Francisca Staines
@franciscawrites.bsky.social
Author of MG & Picture Books • https://franciscastaines.com/
🇲🇽 All around book nerd with a weakness for mystery, fantasy, dogs & tacos.
Rep'd by @michelle4laughs.bsky.social @StormLiterary
🇲🇽 All around book nerd with a weakness for mystery, fantasy, dogs & tacos.
Rep'd by @michelle4laughs.bsky.social @StormLiterary
Reposted by Francisca Staines
There's no better time to nap that when it's raining heavily outside.
#cairnterriers 🐕🦺 #cutedogs 🐶 #sleepingdogs 🐕
#cairnterriers 🐕🦺 #cutedogs 🐶 #sleepingdogs 🐕
May 8, 2025 at 10:21 AM
There's no better time to nap that when it's raining heavily outside.
#cairnterriers 🐕🦺 #cutedogs 🐶 #sleepingdogs 🐕
#cairnterriers 🐕🦺 #cutedogs 🐶 #sleepingdogs 🐕
Reposted by Francisca Staines
Reposted by Francisca Staines
July 3, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Reposted by Francisca Staines
Reposted by Francisca Staines
Noem says hundreds more ICE agents are expected to arrive in Minneapolis today and tomorrow. Please be prepared. Set up a network, check on neighbors regularly, know your rights, and have an action plan in place and ready.
January 12, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Noem says hundreds more ICE agents are expected to arrive in Minneapolis today and tomorrow. Please be prepared. Set up a network, check on neighbors regularly, know your rights, and have an action plan in place and ready.
The more I visit hospitals the less I like them. Yet, today's visit was a pleasant surprise thanks to the fantastic nurses taking tare of me. 👩⚕️ Nurses rule! 👩⚕️
January 12, 2026 at 5:48 PM
The more I visit hospitals the less I like them. Yet, today's visit was a pleasant surprise thanks to the fantastic nurses taking tare of me. 👩⚕️ Nurses rule! 👩⚕️
Oldest dog & I have an unrequited relationship.
I loved her dearly. She tolerates me, better if it's cold & wants a warm lap to sit on.
Yet, today, the inequality of our feelings became unbearable when, after I called her, she looked at me & decided that not even a treat was enough to approach me.
I loved her dearly. She tolerates me, better if it's cold & wants a warm lap to sit on.
Yet, today, the inequality of our feelings became unbearable when, after I called her, she looked at me & decided that not even a treat was enough to approach me.
a little girl in a blue sweater is crying and saying i 'm okay .
Alt: a little girl in a blue sweater is crying and saying i 'm okay .
media.tenor.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Oldest dog & I have an unrequited relationship.
I loved her dearly. She tolerates me, better if it's cold & wants a warm lap to sit on.
Yet, today, the inequality of our feelings became unbearable when, after I called her, she looked at me & decided that not even a treat was enough to approach me.
I loved her dearly. She tolerates me, better if it's cold & wants a warm lap to sit on.
Yet, today, the inequality of our feelings became unbearable when, after I called her, she looked at me & decided that not even a treat was enough to approach me.
Today, two nurses tried to draw my blood. Long story short, five painful punctures later, I feel like a pincushion and still no blood for the lab.
Monday, I'll try again. I've been promised the most experienced nurse (the one who last time had no trouble with my veins), will be there.
Monday, I'll try again. I've been promised the most experienced nurse (the one who last time had no trouble with my veins), will be there.
a cartoon character is standing in the rain wearing a hat with a red pom pom
ALT: a cartoon character is standing in the rain wearing a hat with a red pom pom
media.tenor.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Today, two nurses tried to draw my blood. Long story short, five painful punctures later, I feel like a pincushion and still no blood for the lab.
Monday, I'll try again. I've been promised the most experienced nurse (the one who last time had no trouble with my veins), will be there.
Monday, I'll try again. I've been promised the most experienced nurse (the one who last time had no trouble with my veins), will be there.
Post your favorite "Lord of the Rings" character. Wrong answers only.
November 29, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Post your favorite "Lord of the Rings" character. Wrong answers only.
I've been experimenting with #no-knead #bread #baking.
Very satisfied with the results.
Ten minutes of active work, which is less than it takes to bike to the local bakery in these snowy times, to get a delicious loaf of bread.
The last three bakes, same recipe, different size and scoring placement.
Very satisfied with the results.
Ten minutes of active work, which is less than it takes to bike to the local bakery in these snowy times, to get a delicious loaf of bread.
The last three bakes, same recipe, different size and scoring placement.
November 28, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Reposted by Francisca Staines
Now for some sports news...
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
November 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Now for some sports news...
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
Better late than never so... my #FolktaleWeek2025 entries gathered together, telling the story of the night the Princess Moon learned how to swim.
#kidlit #kidlitart #childrenslit #illustrations #Folktaleweek #shortstories
#kidlit #kidlitart #childrenslit #illustrations #Folktaleweek #shortstories
November 27, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Better late than never so... my #FolktaleWeek2025 entries gathered together, telling the story of the night the Princess Moon learned how to swim.
#kidlit #kidlitart #childrenslit #illustrations #Folktaleweek #shortstories
#kidlit #kidlitart #childrenslit #illustrations #Folktaleweek #shortstories
#FolkTaleWeek Day 7: Dawn
7. The stars and the Princess Moon dance to welcome the new day, and Brother Sun says a quick hello before the others go to bed.
In the Princess Moon's crown a gem shines. It tells of the adventures to come, once they all go swimming in the dark of the night sky.
#KidLit
7. The stars and the Princess Moon dance to welcome the new day, and Brother Sun says a quick hello before the others go to bed.
In the Princess Moon's crown a gem shines. It tells of the adventures to come, once they all go swimming in the dark of the night sky.
#KidLit
November 27, 2025 at 3:49 PM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 7: Dawn
7. The stars and the Princess Moon dance to welcome the new day, and Brother Sun says a quick hello before the others go to bed.
In the Princess Moon's crown a gem shines. It tells of the adventures to come, once they all go swimming in the dark of the night sky.
#KidLit
7. The stars and the Princess Moon dance to welcome the new day, and Brother Sun says a quick hello before the others go to bed.
In the Princess Moon's crown a gem shines. It tells of the adventures to come, once they all go swimming in the dark of the night sky.
#KidLit
#FolkTaleWeek Day 6: Storm
5. "Come get me, my Sisters!" the little Fallen Star calls.
A storm of bright light transforms the night sky.
Fallen Star, charm in hand, repeats the spell she's uncovered.
Soon, the Princess Moon will join them, swimming, diving, & splashing the hours away.
#KidLit
5. "Come get me, my Sisters!" the little Fallen Star calls.
A storm of bright light transforms the night sky.
Fallen Star, charm in hand, repeats the spell she's uncovered.
Soon, the Princess Moon will join them, swimming, diving, & splashing the hours away.
#KidLit
November 27, 2025 at 8:29 AM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 6: Storm
5. "Come get me, my Sisters!" the little Fallen Star calls.
A storm of bright light transforms the night sky.
Fallen Star, charm in hand, repeats the spell she's uncovered.
Soon, the Princess Moon will join them, swimming, diving, & splashing the hours away.
#KidLit
5. "Come get me, my Sisters!" the little Fallen Star calls.
A storm of bright light transforms the night sky.
Fallen Star, charm in hand, repeats the spell she's uncovered.
Soon, the Princess Moon will join them, swimming, diving, & splashing the hours away.
#KidLit
#FolkTaleWeek Day 5: Charm
5. Treasures are weird things. They hurt you if you trip over them, but they can also surprise you.
"What a strange thing..." The little Fallen Star say, casually flipping through pages. "To find such a rare gem, and in a book of spells nonetheless!"
#KidLit #KidLitArt
5. Treasures are weird things. They hurt you if you trip over them, but they can also surprise you.
"What a strange thing..." The little Fallen Star say, casually flipping through pages. "To find such a rare gem, and in a book of spells nonetheless!"
#KidLit #KidLitArt
November 23, 2025 at 8:59 PM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 5: Charm
5. Treasures are weird things. They hurt you if you trip over them, but they can also surprise you.
"What a strange thing..." The little Fallen Star say, casually flipping through pages. "To find such a rare gem, and in a book of spells nonetheless!"
#KidLit #KidLitArt
5. Treasures are weird things. They hurt you if you trip over them, but they can also surprise you.
"What a strange thing..." The little Fallen Star say, casually flipping through pages. "To find such a rare gem, and in a book of spells nonetheless!"
#KidLit #KidLitArt
#FolkTaleWeek Day 4: Book
4. Strolling around, feet on soft sand, has its advantages. You see lots of new things, and if your lucky, you can even find a long lost treasure.
"Ouch!" the Fallen Star tripped over something flat and hard. "Who can have left this here? Reckless, that's who.
#KidLit
4. Strolling around, feet on soft sand, has its advantages. You see lots of new things, and if your lucky, you can even find a long lost treasure.
"Ouch!" the Fallen Star tripped over something flat and hard. "Who can have left this here? Reckless, that's who.
#KidLit
November 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 4: Book
4. Strolling around, feet on soft sand, has its advantages. You see lots of new things, and if your lucky, you can even find a long lost treasure.
"Ouch!" the Fallen Star tripped over something flat and hard. "Who can have left this here? Reckless, that's who.
#KidLit
4. Strolling around, feet on soft sand, has its advantages. You see lots of new things, and if your lucky, you can even find a long lost treasure.
"Ouch!" the Fallen Star tripped over something flat and hard. "Who can have left this here? Reckless, that's who.
#KidLit
#FolkTaleWeek Day 3: Rain
3. An angry cloud breaks the quiet into tiny loud pieces.
The Princess Moon jumps startled.
Big drops plunge into the sea. Bigger waves to come out to play.
"Oh, no!" The Fallen Star's fins are carried away. "Well, no better place to be than the bottom of the sea."
#KidLit
3. An angry cloud breaks the quiet into tiny loud pieces.
The Princess Moon jumps startled.
Big drops plunge into the sea. Bigger waves to come out to play.
"Oh, no!" The Fallen Star's fins are carried away. "Well, no better place to be than the bottom of the sea."
#KidLit
November 20, 2025 at 8:13 PM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 3: Rain
3. An angry cloud breaks the quiet into tiny loud pieces.
The Princess Moon jumps startled.
Big drops plunge into the sea. Bigger waves to come out to play.
"Oh, no!" The Fallen Star's fins are carried away. "Well, no better place to be than the bottom of the sea."
#KidLit
3. An angry cloud breaks the quiet into tiny loud pieces.
The Princess Moon jumps startled.
Big drops plunge into the sea. Bigger waves to come out to play.
"Oh, no!" The Fallen Star's fins are carried away. "Well, no better place to be than the bottom of the sea."
#KidLit
#FolkTaleWeek Day 2: Echo
2. In the quiet of the late hours, the Princess Moon sleeps.
Far, far away from the sky, the fallen star bobs in the waves.
Up and down she goes, listening to the bubbling echoes of the passerby fish. Pop, pop, pop!
#KidLit #KidLitart
2. In the quiet of the late hours, the Princess Moon sleeps.
Far, far away from the sky, the fallen star bobs in the waves.
Up and down she goes, listening to the bubbling echoes of the passerby fish. Pop, pop, pop!
#KidLit #KidLitart
November 19, 2025 at 4:44 PM
#FolkTaleWeek Day 2: Echo
2. In the quiet of the late hours, the Princess Moon sleeps.
Far, far away from the sky, the fallen star bobs in the waves.
Up and down she goes, listening to the bubbling echoes of the passerby fish. Pop, pop, pop!
#KidLit #KidLitart
2. In the quiet of the late hours, the Princess Moon sleeps.
Far, far away from the sky, the fallen star bobs in the waves.
Up and down she goes, listening to the bubbling echoes of the passerby fish. Pop, pop, pop!
#KidLit #KidLitart
Starting a little late but trying to catch up #FolkTaleWeek
Day 1: Night
1. The Princess Moon, who had never learned how to swim, envy the little stars, who dive, splash, and float in the endless sea of the night sky.
#KidLit #KidLitart
Day 1: Night
1. The Princess Moon, who had never learned how to swim, envy the little stars, who dive, splash, and float in the endless sea of the night sky.
#KidLit #KidLitart
November 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Starting a little late but trying to catch up #FolkTaleWeek
Day 1: Night
1. The Princess Moon, who had never learned how to swim, envy the little stars, who dive, splash, and float in the endless sea of the night sky.
#KidLit #KidLitart
Day 1: Night
1. The Princess Moon, who had never learned how to swim, envy the little stars, who dive, splash, and float in the endless sea of the night sky.
#KidLit #KidLitart
The days are getting cold. The trees have lost their leaves. Autumn says hello to Winter with a dance of browns and oranges.
A new illustration of my I'm-learning-how-to-draw series.
#kidlitillustrations #autumn
A new illustration of my I'm-learning-how-to-draw series.
#kidlitillustrations #autumn
November 17, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The days are getting cold. The trees have lost their leaves. Autumn says hello to Winter with a dance of browns and oranges.
A new illustration of my I'm-learning-how-to-draw series.
#kidlitillustrations #autumn
A new illustration of my I'm-learning-how-to-draw series.
#kidlitillustrations #autumn
It's sunny, and the farmer is getting ready to sow white mustard in the field across from our house. I love white mustard, lovely living mulch.
#gardening #farmwork #wintercrops
#gardening #farmwork #wintercrops
November 4, 2025 at 2:34 PM
It's sunny, and the farmer is getting ready to sow white mustard in the field across from our house. I love white mustard, lovely living mulch.
#gardening #farmwork #wintercrops
#gardening #farmwork #wintercrops
I'm having a hard time deciding which one to read first.
Thoughts?
💙📚 #horror #spookyreads #booksky #diversebooks
Thoughts?
💙📚 #horror #spookyreads #booksky #diversebooks
October 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I'm having a hard time deciding which one to read first.
Thoughts?
💙📚 #horror #spookyreads #booksky #diversebooks
Thoughts?
💙📚 #horror #spookyreads #booksky #diversebooks
This is half of what I hope will become my naturalistic garden. The 340 little plants, I put in the ground this month. Each plant grown from seed. Mostly natives (or non-invasive naturalized) species. Only a beginning, but it took lots of effort (and time).
#Gardening #FallPlanting #Wildlifegarden
#Gardening #FallPlanting #Wildlifegarden
October 29, 2025 at 3:34 PM
This is half of what I hope will become my naturalistic garden. The 340 little plants, I put in the ground this month. Each plant grown from seed. Mostly natives (or non-invasive naturalized) species. Only a beginning, but it took lots of effort (and time).
#Gardening #FallPlanting #Wildlifegarden
#Gardening #FallPlanting #Wildlifegarden