TIL that almonds, pistachios, and pecans are not nuts, botanically speaking.

Disappointed to have no choices on this ballot, I voted. Primary election is May 19.

Patriarchy in one image. Women train. Women win, and men hog the limelight.

“The subject of Miss Clovis’s quarrel with the President was known only to a privileged few and even those knew no more than that it had something to do with the making of tea. Not that the making of tea can ever really be regarded as a petty or trivial matter,

Argyll is a very unhappy camper thanks to a vet visit for vaccines. But I got tomsee my favorite bit of wall art there: the eye chart for dogs.

Another marvelous poem from Linda Pastan’ Traveling Light.

Power went out here at the library, apparently with someone in the elevator. Fire truck is pulling up now.

In the last 18 hours the sky has slung hail, heavy rain, blasting sun, cold wind, balmy breezes, and mini snowballs at me. I was most surprised by the hail, which fell from clouds that were fleeing eastwards, leaving puffy clouds colored rainbow shades by the sunset, and by the mini snowballs.

Nearly 500 public figures are reading the Bible this week in Washington, D.C. to mark America’s 250th. You can’t proclaim “love your neighbor” while supporting policies that harm the vulnerable. The Bible isn’t a prop for national identity. It’s a call to justice.

The crescent moon and Venus seem to be playing the Pit or the Pendulum together.

“The past is the underside of the future.” Linda Pastan “Return to Maple 9”

Credit those doing the work. Not just the big names through which you learn of the work.

How could I post just one?

The worse things get the more I need poetry. From Linda Pastan, Traveling Light

Men who murder their wives then turn the gun on themselves are not having a mental health crisis. We need to stop giving men an out for their violence against women. It is not about mental health. It is a matter of societal permission to control women, and the moral choices that create permission.

The Leo/Trump business is actually serious theology, not a UFC match.

Institutions matter. BUT...many of the ones we rely on were built on unjust foundations that limit how much they can truly be reformed. So this moment isn’t just about fixing what exists. It’s about having the courage to build new institutions that are rooted in justice from the start.

This looks really good. Unfortunately I’m not available then—but maybe you are.

The redbuds were stunning on Monday and Tuesday, but Tuesday’s unseasonal heat hastened the arrival of their leaves. Kwanzan cherries are gorgeous now. (Today’s 87°and tomorrow’s likely 90° will hurry them out.)

Our low tonight is supposed to be just about what the high should be in this part of April.

I insist on calling it *white* Christian nationalism so we all remember that if their vision for the nation is ever fully realized, white people alone will be elevated and centered (far more than even now). Say the white part out loud

The moon, he is so beautiful, sitting in the embrace of the tallest tree, and swinging his legs over the rainbow sherbet dawn.

Couldn’t Donald just deem the strait closed with his Jesus laser?

"Artemis, like her namesake Goddess, shone a light in the darkness that made me believe we might—just might—make meaningful progress on putting an end to that other, dark half of America: the United States of Confederates, fascists, Christian nationalists, and preening imperialists"

Once again it amazes me how loud a single robin can be.

Surprised JD Vance wasn't able to close a deal with the Iranians. His only skill is saying whatever people want to hear.

I believe the earth exists, and in each minim mote of its dust the holy glow of thy candle. Thou unknown I know, thou spirit, giver, lover of making, of the wrought letter, wrought flower, iron, deed, dream. - Denise Levertov, from "Mass for the Day of St. Thomas Didymus"

More from Pandemic Poems by Olive Senior:

Join me right now for a live conversation with @phillipspobrien.bsky.social about the Iran war and the Russo-Ukrainian war. Today, April 10th, 12:00 noon ET. snyder.substack.com

April 9 is a significant date. On this date, Lee surrendered to Grant, Marian Anderson sang her famous concert at the Lincoln Memorial after the DAR denied her the use of their hall, and the Nazis executed Dietrich Bonhoeffer. These three events are more connected than you might think.

Measuringe the value of educacioun by returne on ynvestment onlye ys lyke measuringe the value of a garden by the weight of the floweres

I am being inundated with posts begging for money. I block these accounts--they may be legit, and have real needs, but I cannot vet them.

My response to yesterday, besides prayer, calls to Congress, & encouraging others tomspeak up, was to check out 3 volumes of poetry to keep company with during the night. Am really enjoying Pandemic Poems: First Wave by Olive Senior.

V. Lord, keep this nation under your care; R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Stress relief: I saw these today. They always lift my heart, because they were among my mom's favorite flowers. My brother and I picked her so many dandelions during childhood that they completely died out in our yard.

As we watch and hear the terrible news of the threat of horrific devastation wrought by our nation, Pax Christi USA invites you to join us for lament and prayer TONIGHT, April 7, on Zoom, starting at 7:30 PM Eastern/6:30 PM Central/5:30 PM Mountain/4:30 PM Pacific/2:30 PM Hawaii-Alaska.

Not on my bingo card for 2026: Pakistan as peacemaker/mediator.

Do it.

I’ve called my senators (both lost in MAGAland; one mentally unstable and one West Point grad who should care) and my congresswoman who’s “speaking out” but “powerless” as a Dem. It’s this affectation of powerlessness that is killing us, Dems. Minority w/ ltd legislative tools ≠ powerless

My turn came in the library queue:

I just read a Flannery O’Connor story I have no memory of, “A Late Encounter with the Enemy”. I must have read it before, because as far as I can call, I read all her stories for my sophomore English paper, but nothing in it rings a bell.

I called both my senators because it's time for Congress to use the 25th amendment after Trump's social media post yesterday morning.

This thread is very long, but worthwhile. Thought provoking analysis of hiw democracy fails or succeeds. At first reading, I find it fairly compelling, largely bc I think it accounts for much of what we’ve seen in the last generation and a half.

I am doing a little research. If you are 1) over 18 2) Am citizen or longtime resident 3) once considered yourself evangelical 4) o longer consider yourself evangelical AND 5) still consider yourself Christian, please take this short survey. Thanks! Please share. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

The whole thread

Volunteer choir has sung 9.5 of the last 66.5 hours, and our paid staff have sung an additional 2-2.5 hours. This volunteer is bushed.

We are seven months away from the most consequential midterm election in US history. Meanwhile, we are fighting a war. These are the structural conditions for a coup attempt in which a president tries to nullify elections and take permanent power as a dictator. snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-c...

Chag Pesach Sameach to all who celebrate