Marida

Hubris, thy name is chamber of commerce business owner who speaks at city council and claims to represent not only other business owners but all of his and their employees. Dude, your employees can speak for themselves, and you would probably be surprised what they say off the clock.

Welp, they’re rounding up the journalists, and Catherine O’Hara died. So this year completed its journey to hell.

Minnesota National Guard members have arrived at a federal building and were directed to distribute donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate to anti-ICE protesters. Guard members were issued reflective vests so they would not be mistaken for federal agents.

Short Story in Audio: The First Line

An amazing thing has happened. The First Line has produced an audio version of my short story, "Efficiency Leads to Fulfillment." It first appeared in their print magazine in 2020, then was later reprinted in Workers Write. For once, words fail me. I can't…

Thanks for noticing us! More than 300,000 signatures gathered in just a few weeks. But instead of recognizing the will of the people, our SOS is just not going to count a bunch of them.

Again, I’m going to keep banging the drum that the fact we are threatening the territorial sovereignty of our closest allies is not only a gross violation of our UN & NATO treaty obligations & poses a massive threat to national security & world order but also should immediately end this presidency.

Poem: Epiphanies While Holding Babies

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com Mothers have been in the news recently, putting themselves on the line to protect others. I wrote this poem many years ago, and it still feels relevant. Epiphanies while Holding Babies 1.I once heard mothers…

They tell us to fear immigrants, but it's ICE that's murdering people in the street.

It feels like I’ve spent my entire life protesting blood for oil.

Patting my 2025 day planner consolingly, whispering “It wasn’t your fault.”

My Year in Reading: 2025

A roundup of some books I enjoyed throughout this past year, in categories I'm inventing on the spot. Book I Looked Forward to so Much I Requested it for Christmas, and it Fulfilled My Anticipation Bread of Angels, a memoir, by Patti Smith I finished reading Smith's memoir…

On Today’s Walk: Exploring & Experiencing

I generally don't listen to audiobooks or music or anything on my phone during my pedestrian rambles. I also don't usually set any kind of goal, track my walking speed, or try to solve any of my personal problems. No shade intended for those who get…

Consecutive posts in my feed. LOL.

On Yesterday’s Walk: Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve at our house was peaceful and good, with just the three members of the household. The husband had to work part of the day but got off early. The grown son who lives here works from home and sets his hours, so he often takes his dinner up to his…

WATCH: The 60 Minutes CECOT Segment I was sent the CECOT segment anonymously in a group chat.

BREAKING: WATCH the full 60 Minutes CECOT segment here. This was sent to me anonymously. It appears to be the segment CBS' Bari Weiss killed. www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...

Happy solstice to all you round-earthers out there.

On Today’s Walk: Sidewalk Petroglyphs I talked my son into taking a little stroll with me around the neighborhood today, and we ended up on a stretch of sidewalk I don't walk frequently. Me: What is that?Son: Looks like a crab. Maybe. Shoe tips left in for size reference. Half a block later... Me: You were right. It's all spelled out in front of us.

On Today’s Walk: Sidewalk Petroglyphs

I talked my son into taking a little stroll with me around the neighborhood today, and we ended up on a stretch of sidewalk I don't walk frequently. Me: What is that?Son: Looks like a crab. Maybe. Shoe tips left in for size reference. Half a block later... Me:…

Also, the more demand at the library, the more copies the library will buy. If they don’t own a copy, request that they purchase it.

Federal judge rejects Missouri AG’s push to block referendum on gerrymandered map • Missouri Independent A federal judge Monday refused to back Missouri’s Republican leaders efforts to block a statewide vote on a gerrymandered congressional map.

Important news in this piece:

—Missouri organizers say they’ve collected over 300,000 signatures to block the GOP gerrymander. (They have until Thursday to submit roughly 110,000 valid ones.)

—Federal judge rejects GOP lawsuit to toss the petition. missouriindependent.com/2025/12/08/f...

You’re precocious and listening above your age level. They are flattering you.

Or he misheard and thought he was asked how much they sleep.

Abortion rights returned to Missouri one year ago. Access never did • Missouri Independent Abortion rights became law one year ago in Missouri. How few abortions happened since illustrates the difficulty of rebuilding access once it's decimated.

Abortion rights returned to Missouri one year ago. Access never did.

Voters legalized abortion, but decades of restrictions and a hollowed-out provider network mean most Missourians still leave the state for care. #moleg #mogov

Target and Walmart are on there. Not saying it's a perfect list. But it is nice to see alternatives.

Amazon Alternatives: 20 Places to Shop Online Other Than Amazon for Black Friday Looking to support independent businesses or shop sustainably? We review top Amazon alternative websites for better deals and cheaper prices online.

Was looking for alternatives to Amazon for online shopping and found this list from Rolling Stone. www.rollingstone.com/product-reco...

On Today’s Walk: Surprise Fence Art

On Today’s Walk: Thanksgiving Edition

Today's walk involved a fortunate discovery. The spouse and I are visiting some of his family in Oklahoma and staying in a hotel. I really wanted to make sure and get a walk before over---um, eating. Just eating. Oh, hey, look at this park *right behind* the…

I got that text yesterday. Too late. I already signed!

I have followed XKCD for a long time. And yeah, happy crying.

Starbucks strike begins today! Buy your coffee somewhere else for the duration of the strike!

The Best Laid Plans of 1914

A few weeks ago, our neighborhood hosted a day of garage sales, and these two curiosities made their way home with me--tour itineraries for England, Wales, and Contintental Europe, for the years 1913 and 1914. I assume all went well in 1913, since the tour organizer,…