Helen Walmsley-Johnson
@helenw-j.bsky.social
Author, Invisible Woman, ex-Guardian, country-dweller. Rep: https://blakefriedmann.co.uk/juliet-pickering
I would like to make this my super power, pleasethankyou. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rare beetle that oozes substance from its knees when attacked rediscovered in Wales
Natural Resources Wales says short-necked oil beetle has been found in country for first time in nearly 60 years
theguardian.com
Tempting, but no. I need both my hands to write this book and this is clearly a trap. #catsofbluesky #tortietude
'I do not know these people. Please be so kind as to let me know when they've gone.' Miss Flora has firm opinions about visitors to the cottage. #catsofbluesky
Express delivery for Miss Flora... [Who is, thus far, much less complicated than her predecessor.] #catsofbluesky
Wrote a thing Monday. Got held back and is a weekend read at the Guardian today. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We live in a rape-prone society. The horrific Cornell case reveals what that looks like | Rebecca Solnit
Public outcry to punish the alleged perpetrators in the Cornell case misses the point – the only solution is political, legal and cultural equality of women
theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
After rape allegations at Cornell University, why are women again being urged to talk to their sons? Why not men? | Gaby Hinsliff
Boys learn by watching how the men they respect treat their partners, female colleagues, women on the street. Now is the time for those men to step up, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
theguardian.com
Please enjoy this lovely study of Miss Flora, who absolutely did not bail out of the bedroom window [pictured] yesterday and frighten me half to death... #catsofbluesky
This week I am sheep-sitting this bunch of reprobates. They did all come and speak to me though, which was nice.
Miss Flora, picking up the flouting-house-rules baton from the late, great and much missed Sodoffskaya. #catsofbluesky
Missy Flora is making progress. She had a slightly lairy day yesterday - full moon/frustration at being stuck indoors - but then there are lovely moments like this. She's only on her 5th day. We'll get there. #catsofbluesky
Good grief. That's a big one. Nothing flimsy about it, in fact I'd call it 'muscular'. 😱🙀🕷️
I watched this last night. It's terrifying, but hopeful. I feel it's my duty, as a human, to share it. I'd appreciate it if you shared it too. It's specifically made for people in the UK, but it's about everyone, and, the more people see it, the better chance we'll have. www.nebriefing.org/the-film
National Emergency Briefing
A 50-min film centred around the National Emergency Briefing. The frank facts, but also the huge opportunity if Government steps up and leads a WW2-scale response. Designed to be watched by communitie...
nebriefing.org
The universe has spoken - and sooner than anticipated. Miss Flora was brought to me this week. This is A Very Good Thing for I have been utterly miserable without The Sod and am clearly not designed for the catless life. She has big paws to fill... #catsofbluesky
Monday, and I'm rethinking my habit of casually tossing super-sized Scotch Bonnets into the tomato bowl... #gardener #homegrown
Temporarily catless. But please enjoy this picture of the late, great and much lamented Sodoffskaya taken to record a rare moment of embarrassment. #Caturday
“She inspired and opened doors for so many others. And she was great fun too.” A huge loss. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/s...
Bonnie Greer, writer and cultural commentator, dies aged 77
The British-American novelist and playwright who regularly appeared on current affairs shows will be remembered for her ‘warmth, humour and generosity’, says her husband
theguardian.com
Tackling the box room, recently vacated by the late and much loved Soukie Sodoffskaya [RIP]. However, I found my press cuttings and this, from the Telegraph March 2019, of which I am v v proud. #coercivecontrol #VAWG
After the loss of so many last week, The Sod [20] - with impeccable timing - also decided her time had come. It was the oddest thing. Summer over, she was done. A cat who lived life on her own terms, she left it the same way. I am utterly bereft. What a cat. #catsofbluesky
Hi, if you live near Sussex, I’m doing a free event for TEENAGERS (not smaller kids) at Crawley Library on September 22nd I’ll be chatting with the much funnier & cooler Katie Kennedy (The History Gossip). It’ll also be filmed and streamed online libraries.westsussex.gov.uk/go-all-in-gr...
Making Tax Difficult sorry Digital question: can any freelancers recommend the simplest possible bridging software to get from my basic Excel sheet records to HMRC submission? I'm only interested in the free options. MyTaxDigital? Monzo? Free Agent? Clear Books Free?
Lovely review of @drmatthewsweet.bsky.social new biog of Dame Barbara Cartland: www.theguardian.com/books/2026/a... He's at Wigtown Book Festival 1/10 at 4:30 and programmer's prerogative, I'll be chairing that. Cannot wait. Tickets on festival website. Do come!
This is the 3rd year for my Scotch Bonnet chilli and it's produced one the size of a golf ball. Not sure I have the constitution to cope with that. Behind is a 2-year-old Hot Lemon, and it is.
