I’ve been feeling brighter every day, and I’m itching to dive back into my art soon! But right now, I’m all about focusing on me and pouring my energy into things that spark joy.

A few weeks ago, things got a bit rocky when I invited a fur friend to stay with us while he job-hunted in my city. I laid out some clear ground rules: I wasn’t interested in him sexually or romantically, and no touching (hugs were cool, though!). But on his last day, as my husband and I helped him load his car, he crossed a line. Right before he left, he said, “I’ve been restraining myself long enough,” and touched my belly, then hard groped me. I was stunned, jumped back, forced a smile and a fake chuckle because people were around, and I didn’t want a scene. My husband saw it all, and when we got home, I was fuming. It really shook me and stirred up my trust issues, which wasn’t great for my mental health.

The past few weeks haven’t been the smoothest either—y’all probably know what I mean. But I’m channeling all that stress into something super positive: my fishy friends and their aquatic world!

I’ve been having a blast experimenting with potted plants in my fish tanks to boost water quality. I’m using these nifty little plant holders and mini hanging baskets (found ‘em on Amazon!) that keep the plants above the water while their roots dangle in, slurping up nitrates like nobody’s business. It’s like magic for cleaner water! So far, Pothos is the star of the show, turning my tanks into lush mini-jungles in no time. I’m so excited to try Monsteras and Spider Plants next! What started as a couple of tiny pots is now a full-on green explosion, and I barely need to do water changes since the nitrate levels are practically zero. The plants are thriving, growing like crazy, and it’s just so cool to watch!

But, there’s more! I’m also obsessed with aquatic plants. I’ve been using volcanic soils from Japan, and let me tell you, my plants are growing so wild I have to trim them every other month. It’s like an underwater forest! Now I’m itching to experiment with regular houseplant soils, capped with sand to keep things tidy, to see if I can grow aquatic plants on a budget. I’m all about finding affordable ways to make my tanks thrive!
I’m also testing root tabs—slow-release fertilizers for nutrient-poor substrates—in my 75-gallon tank, which is rocking just plain sand. I’m geeking out over which ones work best! And speaking of sand, I’m all about those budget hacks: I use play sand from the hardware store—50 pounds for like $4—compared to aquarium sand that’s $20 for a measly 5 pounds. I’m also making my own reusable filters instead of tossing out those pricey cartridge replacements, saving money and the planet. I even collect tree branches, boil them to sterilize, and pop them in my tanks as decor. Same with rocks—I’m learning which ones are inert and safe, skipping the pet store’s crazy prices.

All this fishy, planty goodness is pure Zen for me. It’s like my tanks are little underwater gardens, and every day I get to play mad scientist and create something beautiful. It’s keeping my spirits high and my heart happy!

Also, I’m gearing up for surgery in early October to finally get rid of a nasty ganglion cyst that’s been plaguing me for a decade and a half. It’s super painful and makes working out or even using my right hand—my drawing arm, of all places—a total nightmare. The surgery’s no biggie, though—just a quick knockout, wake up with a wrist brace, and head home the same day. Once it heals, I’ll be able to work out and use my arm properly again. A while back, my husband tried the “Bible method” to smash it with a massive hardcover book. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work, and it hurt like hell!

Wish me luck!