iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

I really wish FB had the ability to mute things like here. My mental health this week would be much improved. I may need to just not touch FB for a few weeks to stay sane. Foo. Today was a total fail-day. But I'm still above the soil, so at least I'm still going. So far.

000

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 8h

Had to mute the latest college horror discourse. It's making me spiral enough from my own history that my meds are less effective. I muted for 30 days... It's a sign of how this country "works" that I doubt the topic will last that long.

000

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 17h

Why I am home from work today: Put out my back while leaning over to feed the dog. 🤦

110

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Good through September! Only a couple of days left, get 'em to have some books for when you need an escape from holiday nonsense in a couple of months. 😉

020

Reposted by Sycamore

Kari Dru @karidru.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

But before I go: so much is due right now. Quarterly and yearly bills included. If you can boost or help if able, thank you. If not, I have a new Blind Yelling blog post if you are interested in blindness in media. ko-fi.com/karidru

ko-fi.com

Support Karidru ❤️

Become a supporter of Karidru today!

03040

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The "problem" with backing a Kickstarter project is that then I get curious & look around... So, I need this in my kitchen: www.kickstarter.com/projects/316...

kickstarter.com

Mongolian Kitchen: A Taste of Mongolia

Authentic Mongolian recipes by an award-winning Chef. Hearty, budget-friendly home cooking for everyone.

010

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Passed my exam tonight! Onward to the next class!

120

Reposted by Sycamore

Emma Mitchell @silverpebble2.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

There’s still some space on my 2 upcoming zoom w’shops:bird illustr’n & mental health,10 Oct & botanical illustr’n & mental health,7 Nov.I teach you how to draw birds/plants & how creative activity alters 🧠 biochemistry to lift mood.Incl 10% off materials & full recording: workshops.emmamitchell.uk

Cornflowers, nigella, sweet peas & Russian safe & my drawings of them on the opposite page of a sketchbook

A spring collection of nature finds and my drawings of them alongside, on white watercolour paper with my watercolour palette & paintbrush in the corner

114273

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I know I'm not particularly a connection here, but if you're looking for some great books & also want to help out a great human & his family, throw a bit in to help out, yeah?

000

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Cackled out loud at the alt text here. Tom Cox is a treasure!

2216

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

In honor of @pervocracy.bsky.social's last day at Crappy Job, a selection of fluff.

Black small terrier mutt is curled in a ball on a cream colored dog bed, wrapped around a small grey stuffed sloth toy, the doggo's eyes are extra pitiful. In reality, she is begging at the photographer (me) to turn out the light already so we can sleep.

Medium haired white & black cow patterned floofy cat, lounging on a side table, dramatically lit from window to the right out of frame. Her eyes are closed in sleep or contentment.

Slightly blurry picture of small black terrier mix doggo preparing to roll around in long grass. Because it was taken in the Pacific Northwest during summer, the grass is nearly knee high (taller than the dog) and eye searingly green.

010

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

3mo post-op follow up today. Where I got trapped in an elevator for 30min before the appointment... thankfully they still saw me! And, I'm basically on heavy lifting restrictions for life... so I get to do quite a bit of logistical changes to my thoughts on capacity. Sigh.

130

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Achievement! COVID booster! Now to drink lots of water & do disco & 90s dance moves to keep that vaxx flowin'!

030

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Well, past 2 days sucked. Yesterday: brain just in "danger is coming" mode with a side of near-meltdown. Today: random dizziness, nausea spells, & now guts just angry as anything, but I haven't changed anything in my diet! I suspect newish med reactions, maybe? Sigh.

120

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Started new med for ADHD last night. Holy shit, this morning I was hella effective, productive, & could just get to the next task smoothly! What is this magic?! Started noticeably flagging ~3.5hrs short of the 24hr mark (extended release med). Will be wise & wait a week before talking changes.

050

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

More reasons to hate search modifiers getting systematically removed... I now have a WiFi only, no text nor phone calls, phone. I don't know how long I will be in this state. Why? Bc every article/manual/FAQ I found ahead of time told me my phone could do eSIM. It cannot, that came 2 years later. 🤬

000

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Adulting Brag: Shifted the pet food bins Strategized secondary strategy for possible Croatia as first landing spot Called an actual human insurance broker & changed my car & renter's insurance despite technical difficulties Just started transfer of cell phone to a different provider (will save $$)

020

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I love how humans work so hard to connect & end up doing really nifty & sometimes surreal things in the name of art-connection-obsession.

020

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Looong day with a lot of pivots & yet not feeling like I accomplished much. Very drained. Wishing I didn't feel like I am drowning so often. Sigh.

010

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

My therapist is a menace (lovingly). I have so much homework & my brain is full of shifted perspective. Whee!

020

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Oooo. I suspect this might be of interest to @kristadb1.bsky.social. 😉

010

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I gotta wrangle the budget for this... I loved this series, what I could find of it ages ago.

000

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

In a world with JKRs & Elons; choose to be a Dolly. Embrace kindness, celebrate others' successes, help when/where you can, & be relentlessly yourself. May her stories live ever onward.

041

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Chip in a bit to help out this lovely creator & their kitties as they navigate a wild adventure in recovering from water damage to their apartment.

010

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Dear brain: We have literal days before end of semester. I *really* need you to be able to focus & get the rest of this studying done, pronto. And yet, instead we've spent the day in executive function hell with a side of anxiety & freak out. Gods, I hope my psych has some tricks for next semester.

110

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Only partially related to previous post: I hate scam callers whose scripts make no sense for the actual attempt at the scam. "Hello, I am calling from your TV company." "My... TV company?" No company name, just literally "TV company". 🙃 Instant hang up happens after: "You have to listen to me!" No.

130

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Things I absolutely abhor: AI voices & robot voices attempting to sound human. They are actually painful to listen to, for me. Just, ow. No breath, inflections wrong, pauses wrong, reactions totally wrong. All the little micro-adjustments that real humans make in communicating? Completely absent. 😭

120

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

My brain is being a poopy head & trying to do all the insidious whispers about failure & how dare I dream beyond my native shores & also what a terrible human I am. Brains are assholes sometimes. Spammed my friend network for reality check, got a good dose of love back. Glad I have that tool now.

120

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Endings of decades-old friendships are hard. Realizing that you spent at least a couple of years in the trenches of sunk cost fallacy before seeing the pattern that it wasn't balanced anymore? Oof.

020

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Fun discovery of the day: Qobuz (music streaming app) has a huge selection of gamelan music. This is very fortunate, as my ADHD is winning against decades of tools I built to harness it. And gamelan, with its distinctive cycle style, is a tool I haven't used since childhood, & it still works! 🎉

010

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

TFW you accidentally open the can of trauma worms. Then get a mind-blowing reframing hack from your therapist. Then wander into trauma discourse. Then argue with broken class materials. Then join Ms. Milan for an Alito takedown. And realize... ah shit, overstim.

110

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Well, it's been many years, and I've finally found an excellent (for me) therapist. Holy fuckola, do I have a lot of mental homework to do. Yay. Ow.

040

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Note the TW! A useful thread (obvs, mileage varies for everyone) about ideation and things that sometimes help to keep you moving to the next sunrise. If you're friends with someone who deals with SI, *waves*, please try to check in randomly. Doesn't always need to be specific, connection is key.

010

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

For @pervocracy.bsky.social , and anyone else who has Done Hard Things recently! Pet pics as reward for Do The Thing!

Cat sitting kitties! Action shot!

Two black & white (mostly black with white paws & chests) medium floof cats in action, just before a play pounce.

It's been hot here on the West Coast of the U.S. Trilby, small black terrier mutt with touches of grey at her muzzle, is demonstrating her melted pose. Full flat on side, paws stretched out straight, the eye visible to the camera is rolled dramatically to show the edge of the white.

Trilby (small black terrier mutt) & Leelu (black & white cow patterned medium hair cat) peering out a window together. The window is low to the floor, a dark blue curtain covers where Leelu's head is (she's partially behind the curtain). In this shot, you can see that Trilby & Leelu are roughly the same size.

120

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Fuckin-A! Passed my Linux exam with points to spare! *struts* Onward, to speed run the last class of the semester!

040

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Gold star items today: Plotted the rest of the semester with my mentor Made an appointment in September with my psych to explore ADHD meds Paid bills Managed to pay lingering awkward med bills

010

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Gold star to me! I was super brave & threw an email at my psychiatrist about trying to establish for maybe doing ADHD meds!

030

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Blackwell's is still doing FREE international delivery! (Yes, even to the U.S. with our wildly fluctuating tariffs & such!) Even if the lovely, quirky, rambling Tom Cox isn't your speed, Blackwell's has quite a lot of offerings for UK authors you may not see in your local stores. Check it out!

0164

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

For those not up at o' dark mumble.

000

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

First noodling with dip nibs! I definitely need to splurge on more broad points, but that can come later. [Alt text has details.] #hobby #calligraphy

A ruled page with top 3 lines in broad tip nib (thicker lines, more characteristic of older calligraphy).

Next 3 lines in a mix of cursive & print handwriting, blotchy ink flow, different nib type.

Only 2 lines for the next, fine point, nib. Inconsistent inking in the letters.

5 lines of writing with a bowl tip nib (where the very tip of the nib is bent in a press to give a consistent writing angle). Much more consistent flow with only a few thicker ink spots in letters.

A "radio" nib (I'm honestly not sure what that designation means), which is incredibly fine point & finicky about every variable. Also tried to snag even the slick practice paper I used. Hmph!

A French nib with a funky silhouette & reservoir set up, almost leaf shaped. Fine point, less finicky than radio but still inconsistent ink flow (probably my fault for pressure). 4 lines of burbling.

Crammed into the bottom edge of the page and wrapping up the right side of the page in 2 lines, a brass? bronze? nib. Thicker lines but not broad tip. Needs better pressure consistency from me, but could be great for weighted line filigree.

010

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

This was a phenomenal read. Content warnings: yes. (No animals harmed.) Thriller with the best, most satisfying ending I've ever encountered. 💜

000

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

@tkingfisher.com, In case you haven't encountered, I think you might enjoy @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social. Apropos: your threads on weird happenings during travels, odd specific information & hyperlocal mythologies, and pure whimsy. For example (alt-text is load bearing): bsky.app/profile/dj-a...

020

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Got back from PT. Gonna have to start tracking the stupid dizziness. Hmph. Gonna be hella sore tomorrow & over weekend. Weirdly excited about needing to download a metronome app. Yes, all related.

020

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Sadly, same doc, same visit. "So how are your menses?" "Non-existent since the hysterectomy in November." (This was March.) "Oh. Right, we talked about that... So you take the progesterone for birth control?" *pointed silence* "No... That whole hysterectomy thing. It's so I don't kill myself."

150

Reposted by Sycamore

Emma Mitchell @silverpebble2.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

My new botanical & bird illustration & mental health workshops are now live-29 Aug & 4 Sep.Learn to draw plants or birds & how creative activity alters brain biochemistry to alleviate anxiety & lift mood. Incl 10% off beautiful materials & infinite access to zoom recording: workshops.emmamitchell.uk

49048

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Super music nerd moment: Finding an album of "Bach: Solo Works for Marimba" ... It opens with Well-tempered Clavier & moves into parts of the Bach cello suites... The arrangements are intense & amazing.

131

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

My little set of calligraphy shinies has arrived. I opened the order & ooo'd & aah'd. Alas, I did not make my study goal today, so I have to wait until I finish this course before I get to play in earnest. Ah well.

000

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Some great deals on workshop recordings about mental health & strategies to help you on bad days.

020

Reposted by Sycamore

Emma Mitchell @silverpebble2.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

A new find-the-tiny-silver-owl photo for you. It’s also worth zooming in for the silver cast I’ve made of a tiny feather, acorn, oak leaf & larch cone, a miniscule piece of coral, a pyritised ammonite & to see the design on the Victorian brooch I’m going to convert into a pendant…

A photo I’ve made of nature finds, tiny antique & found objects, hidden among which is a very tiny silver owl charm

1223852

Sycamore @sycamoretea.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Achieved today (so I remember & don't beat myself up completely): Filled car's gas tank Grabbed baked goodies Picked blueberries for 3hrs (5.6lbs!) Hung out with cat sitting cats Did 1.5hrs of studying Fed cats Battled Seafair traffic Picked up partner, went to dinner Dropped ballot in box

130