some call me Saf, some call me April

I'm pleased to announce that my romantic meet-cute short story Beneath the Lilacs was accepted and will be included in the spring KissMet Quarterly. It's one of my favorites, about a couple who meets at a dog park and learn they have more in common than they realized.

Be aware!

Even Harper's smart enough not to touch the Alberta separatist issue.

Today at school dismissal, I followed a suspicious pickup around for a bit, keeping an eye on them, trying to figure out if they were ICE. Then I realized they were keeping an eye on me also. Then I realized they were, in fact, other parents. Life in Minnesota, January 2026.

Happy Black History month, pokémon people!

YouTube video by APTN News 5 more First Nations in Ontario join litigation against Bill 5 and Bill C-5 | APTN News

Five First Nations in Ontario have joined the legal fight against Ontario’s Bill 5 and the federal government's Bill C-5, bringing together a total of 14 First Nations into the litigation.

@davidfrum.bsky.social

For the evening crowd: our Kickstarter campaign for the Fascination anthology is off to a great start! Today's update talked about gingerbread.

Become a backer: www.kickstarter.com/projects/tyc...

YouTube video by APTN News Canada to open a new Canadian consulate in Greenland | APTN News

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is headed to Greenland this week to open a new Canadian consulate in the territory.

Alex Pretti’s death ruled homicide after Minneapolis shooting by federal agents The death of Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis man killed by federal agents, has been ruled a homicide, the Hennepin County medical examiner’s office said.

The death of Alex Pretti has been ruled a homicide, the Hennepin County medical examiner’s office said. Pretti was shot Jan. 24 during a chaotic encounter with federal immigration officers in Minneapolis. Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez were named as the two officers who fired at Pretti.

Abolish ICE.

There’s no reforming it.

There’s no compromise.

There’s only one way to rein in ICE’s terror campaign. Abolish it.

Need to keep this for later.

This is a post about animal excrement and the English language.

bull$#!% = nonsense/lies
chicken$#!% = petty or cowardly
horse$#!% = nonsense/lies
dog$#!%= low quality
ape$#!% = wild
bat$#!%= crazy

Ordered above from oldest to newest: bull$#!% (1914), bat$#!% (1971).

Listen to the story that shaped a generation. Decades after starring in Stand By Me, the film adaptation of THE BODY, Wil Wheaton lends his voice to an all new recording of the audiobook. Pre-order your copy and start listening March 24, 2026.

YouTube video by The Beaverton Wiarton Willie's dire warning: The Beaverton

Groundhog predicts there are only 9 springs left

Damn. I wish I had $500 lying around.

The Writers Union of Canada calls for Alberta to reverse the prejudicial directive targeting published work for removal from school libraries.

🤣

I am not sure if it's faster to write on my tablet, but it's certainly more convenient.

The Many, by Sylvain Neuvel at 25% off at Canada's Indigo as one fo their most anticipated sci-fi books of 2026

Woo! Nice to see THE MANY as one of Indigo's Most Anticipated Sci-Fi Books of 2026. Even better, it comes with a 25% pre-order discount! (And bonus points) This week only. #PreOrdersSaveKittens www.indigo.ca/en-ca/the-ma...

APTN National News: February 2, 2026 YouTube video by APTN News

Today on APTN National News: Quebec police confirm the arrest of two teenagers in the fatal shooting of two men in the Cree community of Mistissini.

Graphic by Trung Le Ngyuen featuring a drawing of Liam Ramos with his bunny hat and Spidey backpack and a small smile. Text reads: "Comics 4 Liam / WE're asking artists to draw pictures for Liam Ramos that you think might make this particular boy feel happy and cared for. / Maybe drawings of things he might love; maybe pictures of Liam himself as you think he might like to be seen. / Please post your art with the hashtag #Comics4Liam and a link to comics4liam.com, which lists fundraisers for Liam and others victimized by ICE and links to organizations that support immigrants.

A few other guidelines: 1. Please avoid images of Liam in danger or sad. 2. Please avoid images that include violence or would otherwise by inappropriate for a five year old. 3. Please NO "A.i." USE AT ALL. 4. Please DO NOT POST YOUR IMAGE ON X (Twitter). Thank you!

Friends, we're thrilled to announce #Comics4Liam to encourage artists to draw pictures for Liam Conejo Ramos and share links to help Liam's family and other immigrants persecuted by ICE! Check out comics4liam.com and please do feel free to pitch in! Images by the great @trungles.com!

Wisconsin Rapid Response on Instagram: "Please share out so we can start production on these FREE portable eye wash stations. These can help save your eyes from tear gas and other chemical irritants t... 5,527 likes, 103 comments - actwisco on February 1, 2026: "Please share out so we can start production on these FREE portable eye wash stations. These can help save your eyes from tear gas and other c...

@mostlybree.kitrocha.com
This might interest you and the printers. Portable eye wash for protesters

www.instagram.com/reel/DUOYezC...

What gives you hope in these awful times?

I’ll tell you my answer: the people of Minneapolis.

Poverty is a policy choice. Concentrated wealth is a policy choice. Inequality is a policy choice. None of it is natural or inevitable. Remember: We have the power to build a system that serves the many, not the powerful few.

I'm so excited to see my story Spark in the Dark received a Cupid's Choice from Micromance Magazine. I am so grateful to be part of an amazing group of writers who contribute to KissMet Quarterly and Micromance.

Radon Journal Issue 12 is out now, including my sci-fi short story, The Atures Parrot. This one is very special for me, because it's a story I hoped I'd be able to tell for a very long time. It's about gravity, memory, and being the last one to speak a dead language 🚀

Can't wait to read the issue Abhijeet puts together. He has excellent taste and is very kind, send him your words!

Year of the Horse: Best Horses in Fantasy Mel – Celebrating Lunar New Year and the year of the Fire Horse with an exquisite equine list!

Interested in animal fiction? In touch with the lunar new year? The year of the #FireHorse approaches, and I have a horsey reading list to inspire you! #TheLastUnicorn
beyondthespinereviews.com/2026/02/01/y...