I saw Devon Gilfillian a few years ago - so good! He‘s a like-minded singer & fellow cat lover. Love his R & B style.
#TuesdayTunes
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=8rLUi0a2oRo&si=ipMmQiaatuMDQMsY
Something I didn‘t mention for Mental Health Monday is that I‘ve started writing again. It‘s a reason I made an appointment with my counselor/coach. I‘ve struggled with writing due to fear, low self-confidence, etc. I‘m hoping my counselor can help if those feelings arise. 🤞🤞🤞
I enjoyed this wonderful book. Beautiful themes of love, healing, and starting over after abuse. It brightened day. My only minor complaint is that I could tell it was written by someone who had vacationed in Maine but not lived here. Vacationing here vs living here are two different experiences, IMO.
Aside from that, great read!
#MentalHealthMonday check-in
How‘s everyone? I‘m OK. Trying to maintain a balance between staying informed and staying sane. Made an appointment with my counselor/coach for next week. Today I went for a walk and finished this lovely audiobook. It was enjoyable.
Normally I do a second or third question, but I couldn‘t think of any today. So I thought a basic check-in would suffice. Hope everyone is hanging in there!
Doing a second #TuesdayTunes post for my late mother-in-law, who passed away nine years ago today. Prince died the day before her & I always think of her when I hear “Purple Rain”. She loved the color purple and she loved music. 💜
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=iSBVeZrDfGY&si=HYG0w6BcTagZt2VF
I‘ve shared lots of Bee Gees for #TuesdayTunes. Today I thought I‘d share the title track from their 1991 High Civilization album. The song is supposedly a social commentary/protest-type tune, but I have yet to discover what the social commentary/protest is about. Whatever it is, there‘s something about it that feels relevant today. Perhaps it‘s the dystopian themes. ⬇️
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=3TpJlIsjflM&si=JBP8Ue4NVZorGndX
Stacked.
Link to Steve Asbell‘s post on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/steveasbell.com/post/3lmzagsw6dk2t
RFK Jr‘s recent statements about autism are troubling and dangerous. I encourage everyone to read the article I‘ve shared for more information. I also encourage you to read books like this one, written by an autistic author.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/making-meaning/202504/rfk-jrs-shocking-s...
#MentalHealthMonday checkin
1. Nervous about my cat‘s vet appointment. She has chronic kidney disease & I‘m worried her condition is worse.
2. I am cautious with mental health content creators. I follow some on YouTube. I try to stick to certified professionals & those who don‘t claim to have all the answers. Some of my favorites are Russell Razzaque, Patrick Teahan, & Emma McAdam. ⬇️
This is a new word for me! #WeirdWordWednesday
abseil (ab-sale) - to go down a steep drop by a rope fastened at the top and tied around one's body.
Excerpt from: "Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus Essential" by Collins Dictionaries.
Robin Gibb & his son RJ composed the Titanic Requiem for the 100th anniversary of the sinking. The song “Don‘t Cry Alone” is beautiful and haunting. #TuesdayTunes
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=jiQhey_fy14&si=6ydfDvqwe5dPTUem
#MentalHealthMonday check in
#1. I‘m feeling anxious & overwhelmed. There‘re lots I want to do & I don‘t know where to begin. I wish I had a personal assistant to help me stay on track. 😩
#2. It depends on the affirmation, but overall I‘m not a fan. I especially don‘t like ones about money and success. Positive thinking is helpful tool in many situations, but it won‘t make us rich or solve all our problems. ⬇️
The RMS Titanic struck an iceberg at 11:40 pm on April 14, 1912. She sank at 2:20 am on April 15, 1912. Survivor Lawrence Beesley wrote a memoir that I wish was required reading in schools. It includes important lessons that are relevant today. Beesley doesn‘t just look at those directly involved with the tragedy. He looks at society‘s involvement as well. ⬇️
Loved this cute short story from the Noodle Shop Mystery series. #SeriesLove25
Hi, all! Sorry I‘ve been away. I took a social media break for a bit. I‘ve read books, listened to music, done some writing, gone for walks, and overall enjoyed myself. Decided to come back to the socials tonight & look forward to reconnecting with y‘all. Silly Lorelei sends her love!
Feeling tired this morning. I‘m listening to this audiobook as I wake up. I love this series. #SeriesLove25
I didn‘t get around to the weekly Mental Health Monday yesterday, but since #MentalHealth is important every day I thought I‘d share a cool library event. More info here: https://troypl.librarycalendar.com/event/tpl-author-talks-thriving-anxiety-dr-da...
How‘s everyone doing?
World Figure Skating Championships women‘s free skate tonight! Go Amber Glenn!
I don‘t listen to much country, but I am in love with Orville Peck‘s music. Check him out if you like Johnny Cash. I‘ve been playing Orville‘s song “Daytona Sand” on repeat & it‘s like a balm to my soul.
#TuesdayTunes
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=myU6kcQz4os&si=_-78pYKP3llybWBc
Just finished this great audiobook. It‘s my favorite in the Noodle Shop Mystery series so far! #SeriesLove25
#MentalHealthMonday
1. The 🌎 has been getting to me & that‘s been hard. Last week was rough & I took a social media break.
2. It‘s had a negative effect lately. I find it more upsetting than helpful.
3. I take periodic social media breaks & find it benefits my mental health.
Boots sitting on my lap while I listen to Rick Astley‘s audiobook. I‘m never going to give her up ❤️😆#CatsOfLitsy
Can‘t sleep so I‘m listening to book four of the Noodle Shop Mystery series. #SeriesLove25
This song could be my anthem for 2025. With all that‘s happening in the US, I‘ve definitely wanted to shout.
#TuesdayTunes
#MentalHealthMonday check in
1. Feeling a little out of sorts. The spring time change always throws me off balance. I'll be glad when my body adjusts.
2. Bet on It by Jodie Slaughter has characters with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD). I have both conditions and I think Slaughter does a great job depicting what it's like.
Current audiobook. I had no idea Rick Astley had such a difficult childhood.
Today‘s audiobook for my #AudioWalk. It‘s super windy so I‘m walking on the treadmill instead of outside. #AudioWorkout #SeriesLove2025
Today‘s read. One main character has generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), the other has complex PTSD (CPTSD). The story opens with Aja, the female lead, having a panic attack in the grocery store. I‘m intrigued to see where this story goes!
#CatsOfLitsy #MentalHealth
For bullying survivors who were triggered by the Trump & Zelenskyy meeting, check out this video by therapist & childhood trauma survivor Patrick Teahan:
https://youtube.com/shorts/hRx1RdatLsE?si=_aIPOP5Mh3B5uqpa
Sharing a picture of my cat Lorelei for anyone who needs a smile.
Bailed. I could not stand the way Brighton treated Charlotte. A lot of gaslighting and blame-shifting. Those behaviors are dealbreakers for me. They're not romantic and they're not how we should treat the people we love. There are other spicy FF holiday romances I recommend instead ⬇️
Photo by Trung Toàn Thiện on Unsplash
A wonderful book about LGBTQIA+ representation in television. It was written before the 2024 election. I cried reading the last chapter, which talked about the potential backlash that could undo the progress that‘s been made in TV.
I love this pic of Cam, Mitch, and Lily from Modern Family. Image from Modern Family Wiki.
I have “Ev‘rybody Wants To Be A Cat” in my head, so I thought I‘d do a #TuesdayTunes & #CatsOfLitsy crossover post.
What are your favorite cats songs?
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=nDJockBnjYs&si=P5TOYHLmOH7uz1tH
I went to a drag show this weekend and had a blast. This is Alexis Von Vandertramp. You can see her YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/zHA9vth8CfI?si=dmS3znEMbUiECoLh
#MentalHealthMonday check in
1. I‘m tired & disappointed I didn‘t sleep well. But I‘ll be OK. I have to remind myself it‘s not a moral failing to be tired.
2. I used to think feeling sad for ANY reason meant I was mentally unwell. I now know mental health (for me) isn‘t about feeling happy vs. feeling sad. It‘s about emotional regulation. Processing & expressing my feelings in healthy ways rather than ignoring them or trying to erase them. ⬇️
I would rather read a book with terrible writing but a good story. The content is more important to me than perfect spelling or grammar. As long as I can follow the story, I‘m good!
#SundayFunday
Thought this book by my friend Stephi would be perfect for #TuesdayTunes. I don‘t listen to Yo-Yo Ma often, but I love this Bach Cello Suite.
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=-4WUHJRhvrM&si=P1D6d_g1aq5LFp3Q
“Verbal abuse is like a cloud that can descend not only upon a family but also upon a nation. Dictators and tyrants have gained power by disparaging people, while their behavior went unnoticed by whole populations. By both directly accusing and blaming or by implication, they defined and denigrated others to create fear and false beliefs and thus gain power.”
Read this book on Everand: https://www.everand.com/book/336811299
Sisterhood Haiku, II
The wise women know
nothing can heal without love,
no growth without care.
- Renée Watson
I‘m so proud of my governor. Thank you, Governor Mills.
You can read her full statement here: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-statement-notice-invest...
#MentalHealthMonday check in
1. I‘m ok. Having anxiety about things I must get done, but I‘m managing the anxiety well.
2. Music 100% helps my mental health.
3. Bee Gees are my go-to when life is tough. Writer Sarra Manning has a great quote about The Bee Gees that sums up why I love them. ⬇️
I read self-help books on topics relevant to my life. I avoid ones with a “this is the only way/right way to do things” or “do this and all your problems will go away” messages. We are different and what works for one person may not work for another.
I‘m still reading this book, but so far it‘s been a good tool for healing my childhood trauma.
#SundayFunday
I made these chocolates for Valentine‘s Day. I think I‘ll make more today.
Recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/236212/homemade-melt-in-your-mouth-dark-chocol...
Getting hair colored today & reading this at the salon
My dear friend @JanineHightower
Tomorrow is the three year anniversary of your passing. I miss talking to you about books, Frida Kahlo, and life in general. You were such a beautiful soul. I am honored to have been your friend. If heaven exists, I hope it‘s filled with books and that you get to enjoy each one.
In the words of Joe Kennedy III:
“Folks, when we start shutting down libraries in the name of government efficiency, we‘ve got a problem.”
Article: https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2025-02-19/jfk-library-reopens-with-free-admissi...
Joe Kennedy III interview: https://youtu.be/chbbP9tMCAs?si=f4FEEgDG8dPy-98P
I recently discovered Charles Bradley‘s music. Holy cow, so talented! I feel his song “Why Is It So Hard” in my soul. He does great covers of Neil Young‘s “Heart of Gold” and Nirvana‘s “Stay Away” too. I recommend his No Time for Dreaming album.
#TuesdayTunes
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=x-RbEDaKTSw&si=j53Fi22fDwh7voBD
![[tagged book]](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_taggedBook@3x.png){kind=icon}
