@ctbideas.bsky.social’s powerful story about reconnection and self-discovery (in space!) is available to read for free!

motherlands Check out motherlands - <p>Motherlands is a lyrical meditation on the parallel journeys of motherhood, immigration, and amputation. Each journey is a radical act of care and a type of haunting. Camill...

So happy (and nervous!) to have been invited to do a reading of two of my poems this past Saturday at the book launch of "Motherlands," by Anaheim poet laureate, Camille Hernandez (bookshop.org/p/books/moth...). Her poetry is always gorgeous, thoughtful, and plays with form beautifully.

Me: A babysitter is going to come and play games with you.

8yo: Yay! I'm so excited!

Me: Yes! It's going to be fun!

8yo: Is she going to come from Mama's tummy or Dada's tummy?

Me: ....

Me: No, not baby sister. Babysitter. An adult, like Mama.

8yo: *disappointed noises*

It's out! Pay what you want (including free) and both full of lovely, thoughtful stories (including mine in Saros #4)

Painting of red human heart outlined with metallic yarn on a pink and black background surrounded by white pearls

Detail of painting of red human heart outlined with metallic yarn on a pink and black background surrounded by white pearls, so that the textures can be seen more clearly

Been getting back into painting again. "Relic of Regret," mixed media (acrylic paint, acrylic markers, metallic yarn, and plastic pearls)

My story in Saros #4 is coming soon!

I'm always so happy when I can share one of my stories with my 7yo, so the day I received the new Promised Protagonists anthology, we sat down and read my story, "Yue and the Fox," together. If you want a copy for your kids (or for yourself!): amzn.to/4fYdOXg

That sounds brutal! I would consider myself still a beginner, but maybe one day... Definitely something to strive for!

Absurdly pleased at completing the custom 100 x 100 (1,000 mines) board at Minesweeper.Online. My inner monologue through the entire 1,435.816 seconds was just repeating "don't make a stupid mistake ... don't make a stupid mistake" over and over

My poem, "ghost story of a lost sister," was just published in @sfpoetry.bsky.social's Star*Line's 48.3 issue (sfpoetry.org/wp/starline/...). Gorgeous cover and a really great collection of poetry within. Enjoy!

I have a story I love that has had 46 rejections so far, so thanks for sharing your story's journey! Hope remains :)

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Postal Service With These 15 Photographs These shots from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest are truly a dream delivery

What a pleasant surprise to find my photo (the first one) included in this wonderful roundup celebrating 250 years of the Postal Service, especially considering my love of postal history and collecting postage stamps! www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/celeb...

Excited to have my story included in Issue 4 of Saros (look at that gorgeous cover)! I can't wait to share it with you!

Me: Some are heavy and some are light.

7yo (who tries to disagree with everything I say): Yeah, well, some are not heavy and some are not light.

Me: Yes, exactly

7yo: ...

Me: ...

Found this book in my 7yo's bed when I went to wake her up this morning (she sneaks toys and books into her bed in the middle of the night). Very fitting for today.

Congrats to our indefatigable Honda Civic, Harry, for reaching 270,000 miles. He's our trustworthy companion for all our life events.

A ghost dog, a world full of people with powers, and two men finding love when they least expect it. My story, "The Dead-Seer and the Death-Seer," was just published in Issue 98 of Andromeda Spaceways Magazine (andromedaspaceways.com/product/asm-...)! Look at that wonderful cover!

The American Topical Association has a wonderful annual showcase of 1-page stamp exhibits open to everyone (ataexhibits.com/mope-list/). I sent in 2 exhibits this year with stamps from my own collection: one on the Luna 1 satellite and one on GomBurZa. Already planning for next year!

When I picked her up from school, my 7yo handed me a small bag labeled "Happy Mother's Day."

Me: Is that a present for me?

7yo: No! We're sharing.

Me: We're sharing the Mother's Day present?

7yo: Can I open it when we get home?

If that's not what being a mom is all about...

Christina Tang-Bernas | Exhibitions 2025 (Item) USA T/X@cbtideas https://bsky.app/profile/ctbideas.bsky.social

New Mexico really is the "land of enchantment," and I tried to showcase one of its stunning vistas in my photo of the same name, currently being displayed at the Glasgow Gallery of Photography in their "Landscape" exhibit alongside other gorgeous photos (can view online): bit.ly/land-enchant....

Issue 4 of StampEd from @aps-stamps.bsky.social is out (stamped.pub)! Among all the fun articles (incl. Discworld!) are two of mine: "Rule My World" (about micronational stamps) and "Reach Out and Touch (Stamps)" (about Braille on stamps). Let me know which articles you enjoyed!

My husband said he added something to our weekly schedule for today...

My 7yo named her water bottle "Baby." Yesterday, she took a long drink and then declared, "I'm drinking Baby's blood!" I think I'm doing parenting right.

Thanks for your kind and thoughtful words (love the pun)! Glad you liked it!

My photo, "A Reflection of Glory," is now being displayed in the online annex of Black Box Gallery for their "Shadow and Light" exhibition (blackboxgallery.com/Vision-Shado...). Can any of you can identify what is depicted in my photo?

There's just something about slow dancing to the crooning of "Moon River" from the record player while the kid, the dog, and cat swirl around us chaotically. These are the moments I wish I could remember forever.

A king, a prince, and a mysterious pack of wolves. My story, "Daciana's Pack," is now in the "Dog Save the King" spec fic anthology by @hemelein.bsky.social All proceeds of this wonderful collection go toward helping students attend the LTUE symposium for a reduced price. Find here: amzn.to/41pjnbP

Attended a fantastic online "Show and Tell" program by LASO (Learning about Stamps Online) earlier this week. Made the history nerd in me very happy. They really have some great programs, all recorded and free to watch, not to mention lots of resources and guides: learningaboutstamps.org

Iridescence: Speculative Fiction and Poetry Featuring Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Amazon.com: Iridescence: Speculative Fiction and Poetry Featuring Black, Indigenous, and People of Color eBook : Franz, Monique, Doyle-Gillespie, E. , Tang-Bernas, Christina , Samuel Stember, Nicholas : Kindle Store

Quick update that my story, "For the Love of Death," has been published in the Iridescence anthology, featuring speculative fiction and poetry by BIPOC authors. Tagline: A woman asks Death for a little more time and ends up with far more than she ever expected. If that interests you: amzn.to/3WLKJGt

May I offer you a new (micro)nation in these trying times? My article, "Rule My World: Micronations and Their Stamps," is in the Feb issue of the American Philatelist. If you're an @aps-stamps.bsky.social member, enjoy! If you're not, the article will be available later in StampEd. Stay tuned!