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Brie's Update: Reflections in the time of Covid

I know, it has been a while since I've given you a Brie's update. I thought I posted an one in August. Apparently not. At any rate, let's dive in.

Covid finally caught me

It took four and a half years, but Covid finally caught up to me. I'm not thrilled about this, in case you're wondering. Not only does it make breathing difficult, it has put a very not-needed stopper into my schedule. I don't know which is worse, the stuffed up nose, the angry lungs, or the nasty metallic aftertaste the medicine (which I'm thankful exists) leaves in your mouth! Covid is no fun, and I don't recommend it. What I do recommend is this: get vaccinated if you haven't! If you have, make sure you stay up on your boosters. Please. I want to see your lovely faces sticking around for a while, because...

A new idea has formed

I've been thinking about creating a poetry chapbook for a while now. Trouble is, I've been struggling with what to put in it. Did I want it to have a theme? Did I want to focus on a specific subject or two? I wasn't sure, and I was trying to figure it out all summer, but then...

A year has passed

For those who don't know, my mother, Marlene Davis, died August 30, 2023. It was one of the hardest days of my life, and the decision to take her off life support was both painful and merciful. I hated that my sister and I had to do it, but I wouldn't have made any other choice. Mom is at peace (and happily sitting on my bookshelf, since I got custody of the urn), and that is what matters. I learned some things from that. Having the awkward and uncomfortable conversations beforehand surrounding living wills, wills, and funeral arrangements cuts down on so much uncertainty and confusion in a time of profound grief. Mom's end-of-life preferences made our decision easier to make. In the end, the right thing to do was respect her wishes. Having a will is crucial to making your beneficiaries' lives easier in this process. Mom didn't have one, but, thanks to living in an apartment, she didn't have a large estate, so it was significantly less of a hassle. Having funeral arrangements done (and paid for) ahead of time would have made our lives easier. By needing to save money, though, we did have to not honor one wish: we ended up not interring her ashes in a cemetery plot (I'm happier about this, because I kind of like having Mom hanging out on a shelf).

More than a day

When mourning someone as close to me as Mom was, I realized, during August, that mourning this anniversary involved more than the day she died. Mom had a rough go for about two and a half months. She had three surgeries, two strokes, and a bout of pneumonia during that time. Her poor body just couldn't keep up. And my sister, my mother's best friend, and I spent practically every day with her when she was in the hospital. It was a painful time, and it lasted for more than one day. It's a time period I've had to mourn, as well.

Reflections on death

I have done a lot of reflecting on death in the past month. Not just on Mom's passing, but on the concept itself, particularly the anthropomorphic ideal of death. And this reflection has created quite a bit of poetry Yes, you guessed it. I figured out what subjects I want to cover in the chapbook. And, yes, I realize how morbid that sounds, but the mind processes how the mind processes. And, apparently, mine has been doing so through poetry. So look forward to a new chapbook from me soon. I would love to publish it on her birthday, November 14, but that might be a lofty goal. Maybe in time for her favorite holiday? That gives me another four weeks. Here is one of the poems I wrote during this time of reflection. Nearly a Year It has been nearly a year Since your new journey began In a place I couldn’t go to – That beautiful, distant land. The world is a little empty Since you went away. And life has taken weird turns – I wonder what you’d say. Would you tell me I was crazy To take such an uncertain path? Or would you tell me how proud you are To see me make dreams come to pass? Sometimes a year passes quickly, But this year has dragged on. And I desperately miss you Now that you are gone. I hope you realize, Wherever you have flown – You were the first person I met, And the greatest I’ve ever known. Copyright 2024 Brigitta Shannon Rose if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going. Patreon That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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All joking aside, this sounds like a really good idea

I thought it would be an hour of listening to screaming and looking at pictures of draculas, but it was so much for frightening than fathomed

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Writing Prompt Exercise: When Happiness Happens

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is another one! It talks about compersion, which occurs when you feel joy in someone else's happiness. Enjoy.

Writing prompt

The moment compersion happens

Writing prompt exercise

I walked up to the house, excited. My cousin from Pennsylvania was visiting family here in Indiana, and I had driven up to Kokomo to see them. She rounded the corner of the house just as I stepped onto the house’s steps. “Hey, Cuz,” she said softly, her eyes soft and her smile wide. We hugged each other close. It felt so good to see her. We chatted as we walked around the house to the backyard. A few pop-up tents were set up over the food and seating. I quickly set up the chair I had brought and went to get food. A mutual friend of ours was coming up with her family, as well. While we all met in college, Belle (my cousin) and ‘Chelle (our friend; yes, the rhyme has amused us all in the past) met and became friends before I came onto the scene. However, over the years, Belle and her family eventually moved to Pennsylvania, while ‘Chelle’s family had moved around before settling back in Indiana. Since then, we have become much closer. I have struggled with jealousy my whole life, so I was a tad mildly concerned about how I would feel about them seeing each other. I also wasn’t proud of that feeling. Belle turned around and yelled, “Michelle!” and ran over to ‘Chelle as she and the family rounded the corner. ‘Chelle picked up the pace and ran towards my cousin, where they met in a tight embrace. I could see from where I was sitting that their faced beamed joyfully. When I learned about compersion years later, I realized this was the first time I had felt it. I wasn’t jealous about their joy. I was happy!

Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Listen to GraphicAudio award-winning audiobook entertainment including full cast dramatizations, cinematic music and sound effects

Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going. Patreon That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: Old Fringed Leather Vest

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is another one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

Tell the story of your oldest piece of clothing

Writing prompt exercise

I have a confession to make. The fringed vest in my closet? It’s technically not mine. It was a costume I borrowed from the theater department and never returned. I didn’t do this on purpose, mind you. It got tucked into a box and forgotten for several years. The vest is brown soft leather. I’m guessing it is cow leather. And this brown is closer to milk chocolate in color than the usual darker brown most leathers turn out to be. It has no fastenings and just hangs open. The fringes are long – they drop just below my hips, though they start at my natural waist. I haven’t worn it in years. Honestly, it no longer fits. IT has been too small for several decades at this point (seriously, this thing is probably over 40 years old). Why don’t I get rid of it? Because it reminds me that I believe in standing up for my beliefs. And I believe that love is possible despite life constantly trying to convince me otherwise. Who knew that a brown leather fringed vest could hold so much hops for the world and yet it does. Sometimes I pull it out of the closet and look at it, handing on its hanger. Hanging there, reminding me: you love, you fight for what’s right. You’re not afraid, and you can do this. And sometimes, when life is really kicking in my teeth, I wonder if the ill-fit is trying to tell me something

Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Listen to GraphicAudio award-winning audiobook entertainment including full cast dramatizations, cinematic music and sound effects

Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going. Patreon That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: Encountering a Strange Creature

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is another one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

Your character has always believed magic exists. They just didn’t know how close it really was.

Writing prompt exercise

There’s a creature outside my door. Not a weird animal. A creature. I can barely describe it. Slightly greenish skin covers a body that is about 2-3 feet tall and stocky in build. Brown eyes – not just the irises but the full eyeball! – stare out of a very round head that sits on and almost nonexistent neck. Short legs end in wide feet that move comfortably in the grass. Arms that are too short end in what looks more like pincers than hands – and then, not quite like pincers, either. I sit at my dining room table and stare. I can’t help it. I’ve never seen anything like this before! The creature stops walking – gliding? – across the lawn and turns to look at me. It pauses, tilting its head to one side, looking confused. Apparently it thinks I shouldn’t be able to see it. And I shouldn’t, right? Magic isn’t real, right? I mean, I have always believed magic was real, but a small seed of doubt lay nestled inside me, being fed just enough food to stay alive if not thrive. The creature glared at me. “What are you staring at?” I flinched. The voice came through the closed window. Oh crap! “Um, I’m sorry,” I said, flustered. “I didn’t know you were real.” “Of course I’m real!”

Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Listen to GraphicAudio award-winning audiobook entertainment including full cast dramatizations, cinematic music and sound effects

Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going. Patreon That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: What came through the arch?

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is another one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

The trees growing together to create a natural arch

Writing prompt exercise

I’m not sure what type of tree they are. Thin narrow leaves grow, and no helicopter seeds or stickers fall off of them. This makes standing between them much easier. Because they grow together to form a natural arch, which is beautiful. And dangerous. I had been living in this apartment for about two months before realizing my cat, Pepper, had taken to watching the trees intently from atop the safety of the small chest freezer in my dining room. The first time I noticed, I assumed she was staring at the geese who swam in the pond just beyond the trees. We did not have geese at the house, so these aquatic avians were a new thing to her. The second time I noticed, however, was one evening about a week later. I was sitting at the dining room table and eating dinner when I heard a soft growl come from atop the freezer. I looked up from my steak and veggies to see Pepper, ears laid back and tail floofed, growling in the direction of the trees. I followed her gaze to the archway, where I watched a small creature walk through it. The creature was about 3 ½ feet tall with dark brown skin and white…hair? It looked less like hair and more like snakes. Wait! Yup, those were snakes. “Pepper, come here,” I said, snapping my finger at her. She jumped and looked at me. Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going. Patreon That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: Really not dealing with it well!

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

“You’re dealing with this in the worst way possible.” “I’m dealing with it, aren’t I?”

Writing prompt exercise

I watched him as he wandered around the room, pulling clothes out of drawers and closets and piling them on the bed. The suitcase lay open, waiting for the offerings like a plate on an altar. “Are you sure you’re dealing with it?” I asked, eyebrow raised as I leaned against the doorway and crossed my arms in front of my chest. “Because that looks more like you’re running away.” “No,” he said, the petulance in his voice rivaling a pre-schooler’s. “I’m not running away. I’m going to leave and go somewhere for a few days so I can think.” “Hmmm. Sounds an awful lot like running away to me.” He dropped the stack of underwear in his hand into the suitcase and glared at me. “You have no idea how much I want to face this fear and work through it.” “Then why don’t you?” I asked, tilting my head to the right. “Because I don’t know how,” he cried, stretching the last word out. There was that similarity to a preschooler again. His cell phone rang, and he froze, staring at it as if it would bite him when he picked it up. “Answer it,” I said, sighing. “No.” “Come on, man, just answer it!” “You answer it!” he yelled back at me. “Fine, I will,” I said, walking over and picking up the phone. “No!” he cried as I hit the button. “Hello,” I said, locking eyes with him. “Jason’s phone.” His eyes widened in fear. Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going. Patreon That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Allergies in Pets

"Allergies in Pets" Disclaimer: None of the information provided in these posts should be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before trying recommendations or if you have concern Some posts may contain affiliate or third-party links. About 15-20 years ago, my sister had two dogs, Akila and Sasha. Sasha, a malamute, was older than Aki, a shiba inu/American eskimo mix, and was therefore the instigator in most of their shenanigans, especially around food. One day, Sasha helped Aki get a hold of a couple of pieces of ham (or pork chop, my memory is fuzzy on this), and they each proceeded to chow down. Then Aki’s came right back up. And that was the day we discovered that dogs (and other animals) can be allergic and intolerant of certain foods. Did you know your pets can have food allergies and sensitivities? Yeah, it was a surprise to us, too. Let’s dive into today’s topic: Pets and their allergies. 10% OFF at RawPawsPetFood.com! use code: RawTake10

What’s the difference between an allergy and a sensitivity?

Time is the difference. Intolerances and sensitivities take longer to present themselves, while allergies usually show up within a few hours to a couple of days. Also, sensitivities aren’t connected to the immune system, while allergies are.

Common allergic reactions

When dogs or cats have food allergies, their immune system is reacting like human’s do (I went into that in detail in an earlier post). The immune system thinks certain foods are an invading disease (even though they aren’t) and attacks them, causing a histamine response. And, while pets can have anaphylaxis as a response, here are more common reactions.

Allergic dermatitis

That’s a fancy term (and by “fancy” I really mean “medical”) for itchy skin. It can happen everywhere on the body. For cats, it’s more common to see it on the head or neck. On dogs, however, allergic dermatitis appears more often on the ears, paws, hind quarters, or stomach.

Hives

You remember those nasty bumps we talked about a few posts back? Yup! Dogs and cats can have them, too. They show up easier on dogs, especially the short-haired variety and can show up within 6-24 hours after eating the allergen. Cats, on the other hand, can take longer to develop hives, and they can be harder to see. If you see your pets scratching the same spot repeatedly, get them checked out. All that scratching can lead to hair loss and potential infection if they break the skin.

Digestive issues

Just like us humans, dogs and cats can experience digestion issue because of an allergy. Symptoms can include gas, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Swollen face

Swelling skin is uncomfortable. If your pet experiences this reaction, you’ll see it most on the lips, eyelids, or ears/ear flaps. Take them to the vet to see what treatment they recommend.

Chronic ear or paw infections

The title pretty much describes itself here. An important note, though, is this: if your pet is experiencing this symptom repeatedly, definitely check to determine whether the issue is a food allergy or a sensitivity.

Common allergens in cats and dogs

Since this is a food allergy post, those allergens are the ones we’re going to cover here. Other factors like fleas and bees can cause some of the above reactions, but we’re not going there today.

Common allergens

- Chicken - Beef - Eggs - Fish (this if more common for cats) - Dairy products (yes, even for cats…especially for cats)

Less common allergens

- Corn - Wheat - Rice - Barley - Oats FREE Meal Plan for Your Budget - $59 Value at RawPawsPetFood.com

What do I do if I suspect an allergy?

Contact your vet and schedule an appointment. If the pet is in distress (vomiting, severe diarrhea, or difficulty breathing), go to an emergency vet and follow up with your regular vet. Your pet’s doctor will probably have you do an elimination diet (there isn’t a scratch test for pets) and try to narrow down the potential culprits. Once they discover the issue, they can set up a treatment plan that may include a diet change and perhaps some medication to ease symptoms. However, keep the emergency vets number in case an emergency occurs. That’s all for today. Have you had a pet with a food allergy or sensitivity? I would love to hear your story. Next time, we’re going to talk about food allergy tips for Independence Day (in the US). Be safe. Eat safe. And savor life! Want to receive posts in your email? Subscribe below. Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: An unwise moving decision

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is another one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

“You know what’s going to happen if you let him move in with you, right?”

Writing prompt exercise

It’s the question every person’s best friend asks the friend who is stuck in a toxic relationship. They want to be helpful. Really, they do. But that “helpful” friend can do more harm than good. Especially if the other person is stubborn. Which my friend was. “Well, technically, I’m moving in with him,” she said as she packed books into a small box. “That doesn’t make this better,” I say, looking around the apartment. Boxes sat in corners, waiting patiently for the contents they would transport to their new destination. Piles of books and games were strewn around as she practiced her best bin packing skills to maximize box space without adding too much weight. “I know you don’t like him, and I don’t understand why,” she said, holding the box closed with her body as she wrestled with the packing tape. “I don’t know,” I said, sarcasm dripping from every word. “Could be his tendency to go hot and cold on you. Or the fact that he dumped you once and only came back around sniffing for more when his regular side-piece stopped talking to him.” “He said he stopped seeing her because she lied to him.” “He knew she was polyamorous from day one,” I said, throwing my hands into the air. “She and I talked.” Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going. Patreon That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Brie's updates: Poetry & podcasting

"Brie's updates: poetry & podcasting" contains third party links Hi, everyone! I haven't dropped more posts than the writing prompt exercises, so I think it's time! May was a busy month as I set up the Patreon and Ko-fi sites (I finally figured out how to spell the short term for buymeacoffee.com). I've also been watching my finances dwindle away slowly. Want to help me with that? Visit my Patreon or Ko-fi sites and join up. Patreon

Poetry

I'm really struggling with putting up the first Weekly Poetry Update on those sites. I have written a lot of poetry over the years, so choosing that first one to post is hard, y'all! I did choose some, and the posts are different on my crowdfunding sites, so consider joining them. You can access the weekly poems for as little as $5/month on each platform.

Writing prompt exercises

It has been a few days since I posted some writing prompt exercises, and I want to thank you for being patient with me. I'm going to get more of them up this week. I would love to hear your feedback on them. Several are definitely story starts, but I'm not going to say which ones.

Podcasts

Spill the Tea: Just hear us out's first episode is out, y'all! Lara and I released it last week, and we're excited to share our research and thoughts with you. It's available on these streaming platforms:

- Apple Podcast - Spotify - Amazon Music - Pocket Casts - Pandora - Deezer - Podchaser - Goodpods - Castbox - Podcast Addict Joan and I are working on another collaboration: No Holds Bard: A Podcast about the Art of Telling Stories. We're in planning and early recording stage, so stay tuned.

That's all for now. I'll post another update in a few days and let you know what else I have in the hopper. Stay fabulous, y'all. And, if you're dealing with this massive heatwave sweeping the US right now, stay cool. Read the full article

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Current Projects: What am I up to now?

Welcome to my Current Projects page! I'll share with you the general synopsis of my projects. I'm always coming up with new ideas, so check back regularly to see what I'm up to now. Guardians' Call Ball State University in the early 1990s is a place of learning, of activism, and…of magic. And Phoebe Gardener is a typical college student: attending classes, making friends, and exploring her spirituality. Then Phoebe has an amazing experience in an unusual place, and a new world opens up before her. It’s a world within a world, with demons, dark magic practitioners, and ritual magic. Under the watchful eye of her mentor, Alexander Schaefer, Phoebe becomes a a Veil Guardian trainee, protecting the Veil separating this world from other realms. Together, they discover a nefarious plot being hatched in their small Indiana city. Along with her snarky friend, Kat, and her questioning but eager friend, Tricia, Phoebe and Alexander must race against the clock to stop the plot and maintain balance on this side of the Veil.

Weekly Poems on Patreon and Ko-fi

Every week, I post different poems on Patreon and Ko-fi. They cover a variety of topics and styles and are the basis for future poetry chapbooks. Go check them out! They are only available for paid members, and they are worth it! Supporting me on either platform starting at the $5 level will also earn you a spot in the Order of the Roses, my special page honoring my patrons.https://buymeacoffee.com/brigittashannonrose  Patreon

Podcasts

I'm currently working with Lara Moebs on the Spill the Tea Podcast, where we ask you to "just hear us out. We share what researched information we find on topics in mythology, history, religion, culture, politics, and life, the universe, and everything. Check us out on major streaming platforms today.

Read the full article

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Swapping Foods: Wheat Part 2

"Swapping Foods: Wheat Part 2" Disclaimer: None of the information provided in these posts should be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before trying recommendations or if you have concern Some posts may contain affiliate or third-party links. Welcome back! As I mentioned part 1 of Swapping Foods: Wheat, I’m going to share some brands I like for gluten free flours, pastas, and baked goods. There are also a couple of flour blend recipes. Let’s dig in.

Flour

There are a variety of gluten-free flours on the market today. The one I use most often is King Arthur™ Gluten-free Measure for Measure flour. It has the xanthum gum in it, and it works for everything from cakes to cookies to biscuits. I would argue it’s better than wheat flour for making a roux. I haven’t tried their Bread Flour, because it has pea protein, so I would love it if someone would try it out and let us know how it worked out for them. Shop King Arthur Baking

If you want to make your own blend (or you need a rice-free blend), here is a recipe for the blend I created 15 years ago (and this went through a lot of trial and error). Gluten-free All-purpose Flour Blend Makes 8 cups (approximately 2 pounds) - 1 cup each of:- Amaranth flour - Sorghum flour - Millet flour - Bean or Almond flour - Tapioca starch/flour (same thing) - Arrowroot or Corn starch - 2 cup potato starch - 4 teaspoons xantham gum Blend together either by hand or with a stand mixer (my Kitchen-Aid® stand mixer makes this so much easier and quicker than by hand). Store in a container in the fridge for up to 90 days (can store for up to 6 months in the freezer. There are other gluten-free flours available to add to mixes. Teff and buckwheat will add more fiber to a blend. Corn flour (not cornmeal; they are two different things) can also add a different texture and flavor to a flour blend, though I would stick to using it when making tortillas (corn flour) or cornbread (cornmeal). Here is the higher fiber blend recipe. Gluten-free Higher Fiber Flour Blend Makes 8 cups (approximately 2 pounds) - 1 cup each of:- Amaranth flour - Sorghum flour - Tapioca starch/flour (same thing) - Arrowroot or Corn starch - ½ cup each of:- Millet flour - Bean or Almond flour - Teff flour - Buckwheat flour - 2 cup potato starch - 4 teaspoons xantham gum Blend together either by hand or with a stand mixer. Store in a container in the fridge for up to 90 days (can store for up to 6 months in the freezer.

Pasta

There are a lot of gluten-free pasta options on the market now (significantly more than back in 2009). Some have bean flours in them, while others have corn or quinoa. Some are strictly rice-based. All of them have different cooking times, though, so read the package instructions. And follow them! Gluten-free pasta has a very short window between al dente and mush, and that window changes depending on the brand. Different brands that I have used include (but are not limited to): - Barilla (watch the time on these) - Trader Joe’s (don’t cook this too long, or it gets sticky) - Simple Truth (Kroger) - Tinkyada (their lasagna noodles are perfect!) - Jovial (I discovered thanks to my family giving me 7 boxes of different pastas for Christmas a couple of years ago)

Baked goods

There are many more gluten-free breads out on the market now. I’m a personal fan of Canyon Bakehouse products, because their breads don’t dry out as much in the refrigerator as other brands. Their English muffins are fabulous! Other brands that are available include (but not limited to): - Udi’s - Trader Joes (excellent muffins, especially the coffee cake ones) - Aldi - Simple Truth (Kroger) - Schär - Bfree - Against the Grain - Katz (their donuts are yummy, and they have toaster pastries!)

About Roux

A brief word on this style of sauce: gluten free flour (in my opinion) makes a better roux than wheat flour. It thickens better (probably because of the starches in the blends) and has a nice mouth-feel. Krusteez and King Arthur™ seem to work best in roux. Make sure to cook the flour before adding liquid, just like you would with wheat flour. That’s all for today. Let me know if you use any of these products and what you think of them. Next week, we’re going to talk about food allergy tips for Independence Day (in the US). Be safe. Eat safe. And savor life! Want to receive posts in your email? Subscribe below. Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: Hey, look! A talking cat!

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is another one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

Walking down the street, you find a stray cat that starts talking to you, but only you can understand it

Writing prompt exercise

Spring is in the air, and the smell of someone’s lilac bush reaches my nose as I round the corner on my neighborhood street. The cool breeze caresses my face, making me feel refreshed and ready to start my work day once my morning walk is complete. “Hey, lady,” the bush says to me, and I stop. Bushes don’t talk. “What was that?” I ask the bush. Weird shit happens to me all the time, so I’m used to it. When you work with the fae as much as I do, you get used to the weird. “Down here,” the voice says, coming from the ground beneath to bush. I kneel down and peer through the branches. A pair of glowing eyes peer back at me. “Hello?” I ask, a little confused. What is this creature. The figure moves closer, and I see a beautiful white cat emerge from the shadows. Oh boy,” I breathe, “a faery cat. What brings you here?” “Ah, so you know what I am,” the feline says, inching closer. I not. “I’m here because I need protection.” As the furry body moved further into the light, I could guess why. This cat is pregnant. Very pregnant. “I’m guessing you need a safe place to give birth,” I say more than ask, and the cat nods at me. “My home is open to you, and you are welcome to do your whelping there.” “Thank you, Guardian,” the pure-white feline says before jumping into my arms. Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going.

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: A teenage watery surprise

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the another one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

A girl on the swim team transforms into a part-time mermaid

Writing prompt exercise

“Allright, everyone, take your places,” the swim coach said, lifting the whistle to her mouth. Five of us stepped up to the pool’s edge, each in our own lane. “On your mark,” she said, whistle in hand, “get set.” We crouched down, ready to dive at the shrill signal. She placed the whistle and blew, signaling us to go. I dove into the water, ready to swim the butterfly style I was known for. I have been swimming as long as I can remember. My moms told me they had me in the pool as young as a year old. But only one of them helped me learn how to swim. The other just sat poolside at watched, her eyes full of longing. My thirteenth birthday had just passed, and good ole Mother Nature decided to give me my “monthly tidings” on my birthday. Yay, me. That was last week, and this was the first day in the pool since my period had stopped. Now I know why Mama Lisa had kept me from the water since them. She hadn’t even considered swim practice. I felt my legs tingle as they joined together, forming into a solid piece. My feet morphed into fins. Fins? Oh, shit, what just happened? I stopped swimming as the coach blew her whistle, the small metal piece falling from her open mouth. I looked down at my body to see a greenish-blue tail where my legs and feet should have been. Well, this explains why I’m so good at the butterfly stroke. Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going.

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: A visit from a dark, creepy figure

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

You wake up in the middle of the night to see a dark figure crawling across the floor

Writing prompt exercise

A strange noise roused me from my sleep. My eyes opened, and I froze, trying to listen with more than my ears. Being nighttime, I couldn’t quite see despite good night vision. I didn’t smell anything. Weird. The sound reached my ears again, a low moan that settled into my spine, setting every nerve on fire. I quietly half-sat up, leaning over the edge of the bed. A dark figure crouched on the floor, crawling slowly towards my bed. It looked like a small dark throw pillow, though it was more rectangular than square. Closing my eyes to try and get some of the light-blindness to go away – wait! Light-blindness? I have blackout curtains on my bedroom window, because light makes it very hard for me to sleep. I turned my head to glance over my shoulder at the window. The curtains were parted about a foot-and-a-half apart, and the moonbeam glowed softly into my room. It was broken only by the shadow of the person standing on the outside peering in at me. The moan caught my attention, and I looked back at the rectangular figure crawling across the floor. It now had a tail at one end. Tail? “Sabrina,” I whispered, “what are you doing?” Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going.

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

[brigittas-writing-nook]

Writing Prompt Exercise: Honeymoon kidnapping with a twist

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

You and your partner are kidnapped on your honeymoon

Writing prompt exercise

We walked into the conference room, surprised at the number of people there. Nearly all of the chairs were full. The grey walls looked slightly stained, and some of the chairs were chipped. “I’m glad we didn’t book at this hotel,” Rhianna said, looking around as I searched for two chairs next to each other. “Yeah, this place is a dump,” I commented as my eyes landed on two seats near the front. “Oh, there are some chairs over there. Let’s go.” I headed toward the front of the room, Rhianna following me. We settled in just as the presenter came into the room. He walked to the podium and tapped the microphone. Everyone stopped talking and looked towards the man. He smiled when the room quieted. “Welcome, everyone, to today’s presentation. We have some exciting information to share with you. Then we’re all going to go on a little field trip.” “What is this, school?” Rhianna whispered in my ear. I stifled a snicker. We settled in to watch the presentation. On a time share. Fuck. My wife and I locked eyes; I rolled mine as she closed hers. This was not in the honeymoon plans. This is what we get for a “free cruise.” Trust me, they’re never free. I struggled to pay attention as the presenter droned on. Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going.

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

[brigittas-writing-nook]

Writing Prompt Exercise: Unexpected haunting at sea

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

The cruise ship is haunted

Writing prompt exercise

The hall was deserted, which wasn’t surprising. We were docked at out next destination, but I wasn’t interested in visiting this particular port of call. I’ve been to Cozumel before; it’s pretty much a tourist trap. And, sure, I would love to go check out the city, but I’m not sure it’s safe for a single woman to go wandering around a foreign city alone. I stopped thinking about that last through. Why couldn’t I walk around by myself? I had taken the Bronx subway train down to the East Village in Manhattan at 3 a.m. multiple times in my early 20s. Why should I be afraid now? Straightening my shoulders, I turned and headed back to my room. I would grab some money and my straw hat (don’t care if it’s fashionable; it keeps the sun off my face, so it gets the job done), and head out to see what downtown Cozumel looked like. Rounding the corner, I saw a man standing down the hall in front of a cabin. He kept grasping at the handle but couldn’t seem to turn it. Even in profile, I could see the frustration on his face. “Hello?” I said. “Can I help you?” He turned wide eyes at me. Eyes that – weren’t there. “Oh, shit, you can see me!” he yelped before promptly disappearing. “Great,” I mumbled, heading to my room. “This damned place is haunted. So much for a relaxing vacation.” Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going.

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article