Remember all my mad book drama? (If not, buy me a pint and I'll sing you the ballad of the dodgy ex-publisher...) Well, I'm absolutely delighted to say it's over! An enormous thanks to my wonderful new publisher @manchesterup.bsky.social Queer As Folklore will be back in the wild! 🧜🏼‍♂️

Today's art: The book 'Queer As Folklore' by Sacha Coward, that I've really wanted to read for some time now! Looking forward to the release of the ebook. [No alt text on image, which I've added in post below.]

Yesterday, history happened at the UN: For the first time hundreds of orgs signed a global pledge declaring that healthy indoor air is a human right. Healthy indoor air is a key tool for preventing pandemics, building climate resilience, and increasing health equity. We need it everywhere!

Today's art: stave churches in Norway. I loves the fact these are made of wood, and are from the medieval period! We don't have a lot of medieval wooden buildings left.

Today's art: this book 'The Spirit Bares Its Teeth', by Andrew Joseph White. I know nothing about it, other than its very high rating (4.51 stars!) on Storygraph, & that it's gothic horror set in an alternate Victorian England w/graphic surgical descriptions. Alt text in next post if you need it.

Why are the American president's claims about autism the first item on British news bulletins? He's not our president, the advice doesn't apply here and he's not presented any evidence to support his assertions. So why spread these claims? What make this the biggest story in the UK?

Autism does not need to be cured Ableism does The end

Today's art: Ben de la Creme's impersonation of Maggie Smith in Drag Race's Snatch Game, from season 6. www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6ss...

As we boycott vile companies, a reminder that many US public libraries offer: 1) Ebooks & audiobooks via the Libby app. Pro tip: use the “notify me” tag to request your library add books by trans, disabled, & BIPOC authors! 2) TV & film streaming via Kanopy 3) Language learning via Mango 💙📚 And:

Today's art: 'It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)', by REM. Loved dancing to this song at uni. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0GF...

Today's art: This cartoon by Tom Gauld. It made me smile.

Since many of us are cancelling streaming services, now might also be a good time to support writers and artists. Times are extremely tough for creatives, so why not buy a book, commission an art piece, sign up for a Patreon, tip your favorite creators. Everything helps.

Today's "everything is bad so let's pause for a second to regard nature and take a breath that isn't poisoned by our fear of a collapsing democracy" pic -- an osprey flying overhead. Photo by me.

Since many of us are cancelling streaming services, I want to post a little reminder that many library cards will allow you free access to Kanopy, an amazing streaming channel. If your library card doesn't work, you can often sign up for other libraries in your region.

Today’s art: this cover of ‘The New Yorker’ magazine. [additional alt text info - the buttons have captions like ‘mute’, ‘pause’, ‘stop’, ‘stifle’, ‘silence’, ‘sack’, ‘muzzle’, ‘torment’, plus a round, red one at the bottom that says ‘deport’. A fat hand in a blue suit sleeve is pushing a button.]

As you cancel streaming services, here is a casual reminder that only 16% of Americans read for pleasure anymore, and your local library has hundreds or thousands of books you haven't read. They would love to see you stop by and renew your library card.

Today's art: The episode of murder mystery series 'Foyle's War' called The White Feather. It seems we, as fallible humans, continue to be led by our emotions, especially when manipulated with lies and propaganda.

Today's art: this beautiful building in Khast-Imam Square in Tashkent, which I think is the Abu Bakr Qaffal Al-Shashi Mausoleum.

Today's art: the book 'Jacob Have I Loved', by Katherine Paterson. I read this book as a child and it struck a chord with me.

There is so much bad stuff going on, but you are still someone worth taking care of.

Today's art: 'Today's Climate Forecast' by Brian Bilston 'Elsewhere, a front of chronic misinformation will sweep in from the east, bringing with it...climate change deniers and the chance of scattered falsehoods, while powerful gusts of idiocy and ignorance look set to blow across social media.'

Today's art: 'Todo sobre mi madre' ('All about My Mother'), written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. On my list to re-watch. It feels particularly important at the moment.

Today's art: '1984' by George Orwell. Because you could be forgiven for thinking recent political punditry has been in Newspeak, seemingly in many countries.

Last four hours!

Today's art: this political cartoon.

Today's art: 'La Pupille', directed by Alice Rohrwacher. It's delightful in its childish impishness while pointing out religious and adult hypocrisy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxZ_...

These two are adorable! Anyone else have some cute animal photos they’re willing to share?

Today's art: these gorgeous marine animal cookies! I absolutely love the jellyfish (and wish I had the skill to be able to make things like this).

'In a culture of obsessed with productivity and achievement, choosing to rest is one of the most proactive and courageous acts a person can make.' #pwME must pace to manage symptoms to try to recover. Those privileged enough not to need to work can attempt this, but radical rest is very hard work.

Today's art: this short video w/Heather Cox Richardson & cartoonist Liza Donnelly. The cartoon by Donnelly is about Ford pardoning Nixon on 28 Sep 1974. Commentary by Cox Richardson describes the problematic repercussions still w/us today. Not punishing illegality has consequences. 'It's not over.'

Could we please stop pretending that the flags being hung from streetlamps or painted on roundabouts are innocent expressions of patriotic pride? This is the far right marking out its territory. It uses these flags to intimidate its traditional victims and opponents. 🧵1/3

Today's art: this new mural, reportedly by Banksy, on the Royal Courts of Justice building. Image with alt text here, original post below.

Today's art: from my to-be-read list and I'm guessing very relevant at the moment, the graphic novel 'Maus: A Survivor's Tale', by Art Spiegelman.

Good description of the difference between #PEM and fatigue, the former a hallmark of #ME/CFS and some cases of Long Covid, while the latter is common to many chronic diseases.

Today's art: one of my favourite paintings by Marc Chagall - 'La Mariée' (The Bride).

Indy has usurped his big brother's spot. What to do? Sit on little brother's head! (Scout originally sat on Indy's head so completely that it couldn't be seen. This photo was taken after Scout was moved slightly to the side so Indy could breathe.) #Caturday #catsofbluesky

Feeling a bit discouraged by the news, but posting today's art anyway: 'Respect' by the great Aretha Franklin. www.youtube.com/watch?v=A134...

Today's art: the brilliant woodcarvings by the OP's grandfather. This one was my favourite because, if you know the context, the artwork as a whole and the symbolic elements communicate so much. Do have a look at the others! Which one do you like the most?

Today's art: finally shifted my books to Storygraph from Goodreads (because won't support Jeff Bezos), so choose one of my previous 5* reads - 'Black Heat' by Bex Hogan.

Today's (very late) art: the book 'Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe', by Fannie Flagg. I enjoyed this book when I read it many, many years ago.

Today's art: the film 'Good Will Hunting', with Robin Williams and Matt Damon. I love the scene where Sean shares a story about his wife. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReIJ...

5 masked intruders #terrorising people by breaking into their temporary home surrounded by a #flag bearing mob is described as #antisocial behaviour - when 4 people break into an arms manufacturer that is called #terrorism. I know which causes me more #terror! www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

All these areas in the #NHS are overwhelmed & either at capacity or over capacity Yet @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social & NHSEngland raise expectations without raising the funding to support this To resolve the ‘Magic Roundabout’ for patients fund more GPs, hospital beds etc Blame MPs not GPs

Today's art: one of my favourite buildings in England, Stokesay Castle. Was last there on a wet, late-autumn day when my dad was still alive, and have some wonderful memories.

Bizarrely, this is Indy's favourite way to be carried. I expect that soon he'll grow to big for it! #Caturday

Today's art: the painting 'Judith Slaying Holofernes' by Artemisia Gentileschi. A powerful depiction of a biblical scene, Gentileschi didn't shy away from the physicality, realism or brutality of violent death.

Spectacular article, all the major insights captured, but an early one here into how sincerely these men care about protecting our women and girls.

This whole summer only one story has dominated our entire politics & it comes down to literally 30,000 people in hotels. Ridiculous. The government needs to get a GRIP it’s pathetic.

Either you look at every MP and how they’ve acquired their wealth. Or you look at none. You can’t pick the one that pisses you off the most because they left school with nothing and had a child at 16 and lived in a council house. If you do then you’re just a jealous twat.