🎶He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas day When the New York Times said, "God is dead And the war's begun"🎶 youtu.be/SEgEmTgAEUk?...

A farmstead in central Vermont, March, 1940. Photo by Marion Post Wolcott for the Farm Security Administration. It had been a snowy winter. (Library of Congress)

Heading into town, Woodstock, Vermont, 1940. A photo by Marion Post Wolcott for the Farm Security Administration. (Library of Congress)

Dr. Seuss works on a character for an upcoming book in this 1957 photo by Al Ravenna for a New York newspaper syndicate. Something about Christmas if I recall. (Library of Congress)

Cat Christmas, 1906. The rat has escaped and eaten the turkey. A cartoon by Louis Wain from the archives of the Detroit Publishing Company. (Library of Congress)

Whatever he's selling, the boys want one for Christmas. A 1910 photo in NYC from the collection of George Grantham Bain. (Library of Congress)

Science Magazine's 2025 Breakthrough of the Year, renewable energy. youtu.be/Z8JFCJP70rg?...

In the autumn of 1944, the US 1st Armored Division printed out some simple paper Christmas cards for the troops to send home. This one was sent by my pop to his parents in Kansas.

In this 1914 Bain News Service photo volunteers and US servicemen are packing crates with 6 million gifts for European children affected by war. The crates would go into the hold of the USS Jason in November for delivery before Christmas.

Peddlers are hawking their wares at Christmas time in this 1900 photo from the archives of Bain News Service. NYC I would think. (Library of Congress)

One lousy glass of eggnog....

Another beautiful Shchedryk performance amidst ruins. It was set in what used to be a DTEK thermal power plant — now destroyed by russia. The contrast between russia’s destructive nature and the Ukrainian will to create beauty even in the darkest times is palpable.

❤️‍🔥 A photo of a family from Ukraine has been named one of National Geographic’s best images. The photo by British-Swedish photographer Anastasia Taylor-Lind shows young Tymofii wearing a T-shirt reading “My dad wears the uniform of the AFU,” holding the hand of his aunt, Olha.

Edward S Curtis shot this photo of three young Hopi women at an unidentified New Mexico Pueblo in 1906. It's my understanding that the distinctive 'squash blossom' hairstyle was worn by women eligible for marriage. (Library of Congress)

As Hanukkah begins, I’m thinking of the victims of the horrific attack in Sydney. The Jewish community has always been resilient, but this shows we all must continue standing together against antisemitism. Gabby and I hope everyone celebrating Hanukkah can find peace and light.

Somebody murdered Santa, and we're all searching for the culprit.

Today marks the 148th birthday of Mykola Leontovych, a famous Ukrainian composer. His iconic tune, Shchedryk (aka Carol of the Bells), is a symbol of Ukraine’s culture. Listen to its captivating performance by Cultural Forces. Even amidst ruins, it exuberates life and hope❤️

happy 100th birthday to dick van dyke, one of the funniest and most charming people to ever exist. we are lucky to have him for so long

Winter, weekend, whisky.

We’re here. We’re standing firm. Stand with us. #StandWithUkraine️

A couple of mouse hole mirrors made from tree knots. Not very hard. #makingstuff

Who will speak for the trees?

Oops, she did it again. youtu.be/6s1GnijF3D4?...

The peace talks continue.

A Hopi potter with some elegant wares is photographed in 1900 in Oraibi, Arizona by Adam Clark Vroman. Vroman was a bookseller from Pasadena with a penchant for photography. His book store still exists. (Library of Congress)

Instead of a thousand words. A Ukrainian Defender, leaning on a cane, is standing silently by the Black Sea in Odesa. 📹: panolla2/TikTok

Dreaming of eating sugar plum fairies.

A craftsman is drilling turquoise in Acoma Pueblo in this 1900 Adam Clark Vroman photo. Patience, patience. (Library of Congress)

The mountain cat stalks his prey.

The Kyiv Metro — a regular shelter for local residents — has become a place of joy, thanks to resilient people singing carols and celebrating Saint Nicholas❤️ Even in the darkest hour, Ukrainians find the light within and share it with each other, lifting their spirits.

In much of the English speaking world they were called navigators or navvies. In America they were called gandy dancers, the men who laid the bed and tracks. Jack Delano took this photo in Illinois in 1943 for the Office of War Information. Gandy dancers doing hard work. (Library of Congress)

Twigs, ribbon, painted sunflower husks. Easy-peasy. #makingstuff

Caturday. Ring that bell, Iggy.

Saint Nicholas Day is when you show your loved ones you care. Share your love with them, while helping Ukrainian children❤️ Send money to Visa cards in Ukraine, and TransferGo will transfer 0.5% from every transaction to UNITED24's educational projects: u24.gov.ua/every-transf...

These are letters from Ukrainian kids to Saint Nicholas, sharing what they wish for most today. 🧵 1/11 ⬇️

As America goes through it's post-modern vaccine wars- "In February 1777, while encamped at Morristown, Washington became convinced that only inoculation would prevent the destruction of his Army. ...Washington ordered the inoculation of all troops." www.armyheritage.org/soldier-stor...

Help equip 61 preschool shelters in Ukraine. Make kids feel safe — donate now. 🔗 u24.gov.ua/merry-kidsma...

What's so funny about peace, love and understanding? youtu.be/Ssd3U_zicAI?...

Recently, a robot helped safely remove a russian drone from the roof of a residential building in the Kyiv region, minimizing risks to civilians. Another example of how powerful robotic platforms can be — and another reason to join the Allies of Steel fundraiser with the MFA Ukraine👇🏼

Way cool in my book.

Irving's Giant Pain Curer, circa about 1840. My guess is it contained a liberal dose of opium. (Library of Congress)

Lumber scrap buildup is a fire hazard and needs to be averted. #makingstuff

1866 ad flyer for Lone Star Liniment. Be you man or beast, it's good for... whatever. (Library of Congress)

Energy transitions can happen faster than we think: In 2000 almost 90% of Denmark's electricity was from fossil fuels. In 2024 less than 10% of Danish electricity was from fossil fuels.

A patent medicine merchant is working some farmers at a North Carolina tobacco auction in this 1939 photo by Marion Post Wolcott. (Library of Congress)

So lean upon Him gently And don't call on Him to save You from your social graces And the sins you wished to waive youtu.be/5WSulenOUb0?...

1920s photo of Klyuchevskaya volcano on Kamchatka letting off a little steam. Photo by IE Larin. (Library of Congress)

Street art in #Ternopil: artist Andriy Yermolenko created a mural near a house destroyed by Russian missile.

A small tree turned out of Karelian Birch. It's a pricey wood, but worth every penny. From a sustainable plantation in Estonia. #makingstuff

Fine early albumen print of a photo taken on Rhone glacier, Switzerland in 1860. (Library of Congress)