Jaym Gates
@jaymgates.bsky.social
Wearer of many hats. TTRPG, video game, and fiction writer & editor. Co-editor of Strategy Strikes Back, War Stories, co-founder of Falstaff Books & Project Lodestar, etc. No kings. Abolish ICE.
After the terror and stress of fireworks, all three dogs are snuggled up in various spots around us, snoring their heads off.
July 6, 2025 at 9:06 PM
After the terror and stress of fireworks, all three dogs are snuggled up in various spots around us, snoring their heads off.
In my continuing quest to be a really confusing main character, my trusty mount is now...a rainbow zebra?
(He pulled a hamstring while pulling a tantrum.)
(He pulled a hamstring while pulling a tantrum.)
June 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
In my continuing quest to be a really confusing main character, my trusty mount is now...a rainbow zebra?
(He pulled a hamstring while pulling a tantrum.)
(He pulled a hamstring while pulling a tantrum.)
Speaking of which, the three faces of Magni: cutest little teddy bear muppet marshmallow who just wants snuggles and FAE HOUND PADS FROM THE DEPTHS OF NIGHT (or, in this case, the kitchen) TO CLAIM YOUR PUNY SOUL and TEEF.
June 22, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Speaking of which, the three faces of Magni: cutest little teddy bear muppet marshmallow who just wants snuggles and FAE HOUND PADS FROM THE DEPTHS OF NIGHT (or, in this case, the kitchen) TO CLAIM YOUR PUNY SOUL and TEEF.
I fell asleep on the couch cuddling Magni, and woke up to the feel of those bear-like jaws gently picking my hand up and trying to put it back around his neck. It took me a few minutes to figure out what he wanted and he kept picking it up until I wrapped my arm around him. Then back to sleep.
June 10, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I fell asleep on the couch cuddling Magni, and woke up to the feel of those bear-like jaws gently picking my hand up and trying to put it back around his neck. It took me a few minutes to figure out what he wanted and he kept picking it up until I wrapped my arm around him. Then back to sleep.
Life has been rough lately, but at least the hawthorns are blooming.
May 7, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Life has been rough lately, but at least the hawthorns are blooming.
But it is really, really good to be home, too. Magni and Sif absolutely mobbed me and have been clingy all evening. I've been gone lots lately and will be gone lots more this month, but hopefully they will forgive me after that.
April 30, 2025 at 8:20 AM
But it is really, really good to be home, too. Magni and Sif absolutely mobbed me and have been clingy all evening. I've been gone lots lately and will be gone lots more this month, but hopefully they will forgive me after that.
I spent the better part of the last week in California with an incredible group of designers, working on some NDA projects. It was a much needed respite as the barrage of personal/family bad news continues.
If you're going to have a panic attack, might as well at least have this view.
If you're going to have a panic attack, might as well at least have this view.
April 30, 2025 at 8:17 AM
I spent the better part of the last week in California with an incredible group of designers, working on some NDA projects. It was a much needed respite as the barrage of personal/family bad news continues.
If you're going to have a panic attack, might as well at least have this view.
If you're going to have a panic attack, might as well at least have this view.
Last autumn, I wrecked myself planting hundreds of bulbs. Any time I wanted to quit, I reminded myself I would probably need them by the time they came up.
I had no idea how true that would be. We're living in a nightmare, but last year I planted flowers, and I am still here to see them.
I had no idea how true that would be. We're living in a nightmare, but last year I planted flowers, and I am still here to see them.
April 10, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Last autumn, I wrecked myself planting hundreds of bulbs. Any time I wanted to quit, I reminded myself I would probably need them by the time they came up.
I had no idea how true that would be. We're living in a nightmare, but last year I planted flowers, and I am still here to see them.
I had no idea how true that would be. We're living in a nightmare, but last year I planted flowers, and I am still here to see them.
There's a reason Shepherds are called Velcro Dogs. He was sound asleep on my hand, my legs over his. It's really unfortunate that their intense emotional bond is so often corrupted to turn them into attack dogs.
April 10, 2025 at 6:18 AM
There's a reason Shepherds are called Velcro Dogs. He was sound asleep on my hand, my legs over his. It's really unfortunate that their intense emotional bond is so often corrupted to turn them into attack dogs.
It was a pretty nice afternoon to be outside.
March 19, 2025 at 1:08 AM
It was a pretty nice afternoon to be outside.
One of the tools we learn to use in Systema is the Cossack whip. Yes, it fucking hurts when someone gets you with one. It also, used correctly, stimulates blood flow without doing any damage.
My instructor was very good at using it.
My instructor was very good at using it.
March 13, 2025 at 4:52 AM
One of the tools we learn to use in Systema is the Cossack whip. Yes, it fucking hurts when someone gets you with one. It also, used correctly, stimulates blood flow without doing any damage.
My instructor was very good at using it.
My instructor was very good at using it.
Someone was VERY HELPFUL with the planting, but he doesn't quite understand what I'm doing.
March 13, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Someone was VERY HELPFUL with the planting, but he doesn't quite understand what I'm doing.
Dogs running on cat_sunbeam.exe software.
March 6, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Dogs running on cat_sunbeam.exe software.
Another Standie owner posted a video of her (blind) boy, and he still has Antares beat. At least mine wasn't CLUMPED.
February 28, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Another Standie owner posted a video of her (blind) boy, and he still has Antares beat. At least mine wasn't CLUMPED.
He rolled so many times. And found a watery mud puddle to make sure his belly was coated. His poor blanket...
February 28, 2025 at 4:12 AM
He rolled so many times. And found a watery mud puddle to make sure his belly was coated. His poor blanket...
Today got to me a little, just too many things all at once, and I hit a pretty bad spiral.
So, I spritzed on a favorite cozy perfume (Sorce's Stuck on You), played the piano for about 30 min, and painted a bit. And spent time w/my EXTREMELY muddy horse. Like, dude. And he wanted cuddles.
So, I spritzed on a favorite cozy perfume (Sorce's Stuck on You), played the piano for about 30 min, and painted a bit. And spent time w/my EXTREMELY muddy horse. Like, dude. And he wanted cuddles.
February 28, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Today got to me a little, just too many things all at once, and I hit a pretty bad spiral.
So, I spritzed on a favorite cozy perfume (Sorce's Stuck on You), played the piano for about 30 min, and painted a bit. And spent time w/my EXTREMELY muddy horse. Like, dude. And he wanted cuddles.
So, I spritzed on a favorite cozy perfume (Sorce's Stuck on You), played the piano for about 30 min, and painted a bit. And spent time w/my EXTREMELY muddy horse. Like, dude. And he wanted cuddles.
Recolored my hair and got it trimmed today. Hair cut days are my favorite because she straightens it and I get a blessed few days of peace from the curls.
February 27, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Recolored my hair and got it trimmed today. Hair cut days are my favorite because she straightens it and I get a blessed few days of peace from the curls.
I feel like this shot would be 100x spookier if it was minus one orange soccer ball.
February 18, 2025 at 6:24 AM
I feel like this shot would be 100x spookier if it was minus one orange soccer ball.
Our spooky bare willow trees.
February 18, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Our spooky bare willow trees.
No, we were surrounded by hellhounds.
February 18, 2025 at 6:21 AM
No, we were surrounded by hellhounds.
It was foggy and spooky tonight on our evening walk with the dogs.
February 18, 2025 at 6:02 AM
It was foggy and spooky tonight on our evening walk with the dogs.
Our annual February game weekend is rapidly approaching, and menu planning is in (late) full swing. 12 people, 3 days.
I make a list of everything that sounds good/fun right now, then whittle it down a few times. Half the fun is 'shopping' my cookbooks.
I make a list of everything that sounds good/fun right now, then whittle it down a few times. Half the fun is 'shopping' my cookbooks.
February 12, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Our annual February game weekend is rapidly approaching, and menu planning is in (late) full swing. 12 people, 3 days.
I make a list of everything that sounds good/fun right now, then whittle it down a few times. Half the fun is 'shopping' my cookbooks.
I make a list of everything that sounds good/fun right now, then whittle it down a few times. Half the fun is 'shopping' my cookbooks.
#30DaysOfArt part 1, a tiny blue bead pendant drawing on the idea of flowers in the rain.
January 31, 2025 at 1:22 AM
#30DaysOfArt part 1, a tiny blue bead pendant drawing on the idea of flowers in the rain.
#30DaysOfArt part 2, an extravagant pair of flowered earrings in gold, pink, yellow, and a tiny bit of green shimmer.
January 31, 2025 at 1:21 AM
#30DaysOfArt part 2, an extravagant pair of flowered earrings in gold, pink, yellow, and a tiny bit of green shimmer.
Today's #30DaysOfArt centers around a repurposed earring. The necklace a friend wore for her wedding came with some VERY heavy earrings, so this is a more friendly use of them.
They are from a traditional Indian wedding jewelry set, so the back is enameled in red and green.
They are from a traditional Indian wedding jewelry set, so the back is enameled in red and green.
January 27, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Today's #30DaysOfArt centers around a repurposed earring. The necklace a friend wore for her wedding came with some VERY heavy earrings, so this is a more friendly use of them.
They are from a traditional Indian wedding jewelry set, so the back is enameled in red and green.
They are from a traditional Indian wedding jewelry set, so the back is enameled in red and green.