This morning I dispatched a mosquito, which made me wonder what happened to #Zika. Before 2020, it was the big scary thing coming to get us. Is it still out there? As a matter of fact, yes. But we have so much else to worry about that we simply stopped paying attention.

Merry Christmas. Here's something of mine published today in @opensecretsmag.bsky.social about a bad manager and a very happy day. opensecretsmagazine.com/p/bad-boss-m...

You know what is none of my business whatsoever? Which public figures are taking #Ozempic. You know what I can't stop speculating about? Which public figures are taking #Ozempic.

Delighted to announce our nominations for the Pushcart Prize. All can be read at thin-skin.com

I have a short story up in The Persimmon Tree! My roots are showing--my midwestern roots that is. persimmontree.org/winter-2026/...

Time for some home cooking, if you're not too full from the holiday. herstryblg.com/theme/2025/1...

I have a wee flash piece up this morning, one of a few things that are circling out there, waiting for publication. It's a tiny moment and I am as surprised by the kind comments as anything else. flashfictionmagazine.com/blog/2025/09...

Thoughts on trees, solitude, and writing in a room of one's own. karengberry.mywriting.network/2025/09/24/i...

I have two poems in here! And, I am writing again. www.farmgirlpress.com/store/p/fall...

I have a short story up! "Wet Rain" is in the newest issue of Thin Skin. Enjoy. thin-skin.com/shortstory/w...

Such a great post: countercraft.substack.com/p/why-you-sh...

just been camping for the first time in my life and i have some valuable camping advice: take everything with you. Everything in your house. Take your whole house with you and live in it. Live inside your house, at home. Stay at home, living in your house with everything in your house.

Good one from Andy Borowitz.

At 1:34 AM Trump called for DOJ to investigate Kamala Harris, Beyoncé, Springsteen, Oprah and others for crimes, he then made another deranged post about it at 9:11 AM, and the lead story of the day on MSNBC and CNN continues to be Joe Biden in 2023.

They're talking about "water based" cooking now. Cooking things in water instead of oils. It's soup. They're making soup.

I love getting the New York Times "Breaking News" updates. I just wish the news wouldn't break ME so often.

I'm "go to the mailbox to read rejection letters" old. Now I've transferred all that existential angst to my email inbox.

Last week, I stopped a pair of crows from killing a bunny kit. In retaliation, they just got into my garbage. Tit for tat. I deprived them of one meal, so they helped themselves to another.

Now that I'm retired, I get most of my steps in by watering houseplants.

Dear senators who think you can’t do anything, Today, Senator Van Hollen - through diplomatic pressure - got a meeting with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador. So that thing you’re thinking about doing? DO IT. ~ All of Us

There's something hilarious about those "You're on a roll! Let's level up!" emails from @linkedin.com arriving six weeks before I retire...

Very proud that "Fully Grown" has found a place at Herstry. It's about motherhood, dwarfism, and how we grow. herstryblg.com/theme/2025/2...

Correction! I have a flash fiction piece called "Monument" in this issue of Inknest! And Katrina Gould has a review! The RealDoll haiku are coming in The Offing. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ink-nest-p...

If you wanted to cut waste, fraud, and abuse, you would empower the inspectors general. If you wanted more waste, fraud, and abuse, you would fire them.

Today (and probably today only), my poem "A Professional Beauty" pops up first at The Ekphrastic Review! www.ekphrastic.net

Man that sweet spot between properly caffeinated and literally vibrating with impending catastrophe seems like it gets a little smaller every day

Where are the others, those contented with how they are known now … —Kathleen A. Wakefield

Rose-Tu’s calf has a name! Meet Tula-Tu 💕

Eggs seem not to be cheaper but they are at least harder to get

Respect to everyone still out here doing Wordle every day, don't ever let them take your joy

Wanted to share this beauty, which is everything I think a poem should be. poets.org/poem/theft-0

I'm here, but it's just too much. Not sure if I am going to meaningfully contribute here, or even scan my feed.

Joe Biden has commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier! www.counterpunch.org/2025/01/20/l... @ndncollective.bsky.social @counterpunchmedia.bsky.social

Something true and beautiful for today. www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Zq...

Good morning! Happy MLK Day. "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope." ~MLK Be that stone.🙂

Just posting this picture of an iron lung at University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, for no particular reason. Jonas Salk was pretty dope. #VaccinesSaveLives

Honestly this is just lazy writing. Another Death Star? Really? This quickly?

anybody want a cup of nyquil

What gave such a small body so much space for song …? —James Crews

So did he win? I’m thinking yes. Ps, marry that man, Zendaya.

Ooooo. Great use of the form.

This aged rather poorly.

Why am I so calm? I should be losing it. But I’m calm.

"You've been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who is coming to save you?" Hm.

If you’re not surrounding yourself with people who make you feel like you’re marinating in a big ol’ bowl of your favorite soup, what are you even doing? #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity #writinglife #poet

"Lake Walleye", a wonderful flash piece by Eugenie Montague. I hated for it to end. flashfictionmagazine.com/blog/2024/12...

Here's your periodic reminders: - Stop using AI, even ironically - Delete your Twitter account - Don't support Tesla - Drink your water - Take 10 minutes away from your desk to stretch - Get off Substack - Relax your shoulders, straighten your posture, and take a deep breath

I wrote this when my dogs died during the pandemic shutdown. I miss them. karengberry.mywriting.network/2024/12/28/t...

Gorgeous essay. I stop halfway through writing a book and write the ending, then write toward it from the middle on. This is an entirely different approach.

I am so lucky in my friends. Or maybe it's that I'm choosey.