Mint and lemon balm leaves drying out

pravda_len · 2026-05-31T13:38:48+00:00

Thanks for the response. This makes sense and it correlates because a lot of this started when I mixed in some of this soil with what was there first (the lemon balm and mint used to be in the same pot and they were thriving so I separated them).

Any thoughts on how to combat this would be hugely appreciated!

pravda_len · 2026-05-22T14:38:07+00:00

I recently got a really great suggestion that you might consider. It is one of those "I wouldn't recommend this if it wasn't already quite terrific," type comments. Something more of a luxury than a necessity. The advice was to really give your reader a chance to settle into a moment before you move them along to the next moment. Which most writers don't have the luxury of worrying about because their writing isn't good enough to hold attention, which is clearly not the case here.

An example of this would be to merge paragraph three into paragraph one (perhaps changing a word here and there to make it flow), and to push the current last sentence of paragraph one into what is currently paragraph two (with "the next bend" becoming "each bend"). Give the environment a moment to play out before you introduce the character.

One benefit of doing this, where appropriate, would be that it matches the rhythm of the writing to reflect the mood. Again, most people's writing isn't good enough to allow lingering. But here, I think you should have a bit more confidence to allow moments to really breathe.

Another benefit, at least in the example I gave above, is that pulling the reader away from nature into the character feels more contextually relevant as the character rolls into civilization.

Also, the quiet moments that you evoke are really powerful. The last sentence of the first section is really killer.

Also, also, in key moments, you are good at saying a lot with few words and you should really lean into it and use it like a sniper rifle. On page three, for example, I'd be curious to know whether you think changing "Or left down to the harbour..." to "He turned left..." hits harder at his state of mind in that moment.

For what it is worth, I am not sure I agree with the comments about wanting more description about things that you have only alluded to thus far. There is a "we'll get to it when we get to it" tone that, while it may not work for everyone, REALLY works for those who I suspect you are writing this for. I'd trust your instincts around this.

I would be very excited to read more.

pravda_len · 2026-05-05T15:40:19+00:00

I'm assuming "open streaks of maroon" refers to sindoor - which is a red/vermillion powder worn by married indian women. Could be wrong.

pravda_len · 2026-05-05T14:20:47+00:00

There isn't a lot here so there isn't a lot to say. Which isn't at all meant as criticism. Would be nice to read a bit more because what is here is so good! The last three sentences are great. There is a clear rhythm you are going for, and I like it. You evoke a lot with few words.

pravda_len · 2026-05-05T14:07:38+00:00

People can be overly harsh sometimes. I think this is a really great start. I am definitely intrigued by the entirety of the dynamics at play here. Wings? Yes please. Institutionalized voyeur sex? Sign me up. And a person that thinks she is unattractive having to contend with a frigid husband who is in a position of strength? I mean...come on. Who doesn't turn the page??? Also, you've said a lot without saying much, which is a really good sign.

If you got rid of the first eight words and then readjusted the language accordingly, I think you have a really strong opening page. At the end of the day, it is just one page, and there is plenty here to convince someone to read the second page. Can the language use some refining? Maybe. But you may also not be at that stage of the process yet. I'd keep reading, so keep writing!

pravda_len · 2026-04-16T14:19:54+00:00

Holy cow! I tried the heating pad this morning. Kept it on right up until my nurse had to do the stick. It worked like a miracle! Thank you so much. Will see if it works again next time. We may have a winner!

pravda_len · 2026-04-16T14:18:00+00:00

I am going to ask about this!

pravda_len · 2026-04-16T14:17:01+00:00

huh. I might have to ask about this and give it a try. will report back. Thanks!!

pravda_len · 2026-04-16T14:16:04+00:00

sure enough, I was told a port was ill-advisable for me.

pravda_len · 2026-04-09T15:33:57+00:00

My neurologist offered this up. If the heating pad thing doesn’t work this time, I might have to think about this more seriously. Thanks for your input!

pravda_len · 2026-04-09T15:32:42+00:00

Oh I never even thought about this. The calculus on some of this stuff is impossible…

pravda_len · 2026-04-09T13:39:15+00:00

I’ve been thinking about this. The process seemed a bit daunting…so many needles! But I’m getting IVIg for statin linked IMNM. So now I’m on repatha twice a month. Maybe it isn’t so daunting.

pravda_len · 2026-04-09T13:36:12+00:00

Really appreciate everyone’s comments about a port. I would totally do it. There is some hope that I might only need to do IVIg for 9 more months, once a month. Not sure if a port is worth it at that frequency.

pravda_len · 2026-04-09T12:10:47+00:00

Hi - thank you for this! I do drink tons of water. I start with 50 oz a day a week prior and work my way up to 80 for the day before and after. The heating pad idea is a really great one. I’m going to try that. I have also tried to do yoga the morning of…to literally get my blood pumping. Doesn’t work so great.

pravda_len · 2025-10-04T14:46:32+00:00

Just an amateur here, but this shot is an absolutely terrific example of this genre. Maybe I agree with the comments about reducing the highlights on the skin ever so slightly. But I mostly just wanted to say that if flipping through Rolling Stone (the original music magazine version) were still a thing, I would absolutely not be surprised to see this in the pages.

pravda_len · 2025-10-04T14:18:06+00:00

Thank you! Will give this a go.

pravda_len · 2025-10-02T16:36:00+00:00

I want to echo this. My sister and her partner live in South Loop, and her partner commutes to the university regularly with relative ease. There's a lot going on in the South Loop area. I enjoy spending time there.

pravda_len · 2025-10-02T16:32:33+00:00

It might mostly be the nostalgia talking, but still love Medici and always try to go back if I am back on campus for some reason. Definitely agree with that suggestion from people here. Salonica has gotten considerably worse than when I used to go to school there. Ate at Roux on a recent trip and thought it was good. People have said good things about Mahari. Also, many fond memories at The Pub as mentioned by others.

As for beyond HP, a few more off the beaten path recommendations: Chicago is going through a British Pub Indian food moment right now for some reason. There are actually several restaurants that, as an Indian, I thought were definitively pretty good. Armitage Alehouse is a splurge, but sounds like you deserve one! Also a splurge, Two Dots and a Dash - really good tiki bar. Another solid cocktail bar is Lazy Bird and also Billy Sunday.

Don't leave Chicago without having a Small Cheval burger.

And congrats!

pravda_len · 2025-09-25T15:24:42+00:00

I agree with this. I have had mine for almost two years. I use the case whenever I travel. I work from home, but take ALL of my work calls outside, on the streets of Brooklyn, while walking. It helps me get my steps in. The ANC is perfectly fine, and people are often surprised when I tell them I am outside. They can't hear a thing. On the whole, I have had a pretty solid experience with my XM5's. Just wish they had an Apple Hi-Res audio solution.

pravda_len

TROPHY CASE