How about we apply PRA to taxes/IRS and take the administrative burden off of individuals & place it on the government—who should send us an invoice instead of “hey fill out this burdensome confusing paperwork at both the state and federal level & we’ll tell you if you calculated correctly mwahaha”
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
It’s not ok.
It’s not a joke and even if it was, it’s not ok.
Off hand racist comments are still racist.
As much as I knew we had so far to go sometimes it takes my breath away to see racism that is so clear, a threat that is so palpable, and the lack of accountability. From our fucking president
My idea of the perfect day—my wish is that all people have this
Making mosaics: the perfect blend of treasure hunting (thrift stores) for ceramics or stained glass I can break & remake into art—it makes me so happy.
Volunteering at the food pantry:the physical work/organizing is so satisfying & the people are amazing—I feel like I’m doing something meaningful.
This!!! We won’t talk about the disaster of a movie that didn’t come after.
I don’t mean to sound extreme, but I don’t think we should have torture camps for people with criminal records either.
this is still my take on the Epstein files destroying what’s left of Bill Clinton, by the way
Medicare For All can be designed to not just protect the rights of disabled Americans, but further independence.
Medicare For All can be designed not just to reduce costs for chronically ill Americans, but further health by tearing down barriers to medically necessary treatments.
I gifted this very early to my spouse and I cannot tell you how funny it is to deliver it to him and watch him get a bevvie, sit down at the table, and laugh hysterically while reading me the headlines out loud.
Just bought a box of stovetop this week for myself then decided I’d make it for a family dinner coming up. Guess I need to buy a couple more boxes bc everyone loves it when it comes out!
I’m once again asking the powers that be to please Scrooge the billionaires (as I watch A Muppet Christmas Carol for the thousandth time)
Art Nouveau style🧚
7. Thrifted gift ideas! I *LOVE* these ideas. I stop by thrift stores every week looking for materials for mosaics (and I'm partial to glass dishes 🤣) Buy a cakestand/plate, add a cookbook or baked good to keep it simple or search for more ideas, here's an example: www.instagram.com/reel/C1QkBED...
6. www.ashtonzagerfiberart.com I found Ashton's account when we lived in Weaverville during lockdown and I dove back into weaving. Their fiber bundles & full kits are so fun, colorful, and thoughtfully made. I love their passion, compassion, and creativity + business smarts Kits are ⭐
5. counterculturecoffee.com I'm biased bc I grew up with this, but my favs are Big Trouble and Hologram! They focus on "social, fiscal, and environmental sustainability" and provide financial grants to producers they work with to strengthen farmers and their communities☕ get you a cup
4. arainbowinyourcloud.com (aka StudioMucci) love love love their style!I have many prints hanging in my house, their aesthetic pleases my 80's/90's kid heart🌈 They are a wonderfully kind and encouraging person and I know would appreciate your support to spread joy and color
3. www.sayitwithglassdesigns.com Products or classes! I haven't taken a class here, but can't wait to! I started experimenting with stained glass and mosaic making through my county programs, but am eager to try glass fusing! Who doesn't love a hand made gift or the chance to try it themselves?
2. chiaramade.com Clay jewelry and magnets, etc! Truly this maker is an artist, using the technique 'millefiori' to build designs from individual canes. Their videos on insta are so mesmerizing and I can't wait for what they make next!
1. www.wedgewoodcheesebar.com, butter, ham, wine, cheese of course! I always walk out with something after eating here and anything from this store would make an awesome gift! 🧀🧀🧀
Saw threads sharing fav small businesses to buy from this holiday season instead of big box stores--here are some of my favs (some local to NC, some not)--please share your favs!
Same same
Image of text, a poem: The problem with hope The problem with hope is I expect it to be big. Big enough to sweep up my worries, to flood my despair, to swallow up the collective pain. A superhero. Instead hope is like a speck, infuriatingly small. Like a slow drip of water from a faucet, drip drip drip as my thirst feels unrelenting. But. Maybe hope has to be small. Small enough to find the cracks in my faith, to soften the edges of the brokenness, to seep into my tender heart, to quietly show up in small, everyday acts. When you made the protest sign sent the “thinking about you” text brought a load of groceries to the food pantry signed up for volunteer shifts said ‘thank you so much’ waved hello and gently pet the dog cared about the people halfway across the world asked where you can give money stood in front the danger hugged me longer wept for the world shared your anger offered to help helped, helped, helped, drip drip drip Just small enough. -carmen bocanegra
one thing about the current state of things--it's been easier to write, in fact, I've HAD to write. And I'm sharing here because sometimes the realizations are so comforting it's impossible not to share.
I’m rewatching old GBBO seasons for comfort—I still don’t know the difference between dessert, pudding, and why cake fits in both categories but is also its own thing. Like someone said “I don’t like desserts they are too sweet” then proceeded to make a caramel cake I don’t get it but I’m ok with it
I believe there is a lot of light in the world right now, if we notice it. Sometimes it’s blurry, sometimes it’s only tiny lights, sometimes it feels like I’m stepping into the sun. But we can be light as we search for more. And I see so much light this week
As my fav acct taomeditations writes: “I challenge you honestly, that if you believe there is truly no light in the world, then you must become it.”
yes, money is ALWAYS needed & appreciated. it gives pantries the ability to buy things like eggs (that aren't donated as much as needed), things in bulk. but food donations help provide a variety for ppl to choose from. bc while sustenance is the goal, providing options brings joy to the process
what is near expiration. Many shelf stable items can be consumed safely WAY past expiration. Some things up to 18 months or 5 years!!! Don't throw it away, please use it yourself (a quick internet search will tell you the actual expiry date) or please donate it. Let's use the food we have!
e.g. 4 cans for $5 but you only need 2, pick up the deal and donate what you don't need. And 2. walk through your pantry/food storage every month and look at the dates on things you haven't used in a while--is is near expiration? do you have 10 of something you don't use often? Donate the excess or
Many are surprised we have refrigerators and freezers so we can store fruits, veggies, dairy, eggs, meat, etc. Someone asked if we're collecting turkeys for holidays and the answer is always YES. My fav tips to share with people are 1. if you are shopping for yourself and see a sale