"Warm Heart of Thanksgiving," a pure fractal made in Apophysis 2.09 today for this post

I know everyone on Hive does not celebrate United States holidays – for that matter, of my own accord, I wouldn't either … but I have a family and community that I love, with many elder members who find meaning and regularity in their traditions. So I make it my business to celebrate those loved ones, knowing that the days will come in which I will be glad I made time to do that in every way that was meaningful to them.

But I also am grateful for the community here on Hive … the one consistently bright spot as the world sank into the pandemic and my nation went through riots, a contested election, and all the aftermath. As other social media simply became a wasteland, I thrived here in community on Hive. I owe to Hive and Hivers and eternal debt of thanks, and since I won't have time tomorrow, I am making time today!

I am now a major creative – the potential was there, but to be fully a writer daily ...

https://peakd.com/hive-161155/@deeanndmathews/20-november-2023-mariannewests-freewrite-writing-prompt-day-2226-not-another-election

... author for the fourth and fifth times (and in that fifth time, I have Hive mentions and a dedicated chapter so others can come find what we all found) ...

… composer …

… fractal artist with mixed media digital upgrades …

A pure fractal made in Apophysis 2.09 -- the "Golden Mirror Queen"

Several pure fractals pulled together to make for an alien, beautiful mountain overlook of the "High Valley" in the distance

… and photographer …

Photo by the author, Deeann D. Mathews, November 13, 2023

… is something that Hive and its community gave me a chance to daily discover and become.

Something Hive gave me back is not as obvious – I was a professional journalist, and I have rolled that skill into being a curator here. I always wanted my own newsletter … realizing the potential to curate my fellow Hivers every week in Things Ms. Dee Likes is the fulfillment of that thirty-year dream, this year.

But even past that … @jesuslnrs is coming through here telling me he is building music playlists from my modest contributions to Three Tune Tuesday, and he is a musician who rubs shoulders with the likes of Placido Domingo (y'all go read all that on his page) … what an honor … so the curation is now in second-generation action!

Thank you, Hive community. If I start naming names, I'm going to miss a lot of people, so thank you ALL, every single person that makes up this wonderful community!