🐘🐘🐘

Reader. Writer. Hiker. Runner. Mean kakuro-ist. Vegan. Admirer of quick wit & chaser of warmth. A happy Canadian on a neverending search for inspiration. (And if I can't find any, I make some myself).

[finding--cat]

Hi. It’s been a while. 

Nearly 3 years, in fact. And while a great many things have happened during that time, globally and personally, it still stands that I should have checked in or provided an explanation. 

The truth is I don’t really have an explanation, just a lack of words. I’ve been listening and reading and viewing, but not doing a whole lot of writing. I write most fervently when I have time to think, and simply put, I haven’t had a lot of time to think. My job(s) in the last few years have been more mentally taxing than they used to be, leaving little time for dreaming. And while I like my job, I don’t like how much space it fills in my brain and in my schedule. 

Oh, and this happened: 

My baby boy was born 7 months ago. He is the love of my life, the creme de la creme, the sum of the biggest dreams I ever had for my life. 

I have other dreams, too. One day, I’ll write again. Now, spending every day with the boy who fills almost every nook and cranny of my brain 24/7, I can still feel flickers of a story knocking around in the limited empty space - a character trait that I want to explore, a setting, an incident. I know it’s in me, buried deep...for now. 

In the meantime, logging on today and reading such lovely and heartfelt messages sent in my absence, I wanted to say: thank you. Again. And always. Sharing my writing with you has been one of the great joys of my life to date, and I will hold those experiences and connections close to me forever. I hope one day my son will be so lucky to discover his passion and find such a supportive community to fill his cup to the tippy top.  

- Cat 

[raiain]

the moon asks a question by dirgewithoutmusic

illustrated by purutsukid

[lsleofskye]

Would you like to live here ? 😍 | intothefab

Location: Toblacher See, South Tyrol, Italy

[sunbathe]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGZ6Tv4FctV/

[keepcalmandwritefiction]

Forget “strong female character.” Aim for: “Woman or girl with agency.” One who makes decisions, affects the story, pushes the plot. –– Chuck Wendig

[archae-heart-deactivated2021012]

Big Bend National Park

[pedromgabriel]

- Cotton candy -

by Pedro Gabriel

Instagram

[maoyeamh]

[andrastesass]

fictional kiss things that end me

being unable to open their eyes for a few moments afterward

one small kiss, pulling away for an instant, then devouring each other

pressing their foreheads together while kissing

speaking normally, then after the kiss their voice is hoarse

guys furrowing their brow when kissing passionately

staring at the other’s lips, trying not to kiss them, before giving in

running their thumb over the other’s lips

when they lean forward a fraction as if to kiss the other person, then realize they shouldn’t and pull back to stop themselves

ripping the other away - “no we shouldn’t” - but when they kiss them again they moan and hold them close

one sliding their hand into the other’s hair slowly

their entire body freezing for a second when their love kisses them

accidentally being forced inches apart from each other, staring at each other’s lips, and just before they kiss someone pulls them back apart

when one stops the kiss to whisper “I’m sorry, are you sure you-” and they answer by kissing them more

a hoarse whisper “kiss me”

then licks their lips and says “please”

[metachimera-deactivated20170726]

Also:

following the kiss with a series of kisses up to suckle an earlobe

following the kiss with a series of kisses down the neck

lightly running the very tip of the tongue around the outline of the lips with darting touches before actually kissing

raking a hand through the hair and getting a good handful to pull the other person closer (before or during the kiss)

starting with a kiss meant to be gentle, ending up in devout passion

softly moaning into the kiss

smiling just before or during the kiss

kissing tears away

kissing at laughlines/crow’s feet/frownlines

kissing pouty lips

lightly running fingers up along the neck while kissing

bringing up the hands to cup the other person’s face while kissing

slowly letting their fingers twine together while kissing softly

a huge smile on face(s) when the kiss ends

a gentle “i love you” whispered after a soft kiss, followed immediately by a stronger kiss

…. I like fictional kisses, mk?

[goodguydotmp3]

also: •jawline kisses •Eskimo kisses •when someone kisses the other person’s hand(s) •shoulder kisses •cheek kisses •when one person’s face is scrunched up, and the other one kisses their lips/nose/forehead •that thing where someone turns into an unexpected kiss, like there were turning around and the other person was just super close •accidental kisses that turn into a giggling fit •kissing eyelids to show reverence •top of head kisses •when one person says “move away if you don’t want this” and the other person moves in for the kiss •height difference kisses where one person has to bend do wn and the other is on their tippy toes •kisses where one person is sitting in the other’s lap •awkward fumbling kisses where their both so excited that it’s sloppy and teeth clash •kisses where a person punctuates every word with a chaste kiss •kisses meant to distract the other person from whatever they were intently doing •KISSES

[phoenixfeatherquillwriting]

Kiss tips?

[lonelywoodland]

Ryan Matthew, North Cascades. 2013

[satakentia]

Redwood Road Big Basin State Park, California, USA

by Todd Danger Farr

[spacevorobey]

[archae-heart-deactivated2021012]

in the dead of the night

[likewildhorses]

untitled

[bakchic]

[safeintheforest]

[frostklamm]

flicker and fade