figment

Trump vows to slam America’s doors shut as he heaps scorn on immigrants
National guard shooting prompts extraordinary outburst and targeting of people from startling range of countries
Robert Tait in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/07/trump-immigration-ice

Putin should have accepted Trump’s deal. Now Russia’s collapsing economy could lead to his downfall
Simon Tisdall
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/07/putin-accept-trump-deal-russia-economy-ukraine-war

No, New York City’s wealthiest are not fleeing the city after Mamdani’s win
Conservatives warned of a mass exodus if the democratic socialist won, but experts, and property data, paint a very different picture
Adam Gabbatt in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/08/new-york-city-wealthy-mamdani-win

California officials warn foragers after person dies from poison mushroom
Several additional people, including children, have severe liver damage amid 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/06/california-mushroom-poisoning

Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid’s Tale has become ‘more and more plausible’
Canadian author discusses US under Donald Trump and says setting of dystopian novel has ‘become much closer’
Neha Gohil
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/dec/07/margaret-atwood-the-handmaids-tale-has-become-more-and-more-plausible

How to make the perfect Dubai chocolate bar – recipe
The pistachio-crammed craze makes a superb gift. Our in-house perfectionist tries all the fiddly bits for you …
Felicity Cloake
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/dec/07/how-to-make-the-perfect-dubai-chocolate-bar-recipe

dreamshark

Do you have an iPhone? I do, and have just been compliantly updating my IOS as recommended for the past year or so. Another recommended update rolled out today - and it updated me from IOS 18.something to 26.1!! What have I missed?

Apparently this is the big one everybody has been waiting for with bated breath - the Liquid Glass Update. Also the "Apple Intelligence" nonsense, but I don't care about that because it doesn't run on iPhone 13. It looks like they have mashed up the User Interface majorly (boo!) but also introduced an infinitude of opportunities for fiddling with your lock screen and wallpaper options, which I admit that I am powerless to resist.

My iPhone just emerged from a very long update with a cheery Hello! and is sitting there simmering, waiting for me to try to use it. *ulp*

If you just upgraded your iPhone, let me know what you found - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

----------------------
ETA: Huh. Changes aren't as big as I expected. I think I actually like the tweaks to the camera and Photos interfaces. The 3D lock screens look cool, but setting home screen wallpaper seems to be broken, so that's kind of a wash. There are apparently sweeping changes to Messages, none of which I understand how to use, but plain old text messages look fine. There's some kind of intrusive new Games App, which seems to be obsessed with tracking every game ever downloaded with my AppleID (90% of which are obsolete toddler games that I was loading onto an old iPad). Disturbingly intrusive and completely useless to me, but at least it's removable (unlike the old Game Center). I'm not sure I even understand what Liquid Glass is, but I don't see much difference anywhere.

lsanderson

Swedish navy encountering Russian submarines ‘almost weekly’ – and more could be on the way
Moscow ‘continuously reinforcing’ its presence in the region, says Swedish chief of operations Capt Marko Petkovic
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/06/swedish-navy-chief-russia-baltic-presence-ukraine-peace

DoJ moves to eliminate sexual abuse protections for LGBTQ+ people in prisons
Memo says the policy shift, which advocates call ‘reckless’, was designed to align with one of Trump’s anti-trans orders
Sam Levin in Los Angeles
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/doj-prison-lgbtq-sexual-abuse-protections

US federal judge orders release of Epstein grand jury materials
Ruling compels unsealing of documents from 2006-2007 federal investigation into Epstein in Florida
Joseph Gedeon in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/federal-judge-epstein-grand-jury-materials

Trump releases racist blueprint for the world
by Oliver Willis
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/12/5/2357010/-Trump-releases-racist-blueprint-for-the-world?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=top_news_slot_11&pm_medium=web

Frank Gehry obituary
Canadian–American architect who explored crumpling and fish curves in such buildings as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
Charles Jencks and Oliver Wainwright
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/06/frank-gehry-obituary

From Bilbao to Las Vegas: Frank Gehry’s incredible architecture – in pictures
The award-winning designer and architect leaves behind unique buildings all across the world from Dundee to Düsseldorf. He died after a brief respiratory illness at the age of 96
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/dec/05/frank-gehry-architecture-in-pictures

Science journal retracts study on safety of Monsanto’s Roundup: ‘Serious ethical concerns’
Paper published in 2000 found glyphosate was not harmful, while internal emails later revealed company’s influence
Carey Gillam
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/monsanto-roundup-safety-study-retracted

‘I’ve had all the luck you can get’: Michael Caine retires for the fourth time
The 92-year-old actor made the announcement again as he received an award at the Red Sea international film festival in Saudi Arabia
Catherine Shoard
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/05/michael-caine-actor-retires-for-fourth-time

Alexander Skarsgård's encounter with Miriam Margolyes
Alexander Skarsgård reveals to Graham Norton that he once almost rented a room in Miriam Margolyes’ condo in Santa Monica.
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0mkfwyw/alexander-skarsg-rd-s-encounter-with-miriam-margolyes

pegkerr

We gathered at my sister Betsy's this year, and we had a lovely evening together. Because everyone in my family is a marvelous cook, the food, of course, was delicious. It's a matter of great joy to all of us that my mom is still with us to celebrate the holidays.

I hope you all had as wonderful a Thanksgiving as we did.

Image description: Top: a buffet set with Thanksgiving foods. Below that: a family gathered around a Thanksgiving table. Lower center: a mother and daughter smile at the camera. Bottom: a caramel cheese cake, surrounded by decorative squashes.

Thanksgiving

48 Thanksgiving

Click on the links to see the 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 52 Card Project galleries.

Current Mood: thankful

lsanderson

Winona State University is now home to “Medusa,” which might be a dinosaur mummy, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Medusa appears to be “the remains of an Edmontosaurus [dinosaur] about 66 million years old that researchers believe contains a significant amount of skin and tendon tissue.” There are only about a dozen such specimens in the world — and researchers aren’t sure what they’ll ultimately find. Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/rare-dinosaur-mummy-winona-state-university/601537755

In the midst of yesterday’s cold snap, “hundreds of people just outside Alexandria have gone without heat on Thursday following a car crash that lead to a natural gas leak,” according to Bring Me The News. A suspected drunk driver took out a natural gas pipe. Via MinnPost
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/gas-outage-loss-of-heat-to-hundreds-of-homes-near-alexandria-at-worst-possible-time

Baby fur seal wanders into a bar in New Zealand
The surprise visitor waddled around the pub during what’s known as ‘silly season’ where seals pop up in unexpected places
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/05/baby-fur-seal-wanders-into-bar-in-new-zealand

60,000 African penguins starved to death after sardine numbers collapsed – study
Climate crisis and overfishing contributed to loss of 95% of penguins in two breeding colonies in South Africa, research finds
Phoebe Weston
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/05/african-penguins-starve-to-death-south-africa-sardine-population-aoe

Patient police say they have recovered Fabergé pendant from man accused of swallowing it
Six days after alleged incident, evidence emerges without requiring medical intervention, New Zealand police say
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/05/police-say-recovered-faberge-pendant-after-new-zealand-man-allegedly-swallowed-it

‘Three sheets to the wind’: how everyday phrases blew in from the sea
David Hambling
From ‘all at sea’ to ‘by and large’, windy weather has had quite an impact on the English language
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/dec/05/weather-watch-everyday-phrases-nautical-expressions-wind-language

Review
Five of the best science fiction books of 2025
An eco-masterpiece, icy intrigue, cyberpunkish cyborgs, memory-eating aliens and super-fast travel sends the world spinning out of control
Adam Roberts
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/dec/05/best-science-fiction-books-2025-ej-swift-jacek-dukaj-silvia-park

Review
The best poetry books of 2025
From Seamus Heaney’s collected poems and Simon Armitage’s animal spirits, to prizewinners Karen Solie and Vidyan Ravinthiran
Rishi Dastidar
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/dec/05/the-best-poetry-books-of-2025

Review
The best memoirs and biographies of 2025
Anthony Hopkins and Kathy Burke on acting, Jacinda Ardern and Nicola Sturgeon on politics, plus Margaret Atwood on a life well lived
Fiona Sturges
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/dec/04/best-memoirs-biographies-2025-anthony-hopkins-kathy-burke-margaret-atwood-josephine-baker

Review
Five of the best young adult books of 2025
Space-travelling telepaths, LGBTQ+ activism, a war-torn Britain, online alter egos and feminist trailblazers
Imogen Russell Williams
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/dec/04/five-of-the-best-young-adult-books-of-2025-kate-mosse-nathanael-lessore-moira-buffini-david-roberts

Sinners to One Battle After Another: The 25 best films of 2025
Nicholas Barber and Caryn James
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250423-the-best-films-of-2025

lsanderson

MPR News looks at how many Somalis in Minnesota could be impacted by a planned federal operation that would target those who have final orders of deportation. Out of the approximately 80,000 Minnesota Somalis, “[l]ocal advocates estimate that a few hundred people statewide could be directly affected by such an operation. This comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s recent call to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals, a move that could similarly affect several hundred more.” There are currently 705 Somali migrants in the U.S. with TPS. Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/03/how-many-somalis-in-minnesota-could-be-impacted-by-federal-intervention

With the 100th anniversary of the Heights Theater coming up, the Columbia Heights icon has been sold, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Longtime owner Tom Letness is passing the baton to the group that runs Chicago’s Music Box Theater, “a similarly vintage yet adventurous movie house with a good reputation. They intend to keep a lot of the current film programming in place and add a lot more.” Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/heights-movie-theater-columbia-minneapolis-sold-chicago-music-box-theater-wurlitzer-organ/601538558?utm_source=gift

‘Never seen anything like this’: alarm at memo from top US vaccine official
Vinay Prasad memo said at least 10 children had died from Covid vaccination – but offered scant evidence for claim
Melody Schreiber
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/04/us-vaccines-vinay-prasad-memo

Detainees at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facing ‘harrowing human right violations’, new report alleges
Amnesty International finds immigrants at Florida facility were shackled and left outside in metal cage for up to a day
Richard Luscombe in Miami
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/04/alligator-alcatraz-human-right-violations-amnesty-report

New England warming faster than most places on Earth, study finds
Pace of area’s temperature rise, outpaced in US only by Alaskan Arctic, apparently increased in past five years
Oliver Milman
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/03/new-england-warming

How an invasion of purple flowers made Iceland an Instagram paradise – and caused a biodiversity crisis
Nootka lupins, introduced in the 1940s to repair damaged soil, are rampaging across the island, threatening its native species
Patrick Greenfield
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/04/invasive-species-flowers-iceland-nootka-lupins-lupines-aoe

‘Biggest band that ever lived’: inside the Grateful Dead art show
As the band celebrate their 60th anniversary, a California exhibition draws attention to the unique psychedelic artwork that has long told their story
Matt Shaw
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/dec/04/grateful-dead-band-art-show-california

Interview
Ballet star Matthew Ball on gruelling roles and getting ogled on Instagram: ‘I don’t feel precious about my body’
Lyndsey Winship
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/dec/04/matthew-ball-dancer-interview-royal-ballet-mayara-magri-dance

Interview
Paul Anka on his incredible, star-studded career: ‘Revenge is a motivator like you wouldn’t believe’
Jim Farber
The musician, who wrote My Way and Puppy Love among others, talks career longevity, shrewd business and which star bullied him in his youth
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/03/paul-anka-musician-career-interview

Indian scientists spot Milky Way-like galaxy from 12 billion years ago
Geeta Pandey
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmdk7wkmz4o

Almshouse's 15th Century painting sells for £5.7m
Curtis Lancaster
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxgy49qgvvo

lsanderson

Fabergé egg made for mother of Russia’s last tsar sells for £23m
Christie’s says the sale price is the highest for a Fabergé, beating a £8.9m auction in 2007
Serena Richards
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/02/faberge-egg-mother-russia-tsar-23m

Man charged with theft over claims he swallowed $19k Fabergé egg
Kelly Ng
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vm754r80vo

Minneapolis, St. Paul leaders condemn reports of immigration enforcement against Somali immigrants
An immigrant rights organization says they’ve received reports that four Somali residents and one Latino resident were arrested by federal agents Monday and Tuesday.
by Joey Peters and Katelyn Vue
https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/ice-enforcement-somali-immigrants-minnesota-minneapolis-stpaul/

Federal authorities plan operation in Minnesota focusing on Somali immigrants, AP source says
Federal authorities are preparing an immigration enforcement operation targeting people in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area with final deportation orders.
By MIKE BALSAMO and STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2025/12/federal-authorities-plan-operation-in-minnesota-focusing-on-somali-immigrants-ap-source-says/

FDA drug chief signals possible exit as agency turmoil deepens
Richard Pazdur’s potential retirement weeks into the role adds to upheaval at the FDA amid political pressure
Melody Schreiber
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/dec/03/fda-drug-chief-signals-retires-pazdur

Trump ally admits goal of eliminating same-day registration in federal voting rights trial
Cleta Mitchell was compelled to testify in North Carolina over a recent law that hiked up requirements
George Chidi
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/03/same-day-registration-north-carolina

An eco obscenity: Norman Foster’s steroidal new skyscraper is an affront to the New York skyline
It contains enough steel to go round the world twice – and even has a fake breeze to flutter the stars-and-stripes flag in its lobby. If this colossus is just the first of a new breed of bulky supertalls, is Britain next?
Oliver Wainwright
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/03/eco-obscenity-norman-foster-skyscraper-jp-morgan-new-york

‘BDSM on screen used to just mean a gimp in the basement’: the kink community’s verdict on Pillion
Pillion, which explores a relationship between leather dom Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) and submissive Colin (Harry Melling), has just opened in UK cinemas. But how realistic is its portrayal of a group little seen in mainstream cinema?
Barry Levitt
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/03/bdsm-on-screen-kink-community-pillion-alexander-skarsgard-harry-melling

We found the authentic Liguria: an off-season road trip through north-west Italy’s brilliant villages and cuisine
By avoiding the famous hotspots and travelling in December, we enjoy culinary delights and historic charms without the summer crowds
Alexis Steinman
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/03/liguria-italy-out-of-season-road-trip

Thailand relaxes afternoon alcohol ban to boost tourism
Joel Guinto
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mprzzxn73o

Five of the world's safest countries for 2025
Lindsey Galloway
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250822-five-of-the-worlds-safest-countries-for-2025

lsanderson

A rare freshwater jellyfish the size of a quarter was spotted in Taft Lake in Richfield this past October, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. “According to the DNR, most years pass without a single verified sighting.” Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/richfield-freshwater-jellyfish-taft-lake/601534536?utm_source=gift

Review
Prime Minister review – portrait of Jacinda Ardern shows a fully human being in charge for once
Documentary about New Zealand’s former leader records a shrewd but likable premier who did without the usual politician’s defences
Peter Bradshaw
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/02/prime-minister-review-portrait-of-jacinda-ardern-shows-a-fully-human-being-in-charge-for-once

Review
Marty Supreme review – Timothée Chalamet a smash in spectacular screwball ping-pong nightmare
Following every dizzying spin of Chalamet’s table tennis hustler, Josh Safdie’s whip-crack comedy serves sensational shots – and a smart return by Gwyneth Paltrow
Peter Bradshaw
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/01/marty-supreme-review-timothee-chalamet-ping-pong-table-tennis

Shells found in Spain could be among oldest known musical instruments
Conch-shell trumpets discovered in Neolithic settlements and mines in Catalonia make tone similar to french horn, says lead researcher
Sam Jones in Madrid
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/dec/02/neolithic-conch-like-shell-spain-catalonia-discovery-musical-instruments

Hole in Antarctic ozone layer shrinks to smallest since 2019, scientists say
EU’s Copernicus monitoring service hails ‘reassuring sign’ of progress observed this year in hole’s size and duration
Ajit Niranjan
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/01/hole-in-ozone-layer-antarctica-smallest-since-2019-scientists-copernicus-eu

Dutch king says he ‘will not shy away’ from slavery history on rare royal visit to Suriname
The king and queen’s visit to the former colony is the first by members of the Dutch royal family in nearly five decades
Agence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/02/suriname-slavery-royal-visit-dutch-king-willem-alexander

lsanderson

'Tis the season for CO poisoning?
As the cold forces us indoors, Hennepin Healthcare officials are sounding the alarm on carbon monoxide poisoning, according to KARE 11. “Carbon monoxide, which is odorless, colorless and tasteless, can build up quickly in enclosed spaces and, if not treated promptly, can cause serious damage to the heart and brain or even be fatal.” Hennepin Healthcare reports 12 cases in November, “a number doctors describe as unusually high for this point in the cold-weather season.” Don’t miss the tips on how to reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning at the end of the article.
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/health/hennepin-healthcare-sees-spike-in-carbon-monoxide-poisoning/89-4c01aaf2-8127-4701-ade1-3f0608b37089

Rising levels of hate forcing women out of Swedish public life, says equality agency
Country seen as champion of equal rights faces reckoning after senior politician says she felt compelled to quit
Miranda Bryant in Stockholm
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/01/harassment-and-hate-forcing-women-out-of-swedish-politics

Cooking with gas gets more expensive as Americans face rising prices into 2026
Trump promised to cut consumers’ energy costs within his first year in office but gas price is up 4% on average
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/01/gas-energy-prices

Airbus averts further travel disruption by fixing most jets hit by software glitch
French manufacturer had to ground thousands of planes at weekend but fewer than 100 now need update
Lauren Almeida
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/01/airbus-averts-further-travel-disruption-by-fixing-most-jets-hit-by-software-glitch

Long-lost Rubens painting sells for $2.7m at auction
Auctioneer found the Flemish artist’s masterpiece – depicting a crucified Christ – in a Paris mansion as he was preparing for the property to be sold
Agence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/01/long-lost-rubens-painting-sells-for-27m-at-auction

Power surge: law changes could soon bring balcony solar to millions across US
Tweaks to state laws mean many Americans will be able to benefit from small, simple plug-in solar panels
Oliver Milman
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/30/balcony-solar-power-states-laws

From Dylan Thomas’ shopping list to a note from Sylvia Plath’s doctor: newly uncovered case files reveal the hidden lives of famous writers
Exclusive: Hardship grant applications to the Royal Literary Fund, including unseen letters by Doris Lessing and a note from James Joyce saying that he ‘gets nothing in the way of royalties’, show authors at their most vulnerable
Ella Creamer
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/nov/28/from-dylan-thomas-shopping-list-to-a-note-from-sylvia-plaths-doctor-newly-uncovered-case-files-reveal-the-hidden-lives-of-famous-writers

'A large amount of weirdness': The long, strange success of the Grateful Dead
Greg McKevitt
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20251127-the-long-strange-success-of-the-grateful-dead

Over 120,000 home cameras hacked in South Korea for 'sexploitation' footage
Gavin Butler
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj01q6p7ndlo

Greek sheep and goat cull raises fears of feta cheese shortage
Kostas Koukoumakas
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgex9d0212xo

lsanderson

All the president’s millions: how the Trumps are turning the presidency into riches
Tom Burgis
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/nov/30/all-the-presidents-millions-how-the-trumps-are-turning-the-presidency-into-riches

How to boost your calorie-crunching brown fat in the cold winter months
Jasmin Fox-Skelly
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251128-how-to-boost-your-calorie-crunching-brown-fat-in-the-cold-winter-months

At least 193 dead in Sri Lanka flood, many more missing
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yq26x0dd6o

Seated salsa - the miracle movement to help ease back pain
Jasmin Fox-Skelly
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251106-seated-salsa-the-miracle-movement-to-help-ease-back-pain

denise posting in

dw_news

Hello, friends! It's about to be December again, and you know what that means: the fact I am posting this actually before December 1 means

karzilla reminded me about the existence of linear time again. Wait, no -- well, yes, but also -- okay, look, let me back up and start again: it's almost December, and that means it's time for our annual December holiday points bonus.

The standard explanation: For the entire month of December, all orders made in the Shop of points and paid time, either for you or as a gift for a friend, will have 10% of your completed cart total sent to you in points when you finish the transaction. For instance, if you buy an order of 12 months of paid time for $35 (350 points), you'll get 35 points when the order is complete, to use on a future purchase.

( The fine print and much more behind this cut! )

Thank you, in short, for being the best possible users any social media site could possibly ever hope for. I'm probably in danger of crossing the Sappiness Line if I haven't already, but you all make everything worth it.

On behalf of Mark, Jen, Robby, and our team of awesome volunteers, and to each and every one of you, whether you've been with us on this wild ride since the beginning or just signed up last week, I'm wishing you all a very happy set of end-of-year holidays, whichever ones you celebrate, and hoping for all of you that your 2026 is full of kindness, determination, empathy, and a hell of a lot more luck than we've all had lately. Let's go.

elisem

He were brilliant.

Mr Ford took me to London (first class, yet, as he had to use up a lot of frequent flyer miles on a reorganizing airline, so we went fancy) to see Arcadia at the NT. It was stunning.

Glad we had him on the planet. He will be missed.

elisem

I test negative for COVID these days, and feel a lot better. As directed by many people who learned some of it the hard way, I continue to rest LIKE A POTATO. And no, the giggle-inducing power of that phrase has not worn off. Juan has a way of intoning it at various sleeptimes that brings even more amusement due to the solemnity. And these things are good.

HOWEVER, what is not so good is that I'm considerably behind on getting things into the Etsy store.

Also what is not so good is that a new computer is needed. (Shopping will be done, the passive voice will be employed, and so forth.) Also, since other debts are also had, the means to pay them must be acquired.

YOUR KINDNESS is hereby requested in the form of sending people to my shop (or going yourself, yes please!) so that I may exchange the fruits of my labors for money that I can then give the computer-making people and the other-stuff-I-have-to-pay-people. If it works out right, we're all happy. (Also it will help me not freak out about money, which turns out to make resting LIKE A POTATO a little harder.)

The shop is: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LionessElise

Also also, being at the workbench is the most calming thing I know, so I'm doing a tiny bit of that, but I need to put things into the shop for people to be able to see them. Commerce does not work so well otherwise. (I am reminded of Patricia C. Wrede, who upon receiving a sheepish negative answer when she asked me if I had sent a certain story in yet, declaimed in ringing tones, "PUBLISHERS DO NOT CONDUCT HOUSE-TO-HOUSE SEARCHES FOR PUBLISHABLE MANUSCRIPTS! SEND IT IN! YOU HAVE TO SEND IT IN!")

Anyhow, yeah, I very much need to make some moneys happen, and the most direct route for me is making shinies happen for people that want shinies, so if you can help them find my work that would be awesomely helpful.

You have my deep gratitude, and if there's anything I can do for you, please let me know.

lsanderson

Revealed: Europe’s water reserves drying up due to climate breakdown
Exclusive: UCL scientists find large swathes of southern Europe are drying up, with ‘far-reaching’ implications
Rachel Salvidge
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/29/climate-crisis-depleting-europe-groundwater-reserves-analysis

Analysis
They tried to overturn the 2020 US election. Now, they hold power in Trump’s Washington
Rachel Leingang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/29/2020-election-deniers-trump

‘Nature’s original engineers’: scientists explore the amazing potential of fungi
Unique properties of fungi have led to groundbreaking innovations in recent years, from nappies to electronics
Linda Geddes
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/nov/29/fungi-scientists-innovations

At least 460 killed in south-east Asia floods and landslides, reports say
More than 300 people killed on Indonesia’s Sumatra island with 162 reported dead across Thailand
Donna Ferguson and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/29/indonesia-and-thailand-flooding-death-toll-tops-350-as-rescuers-struggle-to-reach-worst-hit-areas

Meera Sodha’s recipe for Christmas aubergine and rice timbale
A stunning but simple festive vegetarian centrepiece for the whole table to enjoy
Meera Sodha
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/nov/29/christmas-spiced-aubergine-timbale-cream-cheese-fruit-nuts-recipes-meera-sodha

Interview
‘If I was American, I’d be worried about my country’: Margaret Atwood answers questions from Ai Weiwei, Rebecca Solnit and more
Introduction by Lisa Allardice
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/nov/29/if-i-was-american-id-be-worried-about-my-country-margaret-atwood-answers-questions-from-ai-weiwei-rebecca-solnit-and-more

Cats became our companions way later than you think
Helen Briggs
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8dvdp9gn7o

Lightning detected on Mars for the first time, scientists say
Fiona Nimoni
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0q5w13e58zo

pegkerr

Last Monday, I had another Year of Adventure outing:

kaytecat and I drove to Northfield, the city of both our alma maters (I went to St. Olaf, and she went to Carleton). Just outside of Northfield is a state park we were interested in exploring.

kaytecat had a state park pass on her car, which made things easy.

The weather was splendid, with a brilliantly blue, cloudless sky. We took things slowly, as both

kaytecat and I have some impairment to our walking, but we greatly enjoyed exploring the looping hiking paths as we talked. We've known each other for years in our common sf community, but this was probably the longest conversation we've had for years, and it was nice to learn more about the life of a long-time acquaintance.

After a couple of hours on the paths, we went into Northfield and had lunch at a tea shop I've dined at before. The food was good, and I bought a pair of earrings shaped like a teacup and saucer. After eating some delicious quiche, we spent a little time poking around Northfield, exploring a couple of antique shops and

kaytecat bought several small samples of different kinds of balsamic vinegar.

It was a day well-spent.

Image description: Lower third: two women (Peg and

kaytecat) in winter coats wearing sunglasses in bright sunshine smile at the camera. Between them a waterfall flows (Hidden Falls in Nerstrand State Park). Upper two-thirds: a view looking straight up of a vividly blue sky, with bare tree tops ringing the view. In the center of the blue sky is a pair of earrings shaped as a china cup and saucer.

Nerstrand

47 Nerstrand

Click on the links to see the 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 52 Card Project galleries.

lsanderson

US regulators ‘taking seriously’ allegations of bankers’ support for Epstein
Exclusive: It follows calls from US senator Elizabeth Warren to investigate bank executives including ex-Barclays boss Jes Staley
Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/28/us-regulators-taking-seriously-allegations-of-bankers-support-for-epstein

Alabama priest leaves clergy after woman alleges ‘private companionship’ beginning when she was 17
Robert Sullivan’s self-imposed removal comes after accusations he provided financial support in exchange for arrangement which included sex
Ramon Antonio Vargas
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/28/robert-sullivan-alabama-catholic-priest

Amid ‘instability and fear’ in Trump’s economy, Americans are cutting holiday spending
In addition to rising prices and tariffs, readers cite growing unemployment as a reason not to exchange gifts this year
Lauren Aratani
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/28/trump-economy-holiday-spending

Florida professor may have solved mystery of Peru’s Band of Holes
Charles Stanish surmised indentations were rudimentary market place and later adapted as accounting and storage system
Richard Luscombe in Miami
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/27/peru-band-of-holes-mystery

Avatar: Fire and Ash to Marty Supreme: 12 of the best films to watch this December
Nicholas Barber
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20251126-12-of-the-best-films-to-watch-this-december

The mysterious black fungus from Chernobyl that may eat radiation
Alex Riley
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251125-the-mysterious-black-fungus-from-chernobyl-that-appears-to-eat-radiation

Facing burnout, she chased her dream of making pie - and built an empire: ‘Pie brings us together’
She left Silicon Valley to master pie, became Hollywood’s baker and now films its healing power
Victoria Clayton
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/nov/27/pie-movie-pieowa-beth-howard

lsanderson

And with tomorrow’s [today's] menu at the top of mind, did you know that Minnesota produces more turkeys than any other state? WCCO shares how we got there. Via MinnPost
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-turkey-production-thanksgiving/

Speaking of turkeys, it's Turkey Day here in the USA. Happy Thanksgiving.

How to be a good party host (or guest)
From picking your guests (always add a random) and your outfit, to coping with drunks and nudity, this is what you need to know
Zoe Williams
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/nov/26/how-to-be-a-good-party-host-or-guest

‘Stay tuned’: new Anne Rice film could foretell release of unpublished work by late author
Documentary series of Interview with the Vampire writer available to stream with potential for further releases
Ramon Antonio Vargas in New Orleans
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/nov/27/anne-rice-author-anthology

Netflix crashes within minutes of releasing Stranger Things series five
Viewers unable to watch episodes of long-awaited final series on TV when the streaming service briefly froze
Rachel Hall
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/27/netflix-crashes-stranger-things-series-five

Review
Stranger Things season five review – this luxurious final run will have you standing on a chair, yelling with joy
The kids growing up might have changed this show’s appeal, but they manage to go out in a flame-throwing, bullet-dodging blaze of glory – while still being more moving than ever before
Jack Seale
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/27/stranger-things-final-season-five-review-netflix

‘We like it a lot’: how Romania created the largest deposit return scheme in the world
In the two years since the system was launched, beverage-packaging collection and recycling has risen to 94%
By Andrei Popoviciu in Bucharest, Romania
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/27/we-like-it-a-lot-how-romania-created-the-largest-deposit-return-scheme-in-the-world

‘I didn’t even know this type of attack existed’: more than 200 women allege drugging by senior French civil servant
In a case echoing the Pelicot trial, dozens of women allege they were given hot drinks mixed with a diuretic to make them urinate. Three of them speak out here
Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/nov/26/women-allege-drugging-by-senior-french-civil-servant

'Extraordinary discovery' at Orkney Neolithic site
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7836wvx4q4o

Novel scientific method proves pit circle near Stonehenge was man-made, say researchers
Archaeologists use multiple types of geophysics equipment to analyse ‘extraordinary structure’
Steven Morris
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/nov/27/novel-scientific-method-proves-pit-circle-near-stonehenge-was-man-made-say-researchers

Scottish fashion designer Pam Hogg dies
Steven McIntosh
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm28v743mpyo

From Paul Krugman: https://youtu.be/tJE3KDxTbWI?si=vKYHnCMiS0nDelby

lsanderson

Trump may have inadvertently issued mass pardon for 2020 voter fraud, experts say
Pardons of Giuliani and others who took part in fake elector scheme were largely symbolic, but could have a big effect
Sam Levine in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/25/trump-voter-fraud-pardon

Review
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review – Josh O’Connor excels in another deadpan delight
Daniel Craig is joined by a sparkling array of talent including O’Connor, Glenn Close and Josh Brolin in this latest murder mystery with a religious undercurrent
Peter Bradshaw
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/26/wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery-review-josh-oconnor-excels-in-another-deadpan-delight

Do you know your Hopper from your Hellfire Club? Take our ultimate Stranger Things quiz
The final season of the epic Netflix 80s show is about to air. But how much can you remember about the world of the Upside Down? Test your knowledge with our fiendish quiz
Tom Huddleston
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/26/ultimate-stranger-things-quiz

Study claims to provide first direct evidence of dark matter
Astrophysicist Prof Tomonori Totani says research could be crucial breakthrough in search for elusive substance
Ian Sample Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/nov/25/study-claims-to-provide-first-direct-evidence-of-dark-matter

Previously unknown Renoir painting sells for 1.8m euros at Paris auction
The oil painting depicting the artist’s son Jean had never been exhibited or sold before.
Agence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/nov/26/unknown-renoir-painting-son-sells-18m-euros-auction

floods ravage South East Asia
Kelly Ng
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg97wx144jo

The Abandons to Fallout: Nine of the best TV shows to watch this December
Caryn James
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20251124-nine-of-the-best-tv-shows-to-watch-this-december

John Quigley, chef to stars Bryan Adams and Tina Turner, dies
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgqzylxp4ewo

Former Harvest Best basketball coach gets life sentence in child sex-abuse case
Aaron Hjermstad’s charges stem from thousands of videos authorities found in his car after he fled the state in 2021. Authorities say there could be more than 120 victims in the videos.
by Katrina Pross
https://sahanjournal.com/public-safety/youth-basketball-coach-aaron-hjermstad-gets-life-sentence/

‘Abhorrent’: St. Paul City Council member criticizes police conduct at federal arrest
St. Paul police used tear gas and pepper spray Tuesday as hundreds of demonstrators confronted them and dozens of federal agents on the city’s East Side.
by Shubhanjana Das
https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/st-paul-east-side-ice-police-arrest/

lsanderson

If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving early this week, be sure to check road conditions. WCCO TV reports the Twin Cities’ first “real snowstorm” of the season is anticipated soon. “An inch or two of snow is possible in the Twin Cities by Wednesday morning, possibly impacting travel. We’ll also have wind gusts between 30 and 40 mph.” A winter storm warning has been issued for parts of central and northern Minnesota, too. Via MinnPost
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-weather-snowstorm-nov-24-2025/

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport food workers reached an agreement to avoid a strike just before the holiday. The Minnesota Star Tribune writes “the agreement, which is expected to be approved Monday night, includes the highest wage increase ever won for hospitality workers at the airport, according to union leaders.” Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/msp-workers-union-strike-agreement-thanksgiving/601533108?utm_source=gift

Minnesota State Fair season might be well past us, but now is the time to get the most affordable ticket for next year. Bring Me The News says “tickets will be just $15 with a limit of 12 tickets per order, only available Tuesday and while supplies last.” Via MinnPost
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/minnesota-state-fairs-lowest-price-of-the-year-ticket-sale-happening-tuesday

Minnesota officials and organizers gear up to fight Trump ending Somalis’ TPS
Though president’s order is legally questionable, advocates worry community could be targeted for immigration raids
Rachel Leingang in Minneapolis
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/25/minnesota-fight-trump-somalis-tps-order

Reith lecturer accuses BBC of censoring his remarks on Trump
Dutch writer Rutger Bregman says claim that Trump was ‘most openly corrupt president in US history’ was removed
Michael Savage Media editor
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/nov/25/rutger-bregman-accuses-bbc-of-censoring-his-reith-lecture-on-trump

Italian man ‘dressed as dead mother in order to claim her pension’
Man from Borgo Virgilio investigated for benefit fraud and hiding body since woman’s death in 2022
Angela Giuffrida in Rome
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/25/italian-man-dressed-as-dead-mother-in-order-to-claim-her-pension

What happened at Fox News after the 2020 election? Documents reveal new details
Tens of thousands of documents were released as part of Smartmatic’s defamation lawsuit against the network
Jeremy Barr
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/nov/24/fox-news-coverage-2020-election-documents-key-takeaways

Frances McDormand on her adult-sized cradle art project: ‘It’s not performative, it’s experiential’
Three-time Oscar winner has joined forces with conceptual artist Suzanne Bocanegra for an exhibition inspired by the Shakers
David Smith in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/25/frances-mcdormand-adult-cradle-art

‘A nucleus of a community’: the five-hour stage play about Dungeons & Dragons
In Initiative, a group of young people in the early 2000s finds themselves via the role-playing game, the latest example of its undying popularity
Jesse Hassenger
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/nov/25/dungeons-and-dragons-play-initiative

EU court rules entire bloc must respect same-sex marriages in rebuke to Poland
Couple who married in Germany had their right to a ‘normal family life’ impeded, court of justice finds
Reuters
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/25/eu-respect-same-sex-marriages-court-rules-rebuke-poland

lsanderson

Udo Kier, German Actor Who Appeared in ‘My Own Private Idaho,’ ‘Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein,’ Dies at 81
By Jack Dunn
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/udo-kier-dead-own-private-idaho-andy-warhol-frankenstein-1236590259/

Jill Freud, Love Actually actor and inspiration for Lucy in Narnia books, dies aged 98
The actor ran her own theatre company and was described by her daughter Emma as ‘feisty, outrageous, kind, loving and mischievous’
Catherine Shoard
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/24/jill-freud-love-actually-actor-cs-lewis-inspiration-narnia-dies-aged-98

Bollywood's 'He-Man' Dharmendra dies at 89
Geeta Pandey
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg66lv566kyo

Michelin-starred Australian chef Skye Gyngell dies aged 62
Lana Lam
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy840l75gx3o

Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff dies, aged 81
Mark Savage
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4qdren425o

2025.12.07

Yikes! 18 to 26??? Seriously?

2025.12.06

2025 52 Card Project: Week 48: Thanksgiving

2025.12.05

2025.12.04

2025.12.03

2025.12.02

2025.12.01

2025.11.30

Look! I remembered to post before December started this year!

Stoppard.

Still resting LIKE A POTATO but with small bits of work in between, and ASKING YOUR FAVOR

2025.11.29

2025 52 Card Project: Week 47: Nerstrand

2025.11.28

2025.11.27

2025.11.26

2025.11.25

2025.11.24-2

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