Heather Cox Richardson taught me today that Pres. Harding "was such a terrible speaker that one man commented that his speeches 'leave the impression of an army of pompous phrases moving over the landscape in search of an idea; (1/2)

Today: A slight fever from my shingles vaccine (expected); a Supreme Court about to let healthcare providers torture children in the name of free speech (expected); water starting to rain down on my desk just as I was about to start a Zoom meeting (unexpected).

2nd Shingles vaccine!

I will be speaking at @freethoughtday.bsky.social, Sunday, Oct. 12th at the CA state capitol! Come celebrate free speech, free thought, and the separation of church and state with us! www.FreethoughtDay.org

a little blog about September: www.dr-karma.com/2025/10/01/s...

"Administration officials are making sure the shutdown doesn’t affect their own priorities. They have prioritized the $20 billion bailout of Argentina’s failing economy as essential, so it will proceed. The bailout will help right-wing leader Javier Milei, a Trump ally. ... 1/2

In about an hour and a half, I'm going to be on Dr. Andy's Poetry and Technology Hour (KDVS 90.3) to talk about California Freethought Day, at the State Capitol, October 11-12! @freethoughtday.bsky.social

My (Grand)Daddy was a highly decorated veteran who served in two wars. He survived being shot down. He wouldn't talk about what happened. He said he didn't want a military funeral, because he was a lover, not a fighter. 1/2

It's the anniversary of the first episode of The Flintstones, which means I'm listening to Weird Al's "Bedrock Anthem." www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtV_...

In the run up to the election, Trump and Vance said immigrants were eating pets. Vance said in an interview that it was a lie, but said sometimes he needed to lie to create a "narrative" for people. 1/3

One of my students, in response to my lesson on why we aren't doing 3-pt thesis essays, said they had definitely written "fictional essays" in school, due to that dumb format. I really like that description.

May we all be as relaxed and spoiled as Graymalkin today.

A new lunch bag to celebrate the start of my 28th year of teaching. Trying to let it cheer me up since this quarter I won't have an office, I don't have access to my copier, fridge, or microwave, and our funds for work computers/tech have all disappeared.

a little blog about while I'll be dressing like this for class at the start of October: www.dr-karma.com/2025/09/23/s...

A few more Paris pics

Luke 6: 27-28: "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Shitler, at a memorial service, no less: "I hate my opponents, and I don't want the best for them."

Shitler: Don't work with Democrats; don't even talk to them! Conservatives: Why won't the Democrats work with us to avoid a shutdown?

St Germain Church, named after an essential ingredient in a French 75

The Consiergerie, where prisoners were kept during the revolution and the terror.

Conservatives: let's make it impossible to hire highly trained foreign professionals, including doctors, scientists, and professors. Then we can put Americans in those jobs. 1/2

My last French ancestors came to the New World in the 1600s. I came back to the New World yesterday. My nation is in crisis. I'm trying not to despair, to remember that progress is always met with backlash, that my country and its people are worth fighting for.

Pretty sure Anubis was the model for the lion in a former life.

My 6th Great-grandfather came from Scotland to study at the Sorbonne. David Pagan would eventually end up settling in America. This week, I'm conferencing here, in his footsteps.

I'm off to Paris!

Happy Star Trek Day!

Alberta ordered all books with references to sex removed from school libraries. One library made a list of what it would remove: The Handmaid's Tale, 1984, etc. Premier Danielle Smith said that was “vicious compliance.” She didn't mean THOSE! 1/2

Alberta ordered all books with references to sex removed from school libraries. One library made a list of what it would remove: The Handmaid's Tale, 1984, etc. Premier Danielle Smith said that was “vicious compliance.” She didn't mean THOSE! 1/2

No one can see Snowball.

Paranoia was becoming her primary source of cardio. Blitz, Daniel O’Malley

Snowball II has been a Waltonen for 5 years!

I don't trust a pardon-seeking sex trafficker when she says 47 "was always a gentleman." I do trust the women who say he assaulted them, including his ex wife. 1/2

Republicans: We can force religious things into classrooms, because we don't have to protect you from ideas you disagree with. Stuff being on a wall doesn't really affect you. Also Republicans: We fire teachers for having signs that say "Everyone is welcome." We ban books. 1/2

Fantastic 4's villain is a lot like Putin. I'm assuming Republican viewers rooted for him, arguing that the Earthings were wrong for fighting for their home world and children.

5 facts about voting by mail: 1. Shitler is lying about voter fraud. 2. The President doesn't have power over how states legislate voting. 3. Abolishing voting by mail disenfranchises Americans: 3a. Military personnel vote by mail. 1/3

I use my air fryer and air fryer/toaster oven a LOT, especially in summer. Last week, I plugged in the latter–it turned on for a second and then died. I tried tripping the breaker, but that wasn’t it. I figured I’d killed yet another appliance from over use...

There's not going to be a Weird Al Exhibit, since 47 is demanding the nonpartisan Smithsonian revise history to fit his partisan viewpoint. Thank you, Al! www.cracked.com/article_4787...

I didn't feel well today, so I binged Emily in Paris with the cats. It may be giving me an unrealistic expectation of how many French chefs I might snog in Paris next month.

Also Kennedy: I'm going to force all parents to follow my medical advice, I'm going to say it's fine to make up sources in reports, I'm going to fire the people qualified to give advice, and I'm going to demand everyone follow my "advice" about mRNA vaccines.

Recipe from my grandmother's cookbook I will not be making

An open letter to Marge, from McSweeney's:

MAGA doesn't like it when I compare it to Gilead, but spending tax dollars to burn contraceptives is definitely in the Commanders' playbook. "The nonprofit MSI Reproductive Choices offered to take over the warehousing and redistribute the contraceptives at no cost to the United States." 1/2

I'm 50 years old! And I can...well, I probably can't do high kicks, cause my lumbar spine is out of alignment, but I can stretch & go for a morning walk!

a little blog about July: www.dr-karma.com/2025/08/01/j...

32 years ago, I was an abandoned pregnant teenager, in days of labor. I wish I could go back and tell her that the challenges will never stop, but that some days will be glorious.

The Wilton House, as featured in Bridgerton, Emma, The Crown, etc.

My hair + humidity