Hillary Starpants
@hillarystarpants.bsky.social
Dayjobber by day, artist by night, nerd always. Trying to figure it all out at the fork in the road of my midlife.
I love art, music, nature, travel and sharing stories in pictures. I miss the lake and my folks.
Share your photos! ALL OF THEM :)
I love art, music, nature, travel and sharing stories in pictures. I miss the lake and my folks.
Share your photos! ALL OF THEM :)
Update: still snowing! Time to head home and thaw out, then do it all again tomorrow.
November 30, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Update: still snowing! Time to head home and thaw out, then do it all again tomorrow.
Nope, that's not a holiday scented candle wafting in my kitchen; that there's some fresh, tart cranberries oozing their juicy essence and giving my olfactory senses a twirl!
November 26, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Nope, that's not a holiday scented candle wafting in my kitchen; that there's some fresh, tart cranberries oozing their juicy essence and giving my olfactory senses a twirl!
I've been wanting to make chocolate chip pumpkin bread for weeks, and when the day finally comes to get down to it, guess who just found out she does not have a loaf pan?
November 25, 2025 at 10:27 PM
I've been wanting to make chocolate chip pumpkin bread for weeks, and when the day finally comes to get down to it, guess who just found out she does not have a loaf pan?
Oh snap, I guess I should post these here too?
I make and sell handmade jewelry, and I'll be at two maker's markets showcasing my wares on Saturday and Sunday! (Note that I'll be at the Ravenswood show on Sunday only but it's going on all weekend)
Details in photo caption!
I make and sell handmade jewelry, and I'll be at two maker's markets showcasing my wares on Saturday and Sunday! (Note that I'll be at the Ravenswood show on Sunday only but it's going on all weekend)
Details in photo caption!
November 21, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Oh snap, I guess I should post these here too?
I make and sell handmade jewelry, and I'll be at two maker's markets showcasing my wares on Saturday and Sunday! (Note that I'll be at the Ravenswood show on Sunday only but it's going on all weekend)
Details in photo caption!
I make and sell handmade jewelry, and I'll be at two maker's markets showcasing my wares on Saturday and Sunday! (Note that I'll be at the Ravenswood show on Sunday only but it's going on all weekend)
Details in photo caption!
It's opening day at the Chicago Christkindlmarket, and may the gods have mercy on the lower backs, hips, knees and feet of every market vendor until Xmas. Including mine, please.
November 21, 2025 at 5:29 PM
It's opening day at the Chicago Christkindlmarket, and may the gods have mercy on the lower backs, hips, knees and feet of every market vendor until Xmas. Including mine, please.
Watching a femcom I was pretty sure I hadn't seen before but according to the credits that were rolling on Netflix when I pulled it up I apparently already have, and it looks vaguely familiar? I'm really putting off prepping for these shows, aren't I.
November 19, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Watching a femcom I was pretty sure I hadn't seen before but according to the credits that were rolling on Netflix when I pulled it up I apparently already have, and it looks vaguely familiar? I'm really putting off prepping for these shows, aren't I.
The photos turned out meh, but the experience left an impact on my soul. Last night I dreamed I saw the northern lights, in a vibrantly majestic display of movement and color, from the driveway of my parent's forever home. The scene of my childhood. No time for cameras, we'll use our eyes instead.
November 13, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The photos turned out meh, but the experience left an impact on my soul. Last night I dreamed I saw the northern lights, in a vibrantly majestic display of movement and color, from the driveway of my parent's forever home. The scene of my childhood. No time for cameras, we'll use our eyes instead.
Well I tried. A friend even loaned me his amazingly powerful camera, but I still only managed to pop off a few blurry offerings of tonight's borealis. I very much need to get back into the practice of photography.
November 13, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Well I tried. A friend even loaned me his amazingly powerful camera, but I still only managed to pop off a few blurry offerings of tonight's borealis. I very much need to get back into the practice of photography.
Going to try and view the northern lights tonight, last night's FOMO wrecked me a little inside.
November 12, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Going to try and view the northern lights tonight, last night's FOMO wrecked me a little inside.
Today marks the 50 yeariversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and you bet your sweet salty tears we put on the haunting ballad of Gordon Lightfoot over coffee and toast.
November 11, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Today marks the 50 yeariversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and you bet your sweet salty tears we put on the haunting ballad of Gordon Lightfoot over coffee and toast.
It smells like cold inside the house.
November 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
It smells like cold inside the house.
The aches in my back, shoulders and hips remind me that helping a friend move is a young person's task. And yet I would shake off middle age to rally to her aid anytime, because I am equal measures ridiculous and loyal. Now I'm also exhausted. See ya again on Sunday.
November 8, 2025 at 5:24 AM
The aches in my back, shoulders and hips remind me that helping a friend move is a young person's task. And yet I would shake off middle age to rally to her aid anytime, because I am equal measures ridiculous and loyal. Now I'm also exhausted. See ya again on Sunday.
Nothing much here, just a bit of autumn loveliness.
November 5, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Nothing much here, just a bit of autumn loveliness.
Amid the quiet of night and the glowing warmth of a bonfire, the unmistakable scent of winter did not go unnoticed.
November 2, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Amid the quiet of night and the glowing warmth of a bonfire, the unmistakable scent of winter did not go unnoticed.
Anybody else stubbornly refusing to turn on the heat on their house at night, then waking up in the wee morning hours all a-shiver? Just me then?
If I'm feeling it inside, my poor plants must be feeling it worse.
If I'm feeling it inside, my poor plants must be feeling it worse.
October 20, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Anybody else stubbornly refusing to turn on the heat on their house at night, then waking up in the wee morning hours all a-shiver? Just me then?
If I'm feeling it inside, my poor plants must be feeling it worse.
If I'm feeling it inside, my poor plants must be feeling it worse.
Probably a wildly unpopular opinion but all I want to see in Ted Lasso Season 4 are Keeley, Roy and Jamie figuring out their shit in time to have a gloriously successful and loving relationship triad.
October 8, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Probably a wildly unpopular opinion but all I want to see in Ted Lasso Season 4 are Keeley, Roy and Jamie figuring out their shit in time to have a gloriously successful and loving relationship triad.
Last month I showed at 2 art venues that had moderate returns, enough so that I'm re-energized to apply to more local shows and really take the new stuff for a spin. But I still have imposter syndrome, booth fees seem awfully high, and I'm still figuring out how to find the right market.
October 3, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Last month I showed at 2 art venues that had moderate returns, enough so that I'm re-energized to apply to more local shows and really take the new stuff for a spin. But I still have imposter syndrome, booth fees seem awfully high, and I'm still figuring out how to find the right market.
Had to deliver some bad news to my aunt on the phone when a lady hummingbird fluttered up to the back porch garden. Some folks say a cardinal is the spirit of a loved one who's passed on, but I knew this little bird was a gentle reminder from mom that even the most difficult things too shall pass.
September 27, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Had to deliver some bad news to my aunt on the phone when a lady hummingbird fluttered up to the back porch garden. Some folks say a cardinal is the spirit of a loved one who's passed on, but I knew this little bird was a gentle reminder from mom that even the most difficult things too shall pass.
Ride your pony
August 15, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Ride your pony
Effing Air and Water show. Yes, I realize it's the same thing every August. Anxiety, however, has a short memory and my nerves do not need this. Nope. No thanks.
August 14, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Effing Air and Water show. Yes, I realize it's the same thing every August. Anxiety, however, has a short memory and my nerves do not need this. Nope. No thanks.
Weird. Tonight I noticed all my Mentions have been erased. Granted I didn't have many, but the few I did were really nice :/
August 14, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Weird. Tonight I noticed all my Mentions have been erased. Granted I didn't have many, but the few I did were really nice :/
I'm a little embarrassed at the sheer amount of stuff I've packed to go camping this weekend. Not quite glamping, but pretty close? Oh, the airbed automatically qualifies this as glamping? That's fair. Earlier today it looked like a discount REI threw up in my dining room. I regret nothing.
August 7, 2025 at 3:15 AM
I'm a little embarrassed at the sheer amount of stuff I've packed to go camping this weekend. Not quite glamping, but pretty close? Oh, the airbed automatically qualifies this as glamping? That's fair. Earlier today it looked like a discount REI threw up in my dining room. I regret nothing.
Today would have been my folks' 47th anniversary. I miss them every day but today is a bit extra and it's making me feel stuck in place.
If I rally, I'm going to the beach. That way if I'm feeling blue I can just splash lakewater on my face and pretend I'm swimming.
If I rally, I'm going to the beach. That way if I'm feeling blue I can just splash lakewater on my face and pretend I'm swimming.
August 5, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Today would have been my folks' 47th anniversary. I miss them every day but today is a bit extra and it's making me feel stuck in place.
If I rally, I'm going to the beach. That way if I'm feeling blue I can just splash lakewater on my face and pretend I'm swimming.
If I rally, I'm going to the beach. That way if I'm feeling blue I can just splash lakewater on my face and pretend I'm swimming.
Ope! Tornado sirens drill! Must be 10am on a first Tuesday of the month.
August 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Ope! Tornado sirens drill! Must be 10am on a first Tuesday of the month.