1. How to learn to love winter.
2. Wildlife Photographer of the Year – People’s Choice 2023.
3. These penguins take 10,000 little naps a day — seconds at a time.
4. 35 Modern-Day Life Issues Perfectly Captured By This Artist.
5. Reservation Dogs: the most heartbreaking, life-affirming TV you’ll ever see.
6. Studio Ibbini Juxtaposes Negative Space and Botanical Filigree in New Laser-Cut Paper Works.
7. Colorado Experience: Sand Creek Massacre. (video) “What would lead approximately 675 volunteer soldiers to attack a peaceful settlement of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians in the Southeastern Colorado Territory? On November 29, 1864, Colonel John Chivington led a group to do just that, resulting in the deaths of over two hundred men, women, and children. This episode revisits the horrific events and uncovers the history 150 years later.”
8. Confession from Jeff Oaks on Short Reads, “a free literary magazine emailed every Wednesday morning featuring flash nonfiction.”
9. 50 Times People Found Things They Shouldn’t Have While Clearing Dead People’s Things.
10. Our Newest Wombat Joey | Australian Reptile Park. (video). “Say hello to Wilbur the wombat joey! The tiny joey was handed to the Park after a passer-by had discovered that a wombat had unfortunately been hit by a car. Seeing fluttering movements from the pouch, the rescuer found the baby wombat inside and quickly brought the joey to the Park to be cared for. Now he’s with Keeper Seleena receiving round the clock care.” Even though most people (even me) would say if I were an animal that I’d be a dog, but I actually think I’m probably more wombat.
11. Writing is a Verb from Patti Digh. “Tools are fun and distracting in that way we love to be distracted from the actual work of writing. But really, all you need is a brain and some consistency.”
12. Embracing Courage in a World in Crisis on Lion’s Roar. “When the suffering of the world knocks at our door, says Singhashri Gazmuri, we must be courageous enough to open it.”
13. “How To Succeed On Substack” from Summer Brennan. “Anxiety, ambition, professional jealousy, hot tips, vibe shifts, and other things that should make writers wary.” In related news, Yeah, I’m Trying to Make Money on Substack from Esmé Weijun Wang. “And it’s totally great if you’re not, or, drama happens & Internets gonna Internet.”
14. The Cracks and the Crevices: On Writing with a Full-Time Job from Jami Attenberg.
15. 5 Things Extroverts Misunderstand the Most about Introverts. In related news, For Introverts and Sensitive People, the Right Environment Is Magic.
16. Social Media Network Report Card (Translation: I’m On Threads Now?) from Chuck Wendig on Terrible Minds.
17. Gather in Poems, “a [FREE] virtual reading and end-of-year offering, an evening of readings by Academy Chancellors and beloved poets in the community, hosted in the spirit of gratitude and a shared hope for the upcoming year featuring Elizabeth Acevedo, Kwame Dawes, Oliver de la Paz, Denice Frohman, Kimiko Hahn, Joy Harjo, John Keene, Dorianne Laux, Ricardo Alberto Maldonado, Naomi Shihab Nye, Yasmine Seale, Yvette Siegert, and Afaa Michael Weaver.”
18. Meet the Winners of G&G’s Annual Good Dog Photo Contest. “The top sporting dog, the fan favorite, and the best in show—plus the runners-up.”
19. 100 Best Christmas Movies of All Time on Rotten Tomatoes.
20. I went to the forest from Amy Marie Turner. Such a gorgeous moment, AND gift ideas.
21. This poem from Hannah Ro Writes.
22. This important reminder.
23. Weight Loss Industry Big Think – Expanding the Market -Part 2 from Ragen Chastain.
24. Neil Gaiman’s Radical Vision for the Future of the Internet.
25. 10 Ways To Get Off Your Phone And Into Your Life from Tammy Strobel on Be More With Less.
26. 4 Therapist-Backed Tips To Stop Black and White Thinking—And Learn To Live Your Full Truth.
27. Wisdom from Sharon McMahon on Instagram: “The antidote to despair is action. When you feel overwhelmed by bad news, instead of thinking about it nonstop like a hamster on a wheel or choosing to ignore it because you can’t see a way to fix it and you’re only one person, do something small and imperfect.”
28. List of new artist opportunities in the form of grants, residencies, and more.
29. 7 Heavy Things To Leave Behind In 2023 from Courtney Carver on Be More With Less.
30. evidence of your joy from Karen Walrond on Chookooloonks.
31. American Symphony | Official Trailer | Netflix. (video) “It’s 2022 and musician Jon Batiste is at the peak of his music career while also embarking on his most ambitious challenge – composing an original symphony. In the midst of this meteoric rise, Batiste’s wife – best-selling author Suleika Jaouad – learns that her long-dormant cancer has returned. AMERICAN SYMPHONY is an intimate portrait of two artists and the healing power of love and creativity.” At the end of the trailer, Suleika says, “We’ve both had so many good things happening. And so many incredibly hard things. I honestly don’t know how to hold such extremes” and John, in an answer of sorts, says, “You have to confront the brutal reality…but at the same time, have completely unwavering faith.”
32. Subjective Guess Who? is the best way to play Guess Who? (video) So funny.
33. Leslie F*cking Jones: A Memoir. I am currently listening to the audio version that Leslie recorded, which includes so many extra moments that I suspect are not in the print version. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry. It’s SO good.
35. Stunning bonsai trees with their leaves composed of hundreds of tiny paper cranes by Naoki Onogawa.
Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray) 