Thursday Check-In: Finding the little things that keep us going, making room for grief, and discovering that sometimes joy finds its way home.

Content Notes: Grief and remembrance, chronic illness, exhaustion, and difficult weeks.

Welcome back to the Den.

This is The Crippled Cryptid.

And Thursday is the day we leave the porch light on.

Not because everything is fine.

Not because everyone is thriving.

And definitely not because anybody needs to show up here with a polished little report about how wonderfully they’re handling life.

Thursday is for checking in.

For taking a breath.

For asking the question we don’t always get asked often enough:

How are you, really?

But before we get to everybody else, let’s talk about what’s been happening around this particular haunted little household.

Because, well… it’s been a week.

🌿 What’s Carrying Me This Week

Should I be doing this at 3 AM on Thursday while painting my nails?

Probably not.

Should I be asleep right now?

You bet.

But the October slide has been kicking my ass.

I’ve been staying up doomscrolling TikTok until ungodly hours, sleeping in considerably later than I should, and generally having a difficult time getting myself back into a reasonable routine.

And I wanted to make sure this got written and published on time.

Because this is one of those things that means a lot to me.

So, what’s been keeping me going this week?

M&M, of course.

Even when I feel like absolute crap, she’s always there for me. And this week, yesterday especially, she was one of the biggest things keeping me going.

We went out to the store, ran some errands, and did a little Christmas shopping.

Your ghouls started early this year so we wouldn’t have to scramble later.

We found the family’s Advent calendars for the year, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for the Yard Yeti, Hershey’s for M&M, and M&M’s for me.

Which is funny, considering babe’s nickname is M&M.

But you know I’ll share my candy if she asks. Does she have to ask? Of course not, I’ll share anyways. It’s her. I’ll always share.

We also grabbed some discounted Halloween candy, toilet paper because obviously we needed it, groceries we couldn’t live without, and a few things we absolutely could have lived without but wanted anyway.

Sushi for ghoul dinner, at least for the two of us, because Meijer does $4.99 sushi on Wednesdays.

The Yard Yeti, meanwhile, received two frozen pizzas because he is not a sushi person.

Everybody wins.

And then there was the Amazon order.

The dogs’ Christmas stockings.

The cat’s Christmas stocking.

And Bear’s memorial ornament.

Honestly?

That was a lot.

A lot a lot.

🐾 A Little Piece of Bear

When we lost Rex, we got a memorial photo and a memorial ornament.

Bear deserves that same remembrance.

I’m planning to put my favorite photograph of him in his ornament, and I’m really glad M&M helped me choose which one. Just because the store Things Remembered is gone doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to get him a ornament. I just had to get creative about where to get the ornament from.

Now that we’re getting those things together, I can finally print some photographs for the frame we have that says, “Life Is Better with Dogs.”

And I can get the pictures ready for the frame with all the gemstones and minerals that I want to hang in the living room.

Little pieces of our lives.

Little reminders of the ones we love.

Grief is weird.

But so is healing.

I think we’re getting there with both.

And maybe that’s enough for now.

🎄 A Little Christmas Magic (And Several Moose)

I almost forgot something.

While we were out running errands, we also stopped at Michaels.

We don’t shop at Hobby Lobby. Their positions on women’s rights and LGBTQ+ issues aren’t something we want to support, so Michaels gets our crafting business instead. Especially now that Joanne is gone… don’t even ask our position on that. Our hearts aren’t ready.

And honestly, I’m glad we stopped.

A few weeks ago, we found a Santa Clause Advent Calendar DIY at the thrift store, and we’ve been planning to give him a little makeover.

Except he’s not going to be an ordinary Santa.

He’s going to be Santa Paws.

We’re turning him into an Advent calendar for the dogs and the cat.

And yes, I already have cookies for him.

I cannot adequately explain how excited I am about this.

But apparently that wasn’t enough crafting for one shopping trip.

We also found some really cute paint-your-own nutcrackers.

Mine is the Mouse King from The Nutcracker ballet.

M&M’s is a moose.

We also grabbed some paint-by-number kits.

Mine is penguins.

Hers?

More moose.

I don’t know why all of her Christmas craft projects involve moose this year, but it’s fucking adorable.

At this point, I’m wondering whether we’re decorating for Christmas or establishing a small moose sanctuary.

Either way, I’m here for it.

And something else happened while we were shopping.

I realized I might actually want to start decorating for Christmas soon.

Which is unusual for me.

Historically, I’m the person who pushes Christmas decorating off until the absolute last second.

Sometimes I don’t even want to do it at all.

Not since my mom died.

Not since my grandma died.

The holidays haven’t always been easy. Sometimes the traditions that used to make this time of year special become tangled up with the people who aren’t here anymore.

And I think that’s something worth talking about properly.

Maybe I’ll write a longer post about it once babe and I start working on our projects together.

Because I think it deserves its own space.

But something about this year feels different.

Something feels a little lighter.

I’m looking forward to making things. Painting things. Decorating. Finding little ways to make the house feel festive again.

It feels good.

Even if it hurts a little.

And yes, before anyone asks, Bear’s stocking is still going up.

Even if he isn’t here to use it.

Because he was part of this family.

And he still is.

He doesn’t need to be physically here to have a place in our Christmas traditions.

Some traditions aren’t about whether someone is physically here to participate.

Sometimes they’re about making sure there’s still a place for them.

And there will always be a place for Bear.

🎨 Meanwhile, Back in the Den…

I’m telling you all of this at 3 AM with my nails drying in shades of black and shimmery mocha, preparing to put 3D maple leaf art on them.

Don’t take my advice.

It might be sleep-deprived and caffeine-deprived.

Biscuits is asleep in my lap.

He might agree.

Dinner later will be bouille.

Beef, carrots, cabbage, rutabaga, onion, and the parsnip M&M begged me for, all made in the roaster the way the Gods intended.

The French way.

Or else Aunt Lise will roast us alive.

Nothing else will do after a week as blah as this.

I’m blaming the time change.

Or, more accurately, the lack of one for us here in Chicago. They stopped it, and now everything is dark and confusing by 4pm… I don’t like it.

And then there’s the state of the world.

Apparently, we’re still finding ways to blame Satanism and witchcraft for political problems.

Personally, I think people are just tired of the bullshit.

But that’s probably a conversation for another day. Normally, we don’t get political around here. But I would be lying to you if I didn’t say that certain people got exactly what they deserved.

For now, I’m going to enjoy my maple leaf nails, my impending French-inspired dinner, and the tiny furry creature currently using my lap as a mattress.

Sometimes that’s what getting through a week looks like.

And sometimes, that’s enough.

🌿 The Den Is Open

This Den has never been just about me.

It started with my stories.

Then came the health updates, the adventures, the writing, the folklore, the dogs, the Bed Jail™ broadcasts, and all the strange little corners that grew around them.

But somewhere along the way…

People started pulling up chairs.

You started telling me about your lives.

Your good days.

Your terrible ones.

Your tiny victories.

Your losses.

Your weird little joys.

Your “I survived today” moments.

And I realized something.

This place isn’t just a blog anymore.

It’s a Den.

And a Den is supposed to have room for people.

So, every Thursday, we check the locks, put the kettle on, make sure the porch light is working, and see how everybody is holding up.

Luna is usually supervising. (Tonight, she’s snoring… loudly.)

She’s very serious about hydration.

Binka is usually doing something that makes absolutely no sense but makes somebody laugh. (He too is snoring.)

M&M is somewhere nearby asking whether everyone has what they need. (Nope… snoring… or else she’d be yelling at me.)

The Yard Yeti is probably at Home Base, contributing to the Den through snacks, Wi-Fi, and the occasional deeply questionable commentary.

And me?

I’m here.

Still figuring things out.

Still living in this haunted meat suit.

Still learning that surviving isn’t the same thing as failing.

Still trying to remember that rest counts.

Still writing.

Still laughing.

Still making room.

So…

Come sit down.

You don’t have to have good news.

You don’t have to have bad news.

You don’t even have to know how you feel yet.

Just be here for a minute.

The porch light is on.

🌿 What’s Usually Carrying Me This Week

This is where I tell you what’s been keeping me upright this week.

Sometimes it’s something enormous.

Sometimes it’s coffee.

Sometimes it’s a person who checked in at exactly the right moment.

Sometimes it’s Luna.

Sometimes it’s Binka doing something so ridiculous that I forget, for five whole minutes, that my body has been arguing with me all day.

Sometimes it’s simply knowing that Thursday is coming.

That there will be a place to sit.

A place to tell the truth.

A place where I don’t have to turn survival into a performance.

Whatever is carrying you this week…

I hope you have something.

Even if it’s small.

Especially if it’s small.

🐾 Luna’s Hydration Reminder

This is your reminder from the Department of Extremely Obvious Things:

Drink some water.

Yes.

You.

Luna says you’re probably ignoring this.

She’s probably right.

Take a sip.

Take another.

If plain water is boring, find something you actually like drinking.

Hydration does not have to be a personality test.

Just take care of the body you’re currently living in.

Luna has spoken. 🐾

🐄 Binka’s Reminder to Do One Happy Thing

Binka would like everyone to know that happiness is extremely important.

He has conducted extensive research.

His findings include:

• Snacks are good.
• Sunbeams are good.
• Naps are good.
• Wrestling your sister is VERY good.
• Being told you’re a good boy is VERY VERY good.

Therefore, Binka would like to remind you:

Do one thing this week that makes you happy.

Not useful.

Not productive.

Not impressive.

Happy.

Read something you love.

Watch a ridiculous movie.

Eat your favorite snack.

Sit somewhere soft.

Play a game.

Go outside and feel the sun.

Pet a dog.

Pet a cat.

Pet yourself emotionally, if that’s what the day requires.

You don’t have to earn joy first.

Sometimes you can just have some.

🐄 Moo Memo:

DO HAPPY THING.
HAPPY IS IMPORTANT.
SNACK MAY BE INVOLVED.

MOO.

🐈 Purrgatory Notes: The Biscuits Report

There is a brand new member of the household, and naturally, he has opinions.

Biscuits has been settling into his place in the Den beautifully, making himself comfortable, making all of us laugh and generally reminding everyone that cats operate on an entirely different schedule.

Tonight’s official report:

He is asleep in my lap.

His current responsibilities include being adorable, making biscuits, and ensuring that absolutely nobody moves until he decides otherwise.

Productivity is not his strong suit.

Neither is personal space.

But he’s doing wonderfully at being loved.

And honestly, that’s the important part.

Welcome to the Den, little biscuit boy. 💜

🌿 Your Thursday Check-In

Okay.

Enough about us.

Your turn.

How are you?

Really.

Not the automatic “I’m fine.”

Not the version you give someone because you don’t have the energy to explain.

You can tell me the truth.

You can also keep it simple.

🌱 One word for how you’re feeling:

🌱 One thing that’s been hard:

🌱 One thing that’s helped:

🌱 One tiny victory:

🌱 One thing you’re looking forward to:

And if you don’t have answers for all of those?

That’s okay.

You can just say:

“I’m here.”

That counts.

You count.

This isn’t a performance review.

There are no grades.

Nobody gets kicked out of the Den for having a bad week.

Some weeks we celebrate.

Some weeks we survive.

Some weeks we do both.

Pull up a chair.

Tell us where you’re at.

Or just sit quietly with us.

The porch light is on either way.

🏡 Before You Wander Back Into the Woods…

Take a few things with you.

Drink some water.

Eat something if you can.

Rest before your body has to demand it.

Let someone help you if they’re offering.

Do one small thing that makes you happy.

Celebrate the tiny victory.

And remember that you don’t have to make your life look impressive for it to be worth living.

Sometimes the biggest thing you accomplish today is getting through today.

That’s enough.

And if this week has been particularly heavy…

You don’t have to carry all of it tonight.

Set some of it down.

Let somebody else hold a corner.

Let the dogs sit beside you.

Let yourself be cared for.

That’s not weakness.

That’s what having a Pack is for.

Luna will keep watch.

Binka will probably make an absolutely unreasonable amount of noise before falling asleep somewhere inconvenient.

Biscuits will probably object to being excluded from whatever is happening.

M&M will ask if everybody has what they need.

The Yard Yeti will probably be somewhere nearby insisting that he is not involved while being extremely involved.

And I’ll be here too.

Because this Den isn’t just mine.

It never was.

Every story you tell.

Every comment.

Every “me too.”

Every little victory.

Every time you show up when you don’t feel like you have much to give.

You add another chair.

You make this place fuller.

So, thank you for being here.

Thank you for letting me be here with you.

And thank you for remembering that sometimes survival is quiet.

Sometimes healing is slow.

Sometimes joy is tiny.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is drink some water, eat a snack, curl up somewhere soft, and wait for tomorrow.

There is no shame in that.

There is no failure in that.

There is still life in that.

So, until next Thursday…

Keep the porch light on for yourself.

You deserve to know how to find your way home, too.

Love you.

Now say it back.

– Sky

© The Crippled Cryptid

Disability. Chronic illness. Dogs. Community. Survival without the performance.

🐾 Luna says: Drink your water.
🐄 Binka says: Do the happy thing.
🐈 Biscuits says: This is my lap now.
🏡 The Den says: There’s always another chair.

🔗 https://linktr.ee/skylanarissa

No pressure to donate. Reading, sharing, and existing alongside me is already enough.

If you want to support the long, unglamorous work of survival, mobility, and building a life anyway:

💜 https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-skys-journey-to-health-and-mobility

The porch light stays on.