Today, in sky. (I'm existentially fucking tired, friends. I know you are, too. Take care of yourselves and of each other 💛)

Did you know that there was once a racehorse (in the late 1700s) called Potoooooooo? Pot8os. POTATOES. This is one of my favourite article topics to date. I LOVE horses. I LOVE potatoes. I LOVE weird, cute, funny, clever things 🐎

I love late summer wildflowers. They are beautiful and fascinating and important, and they showcase the beauty of the approaching transition to a new season.

The gang discuss rumors of Trump’s declining health, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser acquiescing to the federal police occupation, plans for federal deployment in Chicago and updates on tariffs and Ukraine. @bishonentype.bsky.social @iwriteok.bsky.social @miawong.bsky.social www.iheart.com/podcast/105-...

Bluesky people. I haven't posted in months, but you are choosing to follow in droves. I'm sure most of you are bots or bot adjacent, but it's still weird. BUT ALSO...thank you to the human folks. Here is a random collection of almost-fall dog walk glimmers for you

This book (The Weight of Blood, by Tiffany D. Jackson), y'all. Holy moly. This is ine of the best books I've consumed this year. (I listened to the audio (via Libby), which was so, SO brilliant. I binged it. NEEDED to take dog walks, bake, and cook.) +

One of the things I like the most about my other(/weekend/part-time) job is that I get to learn about whatever I want to learn about. Today that has been thylacines and (currently) fireweed. I'm having A Day and I'm in A Mood (that I'm going to try to write about later). Fireweed is helping.

Racism is believing a Black woman who graduated from Harvard Law school is unqualified for the Supreme Court, while also believing a white convicted felon who can barely speak coherently should be President. The bar is so high for woman & people of color, yet so low for mediocre white men.

Oh. Also. I'm on my third musical to annoy the kids with. We've been through West Side Story, Newsies, ans now it's The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Hell yes

Started a(n unfinished) basement deep clean (on the other half. I did one half a few weeks ago) and found more mouse evidence. Cleaned and sanitized. Cats will be given free range again (the cat we lost* was the reason they lost access. He always got into stupid ginger-brained spaces). Sigh

Okay today only really started, so not so people-y yet, but it's going to get that way. So! Pre-emptive people-ing waffle dosage. Also today: writing (for meeeee. But it's HARD, because I'm using it to work through A Thing* and I'm tired of working through things), rhubarb apple crisp prep, +

I tend to fail very hard at growing plants and keeping them alive (as recently as not being able to grow seeds at all. Not a sniff from any of them. I have also very successfully killed cacti). Apparently the key is to keep them outside and remember to water them on hot days. THIS IS VERY EXCITING

It turns out July is a two (ad mag) issue month, so I don't have to scramble to write today/this weekend. I COULD actually write for *me* (my personal WIP) instead. Few things are more terrifying than time to write and no good excuse not to. (August is like this, also.) Eep.

There were a lot of flowers in my day today on various walks. They are glorious.

James is joined by Miriam, Kaveh, and Dr. Richard Ferro to discuss street medicine, police use of irritants and less-than-lethal weapons and how to keep each other safe. @jamesstout.bsky.social ‪@kavehmd.bsky.social‬ ‪@tangledwilderness.bsky.social‬ @richardferro.xyz www.iheart.com/podcast/105-...

And then I mowed the lawn while listening to and singing showtunes (Wst Side Story and then Newsies) about it. Decent therapy, ngl

I can handle most kid things body and illness related without issue. I have a pretty strong stomach. But omfg when Kid1 twisted their loose tooth just about clean around? No. Nope. Absolutely not. I hate it. And then they pulled it out like it was nothing. Phenom.

Got reeeeeeeeeal fucking rage-y today. Am making mac and cheese and garlic bread about it. As one does 🤘😎

my brain: ok time to shower and go to work also my brain: but it’s not the last possible minute yet

The world is burning, parenting is challenging today, my ex is inspiring [unkind] thoughts, and my children bushwacked rhubarb for me. So! Therapy baking occurred. (Rhubarb cake with struesel topping. One for us, one to give away. Recipe linked below.)

Timeline cleanse glimmer

The resemblance of that man and the cabinet to porta potties is uncanny, and the alt text is *chef’s kiss*

We ended this week with the addition of National Indigenous Day, why do dogs tilt their heads to listen, soft serve ice cream, dodo birds, and my as-not-political-as-possible* Canada Day bleh. *Let's be political. The world is almost exactly literally burning. Be fucking political. Shit is bad

Israel is genocidal. Trump is a monster.

I am incensed. This is all so heartbreaking and despicable. The Iranian people do not deserve this violence. We do not deserve this governance. The world does not deserve this. These outrages must end.

A war on Iran won’t only occur in Iran. There will be claims of imminent reprisal attacks to assault the freedoms of our Muslim neighbors, no matter how absurd or ignorant. There will be persecution & deportation attempts, esp vs the pro-Palestine movement. Will there be solidarity vs all this?

In the coming weeks, if this explodes, there will be (even more) public discrimination against and malign treatment of Arab and Muslim Americans, especially Iranian Americans. Let's make sure we stand with and protect them as much as we can.

There will always be a birb to fit every situation and tonight’s first birb is this one

They're heeeeeeeeere with an absolute vengeance and I am giddy. There are so many wildflowers to swoon over on neighbourhood dog walks again. I love it so, so much

If you see this, quote with the energy you bring to Bluesky.

We're starting this week's round of article writing exploring the McDuck tartan (not, it turns out, the only fictional tartan that has is official and registered), sea glass, and wisdom teeth. I also need something ("not political*") for Canada Day. *My writing boss knows me too well, it turns out.

call me crazy but I don't think we should.

When you cannot find joy, find cheese. It sorta works the same.

Today was an annoying day with annoying people in it. So we did waffle brinner and an evening neighbourhood dog walk about it with lots of very good, fun, decompressing conversations.

Hey @vanessarbradley.bsky.social, I HAVE YOUR STORY IN MY HOUSE! 💛 I am SO EXCITED. Congratulations again, incredible human. I'm so proud of you. (I am a BIT salty I didn't have this to bring when I visited you. You'll have to sign it when YOU visit ME! 🥰) ((Story is also linked below!))

Don’t tell me reading isn’t a political act and then my ban my favorite books, you troglodytes

Early morning demands for snuggles from the Sovereign. I adore her 🥰

Finally making up for this by listening to WSS while I unpack. Annnnnnnd then it switched to Newsies (film soundtrack) and I'm in musical bliss

Whole thread. This is horrific, and real, and very important to know and understand. This (and more) will continue to happen

UNLIMITED FOOD FOR GAZA. NOW.

Holy moly. This Epekwitk (PEI) trip, where do I even start!? THANK YOU to @vanessarbradley.bsky.social and her incredible wife for their hospitality. +

This was the best and worst choice. I LOVE West Side Story, annnnnnnd it is a challenge not to sing on a busy flight

On my first flight, I got a little writing done. (I have squirrel brain on this flight, my second of three today, so more writing may get done soon.)

Just up here, texting (you) from several tens of thousands of feet above ground.

Hit the streets tomorrow. Be nonviolent. Be joyfully defiant. Be defiantly joyful. Ridicule him. Condemn fascism. Oppose I.C.E. Affirm diversity. Embody America. Love your neighbor. Refuse to be intimidated. Be safe. Be loud. Be encouraged. #NoKingsDay

This week on Live Like the World is Dying, @jamesstout.bsky.social and Miriam talk about how to stay safe with danger all around. They talk health and safety basics for protests like security culture, protective gear, first-aid kits, and dangers like projectiles, tear gas, and pepper spray.(1/2)

My PEI adventure (with my favouritest, @vanessarbradley.bsky.social) began yesterday. Today there were goats at the plant nursery. And untold amounts of divine food, and laughter, and crafting (pictures to come), and a dog walk where there are flowers and birbs, and it's wonderful and relaxing