Laura Roberts
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locaphi.bsky.social
Laura Roberts
@locaphi.bsky.social
340 followers 1.1K following 16 posts
Cat owner, snake custodian. Avid reader, sci-fi & fantasy lover, sport follower, lawyer and general life observer.
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Reposted by Laura Roberts
hollyqueenofspayeds.com
HERRO
A ridiculous tuxedo cat somehow bending round a corner while also waving hello with his silly little paw
December 18, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
garius.bsky.social
🌲 THE BIG CHRISTMAS GIFT THREAD! 🌲

If you are a creator or small shop/business, reply to this post with:

- pics and a brief description of what you do (don't forget the alt text!)
- a link or details on how people can buy

I will boost you!

Everyone else: buy the cool things! Repost this post! ⛄
December 3, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
diane.dianeduane.com
It's #SmallBusinessSaturday, and at #Ebooks Direct, our #sale continues! Here's one of the most ridiculously reduced offers in the store: the "All The #Wizardry" bundle—18 ebooks, today available for $14.99! (Seriously, we must need our heads felt.) So grab one now! ebooks.direct/products/you...
Young Wizards "All The Wizardry" Bundle
This bundle contains all the Young Wizards material in the Ebooks Direct inventory. That's nineteen ebooks, containing: The nine New Millennium Editions of the main-sequence Young Wizards novels The ...
ebooks.direct
November 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
diane.dianeduane.com
Just reminding everyone that it's #BlackFriday at #Ebooks Direct. Come take advantage of us! :) ebooks.direct/pages/our-20...
Outside of Jupiter's orbit: a monolith with the Ebooks Direct logo carved into it. Seriously, someone had some time to spare over their lunch hour...
November 28, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
hollyqueenofspayeds.com
I've just updated the available cats page, we have some REALLY special kitties in and some of them have been waiting ages. Their forever home might be on your timeline, please share? 🥰
Moggies looking for homes
After hearing 50,000 times that we should put the available cats on the website, we’ve made a page! Hooray! However, it is still just me doing most of the work in the shelter. So there’…
hollysmerrymoggies.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
hollyqueenofspayeds.com
Sunday is 5 years since I adopted the most ridiculous wobbly little man the world has ever seen.

I think you know what has to happen. It's gonna be ✨ SMOL PAUL DAY ✨
A ridiculous tuxedo kitten with the silliest face I've ever seen. This picture still cracks me up every single time. How is he so himself
November 27, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
diane.dianeduane.com
There is NO FUCKING EXCUSE for this to be happening.

I had a baby die in my arms of pertussis some fifty years ago. It was a HORRIBLE death. But my fellow nurses said to me, "It's almost stamped out now, they're all getting the shots, we won't be seeing this again."

HOW THE FUCK ARE WE HERE. 😡
jessdkant.bsky.social Jessica Kant @jessdkant.bsky.social · 25d
A third infant has died in Kentucky, KYDPH adds:

“These are Kentucky’s first pertussis deaths since 2018. None of the infants nor their mothers received the recommended pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy or early infancy.”

s3.amazonaws.com/nursing-netw...
Kentucky Public Health KENTUCKY HEALTH ALERT Increase in Pertussis in Kentucky Recommendations for Identification and Prevention November 21, 2025 Kentucky health officials are alerting providers that cases of pertussis ("whooping cough") have increased steadily across the Commonwealth in recent weeks. To date, 566 cases of pertussis have been reported in Kentucky in 2025, the highest number of cases in the Commonwealth since 2012. This follows a trend that was first announced in July 2024 when pertussis cases began increasing in Kentucky to levels not seen in over a decade. Health officials anticipate that pertussis will continue to increase during the winter months based on historic trends. Many U.S. states and other countries are also experiencing elevated levels of pertussis. Many of the recent cases have occurred in young infants, and health officials also recently confirmed the third pertussis-related death in a Kentucky infant within the last year. This follows two other infant deaths that were announced in June. These are Kentucky's first pertussis deaths since 2018. None of the infants nor their mothers received the recommended pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy or early infancy. Health officials urge all Kentuckians to remain up to date on recommended pertussis immunizations and emphasize the importance of maternal immunization during pregnancy, and for all infants beginning promptly at two months of age. Health officials also encourage providers to consider pertussis as a diagnosis in addition to circulating seasonal respiratory viruses such as influenza, RSV and COVID-19. A significant number of cases have also occurred in school-aged children, many of whom were up to date on pertussis vaccination. Immunity from vaccination or natural infection wanes over time so infections can occur in people who are fully vaccinated. However, the vaccine is known to reduce disease severity, and hospitalization among vaccinated individuals is rare. The Kentucky Dep… Kentucky Public Health regularly in Kentucky, however an increase beyond the expected background rate has been reported in recent weeks. Though pertussis vaccination (DTaP or Tdap) is available and widely implemented, B. pertussis continues to spread in the U.S. due to lack of vaccination or timely boosters, the lack of lifelong immunity from vaccination or natural infection and the long duration of infectiousness in untreated cases. Symptoms of pertussis usually begin with a runny or congested nose, a low-grade fever, and mild coughing; apnea/stopping breathing can also occur in infants. After one to two weeks, the cough can progress to rapid, violent (paroxysmal) coughing fits that can cause the "whooping" sound, vomiting or labored breathing. Young children are the most severely affected; most teens and adults will have mild symptoms. People with preexisting health conditions that may be worsened by whooping cough are at high risk for developing a severe infection. Testing for Pertussis: The preferred methods for pertussis testing include nasal pharyngeal (NP) swab or nasal wash via PCR testing or culture. PCR has optimal sensitivity during the first three weeks of cough, is widely available at commercial laboratories and has a fast turnaround time. Culture is considered the gold standard due to excellent specificity but may take longer to complete. Serology for antibodies to B. pertussis is available at many commercial laboratories, however, serologic assays are not generally recommended for primary diagnosis of pertussis due to variability and unknown clinical accuracy. The most promising serologic assays are those that measure IgG antibodies against pertussis toxin only and are collected two to eight weeks following cough onset. Prevention of Pertussis: Prevention of pertussis is primarily achieved through routine vaccination with DTaP (ages two months to six years) and Tdap (ages seven years and older), followed by appropriate booster doses. Vaccination of pr… Bordetella parapertussis B. parapertussis is a bacterium that is similar to B. pertussis and can cause pertussis-like illness but does not produce pertussis toxin. Symptoms of parapertussis are typically milder and infection may be asymptomatic. There is no vaccine for B. parapertussis and post-exposure prophylaxis is not recommended, however treatment recommendations for symptomatic patients are the same as those for B. pertussis. B. parapertussis is not reportable in Kentucky. Thank you for your attention to this alert and guidance. The KDPH pertussis website includes supplemental resources, including a pertussis quicksheet with additional information that providers may find useful. If you have questions regarding reporting, testing, or prevention of pertussis or other infectious diseases, please contact the Kentucky Immunization Branch at (502) 564-4478 or after hours by calling the KDPH Epidemiology on-call line at 888-9-REPORT (888-973-7678). Our Mission: To improve the health and safety of people in Kentucky through Prevention, Promotion, and Protection
November 25, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
bbcstever.bsky.social
This morning I played the Brahms Lullaby on ‘Broadcasting House’ on BBC Radio 4. Wishing everyone, everywhere calmer, more peaceful times.
November 16, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
diane.dianeduane.com
This is the Way. 😄
lockdownyourlife.com Lock Down Your Life @lockdownyourlife.com · Sep 13
This week has been a long year. But you know what to do. 😍
November 9, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
wilwheaton.net
I’m a reasonably successful person. I have great friends, I am so close to my adult children. I am married to my best friend. I get to do cool things. I love my job. Making these choices is a big part of my happiness.
please, practice kindness.
Next Thursday, October 23, I am speaking at the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center’s 55th Anniversary Gala. We hope to raise some money to help them help our neighbors, and I’m going to share my story, which I hope inspires someone to take the first step on their...
wilwheaton.net
October 17, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
diane.dianeduane.com
There's no reason #YoungWizards can't go trick-or-treating. But the results may be unexpected... At #Ebooks Direct, as the Spooky Season gets going: NOT ON MY PATCH. ebooks.direct/products/not...
Background: A pumpkin that seems to have... unusual eyes. Foreground captioning: "Too much candy corn. Too many zombies. And Ultimate Evil with a pumpkin spice latte. ...Tag along on a Young Wizards Halloween. Now at Ebooks Direct."
October 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
amalelmohtar.com
Was reminded in conversation with a student at @banffcentre.bsky.social of this thing I wrote a few years ago, & thought it worth sharing again.
The Blessed Unrest of Women Talking
On April 12, while scrolling the wilderness of Twitter, I saw Ellen Kushner post an excerpt from Agnes de Mille's 1991 biography of Martha Graham (Martha: The Life and Work of Martha Graham). It thril...
amalelmohtar.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
jezcox.bsky.social
It's Geraint Thomas' last day of his racing career, ending in Cardiff today.
Do reply below with your favourite memory or thing about him and his amazing career.
We're covering the whole stage on TNT / Discovery Plus / HBO Max and I'd love to read as many out as I can.
September 7, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
radial.racing
Follow live coverage in our Vuelta Live Feed and use #VueltaLIVE to have your commentary included there!
August 31, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
charlottekulset.bsky.social
Hey cycling Bluesky!

My husband @magnuskulset.bsky.social is looking for a team for 2026 onwards.

He’s 25, weighs 56kg, speaks fluent English, Spanish + Italian and these are his numbers:

Email: magnus.kulset@gmail.com

Please share 🙌🏻
August 29, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
diane.dianeduane.com
Just a reminder: our #Ebooks Direct #Summer Reading #Sale is still in progress! Buy direct from the author and save. https://ebooks.direct/pages/our-summer-reading-sale (Offer not valid in U.K., sorry.)
Two wizards (one cetacean, one human) share a joke from an ebook on one’s iPad.
August 28, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
tkingfisher.com
Hello, UK fans! HEMLOCK & SILVER is out today! Waterstones even has a special edition!
August 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
garius.bsky.social
RIGHT.

That's 10k. So you're getting a month of history threads.

If it hits 12k I'll FINALLY sit down and do the proper series on Military Holy Orders on YouTube people keep asking for.

Knights Hospitallers defending Protestants against the Pope! The Leper Order! The full works!
August 9, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
garius.bsky.social
Righto. Guess I have an official charity now.

So a promise: If you lot help Holly hit her target, I'll do you a weird history thread every week for a month.

Let's help some kitties!
August 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
diane.dianeduane.com
At #Ebooks Direct, it's that time of year again! Our Summer Reading #Sale is on. Stop in and score some "escape" reading at reduced prices! ebooks.direct/pages/our-su...
A young wizard (and a more senior one) relax on Mars in the company of a machine-based colleague
August 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
diane.dianeduane.com
#YoungWizardsMeta :)
archaeohawke.bsky.social Jon Hawke @archaeohawke.bsky.social · Jul 25
#FindsFriday
The hoard was found in late September 1868 by two boys, Jim Quin and Paddy Flanagan, digging in a potato field on the south-western side of a rath (ring fort) called Reerasta, beside the village of Ardagh, County Limerick, #Ireland. (See Alt.)
#History #Art
Image description The Ardagh Chalice, eighth century AD: 15 cm high, now in the National Museum of Ireland. In County Limerick in the last century a boy digging potatoes uncovereda silver chalice, a bronze chalice and four brooches. The main find, the Ardagh Chalice, is made of silver, bronze and gold, with rock crystal and glass added within the decorations. The chalice, which must have formed an important part of a great monastic collection, is decorated lavishly with 'ultimate La Tene scrolls, plain interlace, animal interlace, plaits and frets... and is further described by its custodians as 'the finest piece of eighth-century metalwork that has ever come to light.'
July 25, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
matildaprice.bsky.social
WCW is hundreds of issues in now and there's STILL ppl who don't read the most valuable resource in women's cycling!

Lulah is doing a great job whilst Amy is on maternity leave (cos the WCW team are that dedicated to keep it going!) pls support ❤️
lulahwithcon.bsky.social lulah 🌟 @lulahwithcon.bsky.social · Jul 11
WCW is out! perfect for if you've been struggling to keep up with the Giro among all the tour action
The battle continues
+ it's raining, it's pouring
open.substack.com
July 11, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
sheridespodcast.bsky.social
🎶 “You should see me in a crown...”

But hearing her on She Rides? Even better.
Cat Ferguson joins the podcast this Saturday.

👑 Don’t miss it!
July 11, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by Laura Roberts
thebritishcontinental.co.uk
Beeston CC and the University of Derby have introduced a new FdA that enables aspiring racers to balance morning chain gangs with afternoon lectures, gaining a degree without abandoning their dream of turning professional.

thebritishcontinental.co.uk/2025/06/13/i...
Inside the new foundation degree allowing cyclists to combine their training and education
Beeston CC and the University of Derby have launched a new FdA that lets budding racers juggle morning chain-gangs with afternoon lectures, earning a degree without shelving their dream of turning …
thebritishcontinental.co.uk
July 6, 2025 at 9:28 AM