Nalin Ratnayake
@naratnayake.bsky.social
I write SFF as N.A. Ratnayake. I'm also an engineer, runner, and technical program manager. This account is for my creative/literary side. Find me on the web at https://naratnayake.com.
Here’s my attempt to follow @cricklewoodnature.bsky.social’s Wonder-Filled Wednesday #4, teaching about shadow using a pinecone! I used to consider myself a pretty terrible artist, but it’s amazing. What a few videos and a little practice can do. #nature #naturejournal #drawing
May 5, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Here’s my attempt to follow @cricklewoodnature.bsky.social’s Wonder-Filled Wednesday #4, teaching about shadow using a pinecone! I used to consider myself a pretty terrible artist, but it’s amazing. What a few videos and a little practice can do. #nature #naturejournal #drawing
I’ve been messing around with ink sketching in my regular journal. I think I’m ready to level up a little bit and try my hand at some #nature #journaling and sketching using charcoal as well, and warranting its own sketchbook.
April 13, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I’ve been messing around with ink sketching in my regular journal. I think I’m ready to level up a little bit and try my hand at some #nature #journaling and sketching using charcoal as well, and warranting its own sketchbook.
Oh, this is so cool! So that’s why everyone so hyped up about March madness. I wish someone would’ve told me it’s actually about cheese, all this time I thought it was about some kind of sport ball thing.
March 3, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Oh, this is so cool! So that’s why everyone so hyped up about March madness. I wish someone would’ve told me it’s actually about cheese, all this time I thought it was about some kind of sport ball thing.
The Sacramento River is very high right now. So much rain lately.
February 17, 2025 at 12:56 AM
The Sacramento River is very high right now. So much rain lately.
Long before all this hit, we booked a couples retreat this weekend in San Diego. It’s been not only a wonderful set of tools for our marriage, but a much needed pocket of escape from all the crazy of the world right now. I feel better prepared for the changes ahead with my life partner by my side!
February 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Long before all this hit, we booked a couples retreat this weekend in San Diego. It’s been not only a wonderful set of tools for our marriage, but a much needed pocket of escape from all the crazy of the world right now. I feel better prepared for the changes ahead with my life partner by my side!
Peaceful foggy winter morning at Shaw #Nature Reserve, a part of Missouri Botanical Gardens that is out in Franklin County near Labadie.
Part first run back out there since the marathon, part slow thinkwalk through the woods and prairie.
Part first run back out there since the marathon, part slow thinkwalk through the woods and prairie.
December 28, 2024 at 5:03 PM
Peaceful foggy winter morning at Shaw #Nature Reserve, a part of Missouri Botanical Gardens that is out in Franklin County near Labadie.
Part first run back out there since the marathon, part slow thinkwalk through the woods and prairie.
Part first run back out there since the marathon, part slow thinkwalk through the woods and prairie.
Dispatches from Missouri Christmas
December 26, 2024 at 12:29 AM
Dispatches from Missouri Christmas
Oh hey! My mother-in-law apparently bought a copy of my latest anthology publication! Reminds me I need to re-pub this one as a free ebook and on the site with the rest of them. Soon as I find a cover artist to commission…
December 22, 2024 at 2:15 AM
Oh hey! My mother-in-law apparently bought a copy of my latest anthology publication! Reminds me I need to re-pub this one as a free ebook and on the site with the rest of them. Soon as I find a cover artist to commission…
And now… let Midwestern Cozywintermas… begin.
December 22, 2024 at 2:13 AM
And now… let Midwestern Cozywintermas… begin.
I have never used a backflow incense burner before. This is strangely fascinating and I kinda love it.
December 20, 2024 at 5:18 AM
I have never used a backflow incense burner before. This is strangely fascinating and I kinda love it.
Winter vacation morning vibes
December 18, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Winter vacation morning vibes
Ran the Cali International Marathon last weekend here in Sac! Didn’t quite hit my A-Goal, but can’t complain about a PR… with PRs for my half and 10k along the way this season. 7 marathons in 4 years - I need a break! Won’t do one in 2025 but hope to return year after next. #running 🏃🏾💨
December 15, 2024 at 1:46 AM
Ran the Cali International Marathon last weekend here in Sac! Didn’t quite hit my A-Goal, but can’t complain about a PR… with PRs for my half and 10k along the way this season. 7 marathons in 4 years - I need a break! Won’t do one in 2025 but hope to return year after next. #running 🏃🏾💨
First time just bringing the empty spice and bulk containers with me to refill rather than getting new paper bags and transferring later. Actually so easy, and no chance of getting too much or too little to exactly fill what you need. Just takes a couple minutes upfront to get a tare. ♻️
November 27, 2024 at 8:47 PM
First time just bringing the empty spice and bulk containers with me to refill rather than getting new paper bags and transferring later. Actually so easy, and no chance of getting too much or too little to exactly fill what you need. Just takes a couple minutes upfront to get a tare. ♻️
Started: Salman Rushdie, LANGUAGES OF TRUTH: Essays 2003-2020. Already love it.
#amreading #books #nonfiction #story #writers #writing
#amreading #books #nonfiction #story #writers #writing
November 25, 2024 at 4:21 AM
Started: Salman Rushdie, LANGUAGES OF TRUTH: Essays 2003-2020. Already love it.
#amreading #books #nonfiction #story #writers #writing
#amreading #books #nonfiction #story #writers #writing
After watching the small human on my shift this morning, three hours of discretionary time granted by Management, and the best seat at the McClatchy Library is free, on a Saturday afternoon with no further commitments for today.
November 23, 2024 at 11:12 PM
After watching the small human on my shift this morning, three hours of discretionary time granted by Management, and the best seat at the McClatchy Library is free, on a Saturday afternoon with no further commitments for today.
“Prepare to pants!”
“Why are you preparing? You’re always preparing! Just pants!”
“Just pants!”
“Just pantsing, sir.”
🫡😬🫣😱🚀🧨
#amwriting #fantasy #firstdraft
“Why are you preparing? You’re always preparing! Just pants!”
“Just pants!”
“Just pantsing, sir.”
🫡😬🫣😱🚀🧨
#amwriting #fantasy #firstdraft
October 21, 2024 at 3:06 PM
“Prepare to pants!”
“Why are you preparing? You’re always preparing! Just pants!”
“Just pants!”
“Just pantsing, sir.”
🫡😬🫣😱🚀🧨
#amwriting #fantasy #firstdraft
“Why are you preparing? You’re always preparing! Just pants!”
“Just pants!”
“Just pantsing, sir.”
🫡😬🫣😱🚀🧨
#amwriting #fantasy #firstdraft
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 20
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 20
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
October 13, 2024 at 10:10 PM
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 20
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 20
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 19
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 19
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
October 13, 2024 at 10:08 PM
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 19
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 19
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
I love this. And speaking of 1k words…
So I literally posted the title of the run shown in screenshot 1, and then immediately got the notice in screenshot 2 that I hit my 1000th activity on Strava. Had no idea that was coming.
Just get out there. It adds up.
So I literally posted the title of the run shown in screenshot 1, and then immediately got the notice in screenshot 2 that I hit my 1000th activity on Strava. Had no idea that was coming.
Just get out there. It adds up.
October 13, 2024 at 3:50 PM
I love this. And speaking of 1k words…
So I literally posted the title of the run shown in screenshot 1, and then immediately got the notice in screenshot 2 that I hit my 1000th activity on Strava. Had no idea that was coming.
Just get out there. It adds up.
So I literally posted the title of the run shown in screenshot 1, and then immediately got the notice in screenshot 2 that I hit my 1000th activity on Strava. Had no idea that was coming.
Just get out there. It adds up.
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 18
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 18
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
October 8, 2024 at 2:28 PM
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 18
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 18
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 17
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 17
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
October 7, 2024 at 6:06 PM
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 17
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 17
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 16 (a day late)
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 16 (a day late)
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
October 7, 2024 at 6:04 PM
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 16 (a day late)
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 16 (a day late)
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 15
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 15
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
October 5, 2024 at 2:56 PM
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 15
#books #booksky #bookchallenge
Day 15
#books #booksky #bookchallenge