Will Ratliffe
@ratliw.bsky.social
Semi-retired enviro liability nerd, favourite season is whichever one I am biking in, passionate restoration volunteer.
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
My annual post about the difference between hoar frost and rime.
Hoar: water vapour transforms directly into frost (deposition). Happens when it's clear and cold and the crystals are small.
Rime: water vapour in the ice forms ice. Happens when warm and foggy. Much longer and long-lived crystals
Hoar: water vapour transforms directly into frost (deposition). Happens when it's clear and cold and the crystals are small.
Rime: water vapour in the ice forms ice. Happens when warm and foggy. Much longer and long-lived crystals
February 13, 2026 at 4:46 AM
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
NEW: City of Calgary is closing the WB exit ramp from 16 Ave to Sarcee Trail after wire snaps were detected on the Bearspaw Feeder Main.
February 13, 2026 at 3:57 PM
NEW: City of Calgary is closing the WB exit ramp from 16 Ave to Sarcee Trail after wire snaps were detected on the Bearspaw Feeder Main.
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
oh is that what they mean by a Faustian bargain
![Redeem Your Faust Coupon!
Within the next few days a Faust Representative will call at your home and present you with a valuable coupon. This Coupon will save you money. Take it to your grocer and redeem it.
Serve appetizing Faust Macaroni or Spaghetti tonight. Be sure to redeem your coupon at once.
[image of Faust pasta]
--St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 5 Apr 1929](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:uuwcnr32gcm7iuzfysuwjvop/bafkreifzezao4x5dtauug4pebpxkt5lgoiog6gnq2yksjl3nzqe7spzlli@jpeg)
February 12, 2026 at 1:46 AM
oh is that what they mean by a Faustian bargain
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
Driver’s pledge: I won’t use my phone while driving b/c I could kill somebody
Pedestrian pledge: I’ll stay focused in crosswalks b/c we know drivers won’t follow their pledge.
#Cargary
Pedestrian pledge: I’ll stay focused in crosswalks b/c we know drivers won’t follow their pledge.
#Cargary
February 12, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Driver’s pledge: I won’t use my phone while driving b/c I could kill somebody
Pedestrian pledge: I’ll stay focused in crosswalks b/c we know drivers won’t follow their pledge.
#Cargary
Pedestrian pledge: I’ll stay focused in crosswalks b/c we know drivers won’t follow their pledge.
#Cargary
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
New edition of The Sprawl kicks off today! We're going to look at how hosting the Olympics—and not hosting 2026—has shaped Calgary. But we're also planning some fun in-person pop-ups. Stay tuned for more details on Analog Week!
What Calgary's Olympic past can show us about our future | The Sprawl
In fractured times, we can come together.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:49 PM
New edition of The Sprawl kicks off today! We're going to look at how hosting the Olympics—and not hosting 2026—has shaped Calgary. But we're also planning some fun in-person pop-ups. Stay tuned for more details on Analog Week!
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
First, the UCP said there was an “election integrity crisis," which led to a voter ID law.
Then a “national unity crisis” → a sovereignty referendum.
Now a “crisis of confidence” in the courts → defunding judges.
There is no evidence of these crises.
The UCP is trying to manufacture them.
Then a “national unity crisis” → a sovereignty referendum.
Now a “crisis of confidence” in the courts → defunding judges.
There is no evidence of these crises.
The UCP is trying to manufacture them.
February 5, 2026 at 1:15 AM
First, the UCP said there was an “election integrity crisis," which led to a voter ID law.
Then a “national unity crisis” → a sovereignty referendum.
Now a “crisis of confidence” in the courts → defunding judges.
There is no evidence of these crises.
The UCP is trying to manufacture them.
Then a “national unity crisis” → a sovereignty referendum.
Now a “crisis of confidence” in the courts → defunding judges.
There is no evidence of these crises.
The UCP is trying to manufacture them.
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
A bleak day in the news biz. Support local journalism, folks. @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social and @livewirecalgary.bsky.social are out here working hard for Calgarians. It's easy to take local journalism for granted but I urge you: please don't.
February 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
A bleak day in the news biz. Support local journalism, folks. @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social and @livewirecalgary.bsky.social are out here working hard for Calgarians. It's easy to take local journalism for granted but I urge you: please don't.
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
This is a post about animal excrement and the English language.
bull$#!% = nonsense/lies
chicken$#!% = petty or cowardly
horse$#!% = nonsense/lies
dog$#!%= low quality
ape$#!% = wild
bat$#!%= crazy
Ordered above from oldest to newest: bull$#!% (1914), bat$#!% (1971).
bull$#!% = nonsense/lies
chicken$#!% = petty or cowardly
horse$#!% = nonsense/lies
dog$#!%= low quality
ape$#!% = wild
bat$#!%= crazy
Ordered above from oldest to newest: bull$#!% (1914), bat$#!% (1971).
February 2, 2026 at 3:23 PM
This is a post about animal excrement and the English language.
bull$#!% = nonsense/lies
chicken$#!% = petty or cowardly
horse$#!% = nonsense/lies
dog$#!%= low quality
ape$#!% = wild
bat$#!%= crazy
Ordered above from oldest to newest: bull$#!% (1914), bat$#!% (1971).
bull$#!% = nonsense/lies
chicken$#!% = petty or cowardly
horse$#!% = nonsense/lies
dog$#!%= low quality
ape$#!% = wild
bat$#!%= crazy
Ordered above from oldest to newest: bull$#!% (1914), bat$#!% (1971).
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
She keeps getting chances to show some loyalty to Canada -- and keeps turning them away in order to defend Alberta separatists and their cause.
It's who she is. It's time we all started saying it. #cdnpoli #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/02/o...
It's who she is. It's time we all started saying it. #cdnpoli #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/02/o...
Yes, Danielle Smith is a separatist
Alberta's premier says she supports "a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada." Her actions tell a much different story — one that makes her position on the issue impossible to ignore.
www.nationalobserver.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:25 PM
She keeps getting chances to show some loyalty to Canada -- and keeps turning them away in order to defend Alberta separatists and their cause.
It's who she is. It's time we all started saying it. #cdnpoli #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/02/o...
It's who she is. It's time we all started saying it. #cdnpoli #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/02/o...
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
Translation: “I can’t say I’m for Canada or my caucus will stab me in the back.”
So I take it they could all vote freely against the legislative train wreck this fall? Do you police that?
www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
Smith says caucus members can sign any petition they want to, including on separation
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says members of her caucus can sign whatever petitions they want to, including one pushing for a referendum on the province’s independence from Canada.
www.ctvnews.ca
February 1, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Translation: “I can’t say I’m for Canada or my caucus will stab me in the back.”
Hey, look at a leaping cat instead of doom scrolling.
January 30, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Hey, look at a leaping cat instead of doom scrolling.
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
This is who the separatists are. Huge thanks to my colleague @arnokopecky.bsky.social for getting that on the record. #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/29/n...
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/29/n...
'They're trying to replace us': the conspiracy theories driving the man behind Alberta separatism
Mitch Sylvestre says the Canadian government is criminal, he has fears of a communist takeover and he's 'cured of federalism.' Arno Kopecky spoke with him about the allegations of coordination with US...
www.nationalobserver.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:45 AM
This is who the separatists are. Huge thanks to my colleague @arnokopecky.bsky.social for getting that on the record. #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/29/n...
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/29/n...
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
In case you wondered who’s on whose side.
“Eby accuses Alberta separatists of ‘treason’ for meeting with U.S. officials”
“Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did not stop to speak with reporters Thursday on her way into the meeting.”
#ableg #cdnpoli
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
“Eby accuses Alberta separatists of ‘treason’ for meeting with U.S. officials”
“Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did not stop to speak with reporters Thursday on her way into the meeting.”
#ableg #cdnpoli
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Eby accuses Alberta separatists of ‘treason’ for meeting with U.S. officials
B.C. Premier says he plans to raise the issue when he meets with Carney and his provincial counterparts
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:31 PM
In case you wondered who’s on whose side.
“Eby accuses Alberta separatists of ‘treason’ for meeting with U.S. officials”
“Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did not stop to speak with reporters Thursday on her way into the meeting.”
#ableg #cdnpoli
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
“Eby accuses Alberta separatists of ‘treason’ for meeting with U.S. officials”
“Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did not stop to speak with reporters Thursday on her way into the meeting.”
#ableg #cdnpoli
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
My name is Craig Baird.
I was born in Calgary, and raised on a rural Alberta acreage surrounded by farms.
I have lived most of my life in Alberta, and I still live in the province.
But I am Canadian first and Albertan second.
I will never support Alberta separation.
I was born in Calgary, and raised on a rural Alberta acreage surrounded by farms.
I have lived most of my life in Alberta, and I still live in the province.
But I am Canadian first and Albertan second.
I will never support Alberta separation.
January 29, 2026 at 3:52 PM
My name is Craig Baird.
I was born in Calgary, and raised on a rural Alberta acreage surrounded by farms.
I have lived most of my life in Alberta, and I still live in the province.
But I am Canadian first and Albertan second.
I will never support Alberta separation.
I was born in Calgary, and raised on a rural Alberta acreage surrounded by farms.
I have lived most of my life in Alberta, and I still live in the province.
But I am Canadian first and Albertan second.
I will never support Alberta separation.
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
1/ I am more than happy to sign a pledge, affirming to my constituents in Calgary-Glenmore that I oppose the separation of Alberta from Canada.
January 29, 2026 at 4:05 PM
1/ I am more than happy to sign a pledge, affirming to my constituents in Calgary-Glenmore that I oppose the separation of Alberta from Canada.
This is stepping up. We all need to look at what we will do to actively fight against Danielle Smith, TBA, and MAGA.
January 28, 2026 at 2:21 AM
This is stepping up. We all need to look at what we will do to actively fight against Danielle Smith, TBA, and MAGA.
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
The front page of Alberta Courts website is now joint statement by chief justices of all three court levels, proclaiming the importance of judicial independence. albertacourts.ca
January 27, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The front page of Alberta Courts website is now joint statement by chief justices of all three court levels, proclaiming the importance of judicial independence. albertacourts.ca
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
Comes a few weeks after Danielle Smith derided courts as "gatekeepers" getting in way of democracy, and used legislation to quash judge's ruling on validity of separatist referendum. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
January 27, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Comes a few weeks after Danielle Smith derided courts as "gatekeepers" getting in way of democracy, and used legislation to quash judge's ruling on validity of separatist referendum. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
Most of us aren’t panicking.
We’re just tired of things feeling so fragile.
Riding your bike to work won’t fix the world.
But it will fix Tuesday morning.
#transportnotsport #thingsthatalwayswork #heretoserve
We’re just tired of things feeling so fragile.
Riding your bike to work won’t fix the world.
But it will fix Tuesday morning.
#transportnotsport #thingsthatalwayswork #heretoserve
January 27, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Most of us aren’t panicking.
We’re just tired of things feeling so fragile.
Riding your bike to work won’t fix the world.
But it will fix Tuesday morning.
#transportnotsport #thingsthatalwayswork #heretoserve
We’re just tired of things feeling so fragile.
Riding your bike to work won’t fix the world.
But it will fix Tuesday morning.
#transportnotsport #thingsthatalwayswork #heretoserve
Danielle Smith and the UCP are a direct threat to Canada. They see Minneapolis with delight and think Calgary and Edmonton.
Pay attention folks. Danielle Smith and the Alberta MAGA machine are using the Donbas playbook.
This isn't about "independence" it is about sedition and subservience to Trump.
This isn't about "independence" it is about sedition and subservience to Trump.
January 27, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Danielle Smith and the UCP are a direct threat to Canada. They see Minneapolis with delight and think Calgary and Edmonton.
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
Dear @paulbrandt1.bsky.social
CTV is reporting that you are cheering on those who would break up our country.
You should come clean with Canadians.
If you are cheering the quislings, stop cashing in on our beautiful flag.
CTV is reporting that you are cheering on those who would break up our country.
You should come clean with Canadians.
If you are cheering the quislings, stop cashing in on our beautiful flag.
January 26, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Dear @paulbrandt1.bsky.social
CTV is reporting that you are cheering on those who would break up our country.
You should come clean with Canadians.
If you are cheering the quislings, stop cashing in on our beautiful flag.
CTV is reporting that you are cheering on those who would break up our country.
You should come clean with Canadians.
If you are cheering the quislings, stop cashing in on our beautiful flag.
How about the UCP response? Proactive surrender followed by active support.
This says it all. Poilievre and his weak, cowardly MAGA CONS would sell out Canada in a second. They would bend a knee to the Trump without a fight. Pathetic. #cdnpoli
January 26, 2026 at 3:24 PM
How about the UCP response? Proactive surrender followed by active support.
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
This is what Alberta separatists stand for.
If you want to put an end to this treason, please sign up as #ForeverCanadian supporter at:
Forever-Canadian.ca
This will allow us to organize and communicate with you.
#ableg #cdnpoli
If you want to put an end to this treason, please sign up as #ForeverCanadian supporter at:
Forever-Canadian.ca
This will allow us to organize and communicate with you.
#ableg #cdnpoli
January 25, 2026 at 1:12 AM
This is what Alberta separatists stand for.
If you want to put an end to this treason, please sign up as #ForeverCanadian supporter at:
Forever-Canadian.ca
This will allow us to organize and communicate with you.
#ableg #cdnpoli
If you want to put an end to this treason, please sign up as #ForeverCanadian supporter at:
Forever-Canadian.ca
This will allow us to organize and communicate with you.
#ableg #cdnpoli
Reposted by Will Ratliffe
In a way, Trumpworld’s new hunger for Alberta is a big blow to the province’s separatist campaign: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
ANALYSIS | The more Trump allies covet Alberta, the less popular separatism may get | CBC News
Independence movement leaders cheer on U.S. cabinet member's praise, but resist talk of Alberta becoming part of States.
www.cbc.ca
January 24, 2026 at 4:33 PM
In a way, Trumpworld’s new hunger for Alberta is a big blow to the province’s separatist campaign: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me