You know it's bad when even diet prada is like, do you know what's going on in Tennessee?
Kim Baldwin
@theblondemule.bsky.social
Burnt Toast podcast producer @virginiasolesmith.bsky.social. Bookseller @parnassusbooks.bsky.social. Newsletter at theblondemule.com / linktr.ee/theblondemule. Previous: @nashvillescene.com, Ladyland Podcast.
Some thoughts on turning 50, finally seeing Oh Mary and a few books I’ve enjoyed lately.
Taurus Season
Thoughts on turning 50
theblondemule.substack.com
Every day is a stupid day to live in Tennessee, but Jesus Christ what these mfs in the legislature just did. I used to work for a state senator from Memphis, and to quote her, "Y'all [legislators] need to get yourselves better educated.
For anyone in Nashville who has NOT lost power since the ice storm and assumes NES' comms are operational again, they are not.
Still thinking about her (the $30 shark I left behind at the antique mall yesterday).
All white men who go on a GLP-1 journey should have to read at least 5 fat liberation books before they can write a personal essay about it. This is @theblondemule.bsky.social’s rule and I co-sign: www.patreon.com/posts/153769...
The Diet Culture Voice In Your Head | Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith
Get more from Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith on Patreon
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Beyond thrilled to have interviewed Lindy West at Parnassus this week. I talk a little bit about meeting Lindy, and then I give you a bunch recs to get your weekend started.
I Met Lindy West!
Plus a fresh batch of recs
open.substack.com
The thing about being married is, you have to explain why you bought the thrift store clowns.
A fun thing about me is, if you hire me to produce your podcast, I'm immediately gonna ask if we can book Lindy West. Reader: we did it. Lindy + @virginiasolesmith.bsky.social - out today!
Lindy West Doesn’t Need Your Permission | Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith
Get more from Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith on Patreon
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Happy pub day to Lindy West! Come see us in conversation at @parnassusbooks.bsky.social on March 18. Register here: parnassusbooks.net/event/2026-0...
I was God's most tired soldier before I lost an hour of sleep, imagine me now
Love to drive through Hendersonville because what do you mean go over Oak Ridge Boys Bridge, pass Johnny Cash Walkway and take a left at Conway Twitty Lane?
Letter to the Editor: Reader Ryan on what a recent decision from VUMC means for the LGBTQ community.
Letter to the Editor: On VUMC’s Decision to Stop Gender-Affirming Surgery
What Vanderbilt Health's decision means for the LGBTQ community
nashvillescene.com
Few people outside of Nashville know how bad the ice storm was that hit us in late January. Over 200,000 homes lost power, and not just lost power, but lost power for over a week during freezing temps. Here is my story of the storm.
Girl Who Is Going To Be Ok
The storm
theblondemule.substack.com
The dream of a lifetime to be in conversation with Lindy West for her new book ADULT BRACES. Free, in-store event on March 18 at @parnassusbooks.bsky.social. RSVP required, so hit that link. parnassusbooks.net/event/2026-0...
You know the news is bad when this is the audiobook I'm listening to to relax.
If you listen to @virginiasolesmith.bsky.social's Burnt Toast podcast, there's a fun surprise for you today.
Meet the Newest Burnt Toast Team Member! | Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith
Get more from Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith on Patreon
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Last week my favorite 24 year old co-worker texted me about Clavicular and I had to ask him who that is. I learned SO MUCH (but at what cost, etc.) It has been hilarious at my advanced ago to be like 3 days ahead of this discourse.
Nothing but respect for my presidents. I finished reading this today.
Multiple times a week I read a newsletter (written by a woman) so insightful and current and correct that it blows my mind. Then I look at the comments and see 10-20 men explaining TO HER what she wrote. It is astonishing that any woman continues to write publicly.
Can I distract you from the horrors for a moment to tell you that I think my pond hawk got married?
Guys, I am tits-deep in stinkbugs. One fell in my coffee this morning. I can't live like this.
And if you don’t think that was explicitly political you were maybe not watching things like… the sugar cane fields? Electric poles? The men grinding on each other? The little boy? The americas shout out? What moooore do you want?
Came to the Whites Creek recycling center and it's like 75% Generac boxes.
Also happy to report, now that it's been disclosed on Instagram, that Ann Patchett paid for our entire hotel stay. She also paid me for all the shifts I was unable to work during the storm. I know "shop local" has become trite and overused, but this is why it matters.
It took 10 days, but we can finally move back into our house. Power came back on Sun, but the water has been out until now. I still have friends in East Nash, Green Hills and West Meade without power. Please keep checking on these folks. It is stressful (and expensive) to be displaced for this long.
“I’m not gonna go as far as saying that we caused deaths here,” Councilmember Jordan Huffman said. “But I would say there’s a damn good chance that it happened that way.” nashvillebanner.com/2026/02/03/n...
NES absorbs criticism, to face a review a winter storm response - Nashville Banner
Nashville officials remain frustrated with Nashville Electric Service's handling of a winter storm that left thousands without power for more than a week.
nashvillebanner.com
Got honked at by a guy in a Tesla with Williamson County plates at the Eaat Nashville Publix. Feels good to be back.