Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
@mwfrancis.bsky.social
Social worker. Educator. Activist. Researcher on substance use recovery. Views are my own. They/them ♿ 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️
There is a glorious museum in Amsterdam devoted to him, and (when I was there) it's arranged chronologically. You could see the colors change as he got better and worse, and see the gaps when he was very bad.
I much prefer the art from his "better" periods, and wish he could have had more of that.
I much prefer the art from his "better" periods, and wish he could have had more of that.
This reminds me of a coupla decades ago when the argument du jour was “What if Van Gogh had been medicated for his depression?!” with the implication that he wouldn’t have created art if he wasn’t miserable.
A) fuck that noise
B) Van Gogh didn’t own anybody his art OR his misery
A) fuck that noise
B) Van Gogh didn’t own anybody his art OR his misery
this is why the whole “oh, suffering creates great art” thing is bullshit
you know what’s conducive to art? a roof over your head and food on the table
you know what isn’t? stressing out over where the fuck the rent money is going to come from
you know what’s conducive to art? a roof over your head and food on the table
you know what isn’t? stressing out over where the fuck the rent money is going to come from
February 19, 2026 at 1:42 PM
There is a glorious museum in Amsterdam devoted to him, and (when I was there) it's arranged chronologically. You could see the colors change as he got better and worse, and see the gaps when he was very bad.
I much prefer the art from his "better" periods, and wish he could have had more of that.
I much prefer the art from his "better" periods, and wish he could have had more of that.
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
This is the main reason why I am loud about this at work. Just this semester I have had two nonbinary students tell me that I'm the first nonbinary professor they've had and ask me how I navigate being out at work.
Every trans person who insists on being seen is a living map for those still finding their way.
February 18, 2026 at 1:36 PM
This is the main reason why I am loud about this at work. Just this semester I have had two nonbinary students tell me that I'm the first nonbinary professor they've had and ask me how I navigate being out at work.
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
The second #kakapo chick of the #kakapo2026 breeding season hatched this morning: Hine Taumai-A1-2026 on Ako's nest on Te Kākahu. We transferred the egg from Anchor two nights ago. This is Ako's first-ever chick, which is just a few hours old in this video. #conservation #birds #parrots
February 17, 2026 at 8:27 AM
The second #kakapo chick of the #kakapo2026 breeding season hatched this morning: Hine Taumai-A1-2026 on Ako's nest on Te Kākahu. We transferred the egg from Anchor two nights ago. This is Ako's first-ever chick, which is just a few hours old in this video. #conservation #birds #parrots
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
Today is the first day of Ramadan, the first day of Adar, Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras.
This means that for one reason or another, the majority of humans on the planet have a reason to eat fried food, and that is beautiful.
This means that for one reason or another, the majority of humans on the planet have a reason to eat fried food, and that is beautiful.
Ramadan Mubarak!
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Laissez bon temps rouler!
Hodesh Adar tov!
Y'ALL
⭐
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Laissez bon temps rouler!
Hodesh Adar tov!
Y'ALL
⭐
February 17, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Today is the first day of Ramadan, the first day of Adar, Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras.
This means that for one reason or another, the majority of humans on the planet have a reason to eat fried food, and that is beautiful.
This means that for one reason or another, the majority of humans on the planet have a reason to eat fried food, and that is beautiful.
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
Moon Bird
Jackson Beardy ~ Anishinaabe
1980
Jackson Beardy ~ Anishinaabe
1980
February 18, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Moon Bird
Jackson Beardy ~ Anishinaabe
1980
Jackson Beardy ~ Anishinaabe
1980
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
Yes,,, your boy has taken a ride in the 4 man bobsled,,, but im an adrenaline junkie and needed to try skeleton. And now I’ve officially joined the team and am gonna try to start competing.
66 years old going 66 mph.
66 years old going 66 mph.
February 16, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Yes,,, your boy has taken a ride in the 4 man bobsled,,, but im an adrenaline junkie and needed to try skeleton. And now I’ve officially joined the team and am gonna try to start competing.
66 years old going 66 mph.
66 years old going 66 mph.
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
douglas adams was our most accurate futurist
We are at an airport restaurant. A robot just drove up to us with our food, said, "Hi! Here I am!" and then drove away with our food.
February 15, 2026 at 10:10 PM
douglas adams was our most accurate futurist
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
When I first transitioned, I would drive a mile to a public gender neutral bathroom rather than use one at work. I found out later a dozen staff held “meetings” about what they would do if I used the women’s room. I was their boss’s boss at the time, still had no recourse, just had to let it happen.
The BBC reporting on Beth Upton’s current employment situation is definitely not in the public interest, and it is insane how much the British press freely get away with harassing her for the crime of simply living her life existing as a trans person in the UK.
February 15, 2026 at 1:47 PM
When I first transitioned, I would drive a mile to a public gender neutral bathroom rather than use one at work. I found out later a dozen staff held “meetings” about what they would do if I used the women’s room. I was their boss’s boss at the time, still had no recourse, just had to let it happen.
Ok, where tf is the nougat, because that's the worst one, always. Of these, it's the raspberry. I like raspberry. But these taste like chemical sadness imagining raspberry flavor.
February 15, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Ok, where tf is the nougat, because that's the worst one, always. Of these, it's the raspberry. I like raspberry. But these taste like chemical sadness imagining raspberry flavor.
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
Our now-deceased beloved cat once decided that she needed to teach my daughter to be a good mouser. She started by catching a mouse and crippling it and releasing it in my daughter's bedroom in the middle of the night . . .
February 15, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Our now-deceased beloved cat once decided that she needed to teach my daughter to be a good mouser. She started by catching a mouse and crippling it and releasing it in my daughter's bedroom in the middle of the night . . .
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
Franzi Schimmer captured this Grizzly bear in Brooks Falls, Alaska just floating along, tippy-tapping down the river, browsing the salmon.
Prior to hibernation, up to 40% of a bear's body mass is fat, which is less dense than water (~0.9 g/cm^2), so the murder-monster is also a floaty-boaty.
Prior to hibernation, up to 40% of a bear's body mass is fat, which is less dense than water (~0.9 g/cm^2), so the murder-monster is also a floaty-boaty.
February 14, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Franzi Schimmer captured this Grizzly bear in Brooks Falls, Alaska just floating along, tippy-tapping down the river, browsing the salmon.
Prior to hibernation, up to 40% of a bear's body mass is fat, which is less dense than water (~0.9 g/cm^2), so the murder-monster is also a floaty-boaty.
Prior to hibernation, up to 40% of a bear's body mass is fat, which is less dense than water (~0.9 g/cm^2), so the murder-monster is also a floaty-boaty.
Listen. I regularly drove the beltway coming home from college, sleep-deprived and brain-fogged from exams, and the distraction of the goddamn Mormon temple all lit up like Oz was enough to make me nearly wreck more than once. I cannot imagine the mayhem a Sphere display would cause
Nobody has studied Sphere's effect on Las Vegas drivers. But what we know about the distractions of dynamic digital billboards — to say nothing of Maryland drivers — should have us all worried about putting a Sphere on the Beltway at National Harbor www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
What Happens When a Sphere Comes to Maryland
A giant orb can prove a distraction for drivers.
www.bloomberg.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Listen. I regularly drove the beltway coming home from college, sleep-deprived and brain-fogged from exams, and the distraction of the goddamn Mormon temple all lit up like Oz was enough to make me nearly wreck more than once. I cannot imagine the mayhem a Sphere display would cause
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
My mother was 18 when Black women were able to vote openly. 23 when Roe v. Wade passed. 24 when women were allowed bank accounts in their own names
I was 29 when I lost my right to an abortion. I am 33 & about to lose my right to vote
A pox on every Trump supporter. Hell ain’t hot enough for you.
I was 29 when I lost my right to an abortion. I am 33 & about to lose my right to vote
A pox on every Trump supporter. Hell ain’t hot enough for you.
February 14, 2026 at 9:25 PM
My mother was 18 when Black women were able to vote openly. 23 when Roe v. Wade passed. 24 when women were allowed bank accounts in their own names
I was 29 when I lost my right to an abortion. I am 33 & about to lose my right to vote
A pox on every Trump supporter. Hell ain’t hot enough for you.
I was 29 when I lost my right to an abortion. I am 33 & about to lose my right to vote
A pox on every Trump supporter. Hell ain’t hot enough for you.
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
I am ABSOLUTELY reading this as HARD PROOF that Romans farmed ichthyosaurs.
It is fact now. Sorry.
It is fact now. Sorry.
Ichthyosaur snout and Roman farm found in bypass dig. 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ichthyosaur snout and Roman farm found in Melton bypass digs
Archaeological digs unearth a rich seam of discoveries dating back to prehistory.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 11:52 AM
I am ABSOLUTELY reading this as HARD PROOF that Romans farmed ichthyosaurs.
It is fact now. Sorry.
It is fact now. Sorry.
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
one of the best things I ever found online
February 15, 2026 at 1:40 AM
one of the best things I ever found online
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
“I don't see any plan, any strategy, any end game,” says Pat Parenteau, a professor of environmental law at the University of Vermont. “I don't see anything from this administration, just fuck everything up as much as you can. You can print that.”
Sounds accurate to me.
Sounds accurate to me.
The Fight Over US Climate Rules Is Just Beginning
As the EPA moves to roll back the endangerment finding, which allows it to regulate greenhouse gases, experts predict uncertainty for business and a protracted legal fight.
www.wired.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:53 PM
“I don't see any plan, any strategy, any end game,” says Pat Parenteau, a professor of environmental law at the University of Vermont. “I don't see anything from this administration, just fuck everything up as much as you can. You can print that.”
Sounds accurate to me.
Sounds accurate to me.
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
If there was ever a case for someone to go by "Harold" instead of "Harry," this is it. Yes, this is real, and yes, he's really an obgyn.
www.vahealthprovider.com/results_gene...
www.vahealthprovider.com/results_gene...
February 11, 2026 at 1:57 PM
If there was ever a case for someone to go by "Harold" instead of "Harry," this is it. Yes, this is real, and yes, he's really an obgyn.
www.vahealthprovider.com/results_gene...
www.vahealthprovider.com/results_gene...
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
If Bad Bunny can cover the history of Puerto Rico, colonialism, transatlantic slavery, hemispheric consciousness, as well as contemporary life and politics in under 14 minutes, you can do your 15- or 20-minute conference presentation with time to spare.
February 9, 2026 at 11:56 PM
If Bad Bunny can cover the history of Puerto Rico, colonialism, transatlantic slavery, hemispheric consciousness, as well as contemporary life and politics in under 14 minutes, you can do your 15- or 20-minute conference presentation with time to spare.
I'm on day eleventy-billion of this flu. I'm better but not well, and I am so tired of this crap.
![>>Satire - local woman can't tell if she has a cold or is just experiencing her default 'sick forever' setting
[woman looking out window with face on hand]
mybodyistryingtokillme.com](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dbzmdmsaz6lkhb4tv3culzme/bafkreih4llevc7nxneqd6upjeva6c4l66w3sx5nyhpt2hgvw6vlzqjvg4e@jpeg)
February 10, 2026 at 1:58 PM
I'm on day eleventy-billion of this flu. I'm better but not well, and I am so tired of this crap.
Post a banger not in English? I present: Stromae, who (IMO) produces nothing but bangers
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO1V...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO1V...
February 9, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Post a banger not in English? I present: Stromae, who (IMO) produces nothing but bangers
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO1V...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO1V...
Reposted by Larkin (formerly Mer) Francis, PhD, MSW
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 12:25 PM
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
