They shouldn’t have to clean up the mess adults are making, but these teens who overturned book bans at their statewide reading bowl are worth celebrating. Get to know them (& what they’re excited to read!).

Socialism is what they called public power. Socialism is what they called social security. Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations. Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people. —Harry Truman, 1952

This is tomorrow! The Reading is free. Just register for the Zoom call in the link. And if you can donate, click the Trans Lifeline link at the bottom of the page: beardedbardsofbluesky.weebly.com November 8, 2025 2:00-3:45 pst 4:00-5:45 cst 5:00-6:45 est

Such a great album

I'll never be able to wrap my head around how starving kids won't get millions of people's attention but canceled flights will. I understand how & why it happens, but, man, tell me you didn't pay attention during the Gospel readings w/o saying you didn't pay attention during the Gospel readings.

Once more for the morning crew

I’ll be part of the BBBS this Saturday. The Reading is free. Just register for the Zoom call in the link. And if you can donate, click the Trans Lifeline link at the bottom of the page: beardedbardsofbluesky.weebly.com November 8, 2025 2:00-3:45 pst 4:00-5:45 cst 5:00-6:45 est

SOOOOOO exciting! WE, the PEOPLE!

Being nice to people is just fun. Asked young server at taco place how her day was going (fine but tired) and she asked me back. I said I managed to finish my to-do list and she unexpectedly gave me a high five! Treating people like people is always rewarding.

I was not aware of this quote until yesterday. In the same letter, Vincent said: "cuisine has something to do with our ability to think and to make pictures; as for me, when my stomach bothers me it is not conducive to the success of my work." Here's the source: www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/lett...

"I am reminded that for him, dying has not been a passive experience." - Katherine Gilmore gulfstreamlitmag.com/2025/05/03/i...

Zachary Schomburg @zacharyschomburg.bsky.social

I think I like this as much as Schomburg's "Testy Pony"

I’m very worried about some of my neighbors. And I was just talking to Brian about some plans to do whatever we can to help them. I encourage you to think about that as well. Is there a food bank or pantry near you? Do your neighbors know about it?

The trick is really that it's not a trick. It's right in the name, plain as day. Like, they didn't call it waterfall economics

I submitted work to four different publications today. That’s the first time I’ve submitted anywhere since March. So, yay, me.

This is a really helpful resource, and you can buy Robin a cup of Earl Grey as a thank you!

The words I had to use in the poem were “simultaneous,” “regent,” and “siphon.” It ended up being a birdwatching 🪶 poem. Go grab the PDF and enjoy all the fine work!

“If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but give your money away, shorties.” Then she pitches in over 11 million. *love

Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House. Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity. They are not the same.

My body is feeling much older than my birth certificate, so it’s lovely, in a way, to hear people think I am younger than I am. But now I’m starting to wonder if it’s because of my lack of maturity rather than my youthful looks.

I prefer to trust the good folks at ProPublica, who refuse to act merely as stenographers for people with agendas, and instead have a track record of evidence-based investigative reporting www.propublica.org/article/immi...

Mike continues to do some of the best work out there.

I got a new poem published in @dishsoapquart.bsky.social ❤️

I'm sorry. I just can't Tuesday today.

Look this lineup!!!! Look at that great cause!!!! Visit the website and register today!!!!

1/3 Submissions Thread. Duotrope member here. I just looked at today's poetry report of "paid listings added," and I have to say it's disappointing how many of them are contests and prizes. Those always have higher submission fees, which, of course I understand, but wow, over half of these

What did someone at Tylenol do to piss him off or insult him?

One thing or two I appreciate about the show London Kills is that the team argue and disagree with each other to a realistic degree. And there are some great twists despite the predictable patterns.

At the food pantry I volunteer at we were absolutely swamped today and by many first timers. We ran out of whole categories of food. Please donate cash to your local organization if you at all can.

i see you eating reactionary ideology back there, i hope you brought enough for the rest of the middle class

The world is falling apart and we’re going to read some poems. But we’re going to do it together and for a great cause. Join us. Register here: beardedbardsofbluesky.weebly.com

Don’t forget there’s this cool thing for a worthy cause coming up in two weeks. The poems are offered freely, but the donations would be sweet

I lost my cool with another librarian today (one who once held my position, so some of her questions I may have taken a tad personally) because this person, very old school, couldn’t understand why we were loaning out WiFi hotspots. I wish I’d stayed calm, but what century is this person living in?

I can't say I'm getting a lot done today, but I'm getting our best employee a raise, and that's more important than anything else I could do today. Then again, also researching grants for book festivals and keeping my heater close to my cold feet are worthy tasks too.

"We’re not meant to be tourists of art—close the book, walk away, The End. We’re meant to live it." — @abigailoswald.bsky.social www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2025/09/23/d...

Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you happiness (if you feel like)

I haven’t done a reading in literally years and it might be that long before I do another one so if that’s a draw at all, come through.

Isn't this the truth... 😬

@davidjbauman.bsky.social and i’s haul from @lityoungstown.bsky.social

The marines wanted to fire live artillary over I-5; Newsom didn't want them to, but they said too bad; that it was safe. Then, oh, look: a shell detonated prematurely. Good thing Newsom had shut down 17 miles of freeway (used by 80,000 Californians daily). 1/2 www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/u...

Thank you so much for whatever you did! You know who you are. 🫶

Yeah, these violent riots need to stop

What’s the best one-liner in movie history?

Last year, I re-read A Christmas Carol. I was struck by the idea that Scrooge was in love with Marley. His grief for his lost love is the whole reason he’s as rotten as he is. I will not be taking questions.