MK

@youarespring

Recovering social worker. Midwestern nobody. Cats, books, music, art, wildlife, nature, coffee/tea. Unassuming unless provoked.

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MK@youarespring· 26d

Day 2 of no yardwork, parks, or errands. Day 7 (?) of no fresh veggies, particularly lettuce (did enjoy backyard garden raspberries). Cat is bummed the patio door has remained closed for so long (heat index & now acrid "hazardous" air). Could clean the house, do laundry, pay bills. Just want to nap.

Brown tabby cat napping on gray t-shirt and white/mint green blanket. Her face is slightly blurred, her eyes almost all the way closed. Her white paws and pink toe beans are in the foreground. In the background of the photo are part of a window on the left and a closet door in the center right.

MK@youarespring· 27d

What do you make of the discrepancy between AQI sensors on these two sites? PurpleAir has already increased to 593 since I took screenshot 11mins ago. AirNow and local weather app both at 223 (timestamp 11am).

Screenshot of PurpleAir.com AQI sensor report noting level of 560.

Screenshot of AirNow.gov AQI sensor report noting level of 223.

MK@youarespring· 28d

My sister's backyard lettuce and arugula from May. Not sure what it's doing now. But it was fresh and delicious and didn't make us shit our pants.

Backyard garden bed lettuce & arugula. Little golden retriever flag on the top left.

MK@youarespring· Jul 11

LMAO “We had a new mascot, Crypty The Cryptosporidium, created just for the event,” said Milstead, pointing to poster bearing a grinning, single-celled parasite wearing a Blakely baseball cap. “We still have plenty of T-shirts left for sale if you want one.”

Photo of a smiling little kid wearing a yellow t-shirt with an image of "Crypty", a cartoon version of cryptosporidium. "Crypty" is green and in a smiling, celebratory pose, wearing a lighter green baseball hat.

MK@youarespring· Jul 4

I wonder how many cis folks downplay the clear risks of harm to the trans community b/c they're seeking reassurance of the illusion of safety for themselves (i.e. Martin Niemöller quote). Reminds me of something @nelbamg.bsky.social wrote on Threads which I often come back to. 1/

Threads post by thisgrievinglife (aka Nelba Márquez-Greene). No date visible but screenshot was taken November 7, 2024.

Post reads:

I typically use this in presentations when I discuss grief.

It's tough because in this election we are ALL impacted. And yet... I can and should admit that some people are impacted differently. It doesn't make my voice less. It's ok.

I should not be seeking comfort from anyone even less safe than me. I should not be asked to comfort those more safe.

This is one of my favorite short articles for care.

latimes.com/natio...

Comfort IN

lookie loos

Significant other parent sis, etc.

the aggrieved afflicted

true friends

colleagues

dump Our

latimes.com

How not to say the wrong thing

MK@youarespring· Jun 28

How the hell did I miss this the first time? Someone help me out with Alt text here, lol.

Person on stilts wearing Indigenous dress entertaining folks at the 'Murica 250 celebration while a child hangs precariously from their neck.

MK@youarespring· Jun 28

These shots were on our backyard trail cam recently.

Close-up of a red-shouldered hawk on a backyard trail cam perched on the very tip of a tree branch. It is staring directly at the camera with its head tilted, bold and perhaps curious.

Close-up of a red-shouldered hawk on a backyard trail cam perched on the very tip of a tree branch with semi-open wings. It is staring directly at the camera, bold and perhaps curious.

MK@youarespring· Jun 26

I love my cat so freaking much I can't stand it.

Terrible quality photo of a somewhat blurry brown tabby cat, laying on her back on the couch next to a laptop. She is very relaxed with belly exposed & ears smooshed, giving her a slight Yoda look.

MK@youarespring· Jun 14

Without fail, the minute I decide to get off my butt and actually be productive, girl decides it's a great time to chill.

Photo of a brown tabby cat with striking green eyes relaxing on a sofa. Her left paw is resting on her right leg and she is looking demure.

MK@youarespring· Jun 14

Time to bring this back again, I guess.

Meme of a Black woman with closely cropped black hair, some fly sunglasses, big gold hoop earrings, wearing a pink blazer and stylish ripped black pants, intensely squinting into the distance. Text above reads: Me looking outside to see what chapter of Revelation we're doing today.

MK@youarespring· Jun 12

Screenshot of a post by Prisonculture dated June 4, 2026 stating:
Most of us can't conceive of how much money $1 billion dollars is. One person having that kind of money is obscene.

MK@youarespring· Jun 12

This passage from a 2021 Columbus Monthly feature on the ED Molly Shack makes me wonder if they've been in the crosshairs of the FBI for a while. www.columbusmonthly.com/story/lifest...

Screenshot of a passage from a Columbus Monthly feature on Molly Shack, Executive Director of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, dated March 31, 2021:

Today, Shack is the co-executive director of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, which has registered more than 380,000 people to vote since 2012. She's worked with the families of people-mainly Black men-who have been killed by Columbus police and worked to educate voters about how their local votes affect the way they and their neighbors are policed. She considers the November defeat of longtime Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien a big win for her and other organizers. "He failed to ever hold a police officer accountable, and his loss was a movement shift, supported by groups like ours, that helped people connect the dots about why the rage that's being expressed in the streets can be harnessed to understand the power of a prosecutor to hold a police officer accountable or not."

MK@youarespring· Jun 6

He always maintained he accidentally inhaled mustard gas as a medic and spent months hospitalized in Birmingham, England.

Blue and gold US Army sweetheart scarf, Camp Grant, Illinois

Postcard sent from my grandfather to my grandmother dated September 1943. Text reads:

Hello dearest darling, I haven't time to write a letter as we are out on a march. So I guess this will have to do till I can get a chance to write tonight. Got the nuts, thanks a lot. The fellows thought they were awful good, so did I, hope I get a letter from you today. I'll sign off for now, will write more later. You loving husband Ralph

Photo of my grandfather looking sharp. Uncertain of date.

MK@youarespring· Jun 5

Screenshot of passage from NPR article "Making The Case That Discrimination Is Bad For Your Health", dated January 14, 2018 and linked above in post.

Quote is from researcher Arline Geronimus:

"I heard an interview with Emerald Snipes Garner, who was talking about the death of her beloved sister Erica. She used a metaphor that I think would also be a great description of weathering. She talked about the stresses that she felt led to Erica's death at age twenty-seven as being like if you're playing the game Jenga. They pull out one piece at a time, at a time, and another piece and another piece, until you sort of collapse. I'm paraphrasing her, but I thought that Jenga metaphor was very apt because you start losing pieces of your health and well-being, but you still try to go on as long as you can. Even if you're disabled, even if it's hard, that you have a certain tenacity and hope, and sense of collective responsibility whether that's for your family or community. But there's a point where enough pieces have been pulled out of you, that you can no longer withstand, and you collapse."

MK@youarespring· Jun 1

Happy 3 year adoptaversary to the sweetest, silliest feline. You are the best distraction for a world on fire.

MK@youarespring· May 30

Chris Britt political cartoon, originally published August 21, 2014. www.creators.com/read/chris-b...

Chris Britt political cartoon, originally published August 21, 2014. Image shows a large man on the left dressed in camo, presumed to be a police officer due to the black armband he's wearing labeled POLICE. He is pointing a rifle at a group of people. Police officer is saying "I will @⭐️#!!! kill you! And I mean ALL of you!!" The people have their arms raised and are each wearing an item of white clothing reading one of the following: free press, free speech, right to assemble, justice, civil rights, human rights, rule of law.

MK@youarespring· May 19

Trying the gratitude approach to keep hope alive. Things to celebrate today: 1) saw my first hummingbird of the season 2) enjoyed loads of peonies, rhodies, and azaleas 3) completed two of my most hated chores 4) ate delicious wood-fired pizza #bloomscrolling

Pink Hawaiian Coral peonies in various shades of peachy-pink and cream, set amongst their lush green foliage.

Roseum Elegans Rhododendron. Large rosy-pink rhodie in foreground and several more behind it.

Flame azalea in corresponding shades of orange, golden yellow, and red.

MK@youarespring· May 16

Not seeing any #caturday posts, so I'll start. It's a good day for naps.

Brown tabby cat curled up napping on blue & white blanket.

Brown tabby cat curled up napping on blue & white blanket. She has moved her paw to cover her face because I was violating napping boundaries.

MK@youarespring· May 10

1st Mother's Day without my mom here is weird. Quiet. I miss her, but I don't feel sad (today anyway). It just makes me want to celebrate all the badass moms and mom figures I know. In her honor I'm hoping to be in service of others and enjoy one of her favorite places for take-out. Love you mom.

Screenshot of a post by artist/illustrator Jess Bird (@blessthemessy.bsky.social). Post is of a drawn bouquet of flowers in muted peach, pink, and golden tones (one is navy). Bottom right corner says "For Mamas". Each flower is labeled with an individual message. Top right going clockwise: for mamas of fur babies; for teachers who love their students as kids; for bonus & stepmoms; for moms; for first time mamas; for those mourning their mama; for trans mamas; for those who have painful relationships with their moms; for mamas who have lost a child; for stand in mamas.

MK@youarespring· May 10

Not sure if the toll is still collecting.

Brown tabby cat sitting on the concrete and brick hearth of a wood-burning fireplace. She is looking directly at the camera. To her left is an empty olive-colored canvas log carrier.

MK@youarespring· May 8

I was looking for a @mluckovich.bsky.social cartoon I saw on here earlier today and found a different one 💔

Screenshot of a Facebook post by John Lewis, dated April 11, 2012. He writes: "Mike Luckovich cartoon from the cover of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation program where Congressman Lewis received the Charles Weltner Freedom of Information Award tonight." The cartoon is of John Lewis as Moses, wearing a red robe with black and white stripes and holding a staff with arms outstretched, saying "Let My People Vote!"

MK@youarespring· May 1

Tomorrow afternoon (ET) the full Flower Moon peaks. Tonight she is bright AF and accentuating the filthy windows. But she is crisp and vivid and beautiful and I'm glad she's here because April was rough.

Photo taken around midnight of bright, nearly full moon in upper left of frame. The light from the moon is showcasing the sky with a few clouds and the tops of two trees where it appears the branches/leaves are touching in the middle.

MK@youarespring· Apr 21

Saw this post by Sonya Passi of FreeFrom earlier and felt her words needed to be shared. Link within is an incredibly well-researched, well-documented report on gender-based violence survivor support and can be found here: www.freefrom.org/wp-content/u... (citation in replies)

Screenshot of LinkedIn post by Sonya Passi, Founder & CEO of FreeFrom. April, 20, 2026.

The news of the Shreveport, Louisiana massacre tells of a man killing his 8 children, and wounding 2 women. Let's be clear. The 2 women were his wife and his girlfriend. They were the mothers of these murdered children. This was domestic violence. He had been arguing with his wife about the separation before the shooting began.

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith told reporters. "I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur." Except that just last week, Former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax murdered his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, while his two children were home. This was also domestic violence. He shot Cerina two weeks before the deadline for him to move out.

Two thirds of mass shootings in this country are domestic violence incidents. None of us have the luxury of being shocked anymore. There is too much evidence against shock. There are too many lives that have been lost and too many lives in danger right now.

The greatest threat to public safety is gender-based violence.

The greatest threat to democracy is gender-based violence.

The greatest threat to our continued existence on this planet is gender-based violence.

This has to be our watershed moment. Every single person needs to grieve the society we have created, the babies lost, the mothers erased, and then commit all we have to changing it. If you don't know what you can do, here's a place to start: https://lnkd.in/gxPYpzQy

MK@youarespring· Apr 17

post the best picture you have ever taken of your pet (if you feel like it):

Photo of tuxedo cat lounging on teal blanket with front paws crossed, looking contemplative.

MK@youarespring· Apr 16

Love that! I was clearing out a closet at my parents' house a few months ago and found one of my all time favorite records from childhood.

Somewhat blurry photo of the 1970 Roger Payne vinyl album Songs of the Humpback Whale.

MK@youarespring· Apr 15

I was worried our frogs and toads weren't going to make an appearance this year (red-shouldered hawk had been indulging on a regular basis in February). Video recording showcases the loud, layered, long trills of the American Toad. Man, I love nature/wildlife. musicofnature.com/calls-of-fro...

MK@youarespring· Apr 10

Farmer? BBQ enthusiast? Hater of vegans and folks with celiac disease? The only bumper sticker missing is "bacon gives me a lardon."

Photo of a white Nissan Xterra with a unique variety of bumper stickers reflecting an apparent love for lard, pigs, gluten, and barbecue.

MK@youarespring· Mar 29

Some folks will read this and only see their participation minimized and their efforts criticized. But there is truth here that needs to be acknowledged, accepted, and acted upon. www.threads.com/@pedroparo2/...

Screenshot of Threads post by pedroparo2 from March 28, 2026 stating:

Things No Kings is good at:

Visibility. Especially for people in red areas with low morale

Introducing people & orgs with shared goals

Being someone's first protest

Being safe for youth or elders who still want to physically protest in some capacity

What it's NOT good at:

Disrupting operations of the systems we're mad at

Acknowledging we are mad at systems not just one guy

Having CLEAR & ENFORCED next day, next week, next month action items for participants

Sustaining momentum

Screenshot of Threads post by pedroparo2 from March 28, 2026 stating:

Today is another No Kings protest

Here are some action items for AFTER today

get then use a library card once a week

donate to a mutual aid fund once a month

build connections in your neighborhood for food aid, care aid, legal aid, carpools, etc.

call/email (preferably call) your reps weekly

learn first aid, stop the bleed, & mental health first aid

attend town halls/protests to dispute ICE detention centers or AI data centers in your county

print & distribute Red Cards

MK@youarespring· Mar 28

Fuck all of this.

Screenshot of an Alt National Park Service post dated March 25, 2026 stating: Idaho Republicans have passed a bill that would hit Boise with $2,000 in fines every single day it flies a Pride flag and it's now one signature away from becoming law.

MK@youarespring· Feb 21

We had this magnet hanging up for years, and let's just say it wasn't wrong. (Art by Anne Taintor)