Boreal Bounty - progress as of February 8, 2026. #CrossStitch

Well, my Friday just got a whole lot better! A colleague came by and asked if I wanted this great old set of stamp albums. Two volumes of the Scott specialty series for South America. There are some stamps but these are great old albums even without the stamps. ❤️ #philately

January 2026 Crochet finishes: six dishcloths. (I do still need to weave in some ends.) #Crochet

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free

I’ve started a play list of resistance/protest songs on YouTube. Some are really good. I would love to have other recommendations about similar songs! youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Progress as of Jan. 27, 2026 - Boreal Bounty by Max Pigeon. This is my largest project to date. I’m not fast, but that’s ok. Some of the world’s most beautiful tapestries were created one stitch at a time. Just like change - small steps matter. #CrossStitch #CrossStitchLifeLessons

❤️ youtube.com/shorts/kGDLu...

🔥 Tennessee’s own sheryl crow bringing it

I’m a day late with #FridayReads because of storm prep. This week: In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed by Carl Honore. Thanks to my library’s ILL for the access!

Boreal Bounty by Max Pigeon. Progress as of January 19, 2026. #crossstitch (I love these colors!)

This #MLKDay, we're bringing scholarly context to one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s most studied speeches with @jstordaily.bsky.social’s annotation of “I Have a Dream.” 💭 Explore: https://bit.ly/3LIjKJk Image: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Poor People’s Campaign for Poor Power, Schomburg Center.

I’m not a fast stitcher but I’ve made good progress on my patriotic project from Shannon Christine. It’s a great design but, w/ the last couple of weeks, I’m just not feeling it. I decided to switch to something that more closely reflects my mood & this pattern by Max Pigeon is perfect. #crossstitch

One of my 2026 goals is to tackle my large TBR pile. Next up: Generally Speaking by Lawrence Block. #reading #philately

To all who celebrate, Merry Christmas! I post this image most years - it is one of my favorites. It is the first dedicated Christmas themed stamp issued by the United States in 1962.

I honestly think that many people don't know what their public libraries offer besides books. I think that everyone should go on a public library treasure hunt in 2026. Go explore what your library systems offer at no cost to you. Report back to me :)

Kicking off my holiday break with a finish: Small Frosty by Shannon Christine. Completed December 12, 2025. #CrossStitch

One more week of work before I’m off for the Christmas holiday period! (I’m taking some extra leave…it’s use it or lose it.) I’m getting a head start with my holiday read/project… #sewing #quilting

When reality and a Stephen King plot collide…

This took a while for me to finish. I still need to weave in the ends and block it but otherwise, this scarf is completed! #Crochet #Yarn 🧣

Sitting Penguin by Shannon Christine. Completed November 22, 2025. (This one was a very fun stitch!)

Time for crafts and a new start - and time to learn how to do a French knot. #CrossStitch

Christmas Mug Small 3, designed by Shannon Christine. (I am a slow stitcher, so I love her free, small designs!) #CrossStitch

BlueSky just verified the White House account. I responded by doing the only appropriate thing:

It took forever for Amazon to deliver this…but it’s finally here! As I re-learn #crossstitch, I’m amazed at all the new artists and innovative designs. These are probably 2026 projects…but I wanted to go ahead and purchase it, to help one of the Canadian artists hurt by the tariffs.

My heart is so full this morning. I’m kitting up my next cross stitch project. I have floss…SO much floss. But I couldn’t find DMC 597 and 598. As a last resort, I looked in the bin of floss I inherited from my mom when she passed. Found both of them. Somewhere, she’s smiling. ❤️ #crossstitch

Finished September 19, 2025. #CrossStitch

It doesn’t really feel like fall yet but I’m clearly in the fall “crafting” mindset! I’ve cranked out a stack of crocheted dishcloths this week. And even kitted out and started a small Halloween cross stitch project. 🍁 🍂

Sunday reading….🧶

This was fun! Thank you to MSU’s College of Arts & Sciences for the invite. #generativeAI #AI

It’s been a week, with flooding at home and at work, a week long online conference, and several deadlines. I decided I needed a break from house trauma (and water damage) and worked on a craft project: I present my iPhone cosy!

@axios.com Thank you for the #AxiosAISummit livestream for those of us not in New York!

I’ve worked in academic libraries a LONG time…and InterLibrary Loan still feels like magic! Thanks to the Mississippi State University Libraries ILL folks, this is my holiday weekend read.

BREAKING: President Trump just fired our nation's Librarian. My statement here:

My ATA (American Topical Association) exhibit is finally up on the web. #philately #stamps ataexhibits.com/wp-content/u...

It's official. 15% ICR on NSF grants. My favorite line: "Reducing administrative burdens for awardee institutions." Say the opposite of what is true... the communication strategy of our time: www.nsf.gov/policies/doc...

I’m planning to try something more adventurous than tacos for Cinco de Mayo but wanted to also experiment with some new ingredients. I’m thinking maybe Arroz con Pollo? There are a lot of variations…any suggestions? Other dishes I might try? Suggestions welcome!

Why yes, I did spend my Friday afternoon off sorting floss! (This is not the main collection, this is the overflow.) #CrossStitch

Lunches next week: taco bowls with taco meat, Spanish rice, and TexMex beans. #brownbaglunches

On the menu for this week - a recipe from my college days, tabbouleh! (And a thank you to spell check for helping me out.)

@corybooker.com Thank you.

It was either start drinking or buy crafts….dealing with stress with my first order from 123Stitch! #crossStitch

@alostrich.bsky.social For some reason, I kept thinking of you while watching this video! 🤣

“By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administration’s executive order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer...” www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/a...

Friday, back in the office and attending Mississippi State University’s online conference: Food and Agriculture as National Security Conference.

It took detaining a white Canadian woman for the public to get a glimpse into ICE detention. The stories she tells—of her dehumanizing experience & that of so many other women—are horrifying. This is America. Not new to this administration, just ramped up. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

The economic value of a research university to its state….#HigherEducation

Today: a veggie taco stew that is fantastic and about $4 for the entire pot (yeah for beans!)

This dish takes a while to prep and cook, so I’m a day early for Saint Patrick’s Day. (Lots of leftovers for the week!)

These are the senators who collaborated with the GOP. Schumer Fetterman Cortez Masto Durbin King Shaheen Gillibrand Schatz Hassan Peters Don’t let them forget it. No peace for them.

Time for some spring break creativity! I’ve been digging through the cross stitch stash….