I have been told that certain celebrity girlboss influencers have issued a social media fatwa on this column. Therefore, I’m sharing it again because I’m just that kind of contrary.

Whole thread is worth a read. "He" in the reply below refers to Bill Clinton.

New Hampshire is a little too cold for my taste but with those built-ins and the book collection, I'd never have to leave the house, really.

Whew, @tressiemcphd.bsky.social hits another one out of the park. 🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2026/05/15/o...

When my daughter stood on the USS Arizona memorial and looked at the submerged hulk of the ship and thought on the 900 sailors entombed below, she became distressed, then furious that a few nearby tourists did not observe a respectful silence. But then, she was 13 and had a human soul.

It definitely weeds out the chuds.

“What is wrong with Gen X?” Well, for every alterna-geek that became the face of my generation, there were thirty wannabe Alex P. Keatons, Steff McKees, and Heather Chandlers who used “f*g” or “r****d” freely and with venomous conviction.

Not sure it's the fault of Bluesky or anyone on it that some people/institutions chose to stay on the fascist hellsite long after they should have, sensibly, left it. Likewise I don't particularly care if the rest of the world acknowledges this place exists, I'm here for the hangout with my pals.

Actual conversation my turns-90-next-week Dad overheard at the hospital before his second surgery on his right ankle (which he came through like a champ). "Did he say he had surgery on it in 75?" "No, I think he said it was 75 years ago!" Yep, first one at 15, second one at 89! 1/2

Gift link to this important op-ed by @jamellebouie.net www.nytimes.com/2026/05/09/o...

Centrists…just admit you’re actually Republicans who aren’t comfortable admitting what you actually believe and want to be perceived as virtuous. I promise, it’ll feel better and we can just see where you stand and know you’re part of the problem.

36 psychiatric medical professionals sound the alarm on POTUS mental fitness. Two Senators get it entered into the Congressional Record, though those senators @reed.senate.gov and @whitehouse.senate.gov don't seem to be calling any attention to it. Media? 🦗🦗 open.substack.com/pub/thegrimh...

Best film adaptation of The Odyssey, wrong answers only.

Despite the shit news from the VA Supreme Court, was able to end the week with a bit of joy and relaxation among neighbors at the vineyard 5 minutes from home: delicious arepas from Arepas on Wheels, pleasant temps, evening sun, and a forgettably chill cover band.

Three medical visits today were at least two too many. Two human (routine) and one feline (urgent), and I'm ready to put my cranky pants on. 1/2

Internet rules dictate that whenever you see the Tom Holland Umbrella video, you have to share it. I'm just following the rules.

I'm going to need a deep dive from @maintenancephase.bsky.social on this one. @yrfatfriend.bsky.social and @michaelhobbes.bsky.social are you ready to work your magic?

Menopause: is there nothing it can't do? This post brought to you by the discovery of yet another medical malady that menopause makes more likely.

We can easily do without CNN, but TCM is the greatest cable channel of all time. Rest In Peace, Ted Turner.

It’s striking that the Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais is in some ways worse than even the "pessimistic" predictions of folks writing about race. Yet, not a single reactionary centrist has admitted that the alleged excesses of "wokeness" weren't excessive. They were realistic.

Since the Trump FDA won't tell you, I will. Multiple studies show COVID and shingles vaccines are safe. The FDA kept those studies a secret. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/u...

According to our own made up numbers, we're winning!

Welcome to Gilead!

Respect for the thought. But if given a shard of the franchise, it would center on the crushing bureaucracy of The Empire and the ruthless egotism of the lead revels and the fact that nothing fucking changes.

Paging @ifbookspod.bsky.social.

With Rudy Giuliani in critical condition in the hospital at age 81, despite my differences with him, in the spirit of the common humanity of all people, it is my sincere wish that Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss had a pleasant Sunday with their families.

So what's everyone having for dinner tonight? I made oven roasted chicken thighs, with a Mediterranean salad kit.

Today I'm experiencing the little joys of making dinner with thyme from my very own herb garden, and the big sadness of my 18 year old kitty showing his age seemingly overnight. Yes, we'll be at the vet this week.

The Fifth Circuit has ordered a halt to the mailing of abortion pills, cutting off the primary way that thousands of women have obtained safe abortions in the years since Dobbs and raising grave public health risks. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/01/w...

Name your top 15 TV shows ever, gut instincts only Mad Men Shrinking Sports Night The Muppet Show The Simpsons Freaks and Geeks The West Wing Better Off Ted The Twilight Zone Somebody Somewhere M*A*S*H Key & Peele Gilmore Girls The Diplomat Ted Lasso

A low-grade irritation in the shift in body politics in recent years: a resurgence of thin women posting mirror selfies captioned "and the BMI says this is overweight." The point they are making isn't liberatory, it's anti-fat. It's "the BMI is bad because it categorizes some thin people as fat."

Five that have stuck with me... The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman The Library Book by Susan Orlean Hidden Figures by Margo Lee Shetterly How Infrastructure Works by Deb Chachra The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Playbook | If Donald Trump can get through King Charles’s visit without talking about wanting to sleep with king’s first wife or abusing teen models with the king’s brother, he will have won the expectations game.

1/2 What do they have in common? Berry Gordy. Billy Bragg. Desmond Child. DMC. Easy A.D. Finneas. George Clinton. Iggy Pop. Jeff Parker. Jeff Tweedy. John Jeremiah Sullivan. Lori McKenna. Mariah Carey. Marty Stuart. Miranda Lambert. Natalie Merchant. Phonte. Rickie Lee Jones.

Though my view is of a gas station and E High Street (and at least a couple trees), I'm enjoying the sunshine and blue skies in a little outdoor seating area on a perfect C'ville spring day, while I wait for my S.O. to get a camera up his 🍑.

Time to share this again.

While I'm completely annoyed to have to deal with my second not-my-fault fender bender in less than 2 years, once again, USAA makes it about as easy as possible.

The Beaches sequel we didn't know we needed.

Friday Haiku, brought to you by that peckish post-workout mood: An ode to car snacks Cashew Macadamia Delight for the win

The Veruca Salt Presidency. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/u...

My history thesis seminar was on biography. I chose Katharine Graham, who was a fun and fascinating subject. This was a few years before she wrote her memoir. Only got a history minor because I didn't realize how close I was to a double major till it was too late to cram in 2 more classes.

This is your periodic reminder that Democrats introduced legislation in 2021 to ban gerrymandering nationwide and every republican voted against it except two who were absent.

If the basic human rights of it all won't persuade you, how about the economic decline that abortion bans create?

Pretty sure I got this for around $6 at Bodo's recently. Super excited for the private equity enshittification of bagels (though hopefully they'll consider C'ville too small a market to bother with). www.nytimes.com/2026/04/14/d...

Confirming that my cancellation was the correct move.

Every time Matt Damon takes on a period role he ends up looking like a third baseman for the Phillies.

Got drugs? This Saturday 4/25 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Find your closest location here to safely dump those unneeded Rx meds. www.dea.gov/takebackday

Tonight's theme (my favorite version of this one). youtu.be/dWUa7aAIfLE?...

All eyes are on Virginia tonight and it brings me back to my favorite thing: national news folks who have no idea how to pronounce things in this dang state.