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sandrafriend.com
Sandra Friend
@sandrafriend.com
1.1K followers 710 following 660 posts
Author. Science geek. History wonk. Nature nut. Space Hipster. Recovering guidebook writer now making things up. SandraFriend.com
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sandrafriend.com
I'm highly allergic to cats, sadly, so you'll rarely see a #caturday from me. However, I did get up close to this Jacksonville Zoo jaguar on a bitter cold day last week. Closest I've ever seen one.
@cityofjax.bsky.social

#photography #jacksonville #jaguars #naturephotos #eastcoastkin
January 24, 2026 at 10:35 AM
sandrafriend.com
From Star Struck:

“The Reds are chattering.”

“What now?” Dick gave Al a hard look.

“Throwing us a bone. Telling us what frequencies they’re broadcasting on. As if Monmouth wasn’t monitoring all channels, all the time.”

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
January 24, 2026 at 10:07 AM
sandrafriend.com
Yum. Flavors of farm fresh St. Augustine made my vegan palette happy last week at The Feed Mill.

#januarty2026 #foodonfriday #farmtotable #vegan #alphagalfriendly #staugustine
Fresh beets, tomatoes, and cauliflower A fresh made veggie pizza with pesto Roasted root veggies and a chunk of mushroom A vegan lemon coconut cream with strawberry sauce served in a scooped out half lemon
January 24, 2026 at 3:41 AM
sandrafriend.com
From Atomic Promise:

Using the Johnson Messenger in the trunk of Fall’s car, Ernest called Stewart for an ambulance and a tight-lipped crew, a transfer to the morgue, and his usual medic, who could transport Fall to the hospital in his Hudson.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingPrompts
January 23, 2026 at 11:41 AM
sandrafriend.com
From Atomic Promise (vibe):

Three months spent among such men, Reinhardt recognized him as an American naval veteran, a hint of a swallow spilling beyond his cuff. A naval pigeoneer?

Reinhardt’s rage ignited. Determined, Dora was, to destroy his plans.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingPrompts
wipsnips.bsky.social ✨#WIPSnips✨ A Daily Writing Share Tag @wipsnips.bsky.social · 2d
The #WIPSnips word for January 22nd is "tattoo"

(Anyone else had a certain t.A.T.u. song stuck in their head for a few weeks for absolutely no reason at all?)

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag January 22 - tattoo Share a line from your WIP with the daily word for inspiration Use #WIPSnips. Don't forget Alt Text for graphics Synonyms, variation and vibes are fine. Support others on the #WIPSnips tag! Hosted by rosie-j-potter.bsky.social The image behind the text is a border that is dark blue with gold stars with a black background with neon blue border. An illustrated caticorn holding a pencil and writing in a book with a rose behind one ear is in the lower right corner. A different version of the same illustrated caticorn is curled up writing in the lower left corner.
January 22, 2026 at 10:18 AM
sandrafriend.com
Because hell yes, Minnesota rocks.

The Cascade River does exactly what it says as it drops to Lake Superior through Cascade River State Park.

#waterfallwednesday #photography #nature #photosky #minnesota #geology #rocks
A river drops between boulders in a gurgling, rushing torrent of cascades within a lush northern arboreal forest along the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota.
January 22, 2026 at 12:55 AM
sandrafriend.com
Indeed.
historycomics.bsky.social Tim Smyth @historycomics.bsky.social · 2d
Reading is reading.
January 21, 2026 at 6:20 PM
sandrafriend.com
From Star Struck:

Carrying a clipboard, the lieutenant joined Bob and Sammy behind the lines of activity.

“Are you directing this Project High Dive test, sir? I’m Fussel with Information Services"
January 21, 2026 at 10:49 AM
sandrafriend.com
A late entrant for #thicktrunktuesday: one of Florida's largest live oaks, well hidden within an old motor court complex in St. Augustine but not missed by the tourist trains and trolley trams.

#bigtrees #liveoak #theoldsenator #historiccoast
Plaque that says The Old Senator in front of a thick trunked live oak surrounded by a low fence.
January 21, 2026 at 2:32 AM
sandrafriend.com
A bright bloom to bring a speck of cheer to a day of existential drear. Hibiscus, happy to be itself.

#photography #red #flower #hibscus #naturecalling #photosky
Brilliant red hibiscus in a garden
January 21, 2026 at 1:12 AM
sandrafriend.com
Brilliant essay by Cory Doctorow.
Spot-on for deconstructing the fallacy of AI. Both "Reverse centaur" and "accountability sink" hit home with the tech bros ultimate intent to dehumanize labor. In creativity, in copyright protections enforced, hope remains.
January 20, 2026 at 11:38 AM
sandrafriend.com
From Star Struck. I have no troll (noun) in any of my WIPs so I'm going with a vibe with mock, which does come up a handful of times.
“Was that necessary?” Bea boomed. She dropped her robe and dug her toes into the sand. As expected, the Greek’s smug gaze settled below her neckline. “I’m not just a pretty face, Miss Miller.” Gil stepped onto the beach, inches from the hissing alligator. “It’s my job to keep these ladies—and you—safe.” Bea glanced at Ermaline, who nodded. Damn it, Chester! Bea stared Gil down. “And your definition of safe, Mr. Galani?” Gil’s assistant handed him a spear gun. One foot on the alligator, the frogman assumed a big game hunter stance. “Keeping this river shark and alligator free, Miss Miller, so you ladies can perform in peace.” Gil mock-curtsied to Bea. Her mermaids applauded
January 20, 2026 at 11:12 AM
sandrafriend.com
Not that I trust my phone to be an innocent bystander, but I've always thought allowing a third party to access any part of your home wirelessly was a dumb idea. Looking at you, Roomba. Etc.

#surveillance #dystopia
January 19, 2026 at 2:17 PM
sandrafriend.com
Feeling blue.
#blueskymonday #photography #vibes #noticingart
Close-up of blue glass vase A tiled wall in shades of blue A classic Tiffany window largely in blue glass The Bluebird of Happiness on a fishing pier. Roadside art from the 1950s.
January 19, 2026 at 11:26 AM
sandrafriend.com
From Star Struck:

Maria had broom in hand for a slap at the crow perched on her dish drain. “Alto!” Dick shouted, catching both the broomstick in mid-swing and Maria’s surprised expression.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
January 19, 2026 at 9:45 AM
sandrafriend.com
#stunday sunrise along the Atlantic Ocean on a chilly morning in Vilano Beach.

#sunrise #oceanfront #beach #saintaugustine
A lone silhouette of a person walking along waves glowing from ribbons of pinkish orange sunrise in the clouds
January 18, 2026 at 11:49 PM
sandrafriend.com
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Also a good reason to post the covers of the books you've read and enjoyed. Brighten an author's day.
natania.bsky.social Natania Barron @natania.bsky.social · 6d
Please, never be shy telling an author you loved their books.

It’s seriously what gets us through.
January 18, 2026 at 8:44 AM
sandrafriend.com
From Star Struck:

“Let me share a little wisdom from Colonel Stapp.” Bob lowered his voice. “However many hats a man may wear, the contents remain the same.”

Victor stared at Bob’s cap. “How so?"

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
January 18, 2026 at 8:38 AM
sandrafriend.com
Joining today's #BlueSkyArtShow
The theme is #One

Art with a focus on the singular.
While in #StAugustine this week I focused on hidden, historic art. These were created by Gilded Age artisans for the Ponce De Leon Hotel, now @flaglercollege.bsky.social

#art #artists #supportartists #photgraphy
Original carved cherub on the back of a wooden chair in the dining hall One of the dozen frogs around the main fountain in the front courtyard. Together with the fount itself, they serve as a sundial. A golden cherub in the Ladies' Lounge A single black scallop is the focal point of a mosaic of hand cut tiles on a portion of an exterior wall
January 17, 2026 at 5:41 PM
sandrafriend.com
As an author who's been part of the Internet since the late 90s, I'm frustrated by how competent research and reporting has been utterly gamed and swamped to feed the maw of Big Tech. AI amplification is as bad as AI copyright theft. Perhaps worse. The value of search engines is unraveling.
January 17, 2026 at 2:32 PM
sandrafriend.com
From Star Struck:

Ernest’s resonant voice startled Victor to full attention. The man never spoke loudly in meetings. Victor remembered rationing and Hitler and Hirohito and gold stars, but he wasn’t even a teenager when the bomb ended it all.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
January 17, 2026 at 11:57 AM
sandrafriend.com
From Star Struck:

Dick set his jaw. Al and the Army—bombs on the brain. Why couldn’t they think like Paul? Get a living being up there and you’d impress the stuffing out of the world. As long as they came back alive.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
January 16, 2026 at 11:39 AM
sandrafriend.com
For #BirdoftheDay, today's theme is raptor and alternative #Anatidae (geese, swans and ducks). I don't visit zoos often but this Australian blue-billed duck at the Jacksonville Zoo proved a compelling composition on a very dreary day.

#ducks #bluebilledduck #jacksonville #florida
Duck with a brown body, black stripe on head, and blue bill, floating on a pond reflecting gray skies, as seen from above
January 15, 2026 at 11:13 AM
sandrafriend.com
From Star Struck:
“Hey, hot stuff! Got business for you.”

Bea cracked the door open and snapped at the hotel manager, the bastard playing procurer for some well-dressed businessman with a leer smeared across his face. "You are sorely mistaken, buster.”

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingPrompts
January 15, 2026 at 10:30 AM
sandrafriend.com
Two #longbeak birds I spotted today while walking along coastal marshes at low tide, great candidates for #birdoftheday
Little blue heron among oysters in marsh mud White ibis poking its long beak into marsh mud surrounding oyster bars
January 15, 2026 at 2:22 AM