Susan E Barsby
@susanebarsby.bsky.social
Writer, reader, runner, mum, knitter. I like coffee, cake and conkers. I miss the sea.
My father, 30 years ago, asked me why I wore boots when I could wear court shoes with my jeans. He'd be so pleased to see this headline. I still wear boots.
Jess Cartner-Morley on fashion: the easiest shortcut to chic? Jeans with heels
Jess Cartner-Morley on fashion: the easiest shortcut to chic? Jeans with heels
The combination of denim with heels is more than a trend – it elevates both you and your look
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:29 PM
My father, 30 years ago, asked me why I wore boots when I could wear court shoes with my jeans. He'd be so pleased to see this headline. I still wear boots.
Bloody hell. The snowboarding commentators were irritating enough before they cursed the NZ girl. Just so annoying.
February 9, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Bloody hell. The snowboarding commentators were irritating enough before they cursed the NZ girl. Just so annoying.
Ring out wild bells! My year of trying new hobbies/ skills starts with bell ringing. How fid I get on? Find out below
open.substack.com/pub/susaneba...
open.substack.com/pub/susaneba...
My year of learning: Campanology
Ring out those bells
open.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Ring out wild bells! My year of trying new hobbies/ skills starts with bell ringing. How fid I get on? Find out below
open.substack.com/pub/susaneba...
open.substack.com/pub/susaneba...
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
I’m sure I’m not the only woman feeling like this right now. Exhausted and antsy and so angry and sad and hopeless.
We all knew what was happening, we all know how power and patriarchy works.
We spend so much of our energy living with that knowledge.
We all knew what was happening, we all know how power and patriarchy works.
We spend so much of our energy living with that knowledge.
February 8, 2026 at 4:36 PM
I’m sure I’m not the only woman feeling like this right now. Exhausted and antsy and so angry and sad and hopeless.
We all knew what was happening, we all know how power and patriarchy works.
We spend so much of our energy living with that knowledge.
We all knew what was happening, we all know how power and patriarchy works.
We spend so much of our energy living with that knowledge.
Finished my Melt the ICE hat.
February 2, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Finished my Melt the ICE hat.
Well this is rubbish news. Thanks Catherine O'Hara, rest in peace
a woman in a white shirt stands in front of a door with #schitts creek written on the bottom
Alt: Catherine O'Hara, a woman in a white shirt stands in front of a door doing an interpretive dance move
media.tenor.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Well this is rubbish news. Thanks Catherine O'Hara, rest in peace
I just started knitting this pattern last night! Happy to join in!
Staff at a Twin Cities yarn store put together a pattern for a red knit “Melt the ICE” hat inspired by the Norwegian resistance.
They thought they would attract 10 people to a weekly knit-along.
They’ve sold 70,000 copies, raising more than $250k for immigrant aid groups.
They thought they would attract 10 people to a weekly knit-along.
They’ve sold 70,000 copies, raising more than $250k for immigrant aid groups.
‘Rage knitting’ against the machine: the hobbyists putting anti-ICE messages into crafts
Makers take a stand through ‘Melt the ICE’ red knit caps and sparkly nails – all while raising funds for those affected by immigration raids
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:34 PM
I just started knitting this pattern last night! Happy to join in!
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
A little good news in these dark times. 💙
This just in: Normal people have zero problem with trans folkx, and Sex Matters is a hate group.
This just in: Normal people have zero problem with trans folkx, and Sex Matters is a hate group.
'This decision is a major setback for Sex Matters, which raised more than £65,000 to try and force the pond to ban trans people, trying to go against regular swimmers. More than 32,000 people said they wanted the ponds to remain trans inclusive – 86% of the respondents to the consultation'
January 29, 2026 at 12:42 PM
A little good news in these dark times. 💙
This just in: Normal people have zero problem with trans folkx, and Sex Matters is a hate group.
This just in: Normal people have zero problem with trans folkx, and Sex Matters is a hate group.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
100%. I honestly believe political leaders ask too little of people. The thinking is you need an extraordinarily low bar - so ask people for money or to sign something. People want to be part of something and they're eager to do real meaningful work in defense of their community and their rights.
I have begun to think that Minnesota pushback to ICE was unique and a model because it gave people something to do. It wasn’t about just going out in streets for rallying purposes. People had a mission: videos, whistles, information and communication flow to communities. They had something to do.
January 28, 2026 at 3:10 AM
100%. I honestly believe political leaders ask too little of people. The thinking is you need an extraordinarily low bar - so ask people for money or to sign something. People want to be part of something and they're eager to do real meaningful work in defense of their community and their rights.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
Christ, this is fucking dystopian.
How about free art classes, language courses, music lessons, sport sessions, further education modules or anything other than this.
This is the antithesis of education it’s a campaign of national brain rot.
How about free art classes, language courses, music lessons, sport sessions, further education modules or anything other than this.
This is the antithesis of education it’s a campaign of national brain rot.
BREAKING: Free AI training will be offered to every adult in the UK, with short courses to teach people how to use simple AI tools effectively in the workplace.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
January 28, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Christ, this is fucking dystopian.
How about free art classes, language courses, music lessons, sport sessions, further education modules or anything other than this.
This is the antithesis of education it’s a campaign of national brain rot.
How about free art classes, language courses, music lessons, sport sessions, further education modules or anything other than this.
This is the antithesis of education it’s a campaign of national brain rot.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
Colleague: Are you coming to the firm party on Friday?
Me: No
Colleague: Why not?
Me: I don't drink much, I find large crowds intimidating and I don't like organised fun.
Me: No
Colleague: Why not?
Me: I don't drink much, I find large crowds intimidating and I don't like organised fun.
a woman in a white wig says " every party has a pooper "
Alt: A Schitt's Creek gif: Catherine O'Hara, wearing a white wig says "every party has a pooper".
media.tenor.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Colleague: Are you coming to the firm party on Friday?
Me: No
Colleague: Why not?
Me: I don't drink much, I find large crowds intimidating and I don't like organised fun.
Me: No
Colleague: Why not?
Me: I don't drink much, I find large crowds intimidating and I don't like organised fun.
I'd totally forgotten she existed.
Suella Braverman becomes latest Tory MP to defect to Reform UK ft.trib.al/3J7EaHl
Suella Braverman becomes latest Tory MP to defect to Reform UK
Former Conservative home secretary announced move at rally for military veterans
ft.trib.al
January 26, 2026 at 12:41 PM
I'd totally forgotten she existed.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
Stalin notorious for making sure you could walk to the shops
January 25, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Stalin notorious for making sure you could walk to the shops
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
Pam Bondi’s letter to MN Governor Walz: ICE will keep assaulting and murdering Minnesotans until you give me MN’s voter rolls.
So the real purpose of ICE is clear to everyone; it’s not about making us safe, it’s about using ICE to tamper with elections #Voices4Victory #ProudBlue
So the real purpose of ICE is clear to everyone; it’s not about making us safe, it’s about using ICE to tamper with elections #Voices4Victory #ProudBlue
January 25, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Pam Bondi’s letter to MN Governor Walz: ICE will keep assaulting and murdering Minnesotans until you give me MN’s voter rolls.
So the real purpose of ICE is clear to everyone; it’s not about making us safe, it’s about using ICE to tamper with elections #Voices4Victory #ProudBlue
So the real purpose of ICE is clear to everyone; it’s not about making us safe, it’s about using ICE to tamper with elections #Voices4Victory #ProudBlue
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
A few days ago, I stood in the graveyard of an 1100 year old church, getting damper and damper in the drizzling rain.
A woman walked into the graveyard, waved, said hello, and, as we had previously arranged, handed me a paper bag full of human bones.
The life of a churchwarden is a strange one...
A woman walked into the graveyard, waved, said hello, and, as we had previously arranged, handed me a paper bag full of human bones.
The life of a churchwarden is a strange one...
January 23, 2026 at 11:44 AM
A few days ago, I stood in the graveyard of an 1100 year old church, getting damper and damper in the drizzling rain.
A woman walked into the graveyard, waved, said hello, and, as we had previously arranged, handed me a paper bag full of human bones.
The life of a churchwarden is a strange one...
A woman walked into the graveyard, waved, said hello, and, as we had previously arranged, handed me a paper bag full of human bones.
The life of a churchwarden is a strange one...
Finally a use for leaf blowers.
January 23, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Finally a use for leaf blowers.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
we hear so much about trans people from the British press yet so rarely hear from them - I'm really pleased this piece was commissioned, and will also be in the physical paper: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
January 21, 2026 at 9:40 AM
we hear so much about trans people from the British press yet so rarely hear from them - I'm really pleased this piece was commissioned, and will also be in the physical paper: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
The New World asked me to speak to some British trans women about what life has been like for them over the past few years - here's what they had to say, in their own words: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
January 21, 2026 at 9:38 AM
The New World asked me to speak to some British trans women about what life has been like for them over the past few years - here's what they had to say, in their own words: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
YES!!! 90 minutes optimal, ffs
Make films shorter if you want them shown in cinemas, says Picturehouse director
Make films shorter if you want them shown in cinemas, says Picturehouse director
Clare Binns warns three-hour runtimes deter audiences as she is named Bafta recipient for outstanding British contribution to cinema
Directors should make shorter films if they want their work screened in cinemas, the head of one of the UK’s leading cinema and distribution companies has said.
Clare Binns, the creative director of Picturehouse Cinemas, made the comments after being named the recipient of this year’s Bafta award for outstanding British contribution to cinema, amid concern over steadily lengthening film runtimes. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 10:43 AM
YES!!! 90 minutes optimal, ffs
Good sensible thread re: social media bans.
Age-related bans on hazards are such a cop-out for making them safer. People don't miraculously turn from irresponsible to having sound judgement on their birthday.
January 19, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Good sensible thread re: social media bans.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
If it's Cary Grant's birthday, it must surely be time for me to post the "puppy in the jacket pocket" picture again. Be rude not to, really.
January 18, 2026 at 10:44 AM
If it's Cary Grant's birthday, it must surely be time for me to post the "puppy in the jacket pocket" picture again. Be rude not to, really.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
I'm so sick and bored of crap like this, day in day out. This is all that politics seems to have become.
Robert Jenrick asked why he lied last week when he told the Telegraph that he would "never, ever" defect to Reform.
Jenrick replies that joining Reform was "the most honest thing" he could have done.
Jenrick replies that joining Reform was "the most honest thing" he could have done.
January 15, 2026 at 6:15 PM
I'm so sick and bored of crap like this, day in day out. This is all that politics seems to have become.
Reposted by Susan E Barsby
And invests no money in content or creators or any infrastructure of programme making, does no training, cannot support collaborative projects efficiently, and has an opaque payment system that mitigates against what the public would understand as “making television”.
January 15, 2026 at 9:11 AM
And invests no money in content or creators or any infrastructure of programme making, does no training, cannot support collaborative projects efficiently, and has an opaque payment system that mitigates against what the public would understand as “making television”.