Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
@jtidwell.bsky.social
Landscape designer doing restorative ecology. Author of YA+MG novels and DESIGNING INTERFACES; former UXer. She/her. Ecoregion 59b Boston Basin 🌱
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Hello! I'm Jenifer Tidwell, a landscape designer and #nativeplants gardener near Boston, Mass. I rip up lawns, build habitats to support #biodiversity, keep up with #conservation science, work towards #climate repair, and teach laypeople about plants and #ecology. 🌱 🌎 🌼
My former lawn:
My former lawn:
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
Why do our neighbors in Nova Scotia send a Christmas tree to Boston each year? This tradition was born from a terrible tragedy in Halifax 107 years ago today, on December 6, 1917. 🧵
The 2024 Boston Common Tree is lit 🎄
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the season with us 🎊
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the season with us 🎊
December 6, 2024 at 4:33 PM
Why do our neighbors in Nova Scotia send a Christmas tree to Boston each year? This tradition was born from a terrible tragedy in Halifax 107 years ago today, on December 6, 1917. 🧵
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
With the aurora popping up again last night, I thought I'd repost this adventure from last year. I drew this when the great @nepeteaa.bsky.social wondered what night-migrating songbirds might make of it all. Part 1/2
November 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
With the aurora popping up again last night, I thought I'd repost this adventure from last year. I drew this when the great @nepeteaa.bsky.social wondered what night-migrating songbirds might make of it all. Part 1/2
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
So sad this keeps getting shared with the attribution cropped out.
November 12, 2025 at 5:18 AM
So sad this keeps getting shared with the attribution cropped out.
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
instead of saying this was good strategy, maybe senate dems should say: "the republicans were going to kill people by starving them to death, and because we aren't monsters, we decided to let this fight go. We'll keep fighting. Stop electing monsters."
November 11, 2025 at 1:42 PM
instead of saying this was good strategy, maybe senate dems should say: "the republicans were going to kill people by starving them to death, and because we aren't monsters, we decided to let this fight go. We'll keep fighting. Stop electing monsters."
This is exactly what we need.
I've seen the same in small-town Mississippi: no serious challengers in winnable races, no serious Dem party support, no ground game at all. Step up. If you want change - and who doesn't at this point? - get a group together and just do the thing!
I've seen the same in small-town Mississippi: no serious challengers in winnable races, no serious Dem party support, no ground game at all. Step up. If you want change - and who doesn't at this point? - get a group together and just do the thing!
In my old town the GOP had run basically without serious challenge for decades. A bunch of us "millennials" joined the local Dem party and basically asked to help.
We were running it in a year. Within 4 years we had a majority of town seats flipped Dem. A FAR more progressive Dem than old party
We were running it in a year. Within 4 years we had a majority of town seats flipped Dem. A FAR more progressive Dem than old party
“Rather than taking over the Democratic Party the same way the right took over the Republican Party, we should take the easier route and just start up a new party ourselves!”
I’m about to fill my pockets with stones and walk into the sea.
I’m about to fill my pockets with stones and walk into the sea.
November 10, 2025 at 9:35 PM
This is exactly what we need.
I've seen the same in small-town Mississippi: no serious challengers in winnable races, no serious Dem party support, no ground game at all. Step up. If you want change - and who doesn't at this point? - get a group together and just do the thing!
I've seen the same in small-town Mississippi: no serious challengers in winnable races, no serious Dem party support, no ground game at all. Step up. If you want change - and who doesn't at this point? - get a group together and just do the thing!
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
November 8, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Arrowwood viburnum (V. dentatum) and dwarf fothergilla (F. gardenii) in perfect fall color this morning against a red brick wall. While the fothergilla's bright yellow and peach are delicious, today I'm really drawn to the lime greens and magentas in the viburnum. #nativeplants 🌱
November 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Arrowwood viburnum (V. dentatum) and dwarf fothergilla (F. gardenii) in perfect fall color this morning against a red brick wall. While the fothergilla's bright yellow and peach are delicious, today I'm really drawn to the lime greens and magentas in the viburnum. #nativeplants 🌱
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
WOW. 81% of women 18-29 voted for Mamdani, 80% for Sherril, and 78% for Spanberger.
Gen Z women aren't playing around.
Gen Z women aren't playing around.
November 5, 2025 at 4:07 AM
WOW. 81% of women 18-29 voted for Mamdani, 80% for Sherril, and 78% for Spanberger.
Gen Z women aren't playing around.
Gen Z women aren't playing around.
These parrots are an unmitigated delight, and this conservation program has had amazing success with them. Consider supporting them! (USA donors don't get the cute plushie, thanks, fascists).
"...adoptions do not entitle you to ownership of the birds" 😂
"...adoptions do not entitle you to ownership of the birds" 😂
Looking for a different gift idea this year? How about a #kakapo adoption? Adoptions are open again until 25th Nov, with postage or email options. These fund a significant proportion of our programme and make a real difference to the #conservation work we do. Thanks! www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/kak...
Adopt a kākāpō
Kākāpō adoptions are a special way to support the conservation of this taonga species. You can adopt a kākāpō for yourself or as a gift.
www.doc.govt.nz
November 4, 2025 at 10:17 PM
These parrots are an unmitigated delight, and this conservation program has had amazing success with them. Consider supporting them! (USA donors don't get the cute plushie, thanks, fascists).
"...adoptions do not entitle you to ownership of the birds" 😂
"...adoptions do not entitle you to ownership of the birds" 😂
Aerial photo of Boston, with Fresh Pond in the midground and Concord Ave in Belmont in the foreground. Looks like we're at or just past peak fall color.
November 2, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Aerial photo of Boston, with Fresh Pond in the midground and Concord Ave in Belmont in the foreground. Looks like we're at or just past peak fall color.
Cannot deny - the law is surely injured and sickened by ICE's actions, as well as tested.
(From WaPo this morning)
(From WaPo this morning)
November 1, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Cannot deny - the law is surely injured and sickened by ICE's actions, as well as tested.
(From WaPo this morning)
(From WaPo this morning)
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
Zohran Mamdani caught lying that he understood Plato’s allegory of the cave, yet when asked to explain it, he seemed to instead explain Baudrillard’s theory of Simulacra and Simulation where reality has been replaced by symbols and signs, which seems similar to Plato’s theory but is not the same
October 29, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Zohran Mamdani caught lying that he understood Plato’s allegory of the cave, yet when asked to explain it, he seemed to instead explain Baudrillard’s theory of Simulacra and Simulation where reality has been replaced by symbols and signs, which seems similar to Plato’s theory but is not the same
If you, like me, are watching Hurricane #Melissa tonight and prefer to think about the nerdy aspects of weather data (instead of the human catastrophe Jamaica is facing), this site is great. Looking now at data from the *current* flight into the heart of the storm.
www.tropicaltidbits.com/recon/
www.tropicaltidbits.com/recon/
October 28, 2025 at 3:52 AM
If you, like me, are watching Hurricane #Melissa tonight and prefer to think about the nerdy aspects of weather data (instead of the human catastrophe Jamaica is facing), this site is great. Looking now at data from the *current* flight into the heart of the storm.
www.tropicaltidbits.com/recon/
www.tropicaltidbits.com/recon/
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
you see vc guys crowing about how with ai "anyone can write a novel!"
speaking as someone who has in fact written a novel (not a very good one), this speaks to a familiar misunderstanding of the difficulty of the creative process--in particular, how much conception there is in execution
speaking as someone who has in fact written a novel (not a very good one), this speaks to a familiar misunderstanding of the difficulty of the creative process--in particular, how much conception there is in execution
October 27, 2025 at 1:05 AM
you see vc guys crowing about how with ai "anyone can write a novel!"
speaking as someone who has in fact written a novel (not a very good one), this speaks to a familiar misunderstanding of the difficulty of the creative process--in particular, how much conception there is in execution
speaking as someone who has in fact written a novel (not a very good one), this speaks to a familiar misunderstanding of the difficulty of the creative process--in particular, how much conception there is in execution
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
the symbolism of “Trump destroying the White House for a overpriced luxury vanity project, during a government shut down, days after a historically-large mass demonstration against his regime called “No Kings”’ would be rightly viewed as laying it on a little thick if it was in a work of fiction
October 20, 2025 at 10:08 PM
the symbolism of “Trump destroying the White House for a overpriced luxury vanity project, during a government shut down, days after a historically-large mass demonstration against his regime called “No Kings”’ would be rightly viewed as laying it on a little thick if it was in a work of fiction
Lexington Battle Green was packed this morning to hear Sen. Markey, Bill McKibben, poet Regie Gibson, and others.
Site of the first #NoKings protest (1775 edition).
Let's keep making history.
Site of the first #NoKings protest (1775 edition).
Let's keep making history.
October 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Lexington Battle Green was packed this morning to hear Sen. Markey, Bill McKibben, poet Regie Gibson, and others.
Site of the first #NoKings protest (1775 edition).
Let's keep making history.
Site of the first #NoKings protest (1775 edition).
Let's keep making history.
Did the Bostonians on here know about the Market Basket song?
You need to know about the Market Basket song.
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
You need to know about the Market Basket song.
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
A punk rock anthem for Market Basket
The iconic grocery chain’s community spirit is what Boston punk rock band Stop Calling Me Frank strove to capture in “MB Anthem (The Market Basket Song).”
www.wbur.org
October 16, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Did the Bostonians on here know about the Market Basket song?
You need to know about the Market Basket song.
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
You need to know about the Market Basket song.
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
This show provided some of the most durable memories of my early childhood. I even met Bob McGrath when I was four or five (and have an autographed photo somewhere). Such a pleasure to watch clips as an adult - the heart in the writing and acting is so clear to see.
Bob McGrath’s first scene in SESAME STREET’s first episode. It’s an excellent example of the chemistry between Bob, Matt Robinson, and Loretta Long. This is a trio of young actors charting a new path in children’s programming, & playfully feeling their way...
October 16, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This show provided some of the most durable memories of my early childhood. I even met Bob McGrath when I was four or five (and have an autographed photo somewhere). Such a pleasure to watch clips as an adult - the heart in the writing and acting is so clear to see.
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum, with its blazing red foliage and yellow racimes of capsules is one of the most spectacular autumn trees in the southern Appalachians. It also makes wondeful honey. More at Our Trees.
Tom Kimmerer (@tomkimmerer)
There are a few trees that I seek out each year to enjoy a spectacular autumn display. One of my favorites is sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum, a southern tree in the understory of poor woodlands. Its co...
substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum, with its blazing red foliage and yellow racimes of capsules is one of the most spectacular autumn trees in the southern Appalachians. It also makes wondeful honey. More at Our Trees.
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
The world is still mostly a dumpster fire, but at least the Israeli hostages are home.
I'm unspeakably thankful for that.
Honestly, I was pessimistic about it right through tonight - kept expecting it to fail, somehow, some way. But they're really home. ❤️
I'm unspeakably thankful for that.
Honestly, I was pessimistic about it right through tonight - kept expecting it to fail, somehow, some way. But they're really home. ❤️
October 14, 2025 at 3:24 AM
The world is still mostly a dumpster fire, but at least the Israeli hostages are home.
I'm unspeakably thankful for that.
Honestly, I was pessimistic about it right through tonight - kept expecting it to fail, somehow, some way. But they're really home. ❤️
I'm unspeakably thankful for that.
Honestly, I was pessimistic about it right through tonight - kept expecting it to fail, somehow, some way. But they're really home. ❤️
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
Chicago priest Fr. Larry Dowling describes procession to ICE facility: “No one had the courage to speak directly to us. No one from Homeland Security could stand in the presence of the Monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament. No wonder. Evil is repelled, recoils in the presence of Christ.”
October 11, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Chicago priest Fr. Larry Dowling describes procession to ICE facility: “No one had the courage to speak directly to us. No one from Homeland Security could stand in the presence of the Monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament. No wonder. Evil is repelled, recoils in the presence of Christ.”
From MIT's president: "In that free marketplace of ideas, the people of MIT gladly compete with the very best, without preferences. Therefore, with respect, we cannot support the proposed approach to addressing the issues facing higher education."
Compact rejected. Good.
Compact rejected. Good.
October 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
From MIT's president: "In that free marketplace of ideas, the people of MIT gladly compete with the very best, without preferences. Therefore, with respect, we cannot support the proposed approach to addressing the issues facing higher education."
Compact rejected. Good.
Compact rejected. Good.
Reposted by Jenifer 🌻 plants wildflowers for fun and profit
The “compact” for higher ed is an unserious document written by unserious people from a position of spectacular ignorance. No one should take it seriously. Sadly, my bosses are taking it seriously.
newrepublic.com/article/2013...
newrepublic.com/article/2013...
Why This Essay Could Cause the University of Virginia to Shut Down
How Linda McMahon’s latest “compact” would do deep and permanent harm to American higher education
newrepublic.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The “compact” for higher ed is an unserious document written by unserious people from a position of spectacular ignorance. No one should take it seriously. Sadly, my bosses are taking it seriously.
newrepublic.com/article/2013...
newrepublic.com/article/2013...