Really enjoyed your talk—thank you!

Photo is a screenshot of the cover of THE BEGINNING COMES AFTER THE END: Notes on a World of Change by Rebecca Solnit. Pink background with white lettering.

I thought all I had to do for #NoKings day next weekend was to sign up for a location and make a sign. Turns out that reading @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social ‘s new book (thoughtful & hopeful) was also a smart move. I’m infused with excitement and hope. Can’t wait to keep the momentum going on March 28.

Amazing 19th century cake pans in an illustration found by researcher Jamie Schler @lifesafeast.bsky.social

Just what I needed after another tumultuous news day. Allons enfants de la patrie!

Thank you for sharing! This is thought-provoking and would always be relevant, but feels especially right at this moment.

Resolute, yes!
And maybe we care about other people, and can empathize more easily, because we know what it’s like to be treated like a second-class citizen, condescended to, and called a f***ing b****.
That comment, BTW, shows us exactly what was in his mind when he fired those shots.

Thanks for your informative and thoughtful presentation! Long-time attendee here, but this was the first one for my husband and he really enjoyed it. We will definitely be signing up for the next one.

Sweet potato pudding, orange-hued and browned on top, cooling on the stove top in a Williamsburg slipware pie plate.

Sweet potato pudding, recipe from Amelia Simmons’ 1796 AMERICAN COOKERY; updated for modern cooks by Rebecca Suerdieck of cookingandfire.wixsite.com/workshops. We made this at Rebecca’s Nov hearth-cooking class and I wanted to try it at home. Sweet potatoes, apples, raisins, cream, eggs—delicious!

I love this for many reasons, one of which is that my history-loving Oma was from Württemburg and if she were still alive, we would definitely have discussed this.

Enjoy some fascinating history over the holidays with the amazing James Wright’s @jpwarchaeology.bsky.social online talk HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN THE LANDSCAPE on Dec. 30. For Americans like me, it’s a chance to get a dose of well-researched British history from the comfort of our state-side armchairs.

Photo of Michael J. Fox, actor and spokesperson for Parkinson’s research.

I attended your Zoom talk on Dating Ancient Buildings and Lyde’s House this evening, and enjoyed every minute. I signed up right after for your next talk on Dec. 30. I hope things look brighter for you this week; you most definitely gave me a lift today.

That’s quite a journey for this piece of iron, plus amazing to see the story revealed by science.

This post made me think of Jack Whyte’s novel The Skystone, first book in the Camulod Chronicles. I loved the notion that Excalibur could have been forged from a meteorite.

Large 18th century-style fireplace with hearth cooking set-up: roast chickens wrapped in string hanging on chains over the fire, hanging kettle, three cast iron camp ovens with coals top and bottom, and iron trivet with small copper saucepan..

Lattice-topped apple pie in cast iron Dutch oven over coals, on hearth.

Patrick Henry’s home (1771 to 1778) Scotchtown, in Beaverdam, Virginia. Cream-colored wooden house seen from the rear side, with 8 equidistant tall windows and an entry door in the middle with small portico. There are two chimneys on the broad shingled roof. Empty grounds surround the house and a tour guide stands in front.

We roasted chicken, made cheese, and baked pie, pudding, and cornbread at Patrick Henry’s Virginia home Scotchtown last weekend. Instructor Rebecca Suerdieck led us expertly through a fun and informative day of hands-on hearth cooking, with a feast at the end.

cookingandfire.wixsite.com/workshops

Proud to be from Virginia where we just elected Abigail Spanberger. In a year of depressing political news, this was the best news.

I am glad on’t; ’tis a worthy governor.

Hymnody didn’t work today either.

Photo is of the book cover for The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer and features award medals (Printz, National Book Award). Cover is red and black with a stylized scorpion.

When real-life reminds you of a dystopian novel

In a Hot Mic Moment, Xi and Putin Muse About Living Forever www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/w...

a man in a suit and hat holds a red flower ALT: a man in a suit and hat holds a red flower

Nucky’s got it handled

Did you know that in 1925, Indiana had the highest per capita KKK membership in the USA? Read all about it one of the best nonfiction history books I’ve read this decade: Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan. Con man/politician Stephenson is a dead ringer for our current national leadership.

Full fathom five thy father lies;
. . .
Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell:
Ding-dong.
Hark! now I hear them,—the Epstein Files

Shows cover of the book It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas. Picture includes a preteen Iranian girl in 1970s flared jeans and orange form-fitting top, and a scarf around her neck. Her hair is uncovered and her hands are jauntily on her hips. In foreground are household packing boxes labeled kitchen, books, etc. Behind her are a blue car and palm trees. Printed blurb from People magazine states: “Insightful, sobering and hilarious”

Photo of page of the book. Text reads: police, SAVAK, would take the protesters to jail and torture them. This always scared others away from protesting, but apparently it isn't working anymore. Protesters are actually getting killed, but people keep demonstrating. "Wow. That's huge." She wipes crumbs off her shirt. "The shah likes to scare people. He buys the most modern weapons in the world for his military and shows them of during parades. My dad says you don't see tanks and guns on parade in America because democracy keeps the country together, not fear of the military."

Photo of text on the book’s page. Text reads: Carolyn looks at me thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it, that's true. I've never seen a tank in a Fourth of July parade, just marching bands, dogs wearing tutus, and people dressed like Uncle Sam. Once, I even saw a dog dressed like Uncle Sam!" I nod, relieved that she understands. "You're lucky that people can do that kind of stuff in America and no one ends up in jail."

Middle grade novel IT AIN’T SO AWFUL, FALAFEL by Firoozeh Dumas provides a child’s-eye view of what it was like in the 1970s to be a refugee fleeing Iranian dictatorship and settling in the USA. The young protagonist reminds us that military parades featuring tanks & guns are a dictator’s game.

Congratulations, Sydney, to be part of this well-curated collection of books with mental health-related themes. I loved seeing your book RACING THE CLOUDS along with other favorites. @highlightsfound.bsky.social really know what they’re doing when it comes to kids’ well-being and children’s lit.

This is my second share of this article because it explains so clearly why AI-driven search/research is no substitute for an educated human working with original documents, making unique, spontaneous connections with their creative, innovative brain.

While the gospels say that Judas led the Romans to Jesus, a new theory is gaining traction with some Biblical scholars. There is evidence, some say, that Judas merely shared Christ's location on an insecure group chat that accidentally included several Roman officials and journalists.

As the 14th Amendment clearly states: “Nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Our government needs to remember that.

Every American should read or reread 1984 because we’re heading there fast.

Theatrically staged inhumanity. I hope Kristi is held more accountable than Leni was. These videos are evidence.