I still miss those plastic glow-in-the-dark Rosaries the Presentation Sisters gave us back in the '80s. I had to have had at least 3 of them. Alas, I do not have them anymore.

“I’m not sure we totally agree about some of these political things, but fuck it, let’s risk being martyred by the state to protect the preschool on the corner.”

They have fucking assault rifles and we have whistles and they’re scared shitless, because they know we’d rather be righteous and dead than ever be them.

As Tolkien wrote in The Silmarillion, "they dwelt then in the Kingdom of Arda [the Earth], and that was but a small realm in the halls of Ëa [the Universe]."

My elaborate reasons: they're pretty and I wants them!

This is older than DHS!

A famous, poignant remark by the Buddha just appeared on the editing screen: “Better to practice alone than to find companionship with a fool. One should practice alone, with few concerns, like an elephant in the forest.”

My leader.

Epic! neal.fun/deep-sea/

Mnisose (the Missouri).

💚💚💚💜💜💜

Battleboat!

One of the many, many ways people are fighting ICE in Minneapolis is helping neighbors safely shelter at home during a time when abductions are genuinely rampant. People in Minneapolis are doing *so much* great work

My birthstone is either an olive wood or a sandalwood bead.

You know things in the world must be really shitty, because I'm obsessing over The Silmarillion again and am actually (finally) revising it back to Tolkien's draft texts using the material printed in his son's The History of Middle-earth series.

I was like that when I was young. I wrote a novel at age 15 about climate crisis that led a teenager to write a philosophical manual (which I wrote and put into the novel) that, after his assassination by a mob, created world peace. A few years later I realized how absurd it was and destroyed it all

For real the type of guy who thinks that he has cracked the code to the world, and everything would be fixed if everyone would just adopt his ideas and do what he says, is a blight on the world.

😎

Here is a video of a frozen creek that had begun to thaw, and the water was flowing beneath the thin ice on top. I took this because it was soothing and wonderfully bloopy and I wanted to listen to it for hours. You are all welcome to enjoy it, too. Let your brain settle here and rest for a moment.

this one is called goose horse

One of the most effective responses I give to MAGA folks is from a moral high ground. "I can't really talk to you because your heart is full of cruelty. You remind me of a bully who tortures animals. I hope you find Jesus. I shall pray for your soul." They are disarmed and so confused.

Words that have been on my mind recently #Tolkien #art

Thinking about the trauma the Twin Cities has been through in the last five years, and how rightly exhausted we all are: -COVID shutdown -George Floyd -Melissa Hortman -Annunciation -ICE occupation -Renee Good. If you are having a rough time, reach out to others.

Roshi @joanhalifax.bsky.social 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Rev. Susie Hayward, a UCC pastor who was shoved by agents and exposed to pepper spray at the site of the ICE shooting in MN today shortly after it occurred, just sent me this from tonight’s vigil for the woman killed. (She said sign’s design isn’t hers, crediting instead the artist Libby Kercher.)

Guys, with understanding that everyone is angry right now, I am honestly going to start blocking people who say things like, "Who cares? The law doesn't matter anymore," or "They can do whatever they want, they can't be stopped" etc. I mean, if you really feel that way, you're a part of the problem.

"'power' is an ominous and sinister word in all these tales" -- JRR Tolkien, Letter 131

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany. Meanwhile, the fools running the propaganda shitshow over on the White House website are calling today a day to honor "peaceful patriotic protesters." I won't quote any more of their offensive revisionist bullshit. On this Three Kings' Day, I say, "No Kings!" ❌🚫👑

What do you do when you finish reading "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"? You flip back to the front of The Silmarillion and start again with "Ainulindalë."

My first attempt at The Pleiades. Pretty pleased considering there was a full moon. Fingers crossed for clear skies on dark nights so I can capture more data. #astrophotography

You don’t have to wait to BE good to DO good. Embrace your inner hypocrite! You have free will!

I don't usually tend to judge the sincerity of another's belief, but I've concluded after today's events that these American Christian Nationalists don't really believe (let alone fear or respect) any Higher Power above themselves. If they do, why do they continue to act like Ar-Pharazôn?

Reading Tolkien's Akallabêth (the Downfallen) today on his birthday and on the day the U.S. did a shitty deed in Venezuela. U.S. politicians talk about the wrath of the U.S. -- yet how long before the wrath of the Deathless Powers of the West turns the U.S. into its own Akallabêth?

The final Calvin and Hobbes, which appeared in papers 30 years ago today.

May these winter holidays be a time when we renew our vows and rededicate ourselves to being of benefit to all.

As we step into the new year, may we carry forward the commitment to show up: to listen deeply, to act with courage and care, to speak truthfully, and to remember our interconnection with all beings.

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti 📿🙏

In the coming year, I wish you all a thriving community

I didn't keep track of the number this year, but I was well above the median number of 2 books!

"However, there are too many absorbing things in the world. One has to choose and stick to a few" -- JRR Tolkien to his 14-year-old grandson Michael George, 1957, Letter 196a

What are your favorite Tolkien works? My top 5 are: 1) The 1977 Silmarillion 2) Princess Mee 2) Smith of Wootton Major 3) Leaf by Niggle 4) The Sea-Bell 5) Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth

As my favorite rewriting of the Serenity Prayer goes: Give me the courage to change the things I cannot accept! Amen 🙏

Wishing all my friends and followers a great 2026! 🎉 #2026NewYear Annum novum faustum felicem! A happy and prosperous New Year! Here are some New Year’s wishes from Roman oil lamps, which were traditionally given as presents on New Year’s Day.

2026 Resolutions: * Make an illuminated manuscript. * Try a new kind of cheese. * Publish at least 1 zine. * Finish my Early Church Timeline. * Visit the ocean (any ocean) again. * Read at least one book from my TBR pile. * Go on a pilgrimage. * Other resolutions to be determined.

I wanted to get a video of this ghost crab but every time I got close to their hole they scuttled back in, so I tried getting clever with it. I made a little sandcastle and shoved my phone into it, hit record, and walked away. Crab was VERY suspicious of this addition to their environment.

もっと成長すると、ミズクラゲとは少し違う見た目に？ ナンヨウミズクラゲ をきのうからご紹介しています。 新しい生き物たち www.enosui.com/animalsentry... #クラゲ

🪷 Buddhistdoor Quote for Today: Taisen Deshimaru (1914–1982) 🪷 🔗 Go deeper: buddhistdoor.net #Buddhism #Buddha #Dharma #Mahayana #SotoZen #Zen #Japan #Buddhist #Mindfulness #Meditation #Compassion #Wisdom #Awakening #Spirituality

FREEDOM!!!!!!!