Amy N-K
@aankphd.bsky.social
She/they. Nonprofit grant writer. PhD, research and evaluation nerd. Mom of 4 wonderful young adults. Queer, polyfi, disabled, Quaker, Oregonian. Grateful for love, art, music, birds, gardening, and my service dog.
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🤎🖤♿️
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🤎🖤♿️
Pinned
Amy N-K
@aankphd.bsky.social
· Oct 6
Hello new followers - nice to have you here. Some things you can expect from me: posts relevant to Portland, as well as: expansive definitions of family, trans rights, disability rights, racial equity, environmental protections, and pictures of my service dog, of beautiful birds, and of my garden. 💐
As a grant writer for environmental causes, I’ve seen first-hand how funding for the environment often takes a backseat to medical research and human services. This article helps demonstrate why this is a problem; the environment is a HUGE influence on public health and quality of life.
Scientists Thought Parkinson’s Was in Our Genes. It Might Be in the Water
New ideas about chronic illness could revolutionize treatment, if we take the research seriously.
www.wired.com
December 13, 2025 at 5:31 PM
As a grant writer for environmental causes, I’ve seen first-hand how funding for the environment often takes a backseat to medical research and human services. This article helps demonstrate why this is a problem; the environment is a HUGE influence on public health and quality of life.
Reposted by Amy N-K
Think winter walks are miserable? They’re actually saving my sanity. Fresh air, filtered light, and unexpected fungi are keeping me going. Watch the video and tell me what keeps you grounded this time of year.
December 12, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Think winter walks are miserable? They’re actually saving my sanity. Fresh air, filtered light, and unexpected fungi are keeping me going. Watch the video and tell me what keeps you grounded this time of year.
We made a visit to Teufel Holly Farm today so we can deck the halls with evergreens. ❤️🎄
December 12, 2025 at 5:28 AM
We made a visit to Teufel Holly Farm today so we can deck the halls with evergreens. ❤️🎄
Remember that “accessibility options upon request” nonsense I mentioned a few days ago for a city of Portland government function? Well, I can attend virtually now, but by golly, you’d better be a verified, unhealthy, Real Disabled Person if you dare to use Zoom, rather than just a lazy slob! 😒
December 11, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Remember that “accessibility options upon request” nonsense I mentioned a few days ago for a city of Portland government function? Well, I can attend virtually now, but by golly, you’d better be a verified, unhealthy, Real Disabled Person if you dare to use Zoom, rather than just a lazy slob! 😒
Even if you believe that education is only about utility for future employment and not about building a flexible, capable brain, a broad base of understanding, and learning to connect with others, performing to a standard despite being uninterested or annoyed is a relevant skill for every job.
If you are providing me with an education that is low utility in the world then it’s a disservice. My composition class spent four weeks on poetry. I’m sorry, but that only would’ve been useful if I wanted to be a poet. I don’t need to know iambic pentameter in order to be a victim advocate.
December 10, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Even if you believe that education is only about utility for future employment and not about building a flexible, capable brain, a broad base of understanding, and learning to connect with others, performing to a standard despite being uninterested or annoyed is a relevant skill for every job.
We were working at the Wild Arts Festival this weekend and were so pleased by how accessible, beautiful, and welcoming the event was. From a quiet room for decompression to wide aisles and ample seating, it was probably the most pleasant event of its kind Sprocket and I have ever attended. Grateful.
December 8, 2025 at 5:46 AM
We were working at the Wild Arts Festival this weekend and were so pleased by how accessible, beautiful, and welcoming the event was. From a quiet room for decompression to wide aisles and ample seating, it was probably the most pleasant event of its kind Sprocket and I have ever attended. Grateful.
This place halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow was recently for sale and I was seriously tempted. If I suddenly disappear, it’s possible I moved into an home in Scotland with a library and a conservatory that is a Mood. This one sold… surely others exist? 😍
December 7, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This place halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow was recently for sale and I was seriously tempted. If I suddenly disappear, it’s possible I moved into an home in Scotland with a library and a conservatory that is a Mood. This one sold… surely others exist? 😍
If you tout your commitment to equity and inclusion and then say “accessible options can be explored upon request” - that is neither accessible nor welcoming to disabled folks. Virtual/hybrid meeting options, abundant seating, and water access should all be easy, advertised, and already available.
December 4, 2025 at 9:28 PM
If you tout your commitment to equity and inclusion and then say “accessible options can be explored upon request” - that is neither accessible nor welcoming to disabled folks. Virtual/hybrid meeting options, abundant seating, and water access should all be easy, advertised, and already available.
Reposted by Amy N-K
Reposted by Amy N-K
This male Downy Woodpecker looking fierce as it pecks away on a palm tree.
#bird #birdphotography #photography #birdsofbluesky #woodpecker #downywoodpecker #nature #wildlife #canonphotography #birdphoto #blueskybirds #birdoftheday #dailybirdpic
#bird #birdphotography #photography #birdsofbluesky #woodpecker #downywoodpecker #nature #wildlife #canonphotography #birdphoto #blueskybirds #birdoftheday #dailybirdpic
December 2, 2025 at 8:36 PM
This male Downy Woodpecker looking fierce as it pecks away on a palm tree.
#bird #birdphotography #photography #birdsofbluesky #woodpecker #downywoodpecker #nature #wildlife #canonphotography #birdphoto #blueskybirds #birdoftheday #dailybirdpic
#bird #birdphotography #photography #birdsofbluesky #woodpecker #downywoodpecker #nature #wildlife #canonphotography #birdphoto #blueskybirds #birdoftheday #dailybirdpic
If the author had bothered to cite any actual statistics on disability, perhaps she would know that more than 1 in 4 adults have a disability in the US (28.7%, CDC). And having more than 20% of undergrads with a disability is pretty much right on for what is expected (PNPI). pnpi.org/wp-content/u...
December 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
If the author had bothered to cite any actual statistics on disability, perhaps she would know that more than 1 in 4 adults have a disability in the US (28.7%, CDC). And having more than 20% of undergrads with a disability is pretty much right on for what is expected (PNPI). pnpi.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted with alt text. ❤️
December 2, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Reposted with alt text. ❤️
I’m putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving and all of the Grinches who can’t stand my joy can go jump off of Mount Crumpit. 😂
Usually I wait, but extra coziness is required this year, and I’m gifting myself extra time to make it all happen with less stress and more delight. ❤️🎄❄️
Usually I wait, but extra coziness is required this year, and I’m gifting myself extra time to make it all happen with less stress and more delight. ❤️🎄❄️
November 24, 2025 at 1:46 AM
I’m putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving and all of the Grinches who can’t stand my joy can go jump off of Mount Crumpit. 😂
Usually I wait, but extra coziness is required this year, and I’m gifting myself extra time to make it all happen with less stress and more delight. ❤️🎄❄️
Usually I wait, but extra coziness is required this year, and I’m gifting myself extra time to make it all happen with less stress and more delight. ❤️🎄❄️
For those with delicate sensibilities, the movie has a lot of gore (I had to giggle when Mark exclaimed at one point, “Eew… why, Guillermo, why?!” 😆)… but I find this reference very cool! 💀
It was lovely to see homage to the Hunterian Museum’s Evelyn Tables in @realgdt.bsky.social Frankenstein. These four tables were made in Padua, taking arteries, veins and nerves dissected in Padua’s famous anatomical theatre, pasting them to boards and varnishing them to protect and preserve
November 19, 2025 at 4:57 PM
For those with delicate sensibilities, the movie has a lot of gore (I had to giggle when Mark exclaimed at one point, “Eew… why, Guillermo, why?!” 😆)… but I find this reference very cool! 💀
Feeling crafty; I wasn’t feeling well over the weekend and wanted to just sit and make something with my hands. I almost have this advent calendar completed; I just need to add tiny pulls to each drawer/door.
I’m pleased with how it is turning out! I bought the art on Etsy and the form secondhand.❄️
I’m pleased with how it is turning out! I bought the art on Etsy and the form secondhand.❄️
November 18, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Feeling crafty; I wasn’t feeling well over the weekend and wanted to just sit and make something with my hands. I almost have this advent calendar completed; I just need to add tiny pulls to each drawer/door.
I’m pleased with how it is turning out! I bought the art on Etsy and the form secondhand.❄️
I’m pleased with how it is turning out! I bought the art on Etsy and the form secondhand.❄️
Reposted by Amy N-K
Painted tonight, but it’s nowhere near done, so instead here’s a piece I did in 2024 called Frosty Twilight (16”x20” mixed media). I went through a whole birches phase and this was part of that series.
Anyhoooo….who’s ready for Monday?! I’m not! Lol #art #painting #mixedmedia #sundayscaries
Anyhoooo….who’s ready for Monday?! I’m not! Lol #art #painting #mixedmedia #sundayscaries
November 17, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Painted tonight, but it’s nowhere near done, so instead here’s a piece I did in 2024 called Frosty Twilight (16”x20” mixed media). I went through a whole birches phase and this was part of that series.
Anyhoooo….who’s ready for Monday?! I’m not! Lol #art #painting #mixedmedia #sundayscaries
Anyhoooo….who’s ready for Monday?! I’m not! Lol #art #painting #mixedmedia #sundayscaries
Pretty orange things in Portland today: a very vivid sunset and a November-blooming rose in my garden. 🧡
(Somehow, I also have bearded iris budding right now, too? I’ll post a picture if it blooms. 😂)
(Somehow, I also have bearded iris budding right now, too? I’ll post a picture if it blooms. 😂)
November 14, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Pretty orange things in Portland today: a very vivid sunset and a November-blooming rose in my garden. 🧡
(Somehow, I also have bearded iris budding right now, too? I’ll post a picture if it blooms. 😂)
(Somehow, I also have bearded iris budding right now, too? I’ll post a picture if it blooms. 😂)
Reposted by Amy N-K
My two favorite fungi from a rainy forest walk: fluted bird’s nest fungus and honey mushrooms. November in Oregon is wonderful!
November 14, 2025 at 4:31 AM
My two favorite fungi from a rainy forest walk: fluted bird’s nest fungus and honey mushrooms. November in Oregon is wonderful!
Me too. AND if a movie goes there, perhaps show how often disability is created by other people being selfish. Needless trauma or want, thoughtless design, bad assumptions, capitalism…
I would like to see one thousand movies about disabled characters by disabled directors before I see another movie about a guy who became disabled because he did a bad thing that he feels bad about.
Moral injury is exhausting to watch on constant repeat.
Moral injury is exhausting to watch on constant repeat.
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Me too. AND if a movie goes there, perhaps show how often disability is created by other people being selfish. Needless trauma or want, thoughtless design, bad assumptions, capitalism…
When the resources exist to have both (spoiler alert: tax the ultra rich and corporations more, and we do!), “what if…. both?” is exactly what we should ponder about everything. But especially pizza and books. 💕🍕📚
small child on the way out of the library, dragging his feet and chanting angrily: NO PIZZA, BOOKS! NO PIZZA, BOOKS!
me: What if...both?
Small child stares goggle-eyed for a very long moment, then continues his exit from the library, chanting happily: PIZZA AND BOOKS! PIZZA AND BOOKS!
me: What if...both?
Small child stares goggle-eyed for a very long moment, then continues his exit from the library, chanting happily: PIZZA AND BOOKS! PIZZA AND BOOKS!
November 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
When the resources exist to have both (spoiler alert: tax the ultra rich and corporations more, and we do!), “what if…. both?” is exactly what we should ponder about everything. But especially pizza and books. 💕🍕📚
This is relevant to my interests on multiple fronts. People who create data viz should also be striving to make the point of a chart clear enough to be easily translated into a few sentences.
Many struggle with writing alt text for charts and other other data visualizations. Amy Cesal's "Writing Alt Text for Data Visualization" hammers home the importance of explaining the chart type, the type of data, and the reason for the chart.
medium.com/nightingale/...
medium.com/nightingale/...
Writing Alt Text for Data Visualization
How do you write text that conveys the whole meaning of a visualization? You probably can’t. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try
medium.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
This is relevant to my interests on multiple fronts. People who create data viz should also be striving to make the point of a chart clear enough to be easily translated into a few sentences.
Been feeling absolutely drained; sleep has been elusive and the ever-present dysautonomia is extra present today.
I took the day off with Sprocket for a nap and a slow/gentle walk near Oaks Bottom in Portland, to breathe in the petrichor and touch some grass. He was especially happy about this. 🐕🦺🍁
I took the day off with Sprocket for a nap and a slow/gentle walk near Oaks Bottom in Portland, to breathe in the petrichor and touch some grass. He was especially happy about this. 🐕🦺🍁
November 8, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Been feeling absolutely drained; sleep has been elusive and the ever-present dysautonomia is extra present today.
I took the day off with Sprocket for a nap and a slow/gentle walk near Oaks Bottom in Portland, to breathe in the petrichor and touch some grass. He was especially happy about this. 🐕🦺🍁
I took the day off with Sprocket for a nap and a slow/gentle walk near Oaks Bottom in Portland, to breathe in the petrichor and touch some grass. He was especially happy about this. 🐕🦺🍁
Sprocket the #ServiceDog is apparently a Dancing With the Stars fan! 💃🕺💕🐕🦺
I wonder who he is rooting for… 😊
I wonder who he is rooting for… 😊
November 5, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Sprocket the #ServiceDog is apparently a Dancing With the Stars fan! 💃🕺💕🐕🦺
I wonder who he is rooting for… 😊
I wonder who he is rooting for… 😊
Sprocket the service dog just went to the Halloween candy bowl for trick-or-treaters and came back to offer me a peanut butter cup. 🎃🍫
Best service ever. 😂
Best service ever. 😂
November 1, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Sprocket the service dog just went to the Halloween candy bowl for trick-or-treaters and came back to offer me a peanut butter cup. 🎃🍫
Best service ever. 😂
Best service ever. 😂
Reposted by Amy N-K
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 AM
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.