44. A Quarter Check-in & Chips
The Case of the Payne in the Park
Hello, friend - hope you’ve had a good week!
I’m confident that you’re continuing to amaze those around you with your positive attitude, kind heart and creativity.
Did you get a haircut? You look nice.
You may feel that your impact is negligible or that you’re not a creative person, but remember that creativity shows itself in a million different ways. From artistic flair to enlightened thought and action - from a green thumb to a playful heart.
As they say - from little things, big things grow.
Fishbird Catch of the Week
We publish articles twice a week on the Fishbird Central website - every Wednesday and Saturday! This week’s included:
Classic Crime Fiction - 5 Star Reads!
In this post we review 3 classic crime fiction titles that turn out to be a blast! we reconnect with a lost Cool & Lam mystery in 'The Knife Slipped', test our sanity and move in with the Marbles in 'Payment Deferred', and bicker over a lost inheritance with the Verekers in 'Death in the Stocks' as they try to feign interest in their step-brother's murder. If you’ve read the below and have some other 5-star titles in mind that we should read - drop a comment and share the love!
Check out the latest post here - Classic Crime Fiction - 5 Star Reads!
Sketchy March - Week 2, 2025!
In this post we'll introduce you to Betty, who’s got books and isn't afraid to use them. Oliver Twist (an actual olive) is sick of gruel and grifting for some cold hard cash. Seggourney Weaver gets drafted to save the Earth, while Snooze Champ '86 is endlessly dreaming. Will Jan Doberman make it onto her dream cruise with a version of her knitted brother? Can Charlie Chitters keep from going buggy in open court? And, most importantly, can YOU escape the fast lips of Smoochy Sue before she lands one on your cheek! Impossible!
Check out the latest post here - Sketchy March - Week 2, 2025!
Put Your Hand On Your Heart And Tell Me
In January this year, I set myself a few goals. Six daily habits to set myself up for peak Jen-ness in 2025. All incredibly easy and mostly things a human should be doing anyway. Time for a sneaky check in, as March marches onwards.
Make art every day = 10/10
Yay! I’ve been keeping up with my daily art, and though it takes a conscious effort to carve time out of my day to pick up a pencil and brush - the joy it brings is always worth it. Not everything I draw is good - far from it - but everything I sketch does make me giggle. You can check out my progress & sketch along with me!
Brace yourself for a jump scare - versions of my face will soon appear in a quadrant.
I found the first sketchy self-portrait I did back in 2021, at the beginning of my drawing journey. It came with a disclaimer “If I disappear, don’t use it on the news.” That still holds true for the updated one I did this weekend. Version 2025 of me isn’t wearing makeup, has less eyebrows and 4 years on the earlier one - so warn the children. I’m betting that in another 4 years, the me I draw will be a slightly different version and hopefully less pasty.
Prioritise reading = 8/10
I read a lot, but have I been ‘prioritising’ it? … No. But I’m ahead with my Goodreads goal, so I’m scoring this one high. Have you already found some fantastic books this year? Let me know, I’m always looking for recommendations! Join me on Goodreads if you like, and see what’s on my reading radar at any given moment.
Take a photo every day = 3/10
I love photography, and even though I can’t tell an f-stop from a bus stop - I think I’m quite good at it. I also love having a treasure trove of images to share with you and to spark my old memory box from time to time. I’m not doing enough of it though. A reminder to everyone - get in photos, even if you’re not loving how you look. It’s crazy how quickly time passes, and every time you smile that beautiful smile - it deserves to be immortalised.
Get outside and move your pins - i.e. take a walk = 7/10
I’m doing it, ok - stop going on about it! It is pretty out there, and I LOVE seeing all the dogs. I’m starting to get a handle on the time of day when the bush turkeys and the tai chi grandmas like to get out and about - so cute!
Drink water on purpose = 0/10
Water only seems to go in accidentally, when the coffee runs out.
No screens after 8:30pm.
Why is this list trying to shame me. My saving grace with this one is that I’m basically a reverse vampire and get tired as soon as the sun goes down. That means I can usually squeeze in 8 seconds of ‘reading’ or ‘screens’ before I’ve got my first-class ticket for the snooze train. The train begins to board at 8 pm.
Quick Fire Wrap Up
Currently Reading: ‘Crystal Gardens’ by Amanda Quick. Lucas Sebastian and novelist Evangeline Ames immediately sense each other's psychic talents, as well as their mutual desire. But who wants Evangeline dead? With Evangeline's skill for detection, and Lucas's sense of the criminal mind, they soon discover that they share a common enemy. And as the dangerous energy emanating from Crystal Gardens grows stronger, they realise that to survive they must unearth what has been buried for too long.
Currently Watching: ‘The Residence’ on Netflix. A comedic whodunnit inside the White House's staff residence. Lots of big names in this one, including the amazing Uzo Aduba from ‘Orange is the New Black’. Seems clever and fun!
Currently Singing Along To: ‘One Step Closer to You’ by Michael Franti. “And even when I've fallen down, my heart says follow through. I take one step closer to you’.
Have any book, song or show recommendations? Let me know in the comments! :)
Wishes for the Week
What can I wish for you that you’re not already manifesting? You’re brilliant and probably smell nice.
Embrace the unexpected and trust that everything is unfolding in perfect timing. Even if things pop up out of nowhere or feel a bit chaotic lately - you’ve got the flexibility and strength to handle them.
If you need some muscle - tap me in.
Stay cool, punks.
‘Just thinking about your goals, means you’ve reached them all.’ - Goal Police (probably)
Jen x
Uplifting & witty as usual 🥰 well done 🌟🌟🌟🌟