Ann Douglas

I was discussing this with a family member yesterday. They were convinced this was a ludicrous online rumour. I had to break it to them that it was, in fact, a ludicrous government policy.

"What this will all mean in the long run is unclear. But in the short term, it will almost certainly mean fewer family medicine residents. That’s right: this change is likely to lead to fewer, not more, doctors in Ontario."

#OnHealth #OnPoli

Thank you for your service. 😂

How to spot an author scam email I’ve grumbled enough on social media about the rise in AI-generated scam emails that now, more than one of my author friends has sent an email to me, asking...

Wow, I think I just got a *real* online book club invitation, which I might have deleted to be honest except I happened to know about this one and that they were in fact discussing my book. A unicorn! Anyway, I've had a lot of good feedback from Friday's newsletter, so here it is again 👉

They Came for Our Neighbors. We Showed Up. Before long, there were dozens, and then hundreds of people in the streets, watching and responding.

My latest is the story of how my community has rallied to protect and defend our neighbors in recent days, as ICE has targeted the Rogers Park neighborhood in Chicago. "This is not a story about a moment of victory, but a moment of being reminded of our power."

Trees in shades of red, orange, green, and yellow create a canopy over a trail path covered in fallen foliage while off in the distance an opening of light among the trees appears like a round doorway.

I was on vacation last week and got to enjoy the fall colours. This trail path really stood out in terms of its peaceful (and somewhat magical) vibe.

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#NeWestPress #NowHiring

Two women smiling behind N95 masks, wearing lanyards that say Ban This Book Fest 2025

Three stickers. One is yellow with words "My favorite childhood memory is actually having energy." The second is a possum holding the disability pride flag with the words "My disability may not be visible but your ignorance is." The third is a black cat with a rainbow and the words "Childless cat ladies against the patriarchy."

A collection of swag from Ban this Book Fest. A Lanyard with a "Volunteer" ID, a black t-shirt that reads "imagine being afraid of drag queens and books", the front of the event program, and a yellow tote bag with the Ban This Book Fest logo -- a book with a rainbow and the words overlaid.

Ban This Book Fest 2025 in Ferndale, MI (Oct 11). The day my soul needed! Mom and I volunteered (and they were so disability-friendly and accessible) plus paid for the swag bag—worth it!

Creative, inspiring, community! 💖
#BanThisBookFest #BannedBooksWeek

Close up shot of huckleberry bushes some bright red some still some are green. In the middle Ground a small swoop of gray granite and on the horizon a few sparse evergreens and blue sky

Best effect - when the summer and fall foliage swirl together

The corporate & political elite are getting worried as voters are looking for new solutions, solutions that would cut into corporate profits & compensation.

Library Book Check out card for Max Lerner, "It's Later Than You Think," all of the check out stamps are from 1939.

I took this photo in 2014.

ICE hit our area hard again today. I spent the morning and afternoon on patrol, and then came home for Understory, the emotional and spiritual support group for activists I co-facilitate. @tanuja.bsky.social was going to cover for me, but I decided I needed to be there, for my sake. I was right.

Photo of a boulder field. Possibly a felsemer.

Photo of a colourful species of Sphagnum moss.

Photo of a trail through a wildfire zone. The trail bed is still green/unburned. Everything else around is black/burned.

Photo of a bog hole with a cracked-mud bottom.

A recent hike near, and through, a wildfire zone. Newfoundland, Canada.
#hiking #backpacking #wildfire

A stack of sweetgum leaves arranged with largest at the back, smaller leaves on top. The pile is twisted to show the range in colours from pale yellow, orange, green, scarlet red, deep burgundy, and splotchy versions with a bit of each colour. Even the stems show this range of colour. They’re all from one tree.

The largest sweetgum leaf, varying from burgandy, green, yellow and pinkish red. Two spiky brown sweetgum balls, one including the branch it fell with, are below the leaf.

The whole sweetgum collection, better to judge the size of the larger leaf.

Sweetgum gifts I gathered from under the tree. See why I love them? They’re spectacular!

The Emergency Is the Atmosphere “It’s meant to exhaust us. It’s meant to destroy us."

You should read this by @mskellymhayes.bsky.social if you haven't already done so: organizingmythoughts.org/the-emergenc...

"I urge you: Never sell out your authority!" Leo said.

Props to the CBS news site editor for wire selection subtext.

Yesterday I baked four loaves of bread and went for a couple of walks. Today we definitely have to buy groceries (or else we’ll run out of milk for tea) but I plan to take full advantage of the sunny weather and gorgeous fall colours.

Someday, soon I hope, there will be an inflatable frog costume in the Smithsonian.

Elliott Estate, a grand old two-story brick building used for a private school until a few years ago, now a historic building maintained by the city. It stands on a green lawn with woods all around. It’s lit by afternoon sun.

A dirt path leads into the woods: dense, mostly green deciduous trees with a few orange and yellow crowns under blue sky.

More dirt path and leaf litter under tall green trees.

My Friday walk after work wasn’t by water this week, because the woods were calling. Cawthra Woods, on my way home… a glorious hardwood forest with boardwalk in the dampest parts of the trails. I started at the Elliott Estate, and took the left fork to get to the boardwalk.
Gorgeous in all seasons.

I've had a number of people say I'm "extreme left" lately, but I don't identify that way.
I just want what we were promised when I grew up in the 70s and 80s: a fair shot for everyone, no matter who you are.

Especially during this administration, I felt I’ve been pulled in too many directions in the fight for what’s right. Until I reminded myself that I am only part of the solution and it is better to think of myself as being multifaceted so I can consistently fight every day and through my art.

How lucky you were to have had him; how much you will miss him. What a great photo. The Good Life indeed.

A golden sunset panoramic view of a coulee near Duck Mountain, SK.

Back in my home province for TG, click for SK in all its glory 🥰

What gives you courage? Please immerse yourself in that right now.

Sunset. Pink clouds. Smokebush. Lilac. Wire.

Sunset. Pink clouds. Smokebush. Lilac. Wire.

Some light. The garden in fall. Some respite.

Canadian friends! If you're having turkey this weekend, let me set you up for the days that follow 👇

You can, in fact, just do stuff. No permission needed. Have an idea? Execute it.

One woman's quest to reclaim the ugly history of Black maternal health Artist Michelle Browder's Mothers of Gynecology project is an act of resistance.

At a time when so many people feel “really powerless, Michelle’s work is a reminder that it’s still possible to be powerful, and she’s done it through art.”

One woman’s quest to reclaim the ugly history of Black maternal health

This is how you talk about queer issues. Historical context, truth about the lives people lead, and concrete action you’ll take to help protect vulnerable people. It’s easy when it’s guided by principles and not craven political calculations.

It is wild that the deterioration has been so widespread and so prolonged.