Hopefully I've just helped offset some of that. Thanks for the fun newsletters and gorgeous art. 💕

This thread 😂

I think this is my favourite so far. Alice Knox in Blackrock, Co. Dublin who is very glad to be single. #1926census
nationalarchives.ie/collections/...

On Learning to Read Generously - Reactor What does it mean to be a generous reader, and is it a skill you can practice?

I've been referencing this essay by @mollytempleton.com a lot lately in conversations about reading fantasy and other literature. Templeton's piece includes a discussion of Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's useful ideas about 'paranoid' and 'reparative' approaches to reading. reactormag.com/on-learning-...

When I moved to Rush, I was told by several people in different contexts about the 1878 "seaweed war" between the people of Rush, Loughshinny, and Skerries against Ian Hamilton, of Skerries. To this day, he's consider a "bad Hamilton", as opposed to a "good Hamilton" up in Balbriggan.

The rebuttal to "that is a face that has never seen an iPhone." She looks like anybody I could encounter at the bookstore or yarn shop right now. Such a wonderful photo from 100 years ago.

“Feud with the Pope” is BACK as a likely Wikipedia section heading after a 400-year gap.

Two hooded figures with lamps approach a moonlit, isolated cottage. A woman answers the door. We have come for the child, says the hooded figure So soon? she asks It is time, says the hooded figure. The woman is distraught. We should never have got him a library card! What is done cannot be undone, says the hooded figure We couldn’t see the harm! We just wanted him to enjoy reading! For most, it ends there, says the hooded figure, turning away and walking into the wilderness Oh lord, What have I done! says the woman, the child walks past her and out into the darkness with them. Do not cry mother. I am a writer now.

my latest books cartoon for @theguardian.com

Time to reclaim the throne and change the cushion colours. #TippvCork

I was chasing a few around with the broom while waiting for the kettle to boil this morning. It was made worse by the fact I'd opened the garden door for some fresh air. Looked like an escape at the Tribble zoo.

Photo of Pedro Pascal wearing a dark grey blazer and loosely tied necktie, paired with short blue denim jorts. He is holding some cream coloured roses in one hand and the other is over his crotch where he has suggestively tucked his index finger into his fly. You’re welcome.

I might be misreading things but it feels like the timeline could use a picture of Pedro Pascal in little shorty jorts

I'll admit it's confusing to me. I'm American and I've often started emails that way, both personal and business messages.

A belted galloway cow walking into the mist, towards a bold, unpredictable future.

“So it was, on that misty morning, that Brenda set off for the capital. She knew not what she would find there, only that the time had come to move on - away from small-minded rural attitudes and people who called her ‘Oreo’ and ‘the wide panda’ - to seek a more fulfilling life.”

Our daughter Eithne was in London for an audition for a musical theatre college. Alas she didn't get a place. As she wandered the streets of London waiting for her flight back to Belfast, she wrote this poem.

We have one in the church wall, from Edward VII era (1902-1910), painted green as you please. The first time I saw it, I thought it read Edward VIII, but the last I turned out to be an artistic contribution from a sea gull.

Don't bring a knife to a gunfight. Bring a knife to a vault containing many wheels of cheese in a brutalized postapocalyptic society where knives are only a legend. You are now Knifebringer, Divider of the Cheese. Raise your knife and rule the clans.

These 5 words make women want you

I have drawn a capybara

@florilegia.bsky.social omg I'm not fully awake apparently. I think you're right. When you said that I went back to watch more closely and there's shadow weirdness, at minimum. Thanks for catching it. Deleted my post.

a cuckoo 's clock with a train and a bird on top ALT: a cuckoo 's clock with a train and a bird on top

Cuckoo heard this morning for the first time this year… here comes the summer!

The name of the Big House here was misspelled — a whole new spelling I'd never seen before. Having to learn to love that * today.

Dad *and* Mom Rock. Husband (50) and I (55 in a handful of days) were headbanging to it earlier today. We'll pay tomorrow, the necks aren't as bendy as they used to be and regularly remind us, but the moment called for it.

I have eaten
the plums, oh LORD,
that Thou hadst
set aside

and which
Thou wert probably
saving
for the righteous

Forgive me
they led me into temptation,
so sinful
and so cold

Oof. So much of this.

This could be you 😌

I finally switched to an inexpensive Logitech Pebble keyboard and mouse duo (pink!) because I was tired of Apple's peripheral nonsense and trying to make the mouse work with games that had middle-button configs.

With three kids, I almost had to set limits on how many questions a day I could be asked. It was relentless for over two years, starting when the youngest was about 3 and the oldest was 8. I love answering the questions and saying, "I don't know. Let's look it up together!" but it was overwhelming.

This grifter gal's little concern has been milking free gifts out of companies for a while. I'll be thrice-damned if she milks my time beyond "oops, you need to take the package back". That, I do for fun.

Her husband now and then calls mine to bully him about packages due to arrive. Not our problem. We're not a licensed mail handler, nor are we insured against anything that happens to packages for her. We're not holding them. He's her manager, he needs to manage the address change.

The Irish influencer who lived here a few years ago still hasn't updated her address with various vendors. Got an expensive package last night from a courier who dropped it at the door and was already in the car before we could stop him. Calling courier this morning to take the package back.

Would anyone like a ticket to Christy Moore in Vicar Street on Saturday? #SpeirGorm