Holly Thayer
@hollythayer.bsky.social
A writer currently immersed in mysteries, an organizer currently horrified by the Iowa Legislature, and a mother currently chasing a toddler with a ceramic toucan in her hand.
My husband and I, in perfect unison, to our toddler: You want to use the potty with Santa? Ok! #pottytraining #tistheseason
November 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
My husband and I, in perfect unison, to our toddler: You want to use the potty with Santa? Ok! #pottytraining #tistheseason
My placenta may be anterior, but its motives have been decidedly ulterior.
October 1, 2025 at 9:50 PM
My placenta may be anterior, but its motives have been decidedly ulterior.
Pregnant Holly: I wonder if Hyper Energy has any low-caffeine drinks that are safe during pregnancy. Most foods/drinks sound awful, but that sounds perfect.
Headline Hours Later: Hyper Energy owner charged with threatening wife and firing gun near sleeping kids
Why can't anything be ok?
Headline Hours Later: Hyper Energy owner charged with threatening wife and firing gun near sleeping kids
Why can't anything be ok?
April 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Pregnant Holly: I wonder if Hyper Energy has any low-caffeine drinks that are safe during pregnancy. Most foods/drinks sound awful, but that sounds perfect.
Headline Hours Later: Hyper Energy owner charged with threatening wife and firing gun near sleeping kids
Why can't anything be ok?
Headline Hours Later: Hyper Energy owner charged with threatening wife and firing gun near sleeping kids
Why can't anything be ok?
Rhetoric broadly claiming that social media is problematic or corrupt dismantles grassroots organizing. Social media platforms may have problematic elements and corrupt leaders. The landscape needs a complete overhaul. But if we destroy the concept of positive online connections, the people lose.
April 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Rhetoric broadly claiming that social media is problematic or corrupt dismantles grassroots organizing. Social media platforms may have problematic elements and corrupt leaders. The landscape needs a complete overhaul. But if we destroy the concept of positive online connections, the people lose.
Lesser-known pregnancy symptom: Crying off and on all morning because it's such a relief to see @booker.senate.gov still speaking on the Senate floor. #corybooker
April 1, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Lesser-known pregnancy symptom: Crying off and on all morning because it's such a relief to see @booker.senate.gov still speaking on the Senate floor. #corybooker
Reposted by Holly Thayer
📢 Action Alert 📢 This bill could ban the Covid-19 vaccine & other gene-based vaccines in Iowa. Contact subcommittee members TODAY and tell them to vote NO on SF360:
Doug Campbell: doug.campbell@legis.iowa.gov
Dennis Guth: dennis.guth@legis.iowa.gov
Molly Donahue: molly.donahue@legis.iowa.gov
Doug Campbell: doug.campbell@legis.iowa.gov
Dennis Guth: dennis.guth@legis.iowa.gov
Molly Donahue: molly.donahue@legis.iowa.gov
March 3, 2025 at 3:29 PM
📢 Action Alert 📢 This bill could ban the Covid-19 vaccine & other gene-based vaccines in Iowa. Contact subcommittee members TODAY and tell them to vote NO on SF360:
Doug Campbell: doug.campbell@legis.iowa.gov
Dennis Guth: dennis.guth@legis.iowa.gov
Molly Donahue: molly.donahue@legis.iowa.gov
Doug Campbell: doug.campbell@legis.iowa.gov
Dennis Guth: dennis.guth@legis.iowa.gov
Molly Donahue: molly.donahue@legis.iowa.gov
Reposted by Holly Thayer
Des Moines Mutual Aid maintains a bail fund to keep protesters out of jail. We also organize legal representation and court support for those the state has attacked. Donate to support those that are bravely fighting fascism.
Donation link: linktr.ee/Dsm.mutual.a...
Donation link: linktr.ee/Dsm.mutual.a...
February 27, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Des Moines Mutual Aid maintains a bail fund to keep protesters out of jail. We also organize legal representation and court support for those the state has attacked. Donate to support those that are bravely fighting fascism.
Donation link: linktr.ee/Dsm.mutual.a...
Donation link: linktr.ee/Dsm.mutual.a...
It wouldn't be an Iowa legislative session without a petty jab at vegetarians/vegans. This one comes packaged in an also-predictable attack on the poor. Now is a great time to start donating foods this bill would prohibit, including meat and dairy substitutes, to local food pantries. #vegetarian
Anti-hunger advocates challenge bill that would limit food choices for Iowa SNAP recipients
SNAP recipients can double their dollars through the state Double Up Food Bucks program to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.
www.desmoinesregister.com
February 27, 2025 at 2:46 PM
It wouldn't be an Iowa legislative session without a petty jab at vegetarians/vegans. This one comes packaged in an also-predictable attack on the poor. Now is a great time to start donating foods this bill would prohibit, including meat and dairy substitutes, to local food pantries. #vegetarian
Among the many ways #IVF has affected me: wild swings in my coffee order. Weeks of nitro cold brews and brewed coffees w/ cream followed by a tapering of lattes and small coffees...followed by two hopeful weeks of chai. Tomorrow might be my last day of IVF, and I have no idea if I'm ready.
February 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Among the many ways #IVF has affected me: wild swings in my coffee order. Weeks of nitro cold brews and brewed coffees w/ cream followed by a tapering of lattes and small coffees...followed by two hopeful weeks of chai. Tomorrow might be my last day of IVF, and I have no idea if I'm ready.
I won't link Rep. Steve Holt's anti-trans column in the DMR, but note that the phrase beginning "They will not have the ability to file legal complaints against an employer..." is directly followed by "transgender Iowans will have the same rights and protections as everyone else". Um? #transrights
February 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I won't link Rep. Steve Holt's anti-trans column in the DMR, but note that the phrase beginning "They will not have the ability to file legal complaints against an employer..." is directly followed by "transgender Iowans will have the same rights and protections as everyone else". Um? #transrights
If Trump succeeds in taking over USPS, absentee voting is in big trouble, right? The perception of mistrust alone would have a significant impact on mail-in voting for progressive and Dem voters. Which would, in turn, strengthen mail-in voting for Republicans who trust Trump. #USPS
Trump expected to take control of USPS, fire postal board, officials say
The move threatens to upend trillions of dollars in e-commerce business and the 250-year-old Postal Service.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:51 PM
If Trump succeeds in taking over USPS, absentee voting is in big trouble, right? The perception of mistrust alone would have a significant impact on mail-in voting for progressive and Dem voters. Which would, in turn, strengthen mail-in voting for Republicans who trust Trump. #USPS
Reposted by Holly Thayer
📢 Urgent Action Needed 📢 No one benefits when civil rights are stripped away. HSB 242 eliminates civil rights protections for transgender Iowans. Email Reps. Steven Holt (steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov) and Samantha Fett (samantha.fett@legis.iowa.gov) and tell them to put a stop to this bill.
Iowa House Republicans renew effort to strip transgender protections from Iowa civil rights law
Just like all other Iowans, transgender residents of the state are protected under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, meaning they cannot be discriminated against
iowastartingline.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:49 AM
📢 Urgent Action Needed 📢 No one benefits when civil rights are stripped away. HSB 242 eliminates civil rights protections for transgender Iowans. Email Reps. Steven Holt (steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov) and Samantha Fett (samantha.fett@legis.iowa.gov) and tell them to put a stop to this bill.
Reposted by Holly Thayer
📢 Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill 📢 Act NOW to oppose legislation that would punish parents for taking their children to drag shows and punish businesses for hosting drag shows where minors are present. This bill attacks parental rights and the LGBTQ+ community. Comment below and tell lawmakers to vote NO!
Iowa Legislature - Subcommittee Public Comments
Information pertaining to the Iowa Legislature as well as the Executive and Judicial branch in as much as they relate to the legislative branch
www.legis.iowa.gov
February 17, 2025 at 5:22 PM
📢 Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill 📢 Act NOW to oppose legislation that would punish parents for taking their children to drag shows and punish businesses for hosting drag shows where minors are present. This bill attacks parental rights and the LGBTQ+ community. Comment below and tell lawmakers to vote NO!
Lobbied at the Iowa State Capitol this morning and, as usual, had a small panic attack finding a winter outfit with the right dressy/comfort ratio. In my haste, I left a pair of clean black pants on my bed, fool that I am. They are no longer clean, and our cats clearly had a luxurious afternoon.
February 12, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Lobbied at the Iowa State Capitol this morning and, as usual, had a small panic attack finding a winter outfit with the right dressy/comfort ratio. In my haste, I left a pair of clean black pants on my bed, fool that I am. They are no longer clean, and our cats clearly had a luxurious afternoon.
There's nothing quite like a cathartic drive, alone, belting "Quick! Someone call the girl police and - and file a report" with as much attitude as you can muster.
February 1, 2025 at 10:25 PM
There's nothing quite like a cathartic drive, alone, belting "Quick! Someone call the girl police and - and file a report" with as much attitude as you can muster.
📢 More anti-trans legislation on the horizon in Iowa 📢 This bill would encourage bullying by allowing students and staff to deadname trans youth. Speak out now against HF80. Contact Iowa House subcommittee members Helena Hayes, Henry Stone, and Heather Matson. #transrights #iowalegislature
January 28, 2025 at 12:08 AM
📢 More anti-trans legislation on the horizon in Iowa 📢 This bill would encourage bullying by allowing students and staff to deadname trans youth. Speak out now against HF80. Contact Iowa House subcommittee members Helena Hayes, Henry Stone, and Heather Matson. #transrights #iowalegislature
It sounds like Iowa lawmakers might once again pursue legislation that would strip away Civil Rights protections from transgender Iowans. One Iowa Action has heard that Gov. Kim Reynolds could introduce the bill. Speak out now using the contact info below! #transrights
January 25, 2025 at 1:16 AM
It sounds like Iowa lawmakers might once again pursue legislation that would strip away Civil Rights protections from transgender Iowans. One Iowa Action has heard that Gov. Kim Reynolds could introduce the bill. Speak out now using the contact info below! #transrights
Every time Nelnet requires a verification code, I can't help but think, "Oh no! What if someone hacks in and pays my student loan bill for me?! Good thing they're looking out!" I do understand it's more complex than that, but it's also nice to imagine a friendly hacker offsetting my interest.
December 23, 2024 at 5:52 PM
Every time Nelnet requires a verification code, I can't help but think, "Oh no! What if someone hacks in and pays my student loan bill for me?! Good thing they're looking out!" I do understand it's more complex than that, but it's also nice to imagine a friendly hacker offsetting my interest.
Kind of wondering why no one has made a holiday rom-com based on the song "Christmas Wrapping", by The Waitresses. I would shamelessly watch it. If this already exists, and I somehow missed it, let me know!
December 14, 2024 at 1:03 AM
Kind of wondering why no one has made a holiday rom-com based on the song "Christmas Wrapping", by The Waitresses. I would shamelessly watch it. If this already exists, and I somehow missed it, let me know!
I need a word for a particular sort of bittersweet good mood. One that comes unexpectedly, early in the morning, and with an edge of dread. Because you just know the day's circumstances are bound to pummel it away. #languagenerds
February 14, 2024 at 5:46 PM
I need a word for a particular sort of bittersweet good mood. One that comes unexpectedly, early in the morning, and with an edge of dread. Because you just know the day's circumstances are bound to pummel it away. #languagenerds
If I got to choose the definition of "scrimmage", it would be: the sticky residue that builds up around the rim of a jar. For example, "I can't close the dang jam jar. There's too much scrimmage!"
February 12, 2024 at 1:35 AM
If I got to choose the definition of "scrimmage", it would be: the sticky residue that builds up around the rim of a jar. For example, "I can't close the dang jam jar. There's too much scrimmage!"
Just saw that my husband misspelled "ottoman" as "automan" in a shared document, and I thought to myself, "time to share this with the world." Seemed like as good a time as any to create a Bluesky account.
February 8, 2024 at 10:42 PM
Just saw that my husband misspelled "ottoman" as "automan" in a shared document, and I thought to myself, "time to share this with the world." Seemed like as good a time as any to create a Bluesky account.