Yesterday I didn't leave the house (and only discarded my pyjamas at 3pm 😬). Today I walked and walked in the sunshine (chilly, admittedly) AND did Pilates. Both fine. Both made me feel fab. All enabled by my ability to pick my battles, not beat myself up, oh and be an adult with a brain.

Got through the day with catastrophe head unenacted (not sure that's a word). Calling that a win. 🥳

It's the time of year when the handknit socks get smaller (so they can hang on recipient's trees). #ShowMeYourKnits

Thank God for Bluesky: A little love letter to the people who would not compromise with Nazis iandunt.substack.com/p/thank-god-...

Worth [how ever long it takes you to read it] of your time. 🥲

Knitted gifts are the best gifts! 🧶 #showmeyourknits #knitting

Just because international solidarity doesn’t seem to be an election winner right now, it doesn't mean that saving lives and working together to solve the challenges humanity faces is suddenly a bad idea.

Good to talk to Rest is Politics. Great show, tough subjects. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/l...

Fantastic interview with Tom Fletcher on his new role as UN Humanitarian Chief. Particularly appreciated his reference to the Auschwitz scene from Bronowski's "The Ascent of Man" -- a masterpiece of science education. 🎥Bronowski clip: youtu.be/ltjI3BXKBgY

Community is the antidote to despair. Happy to host! 🌹

Sleeves...🧶 I could have been wearing this Felix sweater this winter if I hadn't stalled on the sleeves. It would have been finished even sooner if I hadn't knit the first sleeve and stopped... What is it about sleeve procrastination? #showmeyourknits #knitting

In an effort not to completely stick my head in the sand, I'm trying to stay abreast of world affairs (and especially US shenanigans). Finding these the most level headed (via email newsletters and subscription). @hcrichardson.bsky.social @uk.theconversation.com @rbreich.bsky.social @newyorker.com

Yesterday's walk saw the last of the snow and ice (and some lovely trees). #CountyDurham

There comes a point in a #knitting project's life that you really, really just want it to be finished...(and those ends all need sewing in too 😭). Sigh. Laya shawl be done soon please, so I can wear you. 🧶

I am searching for right wing voices who are standing up to Musk and speaking clearly against what is happening. It's very hard. Some are silent, which is better than active participation but not exactly brave.

Photographer Kathrin Swoboda captured amazing images of a red wing blackbird's song, visible via the bird's breath in cold air and early light #womensart

I'm not crying. You're crying 😭

So funny. These kids are excellent storytellers (some of the lip syncing is hilarious).

Superb thread, music, and support. What's not to love? Merry Christmas all.

A wee Sunday at the end of 2024 reflection. lyndathompson.substack.com/p/two-years-...

There’s no such thing as “too many books”—only not enough shelves, not enough time, and not enough space for the dream library with a sliding ladder. But let’s be honest… we’ll keep buying books anyway.

Loneliness at Christmas is a real issue. But if people want to be alone at Christmas, and don’t find it lonely, can we please just let them? | Rachel Morris

Sigh

Very thoroughly enjoying all of the vignettes in this publication. Very inclusive focuse and encouraging. Love @meganjgibson.bsky.social 'Be a good citizen' in particular.

Tosin Oshinowo: Redefining African Architecture Through Context and Collaboration - https://www.archdaily.com/1024037/tosin-oshinowo-redefining-african-architecture-through-context-and-collaboration

Superb @merriam-webster.com 🤣😁

Bad information ruins lives. I’ve just donated to @FullFact.org From 3 December-10 December your donation will be DOUBLED. Donate here: fullfact.org/biggive #ChristmasChallenge

I don't always manage to keep up with @peteapps.bsky.social Substack but I pay for it cos he deserves payment for this...(and in this one the only ones winning are the lawyers I reckon 😢) open.substack.com/pub/peteapps...?

Call me an old traditionalist, but it just isn’t Christmas until you can buy Churros in a German market in Birmingham.

Some Deep Thoughts from Deep Space.

Dropped moody teen who makes me feel 'this big'; now off to boost my confidence by being a grown up on my diversity and inclusive communications course (I definitely know more than him about sexism and misogyny...

It's a slight slog to read (need a 'pop this all in Word' option...😅), but very worth reading!

🥳🥳 Last week the ECHR ruled a gay man must not be deported to Iran to spend his life hiding his sexuality in order to be safe. He must be allowed to rebuild his life!❤️ A HUGE WIN for LGBT+ asylum seekers in Europe! Congrats @africanrainbowfam.bsky.social africanrainbowfamily.org/2024/11/12/p...

Super useful (thanks @resu-eman.bsky.social ) Did I screenshot every tip? Why, yes I did (and then I reached the one about bookmarking 🤦‍♂️) 😁

Some may be here for the cat who helps me (not) do research. Voila...

I heard that Andrew Tate tried to come stretch his awkward wings here and got banned in just one day. Sorry, hate has no home here. Stay in the bad place, thanks.

New episode of 10% Happier. Dan Harris interviews wonderful Robin Wall Kimmerer (author of Braiding Sweetgrass) about rethinking global economy in a nature context. open.spotify.com/episode/49Qi...

As usual going through data about fuel voucher clients is bringing me down (as well as making me super proud of the support we give). Please send cat pics. Thank you.

I went out this morning and forgot my mobile phone 😯 Had a slight panic, but then I quite enjoyed the freedom. The only thing I missed? Being able to tell what time it was 🙄.

Calling singers and musicians - Cambridge and London. We Are Sound www.we-are-sound.com Our founder is looking for 24 talented singers/instrumentalists for a spin-off project in London. Please share. Thank you!! Closing date 28 Nov found.ee/talentedfolk www.in-the-dark.com

In the words of Keala Settle, "This is me..." www.significantinsightsmedia.com/how-did-you-...

Just finishing What If We Get It Right? LOVED listening (like a load of fascinating podcast episodes) but also highlighting the hard copy. Fave quote, from Bren Smith, regenerative ocean farmer, "We need to agree that kelp does good shit."

Libraries need to reclassify 1984 from fiction to nonfiction.

‘We’ve become distrustful of each other’: Braiding Sweetgrass author Robin Wall Kimmerer on Trump, rural America and resistance