Friday delight: a variant on a Manhattan (called a Manhattan Beach by the Atost folks, but I varied their recipe even more): WhistlePig 6-year rye, Atost—thanks Marie!—aperitif, and Cocchi vermouth, with Angostura bitters and candied (yum) orange peel. Not a bad thing... #cocktails

Friday frolic: a Black Manhattan variant, with the last dribbles of a too-large Knob Creek bourbon, amplified with some Woodford Reserve bourbon, Cocchi vermouth and Montenegro amaro. Peychaud's and Angostura bitters, and brandied cherry to boot. Takes the pain of too much bad news away. #cocktails

View from a cliff at Ft. Ord Dunes State Park (north of Monterey, CA) today. Dazzling stuff, and walking down that little canyon to the water was just as good.

Fabulous is not a strong enough word to describe the heart, soul and grit in this essay.

Finding some good (and my, do we need it). But, hey, how 'bout that Knicks game? www.theatlantic.com/philosophy/2...

@jessicavalenti.bsky.social "I’ll take the time to explain, again, why calls for Democrats to move to the right on their most popular political issue are fucking stupid. But first, I have to say this: I am so tired. I am tired of having to defend my humanity and the humanity of other women."

Page 56 of Trump’s proposed budget calls for the destruction of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The ONLY source of federal support for libraries. action.everylibrary.org/petitionimls... via @everylibrary.bsky.social

A salute to my dad, Sgt. Bentley, on this #MemorialDay: he was a waist gunner on a B-17 in the European Theater in WWII and over Korea, many missions, and unlike many of his compatriots, survived to a rich old age. Long gone now, but never forgotten. (Most importantly, he was a good man.)

Friday fly-in: a Boulevardier w/ Knob Creek bourbon, Cocchi vermouth and Gran Classico (Campari’s OK, Classico’s better). Yesssss… #cocktails

What Actually Sells Books open.substack.com/pub/brookewa... #books #publishing #booksales

New #WriterBeware blog post: The Anthropic copyright settlement has writers re-assessing the importance of copyright registration and rights reversion. Should they be re-assessing the importance of ISBNs as well? writerbeware.blog/2026/05/22/h...

No words.

Great flash fiction that starts out as a sympathetic work-life lament and turns into ... wow. #flashfiction #shortstory #fiction electricliterature.com/the-flamingo...

Tweets disappear. Emails get buried. But a postcard on a desk? That gets noticed. civicmail.org/about-campai... via @civicmail.bsky.social

Variant (complicated!) of a Missing in Action w/Appleton rum, Knob Creek bourbon, Montenegro amaro, Aperol, Costco Orange liqueur (Gran Marnier in disguise?), bit of Demerara syrup. And yes, TGIF. #cocktails

The elastically thoughtful and analytical-yet-lively writer, Rebecca Solnit, once again delivers the goods on politics, culture and hope: www.meditationsinanemergency.com/we-are-crash...

Reflective piece on the ups, downs and values of a writing life, and how to keep banking the quiet flames: www.writersdigest.com/what-is-the-...

Thank god I wasn’t running the FBI at the time. https://tombentley936113.substack.com/p/a-reluctant-edibles-excursion

This image really does encapsulate the moral depravity of the “religious right” in this moment. There is nothing even remotely “godly” about Trump, and these religious leaders know it - they just choose to ignore it, in pursuit of their various hatreds and bigotries.

A #cocktail at the end of a world-weary week: a Manhattan variant w/ Knob Creek bourbon, Cocchi vermouth, Dry Curaçao, Angostura & Peychaud’s bitters, brandied cherry & orange twist. Breathe…

Imagine asking Washington for permission to read a book. Hard pass. Sign the petition against the Federal Book Ban Bill. Via @everylibrary.bsky.social #read #reading #library #libraries action.everylibrary.org/hr_7661

Helpful (and yes, funny) overview of effective uses of humor in writing. #humor #writing #comedywriting https://www.writersdigest.com/shocking-discovery-intentional-humorists-do-it-on-purpose-on-humor

My not-quite julep on Derby Day: crunched ice rather than crushed, muddled and topped mint, Demerara syrup and some flasked Blanton’s and Woodford for that Kentucky glow. #cocktails

Good Joanna Penn interview with Adam Leipzig on his new book addressing (among other things) why writing books still matters in a world saturated with visual media, and why persistence is the key to a sustainable creative career. #writing #books #publishing www.thecreativepenn.com/2026/04/27/n...

Great and communicative organization matching English-speaking volunteers with Ukrainians hoping to learn the language. I have worked with my pal Tanya for more than a year and a half (not doing weekly sessions anymore, but still meeting) and we share worldviews and laughs. Good stuff! #ENGin

More weaselish Trump administration chicanery: sign.moveon.org/petitions/st...

Fun and inspiring video of Goldman Environmental Prize winners and ceremonies. Regular folks doing extraordinary things for our planet. #EarthDay www.goldmanprize.org/ceremony/

After a dandy hike in Molera State Park, a veggie burger and Chenin Blank at fabled Nepenthe restaurant. #BigSur is fabulous, as always.

Imagine a book about trees being targeted for removal. It sounds unbelievable, but that is exactly what book banners are doing. Free the tree! action.everylibrary.org/wishtreevid via @everylibrary.bsky.social #book #books #politics #author #authors #library #librarianship #libraries #censorship

Fun post by Colson Whitehead on legit (or eccentric) uses of AI and his inviolate rule: don't use it for your art. (No secret news, but BTW, his "Nickel Boys" and "Underground Railroad" novels are excellent.) www.nytimes.com/2026/04/15/o...

Here’s a humorous look at the Trump regime’s incompetence… Trump/MAGA logic in action:

Dr. Goodall, a beautiful soul with striking smarts, reminding us that this planet is our only home. Best to take care of it, eh? HT to Carbon Almanac newsletter https://www.onehome.org/en/videos/earth-video/scientists/jane-goodall

Alligator lizard on our deck a couple of days ago. His/her tail was longer than the length of its body, but it was hidden between some deck boards. Handsome artwork on its back! #lizards #nature #animals

Weird and unsettlingly good flash fiction piece from @electricliterature.com #fiction #shortstories #flashfiction electricliterature.com/debone-by-ca...

I added a little #AuthorsAgainstBookBans spice to the sign I waved at the Watsonville CA #NoKings protest today. Resist!

Don't let the American government decide what books you and your family are allowed to read. action.everylibrary.org/hr_7661 via @everylibrary.bsky.social

A toast to my mother in heaven, Eileen O’Brien, on this St. Paddy’s Day: a Celtic Kiss, which me and my galpal made up: Yellow Spot 12, Dry Curaçao, Benedictine, cherry and lemon bitters, orange peel, splash of soda water. Slainte!

“The cure for all writerly maladies is work… If you are feeling competitive with someone else’s writing, take that energy and go to your desk…If reading these words makes you irritated…I understand. Take that irritation and write a paragraph.” —Elizabeth McCracken, “A Long Game”

CAN YOU SECURE THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ?????

So much ugliness and vile lies in the news from the "top" of our gov. now. So a post about Penguin Random House redesigning their penguin logo is more easily digested. HT to @janefriedman.com www.fastcompany.com/91501856/how...

I found the void to be quite reasonable here, albeit fatigued: https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the-void-would-very-much-like-you-to-stop-screaming-into-it

Here’s to the bombing stopping soon, while I get bombed: Here’s a Manhattan, kind of, with Redwood Empire rye, Dolin vermouth, Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters, cherry and a twist. But with a 1/2 oz. of Costco Orange Liqueur, which I suspect is Grand Marnier. Or its sister. Peace on earth, please.

So much an eloquent voice of both reason and passion: www.meditationsinanemergency.com/visions-of-l...

Don't let the American government decide what books you and your family are allowed to read. action.everylibrary.org/hr_7661 via @everylibrary.bsky.social

Measured reflection from Tim Ferriss on what truly liberates the self: relating to and helping others. tim.blog/2026/03/04/t...

Amen. https://thecarbonalmanac.org/world-wildlife-day-as-a-reminder-of-what-nature-does-for-us/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyDifference&utm_content=World%20Wildlife%20Day%20as%20a%20reminder%20of%20what%20nature%20does%20for%20us

A free press—a Constitutional right—on shaky ground: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/o...

Friday eve oohs and ahh—a Celtic Kiss w/ Yellow Spot 12 Irish, Dry Curaçao, Benedictine, cherry & Meyer lemon bitters, splash soda water, orange peel. We made it up, so I’m prejudiced, but nom, nom, nom! #cocktails

Across the country, the freedom to read is under attack. Books are being removed from shelves, librarians are being targeted, and students are losing access to materials that reflect their lives and expand their understanding of the world. #libraries bit.ly/4cxv5qz via @everylibrary.bsky.social

Rebecca Solnit, a mountain of stellar reason and passion, says it so well here—there is a sound basis for resolute hope, despite the wounds to democracy: https://www.meditationsinanemergency.com/auspicious-omens-and-excellent-insubordination/