Jennifer Messner
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occasionallyzen.bsky.social
Jennifer Messner
@occasionallyzen.bsky.social
Books, coffee, photos, nonprofit grant writer, Southside Chicago
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Once upon a Chicago morning
Out and about, springtime style
#chicago
February 16, 2026 at 6:55 PM
In the end, all we need in life is someone who loves us, a bed with nice big pillows, a few cans of cold beer, and tomatoes that still taste like something.

Beatriz Serrano, Discontent
#sundaysentence
February 15, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Train a comin'
#chicago
February 14, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Reposted by Jennifer Messner
hello minnesota and beyond! thank you for your kind messages. it is very weird to be the news when you cover the news. i love this beautiful state and journalism, and i am hopeful for better days. but we will be forever changed bc of the last two months.
Meet Minnesota Bathrobe Lady Sam Stroozas of MPR News | Minnesota Public Radio
Earlier this week, an unexpected and fast-moving incident unfolded in St. Paul, Minnesota involving both federal and local law enforcement. As crowds gathered and questions mounted, one of our MPR New...
www.mpr.org
February 14, 2026 at 4:44 AM
Happy #caturday
February 14, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Reposted by Jennifer Messner
In "Report," my newest essay published by The Missouri Review, a hidden painting comes to light in a Kraków courtyard and reveals much about children and war.
missourireview.com/report-by-mi...
February 12, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Reposted by Jennifer Messner
Hours after Border Patrol agent Charles Exum shot Marimar Martinez five times, Gregory Bovino emailed him to ask he continue working past retirement: 

"In light of your excellent service in Chicago, you have much yet left to do!!" he wrote.
February 10, 2026 at 11:32 PM
Good morning, Chicago
February 10, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Reposted by Jennifer Messner
February 8, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Good morning, Chicago
A dusting of new snow, but the birdsong heralds spring
We are turning a corner
February 8, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Her ruin suited her, like crushed silk.

Maria Reva, Endling
#sundaysentence
#books #booksky
February 8, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Good morning, Chicago
February 6, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by Jennifer Messner
Seu Jorge singing his Portuguese versions of the David Bowie songs he sang in The Life Aquatic, done here as a tribute to Bowie ten years after his death. This is the most beautiful thing I've seen in a while.
Seu Jorge - The Life Aquatic ( David Bowie Tribute)
YouTube video by Seu Jorge
youtu.be
February 2, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Reposted by Jennifer Messner
Moonrise
February 2, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Holy wow the moon tonight
February 2, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Reposted by Jennifer Messner
Wake up, wake up, the world is hard and it rushes on regardless of your heart, and people never take the shape you want them to, people are stubborn about that, about being themselves, even when they're trying to be someone else. #SundaySentence, Donal Ryan, Strange Flowers. Gorgeous novel.
February 1, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Out and about, the sunshine is a mercy #chicago
February 1, 2026 at 3:58 PM
The day was already well worn, and there was something hypnotic in the stillness, the hush, the way that beyond the further hedge, the world ended in a soft white nothing.

Andrew Miller, The Land in Winter #sundaysentence
February 1, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Ok have never been number 1000+ on a library waitlist before
January 31, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Happy Friday
January 31, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Raising a glass of fruit wine to the marvelous Moira Rose ❤️🍷. Thank you, Catherine O'Hara
January 30, 2026 at 11:16 PM
New favorite song,
You're welcome 😊🙏❤️

youtu.be/KYUMoL9FrIA?...
Ratboys - "Anywhere" [Official Music Video]
YouTube video by Ratboys
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 12:24 AM
Reposted by Jennifer Messner
Breaking News: The Trump administration is planning to move Gregory Bovino, the official in charge of President Trump’s Border Patrol operations and the face of on-the-ground immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, out of the city, officials said. Follow live updates. nyti.ms/4jWyPDK
January 26, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Chicago stands with Minneapolis
January 25, 2026 at 8:19 PM