother Nature’s mood and it is anyone’s guess as to where the temps, total hours of sunshine, and wildfire levels will each land when all is said and done for another summer.
In the introduction to the Winter 2022 Edition of Magick, Crafty Makes, and Me, I made the war in Ukraine the focus of those initial paragraphs.
Though I was hoping beyond measure that come the next edition of MCM&M, his horrific conflict would be over, the realist in me knew that such was, objectively, quite unlikely.
And as we surely all know, this devastating sham (on Russia’s part) of a war still rages on fiercely. Its end even less certain than the outcome of a whole season’s weather report.
Though media coverage (as it is apt to do) has let up a bit regarding this bloody conflict, I continue to follow credible news sources very closely regarding the war in Ukraine and have every intention of doing so for as long as the fighting continues.
Far closer to home, this spring has not been without its fair share of serious happenings as well.
As some of you may recall for the spring edition of this series, my sister came down with Covid in the winter. Thankfully, she did not require hospitalization and was gradually able to recover. However, no sooner had she started to feel a bit more like her usual self again than she contracted this terrible illness for a second time. 😲
Very luckily, it was milder for her than the first experience and she is once again on the road to recovery.
Still, it is almost unbelievable that she fell ill with Covid twice in such a short time frame. Though no doubt her immune system was weakened by the first bout (as surely just about anyone’s would be) and that made her more susceptible to contracting this virus a second time.
Again, while my sister is doing fairly well at this point all things considered, sadly, I cannot say the same for my paternal grandfather. 😢
Earlier this month, completely out of the blue, he suffered two very serious strokes in rapid succession. Tests quickly revealed a blood clot in his brain which is too large to safely be operated on and so will need to be managed through medication.
Right now, his medical team is optimistically saying that in time, with PT, meds, and so forth, he may be able to regain about 70 – 80% of his pre-stroke abilities and motor skills.
Naturally, everyone in our circle is hoping and praying for that to ultimately prove to be the case, but it is far too early on at this stage to know for sure.
He and my grandma are both in their early eighties and have been married since the 1950s. They have weathered their fair share of serious health issues over the decades, but this is definitely the very worst medical situation to strike either of them so far.
I worry not only for my grandpa himself but also for my grandma and know this will, understandably, take a very serious toll on her.
Everyone who can is rallying around them and trying to help in any way possible.
Given that once a person has one stroke (let alone two), your odds of experiencing another one are quite decent, I don’t think any of us will ever feel like my grandpa will be safely out of the proverbial woods on this front.
Hopefully, though, he will be able to make a sizable recovery and continue to be active and enjoy life (including gardening, which is one of his biggest passions) for a long time still to come. 🙏
There is scarcely any good way to segue out of such a heavy topic, so instead of switching subjects again in this intro section, let us proceed with the Spring 2022 Edition of Magick, Crafty Makes, and Me.
Which, for those of you who are joining this series for the first time, is a link love post featuring online content that caught my eye during the past three months, coupled with a peek into what has been transpiring lately in my own life.
Magick, Witchcraft, Paganism, and Spirituality
–How to Make Your Own Scrying Mirror: Scrying is one of my favourite forms of divination and ways to enter into a meditative state of mind alike.
Should you wish to try your hand at scrying or are already a fan who is looking to add a new scrying mirror to your spiritual toolbox, this lovely, easy-to-follow DIY scrying mirror tutorial from Moody Moons has you covered.
–How to Write Powerful Poetry Spells: Long one of my very favourite ways to utilize the written word in my spellwork, magickal poetry is a powerful, expressive, and deeply personal approach to creating spells that anyone – whether they consider themselves a poet already or not – can engage in freely.
This eloquent and insightful look at the subject is bound to have you reaching for the nearest quill and paper.
–Signs a Deity is Calling You: Not all witches/Wiccans/Pagans believe in and/or work with deities, but a decent percentage currently do or would like to integrate this element into their practice.
If you have ever wondered about how to know if/when a goddess (though the general premises laid out in this post apply to the gods as well) may be reaching out to you, this wonderfully in-depth look at the topic has got your back!
–Ten Reasons Tarot Is Super Effective and How To Make It Work For You: Over the past decade or so, I have enjoyed witnessing tarot (and oracle) cards skyrocket all the more in popularity. While, perhaps not surprising then, at the same time the general public is gradually becoming more aware of what tarot actually is (a powerful tool for insight, growth, guidance, and divination) and what it isn’t (a magical fairy tale type of way to instantly know the future).
In this post on the official Llewellyn website, author Sasha Graham guides tarot newbies through some of the wonderful perks of working with this much-beloved tool. And, by extension, reminds seasoned card slingers of some of the reasons why we are such devoted fans of this awesome item.
–Threshold Magick for Troubled Times: A supportive and thoroughly apropos – given all the immense problems that are rife in the world these days – look at a great form of magick that can easily be utilized by just about anyone who has access to a (safe) threshold.
–The Secret Names of Magical Herbs and Plants: This enjoyable piece delves into the subject of why, historically, certain plants + herbs were known by alternative folk/magical names and how both those who may still need to conceal their practice today (as well as others who are out of the broom closet) can utilize these old school monikers for some of the world’s most magical green offerings.
–Witchy Apps to Keep on Your Phone: Truth be told, outside of a select few, I have never been the biggest of app users (or, for that matter, cell phone users, point-blank). However, there are a handful of apps that I adore and I am always open to adding more entries to that list. 😀
Penned last October, this handy post from the blog #Lazy is a terrific roundup of some of the best and most relevant phone apps for those who veer in a witchy/Pagan/contemporary spirituality direct.
To no one’s surprise, I’m sure, given that I am a Cancer, the Moon app in particular nabbed my eye. Which one leaps out at you the most?
Cardmaking, Scrapbooking, Paper Crafting, and Other Crafts
–Altered Vintage Bottle Tutorial: As of late, I have felt a strong pull towards making altered items. While not new to the act, I haven’t created too many of them in recent years and (much as with pocket letters) have been missing doing so.
Having recently read Anna-Karin’s tutorial post for how to make a vintage-inspired altered bottle, I am chomping at the bit all the more to hopefully make some “off the page” papercrafting/mixed media project this year.
If you are as well, swing on by her post and lap up the creative gorgeousness at work there.
–DIY Farmhouse Candle Holders: It is safe to say that contemporary farmhouse décor had taken off like wildfire in recent years and that it is a trend which is fast becoming all the more of a classic in its own right.
Though my personal décor tastes don’t veer too much in that direction, I admire the style and find that smaller farmhouse-y pieces can often be a cinch to weave into a wide array of home decorating styles.
The selection that Andrea rounded up in this post is inspiring – especially since there is no stopping one from following the general premise but putting their own creative décor spin on these great DIY candleholders.
–Easy Repurposed Antique Chair Spindle Wind Chimes: Like many a crafty/artistic soul, I tend to be drawn towards finding ways to reuse, repurpose, or otherwise find uses for items of all sorts that still have life left in them.
By far one of the most ingenious projects of this nature that I have hit upon in recent months is this super creative approach to turning old chair legs into beautiful wind chimes. B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T!!!
–How to Make Beautiful Tissue Paper Pompoms: Beautiful is an understatement! These generously sized DIY tissue paper pompoms are flat-out gorgeous – while also being relatively easy to make.
You could whip up a few for year-round décor, create sets to cycle throughout each holiday season, use them for parties and weddings, or gift a bouquet’s worth of tissue paper pompoms to someone special in your life.
(On the same blog, Crissy’s beginner’s tutorial on How to Make Fabric Covered Flowerpots also leapt out at me.)
–How to Make Affordable Scrapbook Paper Wall Art: Though this post is currently eleven years old, the idea – turning beautiful pieces of scrapbooking paper into wall art – is no less at home in today’s DIY décor arena than it was in the 2010s.
–How to Make Paper Bead Jewelry: Much as with dried pasta, in our childhoods a fair number of us whipped up creative jewelry that involved making paper beads.
This resourceful type of DIY bead tends to cycle in and out of vogue a bit but has remained popular amongst plenty of crafters and jewelry wearers alike – especially when you end result is as lovely as the examples Amy shares in this great tutorial post.
–101 (free) Fall Sewing Tutorials: Much like the staff at many magazines, crafters often work on projects months in advance of a particular season.
With that thought in mind – and being a lover of all things autumn related – given that fall’s return is a mere three months away, I wanted to share this wonderful roundup post which features 🍂 101 different free autumn sewing tutorials 🍂 for the sewers amongst my readers.
What’s Shaking in My Life and On My Radar
Having covered some of the heavier things that occurred in our lives this spring in the opening portion of this post, I will switch to more upbeat fare instead.
As mentioned above, my creativity has been going a mile a minute lately! And while my health does not allow me to keep pace with all of my crafty ideas, I have still managed to get in some paper crafting this season with (very realistic) plans for more as summer unfolds.
In addition, I have deep-dived again into another craft that I have adored and participated in since I was about 5 or 6 years old: cross stitching.
I love, love, love cross-stitching!!! 🧵
For me, it is relaxing, super enjoyable, and conveys a sense of the time-honoured tradition of needlework that has been an important part of countless peoples’ lives over the centuries.
Much as with the rest of my craft supplies and finished projects, the arson fire that we experienced in October 2016 annihilated my cross stitch stash and what was, up until that point, very nearly a lifetime’s worth of work. Dozens of projects spanning my childhood to my early 30s were gone in the blink of an eye.
And, though in hindsight I have no clue why I didn’t do so (perhaps because I started stitching many years before digital cameras hit the mainstream market? 🤔), I had never taken photographs of them. Therefore, the only place they live on now is in my memories.
Life might knock me down, but I always spring back again and that sentiment applies to the majority of my long-standing passion as well.
Though I have done a small bit of cross stitching in the ensuing post-fire years, the bulk of my crafting attention has, objectively, been devoted to paper crafting. Rest assured that I do not see that changing anytime soon.
However, it can be a lot of fun to alternate between two or more different craft pursuits (which in this case, can sometimes even overlap – such with handmade cards that feature small cross stitch designs on them or stamp sets that mimic the classic Xs we all associate with cross stitchery) and I love that this recent surge of creativity has led me to connect with cross stitching again all the more.
Now, as a crafty witch operating on a very tight budget, I have been happily trawling the web for free and low-cost patterns that align with my current tastes in cross stitch designs.
In addition, they have very generously provided a slew of free cross stitch patterns that you can download and stitch up as well, such as this charmer called Just One More Page. Image Via Night Spirit Studio.)
Having hit upon a number of great sources (which I am thinking would make for a fun post here unto itself) and with some aida cloth and embroidery floss that I picked up a few years back, I now have a couple of fun new WIPs (works in progress) on the go. 😃
I have also been binge-watching the cross stitchery side of YouTube as of late, where many who post about this passion tag their videos with the charming word “Flosstube”.
Doing so allows others with an interest in the subject to search for this term and be greeted with more video choices than there are colours in DMC’s current colour palette. 😄
In time, as I have hopefully completed more projects, I plan to share some of them here with you – especially since I know that there are plenty of fellow cross stitchers amongst this blog’s readership.
In other news, this Friday was my little brother’s birthday (though as he is currently living outside of the country, it is not possible to celebrate it in person with him). A mere sixteen days from now, my own (GF) cake day will return. 🎂
Yep, we are both Cancers. 🦀 Though being fairly close to on the cusp, I feel that he actually embodies a lot of Gemini characteristics.
Then, twenty-six days beyond that point, my sweet hubby will get to blow out his own set of candles.
The three of us are pretty much the only summer birthdays in our immediate family, which is a lovely point to share in common.
Fun, related fact: Hand on my heart, I was conceived on Halloween 1983. 🎃
Really, is it any wonder then that I would grow up to live a life where I #MakeHalloween365 and celebrate my most beloved (and spiritually significant) point on the calendar the whole year through? 😊
And speaking of All Hallows’ Eve, from the day after my birthday onward, I gear up for spooky season all the more. Pretty much viewing July 11th to October 30th as one long, fabulously exciting countdown to the BIG DAY! 👻
Which reminds me, with everything that has been going on in our lives and in the world at large so far in 2022, I have scarcely had a moment to sit down and ponder my Halloween costume for this year. Will I bust out a past fave again or opt for something new?
That is a question that I will hit upon an answer for in the next few months, as I prefer to have my Halloween ensemble planned out well in advance.
If you dress up for October 31st, how early in the year do you tend to start thinking about your costume choice?
Alrighty, as few things in the universe make me as happy as Halloween season, this seems like a good place to wrap up discussing some of what’s been going down in my/our life lately.
Now, let’s hop with both feet forward into a fun mixed bag of various online stories that caught my eye, inspired me, or otherwise stood out over the past few months.
–Embroidery Artist “Paints” Lush Landscapes Using Only a Needle and Thread: Prepare to pick your jaw up off the ground when you gaze upon these stunning works of embroidery art created by the immensely talented Jade Deanna.
–Five Organization Tricks for Highly Sensitive People: Being an HSP myself, posts that relate to this topic are ones I tend to lap up with gusto. As well as often nodding along in agreement as my eyes scan from one paragraph to the next.
That was certainly the case for me when I read this Apartment Therapy piece absolute some great ways HSPs can successfully organize their homes.
–How Stanley Tucci’s Big Night Helped Kick off an American Dining Revolution: No doubt like many other people, I can clearly remember a lot of the more “grown-up” movies that my parents allowed us to watch when I was little.
For me, at the age of 12 – 13, one of those was The Big Night.
Though life (aka, my health) took my future in a different direction, growing up I was deadest on becoming a professional chef with their own restaurant(s).
As such, the plot of this now-classic film from 1996 imprinted itself in my memory all the more and The Big Night still remains one of my favourite movies twenty-six years after it was released.
This look at how The Big Night impacted something far broader – the modern food revolution – is an engaging piece that has a lot of merit to the premise it puts forth and which is apt to resonate with foodies, chefs, and fans of both contemporary dining and modern cookery TV shows alike.
–19 Ways to Get a Little Self-Care Outside: This post is a wonderful look at a plethora of different ways many of us can experience/engage in realistic self-care in the great outdoors. In addition, it is a lovely reminder to all of us that few places are more peaceful, soothing, or enjoyable than when we are in the arms of Mother Nature.
–Six Different Types of Stones Used for Graves: This one is for all my fellow taphophiles, history lovers, and family genealogists out there – as well as anyone else who may be keen to learn more about a handful of materials that were used to construct headstones throughout the centuries.
–10 Famous Authors and Their Favourite Libations: This charming post takes a gander at the favourite tipples of ten world-famous authors (from Maya Angelou to Oscar Wild) and may very well have you reaching for your own personal fave by the time you’ve finished reading it. 😊
–13 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying Anything For Your Wardrobe: Living in a small house with laughably little in the way of closet space, I try to be very mindful of what I buy as I know wardrobe real esteem is at a premium.
Though I do not follow the “one item in, one item out” approach religiously, it does come into play sometimes – as do a number of the points in this handy post that is a must-read, IMO, for fashion fans with closets of all sizes.
The Promise of Brighter Days Ahead
It has long been said that hope springs eternal. One need only look at the course of human history to see the truth in that statement.
Many of us have an ingrained sense of hope that runs so deep it might as well be part of our DNA.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that we are pie-in-sky optimists, wildly pollyannaish, or naïve. Rather, that we hold tight to the possibility that the majority of difficult/stressful/even seemingly dire circumstances we encounter will prove to be ones that can ultimately be overcome or able to be well managed.
Hope has long made me think of sunrises. Just as our good friend Sol comes barrelling back into our lives each morning, so too does hope have an incredible ability to reappear time and time again.
It is a form of comfort, resilience, and self-preservation. We need hope and, in order to exist, hope itself in turn needs us.
Hope has been out in full force all the more across many of our lives in recent years. Between the pandemic, numerous serious global conflicts, the soaring cost of living (which inflation has failed – in much of the world at least – to keep pace with for decades now), a wide array of natural disasters, and plenty more, if hope was a tradeable commodity, it would be the hottest stock on the market.
I love hope. It has genuinely saved my life on more than one occasion and is something I steadfastly hold tight to in the face of just about any situation. Worst case, it doesn’t help. Best case it does and in the process, hope makes getting through dark, difficult times a little less challenging.
Spring and summer are seasons that lend themselves all the more to hope and the ability to look at the glass (of lemonade) as being half full.
In the sun-bathed months, it is sometimes a touch easier to deal with our worries and troubles, anxieties and stresses. Now always, and not for everyone, of course. But for some of us, that is the case and no doubt plays into why we are particularly fond of the balmy side of the calendar.
I adore each season and lean into the perks of all four. While at the same time, continually growing and learning as a person thanks to the challenges inherent to every one of them as well.
Summer’s return unto itself is rarely enough to set every wrong right. Thankfully though, it can help to lift our spirits and provide us with wonderful new memories, languid days of relaxation, and, I find at least, scads of nostalgia.
Both literally and figuratively, summer comes with the promise of brighter days ahead. 🌞
Rare is the summer my mood is not lifted at least part of the time and even the most difficult summers of my life have been peppered with fantastic experiences that I look back on with great fondness.
It is anyone’s guess as to what the state of the world or of their own lives will look like when, in roughly three months’ time, the summer edition of this post will appear here.
Hope tells me that at least a few things may be better. Or baring that, not considerably worse off than they presently are.
And in the process, it enthusiastically reminds me that we are a mere three months away from the return of pumpkin season! 🧡
No matter what the coming sizzling hot weeks may throw at us, that fact alone is darn near enough to keep a perpetual jack-o-lantern-worthy smile on my face all summer long. 🥰
At the same time though, I will try to savour the present season and appreciate the blessings and challenges alike that it holds in store for us.
From the bottom of my heart, sweet friends, I wish each of you a tremendously safe, happy, wellness-filled summer that is illuminated as much by hope as it is by sunshine.
Which of the links above caught your eye the most? What are some elements of summer (or winter in the Southern Hemisphere) that you are most looking forward to experiencing? 🍦⛱️🌻
Hi Autumn. Wow bloglovin has really given you a rough go of it. My blog is: http://lakefrontstampingcreations.blogspot.com/ I am glad your sister is recovering, I hope all goes best case scenario for your grandpa. Hugs, Donna
Thank you deeply for your caring, supportive words, dear Donna. I (we) truly appreciate them. 🙏💗
A very big thanks as well for providing your site’s URL here. I am still on the hunt for a reliable new feed reader, but have vowed to find one before July is over!
The moment that I have, your blog will be added to it (just as had long been a part of my Bloglovin’ feeds).
Huge hugs from my heart to yours,
🖤 Autumn
I am praying for your grandfather Autumn. Hopefully he will make an almost full recovery. And, my prayers are with you for your health issues as well.
Thank you deeply, sweet Celeste. Your prayers and kindness are immensely appreciated. 🙏💗
Though it is still very much early days, I am delighted to report that my grandpa is already making strides with his recovery and has been able to start PT.
Truly, thank you again. 🌹
Huge hugs from my heart to yours,
🖤 Autumn
I have also had loads of issues with Bloglovin recently so you are not alone in your assessment. I also identify totally with the wet weather. I love the rain, and wind and winter. I love needing to wear layers and wearing waterproofs but then we should appreciate the wet days as well as the sunny days surely. As for the links: well there are several I am intending to explore in further detail. The “–Signs a Deity is Calling You”: seriously calls to me but also I need to check out a few more. Thanks for these.
Hi lovely Bracken, thank you very much for your terrific comment and for sharing with me that you have also been experiencing issues with Bloglovin’. When their site is down, it is inaccessible to all users and as a result, scores of us the world over have been dealing with these inexplicable issues from Bloglovin’ in recent months. While it is comforting to not be alone on that front, I am very sorry that you’ve been dealing with this pain in the neck as well.
Once I have found a reliable new feedreader (which I’ve vowed to do by the end of July), I will add your site there on the double!
Many thanks again coupled with the sweetest wishes for a stellar summer!
🖤 Autumn
Oh, Autumn, you have taken me through the whole range of emotions in this post starting with frustration at the issues you are facing with IT and ending with the real hope that things will improve and the whole range in between.
To start with bBoglovin, I do use it a bit and get daily emails sometimes the link brings up the error window you show but mostly it is working OK for me. I use a mishmash of bookmarks, emails, Bloglovin, and my blogger reading list to keep track of those I follow. It is a bit of a muddle but it works for me. My url is: https://myfiddlingaboutpage.blogspot.com/
I know that there has recently been problems for bloggers who have 3rd party cookies blocked in their settings. We are told to turn them off for security but unfortunately, blogs don’t work properly unless they are enabled. I have no idea if this might be the issue you are having, but thought it worth mentioning.
I am so sorry to hear your own health struggles and those of your sister and grandfather. It does sound quite serious for your grandfather. It is so sad when we see these precious people get older and frailer over time. I am pleased to be able to work out when your birthday is, although it is too late for me to send you a card and have it reach you in time.
I am thrilled to see that you enjoy cross stitching as I do too. It is a great pastime for calming a busy mind but at the same time it is quite straightforward and rewarding. I haven’t done enough of it recently, so I must change that. It is lovely to hear that you have been feeling so creative recently. I shall look forward to seeing some of your projects in the future.
Thank you for all the interesting links, I shall be going to have a closer look at some shortly.
Please hang onto your creativity and your hope as things change over time and the things we have to deal with and the way we deal with them ebbs and flows. Summer can be a very joyful time and I hope it proves to be just that for you. xx
Wonderfully dear Hilary, thank you immensely for your outpouring of kindness, compassion, and understanding – as well as for letting me know that Bloglovin’ is a part of your online world as well.
I tend to function best when I am laser-focused and/or have like with like all grouped together, which is why I’ve relied solely on Bloglovin’ for so many years now. I’m kind of wishing though that in this instance, I had been a bit more diversified as if I don’t get access to BL, I will lose the URLs of hundreds of blogs that I follow (plenty are just read periodically, not commented on – there would not be enough hours in the day for that! 😄).
Thank you very much for bringing up the point about caching. That is so thoughtful of you to do. On the off chance the issue did lie on my side (even though I had already seen a number of different people mention online that BL was down for them as well), I cleared my cache by about the second week into this month of BL being down. For me at least, it did not make a speck of difference.
I was already on the fence regarding continuing to use BL or not due the previous days/weeks this year that their platform has been down with nary a single explanation ever provided to users, but June sealed the deal for me. I am now hunting far and wide for a reliable new (free or lost cost) feed reader and have vowed to hit on a winner before the end of July.
Please know that when that happens, I will add your URL (big thanks for posting it here 💗) right away and also try to read as many of your posts from the last few weeks as possible. Returning – all things willing – to commenting again on a regular basis.
From the bottom of my grateful heart, thank you again tremendously. 🙏🌹
Huge hugs,
🖤 Autumn
Bloggers’ reader feed still works – if you can still log into Blogger, you can still see blog posts in that feed. I still see a bunch of my regulars there. I always track back people’s blogs through their comments when I’m in Blogger too – that helps keep me current. Sorry Bloglovin’s giving you no love, Autumn!
I’m also so sorry to hear of your sister getting Covid twice(!) and of your grandfather’s strokes. That is scary stuff, and such a smack of a reminder that life is short and we are frail.
I’m off to browse some of your links, thank you! I’m so glad you’re getting into cross-stitching – I did some crewel embroidery when I was a kid, from kits and such. I hope your burst of creativity lasts!
Still working on your jacket (I may miss your birthday), and it’s getting closer! I have done all the black on the front, and have just started the sleeves, so hopefully I’ll finish it this weekend.
Take care, honey!
Hello my very dear friend, thank you for your terrific comment and for letting me know that Blogger is still working for those who utilize it. That’s terrific!
Unfortunately, as WCL runs on WordPress, I haven’t had a current list of sites that I follow on Blogger’s platform for a few years now. Gosh, it would be handy right now though if I did!
You are absolutely right regarding the reminder that life is the most fragile of states and that one never knows when death may come calling for them.
The situation with my grandfather definitely made June a rough, unforgettable month (as did the periods earlier in the year when my sis was battling Covid). Thankfully though, he is already showing signs of improvement and has been able to start PT at this relatively early stage, which should really help in the overall picture of his recovery. 🙏🙏🙏
Aww, thank you! Despite everything lately, my amped-up creativity level continues to be just that and I am hoping to no end that it holds out until well into the fall so that I can channel it into all of the autumn and Halloween projects (health permitting) I would like to make for this year’s spooky season. 🎃
*Happiness squeal* I continue to pinch myself in joy-fuelled disbelief that you are blessing me with one of your immeasurably gorgeous + creative + talent-filled leather illustration creations, sweet Sheila. Thank you with a heart that will smile each and every time I look at, wear, or think about your phenomenal gift.
So very, very many thanks again for everything – including the radiant blessing that is your friendship. 🙏🌹💗
Giant hugs,
🖤 Autumn
Hey Autumn! I used that google feeder years ago as well until they did away with it and lots of people were recommending the Blog Lovin’…for some reason I never liked it and then found Feedly.com It’s free and I follow several places that I have categorized. I’ve used it for years now. It’s not for everyone and may take a bit getting used to.
Sending best wishes to your grandpa and enjoyed reading your post today! I used to love x-stitching years ago, but with my old eyes, I’m not sure I would do well with it any more. LOL Hoping that your creativity will give you some happy escaping!! HUGS
Hello lovely Vicki, thank you very much for your caring, supportive comment – and for sharing that Feedly has been your go-to feed reader for a while now.
It is an excellent service for sure and one that is a very big contender for me. The number of blogs I follow far exceeds their free plan though, so I (we) would have to pay for one of the monthly services if I do opt to go down that path (were it free regardless of the number of sites one follows, I think I would have already settled on using it after what happened with BL).
I have vowed to select a reliable new feed reader before July is over and wouldn’t be surprised if Feedly wins out in the end.
Aww, thank you! I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed that this inexplicable surge of creativity holds out until at least well into the fall months as I would LOVE to have it help fuel my creative endeavours that season all the more. Time shall tell! 😀
Your kindness, care, and friendship are beautiful blessings, Vicki. Thank you deeply again for everything. 🙏🌹💗
Tons of hugs,
🖤 Autumn
Hi, sorry Bloglovin is down my blog is https://lauramorrigan.blogspot.com/
I am sorry your family is experiencing so many health issues! One of my friends got covid twice this year, it is very frustrating, luckily she had vaccinations but it was still exhausting! And sending hope for your grandpa being ok.
I did embroidery as a kid and got back into it a few years ago but have let my interest lapse again. Maybe I will take it up again sometime? I never learned cross-stitch but do free-hand-ish stitch.
Hello lovely Laura, thank you deeply for your caring, supportive comment – very much including your well wishes for my grandpa’s recovery.
I am delighted to report that he is already showing signs of improving and that he has been able to start PT already. Doing so this early on stands to make the chances of the best recovery possible all the more likely to happen.
Your poor friend! I am deeply sorry that they got hit with Covid twice as well. 😥 Fingers and toes beyond crossed that she does not experience any long-Covid issues. 🙏🙏🙏
We are opposites on the needlework front. Beyond some very basic stitches, I have never ventured down the embroidery front. Maybe if we lived close to each other, we could teach one another our respective needlework skills. 😀
IMO, for the most part, cross stitch is easier than embroidery, so if one already has experience with the latter, picking up CS may come quite naturally.
Thank you again, sweet soul. I have vowed to find a reliable new feed reader before July is over and will be adding your site to my reading list again the moment I’ve found my winner.
Oodles of hugs & the happiest of July wishes coming your way,
🖤 Autumn
Sending prayers for your grandparents Autumn,after being together for all these years both must be worried for each other and for what the future holds.
Thank you tremendously, Meg. How right you are regarding my grandparents and the greater sense of uncertainty that now fills their days.
Objectively, being in their early 80s, I am sure they are realistic about the duration of their futures, but still… that can’t make suddenly seeing your partner of over half a century fighting for their life in the face of two major strokes any easier (if anything, it may actually make it harder).
All things considered, my grandma is coping well. She has a stoic nature and I suspect she is leaning into that a good deal these days. I greatly worry about her all the same though and hope to no end that this doesn’t cause a ripple effect that brings about new health issues for her as well. 🙏
My heartfelt thanks again, sweet lady. 💗
Tons of hugs,
🖤 Autumn
Aren’t technical hitches annoying? I’m not using Bloglovin’ myself, but there have been a few problems on Blogger as well in the last couple of weeks (or there were in the weeks before my holidays). My url is https://polyester-princess.blogspot.com/ by the way.
I’m sorry to hear your physical health isn’t improving and that your sister fell ill with Covid a second time. Sending prayers and good wishes for your grandparents! xxx
Hugely so! 😣 Especially since (for met at least) there is rarely any warning that they are coming and so you end up with varying degrees of feeling like the rug has suddenly been pulled out from under your feet on that front.
I am very sorry that Blogger is acting up as well. This site runs on WordPress (which, inexplicably, does not have their own equivalent to Blogger’s in-house list of blogs that one follows) so I have not come up against such issues. I hope that they haven’t been impacting you, dear Ann.
Thank you very much for your caring words regarding my health and that of my relatives. I (we) truly appreciate it. 💗
Many thanks as well for sharing your URL. Happily, after this many years, I know it by heart and will be adding it to whatever feed reader I hit upon as soon as I have got one up and running (again) for me. 😀
Tons of hugs & joyful July wishes,
🖤 Autumn
Hi Autumn, I’ve noticed that about Bloglovin’ being down a lot in the past few months! The other month it was down for several days and I wondered if it was some problem with my account (since I’ve experienced different issues before). But then I realised it was a problem with the whole site. I use it to follow several websites (including yours!) so it is annoying. I also find new recommendations through it. It is working for me at the moment, hopefully on your end too.
I will sign-up to your newsletter to keep up with you there too. 🙂 You should be able to click through to my blog The Seasonal Life from the link in this comment, otherwise I will leave the link for you in a comment. 🙂 Thank you for your recent visits to my blog! <3
I have to go now but I just thought I'd leave this comment here quickly. Look forward to coming back later and reading the rest of your Spring 2022 Edition. 🙂
Hope that your July has started off well. Happy Summer!
Zania ❤️
P.S. I did see that you mentioned your grandfather has been unwell. I’m very sorry to hear that. Sending my best wishes for his recovery, and love to him and you and your family (including your sister). 🙂
Hi again Autumn, I’ve come back to read the rest of your post! 🙂 I hope that you are doing as well as possible health wise right now (since you said you haven’t been too good) and that you are coping ok. 🙂 And I also hope that your sister is recovering well. How is your grandfather doing?
I’m glad that this spring was cooler than usual, especially given how severe last year’s wildfires were there. I hope things are going ok this summer. We’re actually having a heatwave in the UK, but where I am is cooler due to being on the coast, which I’m grateful for!
Cross stitching sounds fun! I can imagine how devastating it must have been to lose all your previous work in the arson fire. There are some things that just can’t be replaced. Look forward to seeing your future creations on here. 🙂
I hope your little brother had a wonderful birthday. Happy Belated Birthday to you! ❤️ I hope that you had a great day and also would like to wish your husband a happy upcoming birthday. Looking forward to reading your recent birthday post. 🙂 Also, I think it’s cool that you were conceived on Hallowe’en!!
Thank you for the links you shared. The ones about threshold magic and self-care outside stood out to me. I agree with what you said about hope, I find it easier to be hopeful in the spring and summer (in summer especially).
Wishing you a lovely rest of July! 🙂
❤️ Zania
P.S. Bloglovin’ was down again the other day and still doesn’t appear to be working now. It is frustrating!
What an inconvenience that Bloglovin’ goes down like that. I still use Blogger’s feed reader. It seems to be having quite a few issues lately, though definitely not as bad as what your tech issues are. (url: https://onshoesandshipsandsealing-wax.blogspot.com/)
I’m so sorry to hear about your sister’s second bout with Covid and everything your grandfather has been through lately. I really hope he is well on the road to recovery and that he will continue to stay on it!
Isn’t is absolutely wonderful when creativity hits that way? <3 I really look forward to perusing the links on the fall sewing tutorials and the link about the different types of headstones sounds fascinating as well.
Autumn, I hope your grandfather recovers from his strokes and is able to enjoy his gardening again.
Like you, I try to enjoy the best of what each season offers. And, summer continues to be a challenge- especially with our humidity and heat index over 110. So, much of my Summer at the moment is spent indoors. And cross-stitching could like a great hobby to take up again.
Hope your birthday is/was a fabulous one!
Debi
Another great read! You were conceived on Halloween!!! How marvellous is that! So Halloween is literally in your blood. 🙂 Fun fact: Son was conceived the day after my birthday and I gave him back to his father the day before his birthday, so he has been a birthday gift to both of us.
I loved the embroidery, both the free patterns (some of them so fun I wanted to embroider again) and the beautiful landscapes.
Hold on to your hope! I pray for you.
Wishing you the all the best. ♥