My childhood would have been so SO much poorer without an unlimited supply of novels from the local library.

And I can’t imagine my adult life without a constant supply of books.

I’m gonna try. Lots of parent of kids who have SEN on there tho.

Venezuela ‘turning over’ $2bn in oil to US, Trump says, in move that could cut supply to China Deal indicates Venezuelan government is responding to Trump’s demand that they open up to US oil companies or risk more military intervention

So yesterday Trump mused about a 3rd term, said ideally he'd cancel elections because Democrats are evil, and today it emerged that he's appropriated all the proceeds of Venezuela's oil industry

can we (ie number 10) *please* stop saying US is our closest ally.

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

Jumbleberry jam, strawberries, raspberries and back currants from the garden. Blackberries from the hedgerow. Utterly delish!

The other place has logged me out! Annoying.

Probably good that I don’t cut hair as I can’t even notice!

Shortbread mince pies cooling on a rack. Fresh, bright red cranberries in the pan. Nearly 10mins later, dark red cranberry sauce.

A hand holing a mug with a photo of an 8 year old child in a red jumper on it. The text reads Remembering Laura Jane Booth on her 30th birthday

Red script printed on the back of a mug. It reads: This cup is in loving memory of Laura, she would have been 30 on the 14th of December this year. Will you join us and remember Laura on this day by filling the cup with a drink of your choice and come 7pm say a big "Cheers Laura"

Today is Laura Booth's 30th birthday, her parents have sent mugs out so people can raise a mug in her memory at 7pm.

Laura was just 21 when she went into hospital for a routine eye operation. She never got the surgery, less than a month later she died #DeathByIndifference #LearningDisability

1/8

Top London academies face mass claims of emotional harm as Whitehall acts on crisis Government says allegations ‘deeply distressing’ as dossier of allegations grows in wake of Observer investigation into Mossbourne schools

There is no such thing as ‘healthy fear;’ it is actually emotional damage. Those who seek to manipulate children in this way should have no place whatsoever in the children’s workforce. Do something about this now, please @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/education/20...

😱

BBC Mission Statement: The broadcaster is to “act in the public interest, serving all audiences through the provision of impartial, high-quality and distinctive output and services which inform, educate and entertain”.

They fail on impartiality, badly. Tory/right wing shills.

Surrey Coroner Richard Travers found today the death of 6 day old Hayden Nguyen who died in August 2016, was contributed to by neglect.

His parents, Tum and Alex, have spent £250k and years to right the record after an earlier inquest found he died from natural causes #OpenJustice Total respect

Chicken arrabbiata with Parmesan dumplings, covered with a sprinkling of Parmesan, bubbling tomato sauce and golden Parmesan scones on top!

Screenshot of Elon Musk tweeting 😂 with screenshot of Grok answer to “who am I?” and replying with a passage of intense flattery, beginning “Oh, you’re Elon Musk, the real-life Tony Stark” and ending with “Mars has a reservation in your name, and you tweet like the rest of us breathe.”

It looks like Elon has had Grok reprogrammed after it accused him of being the most significant spreader of disinformation on X…

Painting with an arched shape resting on a horizontal line, the softly blurred arches within arches in colours of white pink and red are over a half circle of yellow representative of a rising sun zabove a horizontal stripe of red and pink merging representing land

Sunrise, 1916
by Georgia O'Keeffe
#Monday

Screenshot of a post from twitter by Prof Colin Diamond CBE. It references the article posted here, and reads “Here we go: clear research evidence that Sure Start impacted long-term on life chances in this country. Many parallels with Head Start in the US. It took Gove weeks to close the programme with irreparable damage. Basically he didn’t have a clue about EY😞”

. @drpam.bsky.social @ruthswailes.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Edinburgh was beautiful. Two days of glorious sun and one of snow.

Hello Bluesky people!
For new followers:
My work is around death/dying/learning disability & inclusive research. Here's a thread with my main research projects & activities.
Do share these posts with others who might be interested. Let's build and expand our Bluesky community!

I’m not a big hugger 🤣. If you don’t need a plan then I guess it’s a tick box for a risk assessment from their point of view. Hard to find clinicians in the EMDR, Brainspotting trauma stuff.

😱 govt advisor/psychiatrist!

UK farmers are campaigning against inheritance tax on over £1m - which also has get outs - so it’s probably £3m for a couple.
UK govt say 500 mainly affected - which will include:

Aren’t they supposed to help you work that out? Sending non huggy hugs!

I'm looking to partner with those who work in #SEN as I've created some children's books which have been particularly effective with helping neurodivergent children with their emotions and feelings.

You can check them out here: thatsokay.co.uk/collections/...

#SENDco #Neurodivergent #ADHD #Autism

Luxembourg 86% of avg salary
Portugal 75%
France 68%
Germany 56%.
Even USA median-wage workers keep 35%

But in 🇬🇧 ? A measly 12% — the lowest in the developed world. Even if we include housing benefit, the UK still ranks 39th out of 42 rich countries — ahead of only Australia , Romania & Russia

Sounds like the task is tricky. Probably a balancing act of persuasion and encouragement. The fact you even ask that question means you’re already several steps ahead.

Chicken breasts in a creamy sauce, simmering in a frying pan.

Marry me chicken. A bit too rich for my liking. Should have reduced the quantity of cream.

Meatballs in a chilli and tomato sauce. All cooking up in a big pot. Dinner for tomorrow. 😋

2024 batch of crab apple jelly. Bright crimson apples, washed, chopped, covered in water, simmered, mashed and put through a jelly bag. Sugar added to liquid, slowly melted and then a rolling boil

The effects of youth clubs on education and crime | Institute for Fiscal Studies Using quasi-experimental variation from austerity-related cuts, I provide the first causal estimates of youth clubs' effects on education and crime.

New research from the IFS showing the closure of youth centres during the 2010s was shortsighted. For every £1 saved, the costs to affected users, crime victims and public spending in the police and the criminal justice system amount to £2.85

ifs.org.uk/publications...