u/Calligraphie

I don't have any idea what you mean by "cut out" (maybe like using negative space in your project, I'm guessing? With the holes/lacing bits). But this is GORGEOUS. if you start selling this pattern, definitely let us know.

This would be super easy to mend, but it might be worth trying it yourself rather than paying for it. You see that "ladder" of threads in the middle? Essentially you'll want to pull those up through the loops of the knitting to "re-knit" them. Grab a small crochet hook and, for a better explanation, look for knitting tutorials on fixing dropped stitches! Even as an amateur it'll probably be fairly invisible.

My childhood cat used to like to eat things that aren't food. We spent $2000 a pop to get her taken care of, but this was also like 30 years ago so it wouldn't surprise me if prices are up to $7k-$8k.

Everyone is the protagonist of their own story, no?

I think I'd rewrite it to give her a backstory that made her feel like she only has worth if she has power. She jealously hates people who have power and abilities that she cannot attain, and shuns those who have none (squibs) or whom she thinks should have none (Muggle-borns) because the thought of having no power at all terrifies her.

Working for the ministry is one thing; having a say in someone's guilt or innocence, having their life in your hands. Being able to control part of the wizarding world. It makes her feel strong and powerful.

Power over a school is another thing, and when the school kids don't cooperate, she feels she has to get stricter or else she'll lose her power/worth.

The whole Voldemort thing makes everything more complicated for her. Here is a wizard who has power, the sort of power she can only dream of. But he offers her a small slice of power, operating under him to further his cause. Maybe she's jealous of Voldemort, maybe she hates him for his power, or she's terrified and feels like she's in too deep to do anything but comply. Maybe all three. But she can't stop now, because to back out now would mean losing that control, and she's desperate to keep hold of that, to keep her power without things spiraling out of control--and anyway, under Voldemort, it might be a death sentence.

And then, in the climax, she loses everything--any shred of power she had before, with only her magic abilities left to her, the same abilities as the average wizard, the same abilities she shares with those she hates: mudbloods and werewolves and centaurs.

And then she's sent to Azkaban, where she has to relive her terror and desperation and her loss of power for the rest of her life.

Yep

So, what would you change to make it more palatable?

So much promise in that lovely gridded Aida!

I feel like it might possibly be appropriate, at this age, to upgrade from Lil Dude to The Dude. (Insert jokes about abiding here.) But yeah, his name is basically Lil Dude now. Congrats!

As a kid, I had a cat that I wanted to have a meaningful name. I spent quite a while trying to find the perfect name. But we kept calling her Rascal, because she was one. Guess which name ended up sticking? Haha

And if Boss somehow doesn't get the problem with Coworker asking for help, it's okay to say, "I'm already doing A, B, and C on top of my normal work, thanks to the loss of our other researcher. Which one would you like me to drop in order to do D for Coworker?"

Petition to lean into the "pride" part of the sub name, and also be a safe space for our Southern LGBT+ friends? Because I can't think of anything better that would annoy the "Muh Heritage" bigots than queer folks spitting on the Confederacy. Also, African Americans and other targets of racism sharing their family histories (as they know them) would be beautiful to see.

“there’s pride in them/their hills.”

Shut up, I love that so much. That's clever, lol!

GNU Terry Pratchett 💗

Can vouch for fabrics-store! I love their linen. I don't know if it's the best deal on linen, but it's pretty reasonable imo.

Just tell 'em, "Vet says he's a healthy weight! He was under weight before."

I figured you meant something like that, but the mental image was too good not to share.

Lewis has been caught hiding under Marnie's bed, so maybe that's a thing around town, lol. Just stash your lover under the bed when they're not convenient!

You're doing good work. I wish I could be there, but I will be sending you all the good vibes I can!

Maybe compile a list of those who can't make it, and the city they're from? That would be a nice sign to hold, especially if it's crammed full of names!

I learned that it had been banned from NPR, because apparently they're making a movie of it and so they had people on to talk about it. I've never read the book, but now I have two good reasons to!

I love the implication that he just has a whole entire woman stashed away

I know I'm late to the party and you've decided already, but this is fantastic fabric. I think it would be killer as a simple gathered skirt, but it's also going to make such a fun dress! I hope you'll post pictures when it's finished!

St. James Hotel has an amazing restaurant. And if it's nice out, Falconer Vineyards has a patio with a lovely view.

I've been to D, as a guest, and it was sweltering and humid and the bugs were out and I swore off outdoor weddings forever. Lol

I do like C, though!

Baby food may be your best friend! Good way to get a variety of nutrition when you feel like you can only eat ice cream and mashed potatoes.

Congrats on the successful procedure!

No one is special for existing, or for learning, or for being intellectual. Those are possible for most humans, given enough willpower.

But everyone has something that makes them special from those around them. No one is a carbon copy, not even identical twins. Think of your specialness not as setting you above anyone, because it doesn't, but from making it possible to pick you out of a crowd.

It sounds like he likes not planning things more than he likes hanging out with people. Which does not say anything good about how much he likes seeing his friends.

"You probably don't mean it this way, but it makes me feel like you don't enjoy my company enough for it to be worth the effort of reaching out to me. You say you enjoy hanging out, but actions speak louder than words, you know? I need you to initiate things once in a while." If you're willing to help him make plans when he reaches out, let him know that too. If not, maybe give him a short list of easy hangout ideas (bars, movies, etc.) for when he does decide to plan something.

If he doesn't take that well, or doesn't follow through, then maybe it's time to decide if it's worth the energy you spend on him. Maybe it is, maybe it's not, but you get to decide either way.