⚠️ Content Warnings: Brief mentions of chronic illness, mobility issues, and medical frustrations.
How does this always seem to happen to me?
One minute it’s spring, and the next it’s August. The garden is doing well-not quite as great as last year, unfortunately, thanks to 2025’s funky climate. The tomatoes are all staying green longer than I thought they would, and while we’ve gotten more yellow grape tomatoes than anything else (not that I’m complaining too much they’re amazing and I’m so happy my aunt bought this plant for us), I’d love to see more zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, green beans, peppers… you name it.
As for the watermelons? I’m pretty sure the weird weather wiped them out early. The cantaloupes still have a fighting chance, though, and I’m not ready to give up hope just yet.
If the Cursed Knee Saga™ would kindly fuck right off, I’d be out there more- digging in the dirt, weeding, just existing in the garden. (Still waiting for someone- anyone– to give me an MRI, if you were wondering.)
But more importantly: yesterday was the Moss Maiden’s 32nd birthday.
I’m sure you saw the post.
I only get a handful of excuses to brag about her each year, and birthdays are one of them. We started the day early by picking up her cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes (thanks to Aunt Dee for that little miracle). The lemon raspberry was divine, and the strawberry cheesecake mini we grabbed on a whim? Even better than expected. -complete with cute rainbow flame candles.
We went to Krystal Thai in Crystal Lake for a late lunch before my allergy shots- a spot she’d been going to with her parents for nearly two decades. In this house, birthdays are sacred, and the birthday girl always gets what she wants. She had the Thai-style fried rice with shrimp, and I got broccoli beef. Both came with soup and a spring roll, and the whole thing was chef’s kiss levels of good.
She got a birthday balloon and a pin that I absolutely insisted she wear all day. Hugs from our favorite nurse at the allergy office, and lots of happy birthdays.
Back at home, we cooked her dinner request: Montreal-style shepherd’s pie. It’s like the traditional kind, but made with roast beef instead of ground, and seasoned with Montreal steak spice. After dinner came presents and cake.
This year was ridiculous in the best way.
At the thrift store, she found a pair of brand-new Bluetooth Lenovo headphones- still sealed. We think the only reason they got donated was that they were cream-colored. (Their loss, our gain- we paid $14.99.) She also picked out a little Halloween cow Squishmallow from Five Below and found a rechargeable, flameless lighter at Goodwill- just like my rose gold one I keep for candles. Alongside some snacks and candy, of course.
Finally, the pièce de résistance: a Smithsonian gemstone dig kit. (They also make dinosaur bones and faux ancient artifacts, but since she loves gemstones, this one was perfect.) We’d gotten her a cheap one from Dollar Tree a while ago and she loved it, so this felt like fate.
As for today?
We’re recovering with trashfredo, the household favorite. It’s not Italian, but it is delicious: frozen tortellini, cream of chicken soup, parmesan, romano, some Italian herbs, and chicken. You could do shrimp- but we usually save that for the real Alfredo. We saw the recipe on TikTok last year, and it’s been a staple ever since.
Anyways, that’s it for tonight.
Until next time.
-Sky, The Crippled Cryptid.
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