Barrie Abalard she/her
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barrieabalard.bsky.social
Barrie Abalard she/her
@barrieabalard.bsky.social
Neck deep in the Big Muddy. And you? (Pete Seeger)

Here and queer. Bi+. The bitch is back.

My cat is soooo judging you. My pic: MBTA Red Line crossing Longfellow/Charles R

#nostarterpacks #LGBTQ #proudgrantifa
I was a kid alone in a hospital once, so I love what these folks are doing. (It was nothing serious, but scary when you're six.)
apnews.com/article/hosp...
A nightly tradition brings light and hope to children at Michigan hospital
A Michigan hospital is asking members of the public to raise their flashlights as well as the spirits of children during the holiday season.
apnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
This is heartbreaking news. NCAR has been a vital source of research for over 85 years!
This is not an exaggeration:
There is not a single weather forecaster, TV meteorologist, airline pilot, computer scientist, or climate scientist in the WORLD whose work or life wasn't directly or indirectly improved or influenced by the science done at NCAR.

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
www.usatoday.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Unexpectedly alone in the house for the next 3.5 plus hours.

🎶"I'm alone, I'm alone, I'm alone, I'm alone, but I'm not lonely" (from the TV show "Mom")

What? You don't get the blissful appeal of being alone with no one else around? #FuukYeah ALONE.
a woman sitting at a table with a sign that says flour on it
Alt: Bonnie on the "Mom" TV show saying, do I need to walk you through that again? She's sitting at a diner table, leaning into her sarcasm
media.tenor.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
House Dems have the votes to pass a 3yr extension of ACA tax credits.

Now Senate Republicans are the only thing standing in the way of getting this bill to the President & preventing huge spikes in costs for millions.

Leader Thune: commit to bringing this bill to a vote, now.
December 17, 2025 at 7:54 PM
My father's parents both emigrated from Finland via Sweden. Because of early deaths and the Need To Be An American, I don't know as much about my heritage as I'd like. However, once I get cleared by a cardiologist (sauna-ing stresses the heart), I'm longing to do this
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/18/t...
In Search of Sauna Nirvana Around Lake Superior
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
This CANNOT stand. This is an abomination. Fuck cruelty being the point! Somebody needs to stand up for what is right and against what is clearly a gross violation of children.
BREAKING: The House of Representatives just passed a bill that would subject immigrant children to invasive bodily searches and keep them in detention instead of releasing them to their families.

The Senate must vote no on this horrific bill.
December 17, 2025 at 12:30 AM
A Louisville district I believe.
A quite startling overperformance for Democrats in tonight's special election for a state Senate seat in Kentucky:

Democrat Gary Clemons won 72% to 25%.

He was defending a Dem-held seat where Kamala Harris beat Trump by 5% last year.
December 17, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
My Lewis is a finalist in the cat category of “America’s Favorite Pet”. I am totally tickled.
December 16, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
Thy daily #meme
December 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
End a busy day
Cheek to cheek
December 15, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
The president is using this apparent family tragedy, which as far as we know had absolutely nothing to do with him, to convey the message that if his fans brutally murder his critics, they will receive his support and approval.
Q: A number of Republicans have denounced your statement on Rob Reiner. Do you stand by it?

TRUMP: Well, I wasn't a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.
December 15, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
A unicorn sighting.

…and by that I mean a Republican with a conscience.
December 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
The ACA isn't just "health care for people who don't have a conventional employer." It also disallows something that was incredibly common 20 years ago, which I fear is getting lost to generational memory: insurance companies could deny you health care for essentially any previous health problem.
I'm dubious about Amazon's commitment to keeping pre-existing conditions a thing of the past.
December 14, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
"My Grandfather's Cat" is a cross-Canada organization that helps dying seniors find homes for their beloved animals. They also offer a senior's pet food pantry, to help support low income seniors.

Please consider donating as a gift for the pet lover in your life.

www.mygrandfatherscat.ca
support fill the dishes — My Grandfather's Cat
www.mygrandfatherscat.ca
December 13, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
Right in the middle of commencement, we all got a text today to evacuate the campus. Commencement continued safely but UNO has been in mandatory evacuation for a couple hours.

www.wwltv.com/video/news/l...
Threat called in at UNO
Police are investigating a potential threat called in by a former student, authorities say.
www.wwltv.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:45 PM
My 1st husband = Irish music & heritage (Boston Irish, grandparents came over). While the Xmases at his family's homes were not as crazy as this song (tho the brother bringing home "another big broad" was close 😂), something here strongly reminds me of those days 💕
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTx-...
Dropkick Murphys - "The Season's Upon Us" (Video)
YouTube video by Dropkick Murphys
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:40 PM
White Wine In The Sun by Tim Minchin
YouTube video by Tim Minchin
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:29 PM
As a former #sexworker, I have a special affection for this #TomWaits oldie. #sexworkiswork #Christmas
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxVo...
Tom Waits- Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis (Studio Version)
YouTube video by MissHonaloochie
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I'm Eastern time, US
Party on bluesky for New Years eve worldwide.
Please accept your invitation by posting where we will be celebrating from
mountain time USA for me.
December 11, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Did you ... people ... who caved to the MAGAts really think this sitch was going to turn out any differently? Why cave after holding the line for weeks? Thanks for a big fat feh.
apnews.com/article/heal...?
Senate rejects extension of health care subsidies as costs are set to rise for millions of Americans
The Senate has rejected legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, essentially guaranteeing that millions of Americans will see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year.
apnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:31 PM
If you are all politics all the time, I'll probably take a vacay from you. Yes, it's important to remain informed about the current sh*teshow, but I am tired, and i cannot accomplish much of anything if i am tired. See you in the new(ish) year.

#Cat & other interesting folk including media, am here
December 10, 2025 at 6:21 PM
For all the #MAGAts out there, who are mostly illiterate and proud of it, from what i can suss out.
December 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
Anyway it’s not that “men need to be Men” it’s that men need to be grownups.
December 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
I get riding a scooter on the sidewalk but you cannot expect people to move out of your way. Nope.
December 9, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Reposted by Barrie Abalard she/her
Wow -- Russia reportedly plotted last year to plant bombs on US-bound flights (gift link) giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
December 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM