I know this is not the biggest concern going these days, but it stresses me out that basically every artist/writer/critic is now expected to create their own tiny empire instead of getting paid by any existing entity to perform a job they've worked to get good at!!!!

Book 30 of 2026: JONAH’S GOURD VINE by Zora Neale Hurston. Second time I’ve picked up this ZNH anthology I inherited from my great aunt. Not as good as Their Eyes Were Watching God, but still compelling enough that you’re inclined to forgive John Pearson his sins.

I went to hang up a flyer at a coffee shop today and before she let me post it, the barista checked with me to make sure it wasn’t AI-generated, since they don’t allow AI-generated work in their space. I LOVE THIS FOR LOUISVILLE!!

I volunteer with so many of these women. They are real, they are numerous, and they are indefatigable.

I left the Church years ago. I can’t go back. I do not demand that the Church change for me. But when the Holy Father says stuff like this I feel so connected to the depths of my faith, to the part of the Church that I did not and cannot leave, and I am so happy to feel that way

Book 29 of 2026: SLOUCHING TOWARDS BETHLEHEM by Joan Didion. Decided on a Didion double feature. I really enjoy the cadence and style of her writing. Yet while I know it was her job to think, sometimes I’m like…girl, you are overthinking it. Anyway, makes me want to go back to California.

I have launched a podcast, as is legally required for white 30-something women. Please listen.

Given my dad is very much 💀, I figured it would be nice to stay positive and list the pros of not celebrating Father’s Day. Shout out to the rest of the 💀 dads club! #deathpositive #fathersday #grief #darkhumor

@margaret.bsky.social someone probably already told you this but in this week’s episodes when you talked about “rule by the dead,” we LITERALLY have a term in estate law called “deadhand control” because dead people get to decide what happens to their property! www.law.cornell.edu/wex/deadhand...

Bitching & Mourning: a podcast that got stuck in the anger stage of grief and stayed there. First episode coming your way this Father’s Day, June 21st. #deathpositive #grief #podcast

Wheeeeeeeee!

Has anyone written a piece comparing our current president to Mexico’s longtime dictator Porfirio Díaz? Relistening to S9 of @mikeduncan.bsky.social’s REVOLUTIONS podcast and am struck by the similarity of Díaz’s decision to move Mexico’s 100th anniversary by a day to correspond with his 80th bday.

Book 28 of 2026: THE WHITE ALBUM by Joan Didion. Never read Didion before, so I decided to fix that? Her writing is very elegant, and I enjoyed it. Though it’s wild to get closeups of some of the most prominent moments in 60s counterculture from someone so conservative.

This book is handy. I'm about 50% through it so far. Hint hint GenX.

Tilly and the Wall at the coffee shop. Is it 2006?

Thrilled to share that DUE DATE: A LIBRARY DEATH SALON will be moving to Mashup Food Hall in Nulu! Join us on June 18 to talk tips for keeping funeral costs down. #deathpositive #louisville #deathsalon #deathcafe #funeral

Links here where you can donate to support a trans woman who is facing felony charges for defending herself against fascists.

Louisville you should come hang out and write about death with me 💀

I found this neat tool that lets you generate text and images just from your ideas. It's really good!

Book 27 of 2026: MAD PRAIRIE by @katemcintyre.bsky.social. Toto, we are in Kansas and it is very weird. Loved these connected short stories—the novella was a particularly good (and bizarre) depiction of grief.

At LaGuardia waiting for my flight back to Louisville. Reflecting on this NYC trip, I am grateful to have so many wonderful friends who are willing to show me around their wonderful cities. It’s nice to know that almost anywhere I go in the U.S., someone has my back.

Well, I’ve walked over 30,000 steps today. I haven’t even gotten dinner yet. This will be fine. I’m gonna feel great tomorrow.

Lucky to have Maureen in my life!

I just glued a fake nail back on while sitting on a bench in Central Park, which feels spiritually correct.

Ok fam, I’ve mostly checked all my boxes for this trip to NYC. But I have one free Monday afternoon. What should I do as a solo traveler, please and thank you!

I’m glad I got to see Chess on Broadway before it closes. I hear it’s closing early because Lea Michele is the main draw—which is funny to me because although she is tremendously talented, as is the rest of the cast, I didn’t see it for her. I saw it because I love ABBA.

Uh oh I’m waiting for my tour at the Tenement Museum and I want to buy literally every book in the gift shop…

I’m about to get on a plane to NYC! To do a book event! In NYC! Anyway, if you’re out that way and you’re free tomorrow, you should come. Details: www.morbidanatomy.org/events-ticke...

Book 26 of 2026: BEAUTYLAND by Marie-Helene Bertino. Is our narrator an alien sent to Earth to fax observations about our planet to her extraterrestrial superiors? It doesn’t really matter—she’s human regardless, and that is beautiful.

so like lemme weigh in on this as someone who is more financially comfortable than many in my generational cohort: everything I have gained seems precarious and temporary because I know the people with real money will take it all from me the second they get an opportunity and no one will protect me.

“Are you a Lacan guy?” Real sentence I heard aloud at this brewery.

For those in Lou, I can’t recommend Louisville Community Acupuncture on Barret enough. Sliding scale!!

Hey babes the audiobook version of my morbid how-to guide is out today! Give it a listen if that’s your thing!!

National holidays cannot keep aerialists away from the gym.

Take it from someone who regularly volunteers with hospice patients: You might think you’re having a bad day, but if you’re not currently having a Foley catheter placed in your urethra, you’re actually having a good day.

I have decided that this is going to be Magical Mystery Tour summer. A summer of whimsy in the midst of political and socioeconomic strife, just like 1967. I am the walrus, okay?

🚨 HILDEGARD VON BINGEN ON BEHIND THE BASTARDS ALERT 🚨 making a rare non-bastard appearance! Composer! Mystic! Botanist! Healer! Early documenter of the female orgasm! Truly a Wikipedia article worth your time: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildega... @iwriteok.bsky.social @coolzonemedia.bsky.social

Book 25 of 2026: HUNCHBACK by @ssaaoouu.bsky.social, translated from the Japanese by Polly Barton. Darkly funny, subversively erotic, tough as nails novel about a severely disabled woman’s bargain with her incel caretaker. Messed up (complimentary).

If you’re in Louisville and missing your dog, he showed up shivering on my steps and is now warm and comfy and perfectly sweet.

Book 24 of 2026: ANARCHISM AND OTHER ESSAYS by Emma Goldman. Originally published in 1910 but uncomfortably relevant to the present day. You can tell she was a good public speaker; it’s easy to get swept up in her arguments without thinking—though I agree with much of what she said anyway.

Hi just want to point out that we put a Democratic Socialist in the Kentucky State House tonight, so maybe next time you talk about the backwards, ignorant South, you could just be quiet instead? Thanks!

I voted today! If you’re in Kentucky, you can also vote today! Get thee to the polls!

I've decided to reframe my self-indulgent behavior as part of a vast and timeless battle against pain and human suffering. so when i sleep for eleven hours, I'm not being lazy and undisciplined, I'm striking a blow in the global struggle against injustice.

Book 23 of 2026: EDUCATED by Tara Westover, narrated by Julia Whelan. Finally got around to this bestseller. It was harrowing, for sure. Trigger warnings for basically everything. I thought it was a little too long? But overall, glad I listened.

Despite living in Chicago for most of my life, I never went to the Pullman National Historic Site—until today, before I drove back to Louisville. Informative signage, free exhibits. Do recommend. The wind prevented a real selfie but I’m still cute. Solidarity forever.

Book 22 of 2026: HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE by Andreas Malm. Ironically listened to this while driving hundreds of miles across state lines. At least I was driving a hybrid? Found it really inspiring.

This is a version of jianbing. It is, perhaps, humankind’s greatest culinary invention. When I studied abroad in Beijing, there was a stand across the street from campus that sold them. I ate one almost every day. It was glorious.

I am lucky enough to own my home, and while no man has ever said this to me directly, I do get this vibe sometimes when I mention it. For my part, now that I’m a homeowner I increasingly relate to Whoopi Goldberg’s famous quote on marriage: “I don’t want somebody in my house.” 😂

I’m reading a book of essays written by famous anarchist Emma Goldman in 1910, and every other paragraph I’m like…now? You’re talking about right now? You’re a time traveler??

Here’s why living in cities is good: Today I walked to acupuncture. After my session, realized I didn’t have any bread for lunch, so then I walked to the bakery, picked up a loaf, and walked home. A lovely day for it, I supported zero corporations, and I didn’t have to worry about gas prices.