Valarie Smith
@valarie.bsky.social
Welcome, book lovers!
Probably rereading Woolf’s The Waves or listening to the Backlisted podcast. Also a fan of Sam Shepard, Kerouac, Dickens, Steinbeck, Willy Vlautin, Donna Tartt, film noir, Twin Peaks, Elliott Smith, Columbo & folklore. Portland, OR
Probably rereading Woolf’s The Waves or listening to the Backlisted podcast. Also a fan of Sam Shepard, Kerouac, Dickens, Steinbeck, Willy Vlautin, Donna Tartt, film noir, Twin Peaks, Elliott Smith, Columbo & folklore. Portland, OR
Reposted by Valarie Smith
I enjoyed this Aperture magazine Q&A (by Ekow Eshun) with sculptor Theaster Gates, talking about a trip to Japan that greatly humbled him, and introduced the idea that crafting beautiful objects — or even just the arrangement of existing objects — can have an almost spiritual dimension.
January 6, 2026 at 5:14 AM
I enjoyed this Aperture magazine Q&A (by Ekow Eshun) with sculptor Theaster Gates, talking about a trip to Japan that greatly humbled him, and introduced the idea that crafting beautiful objects — or even just the arrangement of existing objects — can have an almost spiritual dimension.
Reposted by Valarie Smith
'Snow effect, Damvillers.' (1882)
Since the earliest days of his career, Jules Bastien-Lepage had been fascinated with the way that snow transforms a familiar landscape, softening forms, reflecting light, and unifying the landscape in tone and texture. An exquisite picture.
Since the earliest days of his career, Jules Bastien-Lepage had been fascinated with the way that snow transforms a familiar landscape, softening forms, reflecting light, and unifying the landscape in tone and texture. An exquisite picture.
January 5, 2026 at 5:25 PM
'Snow effect, Damvillers.' (1882)
Since the earliest days of his career, Jules Bastien-Lepage had been fascinated with the way that snow transforms a familiar landscape, softening forms, reflecting light, and unifying the landscape in tone and texture. An exquisite picture.
Since the earliest days of his career, Jules Bastien-Lepage had been fascinated with the way that snow transforms a familiar landscape, softening forms, reflecting light, and unifying the landscape in tone and texture. An exquisite picture.
Reposted by Valarie Smith
We took a break from (finally) watching Sinners on Friday when I checked Bluesky and saw we invaded Venezuela. I went to bed with an overwhelming sense of all the blood we've spilled with our incessant greed and hatred during this nation's short life.
a close up of a woman 's face with #sinnersmovie written on the bottom right
Alt: a close up of a Black woman's face, looking pained and conflicted, nodding wearily, with #sinnersmovie written on the bottom right
media.tenor.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:44 AM
We took a break from (finally) watching Sinners on Friday when I checked Bluesky and saw we invaded Venezuela. I went to bed with an overwhelming sense of all the blood we've spilled with our incessant greed and hatred during this nation's short life.
We took a break from (finally) watching Sinners on Friday when I checked Bluesky and saw we invaded Venezuela. I went to bed with an overwhelming sense of all the blood we've spilled with our incessant greed and hatred during this nation's short life.
a close up of a woman 's face with #sinnersmovie written on the bottom right
Alt: a close up of a Black woman's face, looking pained and conflicted, nodding wearily, with #sinnersmovie written on the bottom right
media.tenor.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:44 AM
We took a break from (finally) watching Sinners on Friday when I checked Bluesky and saw we invaded Venezuela. I went to bed with an overwhelming sense of all the blood we've spilled with our incessant greed and hatred during this nation's short life.
It only just occurred to me that the Malheur occupation for residents was like the Feds occupying PDX in 2020.
“I see a little bit of PTSD from this event, from the 41 days,” said former Harney County Judge Steve Grasty. “You didn’t know what was going to happen next, & plenty of firearms around.”
“I see a little bit of PTSD from this event, from the 41 days,” said former Harney County Judge Steve Grasty. “You didn’t know what was going to happen next, & plenty of firearms around.”
In Harney County, the occupation pit neighbors against each other. Since then, some residents say the county has tried to put their divisions firmly in the past and move forward together.
10 years after the Malheur occupation, Harney County is moving on
A remote corner of southeast Oregon was the backdrop when a group of armed, anti-government militants took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters on Jan. 2, 2016.
www.opb.org
January 5, 2026 at 4:36 AM
It only just occurred to me that the Malheur occupation for residents was like the Feds occupying PDX in 2020.
“I see a little bit of PTSD from this event, from the 41 days,” said former Harney County Judge Steve Grasty. “You didn’t know what was going to happen next, & plenty of firearms around.”
“I see a little bit of PTSD from this event, from the 41 days,” said former Harney County Judge Steve Grasty. “You didn’t know what was going to happen next, & plenty of firearms around.”
Reposted by Valarie Smith
David Roberts’ The Way the Day Breaks tells the story of a father as he has a series of breakdowns. What makes it so compelling is that the breakdowns are shown almost exclusively through dialogue, usually family trips in the car, as the dad’s ideas and plans become increasingly outlandish.
January 4, 2026 at 3:42 AM
David Roberts’ The Way the Day Breaks tells the story of a father as he has a series of breakdowns. What makes it so compelling is that the breakdowns are shown almost exclusively through dialogue, usually family trips in the car, as the dad’s ideas and plans become increasingly outlandish.
The 25-hour Moby-Dick Marathon is taking place live now at the New Bedford Whaling Museum!
» Moby-Dick Marathon 2026
www.whalingmuseum.org
January 4, 2026 at 7:00 AM
The 25-hour Moby-Dick Marathon is taking place live now at the New Bedford Whaling Museum!
Portland friends, set aside your sorrows and woe for a moment. Go outside and watch the clouds racing across the Wolf Moon, listen to the rain drop and splash around you. It’s such a cool, beautiful night.
January 4, 2026 at 6:05 AM
Portland friends, set aside your sorrows and woe for a moment. Go outside and watch the clouds racing across the Wolf Moon, listen to the rain drop and splash around you. It’s such a cool, beautiful night.
David Roberts’ The Way the Day Breaks tells the story of a father as he has a series of breakdowns. What makes it so compelling is that the breakdowns are shown almost exclusively through dialogue, usually family trips in the car, as the dad’s ideas and plans become increasingly outlandish.
January 4, 2026 at 3:42 AM
David Roberts’ The Way the Day Breaks tells the story of a father as he has a series of breakdowns. What makes it so compelling is that the breakdowns are shown almost exclusively through dialogue, usually family trips in the car, as the dad’s ideas and plans become increasingly outlandish.
Reposted by Valarie Smith
Express your anger like a swan.
Alicia Suskin Ostriker
Alicia Suskin Ostriker
January 4, 2026 at 1:34 AM
Express your anger like a swan.
Alicia Suskin Ostriker
Alicia Suskin Ostriker
Thank you to Portland protesters, from someone who is unable to march.
The match has grown to roughly 700 people, in my (admittedly not perfect) estimate. “The biggest threat to the world today is Donald Trump and the USA”
January 4, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Thank you to Portland protesters, from someone who is unable to march.
Reposted by Valarie Smith
this is your mission. our pedophile president needs you to jump out of a helicopter to kidnap a head of state and his wife so some oil ceos can make a lot of money. we’ll be watching from a resort in florida that still serves wedge salad and checking how many retweets we get. good luck soldier
January 3, 2026 at 10:57 PM
this is your mission. our pedophile president needs you to jump out of a helicopter to kidnap a head of state and his wife so some oil ceos can make a lot of money. we’ll be watching from a resort in florida that still serves wedge salad and checking how many retweets we get. good luck soldier
Reposted by Valarie Smith
In Church
by R.S. Thomas
I've spent some time in empty churches, and this reminded me. 🕯
by R.S. Thomas
I've spent some time in empty churches, and this reminded me. 🕯
December 30, 2025 at 12:39 PM
In Church
by R.S. Thomas
I've spent some time in empty churches, and this reminded me. 🕯
by R.S. Thomas
I've spent some time in empty churches, and this reminded me. 🕯
Reposted by Valarie Smith
A Yorkshire New Year walk that includes STANDING STONES, ROMAN SHIT, BATTLE SITES and MEDIEVAL CHURCHES? Go on then
Let’s meet at Boroughbridge car park and set off from there…
1/? 🧵
Let’s meet at Boroughbridge car park and set off from there…
1/? 🧵
January 3, 2026 at 9:34 AM
A Yorkshire New Year walk that includes STANDING STONES, ROMAN SHIT, BATTLE SITES and MEDIEVAL CHURCHES? Go on then
Let’s meet at Boroughbridge car park and set off from there…
1/? 🧵
Let’s meet at Boroughbridge car park and set off from there…
1/? 🧵
Reposted by Valarie Smith
Ever relevant, this poem by Mary Oliver, especially today.
January 3, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Ever relevant, this poem by Mary Oliver, especially today.
Reposted by Valarie Smith
Last night, coming back from Clun Castle rook was so excited as i chased the moon and could not believe my luck as it lined up with a rookery - hiding behind a hedge i was able to get my shots. OM1mk2 and the superb 50-200 and 2x. @omsystem.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Last night, coming back from Clun Castle rook was so excited as i chased the moon and could not believe my luck as it lined up with a rookery - hiding behind a hedge i was able to get my shots. OM1mk2 and the superb 50-200 and 2x. @omsystem.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Reposted by Valarie Smith
All my fucking tax dollars go towards murdering innocent people abroad. Never enough money for free college. Or free school lunch. Or to fix the goddamned roads and the crumbling bridges. Always enough for murder.
I am so livid.
I am so livid.
January 3, 2026 at 9:02 AM
All my fucking tax dollars go towards murdering innocent people abroad. Never enough money for free college. Or free school lunch. Or to fix the goddamned roads and the crumbling bridges. Always enough for murder.
I am so livid.
I am so livid.
He hasn’t even been in office for a year yet.
January 3, 2026 at 8:38 AM
He hasn’t even been in office for a year yet.
There is so much that is wonderful and wild about this story.
"Rama wore a vintage Balenciaga coat from Albright Fashion Library and archival earrings from New York Vintage, both rented during a single marathon day spent diving into the racks of the city’s best small, circular fashion businesses."
"Rama wore a vintage Balenciaga coat from Albright Fashion Library and archival earrings from New York Vintage, both rented during a single marathon day spent diving into the racks of the city’s best small, circular fashion businesses."
lol I just came across this post by Zoharn’s wife Rama Duwaji’s stylist and the boots were…. on loan
open.substack.com/pub/brainmat...
open.substack.com/pub/brainmat...
January 2, 2026 at 10:12 PM
There is so much that is wonderful and wild about this story.
"Rama wore a vintage Balenciaga coat from Albright Fashion Library and archival earrings from New York Vintage, both rented during a single marathon day spent diving into the racks of the city’s best small, circular fashion businesses."
"Rama wore a vintage Balenciaga coat from Albright Fashion Library and archival earrings from New York Vintage, both rented during a single marathon day spent diving into the racks of the city’s best small, circular fashion businesses."
Reposted by Valarie Smith
Jim knows!
“Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul."
-Jim Jarmusch
“Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul."
-Jim Jarmusch
January 2, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Jim knows!
“Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul."
-Jim Jarmusch
“Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul."
-Jim Jarmusch
If you’re looking to reboot your writing practice, you could do worse than trying a fairy tale about this tree.
The King Oak - Tullamore, Ireland
Wonderful ancient oak, estimated as up to 800 years old
Photo: Alan Holly
Wonderful ancient oak, estimated as up to 800 years old
Photo: Alan Holly
January 2, 2026 at 9:37 PM
If you’re looking to reboot your writing practice, you could do worse than trying a fairy tale about this tree.
Reposted by Valarie Smith
John Steinbeck had such an understanding of humans and how they operate. This is a wonderful piece that is at least as true today as when he wrote it in a letter in the late 1950s.
#Steinbeck #JohnSteinbeck #Booksky
#Steinbeck #JohnSteinbeck #Booksky
January 1, 2026 at 11:03 PM
John Steinbeck had such an understanding of humans and how they operate. This is a wonderful piece that is at least as true today as when he wrote it in a letter in the late 1950s.
#Steinbeck #JohnSteinbeck #Booksky
#Steinbeck #JohnSteinbeck #Booksky
Reposted by Valarie Smith
Here’s my top 10 from a great reading year:
1. A Little Devil in America (Hanif Abdurraqib)
2. Little Dorrit (Dickens) - thx @iammilliam.bsky.social
3. The Night Swimmers (Peter Rock)
4. Breath (Philip Levine) - thx @brianlibby.bsky.social
5. We Hexed the Moon (Mollyhall Seeley) - most fun read!
1. A Little Devil in America (Hanif Abdurraqib)
2. Little Dorrit (Dickens) - thx @iammilliam.bsky.social
3. The Night Swimmers (Peter Rock)
4. Breath (Philip Levine) - thx @brianlibby.bsky.social
5. We Hexed the Moon (Mollyhall Seeley) - most fun read!
January 2, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Here’s my top 10 from a great reading year:
1. A Little Devil in America (Hanif Abdurraqib)
2. Little Dorrit (Dickens) - thx @iammilliam.bsky.social
3. The Night Swimmers (Peter Rock)
4. Breath (Philip Levine) - thx @brianlibby.bsky.social
5. We Hexed the Moon (Mollyhall Seeley) - most fun read!
1. A Little Devil in America (Hanif Abdurraqib)
2. Little Dorrit (Dickens) - thx @iammilliam.bsky.social
3. The Night Swimmers (Peter Rock)
4. Breath (Philip Levine) - thx @brianlibby.bsky.social
5. We Hexed the Moon (Mollyhall Seeley) - most fun read!
Here’s my top 10 from a great reading year:
1. A Little Devil in America (Hanif Abdurraqib)
2. Little Dorrit (Dickens) - thx @iammilliam.bsky.social
3. The Night Swimmers (Peter Rock)
4. Breath (Philip Levine) - thx @brianlibby.bsky.social
5. We Hexed the Moon (Mollyhall Seeley) - most fun read!
1. A Little Devil in America (Hanif Abdurraqib)
2. Little Dorrit (Dickens) - thx @iammilliam.bsky.social
3. The Night Swimmers (Peter Rock)
4. Breath (Philip Levine) - thx @brianlibby.bsky.social
5. We Hexed the Moon (Mollyhall Seeley) - most fun read!
January 2, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Here’s my top 10 from a great reading year:
1. A Little Devil in America (Hanif Abdurraqib)
2. Little Dorrit (Dickens) - thx @iammilliam.bsky.social
3. The Night Swimmers (Peter Rock)
4. Breath (Philip Levine) - thx @brianlibby.bsky.social
5. We Hexed the Moon (Mollyhall Seeley) - most fun read!
1. A Little Devil in America (Hanif Abdurraqib)
2. Little Dorrit (Dickens) - thx @iammilliam.bsky.social
3. The Night Swimmers (Peter Rock)
4. Breath (Philip Levine) - thx @brianlibby.bsky.social
5. We Hexed the Moon (Mollyhall Seeley) - most fun read!
Reposted by Valarie Smith
At the track doing laps and I see a guy standing by the gate doing a long whistle over and over. Just as my curiosity turns to annoyance a shadow flies right over my head and lands on the gate. “Where you been buddy?” he asks, as a raven hops onto his arm and they walk off together arm in claw(?)
January 2, 2026 at 2:40 AM
At the track doing laps and I see a guy standing by the gate doing a long whistle over and over. Just as my curiosity turns to annoyance a shadow flies right over my head and lands on the gate. “Where you been buddy?” he asks, as a raven hops onto his arm and they walk off together arm in claw(?)