Nancy Freund

What happened?

In high school we had a bar called Someplace Nice. In college we had a bar called Father’s Office. Now I’m a full-fledged grown up in a bar called Study Hall. I’m not with a load of drunk pals though… I’m with a good book. And a pen. So there’s that.

I’m very good at finding my next #book for the European Writers Salon book club in fabulous bookstores, but I gotta admit I’m terrible at taking selfies. That’s “I Who Have Never Known Men” by Jacqueline Harpman in front of Pegasus Books in Berkeley California.

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Rest in peace brilliant Ashleigh Brilliant. 1933-2025. Santa Barbara. Berkeley. London. 💙

So begins the most beautiful wedding imaginable. So many #flowers!

Cool!

I'm in Switzerland. Neighbour's playing basketball in the driveway, solo, and the sound of it makes all seem right in the world. Especially somehow when his shot misses and he groans & says a thing in French.

Turns out there's a LOT more Taylor Swift music out there than I realized. Every time I go exploring, I really like her stuff, (didn't really know it till she got together with Travis Kelce -- I'm a KC girl) but now I'll really dive in. My answer too: Evermore. 🤎 I'll start there.

Arthur Sze has been named the new U.S. poet laureate. He succeeds Ada Limón, who has held the position since 2022. During his term as poet laureate, Sze plans to have a special focus on translating poetry originally written in other languages. Read more: at.pw.org/ArthurSze

Now in my hotel VERY pleased to report it fits & should be great w/my flowered #DocMartens when I get back to London. Fabulous weekend #writing, #exploring streets & language & #thrifting w/the #EWS. Humongous TY to @deborahzafer.bsky.social & mgmt crew who made it happen. #EWSBrussels2025

Having personally cut and (in)expertly folded a boatload of these, I can say they're fabulous to create, and I can't wait to try to roll the dice with my writing. And I do NOT claim responsibility for any wonky ones. TY EWS for an outstanding #writerly experience in Brussels! #ewsbrussels2025

Hooray! More Michael Rosen!

YouTube video by Diabetes Unlocked Sharing Our Morning Blood Sugar Routine (That Actually Works) - Ep. 14

I've been #T1D for 33 years. Tom & Crystel's youtube is really valuable! This one on #morning blood sugars is especially good - even when you've been working hard to fine tune 24/7 for 3 decades plus. #hydration #movement #split-long-acting-insulin www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ipm... #diabetes

Every two years… Always an inspiring event for writers at all levels of development, from all over the world. GWG conference is about to happen again.

'Off with their heads' is not Europe’s way

Excited to meet #author Serghei Sadohin in September at the @saloneurope.bsky.social. Great article here looking at Europe through an Alice in Wonderland lens. uphttps://www.brusselstimes.com/1537663/off-with-their-heads-is-not-europes-way

YouTube video by Oprah Richard Russo: "Bridge of Sighs" | Oprah's Book Club

Richard Russo's 2007 novel 'Bridge of Sighs' is #Oprah's current #bookclub pick. His writing & his teaching are enormously important & gorgeous. This interview's been up for 11 hours & it's already had nearly 30k views. #WONDERFUL. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKYW....

Oh my... There's an interesting way to start the day. Thank you!

There's some really important stuff here in this thread. When the data is lacking and/or biased, it's so valuable to get info like this, and then follow up everywhere you can. It covers way more than #menopause and #fibroids.

With insulin, it was protected from the start: FREE & available to all. When I'm in Europe or the UK, it's very affordable. But in the US I was shocked by the price & lack of access. No wonder people have to ration & risk their lives. This is WONDERFUL news about this HIV drug & its availability.

“The first HIV drug that offers 100% protection… The makers are also providing affordable access to the drug in the US and beyond, signing royalty-free licensing agreements with six generic manufacturers to produce and supply”

I've just read the program for the inaugural September @saloneurope.bsky.social #writers event in Brussels & WOW. Spoiled for choice! There might be about 7 spots left, so if you're thinking yeah, maybe I'd like to go, get on it! Poems, panels, prompts, publishing, meditation, migration, & more.

"I want your loves to be multiple. I don't want you to be a snob about anything. Anything you love, you do it! It's got to be with a great sense of fun. Writing is not a serious business. It's a joy and a celebration..." - Ray Bradbury, speaking at Point Loma Nazarene on UCTV

“Things Shouldn’t Be So Hard” by Kay Ryan A life should leave deep tracks: ruts where she went out and back to get the mail or move the hose around the yard; where she used to stand before the sink, a worn-out place; beneath her hand the c…

I'm not sure what podcast or blogpost led me to this #poem yesterday, but I can't stop thinking about it. If I retrace my steps and find out, I'll give credit due. And a big THANK YOU. "Things Shouldn't Be So Hard" by Kay Ryan. #Truth. wordsfortheyear.com/2020/06/12/t...

Wow, thank you, Steve.

This will make 4000+ people thrilled! My 24yo son just discovered the fact that you signed our family's copy of 'Bear Hunt' for him & his older bro in Cambridge a few months ago, & it was straight JOY for all of us. @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social, you're THE BEST.

The annual takahē Monica Taylor Poetry Prize honours the memory of poet Monica Taylor, with the generous assistance of her whānau, and with the kaupapa of encouraging new generations of poets.

💚First Prize: $300 & publication in takahē #115

💚Runner-up: $150

www.takahe.org.nz/competitionn...

"I'm really uncomfortable with the word 'should' in anything to do with writing anything," -- Ali Smith in EWWC speech posted August 19, 2012.

YouTube video by SimpleMindsVEVO Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)

Convinced the biggest human need is for CONNECTION vs belonging. I posted an instagram pic - 4 bales of hay. Wrote "Hay! Hay! Hay! Hay!" 1 great friend I haven't seen in yonks commented w/a dance gif saying simply "don't you forget about me." Sublime. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdqo...

That desciription is so precise & perfect. So MANY could be my answer, but I keep coming back to "Sea Oak" (Patoralia). Bizarre because I never really remember it all. It's new & fabulous every time. I have "LOL" marginalia all over it. Also, the Author's Note in 'CivilWarLand' is sublime.