I paused my crochet project to tell Emmett, “I love you, Pikachu.” Then, I snapped this picture. #cats #crocheting #crochetingwithcats #cute #cuteness

Emmett thinks I need help with my crochet project. #cats #cute #crochet #crochetingwithcats

A family member is getting medical treatments this month and needs a lot of rides, so I started a project that was more portable than my blanket. It’s a Doctor Who Scarf from Season 18. #knitting #doctorwho #doctorwhoscarf

I live in LA. And while the dictatorship is telling its propaganda channel that there are looters and riots (lolololol) the protests remain peaceful except for when the cops shoot reporters.

I try to distract myself by bird watching, editing photos, or even just lesson planning, but it never goes away.

At first, I was in shock that they made Prevost pope. Now, I am mostly sad, and sometimes angry. He stonewalled survivors of priest abuse in Chicago. There are no words.

A White-tailed Deer. Taken in May of 2025 at The Grove in Glenview, IL. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Golden-winged Warbler hunting for insects. Taken in May of 2025 at The Grove in Glenview, IL. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

More images of the Wilson’s Warbler that let me paparazzi him. Taken in May of 2025 at Springbrook Nature Center in Itasca, IL. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A female Bay-breasted Warbler. Taken in May of 2025 at The Grove in Glenview, IL. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

An Ovenbird. Taken in May of 2025 at The Grove in Glenview, IL. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdersofinstagram #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Bay-breasted Warbler. Taken in May of 2025 at The Grove in Glenview, IL. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdersofinstagram #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Chestnut-sided Warbler looks at me skeptically. Taken in May of 2025 at Springbrook Nature Center. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A female American Redstart. Taken in May of 2025 at Springbrook Nature Center. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A goat at Springbrook Nature Center in Itasca, Illinois. Taken in May of 2025. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Cape May warbler. Taken in May of 2025 at The Grove in Glenview, IL. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A female Baltimore Oriole. Taken in May of 2025 at The Grove in Glenview, IL. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

American Redstart. Taken in May of 2025 at Springbrook Nature Center. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

This Wilson’s Warbler sat in a bush several feet away from me and let me paparazzi him. Taken in May of 2025 at Springbrook Nature Center. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Swainson’s Thrush at Springbrook Nature Center. Taken in May of 2025. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdersofinstagram #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Warbling Vireo at Saint James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville, IL. Taken in May of 2025. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Saint James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville, IL. Taken in May of 2025. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Mmmkay. . .

It was a HOT day as you can tell from this Anhinga! Birds will often exhibit this behavior, similar to dogs panting, when they need to regulate their body temperature because of the heat! 🥵

#birds #birding #birder #birdwatching #birdsofbluesky #birdsoftheworld #wildlife #videography #florida #🪶

Emotional intelligence will absolutely make you the black sheep or scapegoat of an abusive family, church, or peer group-- which is a sign that emotional intelligence & sensitivity are among your MOST potent recovery tools.

If "they" consider it a weakness or flaw: look closer.

I just got accused of “being intolerant of other religions” and kicked out of a witchy Facebook group for trying to speak up.

What’s the point of complaining anymore?

From now on, I’m just going to shut up and post bird pictures.

What’s the point of even advocating for myself anymore if I’m going to be repeatedly shut down?

A Northern Parula at Saint James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville, IL. Taken in May of 2025. Edited using Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel. #nature #naturephotography #photography #birding #birds #birdwatching #birdersofinstagram #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Male birds are usually pretty territorial and will sing no matter what. Yesterday, I saw an American Redstart look like he wanted to stand on business with another nearby bird that was singing.