By now you've probably heard that Tim Curry died (the same day as Dolly Parton, actually-- you can read my tribute to her here). If you didn't know him from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, you probably know him from Clue, IT, Muppet Treasure Island, or one of his many other roles (he also did a lot of voice acting, so you've likely heard him, as well as seen him). He brought an amazing energy and glee to the characters he portrayed. I always thought he was a little scary, in the best possible way, He seemed like he would be a lot of fun to hang out with, and I wish I'd had the chance. It was only recently that I found out that he was also an avid gardener! Tim not only created gardens wherever he lived, but he also worked on friends' gardens, including Freddie Mercury's, and restored historic properties around Los Angeles.
When he bought his Aberdeen Ave home in LA in 1993, he spent six months clearing out weeds and restoring stone paths that had been buried under feet of dirt. Aspasia. It’s that time of year again– when the sun is shining, birds are singing, and mosquitoes are biting. When you can’t seek out a patch of shade without being attacked by the voracious pests, let alone venture out after the sun goes down. If you’re unlucky, you’re the type they find irresistible, or have an unusually bad reaction to their bites. If you’re really unlucky, you’re one of the 700,000 to 1 million people a year they kill, thanks to all the diseases they spread (including malaria, West Nile Virus, dengue fever…) Mosquitoes suck. Is There Anything Good about Mosquitoes? Surprisingly, yes. You likely already know that only female mosquitoes bite, and that’s only when they need the extra protein for their eggs. Mosquitoes are also an important food source for animals ranging from bats and dragonflies to hummingbirds (did you know hummingbirds ate insects?
On the bright side, out of 3500 mosquito species, only about 200 bite humans, and only a few of those transmit diseases. Cheers, According to a BBC article, recent research has confirmed that alone time is good for your concentration, health, and creativity. Is anyone else not remotely surprised? Any introvert can tell you that spending time on your own is a necessity, particularly when it comes to creative pursuits. As much as I enjoy spending time with friends, I seem to never be able to get any writing done when I do. Even if it’s only for a couple of hours, socializing drains me, leaving no energy to think, let alone create.
I’m not advocating for isolation (unless that’s your thing), but the more time I spend being social, the more appealing the hermit lifestyle starts to look. I’m always a little skeptical of people in creative fields who are extroverts. I’m still trying to find a balance between spending time with the people I care about and getting the necessary solitude I need to create. Support your local creative introvert-– download my books (links below)! Cheers, Aspasía S. Get My Books: Bleeding Heart. I have a theory that people who don’t read aren’t happy people. Or at least, they’re not as happy as they could be. It’s a highly unscientific theory, and maybe a little unfair, but think of some famous readers you know, then think of someone who famously doesn’t read, and decide for yourself whether I might have a point. Actually, it turns out that I’m not entirely wrong. Science is discovering that to be a happier, healthier, and overall better person you do need to read…fiction.
Apparently (and unsurprisingly) reading fiction teaches empathy, provides a sense of belonging, and relieves stress. Anyone who reads both non-fiction and fiction will recognize the difference in the two experiences. Read some fiction right now–download my FREE short story Blood Magic. Check out this new review of Blood Magic on Vamped.org. Find out more about why reading fiction is good for you. This is where you’ll find a random assortment of things that amuse me (and that I hope you’ll also enjoy). Check back often (newest posts are at the top of the page)! Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” done Medieval style… One library offers “anti-staff picks”–books the librarians hate: Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day! Thank your local fluffy-tailed rodents for all they do to expand plant ecosystems and regenerate forests Thank your local cats… Have you seen real life lately? Happy Nikola Tesla Day! Haiku 5 by Aspasía S. Wasp inside my house Your presence is disturbing Cold, you lie in wait Ride the bike, knit a scarf… Cyclo Knitter by George Barratt-Jones from George Barratt-Jones on Vimeo.
Cutest Weeping Angel ever… This woman is magic… Anyone who says animals aren’t smart can just duck off (cute video + terrible pun = my gift to you)… Haiku 4 by Aspasía S. The plane carried me, I thought, to concrete and steel But I found magic Haiku 3 by Aspasía S. Male cardinal chirps Female cardinal echoes Lying in my bed.