Freshwater Literary Journal welcomes no-fee submissions of poetry (up to 40 lines) and prose (fiction and memoir, up to 1,500 words) for our annual print and online issue to be published in May 2026. Deadline: February 15, 2026. Payment: contributor copy. Details here: ctstate.edu/locations/as...
I stand with Ukraine ... not with the convicted felon and adjudicated rapist who rolled out the red carpet for a murderous war criminal.
There’s nothing funny about how rich, powerful men have gotten away with sexual abuse for so long. But if a little satire can help people see reality, then I’m all for it. As AOC said, “Wow, who would have thought that electing a rapist would have complicated the release of the Epstein Files?”
Many thanks to Stephen Sacco and Christian Livermore for having me on their wonderful podcast, Plague Remedy Podcast. We talked about my books, writing, teaching, current events, beloved pets, and much more. Enjoy!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
I'm honored to be this week's featured author with a photo and story at the wonderful Hidden Peak Press. The story may (or may not?) involve time travel, and it explores the classic question, "What would you say if you had the opportunity to give your childhood self advice?" Enjoy!
Excellent sign from Saturday's wonderful "Hands Off" demonstration in Northampton, Massachusetts. We had about 2,000 people peacefully and passionately demonstrating against the Trump cult.
I thought about starting an illegal "Secret War Plans" chat, but then I remembered that I'm not a corrupt, incompetent boob appointed by the worst president in history. (Elect a clown, expect a circus. Elect a criminal, expect a crime spree.)
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Every. Single. Day. It's insane.
Here's a photo of a rubber duckie strapped to a low-hanging branch above a trail to keep hikers from banging their heads because we're all in this life together. (Duck!)
If Trump had been president during WWII, his flunkies would have insulted Churchill's attire, and Trump would have told him he needed to surrender to Hitler.
This nation’s president and vice president are deeply shameful, and every single person who voted for these arrogant, lying assholes is responsible for bringing shame to our nation. www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/p...
I'm thrilled to be one of the winners in @megpokrass.bsky.social's "The Gulf of_______" hint fiction contest. Thanks, Meg! Here's my winning entry:
"The Gulf of the Clitoris"
And just like that, it became invisible to Trump supporters forever.
I'm happy to have an odd little story, "Not Attracting or Popular" in the wonderful literary journal Yellow Mama. The story is 1,000 words long, and the first sentence is 994 words. The last three sentences total six words. That was fun! Thanks to editor Cindy Rosmus for publishing the story.
I promised myself that I wouldn't get distracted while working at my desk this morning. Then I watched this guy for fifteen minutes. Time well spent. Okay, back to work!
Happy Friday, everyone! ❤
Snow day!
My nine-year-old grandson took this photo of me today at his school. He's learning what's important in life. I'm thankful for all the wonderful educators who are working to bring about a better future. ❤️
Pretty pretty.
Today was the first day of the spring semester, which means I’ve worked at Asnuntuck for 11,688 days (32 years). The time has gone by like a snap of the fingers … if those fingers were absurdly slow. At least 11,000 of those days have been good. No one could ask for more. <3
What a strange and confounding world we call home. I choose to keep working in whatever way I can to make the world a better place. I choose love instead of the hate that returned to the White House yesterday. As MLK said, “Hate is just too great a burden to bear.”
Took a break from spring semester class preparations for a lovely hike today to the Eyrie House Ruins on Mt. Nonotuck in Easthampton, Mass.
Info here: www.atlasobscura.com/places/eyrie...
I will always love this view. I only wish Libby were still here to share it with us. <3
