2FISHES STUDIO BLOG

Good Monday morning. I realize I need to catch up and share my updates, but I believe everything happens for a reason. Looking back, one month was too early for an update. I appreciate your patience and understanding as I navigate this journey. Your unwavering support means the world to me, and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for every one of you. As I reach day 51, seven weeks and one day of my journey, I want to share that it hasn't been a smooth ride. There were days when my mind and body resisted, but my determination prevailed, allowing me to continue my journey. This victory over daily struggles and my higher power keeps me going. My progress inspires you to keep pushing forward in your journey. I had a more challenging time during the first four weeks than during the last three. My chronic illness does cause difficult days, so fighting through and getting ready for the day has helped in many directions but also caused more challenging days. I do plan to dive deepe...

Remembering Chanty Shiverdecker: A Call for Justice and Community Support In the quiet town of Alexander City, Alabama, the tragic story of Chanty Shiverdecker remains a haunting reminder of the unresolved mysteries that still linger in our communities. Chanty, a vibrant 15-year-old, disappeared on December 9, 1994, after basketball practice at Radney Elementary School. Her body was discovered months later, but her case remains unsolved to this day. CChanty Shiverdecker was a sophomore at Benjamin Russell High School, known for her adventurous spirit and kind heart. On that fateful December evening, she stayed behind after practice, waiting for a ride that never came. Her friends and family never saw her alive again. On February 24, 1995, her decomposed body was found at an abandoned lumberyard near Highway 9 in Coosa County, approximately ten miles from where she was last seen. Despite extensive efforts by the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office, Alexander City Police Department, and th...

Junky Journal? Yes, that is our mission: to make a junk journal. Have you ever heard about Junk Journaling? Well, I hadn't until yesterday, and I thought we could do this together—a journal journey, a little road trip, if you will. It's not just about the result but the exciting journey of creativity and self-discovery we'll embark on together. Let's start by setting our goal small, so we stay calm and relaxed. We can begin by writing a tiny two-week journal. Then, we can embark on our first one-month journal in October. The goal can be to write at least 12 journals in one year starting October 4, 2024, and try to do a page a day. Remember, everything can be adjusted as we go, as we are not married to any one idea. This flexibility allows us to experiment and find what works best for us. This diary should teach us to turn junk into beauty, to see the beauty in the old and used parts of our lives. These journals will help us develop the habit of saving money and fost...

Honoring a Hero: John Sidebottom and the Battle of Trenton For the past 20 years, I have dedicated myself to uncovering the remarkable story of my 5th great grandfather, John Sidebottom. His bravery and quick thinking during the Battle of Trenton played a crucial role in saving the life of James Monroe, who would later become the fifth President of the United States. The Battle of Trenton On the morning of December 26, 1776, General George Washington led the Continental Army in a surprise attack against Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey. This pivotal battle was a turning point in the American Revolutionary War, boosting the morale of the Continental Army and the American cause. Amidst the chaos of battle, my grandfather, John Sidebottom, demonstrated extraordinary courage. As an eighteen-year-old Lieutenant, James Monroe was severely wounded. John, a mulatto and free Black man, along with another comrade, carried the injured Monroe to safety, ensuring he received the medical ...

Let's work together to research, or better yet, I will do the digging and provide you with the essential details. That's how I prefer it. When investigating, I don't want to read a whole book and see the same information repeated on every page. You want to get to the point as fast as possible if you're like me. Our shared goal is to conduct efficient research, and this approach is designed to meet our needs. We will work together to accomplish this goal. My diagnosis was two going on three years ago, abt the age of 45. I have questioned if I feel like I have had a BD all my life, and I have to say that after learning more about BD, unfortunately, I believe I have. My first question after my diagnosis was, do I have to live with this forever? The answer was yes, which led to, will I struggle even when I take my medication? That answer was that it would likely continue to happen until your medication was correct, and then there would be fewer and further between befo...

  Let me be Reality Rita for a moment. I want to discuss the most valuable lesson I have learned so far—okay, maybe two. This one is most important by far, and that is to slow down. In today’s fast-paced world, we’re often caught in a whirlwind of activities, constantly moving from one task to the next. But what if the most essential life lesson is to slow down? Slowing down can profoundly transform our lives, helping us make fewer mistakes, experience less regret, and appreciate the beauty around us. Life goes fast when we wake up; we’re bombarded with notifications, deadlines, and responsibilities. It’s easy to get swept away in the rush, but this constant hustle can lead to burnout and a sense of unfulfillment. We can savor each moment by intentionally slowing down and living in the present. This doesn’t mean we stop being productive; instead, we become more mindful of how we spend our time. I remember a time when I was juggling multiple projects at once. I was constantly on the...