Dr. Kristina Downs
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kristinadowns.bsky.social
Dr. Kristina Downs
@kristinadowns.bsky.social
340 followers 220 following 250 posts
Folklorist. Childless cat lady. Wine maker. Goth fairy. I research legend and crime. She/her

Thoughts are my own, not speaking for anyone else.
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kristinadowns.bsky.social
When you forget to check your special character coding...
An envelope with the words "your A&M System benefit "
May 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Cat tax
An orange stretched out across several neatly folded towels on a gray rug. The towels are pink and purple.
March 29, 2025 at 2:37 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Reading some Welsh folklore-y stuff, so I got my Pwca to help.
A gray cat looks over an open book.
February 12, 2025 at 4:20 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
On a light note, here's three of my adorable cats! (Puca is hiding in good trickster fashion)
Three cats: a gray tabby, a gray and white, and an orange kitten, curled up on a purple blanket.
February 5, 2025 at 7:11 PM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Don't do it, Jorts! Puck here swallowed a little piece of elastic cord and even though he avoided surgery he had to spend all day at the vet getting help to flush it out. While he was there he caught a cold, which he shared with two of his kitty friends at home! They are not happy about it.
February 1, 2025 at 4:26 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Managed to get great tickets for this year's #PrevagenUSChamps
January 25, 2025 at 1:59 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Cholula: "Though she be but little, she is fierce." Midsummer Night's Dream III.ii.342
An orange tabby kitten on a plush blanket
January 5, 2025 at 12:46 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
I've decided for no real reason my cats all need signature Shakespeare quotes. Pasha: "I am determined to prove a villain." Richard III, I.i.30
A gray tabby cat sits on top of a stainless steel refrigerator.
January 5, 2025 at 12:40 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
In the American South, there are a number of variations on New Year's foods. In my family it was always black-eyed peas and cabbage. I was taught cabbage brings money and BEPs brought luck. #Folklore #Foodways
A plate with a sliver of cornbread, roasted cabbage, and a pile of black-eyed peas.
January 1, 2025 at 11:38 PM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
The rule is if your flight is delayed you get to buy an overpriced glass of wine while you wait.
A glass of red wine on a counter.
December 27, 2024 at 8:42 PM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Day 24 of #25DaysOfCocktails is 3 oz orange juice, 1.5 oz gin, 1 oz Midori.
A clear mug with a bright yellow liquid is surrounded by gift bows.
December 25, 2024 at 5:07 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Day 23 of #25DaysOfCocktails was orange juice and tequila with a spash of creme de cassis. Made freehand to accompany late night gift wrapping.
A clear mug half full of a pinkish liquid surrounded hy giftbows and spools of ribbon.
December 25, 2024 at 5:05 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
I'm once again behind, but day 18 of #25DaysOfCocktails was a rosemary old fashioned: sprig of rosemary muddled with .5 oz of lavender syrup, 2 oz bourbon, dash of lavender bitters. Drink didn't photograph great, but enjoy co-mixologist Puca.
A stemless wine glass decorated with red and gold poinsettia sits in front of a red lantern with a Christmas tree on it. A gray cat is visible in the foreground.
December 21, 2024 at 12:40 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Day 17 of #25DaysOfCocktails is a coconut basil mojito: .75 oz lime juice, 1 oz Lemongrass syrup, 2 oz each coconut rum, coconut water, and fizzy water. Muddled fresh basil.
A stemless wine glass decorated with red and gold poinsettia sits between a clear glass Christmas tree and a red bottle shaped like a cat.
December 18, 2024 at 7:33 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Tonight for #25DaysOfCocktails was another gin basil smash variation. This one has lavender syrup, lime basil, lime juice, and gin.
A stemless wine glass decorated with red and gold poinsettia sits on a blue mat between two white candle with silver snowflakes on them.
December 17, 2024 at 7:07 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Day 16 of #25DaysOfCocktails was a Mosquito. Equal parts mezal, Campari, ginger syrup, and lemon juice. This one was new to me and it's delicious!
A stemless wine glass decorated with red and gold poinsettia sits between a clear glass Christmas tree and a red bottle shaped like a cat.
December 17, 2024 at 6:57 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
I've gotten behind on posting #25DaysOfCocktails ! Day 15 was my take on a White Christmas Daquiri. Equal parts coconut rum, blue curacao, lime juice, coconut water, and cream of coconut.
A stemless wine glass with an opaque blue liquid sits between a while stone figurine shaped like a hollow egg and two sparkling pink Christmas trees.
December 17, 2024 at 6:47 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
He'd probably deny it, but I think Cholula is winning Pasha over.
An orange kitten curled up beside a large brown tabby on a tan blanket. The kitten looks at the camera; the bigger cat appears to be asleep.
December 14, 2024 at 7:53 PM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Night 13 of #25DaysOfCocktails was similar to the night before. 3 oz pomegranate must, 2 oz coconut rum, 1 oz lime, topped with carbonated water
A glass with a pinkish liquid is flanked by two sparkling Christmas trees.
December 14, 2024 at 3:14 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Pro tip: seeding 7 pomegranates leaves your kitchen looking like a crime scene.
A white onyx counter with a kitchen mallet, red cutting board, and large liquid measure are all covered with spatters of bright red liquid over everything.
December 13, 2024 at 5:13 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
It's after midnight, but we're still counting this as day 10 of #25DaysOfCocktails Hot whiskey. 1 part Jameson whiskey and 2 parts boiling water poured over lemon slices studded with cloves. I added fresh ginger since I had some and a little honey.
A clear mug with an amber liquid and lemon slices sits beside a gold poinsettia on a red cloth
December 11, 2024 at 7:18 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Day 9 of #25DaysOfCocktails have been grading late, so I wanted something simple. Went with a gin and soda, made kinda fancy with Aura Bora Lime Cardamom sparkling water. Waterloo No. 9 gin.
A glass with clear liquid and two slices of lemon sits on a red cloth with a beaded white ball and a plaid fabric poinsettia beside it.
December 10, 2024 at 5:32 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Day 8 of #25DaysOfCocktails A riff on a Hemingway daiquri: 2 oz each coconut rum and grapefruit juice, .5 oz lime juice, splash of grenadine .
A wine glass with a snowman border is filled with a liquid that is pink at the top and red at the bottom. It is flanked by two pink sparkly Christmas trees.
December 9, 2024 at 6:44 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Also can we talk about how great cats are? I walked in the door still teary and they were all, "Don't cry! Look how cute we are!" This girl had been sitting on my desk purring for like 10 minutes now.
A gray and white cat sits on a brown desk with a monitor in the background.
December 9, 2024 at 4:41 AM
kristinadowns.bsky.social
Tonight for #25DaysOfCocktails I'm keeping it simple: bourbon, ginger beer, and peach bitters.
A glass with an amber-colored liquid is surrounded by sparkling Christmas trees in silver/white, dark blue, and pink.
December 8, 2024 at 5:29 AM