Got an email that the new MurderBot novel is on its way to me!!! 🎉 I finished reading the previous one, System Collapse (don’t start here; it takes place directly after Fugitive Telemetry and there is A Lot Going On. All Systems Red is the first MurderBot novella - start there.) Am now re-reading the short stories, which can be bought as ebooks or read for free at the following links: - Compulsory -

WIRED

The Future of Work: Compulsory, by Martha Wells

“My risk-assessment module predicts a 53 percent chance of a human-on-human massacre before the end of the contract.”

- Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory -

Reactor

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory - Reactor

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory was originally given free to readers who pre-ordered Martha's Murderbot novel, Network Effect. The s...

- Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy -

Reactor

Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy - Reactor

Perihelion and its crew embark on a dangerous new mission at a corporate-controlled station in the throes of a hostile takeover… A 2026 Hugo ...

#bookstr #murderbot

Watercolor & pen. Reference photo by @Maria2000 Process photos: - pencil sketch - watercolor - pen - after much deliberation, more watercolor to increase contrast (first photo) #artstr #watercolor

Saw a hummingbird on the morning mountain walk. No photo because OMG so fast!!! So here’s a bumblebee on a balsamroot instead. #proofofwalk #beestr #photostr

Clear the path, remove grass from under the ornamental almond, and cut back the buddleja before it takes over. #proofofwork #garden

Re-reading the previous MurderBot novel in anticipation of the release of the next one in a week 🦾 #bookstr #murderbot

Practicing clouds, mountains, and oceans. #artstr #watercolor

Last week, a bald eagle flew so low and close I could see its eye … I just watched it bank over me and head up to the trees instead of reaching for my phone/camera. Yesterday I saw a bald eagle near the same spot, this time high up on the mountain. Got a photo of a tiny black blob with a smaller white blob on top, so while not a great photo in and of itself, it is a reminder of that previous amazing close encounter. 🦅 #birdstr

New record for Mom & Me: 550 piece jigsaw puzzle in 2 days! 🧩🎉 #jigsawpuzzle #familytime

Practicing on my own with scenes and objects in addition to the exercises in the watercolor course. Here are the past few days followed by my reference photo. I like the 3rd one best. Mom likes the 2nd one best. #artstr #watercolor

Mom likes murder mysteries, so we’ve been watching through several shows in the past few weeks…. The Puzzle Lady - based on books, contemporary, didn’t like the characters Bookish - original Mark Gatiss creation, 1946, renewed for a second season, liked the characters a lot and has great dialog Patience - English remake of the French Astrid, contemporary, liked the characters, there’s a second season out to buy now and coming to her streaming service at the end of May 🇨🇦 Dr. Blake Mysteries - Australian production, late 1950s, 6 seasons. Seasons 1 and 6 were subscription-locked for us, so we started on season 2. Liked the characters, gets a bit soap opera in season 5. #tvstr #murdermystery

Practicing water reflection brush strokes #artstr #watercolor

Played with the travel watercolor brushes. I thought I’d prefer the black based ones, but the gold base feel much lighter when I grip close to the ferrule for detailed, controlled strokes. The gold brushes also hold their tip much better. Even though the bristles stained blue, there really isn’t any loose pigment in there. #artstr #artsupplies #watercolor

Over halfway through the month and now consistently hitting my new goal of 7,000 steps/day. Walked to town today so earned a little extra. 👟👟 #proofofwalk #fitnessover50

Let the sorting begin!!! #jigsawpuzzle #someonehastodoit

And the 1000 piece Brambly Hedge: Autumn Story jigsaw puzzle is now complete! 🧩🎉 #jigsawpuzzle #familytime

GM - view from the morning mountain walk. ⛰️ 🥾 #proofofwalk #fitnessover50