Michelle
@thegreenstudy.com
Writer, Minnesotan, Army Veteran, Bird Nerd, Parent, Spouse, Atheist, GenX. I've named the squirrels in my yard & I swear a lot.
At thegreenstudy.com. She/her.
2025-26 Loft Literary Mentor Fiction Fellow.
Ruining workplaces since 1985. Unpaid agitator.
At thegreenstudy.com. She/her.
2025-26 Loft Literary Mentor Fiction Fellow.
Ruining workplaces since 1985. Unpaid agitator.
Oooh...Happy Valentine's to me. This gorgeous book arrived today. Ornithography: An Illustrated Guide to Bird Lore & Symbolism by @jessicasroux.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Oooh...Happy Valentine's to me. This gorgeous book arrived today. Ornithography: An Illustrated Guide to Bird Lore & Symbolism by @jessicasroux.bsky.social
I wanted to make fun of all those people buying Swarovski collectibles, but...
Not going to buy it, because it's ridiculously expensive and any money this month goes to mutual aid projects, but I see the temptation.
Not going to buy it, because it's ridiculously expensive and any money this month goes to mutual aid projects, but I see the temptation.
February 14, 2026 at 3:24 AM
I wanted to make fun of all those people buying Swarovski collectibles, but...
Not going to buy it, because it's ridiculously expensive and any money this month goes to mutual aid projects, but I see the temptation.
Not going to buy it, because it's ridiculously expensive and any money this month goes to mutual aid projects, but I see the temptation.
False spring reminded me of birding & photography (I'm shit at both, but love them anyway). One of my favorite birds is the gray catbird. They are fantastic mimics - a real party in the yard. I took this a few years ago. I've been in my head all day & going outside reminded me of the joys to come.
February 14, 2026 at 1:25 AM
False spring reminded me of birding & photography (I'm shit at both, but love them anyway). One of my favorite birds is the gray catbird. They are fantastic mimics - a real party in the yard. I took this a few years ago. I've been in my head all day & going outside reminded me of the joys to come.
I had to look up the middle guy to find out who he even was. The whitening of Mamdani and Crockett...yikes. And who the fuck needs a "Tea Party" remake? They were rotten the first time around. Mediocre and unimaginative white guy punditry strikes again.
February 13, 2026 at 10:49 AM
I had to look up the middle guy to find out who he even was. The whitening of Mamdani and Crockett...yikes. And who the fuck needs a "Tea Party" remake? They were rotten the first time around. Mediocre and unimaginative white guy punditry strikes again.
Caregiving, especially with someone who has dementia/Alzheimer's, is definitely wearing.
Have a bunny from last spring.
Have a bunny from last spring.
February 7, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Caregiving, especially with someone who has dementia/Alzheimer's, is definitely wearing.
Have a bunny from last spring.
Have a bunny from last spring.
@ziibiing.com Just posted about a couple families in Whittier trying to make rent by tomorrow.
January 31, 2026 at 2:44 AM
@ziibiing.com Just posted about a couple families in Whittier trying to make rent by tomorrow.
My current reading pile. It is hard to focus right now, but reading seems inherently anti-authoritarian and knowledge can be a bulwark against an onslaught of perpetual public lying. I am so grateful for the talented voices that accompany us through these difficult days.
January 29, 2026 at 4:06 PM
My current reading pile. It is hard to focus right now, but reading seems inherently anti-authoritarian and knowledge can be a bulwark against an onslaught of perpetual public lying. I am so grateful for the talented voices that accompany us through these difficult days.
"...raising civil liberty concerns."
If milquetoast were a newspaper.
If milquetoast were a newspaper.
January 18, 2026 at 4:36 PM
"...raising civil liberty concerns."
If milquetoast were a newspaper.
If milquetoast were a newspaper.
Home & thawing out after a protest. Always a good showing & good vibes. Except for the occasional dipshit flipping us off. You show up, you stand around or march a lot. You talk with the people next to you, pick up a chant. It's about solidarity & learning to take collective action.
January 11, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Home & thawing out after a protest. Always a good showing & good vibes. Except for the occasional dipshit flipping us off. You show up, you stand around or march a lot. You talk with the people next to you, pick up a chant. It's about solidarity & learning to take collective action.
ICE activity tracker. Don't tell me we aren't being invaded by violent gangs in uniform.
January 10, 2026 at 8:41 PM
ICE activity tracker. Don't tell me we aren't being invaded by violent gangs in uniform.
My favorite bird is the gray catbird. I love their mimicry and that jaunty little head stripe. This one was one round little unit!
January 7, 2026 at 2:26 AM
My favorite bird is the gray catbird. I love their mimicry and that jaunty little head stripe. This one was one round little unit!
Well this is not great. But fair.
January 1, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Well this is not great. But fair.
I drew this card to start the new year and wrote for an hour.
January 1, 2026 at 12:22 PM
I drew this card to start the new year and wrote for an hour.
We make imperfect choices everyday. It's a function of capitalist monopolies. Not shopping won't change the world, but it can change you - help you claim power as a consumer, teach you to participate in collective action, and surprise you when you find out what you can do without. It's worth a try.
November 25, 2025 at 8:41 PM
We make imperfect choices everyday. It's a function of capitalist monopolies. Not shopping won't change the world, but it can change you - help you claim power as a consumer, teach you to participate in collective action, and surprise you when you find out what you can do without. It's worth a try.
I will be hiding in my dark house tonight furtively eating candy. Our unlit streets w/no sidewalks are not great for kids (see annual pedestrian fatalities on the 31st). I do my part to make our street look foreboding. We've been getting visits by guests who don't no stinkin' sidewalks though.
October 31, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I will be hiding in my dark house tonight furtively eating candy. Our unlit streets w/no sidewalks are not great for kids (see annual pedestrian fatalities on the 31st). I do my part to make our street look foreboding. We've been getting visits by guests who don't no stinkin' sidewalks though.
Good lord, conservative talking points today. Sen. Ernst (Iowa) saying it's important to find out who was funding the protests.
Where's my check, you obnoxious cornhole?
Where's my check, you obnoxious cornhole?
October 20, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Good lord, conservative talking points today. Sen. Ernst (Iowa) saying it's important to find out who was funding the protests.
Where's my check, you obnoxious cornhole?
Where's my check, you obnoxious cornhole?
It is my most heartfelt wish to have 98% of my life undocumented, unposted, unliked, unseen, unfilmed, unphotographed. The wildlife that crosses my path, on the other hand, will have no such luxury. Sorry berbs.
October 15, 2025 at 11:48 AM
It is my most heartfelt wish to have 98% of my life undocumented, unposted, unliked, unseen, unfilmed, unphotographed. The wildlife that crosses my path, on the other hand, will have no such luxury. Sorry berbs.
Not on my best behavior this morning - snarking at the AP about headline syntax.
I'll try to do better today.
Meanwhile, found this little guy sunning itself on a rock at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
I'll try to do better today.
Meanwhile, found this little guy sunning itself on a rock at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
September 17, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Not on my best behavior this morning - snarking at the AP about headline syntax.
I'll try to do better today.
Meanwhile, found this little guy sunning itself on a rock at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
I'll try to do better today.
Meanwhile, found this little guy sunning itself on a rock at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
Went to the woods to enjoy this spate of warm MN days before winter hits. Saw this guy stretched out and taking in the sun. Instinctive joy.
September 12, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Went to the woods to enjoy this spate of warm MN days before winter hits. Saw this guy stretched out and taking in the sun. Instinctive joy.
Me, avoiding other humans who want to talk about the news. Seriously, it's okay to take a moment to process things and then make a conscious decision about whether or not one's opinion adds to the conversation. Mine won't. I'll be over here eating a yard salad.
September 11, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Me, avoiding other humans who want to talk about the news. Seriously, it's okay to take a moment to process things and then make a conscious decision about whether or not one's opinion adds to the conversation. Mine won't. I'll be over here eating a yard salad.
First time I've ever seen a bluejay molting. All personality and flashy outfit - terrible haircut. What a little dinosaur!
September 11, 2025 at 11:32 PM
First time I've ever seen a bluejay molting. All personality and flashy outfit - terrible haircut. What a little dinosaur!
Just got an automated email from a vendor: "Get excited! Your order is on the way."
First of all, don't tell me what to do.
Second of all, you don't know me. I don't get excited about stuff.
I am excited that a flock of bluejays have visited this morning. Peanuts, it's all about the peanuts.
First of all, don't tell me what to do.
Second of all, you don't know me. I don't get excited about stuff.
I am excited that a flock of bluejays have visited this morning. Peanuts, it's all about the peanuts.
September 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Just got an automated email from a vendor: "Get excited! Your order is on the way."
First of all, don't tell me what to do.
Second of all, you don't know me. I don't get excited about stuff.
I am excited that a flock of bluejays have visited this morning. Peanuts, it's all about the peanuts.
First of all, don't tell me what to do.
Second of all, you don't know me. I don't get excited about stuff.
I am excited that a flock of bluejays have visited this morning. Peanuts, it's all about the peanuts.
Now just sitting in the drink.
July 9, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Now just sitting in the drink.
Bird baths, high and low, getting some action this morning. Another hot day ahead in MN.
July 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Bird baths, high and low, getting some action this morning. Another hot day ahead in MN.
Blue Heron from a kayak, on a dock, in a tree.
Not great shots, but herons seem to be a theme in my bird outings lately. I've also learned I need to improve my kayaking skills before dragging along the good camera (thank goodness for plastic bags!).
Not great shots, but herons seem to be a theme in my bird outings lately. I've also learned I need to improve my kayaking skills before dragging along the good camera (thank goodness for plastic bags!).
July 9, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Blue Heron from a kayak, on a dock, in a tree.
Not great shots, but herons seem to be a theme in my bird outings lately. I've also learned I need to improve my kayaking skills before dragging along the good camera (thank goodness for plastic bags!).
Not great shots, but herons seem to be a theme in my bird outings lately. I've also learned I need to improve my kayaking skills before dragging along the good camera (thank goodness for plastic bags!).