Catherine Ptaschinski, PhD

Growing up in the northern Great Lakes area, I’m always surprised by people’s reactions to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. It seems that they love it or hate it, with no in between. I love it, but it was a regular part of my childhood. I wonder how I’d feel if it hadn’t been.

But does it come with the dog?

Rep Yassamin Anasari has set up a table and a sign saying "Mike Jonhnson is starving families and gutting healthcare to cover up the Epstein files, CHANGE MY MIND" outside Johnson's office.

Absolute queen shit

*Gasp*

I never watched this show, but I’ve heard a few people say it’s held up pretty well. Might have to finally check it out after 4 decades.

I love how Jessica Fletcher is the most wholesome walking thirst trap for every intelligent man who guest stars on the show, and also several women guest stars. KGB officer 100% wanted to go fishing and watch the sun rise and set with Dame Angela Lansbury every morning for the rest of his life.

Truth.

A brown dog with long legs is snuggled among a pile of blankets.

This is what I saw when I came out of my bedroom this morning. She has a hard life.

A dog is snuggled in two blankets, with only her very boop-able snoot visible.

Boop.

We can upload 3 minute videos now.

YOU KNOW THE RULE

She didn’t get a meatball, so now she’s dead.

Last time I talked to a class through @skypeascientist.bsky.social, I posted about it on here, leading another request. The kids were so engaging, which isn’t something you can say about every 7th grade class. @melsrn.bsky.social, thanks for the opportunity to talk science!

Happy International Day of Women in Science. The National Science Foundation’s list of flagged words includes both “Women” and “Female.”

Yay! I’ll look for an email from them!

I’d love that! This was my first middle school group and they were so great!

One of the best things about doing these is that the kids get to hear me say “I don’t know!” to A LOT of their questions. There is no progress if we think we have all the answers, and not knowing is what makes science so fun!

First @skypeascientist.bsky.social for 2025 is in the books! I had a great time talking about allergies and the microbiome with a fun group of middle schoolers. They asked the best questions and we got to talk about poop!

I know a lot of mediocre white dudes who only got to where they are in life because they are white dudes. I guess it’s my patriotic duty to report them 🤷🏻‍♀️

Beautiful day for a snowy walk with the mutt.

Just a couple of inches here. But enough that i had to shovel for the first time this winter!

Just connected with my first teacher of the year and we are scheduling something soon! I love seeing people of all ages excited about science!

Ever since you made me my first pavlova in my birthday, I always think of you when I see one. Keeping the pavlova love going!

Plenty more where those came from! My mind wanders too much for fiction on audio, so lots of non-fiction for me.

Sharks Don’t Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist by Jasmin Graham

Get Well Soon: History’s Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them by Jennifer Wright

Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World: A History by William Alexander

Anything by R. Eric Thomas

Anything by Sarah Vowell

The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green

I Won’t Shut Up: Finding Your Voice when the World Tries to Silence You by Ally Henney

The Age of Magical Thinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell (see also her earlier book Cultish)

(Cont)

Ok, here are some of my fave audio non-fiction this year!

The Theory of Everything Else: A Voyage into the World of the Weird by Dan Schreiber

Strangers to Ourselves: Unsettled Minds and the Stories that Make Us by Rachel Aviv

(Cont)

Whatchya looking for? Fiction or non? Subject? Genre? I listen to A LOT of non fiction audio.

Gracias por todo Rafa. 20 years of watching him play, and it wasn’t enough.

Back when I joined the social-media-app-that-shall-not-be-named, I used my first post to encourage everyone to get their flu shots.

A lot has changed since then, but some things remain constant.

Get your flu shots, northern hemisphere people.