Elle
LightNews LightNews
banner
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Elle
@elleofthesea.bsky.social
100 followers 93 following 140 posts
Book lover | Writer | Cozy video games | MSW student | Veteran
Posts Replies Media Videos
elleofthesea.bsky.social
February was a slow reading month, apparently. But I always seem to slow down when I'm reading nonfic. Nonetheless, any month where there is reading is a good month!
#BookSky
A white box with a light blue bar at the top. In the blue bar is Ellen's profile photo and the words "@ellsea's February 2025 Reads". Below are the covers for Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty, Radio Apocalypse by K. Gallagher, and Tremors in the Blood by Amit Katwala. The Storygraph icon of two books and a third leaning against the two is in black in the lower right corner.
March 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Cute, cozy co-op game just started tonight. Spouse and I have been looking for games to try that we can play while he's away, and this is adorable. Two kiwis working together in a rural post office to send mail and telegrams and transcription... Love it!

#Videogame #CozyGame #GameSky
Cover art for the Keywe game. In the foreground, two kiwis are on a roller style conveyor belt littered with various letters. In the background is an older gentleman rushing off to the left, away from a canvas mail cart with an octopus bursting out. A cassowary looks on from far left with a letter in its beak. The Keywe title is in 3d block letters, Key in orange, We in blue. Far background features a grassy field, then a line of forest, and mountains.
February 17, 2025 at 5:52 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Here's my mood pie graph! I think it's a pretty broad mix. ❤️

#BookSky
A screenshot of Elle's Storygraph mood pie chart. 10 books, 3132 pages read so far this year. Average time to finish a book is 3 days. The moods of the books read this year from greatest amount to least are: reflective, informative, emotional, mysterious, lighthearted, hopeful, funny, dark, adventurous, tense, and challenging.
February 12, 2025 at 2:43 PM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Had a virtual staff meeting and a Zoom class for my field practicum/internship. Gus wanted to sit with me through it all. Except he got to sleep, while I had to have my camera on.
#DogSky #DogsOfBluesky
A brown and white dog lays on a bed covered with a brown and black stippled blanket. He is draped over his human's arm, which is now trapped - one can only see the leg and torso of the human, wearing jeans and a black hoodie. Background: white wall, mini art gallery to the left, window with shades drawn to the right.
February 12, 2025 at 4:17 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Had our day trip to LA. Spouse lifted v heavy stones for a personal record. I learned I am not much of a city person. I appreciate the convenience, but as soon as we entered the city proper, it felt claustrophobic. I want the ocean, also mountains, and open space. I know, it's too much to ask.
A small, light blue, stuffed jellyfish hangs from a rear view mirror, which is reflecting the gray roof of the vehicle. The dashboard is also gray. Through the windshield, one can make out the dirt median of the road with a guard rail, two vehicles going the opposing direction, and in the distance is the ocean.
February 9, 2025 at 7:56 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
I'm told this is some sort of SoCal landmark on one's journey between San Diego and LA.

I just giggle. Hehehehehehe
February 8, 2025 at 6:54 PM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
LA, I'm heading your way - for a brief visit, but a visit nonetheless!
February 8, 2025 at 6:24 PM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Due to break room discussions, I have switched my current read. I have been meaning to read this for awhile, but it kept getting pushed for one reason or another.

Also, I adore my coworkers.
#BookSky
The cover for Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty.
February 3, 2025 at 10:03 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Excuse me. Gus would like to know what you've done to take care of yourself today. Here, we can see Gus demonstrating personal care by taking a nap.

Have you taken your meds, if applicable?
Have you had water? Food?
Are you rested?
Are you warm?

Please know, no matter what, you are loved.
A brown and while dog is curled up atop a pile of brown blankets on a gray couch. He is comfortably napping while curled up with his favorite human mom. Gus loves you.
February 2, 2025 at 1:45 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
What I read in January. By far, my favorite book was Death of the Author.

What was your favorite read for the month? #BookSky
A graphic summary of Ellen's reads for January 2025. 9 books, 2,860 pages, an average star rating of 4.22. Highest rated reads were Death of the Author (5), The Full Moon Coffee Shop (4.5), and La Vie de Guinevere (4.25). Average book length 315 pages, average time to finish 2 days. Other graphics display percentages of fiction vs no fix, medium of the book, genre, and reading rates per day. A cover collage of the 9 books read this month. The Library of Heartbeats, La Vie de Guinevere, Katie the Catsitter, The Full Moon Coffee Shop, Buy What You Love Without Going Broke, Death of the Author, All that is Wicked, Smothermoss, and Trial by Ambush.
February 1, 2025 at 7:47 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
May not be paid, but at least I'll be fed? 😉
#SocialWork #Internship #FieldPlacement
A white badge with the words "intern meal pass" printed in black.
January 28, 2025 at 2:52 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Next read for my breaks during work tonight. Also bringing my Kindle just in case I can't focus appropriately, but unsure what ebook I'll have queued up. #BookSky
A copy of Lisa See's novel Lady Tan's Circle of Women. Background: very messy bookshelves with, in addition to books, a lone shisa statue candles, hand sanitizer, pens, and journals.
January 27, 2025 at 6:15 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Just finished this one and oh, that was lovely. Dark, interlaced with Appalachian folklore and complex family dynamics. Appalachian Gothic? It's made me so very homesick for Pennsylvania. Missing the mountains that raised me while stuck in a city on the west coast. #BookSky
The cover of Smothermoss by Alisa Alering. It is a black background with green leaves throughout, purple silhouettes of rabbits, birds, moths, and foxes, and two golden eyes.
January 26, 2025 at 1:41 PM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Gus learning how to stay at "place" during dinnertime. Despite the pleading look on his face, I promise you he has a full bowl of food and has had two treat play sessions today. #DogSky
A medium sized brown and white dog lays on a fuzzy tan dog bed, mournfully watching his people eat dinner. They do not share their food, the monsters. Background: black wire kennel and filtered water fountain, gray plastic food bowl (with food in it, we swear).
January 26, 2025 at 5:07 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Life is difficult and the world is on fire. This was my justification for spending the kind of money I just did on strawberries imported from Shizuoka Prefecture, in my second home country. It is, honestly, a flawless justification.
Two packages of strawberries are nestled inside a cardboard box. These strawberries are the perfect shade of red and have been selected specifically for their visual appeal, ripeness, and size. They are also, therefore, expensive even in their prefecture of origin, which is Shizuoka, Japan.
January 23, 2025 at 9:01 PM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Psst. Hey. You. It's 9:30am on the west coast, and I just want to check in.
How are you?
Have you had something to drink?
Taken your meds?
Have you eaten?
Take care of you. You deserve it.
A black and white tuxedo cat has gone total rotisserie chicken on the brown hearing pad that tops the dark gray cat tree. She is sprawled on her back, legs and tail akimbo, not a care in the world. She wishes you victory over your enemies and a cup that runneth over with their tears. Background: white wall, soft gray curtains.
January 23, 2025 at 5:37 PM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
I've some new follows so: hi! Book lover and novice gamer struggling to finish my MSW as my kids fly the nest, veteran dealing with mental illness and progressive hearing loss. I do post current events/news, but like to focus on slices of life, my animals and diverse books. Reading is political.
Elle looks straight at the camera, she is an average height Caucasian woman with rainbow glasses, a gray beanie, brown hair, and a black hoodie with an image of a toaster jumping into a bathtub. Background: gray wall, Mysterious Galaxy neon light sign from the bookstore.
January 23, 2025 at 1:41 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
My first 5-star read of the year. I need time to process what I just read. But I need many, many more people to read this and talk about this. Thank you to @tiffunnireads.bsky.social for your post that helped me find this book! So glad I dove in and bought it ASAP!
(repost for image ID add) #BookSky
A copy of the book Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor sits atop a black and white plaid fleece blanket. Background: living room faux persian rug and gray ottoman.
January 22, 2025 at 5:18 PM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Also, now that I've shared real world news things, I should also share this: my cats. #CatSky
Atop a white refrigerator are a brown and black Bengal cat (sitting, left) and a black and white tuxedo cat (loafed, right). They are staring directly at the viewer, judging, seeking the depths of your soul. Background: various coffee mugs and dark brown cabinetry.
January 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
I'm not done reading this yet but oh... My... Goodness. This is incredible. #BookSky
A copy of Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor sits on a small dark wood grain end table. Background is a carpet and laminate wood floors.
January 22, 2025 at 6:22 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
I started doom scrolling. I'm going to nap. And then I'm going to read. Enjoy a sea turtle pic from SeaWorld San Diego today.
A sea turtle is seen from underneath as it swims above the viewer in an aquarium tunnel. The lighting has tinged everything green.
January 21, 2025 at 1:41 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Just seems like a good time to share photos of the furry ones today. Gus, Oreo, and Zuki.
A brown and white dog is curled up on a fuzzy dark brown blanket on a gray couch. In the background is a side table, bookshelves, and curtains. A black and white tuxedo cat stares judgingly at the camera while laying on her brown heating pad. Background: white wall, gray curtain. A Bengal cat is mini loaded facing the camera straight on. He is laying on a gray mattress cover. Background: white wall, hand drawn and painted artwork and photo gallery.
January 20, 2025 at 3:27 PM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
Just having a moment in the car before I head inside at work. Layers because I swear I work indoors but they're trying to freeze us out. Any other 3rd shift/overnight folks?

Now listening: 3 Nights, Dominic Fike
Book for tonight: Death of the Author, Nnedi Okorafor
January 20, 2025 at 6:45 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
My shelves are past due for an overhaul since hubs got me the rotating rack on the right, but my corner is coming along! #booksky #shelfie
January 20, 2025 at 1:59 AM
elleofthesea.bsky.social
I said I wasn't buying books today. That was a lie. And if you're in San Diego, do yourself a favor and stop by Mysterious Galaxy bookstore! It is such a cozy, welcoming environment with the kindest, most helpful staff. As we've been shopping, they've been hosting a D&D meetup, too! #booksky
January 20, 2025 at 1:04 AM