ICYMI: “Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions, according to three people familiar with the matter.”

We live around 100m from a large rookery. It's noisy, but magical.

I'm a big fan of Byline Times. Decent journalism that covers what the mainstream ignores...

Ohhhh, but this is a special book. I just finished it, expertly read by Caroline Guthrie. Beautiful book and Kelly is a wonderful Character. Highly recommended. #books

It’s time for my annual search for this C16th miniature portrait of #ThomasCromwell, after #Holbein, stolen from Hever Castle in 2003. I’d love to see it returned to Hever. Have you seen it? Pls consider sharing! www.arthistorynews.com/articles/562... #Tudor #WolfHall #arthistory #miniatureportrait

"A split between the Home Office, which wants China designated a threat, and the Treasury, which is relaying businesses' concerns." What a time for the UK to be outside the EU! Just as the US embraces protectionism and China becomes a less viable partner... ~AA www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024...

We don't have an elf on the shelf but we do have a

32 years today ❤️

I have no idea who sent this gorgeous wee brooch to me, but I LOVE it! Thank you, whoever you are 😍

My six favourite European Mr Men character names... 6. Mr Muddle in Spain = Don Confuso 5. Mr Topsy-Turvy in Germany = Herr Kuddelmuddel 4. Mr Bounce in France = Monsieur Bing 3. Mr Dizzy in Portugal = Senhor Bobo 2. Mr Greedy in Sweden = Gubben Glufs Glufs 1. Mr Bump in Norway = Herr Dumpidump

This is because the M@g@n@zis thrive on the despair and tears of normal folk. They don’t need food.

Good morning, people of the sky. Oh wait, it’s afternoon. The day is whizzing by, isn’t it? It’s a chilly day here, but bright. Seasonal. Hope you all have a great day, whatever nonsense you get up to.

A warning to my friends: don’t chant the names of your meds so you don’t forget which ones to order. I just did, and summoned one of the lesser disease demons. His name is Al, and he doesn’t half fart a lot for a wee guy.

Introduce yourself with: One book 📚 All The Colours Of The Dark, Chris Whittaker One movie 🍇 Blade Runner One album 🗣 Ziggy Stardust, David Bowie One TV show ❤️ Frasier

This

Awoooo!

FUCK. YEAH. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Just sharing the cover for my newest book, not yet released. Isn't it pretty? Curious to know what it might say to folks.

What we have to remember with all these tRump nominations is that Caligula made his horse a consul.

In which I consider my online addictions. “No, YouTube are addicted!” asthomson.co.uk/2024/07/11/n...

BBC Radio 4 on PM are leading on how bad Sunak's campaign is 🤦🏻‍♂️

As we’re now in an election, it’s worth remembering that a SUM error on a single economic study that was un-replicable was the entire evidence base the Tories used in the 2010 election for pushing austerity, a policy that led to at least 120k excess deaths as a result.

The Tories hate Scotland. We’re good for holidays but they don’t care for us as a people. Historically, we vote Labour. More recently, SNP. Deliberately choosing a date during our school holidays is trying to prevent us voting against them. Don’t let them succeed. Fuck the Tories.

Scottish friends, the general election has been called for July 4th when our schools are off and you may be going away on holiday with your family. If so, please register for a postal vote. Google “how do I register for a postal vote in Scotland” will take you to where you need to go to do so. (1)

Ursa Major, or the big saucepan.

Beautiful full moon out there tonight. I wish I could have been arsed getting out the tripod, but for a hand-held photo, this will do.

Congratulations to my darling daughter Claire, who passed he driving test today. So proud ❤️

My wee Dot Cotton ❤️ Best dog in the world.

Here’s a wee poem I wrote for World Poetry Day a few years ago.

My darling Dot Cotton, my wee Spanish rescue dog. Love her so much. 🐾

Happy birthday to my lovely hubby George who is exactly one day older than me.

Happy International Women’s Day! Keep up the fight, sisters!

A redshank and, I think, a dunlin on the beach at Troon. I’m happy to be put right if I’ve got the identification wrong. 🪶

A curlew on the beach at Troon, Scotland yesterday. 🪶

Happy Hallmark-rolling-it-in Day!

Excuse. Not first cause. Strewth!

And this is the first cause for my last post.

Pops into Blue sky after a wee while. Sees it's all about American rugby. Pops back out.

McDonald’s CEO was paid $17.8 million in 2022. It would take a typical McDonald’s worker more than 1,200 years to make that amount. The company just spent a million dollars trying to block raises for its workers in California. Corporate greed at its absolute worst.

You can still read my story, The Particular Salinity of Tears here.

I have a hack for you. Are you fed up with your sweaters bulging at the shoulders after being hung in your wardrobe on a conventional hanger? Well, I've got you. The pictures below should show you how to do it . Gold the sweater in half, lengthwise and gold over the hanger. Sorted.

“Could it be that the ocean had recognised the particular salinity of her tears, heard her cries, and believed her when she said she’d give anything – everything – to have Douglas back on shore with her again?” From my story available to read here asthomson.co.uk/2024/01/08/t...

It's a beautiful clear night. Freezing, mind you.

It's a hard life being a dog in this house. She gets fed twice a day, treats, and sleeps on my legs all day. Poor wee soul. 🙄

To launch my new website, I’m sharing my story The Particular Salinity of Tears. I hope you enjoy it. #writing #writers asthomson.co.uk/2024/01/08/t...

Oh Lordy, he’s here too!

What was your favourite book in 2023? I had two. Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. The Barry book left me in tears and I still think about it months later. It’s one that will always stay with me, like A Prayer For Owen Meany and Cloud Atlas. 💙📚