Betsy Snow White Bibliophile

Category: Slice of Life

  • 19 Days of Blogging

    19 Days of Blogging

    In the past couple of years I have become friends with some absolutely amazing people, and a couple of people have asked me how I make friends as an adult. I can honestly say that I have absolutely no idea, lol. I have become the kind of person who will just start talking to people, and just kind of put myself out there. I do not know where this came from because if you had asked me I would have told you that I was a bit shy and reserved. Now, however I am the kind of person who will just walk up say hi and ask if we can be friends. It is not subtle, lol.

    My husband, Seth, says that I have a vast reserve of emergency bravery that I access when it is needed. This is a pretty accurate description for what happens when I turn it on, because I will be nervous with butterflies and anxiety until it is time and then suddenly I am outgoing in a way that I have never been before. I manifest self-confidence in the strangest way and I kind of love it.

    A big part of this change in my demeanor was becoming the Madam of Local 73 for the International Wenches Guild. Suddenly I am just approaching people to introduce myself, being a welcome wagon, pitching, getting people to play games, and offering cards and info to bad ass future wenches. I have pushed myself so far out of my comfort zone, that I forget what my comfort zone was. It is a strange thing to realize that while I might have once been shy, now I am the kind of person who hands out cards and asks people to come play with me, really.

    This is also the guiding force to when I decided to start a skating group during the pandemic. I just put it out there and then took charge, something that young me would never have done. I got to meet some amazing people that I never would have met if I hadn’t just put it out there.

    I decided to make this year the year of Badass for myself, but I honestly think I have been on my way there for a while. I just didn’t notice because I was having too much fun.

  • 20 Days of Blogging

    20 Days of Blogging

    February is always a strange month for me. It feels like a transitional month no matter what else is happening in the month. Part of this is that Seth and I both have March birthdays, as does my sister-in-law, Niki, so we are constantly looking forward to what is to come. Part of it is also that in the last several years the majority of Ohio’s wintery weather appears in the month of February. Add all this to the fact that it is already the shortest month of the year and it becomes the ultimate liminal space.

    Because of that I often spend the month in a bit of a shadow work, self-reflection and deep thinking space that can be both insightful and a little painful. Maybe my mind wants to work through all the crap before I turn another year old, or maybe I have a mild case of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Currently I am working through some anxiety issues, some impressive imposter syndrome, and some issues with holding myself back because of fear of failure. These are nothing new but they are here and I am working through them. I am making myself journal some of this out, and working through it with Tarot as well. The work is necessary and not very fun.

    The plus is I am learning some good things about myself and my psyche as well, so you take the light with the shadow, right?

    Photo below of all seeing eye earrings made by the daughters of my friend Susan. They run an etsy shop called RoamJewels where they sell their beautiful jewelry.

  • 21 Days of Blogging

    21 Days of Blogging

    I am working on a new list of things I want to do when the world goes back to normal.

    • Visit NYC
      • See Hadestown on Broadway
      • Visit the Museum of Moving Image
    • Visit Nashville
    • Visit Philadelphia with Traci
      • Visit Mutter Museum
    • Visit DC
      • Visit Smithsonian
    • Go to the Bristol Renaissance Festival
    • Go to St Louis Renaissance Festival
    • Go to Sterling Renaissance Festival
    • Go to Michigan Renaissance Festival (again)
    • Go to Kentucky Highland Renaissance Festival
    • Visit Sedona Arizona
    • Visit Iceland
    • Visit London
    • Visit Ireland
    • Visit Toronto

    So…I should probably start saving up. lol.

  • 23 Days of Blogging

    I am still shopping far too much online. It is an issue and also I feel like I am supporting a lot of independent artists by from etsy and personal websites. I have ordered so many stickers, pins, shirts, bath bombs and other amazing things for myself online. Here are some of my favorites from this week. (Seriously this is just what was delivered this week, except the coffin earrings which are from last week I think.)

    Coffin Earrings by Kianayouwanna – These are amazing. You can fill them with anything and wear them. Want Valentine’s Day coffins? Bam. Easter? Bam. How could I resist that? I bought Black Lives Matter pins from Black Cat Insignia. I think it is important to be an ally, and important to support Black Owned businesses while doing so. These pins are super high quality and will live on my two favorite jackets.

    I bought some skate stickers, a patch and some sparkly pink razorblade charms for my skates from ProjectPinup. I am planning to fix up an old rusty skate case I own and I want to cover it in skate related stickers, so I have been buying skate stickers like a crazy person. I also bought a cropped sweatshirt from Blood and Thunder that says social distance skating club. I can’t wait to wear it. I love it so much!!

    I bought myself some witchy stickers for my skate case and for use in my planner. These adorable holiday stickers from Wise Minerva Studio for Imbolc, Ostara and Beltane. A “Support your local witches” sticker from Moonrise Goods Co. Holographic pentacle stickers from pastelspell which are so rainbow shiny they make me so happy.

    I also bought a bunch of bath bombs from my favorite bath bomb company Witch Baby Soap. Honestly I buy from them monthly, but I grabbed a big bunch this month because I was completely out.

    Today in the mail I got a fantastic shirt from the company, Out of Print, as well. They released this amazing shirt featuring the Muppets that I can remember being on the wall of the library in my elementary school or our public library when I was little. I had to have it.

  • 26 Days of Blogging

    I am a podcast addict…there I said it aloud and that is the first step. The thing is that I have no intention of not listening to podcasts any time soon. I don’t always learn something from Podcasts, but sometimes I do. I am always entertained, and I am almost always happy that I listened even to a podcast that deals with a serious subject. I am going to list some of my absolute favorites here. Some of these are incredibly popular, some are more independent, and some a relatively unknown but they are all among my favorites.

    • The Smartest Man in the World Podcast: This is the podcast that started me on podcasts. Greg Proops (Whose Line) talks about history, politics, art, literature, baseball and whatever takes him. I think of Greg as my unofficial father and sometimes in times of chaos I want his opinion more than anyone else.
    • My Favorite Murder: Karen and Georgia reignited and reaffirmed my love of true crime. I am still an avid murderino and I am so happy for how prolific they have become.
    • I Hate It but I Love It – Kat Angus and Jocelyn Geddie talk about the movies that they both love and hate. Some absolute stand out episodes are The OA (episode 1 and hysterical), Speed Racer, Jupiter Ascending, Super 8 and the cross overs with Talk From Superheroes (another great podcast) Star Wars Episode 2&3. I also support them on Patreon and it is worth every penny. Kat and Jocelyn live in my head in the best way.
    • The Daily Zeitgeist: This is not your parent’s news show. Jack O’Brien (formerly of Cracked) and Miles Gray host this amazing news podcast that happens every work day. The guests are amazing. It is educational but still funny.
    • Behind The Bastards: Robert Evans and guests lay out the stories behind some of the worst people in history. Things like the author of Hitler’s favorite books. He also has made two special events Behind the Police and Behind the Insurrection that are super informative and a tiny bit depressing.
    • Bananas: Kurt and Scotty go over the strangest and funniest stories in the news. It makes me laugh every single time. This podcast is the best palette cleanser in the world.
    • The Pastie Tapes: I make no secret of the fact that I love burlesque. This podcast hosted by the luscious Siomai Moore is interviews, behind the scenes and just generally great insider burlesque and I love it.
    • Scam Goddess: Laci Mosely is hilarious, ridiculously talented and a total scammer. This podcast will definitely make you laugh.
    • Hippie Witch: Joanna talks all things witchy, biz witchy and law of attraction. She is such an absolute force of nature. I support her on Patreon as well.
    • Ologies: Ask smart people dumb questions. Alie Ward is everyone’s pod dad and learning with her is one of the best things in the world. I have gotten so many people to listen to this podcast.

    I also listen to (in not particular order): I Saw What You Did, That’s Messed Up, Crime Junkie, The Murder Squad, Tenfold More Wicked, Skate Date Podcast, Unraveled, The Villain Was Right, Ghosted!, American Shadows, Cabinet of Curiousties, The Bechtel Test, I Said No Gifts, Lady to Lady, True Crime Garage, Cadaver Gals, Teen Creeps, This Might Get Weird, Sinisterhood, Mortified, Lolita, Do You Need a Ride, Talk from Superheroes, All Killa No Filla, Mom’s and Murder, Worst Year Ever, Snap Judgement, The Fall Line, Noble Blood, Lore, Iweigh, The Devil’s Music, Unobscured, Spooked, The Cryptonaturalist, and more.

    I told you I have a problem, lol. Any podcast recommendations?

  • 27 Days of Blogging

    27 Days of Blogging

    I used to be a prolific journaler. I always had a journal in hand. I used them as a diary, a planner, a scrapbook, and storage space. I still carry one with me, but I just don’t seem to use it as much as I used to. It is something I would like to get back to. I pulled out my old journals recently to help me write a poem for my poetry class, because I had a list of things I could be when I grow up and the poem needed to include a list.

    Today I was looking at these amazing pieces of my history. Taking a moment to read back through old relationships, how I have never really known what I want to do with my life, lists of things I want to do, buy or be, fun articles, my favorite horoscopes, and bits of overheard conversation. There are feathers, leaves, bits of ribbon, little drawings, poems, cards, and so many stickers. I read through the first days of Seth and I’s relationship, how hopeful I was while being cautious, it is so cute to read being a couple for almost 14 years (the anniversary of our first date is in May).

    My journals have been composition books that I decoupaged and decorated. They have also been beautiful art books that I have purchased from artists. I don’t know that I have a preference on which of these is better. I have loved them both, and worn them both out to the point that they are fraying on the edges and very well loved. The composition books have more me on the outside but it is the inside that counts, right?

    Photos of my various journals.

    These books hold so much of my past in their pages. And I am shocked and dismayed to see so many similar themes popping up from then to now, wanting to be thinner, feeling directionless, hating my job, fearing change…over and over again. I can see that there are some big changes needed in my life. Or, I can see that my mindset needs to shift beyond these things.

    Here are some of my favorite pages, pieces, poems, and such from my journals over the years.

    I am feeling a pull for a new journal. I feel like I might have a new composition book upstairs. Maybe it is time to break out the ModPodge, magazines and ephemera to make a new one. And start making lists again and wishing and dreaming to myself.

    Also, in case you were curious here is the poem I wrote for class from my list.

    When I Grow Up…
    English Professor, or author
    or maybe both?
    Journalist, or radio host, or
    One of those crazy morning shock jocks.
    The girl who makes orgasm noises for songs,
    or the opera singer for horror movie climax (just a different climax).
    Counselor or psychiatrist.
    800-number psychic friend,
    “Call me now for your free tarot reading.”
    Belly Dancer? Lawyer? Warrior Princess?
    Open a bookstore, with a cat and lots of comfy chairs.
    As a girl I was told that when you hit 40 you are old.
    Here I am breaking the mold
    And trying to decide what I will be when I grow up.

  • Buffy, Vampires and Me.

    Buffy, Vampires and Me.

    January 19th was the 40th birthday of Buffy Sommers, the titular heroine of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I was someone who was an on and off Buffy watcher when it was on, because sometimes I had plays and such that made it so I couldn’t watch and this was before watch later options (I am that old.) But I watched when I could and even occassionally had a watchalong with my friend where we would talk on the phone (picture a 90s cordless phone) and discuss the action as it was taking place. As an adult I went back and binged the full series, and I am thinking of doing it again.

    Buffy and I are the same age (She was a couple of months older than me but born the same year) and it made it so I could relate to so much of the chaos and growing up Buffy had to experience outside of being the Slayer. Buffy was endlessly relatable. When she had problems with school/life balance, wasn’t sure what she wanted to be when she grew up, had to take on a shitty job to make it through, ended up growing up traumatically with the death of her mother, had a little sister appear out of nowhere, and lost her virginity to a literal monster.

    I was one of those girls who immediately fell in love with Rupert Giles instead of one of the more logical teenage boys or you know Angel who was teenage boy adjacent (until Oz hit the scene OMG I love Seth Green). Now, when Spike hit the scene my Billy Idol loving ass immediately was like oh, that too. Please world give me a punk British librarian. (Is there a character like this? If so please let me know. Male or Female…or non-binary.)

    I still sometimes look to the energy of Buffy for strength and the courage to do what is right. I recently ordered myself some stickers from etsy to make my own Buffy prayer candle because the news of her birthday really made me think of all the things I learned from her. How to walk through the fire. How beer is good. How to save the mother f#cking world.

  • A New Dawn…?

    Today is the inauguration of Joe Biden as our 46th President. I have never been happier to see a President voted out of the White House than I am to see 45 go. And yet, I am still trepidatious about what is to come. I think there is a feeling that this leadership change will fix all of the ills in this country and that is such a fallacy.

    There is so much work to be done in America toward equality and equity. America’s health care system needs to be gutted and overhauled. White Supremacists and Fascists need to be routed out and shown that there is no place for them in our country.

    I will go into this new administration with hope for tomorrow, but cautious optimism. I will absolutely celebrate our first female Vice President, Kamala Harris. I will try to be the face of change in my world. We have work to do, but hopefully this is a step in the right direction.

  • 2020 is Finally Over…2021 Has Begun

    2020 is Finally Over…2021 Has Begun

    I have chosen my word of the year for 2021…Badass.

    Amazing bracelet I bought from CynicalRedhead on Etsy that says badass.

    This came from several instances in the past year when someone referred to me as badass, several of Seth’s coworkers, a random friend, etc. After the third or fourth time I started thinking, hmm…am I a badass. Maybe, but would I like to be more of one, absolutely. So I decided pretty early in 2020 that my word for 2021 will be badass.

    Then for a 2020/2021 Tarot Challenge on Instagram by @Lionharts I needed 3 keywords for the challenge, so I added to badass the words transformation/ transformational and revolution/ revolutionary. That is a lot of energy for 2021 but I am liking it. I want this to be a powerful year. I am turning 40 this year. I just started a new job. I am working on finishing my Master’s Degree. I am hoping to write more, skate more, laugh more. This is my year of more. Safely more.

    So let’s make 2021 as badass as I am trying to be.

    Did you set a word, or intention for 2021? What are you looking for in the coming year?

  • On The First Day of Blogmas:

    On The First Day of Blogmas:

    Happy December!! The year is almost over. The holidays are upon us. I am looking super festive today while working from home.

    Picture of me wearing a green sweater with a red undershirt, a red and green jingle bell headband, christmas tree earrings, green eyeshadow and red lipstick.

    It is the first day of Sockmas for me on Instagram so if you are interested you can check out all the socky goodness over there.

    Today I wanted to share my Holiday trees for 2020 which went up this past weekend. In my foyer is a 9ft pencil tree with blue and white lights which is holding our “special” ornaments which are a mixture of our collectibles and the various ornaments we have gotten from ugly ornament exchanges over the last couple of years. This year my little sister surprised me with two new Muppet ornaments from Hallmark one of which is from my birth year! (1981)

    In the living room is my Pink and Glitter tree, inspired by the song “Pink and Glitter” by Tori Amos. I ordered my incredibly bright pink tree from Michaels. Some of the ornaments I owned and some came from Target. The owl tree topper was found at Joann’s. I am madly in love with this silly tree.

    I hope you enjoyed my tree tour! See you tomorrow!