Cate Polacek
@catepolacek.bsky.social
she/her, health care researcher/writer focusing on health equity, painter, auntie to twins, introvert, knitter, embroiderer, scoliosis patient, cat mom
Anyone else stress crafting at the minute? I am stress stitching, and have been in a finishing spree lately with embroidery projects.
January 29, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Anyone else stress crafting at the minute? I am stress stitching, and have been in a finishing spree lately with embroidery projects.
Quick timeline cleanse if you need a breather - Tristan is 21 years old today.
January 28, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Quick timeline cleanse if you need a breather - Tristan is 21 years old today.
Reposted by Cate Polacek
The horrors of yesterday (I believe what I saw in the videos), and the monks walking. Poor sleep (perimenopause and rage), and painting in the studio. My cat’s health declining (he’s nearly 21), and the snow falling. This vacillation feels more and more like whiplash, and it’s exhausting.
January 25, 2026 at 3:31 PM
The horrors of yesterday (I believe what I saw in the videos), and the monks walking. Poor sleep (perimenopause and rage), and painting in the studio. My cat’s health declining (he’s nearly 21), and the snow falling. This vacillation feels more and more like whiplash, and it’s exhausting.
Yesterday, there was a huge, beautiful lone crow in the woods next to my house. It was cawing intermittently for most of the day. I got the feeling it was looking for its fellows and wasn’t sure where they were.
January 1, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Yesterday, there was a huge, beautiful lone crow in the woods next to my house. It was cawing intermittently for most of the day. I got the feeling it was looking for its fellows and wasn’t sure where they were.
My oh-so-exciting NYE plans - house is tidy, made a batch of egg-roll-in-a-bowl (Nom Nom Paléo recipe), fresh pajamas on, additional snacks at the ready, craft project on the coffee table. Now just to decide what movies to watch. Wishing you happy new year now, as I will be in bed before midnight.
December 31, 2025 at 11:41 PM
My oh-so-exciting NYE plans - house is tidy, made a batch of egg-roll-in-a-bowl (Nom Nom Paléo recipe), fresh pajamas on, additional snacks at the ready, craft project on the coffee table. Now just to decide what movies to watch. Wishing you happy new year now, as I will be in bed before midnight.
Snow and ice lingering on the river, even though it was in the mid-50s today.
December 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Snow and ice lingering on the river, even though it was in the mid-50s today.
First snow of the season in suburban Narnia. Big, fluffy flakes earlier, now tapering off a bit
December 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
First snow of the season in suburban Narnia. Big, fluffy flakes earlier, now tapering off a bit
I’ve published another article on better treatment pathways for people with early cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Early Alzheimer's disease patient care pathway and health system readiness: A framework for integrated care
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often underdiagnosed, especially at early stages when symptoms are mild, and patients may benefit from new and recently approved anti-amyloid therapies. An updated patien...
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:12 AM
I’ve published another article on better treatment pathways for people with early cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Painted pumpkin in the lobby of the acupuncture clinic.
October 31, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Painted pumpkin in the lobby of the acupuncture clinic.
If you need a moment of calm. The view from my window. More and more fall colors coming through. I love living next to the woods all year round, but especially in the fall, and especially now when so much is awful. Reminders of beauty are much needed lately.
October 31, 2025 at 9:58 PM
If you need a moment of calm. The view from my window. More and more fall colors coming through. I love living next to the woods all year round, but especially in the fall, and especially now when so much is awful. Reminders of beauty are much needed lately.
Feeling fine after shingles vax this past weekend. Final bill for my roof replacement is far more than the estimate. And we had a minor earthquake this afternoon, 2.5 on the scale. And it’s only Monday.
October 27, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Feeling fine after shingles vax this past weekend. Final bill for my roof replacement is far more than the estimate. And we had a minor earthquake this afternoon, 2.5 on the scale. And it’s only Monday.
Went for a walk by the river yesterday after shingles vax jab. The bridge is being repainted, and it looks like quite an operation.
October 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Went for a walk by the river yesterday after shingles vax jab. The bridge is being repainted, and it looks like quite an operation.
Got the first of two jabs of the shingles vaccine. Other than a sore arm and feeling a bit run down and achey today, not feeling too bad. I’ll take that over actual shingles. My mom had it in January, and it was awful.
October 26, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Got the first of two jabs of the shingles vaccine. Other than a sore arm and feeling a bit run down and achey today, not feeling too bad. I’ll take that over actual shingles. My mom had it in January, and it was awful.
I thought at first it was the impending nor’easter that is making me suddenly want to make soup and bake bread this weekend. Actually, it’s probably stress. I will be stress kitchen witching this weekend. At least there will be yummy things resulting from it.
October 11, 2025 at 2:11 AM
I thought at first it was the impending nor’easter that is making me suddenly want to make soup and bake bread this weekend. Actually, it’s probably stress. I will be stress kitchen witching this weekend. At least there will be yummy things resulting from it.
If you need a timeline cleanse, my kitties seem to like the new quilt on my bed. For some reason, it smells like cilantro. I don’t mind cilantro, but it’s an odd smell for a quilt.
September 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
If you need a timeline cleanse, my kitties seem to like the new quilt on my bed. For some reason, it smells like cilantro. I don’t mind cilantro, but it’s an odd smell for a quilt.
Took my niece to dinner while my sister took my nephew to his tutoring appointment. My niece told me all about school in great detail (she’s 9). We hung out at a coffee shop after dinner with coloring books and color pencils and snacks. Yeah, a much-needed dose of fun.
September 10, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Took my niece to dinner while my sister took my nephew to his tutoring appointment. My niece told me all about school in great detail (she’s 9). We hung out at a coffee shop after dinner with coloring books and color pencils and snacks. Yeah, a much-needed dose of fun.
Happy birthday to my little sister, Emily.
September 3, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Happy birthday to my little sister, Emily.
A new broad-winged hawk friend in the neighborhood (perching on my front porch railing)
August 22, 2025 at 12:12 AM
A new broad-winged hawk friend in the neighborhood (perching on my front porch railing)
Painting and listening to Jennifer Dasal talk about her new book on American women artists in Paris during the Belle Epoque. (Yes, I’ve pre-ordered the book.) It felt weirdly normal to be doing this while upheaval rages (flails at the news), but it’s either paint or spiral into anxiety.
July 15, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Painting and listening to Jennifer Dasal talk about her new book on American women artists in Paris during the Belle Epoque. (Yes, I’ve pre-ordered the book.) It felt weirdly normal to be doing this while upheaval rages (flails at the news), but it’s either paint or spiral into anxiety.
The two protest demonstrations in my area were well organized and peaceful. www.thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-pow...
‘No Kings’ protests sweep Maryland with thousands attending events
Thousands of protesters filled streets and parks across Maryland on Saturday as part of the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations, one of the largest coordinated protest actions of the year against Pre...
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
June 15, 2025 at 5:27 PM
The two protest demonstrations in my area were well organized and peaceful. www.thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-pow...
Nine blocks finished on this embroidery project. Halfway done.
June 8, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Nine blocks finished on this embroidery project. Halfway done.
Lyra turns 20 today. Still little. Still fierce.
June 1, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Lyra turns 20 today. Still little. Still fierce.
Had a family birthday lunch over the weekend. My nephew did a replay of his school spring concert pieces for us on the viola. Also, handmade cards.
May 20, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Had a family birthday lunch over the weekend. My nephew did a replay of his school spring concert pieces for us on the viola. Also, handmade cards.
A 50th birthday walk in the woods by the river. Couldn't have asked for better weather - barely 70 and overcast - and it’s getting chillier as the week goes on. I’m dreading hot summer weather, so I’m soaking up these last bits of spring while I can.
May 20, 2025 at 9:26 PM
A 50th birthday walk in the woods by the river. Couldn't have asked for better weather - barely 70 and overcast - and it’s getting chillier as the week goes on. I’m dreading hot summer weather, so I’m soaking up these last bits of spring while I can.