Shell Peters
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shellpeters1.bsky.social
Shell Peters
@shellpeters1.bsky.social
Author. Gardner. Optimistic cynic. Warning: Contents under pressure.

@ShellPeters@clacks.link
A moment of funny for today. I relate to this one so very much, not least because I have had the reputation of "oh, it's you, you know your stuff, we're automatically bumping you up to the engineers" in multiple locations (personal) and jobs (professional).

xkcd.com/806/
Tech Support
xkcd.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Yes, the situation is still very bad. Another useful link: www.standwithminnesota.com
Stand With Minnesota
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
www.standwithminnesota.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Ugh. Grumpy this morning for a lot of reasons, including the credulity of the major media outlet headlines. Today's #musicforthe2ndcrisis is Aretha reminding all of us not to be foolish. Look. Listen. Speak out. Act and keep acting.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j9D...
Aretha Franklin • “Chain Of Fools” • LIVE 1968 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]
YouTube video by ReelinInTheYears66
www.youtube.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:09 PM
It's that time...
Voters! Get out your nomination lists if you have them and go vote!
Writers! Remind us please please pretty please of your eligible works so we can remember, fill in gaps on our lists (or create them), and nominate you! #Hugos #HugoAwards
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Hugo Awards!

Emails are going out to eligible nominators (those who became a member of LAcon V by January 31, 2026, or were a member of the Seattle Worldcon 2025) about how to set up their LAcon V virtual convention account.
February 12, 2026 at 4:23 AM
Need a little energy to get through Wednesday? Today's #musicforthe2ndcrisis has you covered. Remember, we can do it for ourselves - and each other - as so many already are.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=drGx...
Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves (Remastered)
YouTube video by EurythmicsVEVO
www.youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Tonight's "I need to use this" soup included potatoes, chicken, various veggies, much garlic, and a generous pinch of saffron. It is very, very, very tasty, we should have leftovers for days, and no vampires will be able to get within 100 yards of us. #cooking
February 11, 2026 at 3:35 AM
So much this. My congressfolk are probably getting tired of hearing from me on the matter, but I will continue to urge them to find their fortitude.
three older women are standing next to each other and the word same is on the bottom
Alt: Three of the Golden Girls characters (Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose) are standing next to each other, each with one hand raised, and the word same is on the bottom
media.tenor.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:49 PM
If you bought a Ring device, return it.
People on Reddit are getting Amazon to refund their Ring products because of their partnership with Flock and that creepy Super Bowl ad
www.reddit.com/r/FlockSurve...
February 10, 2026 at 11:35 PM
She got a 10 anyway, and topped it off after the meet making it clear that she and the #Bruins stand with Minnesota. His Purple Highness would have approved mightily.

All actions matter. Be inspired.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=svqY...

www.standwithminnesota.com
Prince, Prince and The Revolution - Let's Go Crazy (Live in Syracuse, NY, 3/30/85)
YouTube video by princevevo
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Today's #musicforthe2ndcrisis celebrates those who act in ways great or small to speak out and support those who need it. Jordan Chiles did it by not performing her current multi-10s floor routine in Minnesota, but instead reviving last year's program by Prince:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRbm...
Jordan Chiles - Perfect 10 Floor Exercise (Feb. 7, 2026)
YouTube video by UCLA Athletics
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Whatever your mood, bask in the amazing talent and remember that both songs are speaking to you about freedom and the ability to mend our wings, fly, dance, and make the world a better place. Recharge, remember, and take action.
February 9, 2026 at 6:34 PM
And for those who need a jolt of energy and joy:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YHV...
Jon Batiste - FREEDOM
YouTube video by JonBatisteVEVO
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:31 PM
It's very Monday today. Today's #musicforthe2ndcrisis is a two-fer from Jon Batiste. For those of you who need a gentler introduction to the week:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H46y...
Jon Batiste Performing Blackbird - 09 FEB 2016
YouTube video by Jeffrey Hamblen
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM
It's Sunday, I've had too little sleep yet been very productive in spite of that, and I could use a good jolt of energy. Today's #musicforthe2ndcrisis is for everyone who is tired yet finds way to keep on keeping on.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRMz...
Santana, John Lee Hooker and Etta James - Blues Boogie Jam
YouTube video by Live Legends
www.youtube.com
February 8, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Spent a lovely afternoon putting together whistle kits with a bunch of like-minded folks. Complimented the student who used the college 3D printer to print up two different kinds of whistles for the project. They're hosting their first on-campus whistle kit event next week.
February 8, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Reposted by Shell Peters
ICE has grabbed so many people from their vehicles that there are abandoned cars across Minnesota.

This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.

They hate the helpers.

Which is why must keep helping.
Twin Cities tow truck driver returns abandoned vehicles to families after ICE arrests
Juan Leon sends a "chase" car to check out where abandoned vehicles are located and arranges discreet drop-offs. Since late December, he estimated they have dropped off 250 cars.
www.cbsnews.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:30 AM
(no idea why it posted the wrong picture, but the link should go to the right catalog page)
February 7, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Black raspberries from my friend's mother's garden, but these are similar:

raintreenursery.com/collections/...
Black Raspberry Plants | Grow Your Own Delicious Tasting Fruits
Black raspberry plants (Rubus occidentalis) are a hardy, perennial bramble that produces small, dark purple-black berries with a sweet, rich flavor, often used in jams, desserts, and fresh eating. The...
raintreenursery.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Much to do on this Saturday #caturday. Get energized and revived with this #musicforthe2ndcrisis and then get out there and take action. As the L-cat discovered, you might just find a friend or two to help you along.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9a4...
February 7, 2026 at 5:22 PM
As per usual, Bluesky won't post a video and a picture in the same post, so here's the #musicforthe2ndcrisis video on its own:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9a4...
Sister Rosetta Tharpe- "Didn't It Rain?" Live 1964 (Reelin' In The Years Archive)
YouTube video by ReelinInTheYears66
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Much to do on this Saturday #caturday. Get energized and revived with this #musicforthe2ndcrisis and then get out there and take action. As the L-cat discovered, you might just find a friend or two to help you along.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9a4...
February 7, 2026 at 5:17 PM
I was lucky enough to see some of these in person at Worldcon. They're amazing. And the two stickers I purchased get ooohs and aaaahs!
February 7, 2026 at 4:35 PM
And a second track, just because:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8cH...
Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y.
YouTube video by QueenLatifahVEVO
www.youtube.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Congratulations! What an amazing accomplishment, and what an amazing treat for us (your readers) to look forward to.
February 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM