Cislyn Smith
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cislyn.bsky.social
Cislyn Smith
@cislyn.bsky.social
1.4K followers 940 following 1.3K posts
Writer, editor, crafty person. Frequently covered in cat hair, often wearing many hats. Dream Foundry, Flights of Foundry, Small Wonders Magazine
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cislyn.bsky.social
It’s been six weeks since dad died. I keep feeling like I haven’t done anything and I’m taking too long but this is actually kind of a whirlwind and now that I’m nearly done here in Florida I feel it. I will miss this view.
A view of the manatee river though moss laden branches and palmetto scrub.
November 10, 2025 at 12:32 AM
cislyn.bsky.social
A coffee table covered in old family photos, including some of Cislyn with terrible bangs. A shelf of vinyl records, and the top shelf is covered in school photos of dad. A pair of bongo drums and brass fish are visible behind Green plants shining in the sunlight A downed branch surrounded by tall reedy plants. There’s palmetto scrub and a pine tree in the background
October 24, 2025 at 11:17 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
A brown butterfly on grass in afternoon light The Manatee River, sunset bayou. The aftermath of an outdoor picnic, chairs and tables in the shade, one floppy hat left on a table Afternoon light casting long shadows off the oaks
October 24, 2025 at 11:09 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
Spanish moss on a live oak branch in late afternoon light. A slough filled with marshy plants and ferns A handwritten sign hanging on a front porch. The sign reads: party (arrow pointing left), follow the music, around towards the river Wild plants glowing pink and orange in late afternoon light
October 24, 2025 at 11:02 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
Today is dad’s after party. We’ll have a picnic by the river, listen to loud music, and share stories of a guy who lived a lot. Here are a few of the photos I hung up around the house for folks to take.
A black snake peeking out of the grass. Taken by Gary Hunt. Cislyn and Gary, standing together in the living room in front of his music collection. I have my head resting on his shoulder and he’s grinning. A red headed woodpecker flying out of a hole in a palm tree. Taken by Gary Hunt. Dad with a wizard hat on in front of his desk. This was taken during the first flights of foundry when he stepped in and volunteered to help keep things going.
October 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
My grandmother saved every single letter Dad wrote home when he was in the army. Dad kept them after grandmother died. It’s stuff like this that feels super challenging to deal with.
A stack of old letters, many in envelopes yellowing with age, with red and blue stripes on the top edges.
October 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
My dad passed away in the early hours yesterday. He was an awesome single dad, a nature photographer, an audiophile, a collector of rocks and fossils, a reader, and so much more. Check out @riverguy47.bsky.social for some of his pictures. I miss him more than words can say already.
A slightly blurry selfie of Cislyn and Dad.
September 30, 2025 at 1:09 AM
cislyn.bsky.social
Happy Caturday! Blizzara likes my sunlamp even more than I do.
A white tabby with brown spots on her head and a very pink nose. She is bathed in bright white light and her eyes are squinched shut in happiness.
September 20, 2025 at 2:38 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
I needed something chill tonight because my brain was completely fried.

Enter: KPop Demon Hunters.

Yesssss this was so fun! Also, I love this duo and want this in my life.
Derpy the glowing spirit tiger and Sussie the three eyed bird wearing a tiny hat, standing on Derpy’s head.
September 20, 2025 at 3:31 AM
cislyn.bsky.social
Things there is still time to do (Flights of Foundry version):

* Register
* Join in limited seating sessions that aren't full
* Donate so we can keep doing awesome things
* Get slightly overwhelmed but also super excited about the program
* Join the discord ahead of the rush
* Volunteer!

1/2
A square graphic, with the Flights of Foundry logo against a night sky. At the bottom, the four mascot gryphons are cavorting. The purple and gray harpy eagle gryphon Bartholomew stretches, the barn owl gryphon Hoodini is walking and looking over their shoulder, the cockatoo gryphon Toast stands up on hind paws with wings outstretched, and the bald eagle gryphon Swooperton swoops, as she is wont to do.
September 18, 2025 at 7:04 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
A moment of cat(s)
Blizzara, a white tabby with brown spots, and Vanta, a small black cat, are cuddling on a green blanket. Vanta is making biscuits on Blizzy and Blizzy looks into the distance, slightly confused.
September 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
Ok, so everybody's doing it. I figured I would play too! Here's where to find me at Flights of Foundry, Spet 26-28. Also, you can still register! flights-of-foundry.org/registration/
An infographic titled "Where to find Cislyn at Flights of Foundry". Text reads: Everywhere. There you go. All done! Ok, fine, a more serious answer. * Cross-Media Collaboration - The Art of Sharing Success Panelist, hour 7.0 * Flash Fiction Challenge Kickoffs Challenge host / prompt provider, hours 4.0 and 10.0 * Flash Fiction Challenge Write-along sessions (2 & 4) Cheerleader, hours 31 and 50 * Reading - Cislyn Smith It's me, hi I'm the reader, hour 52 * Make (or Update!) a Career Bingo Card! Presenter, hour 54 * Flash Fiction Challenge Close & Workshare Cheerleader, challenge host, hour 58 * Opening sessions, answering questions, fielding emails, doing tech support, herding cats literal and figurative Convention co-chair, this will be pretty much all the hours I'm awake. There are gryphons scattered all over, stretching, writing, holding a bingo card, and cuddling. Beneath the list of items is a white text box: Come to my stuff! Or don't! That is also ok! But if you want to write a new flash fiction story over the weekend...
September 15, 2025 at 11:55 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
Vaccine selfie! I got my Covid and influenza jabs today at Walgreens. Madison folks: Fitchburg family pharmacy and Walgreens have lots of open slots.

Let’s gooo public health!
Cislyn, a white woman with blue and purple hair in a braid, sitting in a tall office chair pointing at a Walgreens bandaid on her left arm. She’s wearing big round glasses and a gray shirt and smiling.
September 15, 2025 at 10:32 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
Caaaaats, plus a bluebell in my yard this spring ❤️
Hope your day improves drastically soon!
Vanta, a black cat with a white blaze, looks off to her left and contemplates her next crime. Vanta and Blizzara, a black cat and white tabby, on a green cat tree in front of an open window. Vanta is sitting up to enjoy the fresh air and Blizzy is sprawled in the sunshine. Void, a black cat, laying in a cat bed and cuddling a yellow toy. A bluebell in bloom, seen from below on a gray day. The leaves are very green and. The flowers look delicate.
September 14, 2025 at 4:18 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
The Void hopes you sleep well. Or have a great day. Or both! Why not both?
Void, a black cat with a small white blaze, is in a box shaped enclosure on a brown cat tree. He is looking out with a gentle expression and a slight tilt to his head.
September 14, 2025 at 6:37 AM
cislyn.bsky.social
Look at this little criminal. Completely shameless. She KNOWS she’s not supposed to be up there.

I love her so much.
Vanta, a small black cat with a white blaze on her chest, is sitting with her limbs all tucked in on a kitchen counter. In fact, her front paws are on a teal oven mitt, and she is cuddled up next to a cucumber.
September 13, 2025 at 4:23 AM
cislyn.bsky.social
A moment of cat(s):
Two cats cuddled up together on a bed. Blizzara, a white tabby with a striped tail and brown spots, is on the left looking large and fluffy. Vanta, a much smaller black cat, is on the right making biscuits on Blizzara’s belly.
September 11, 2025 at 3:57 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
You know what's even BETTER than attending or speaking at Flights of Foundry? Helping out behind the scenes. We have lots of niches for lots of folks, and I promise it's fun!

flights-of-foundry.org/volunteer/
Toast, the adorable cockatoo gryphon, standing on his hind paws and showing off his fuzzy belly. "flights of foundry" is in black text just beneath his back paws.
September 10, 2025 at 8:26 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
One smol goblin, ready for crime at a moment’s notice:
Vanta, a small black cat with big green eyes, is in a tan cat climber. Her chin rests on the edge of one of the holes, and her ears and eyes are alert.
September 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
*squints at the FoF program schedule*
*squints at the hours in the weekend*

Hmmmm... nah, we're still good. It'll fit.
A meme format image, featuring a car and two guys standing in front of it, one gesturing broadly and the other looking thoughtful. Text reads: *Slaps roof of 9/26-9/28* This baby can fit so many flights of foundry programs in it!
September 9, 2025 at 10:32 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
Today’s moment of cat(s): Blizzara and Void sleeping together on the cat tree. Blizzy is Void’s One True Love and he kept cuddling so fiercely she nearly fell off.
Two cats on a green cat tree in the sun, sleeping curled up together. Blizzara, a white tabby with brown spots, is in the big spoon position, and Void, a black cat, is in little spoon position.
September 3, 2025 at 11:05 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
Today has been a lot. Here’s Vanta being lovey in the sunshine.
Vanta, a black cat, in the sunshine on a green climber. She is rolled partway onto her back and turned her head upside down just to be affectionate.
September 1, 2025 at 11:37 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
Hooooome where the kitty cats rooooam
Three cats on a green cat tree in front of a window. Blizzara, a white tabby, is facing away from the camera towards the window. Above her on either side are Vanta and Void, two black kitties. They are leaned over Blizzy and Void is giving Vanta a little lick on her nose.
August 27, 2025 at 10:10 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
That Rembrandt guy could really paint, huh?

(Though honestly there were SO MANY awesome paintings at Mauritshaus and I just can’t remember all the artist names)
The painting “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp”, an amazing oil painting by Rembrandt finished in 1632. The painting depicts a group of well dressed men crowding around a cadaver laid out on a table, his left arm dissected to display muscles and tendons.
August 23, 2025 at 8:56 PM
cislyn.bsky.social
Also I found an itty bitty sand dollar
An itty bitty sand dollar with a small hole in the center, next to a rainbow hand fan for scale.
August 21, 2025 at 2:17 PM