Marsha McSpadden
@marshamac.bsky.social
Writer of small thorns, teacher of same
I actually think they hate themselves the most and they take their inferiority out on everyone else.
January 18, 2026 at 3:23 AM
I actually think they hate themselves the most and they take their inferiority out on everyone else.
Not nearly enough!
January 17, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Not nearly enough!
Thank you! It was a little flashlight in my inbox yesterday morning.
January 14, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Thank you! It was a little flashlight in my inbox yesterday morning.
rank or title in life, you have the heart of a coward, and the spirit of a sycophant.” He goes on to compare the King to Satan and calling England a bunch of rapists. “The robber and the murderer would often escape unpunished, did not the injuries which our tempers sustain provoke us into justice.”
January 10, 2026 at 4:35 PM
rank or title in life, you have the heart of a coward, and the spirit of a sycophant.” He goes on to compare the King to Satan and calling England a bunch of rapists. “The robber and the murderer would often escape unpunished, did not the injuries which our tempers sustain provoke us into justice.”
a parent or child by their hands, and yourself the ruined and wretched survivor? If you have not, then are you not a judge to those who have. But if you have, and can still shake hands with the murderers, then you are unworthy of the name husband, father, friend, or lover, and whatever may be your
January 10, 2026 at 4:35 PM
a parent or child by their hands, and yourself the ruined and wretched survivor? If you have not, then are you not a judge to those who have. But if you have, and can still shake hands with the murderers, then you are unworthy of the name husband, father, friend, or lover, and whatever may be your
Maybe you are lucky not to currently be affected, maybe you haven’t yet lost a love one… and then he moves in for his mic drop: “hath your house been burnt? Hath your property been destroyed before your face? Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie in or bread to live on? Have you lost
January 10, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Maybe you are lucky not to currently be affected, maybe you haven’t yet lost a love one… and then he moves in for his mic drop: “hath your house been burnt? Hath your property been destroyed before your face? Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie in or bread to live on? Have you lost
Children, etc. before ratcheting up the emotional appeals. “It is the good fortune of many to live distant from the scene of present sorrow (Boston in this case); the evil is not sufficiently brought to their doors to make them feel the precariousness with which all American property is possessed.”
January 10, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Children, etc. before ratcheting up the emotional appeals. “It is the good fortune of many to live distant from the scene of present sorrow (Boston in this case); the evil is not sufficiently brought to their doors to make them feel the precariousness with which all American property is possessed.”
He anticipates the audience’s reasons to be reluctant (uncertainty about the future, trade prospects, tradition) and refutes them all. “The same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still.” He goes on to build his case - England as a liability, think of your
January 10, 2026 at 4:35 PM
He anticipates the audience’s reasons to be reluctant (uncertainty about the future, trade prospects, tradition) and refutes them all. “The same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still.” He goes on to build his case - England as a liability, think of your
Paine writes: “Arms as a last resource decide the contest; the appeal was the choice of the King, and the continent has accepted the challenge.” A reminder that the decision has been made for them by their Government. He goes on to say that non-action will only go on to cause wounds to fester.
January 10, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Paine writes: “Arms as a last resource decide the contest; the appeal was the choice of the King, and the continent has accepted the challenge.” A reminder that the decision has been made for them by their Government. He goes on to say that non-action will only go on to cause wounds to fester.
Paine writes: “the cause of America is in great measure the cause of all mankind… the principles of all lovers of mankind are affected.” This is both a throwback to John Winthrop’s Model of Christian Charity and a call to look to the future.
January 10, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Paine writes: “the cause of America is in great measure the cause of all mankind… the principles of all lovers of mankind are affected.” This is both a throwback to John Winthrop’s Model of Christian Charity and a call to look to the future.
WTF. That photo choice is something. Are they suggesting women should be caged??
December 19, 2025 at 3:39 PM
WTF. That photo choice is something. Are they suggesting women should be caged??
I have always given paper midterms and finals in my lit classes. It works.
December 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I have always given paper midterms and finals in my lit classes. It works.
Yes. In their ad, they make an “optimized study plan” for a student … and send her to the library. Revolutionary!
December 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Yes. In their ad, they make an “optimized study plan” for a student … and send her to the library. Revolutionary!
Pecan Tassies are awesome. As are mini cheesecakes.
November 25, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Pecan Tassies are awesome. As are mini cheesecakes.
A couple of favorites I teach — Bullhead by Leigh Allison Wilson. leighallisonwilson.com/2014/10/16/u...
Sleeping by Katherine Weber www.vestalreview.net/sleeping
Let X by Chad Simpson fictionaut.com/stories/chad...
And The Hobblers by Dan Chaon www.smokelong.com/stories/the-...
Sleeping by Katherine Weber www.vestalreview.net/sleeping
Let X by Chad Simpson fictionaut.com/stories/chad...
And The Hobblers by Dan Chaon www.smokelong.com/stories/the-...
Unromancing the stone
BULLHEAD by Leigh Allison /wilson (From flashquake) Every story is true and a lie. My mother tells a story about the love of her life. It’s a simple one, but she always cries when she tells it and …
leighallisonwilson.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:44 PM
A couple of favorites I teach — Bullhead by Leigh Allison Wilson. leighallisonwilson.com/2014/10/16/u...
Sleeping by Katherine Weber www.vestalreview.net/sleeping
Let X by Chad Simpson fictionaut.com/stories/chad...
And The Hobblers by Dan Chaon www.smokelong.com/stories/the-...
Sleeping by Katherine Weber www.vestalreview.net/sleeping
Let X by Chad Simpson fictionaut.com/stories/chad...
And The Hobblers by Dan Chaon www.smokelong.com/stories/the-...
Ain’t it the truth. For 26 we’re going to have Tubs running for Gov, McCarron for LG, and Finebaum for Senate. 🥴
November 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Ain’t it the truth. For 26 we’re going to have Tubs running for Gov, McCarron for LG, and Finebaum for Senate. 🥴
I don’t know why he thought having a press conference in front of all those empty stairs was a good look. It makes them look even smaller and lonelier.
November 5, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I don’t know why he thought having a press conference in front of all those empty stairs was a good look. It makes them look even smaller and lonelier.
Alabama has a state law barring “divisive topics”
November 5, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Alabama has a state law barring “divisive topics”
He’s now free to have more date nights at Mar-a-Lago
November 2, 2025 at 8:29 PM
He’s now free to have more date nights at Mar-a-Lago
Even snails get where they’re going, I say to myself as I open my manuscript…
October 30, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Even snails get where they’re going, I say to myself as I open my manuscript…
Absolutely. I had a student who said, as I was passing out the midterm, I don’t think I’ve learned anything in this class. Information I would never have admitted to anyone but they said this confidently and proudly as though it were an indictment of me. 🤷♀️
October 30, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Absolutely. I had a student who said, as I was passing out the midterm, I don’t think I’ve learned anything in this class. Information I would never have admitted to anyone but they said this confidently and proudly as though it were an indictment of me. 🤷♀️
Yes. Agree. I think phones has a lot to do with it too. They take fewer risks. And are generally less curious than kids 7-8 years ago because they are entertained 24/7.
October 30, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Yes. Agree. I think phones has a lot to do with it too. They take fewer risks. And are generally less curious than kids 7-8 years ago because they are entertained 24/7.