Polly Atkin
@pollyrowena.bsky.social
Writer, Lake-swimmer, Bookseller.
FRSL
hEDS/Haemochromatosis/all the comorbs
she/her
rep @PortyLiterary
Basic Nest Architecture
Much with Body
Recovering Dorothy
Some Of Us Just Fall
The Company of Owls
https://linktr.ee/pollyatkin
FRSL
hEDS/Haemochromatosis/all the comorbs
she/her
rep @PortyLiterary
Basic Nest Architecture
Much with Body
Recovering Dorothy
Some Of Us Just Fall
The Company of Owls
https://linktr.ee/pollyatkin
Unprecedented (verb, past participle)
'removal of the leader of a country by force', most usually during the night, and outside international law, 2026.
alt spelling: unpresidented, 2026.
'removal of the leader of a country by force', most usually during the night, and outside international law, 2026.
alt spelling: unpresidented, 2026.
January 5, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Unprecedented (verb, past participle)
'removal of the leader of a country by force', most usually during the night, and outside international law, 2026.
alt spelling: unpresidented, 2026.
'removal of the leader of a country by force', most usually during the night, and outside international law, 2026.
alt spelling: unpresidented, 2026.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Zack Polanski nails Keir Starmer
January 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Zack Polanski nails Keir Starmer
Reposted by Polly Atkin
‘I am a decent man’: inside Nicolás Maduro’s first US court hearing ft.trib.al/ZZeotl4
‘I am a decent man’: inside Nicolás Maduro’s first US court hearing
Deposed Venezuelan leader and wife appear in New York courtroom for first time since their capture in Caracas
ft.trib.al
January 5, 2026 at 7:02 PM
‘I am a decent man’: inside Nicolás Maduro’s first US court hearing ft.trib.al/ZZeotl4
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Just Palestine. On a list. A country producing art alongside the other countries. Something powerful, something SO simple.
The genocide continues, but the world around it is changing. May we soon see the end of the apartheid, the occupation, the horror that brought us here.
The genocide continues, but the world around it is changing. May we soon see the end of the apartheid, the occupation, the horror that brought us here.
January 5, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Just Palestine. On a list. A country producing art alongside the other countries. Something powerful, something SO simple.
The genocide continues, but the world around it is changing. May we soon see the end of the apartheid, the occupation, the horror that brought us here.
The genocide continues, but the world around it is changing. May we soon see the end of the apartheid, the occupation, the horror that brought us here.
Wassail! Happy Twelfth Night. Here is Mikle staring out at the bright icy sun earlier waiting patiently to be crowned king for the day. Though who he is kidding? He may play the fool but we all know the household runs to his (mis)rule at all times. #Wassail #TwelfthNight #Christmastide #EpiphanyEve
January 5, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Wassail! Happy Twelfth Night. Here is Mikle staring out at the bright icy sun earlier waiting patiently to be crowned king for the day. Though who he is kidding? He may play the fool but we all know the household runs to his (mis)rule at all times. #Wassail #TwelfthNight #Christmastide #EpiphanyEve
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Happy All The Emails Day, everyone in publishing!
January 5, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Happy All The Emails Day, everyone in publishing!
Reposted by Polly Atkin
BBC journalists have been banned from describing the kidnapped Venezuelan leader as having been kidnapped.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
January 5, 2026 at 1:19 PM
BBC journalists have been banned from describing the kidnapped Venezuelan leader as having been kidnapped.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
Your yearly reminder that nothing bad is going to happen if you don’t take your decorations down by the 6th. The idea it’s bad luck is a modern invention. Probably from trying to get everyone to stop feasting & get back to work 😜 Keep your sparkles and greenery as long as you want to!
Why you should leave up your Christmas decorations until February
To bring cheer to the winter months, follow medieval tradition and keep your Christmas decorations up until 2 February
www.english-heritage.org.uk
January 4, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Your yearly reminder that nothing bad is going to happen if you don’t take your decorations down by the 6th. The idea it’s bad luck is a modern invention. Probably from trying to get everyone to stop feasting & get back to work 😜 Keep your sparkles and greenery as long as you want to!
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Im in my late 40s, and im just flashing back to every ‘justified’ regime change and invasion for decades, every ‘weapons of mass destruction’ lie, every ‘evil communists’ trope bought and sold by politicians, journalists and people, and all the incredible suffering that followed
January 3, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Im in my late 40s, and im just flashing back to every ‘justified’ regime change and invasion for decades, every ‘weapons of mass destruction’ lie, every ‘evil communists’ trope bought and sold by politicians, journalists and people, and all the incredible suffering that followed
Reposted by Polly Atkin
This war and extra-judicial kidnapping is patently illegal and unconstitutional. Political leaders on both sides must condemn it. It’s not about whether Maduro is a tyrant but whether the US is still governed by laws and the Constitution. As if this morning, we are clearly not.
January 3, 2026 at 12:27 PM
This war and extra-judicial kidnapping is patently illegal and unconstitutional. Political leaders on both sides must condemn it. It’s not about whether Maduro is a tyrant but whether the US is still governed by laws and the Constitution. As if this morning, we are clearly not.
Mikle has decided to take up the piano in 2026.
January 2, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Mikle has decided to take up the piano in 2026.
I don't know who needs to hear this but here's some New Year wisdom from the deer of Grasmere. #NewYear #NewYearOldMe #NewYearsDay #Resolutions #January #Deer #Poetry
January 1, 2026 at 9:30 PM
I don't know who needs to hear this but here's some New Year wisdom from the deer of Grasmere. #NewYear #NewYearOldMe #NewYearsDay #Resolutions #January #Deer #Poetry
Spirit of the old new year
December 31, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Spirit of the old new year
As promised watching this tonight after watching the 1938 version last year. Amazed to find Edward Everett Horton playing the same role in both. And that Hepburn understudied Linda in the 1928 play.
December 31, 2025 at 9:21 PM
As promised watching this tonight after watching the 1938 version last year. Amazed to find Edward Everett Horton playing the same role in both. And that Hepburn understudied Linda in the 1928 play.
Gosh I wonder why so many people have been presenting at A&E with coughs in the last four years. It's a mystery really isn't it.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Surge in People Visiting A&E for Minor Ailments
NHS England figures show increase in patients using A&E to deal with common ailments.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Gosh I wonder why so many people have been presenting at A&E with coughs in the last four years. It's a mystery really isn't it.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
This on a big sign. Get asked most times we’re out and it’s more than tiresome. Better than the people who won’t leave it alone, or those who send emails or sm messages to the shop with conspiracy theories but it’s all apart of the same sense of entitlement and casual harassment.
PSA: You don’t owe anyone an explanation about the health reasons why you are wearing a mask.
Badgering others about the tools they need to survive is stigmatizing and ableist, and should have no place in decent society.
Badgering others about the tools they need to survive is stigmatizing and ableist, and should have no place in decent society.
December 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
This on a big sign. Get asked most times we’re out and it’s more than tiresome. Better than the people who won’t leave it alone, or those who send emails or sm messages to the shop with conspiracy theories but it’s all apart of the same sense of entitlement and casual harassment.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Wrote about how disappointing it is that Jon Stewart punched down on people masking at @motherjones.com, when people should mind their own business and leave mask wearers be. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Hey Jon Stewart, jokes about wearing masks aren't funny
Critics of the Daily Show host say he's a hypocrite.
www.motherjones.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Wrote about how disappointing it is that Jon Stewart punched down on people masking at @motherjones.com, when people should mind their own business and leave mask wearers be. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
On the fourth day of Christmas the winds may bring to you a migrant #ShortEaredOwl - just the time they may be arriving on our coasts after their long journey. Here's a little tale about two we saw around new year this year. #Owls #TheCompanyOfOwls #TweetOfTheDay www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
December 28, 2025 at 12:32 PM
On the fourth day of Christmas the winds may bring to you a migrant #ShortEaredOwl - just the time they may be arriving on our coasts after their long journey. Here's a little tale about two we saw around new year this year. #Owls #TheCompanyOfOwls #TweetOfTheDay www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Our 20 top selling books at Sam Read's for 2025 look like this! Top 5 were:
1. Rory Stewart, Middleland
2. Polly Atkin, The Company of Owls HB
3. Esther Rutter, All Before Me
4. David Nicholls, You Are Here
5. Stephen G Rae, Folklore of the Lake District
1. Rory Stewart, Middleland
2. Polly Atkin, The Company of Owls HB
3. Esther Rutter, All Before Me
4. David Nicholls, You Are Here
5. Stephen G Rae, Folklore of the Lake District
December 28, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Our 20 top selling books at Sam Read's for 2025 look like this! Top 5 were:
1. Rory Stewart, Middleland
2. Polly Atkin, The Company of Owls HB
3. Esther Rutter, All Before Me
4. David Nicholls, You Are Here
5. Stephen G Rae, Folklore of the Lake District
1. Rory Stewart, Middleland
2. Polly Atkin, The Company of Owls HB
3. Esther Rutter, All Before Me
4. David Nicholls, You Are Here
5. Stephen G Rae, Folklore of the Lake District
Reposted by Polly Atkin
‘Rise in deaths’ predicted as amber cold health alerts issued in northern England
‘Rise in deaths’ predicted as amber cold health alerts issued in northern England
UKHSA warns vulnerable and elderly people may be at risk with temperatures to drop severely overnight
Amber cold health alerts have been issued for northern England, with low temperatures predicted to cause a “rise in deaths” among vulnerable and elderly people.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued two amber warnings for north-east and north-west England, which will be in place between 8pm on Sunday until midday on Monday 5 January. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:07 PM
‘Rise in deaths’ predicted as amber cold health alerts issued in northern England
On the fourth day of Christmas the winds may bring to you a migrant #ShortEaredOwl - just the time they may be arriving on our coasts after their long journey. Here's a little tale about two we saw around new year this year. #Owls #TheCompanyOfOwls #TweetOfTheDay www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
December 28, 2025 at 12:32 PM
On the fourth day of Christmas the winds may bring to you a migrant #ShortEaredOwl - just the time they may be arriving on our coasts after their long journey. Here's a little tale about two we saw around new year this year. #Owls #TheCompanyOfOwls #TweetOfTheDay www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
woke up to find a frost in the garden and the bird feeders emptied again, but that meant that a flock of long tailed tits and all the other tits and a nuthatch were visiting the feeder by the living room window.
Daily #BirdWatch (1/4)
Heard: Robin, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, House Sparrow, Redwing, Fieldfare, Starling, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Song Thrush,
#UKBirding
Heard: Robin, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, House Sparrow, Redwing, Fieldfare, Starling, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Song Thrush,
#UKBirding
December 28, 2025 at 12:05 PM
woke up to find a frost in the garden and the bird feeders emptied again, but that meant that a flock of long tailed tits and all the other tits and a nuthatch were visiting the feeder by the living room window.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
losers mocking folks forced to DIY public health can't fathom the endurance required to wear an N95 in public spaces
they'd never abide the physical discomfort + outright malice from strangers, colleagues & loved ones
but those with integrity see fellow maskers & see tireless fking accomplices 😷🫡
they'd never abide the physical discomfort + outright malice from strangers, colleagues & loved ones
but those with integrity see fellow maskers & see tireless fking accomplices 😷🫡
Dear Jon Stewart c/o @weeklyshowpodcast.bsky.social
I recently watched, with great surprise and disappointment, a weeklyshowpodcast segment in which you and other "personalities," gleefully mocked and derided the relatively small subset of individuals who continue to wear a face mask in public.
I recently watched, with great surprise and disappointment, a weeklyshowpodcast segment in which you and other "personalities," gleefully mocked and derided the relatively small subset of individuals who continue to wear a face mask in public.
December 28, 2025 at 1:36 AM
losers mocking folks forced to DIY public health can't fathom the endurance required to wear an N95 in public spaces
they'd never abide the physical discomfort + outright malice from strangers, colleagues & loved ones
but those with integrity see fellow maskers & see tireless fking accomplices 😷🫡
they'd never abide the physical discomfort + outright malice from strangers, colleagues & loved ones
but those with integrity see fellow maskers & see tireless fking accomplices 😷🫡
Reposted by Polly Atkin
ICYMI I wrote about this classic Icelandic novella, originally written in Danish. A perfect midwinter tale. Translated by Philip Roughton.
“Here he walked. He walked here.” Advent by Gunnar Gunnarsson roughghosts.com/2025/12/26/h...
“Here he walked. He walked here.” Advent by Gunnar Gunnarsson roughghosts.com/2025/12/26/h...
“Here he walked. He walked here.” Advent by Gunnar Gunnarsson
He walked so well here. The snow-covered mountains seemed so low and distant in the moonlight, and here and there touches of starlight glittered against the glossy-black nighttime ice. Such a walk …
roughghosts.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:14 AM
ICYMI I wrote about this classic Icelandic novella, originally written in Danish. A perfect midwinter tale. Translated by Philip Roughton.
“Here he walked. He walked here.” Advent by Gunnar Gunnarsson roughghosts.com/2025/12/26/h...
“Here he walked. He walked here.” Advent by Gunnar Gunnarsson roughghosts.com/2025/12/26/h...