cassidy cleland-nissen

Frigid temperatures. The whole world seems to have died.

Willie was spayed on Tuesday. She had 8 teeth extracted, but she doesn’t seem to be bothered by that! We’ve been spending a lot of time around the fireplace and snuggled under blankies on the couch. She has become so important to me, and everyone really, she has the biggest heart and endless amounts of love to give. A tiny kiss and a hug from her has the ability to completely melt me. She’s a tiny angel and I’m obsessed.
Magnolia has developed a strong liking for her Christmas duckie. It was given to her by her cousin, and I think that gives it a little more importance. She likes to carry it around in her mouth everywhere she goes, and sometimes throws it up in the air. I believe it is a game she created on her own, as she tends to do this.

I can never stay asleep. The middle of the night hours are my favorite. When no one else is up. I’ve been spending these hours drawing and creating different things. This is my free time, when no one else can tell me it’s wrong or not good enough, no one else has anything to say. It’s lovely. Sometimes I will do some yoga or try a new meditation, but mostly I just want to create.
The dogs don’t mind it either, they seem to be rather soothed by the soft music and sounds of the pencil to paper. I think the emptiness would be unbearable if they weren’t beside me during these times.
Because Valentine’s day is coming up, I plan to draw a scene from some of my favorite “romance” movies. I’ve never been a fan of romance anything, so I may use the term lightly in my choosing. Anyway…

This is a sort of new way of living, slowing down, I mean. I’ve been creating time for myself to slow down and doing things that are better for me. Taking long baths, just because I need to. Mindfully baking nurturing deserts for my family, being attentive to every detail. I’m no longer rushing from one thing to the next without giving any thought of how I’m feeling. It turns out, that’ll take you from bad to worse real quick.
Needless to say, I’ve joyfully welcomed 2026, as if it actually mattered what year it was. I have faith that mid-life crises only happen once. We’re on to better things.