I had dreams last night that I was stuck in a room with the water rising and couldn't get out over and over again and woke up to the highest anxiety I've had in weeks. Sigh.

Someone asked me today what I've been writing. I didn't start laughing uncontrollably or sobbing. I just managed to say I haven't been.

I am just fucking sad.

Both Dolly Parton and Tim Curry had such a genuine enthusiasm for performing that it was impossible not to love them for it, there were things more highly and lowly regarded in their bodies of work but both of them threw themselves into everything because it was pure joy for them and that rules

I will always remember how freaking scared I was of Tim Curry's Pennywise in the It miniseries. That performance has haunted me into adulthood.

Listen up bitches, this is serious. Here’s the plan for tomorrow morning. No exceptions. Everyone shows up. We’re gonna tumble out of bed. We’re gonna stumble to the kitchen. And we’re gonna pour ourselves a cup of goddamn ambition. Because we’ve got dreams they’ll never take away. Lock in.

My husband and I were talking about Dolly and mentioned Steel Magnolias, so my 17 yo looked up the plot is now muttering, "What the heck?!" over and over.

Interviewing Dolly Parton remains one of the highlights of my entire music journalism career. She truly was a rainbow in the dark ♥️ www.vice.com/en/article/e...

Everyone Loves Dolly

At 70 years young, America's favorite working girl is still a rainbow in the dark.

vice.com

I always liked that she chose to be her unapologetic self in the face of a classist, sexist culture that pathologizes and humiliates women who look like her

Natalie Weiner@natalieweiner.bsky.social · 3d ago

critical to remember that for a lot of dolly's adult life she was a punchline - the reverence is recent. nevertheless she persisted etc

The Library is devastated to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton, a music legend and titan of children's literacy. Her Imagination Library program has earned multiple Library Literacy Awards and, in 2018, she visited us to donate its 100 millionth book to our collection and host a story time. 🦋❤️

Oh, no, not Dolly 💔

Phil Lewis@phillewis.bsky.social · 3d ago

Dolly Parton has died at 80

I got my diploma yesterday, so I guess I am officially an MFA.

I got a compliment on my Halloween shirt and earrings today. The Halloween tees will continue.

I am still reading Dungeon Crawler Carl, so I'm in the middle (I think) of book 7.

Doctora Malka Older@older.bsky.social · 7mo ago

what are we reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaading?

I am about to crash out about a volunteer position that I took over this year for the band boosters, so I bought a Halloween-themed purse. It's not helping.

My 17 yo texted yesterday, "Mom, can you please do me a favor?" And that's how I drove four hours round trip to an away football game.

Some days I wonder what would have actually happened if I had become a religious studies professor...

There are toddlers all over the place in the waiting room today, and I simultaneously miss those days and am glad to have a teenager and a tweenager.

Kelly J. Baker (she/her)@kellyjbaker.bsky.social · last wk.

I am spending two days out of town with the oldest, and so far so good. Fingers crossed.

I think this is why I am dragging my feet on my current manuscript is that I am actually not working on multiple projects like I usually do.

Sarah Archer@sarcher.bsky.social · last wk.

My other piece of unsolicited writing advice is to always have two things going at the same time because you can use one to procrastinate on the other until they’re both done.

Republicans have held an uninterrupted state level trifecta in Florida since 1999.

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · last wk.

Byron Donalds: "The reason why so many families have been struggling is because of Democrat policy" (Republicans have had total control of the federal government for nearly two years, and have had total control of Florida for even longer)

I am spending two days out of town with the oldest, and so far so good. Fingers crossed.

anyway, i'd say that the most *useful* coursework i did in college was all in the religious studies department

Yes, my 12 yo called me a "LARPer" the other day. And I was like, "What is happening right now?"

Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg@theradr.bsky.social · last wk.

!!!! OMG Now instead of saying "you're such a poser / poseur" kids say "You're such a LARPer" * 🤣 *Live action roleplay

There are two, Titanic and Romeo+Juliet, which I hate with a fiery passion.

Rachel Merrill Artist for Gil Thorp and Death To Pachuco!@ohhhaeee.bsky.social · last wk.

Whats a movie everyone fucking loves that you despise? It doesnt have to be objectively bad, you just objectively DID NOT. Heres one for me since Ive been on a Barbara Loden kick lately-

Cut my hair again on Friday (a short bob) because it wasn't short enough, and painted my nails black, which is my favorite color to have but I haven't in a while. 46 is really leaning into what I like. Now, on to hand tattoos.

I found a new nemesis this week. That's fun.

Somebody added something to my schedule this morning for this afternoon that should have been planned and organized weeks ago, and it's throwing off my whole day because it wasn't in my plan.

Great 50% off sale on all books at @nyupress.bsky.social (code: NYUP50). That includes both my NYU Press books: *Black Religion in the Madhouse: Race and Psychiatry in Slavery's Wake* AND *New World A-Coming: Black Religion and Racial Identity during the Great Migration.*

Black Religion in the Madhouse

Winner, 2026 PROSE Award in Psychology and Applied Social Work, given by the Association of American PublishersShortlist, 2026 Cheiron Book Prize2025 CHOICE ...

nyupress.org

I did manage to put together the bookshelf, put it in the 12 yo's room, organize the manga collection, and get it all on the bookshelf. Yay.

Kelly J. Baker (she/her)@kellyjbaker.bsky.social · 2w ago

I have A) been defeated by the bookshelf I am trying to put together or B) don't feel well today or C) all of the above.