Melissa Hicks

Excited to attend this Bookbinding 101 workshop at @spudnikpress.bsky.social today! 📕📗📘📙📚💛

Don't love insurance limiting a medication I have used daily for years, but am particularly frustrated neither they nor CVS communicated about it. I was given less medication than I will need for the weekend, and didn't even find out until I got home and opened the bag.

Just picked up a prescription, and found that it was for a 2-day supply, instead of the 30-day supply I usually receive. CVS tells me this is all that @expressscripts.bsky.social will cover for the month. Wish someone had told me that before Friday night, so my doc was available to get it sorted.

Play Laugh Lines No. 6: Winter Can you guess when these New Yorker cartoons were originally published?

Our new game, Laugh Lines, tests your #NewYorkerCartoons knowledge. See how you measure up.

Disappointed to learn the solution isn't actual Nilla wafers.

"Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet."

#YOLO #SuperbOwl #SuperbOwlSunday

Thanks for the recommendation! Following @rubinallergy.bsky.social now!

NIH announces new funding policy that rattles medical researchers The National Institutes of Health has dramatically changed its grant-making terms by limiting how much it will disperse for costs such as equipment and administration.

The National Institutes of Health has dramatically changed its grant-making terms by limiting how much it will disperse for costs such as equipment and administration.

Hi, my name is [NAME], I'm a constituent in [ZIP CODE]. I'm calling because I saw that [TERRIBLE THING] is happening. I think this is appalling. [PERSONAL STORY, if you have one.] I want you to do everything you can to stop this. I will remember your actions when I cast my next vote. Thank you.

Here is a script you can use for any issue. Find your reps' # at reps.fyi or 5calls.org. Every time you see a news story that horrifies you: call, or something else about it. It matters to say what you believe. You are setting a norm.

An important announcement from the Governor of Illinois.

“'The fear is so great that it’s preventing people to seek life-saving treatment, preventive treatment,' Barrientos said."

Two panel comic, top panel: mouse says to elephant “everyone tries to step on me” elephant replies “they’re just jealous bc you’re so cute & fun” bottom panel: mouse says “you would never step on me.” elephant says “I know. I’m cute and fun too”

"good luck getting the holy trifecta of a doctor to prescribe it, a pharmacist to dispense it, and an insurance company to pay for it"

This applies to too many medications. It shouldn't be this hard.

Antidepressants harder to quit than heroin? Fact-checking RFK Jr. Fact checking RFK Jr.: No, antidepressants are not harder to quit than heroin.

Fact checking RFK Jr.: No, antidepressants are not harder to quit than heroin.

Bookbinding project progress

Jump, Jive and Fail: The ’90s Swing Craze How did retro sounds, dance moves, and vintage suits come to dominate before suddenly disappearing?

Apparently the 90s swing revival is now commonly regarded are cringe and corny. I'm still loving it. 🤷‍♀️

slate.com/podcasts/dec...

Coworker almost took one, then said "nah, I'll leave 'em for the females, I'm a guy."

Not sure who else might need to hear this, but guys are allowed to enjoy flowers, too.

Several small vases of flowers on a lunchroom table with a note that says "take one for your workspace"

Spread a little joy ❤️

Same, friend ❤️

a stacked set of 6 book signatures, with punched holes along the spines

a stack of several book signatures in the process of being sewn together

a stack of book signatures on top of scrap paper, beneath a book and several cans of food weighing it all down as glue dries on the spine

Dad gave me a book binding kit for Christmas. Started on my first book this afternoon. Made my signatures and sewed them together. Now waiting for the glue to dry. Next step is cutting the front edge, which I am so worried I will screw up.

#gastroparesis + political nonsense

credit: @badwonton.bsky.social via @crex08.bsky.social

If You Interact with ICE Agents at Work: Ask if you are free to leave. If so, you may calmly walk out. You have the right to refuse consent to a search. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to discuss your immigration status with anyone, such as about where you were born, whether you are a citizen, or how you entered the country. If you have valid immigration documents, you should show them. Never provide fake documents. If you are arrested, say that you wish to remain silent until speaking with a lawyer. You have the right to record your interaction with immigration agents as long as you do not interfere.

If ICE Agents Show Up at Your Door You do not have to open the door. If you do, stay calm – you have rights. Ask what they are there for (and ask for an interpreter if you need one). If they ask to enter, ask if they have a warrant signed by a judge and if so, ask to see it (through a window or slipped under the door). If they do not have a warrant signed by a judge, you may refuse to let them in. Ask them to leave any information at your door. If they force their way in, do not resist. Tell everyone in the residence to remain silent. If you are arrested, you have the right to remain silent. Do not sign anything until you speak with a lawyer.

Si Agentes del ICE Llegan a Tu Lugar de Trabajo Pregunte si puedes marcharse. De ser así, salga tranquilamente. Tú tienes derecho a no prestar consentimiento a una búsqueda. Diga en voz alta que no consientes a que registren tus pertenencias. Tú tienes derecho a guardar silencio. No tienes que discutir tu estatus migratorio con nadie, ni dónde naciste, ni si eres ciudadano, ni cómo entraste al país. Si tienes documentos de inmigración válidos, deberías mostrarlos. Nunca presente documentos falsos. Si eres arrestado, diga que quieres permanecer en silencio hasta que hables con un abogado. Tú tienes el derecho a grabar su interacción con los agentes de inmigración, siempre y cuando no interfiera.

Si Agentes del ICE Llegan a Tu Puerta No abras la puerta, pero mantén la calma. Tú tienes derechos. Pregunta para qué están ahí (y solicita un intérprete si necesitas uno). Si piden entrar a tu casa, pregúntales si tienen una orden firmada por un juez y si la tienen, diles que te la muestren (por la ventana o que la pasen por debajo de la puerta). Si ellos no tienen una orden firmada por un juez, puedes negarte dejarlos entrar. Pídeles que dejen cualquier información en tu puerta. Si entran a la fuerza, no te resistas. Dile a todos que estén en la casa que permanezcan en silencio. Si eres arrestado, permanece en silencio y no firmes nada hasta que hables con un abogado.

Regardless of your immigration status in the U.S., you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. Know your rights and assert them.

Independientemente de su estatus migratorio en los Estados Unidos, usted tiene derechos garantizados por la Constitución. Conozca sus derechos y hágalos valer.

it would never work

Soundtrack at my desk today courtesy of The The.