E. A. Fredericks
@efredericks.bsky.social
West Coaster in exile, pining for sunshine & teaching literature to college kids in the Midwest. Ruled by a tiny dog. Books, baking, baseball (3rd generation Dodgers fan), film, #toastie
Absolutely lethal levels of cuteness from this tiny, venerable lady today.
December 29, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Absolutely lethal levels of cuteness from this tiny, venerable lady today.
I dropped by campus today to get a couple things from my office & was met with a card from my seminar students, with sweet messages & also one of them drew this Tommy in the trenches on the facing page. My lil heart is feeling so warmed.
December 27, 2025 at 8:41 PM
I dropped by campus today to get a couple things from my office & was met with a card from my seminar students, with sweet messages & also one of them drew this Tommy in the trenches on the facing page. My lil heart is feeling so warmed.
Made duck breast with crispy prosciutto and sage for Christmas Eve dinner (plated over seared peach slices) and it was amazing if I do say so myself.
December 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Made duck breast with crispy prosciutto and sage for Christmas Eve dinner (plated over seared peach slices) and it was amazing if I do say so myself.
My parents are visiting for Christmas (since I could not travel to CA this year) & my dad has unwittingly chosen to play chicken with me: we're supposed to meet up with a friend to walk at 11, & if he is not ready, I am simply leaving without him.
December 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
My parents are visiting for Christmas (since I could not travel to CA this year) & my dad has unwittingly chosen to play chicken with me: we're supposed to meet up with a friend to walk at 11, & if he is not ready, I am simply leaving without him.
I remembered today that I'd downloaded Monument Valley 3, and playing that while watching Midsomer Murders was basically a perfect quiet evening, especially after kinda overdoing it otherwise today.
December 21, 2025 at 4:07 AM
I remembered today that I'd downloaded Monument Valley 3, and playing that while watching Midsomer Murders was basically a perfect quiet evening, especially after kinda overdoing it otherwise today.
The only context necessary here is that my dad really does send me 8 point text messages, and they are absolutely RIDDLED with typos, and tonight I chose loving violence when responding.
December 17, 2025 at 2:53 AM
The only context necessary here is that my dad really does send me 8 point text messages, and they are absolutely RIDDLED with typos, and tonight I chose loving violence when responding.
Was going to grade exams today and then remembered I needed to write a recommendation letter for a student, so that has eaten my afternoon. Pile of grading? still huge. Mood? great, because it's always pretty nice to sing the praises of a terrific student.
December 15, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Was going to grade exams today and then remembered I needed to write a recommendation letter for a student, so that has eaten my afternoon. Pile of grading? still huge. Mood? great, because it's always pretty nice to sing the praises of a terrific student.
It was cold enough today that Chuck needed her jacket for her afternoon walk & she was furious about it.
December 14, 2025 at 9:43 PM
It was cold enough today that Chuck needed her jacket for her afternoon walk & she was furious about it.
This Lego poinsettia is absolutely the pinnacle of my recovery achievements (and to be clear, I put it together with my sister, I cannot take solo credit).
December 13, 2025 at 12:39 AM
This Lego poinsettia is absolutely the pinnacle of my recovery achievements (and to be clear, I put it together with my sister, I cannot take solo credit).
Lagging on posting the December reads because recovery has just been taking it out of me, all I am doing is going for walks, reading, and sleeping (also watching some TV), but hey, I have been going through the books.
Anyway, my December reads, somewhat out of order!
Anyway, my December reads, somewhat out of order!
December 11, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Lagging on posting the December reads because recovery has just been taking it out of me, all I am doing is going for walks, reading, and sleeping (also watching some TV), but hey, I have been going through the books.
Anyway, my December reads, somewhat out of order!
Anyway, my December reads, somewhat out of order!
We've been parked here on the couch so much and Chuck doesn't mind one bit. Soft blankets atop comfy cushions? Say less.
December 3, 2025 at 1:53 AM
We've been parked here on the couch so much and Chuck doesn't mind one bit. Soft blankets atop comfy cushions? Say less.
"Oh, are you correcting my grammar while we talk?" No, bb, I didn't become an English prof to correct grammar 24/7.
What’s the worst question someone can ask after you tell them your profession? For linguists, it’s definitely “how many languages do you speak?”, but I’m curious what else is happening to the rest of y’all out there?!
December 2, 2025 at 1:47 AM
"Oh, are you correcting my grammar while we talk?" No, bb, I didn't become an English prof to correct grammar 24/7.
2 days after surgery and my appetite is completely MIA and the dog doesn't understand why my mom is walking her and I'm staying home. I've only taken one tiny nap today, and read a good chunk of a very silly novel.
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 PM
2 days after surgery and my appetite is completely MIA and the dog doesn't understand why my mom is walking her and I'm staying home. I've only taken one tiny nap today, and read a good chunk of a very silly novel.
Made it through surgery on Wednesday, had an absolutely brutal first night afterwards. Turns out I react poorly coming out of anesthesia! (Lots of nausea, could not keep much down.) Yesterday was better, & I could have stayed in hospital another night but felt I'd be more comfortable at home.
November 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Made it through surgery on Wednesday, had an absolutely brutal first night afterwards. Turns out I react poorly coming out of anesthesia! (Lots of nausea, could not keep much down.) Yesterday was better, & I could have stayed in hospital another night but felt I'd be more comfortable at home.
I think my next door neighbor had the guy who cleared the last of the leaves off his front lawn also do my front lawn too, because I came out after recording my last video lecture to blow those leaves to the curb and they'd been crunched up & disappeared. I have such a kind neighbor.
November 23, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I think my next door neighbor had the guy who cleared the last of the leaves off his front lawn also do my front lawn too, because I came out after recording my last video lecture to blow those leaves to the curb and they'd been crunched up & disappeared. I have such a kind neighbor.
My final exams are written; I have one video lecture to record, and one actual teaching day left before I am done with this semester/have surgery on Wednesday. SO CLOSE.
November 23, 2025 at 1:30 AM
My final exams are written; I have one video lecture to record, and one actual teaching day left before I am done with this semester/have surgery on Wednesday. SO CLOSE.
It's not fair to say that today has been a bad day, because some things about it were quite good, but the bad things really hit me where it hurts.
November 21, 2025 at 8:55 PM
It's not fair to say that today has been a bad day, because some things about it were quite good, but the bad things really hit me where it hurts.
This is a really cool-looking project; it would be great to see it get some more support. I was happy to chip in a little. 📚💙
Also, sorry, one graphic has a higher %. I'm a bit worn thin. This one is accurate.
I've seen literary communities raise $2820 in an hour. Frequently. I know there are a lot of fundraisers, but we've been at this *8 months* for a Black woman owned small press; can we get a rally and close this up?
I've seen literary communities raise $2820 in an hour. Frequently. I know there are a lot of fundraisers, but we've been at this *8 months* for a Black woman owned small press; can we get a rally and close this up?
Support African Translation Project
African Translation Project / Need to complete funding for Shona → English translation / still needed: $2820, 44% / isiZulu translation is now funded / Kiswahili translation is currently off the table...
ko-fi.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:56 PM
This is a really cool-looking project; it would be great to see it get some more support. I was happy to chip in a little. 📚💙
One of my students today gave me a portrait that she drew of me and like, this is absolutely the highlight of my day. I'm so touched.
November 17, 2025 at 3:57 PM
One of my students today gave me a portrait that she drew of me and like, this is absolutely the highlight of my day. I'm so touched.
I haven't started my November reading thread yet because I've had a whole lot on my plate and on my mind, but I have been reading! 💙📚
November 17, 2025 at 2:54 AM
I haven't started my November reading thread yet because I've had a whole lot on my plate and on my mind, but I have been reading! 💙📚
Evening plans CANCELED, which is a bummer because I wanted to see my friends but also nice because now I can decorate the Christmas tree and chill with one perfect dog.
November 15, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Evening plans CANCELED, which is a bummer because I wanted to see my friends but also nice because now I can decorate the Christmas tree and chill with one perfect dog.
I try not to be too precious about literary adaptations, but watching the new Wuthering Heights trailer & it really feels like it got its wires crossed with, say, Lady Chatterley's Lover? which, ok, fine, but that's just...that's a different thing! go ahead & make that thing, but let it be itself!
November 13, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I try not to be too precious about literary adaptations, but watching the new Wuthering Heights trailer & it really feels like it got its wires crossed with, say, Lady Chatterley's Lover? which, ok, fine, but that's just...that's a different thing! go ahead & make that thing, but let it be itself!
I finally, finally was able to book someone to come and do some housecleaning before my surgery. (I am also doing cleaning and de-cluttering in advance!) I try to host people at my house semi-regularly so it's always fairly decent, but it'll be nice to have it feeling squeaky clean.
November 10, 2025 at 2:44 AM
I finally, finally was able to book someone to come and do some housecleaning before my surgery. (I am also doing cleaning and de-cluttering in advance!) I try to host people at my house semi-regularly so it's always fairly decent, but it'll be nice to have it feeling squeaky clean.
Oh to have such blissful repose.
November 9, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Oh to have such blissful repose.
Christ have mercy. This is devastating to contemplate and says some damning things about America's priorities.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 8, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Christ have mercy. This is devastating to contemplate and says some damning things about America's priorities.