Nope. Not interested in "a modern AI browser." Just switched my Windows 11 PC's default browser from Firefox to @waterfox.net. Easy peasy. Already see features I like.

#ArlingtonVA was molten tonight! View looking across the river from a friend’s West End DC apartment. @capitalweather.bsky.social

“clients lost total faith in human writing” — It’s not just the copywriters who suffer dehumanization. open.substack.com/pub/bloodint...

For all those enduring not just medical treatment but the assault of less-than-helpful language, may you have access to the three “wellness” items that the author lists as actually working — a comfortable chair, a competent nurse, and an uninterrupted nap. open.substack.com/pub/nutmegph...

“But the real inheritance—the one that will matter in fifty years, in a hundred years—is the knowledge I’m preserving and organizing and making accessible.” This effort builds a legacy for all of us in #ArlingtonVA. Thank you, Wilma Jones! open.substack.com/pub/wilmaj/p...

It's a sign of the times that VA gov-elect Abigail Spanberger's first cabinet pick is the secretary of health and human resources. virginiamercury.com/2025/12/02/s...

I’m very pleased with this darning job on my favorite fingerless glittens, restoring them to service.

This cookbook is sure to become a classic. @koshersoul.bsky.social is an amazing advocate for and interpreter of culinary history. I love his Cooking Gene kitchen pepper!

There is no evidence linking COVID-19 vaccines to deaths in children. There is evidence that COVID causes serious harm — including long COVID, MIS-C, cardiac complications & diabetes. This administration’s actions are dangerous, and the damage to the public and children may be irreversible

A remarkable body of research, shedding light on hundreds of 19th and early 20th Irish people who would probably otherwise be invisible to the historic record, many the poorest of the poor. #SpéirGhorm #speirgorm

I feel like I’ve made my annual attempt to plug into pop culture, now that I’ve watched the Macy’s parade *and* K-Pop Demon Hunters.

I missed Wilma Jones’ debut on Substack in September, but now I’m happily subscribed to her posts on #ArlingtonVA Black history. open.substack.com/pub/wilmaj/p...

If you live in the Washington, DC, area or visit soon, don’t miss The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art. You’ll never see anything like it unless you actually travel to Australia (to which the exhibition offers a heartfelt invitation.) On thru Feb. www.nga.gov/exhibitions/...

Beautiful reflections, especially for anyone feeling pressure to “get it right.” As a #NativePlants enthusiast, I definitely relate to the stories told by leaves laced with holes, green acorns, and flower heads with a few seeds that the goldfinches missed. open.substack.com/pub/michelag...

The loss of the CDC as a reliable source is devastating. Once a jewel in America’s crown of scientific expertise, it will be very hard to rebuild. open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...

Strong all-ages turnout for Remembrance Sunday in Kippen, Scotland, despite the drizzle

Well done, kiddo!

I’ve always enjoyed kaleidoscopes, but the last place I expected to encounter them was outdoors, in a garden — 3 very high quality instruments at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, aimed at a dish of brightly colored succulents. Video in 2nd post. Locator photo in comments. 1/2

Discarded 18 expired COVID rapid tests. (I checked for expiration extensions.) Glad we didn’t need to use them but remorseful about the addition to the waste stream. Kept the swabs, thinking they might be handy for household cleaning tasks. Still have a couple of COVID/Flu/RSV tests in reserve.

Mitigation measures will include construction of temporary aviaries to over-winter some of the conservation park’s resident birds and protect them from wild species that might harbor bird flu. Is your local zoo doing anything similar? www.fotawildlife.ie/blogs/news/f...

The president demolished the East Wing to build a ballroom. It’s hard to think of a better metaphor for what’s happening to our health ecosystem—gutting Medicaid, weakening the CDC, and cutting SNAP. The symbolism isn’t subtle: luxury expands while the systems that keep people healthy contract.

Spent the afternoon at The Getty Center in Los Angeles. As many times as I’ve been there, I still find art works that move me for the first time and viewpoints that I never noticed before. Hope you find something to enjoy among the images I captured. 1/4

Such heartbreaking news for lovers of the Irish language and landscape. I’m so glad to have met him during his Gaelic Tamagotchi tour. The word I was given to protect is “cáfall”, which means an easy-going dude. #speirgorm www.rte.ie/news/2025/10...

I am taking a peculiar joy in learning that there is such a thing as "puppytooth."

“Your capacity to sustain this work for years is itself a form of resistance.” An excellent pep talk for writers, readers, and doers alike. substack.com/@mccormickmd...

Finally, a judge who clearly delineates the current regime‘s unconstitutional assault on the First Amendment AND also is determined to find a remedy, not just issue an opinion. More of this, please. open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...

I work with Veterans. If I told them that they "killed people and broke things for a living" they would (rightfully) tell me to go to hell. Those that have had to kill someone in the line of duty most often view it with sadness, regret, and one of the worst experiences of their lives.

We are so lucky in #ArlingtonVA to have not one but two urban farms working on different models, the other being Fresh Impact Farms on Langston Blvd, serving mostly top restaurants but also producing greens for direct sales to eaters. 1/2

Thank you, Governor, for the $400 check that I can now donate to an organization that actually supports my local #ArlingtonVA community since I can't depend on you to acknowledge the hurtful impact of fed layoffs, ICE raids, and the other chaos emanating from the WH.

To get clean air infrastructure everywhere, we need as many governments, states, cities, nonprofits, schools, businesses etc. to sign on as possible. Please read the pledge, share it, and push your local orgs to join! Link to Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air: aas.eventsair.com/healthy-indo...

ACOG: “Failing to treat medical conditions that warrant the use of acetaminophen [aka Tylenol], such as maternal fever, persistent headaches, and pain, can be dangerous.” www.acog.org/news/news-re...

One commenter wondered about how the harvesting machinery would fare, but this idea from Denmark looks like it’s very much worth further trials.

“I am horrified.” From a comment on @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social report on yesterday’s ACIP meeting and the likely delay in vaccinating babies for HepB: “It’s much worse than ridiculous. As an obstetrician, who has cared for mothers who were hepatitis B carriers and delivered their babies …” (1/5)

Enjoyed this book so much that I’m sorry we finally finished it after reading a word a day. It’s a keeper! Thanks for the recommendation, @irishacw.bsky.social. #SpeirGorm #SpeirGhorm #SpéirGhorm app.thestorygraph.com/books/259f0c...

U.S. health insurers’ trade association announced yesterday that any vaccine recommended by ACIP as of Sep 1, 2025 (inc. COVID) will be covered without copay through 2026, effectively pre-empting whatever ACIP decides at this week’s meeting. H/t @cmyeaton.bsky.social www.ahip.org/news/press-r...

This is probably my last #NativePlants bloom report for the year (Round 8), as we’re waiting only for the final asters, and they’re a little camera shy. But we have early goldenrod, white wood aster, blue stem goldenrod, and late boneset. 1/2

Strategy almost backfired. I had to get out my “power tool” (aka bamboo spade) to get the 3’ tall hornbeam out of the ground. Its tap root is already half its height! Have posted it in Virginia #NativePlant swap group. Hope it finds a good home.

If you need an inner palate cleanser, go see Tinā. Very refreshing. It's now surpassed Whale Rider to landing at #5 on the Top Ten Most Successful Kiwi Films list. youtu.be/j5OkETp2wSw?...

Changing strategy in my accidental hornbeam nursery — I’m going to pot them up only when they are at least a foot tall rather than move the littlest babies. That means I’ll have only 2 to give away this year but maybe 2-3 dozen good-sized seedlings in 2026. #NativePlants

Kids still need a prescription, but folks 65+ and those 18-64 with an underlying condition can get a COVID vax from a Virginia pharmacist as of now. Tips: Check to make sure it’s in stock, and ask your health insurer if they’ll pay.

Got my UK ETA today for an upcoming trip. The process using the app was surprisingly easy. The hardest part was finding a plain background with lighting that didn't cast shadows.

So far, I really like Wanderlog's on-screen layout, even though it doesn't capture all the key details from emailed items, e.g. seat assignments for flights or check-in/out times for lodging. (Haven't tried the app yet.) BUT printing is even worse than TripIt, as if it's been given zero thought.

Blew my mind before the first cup of coffee. Directly relevant to a talk that I’m working on for my spiritual community. I’m off to read Amanda Gefter’s article on Peter Putnam next. open.substack.com/pub/luciantr...

Looking at you, Florida.

This was immensely satisfying and took just a few steps to accomplish.

Look who’s fresh out of their chrysalis (at lower left)! Swamp milkweed for the win! #NativePlants

Chipped in to sponsor a mile of signage for this new network of comfortable #ArlingtonVA bike routes to help link key destinations with existing bikeways. Safe streets are for everyone!

Monarch caterpillars aren’t the only critters munching on milkweed here in #ArlingtonVA. iNaturalist identified this as a fork-tailed katydid. #NativePlants

Glad to see my #ArlingtonVA school system pushing back. According to APS, the funding is primarily used to provide over 8,000 low-income students with free breakfast and lunch and to offer special needs students counseling and educational supports.

Many people can’t get COVID shots from their local pharmacy because the parent corp won’t give the OK until a hijacked committee meets at a future date. I urge VA legislators to decouple our health care from the whims of the current regime. ‪@hopeforvirginia.bsky.social‬ ‪@barbarafavola.bsky.social