Hillary Starpants
@hillarystarpants.bsky.social
Dayjobber by day, artist by night, nerd always. Trying to figure it all out at the fork in the road of my midlife.
I love art, music, nature, travel and sharing stories in pictures. I miss the lake and my folks.
Share your photos! ALL OF THEM :)
I love art, music, nature, travel and sharing stories in pictures. I miss the lake and my folks.
Share your photos! ALL OF THEM :)
The photos turned out meh, but the experience left an impact on my soul. Last night I dreamed I saw the northern lights, in a vibrantly majestic display of movement and color, from the driveway of my parent's forever home. The scene of my childhood. No time for cameras, we'll use our eyes instead.
November 13, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The photos turned out meh, but the experience left an impact on my soul. Last night I dreamed I saw the northern lights, in a vibrantly majestic display of movement and color, from the driveway of my parent's forever home. The scene of my childhood. No time for cameras, we'll use our eyes instead.
Well I tried. A friend even loaned me his amazingly powerful camera, but I still only managed to pop off a few blurry offerings of tonight's borealis. I very much need to get back into the practice of photography.
November 13, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Well I tried. A friend even loaned me his amazingly powerful camera, but I still only managed to pop off a few blurry offerings of tonight's borealis. I very much need to get back into the practice of photography.
Going to try and view the northern lights tonight, last night's FOMO wrecked me a little inside.
November 12, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Going to try and view the northern lights tonight, last night's FOMO wrecked me a little inside.
Today marks the 50 yeariversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and you bet your sweet salty tears we put on the haunting ballad of Gordon Lightfoot over coffee and toast.
November 11, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Today marks the 50 yeariversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and you bet your sweet salty tears we put on the haunting ballad of Gordon Lightfoot over coffee and toast.
It smells like cold inside the house.
November 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
It smells like cold inside the house.
The aches in my back, shoulders and hips remind me that helping a friend move is a young person's task. And yet I would shake off middle age to rally to her aid anytime, because I am equal measures ridiculous and loyal. Now I'm also exhausted. See ya again on Sunday.
November 8, 2025 at 5:24 AM
The aches in my back, shoulders and hips remind me that helping a friend move is a young person's task. And yet I would shake off middle age to rally to her aid anytime, because I am equal measures ridiculous and loyal. Now I'm also exhausted. See ya again on Sunday.
Nothing much here, just a bit of autumn loveliness.
November 5, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Nothing much here, just a bit of autumn loveliness.
Amid the quiet of night and the glowing warmth of a bonfire, the unmistakable scent of winter did not go unnoticed.
November 2, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Amid the quiet of night and the glowing warmth of a bonfire, the unmistakable scent of winter did not go unnoticed.
Anybody else stubbornly refusing to turn on the heat on their house at night, then waking up in the wee morning hours all a-shiver? Just me then?
If I'm feeling it inside, my poor plants must be feeling it worse.
If I'm feeling it inside, my poor plants must be feeling it worse.
October 20, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Anybody else stubbornly refusing to turn on the heat on their house at night, then waking up in the wee morning hours all a-shiver? Just me then?
If I'm feeling it inside, my poor plants must be feeling it worse.
If I'm feeling it inside, my poor plants must be feeling it worse.
Probably a wildly unpopular opinion but all I want to see in Ted Lasso Season 4 are Keeley, Roy and Jamie figuring out their shit in time to have a gloriously successful and loving relationship triad.
October 8, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Probably a wildly unpopular opinion but all I want to see in Ted Lasso Season 4 are Keeley, Roy and Jamie figuring out their shit in time to have a gloriously successful and loving relationship triad.
Last month I showed at 2 art venues that had moderate returns, enough so that I'm re-energized to apply to more local shows and really take the new stuff for a spin. But I still have imposter syndrome, booth fees seem awfully high, and I'm still figuring out how to find the right market.
October 3, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Last month I showed at 2 art venues that had moderate returns, enough so that I'm re-energized to apply to more local shows and really take the new stuff for a spin. But I still have imposter syndrome, booth fees seem awfully high, and I'm still figuring out how to find the right market.
Had to deliver some bad news to my aunt on the phone when a lady hummingbird fluttered up to the back porch garden. Some folks say a cardinal is the spirit of a loved one who's passed on, but I knew this little bird was a gentle reminder from mom that even the most difficult things too shall pass.
September 27, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Had to deliver some bad news to my aunt on the phone when a lady hummingbird fluttered up to the back porch garden. Some folks say a cardinal is the spirit of a loved one who's passed on, but I knew this little bird was a gentle reminder from mom that even the most difficult things too shall pass.
Ride your pony
August 15, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Ride your pony
Effing Air and Water show. Yes, I realize it's the same thing every August. Anxiety, however, has a short memory and my nerves do not need this. Nope. No thanks.
August 14, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Effing Air and Water show. Yes, I realize it's the same thing every August. Anxiety, however, has a short memory and my nerves do not need this. Nope. No thanks.
Weird. Tonight I noticed all my Mentions have been erased. Granted I didn't have many, but the few I did were really nice :/
August 14, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Weird. Tonight I noticed all my Mentions have been erased. Granted I didn't have many, but the few I did were really nice :/
I'm a little embarrassed at the sheer amount of stuff I've packed to go camping this weekend. Not quite glamping, but pretty close? Oh, the airbed automatically qualifies this as glamping? That's fair. Earlier today it looked like a discount REI threw up in my dining room. I regret nothing.
August 7, 2025 at 3:15 AM
I'm a little embarrassed at the sheer amount of stuff I've packed to go camping this weekend. Not quite glamping, but pretty close? Oh, the airbed automatically qualifies this as glamping? That's fair. Earlier today it looked like a discount REI threw up in my dining room. I regret nothing.
Today would have been my folks' 47th anniversary. I miss them every day but today is a bit extra and it's making me feel stuck in place.
If I rally, I'm going to the beach. That way if I'm feeling blue I can just splash lakewater on my face and pretend I'm swimming.
If I rally, I'm going to the beach. That way if I'm feeling blue I can just splash lakewater on my face and pretend I'm swimming.
August 5, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Today would have been my folks' 47th anniversary. I miss them every day but today is a bit extra and it's making me feel stuck in place.
If I rally, I'm going to the beach. That way if I'm feeling blue I can just splash lakewater on my face and pretend I'm swimming.
If I rally, I'm going to the beach. That way if I'm feeling blue I can just splash lakewater on my face and pretend I'm swimming.
Ope! Tornado sirens drill! Must be 10am on a first Tuesday of the month.
August 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Ope! Tornado sirens drill! Must be 10am on a first Tuesday of the month.
This afternoon I unintentionally hosted a massive dragonfly orgy taking place on the noodle I was using to keep afloat on Keuka Lake. No pics, as the dragonfly couples (there were 6) were too busy getting it on with each other to provide enthusiastic consent.
July 17, 2025 at 11:40 PM
This afternoon I unintentionally hosted a massive dragonfly orgy taking place on the noodle I was using to keep afloat on Keuka Lake. No pics, as the dragonfly couples (there were 6) were too busy getting it on with each other to provide enthusiastic consent.
Different coast, different lake.
Same feels.
Same feels.
July 13, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Different coast, different lake.
Same feels.
Same feels.
Getting caught in a storm on the lakefront was not on the evening's agenda, but there I was, feeling damper than when I had actually been in the water, chillier than I cared to admit. Unrelated, I got a sunburn watering the plants earlier this morning. Which turns out I needn't have bothered. Oof.
July 11, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Getting caught in a storm on the lakefront was not on the evening's agenda, but there I was, feeling damper than when I had actually been in the water, chillier than I cared to admit. Unrelated, I got a sunburn watering the plants earlier this morning. Which turns out I needn't have bothered. Oof.
Wednesday night live music: best enjoyed with friends.
July 10, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Wednesday night live music: best enjoyed with friends.
Had an amazing beach day with bestie, her two kids, my city friends, and a beautiful lake. No fireworks for this lady, I'm already calling it a night.
July 5, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Had an amazing beach day with bestie, her two kids, my city friends, and a beautiful lake. No fireworks for this lady, I'm already calling it a night.
This article says all of the things I've been feeling but have struggled to find the words for.
buttondown.com/theswordandt...
buttondown.com/theswordandt...
Writing into the Wreck
I, for one, never asked to live in a collapsing empire. The feeling of what you thought to be solid ground turning to a shower of scree under your feet, the...
buttondown.com
July 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
This article says all of the things I've been feeling but have struggled to find the words for.
buttondown.com/theswordandt...
buttondown.com/theswordandt...