AmandaWorking
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amandaworking.bsky.social
AmandaWorking
@amandaworking.bsky.social
170 followers 150 following 290 posts
Philadelphian by birth, writer by nature, librarian to the tips of my toes.

(Photo credit: Trev W. Adams on Pexels)
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amandaworking.bsky.social
BooksThroughBars.org is a Philadelphia nonprofit that sends free books to 8,000 incarcerated people every year. One of the most-requested topics is gaming -- video games, role-playing games, etc.

You can help! Donate a book today:
www.thriftbooks.com/list/share/4...

#ttrpg #gaming
#BookSky
Photo showing a black video-game controller on a light blue background. Above the photo is a yellow text box with dark text reading: Are you a gamer? Then you can imagine why gaming can be a healthy distraction for people in prison. Donate a gaming book today and Books Through Bars will relay it to a prisoner.
March 29, 2025 at 4:13 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Having employable SKILLS is a major factor in helping formerly incarcerated people avoid returning to prison.

You can help! Donate a book via the nonprofit BooksThroughBars.org and it will be relayed to a person in PA, NY, NJ, MD, VA, or DE prison

www.thriftbooks.com/list/share/f...

#BookSky 📚💙
Photo of a computer screen showing programming language. Below the photo is a green text box with black and white text that reads: Many people in prison want to learn technology skills to get a good job when they return home. You can help by donating a book via Books Through Bars.
March 29, 2025 at 3:04 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
When your body is locked in prison gray, your mind treasures the opportunity to work in color.

Send an art book today and it will reach an incarcerated person in PA, NY, NJ, MD, VA, or DE.

Wishlist: www.thriftbooks.com/list/share/2...

Website: www.booksthroughbars.org

#ArtSky
#BookSky 📚💙
Colorful abstract art in primary colors. At right is red and blue text on a white background, reading: Art can be a powerful healer for people in prison. Donate a book today and Books Through Bars will relay it to an incarcerated person. BTB is a volunteer-run nonprofit that has been sending free books to incarcerated people in the Mid-Atlantic states for 30 years: www.booksthroughbars.org.
March 24, 2025 at 2:26 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Trump's Exec Order is gutting the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which provides priceless support to local public libraries.

Speak up NOW to protect your library (via @americanlibrary.bsky.social) app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

#LibraryWork #SkyBrarians #Libraries #BookSky 📚💙
White and blue text on a red background reads: Trump is Trying to Kill Your Library Speak up before it’s too late to protect the federal agency (IMLS) that provides $200 million to local libraries
March 22, 2025 at 4:38 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Public libraries are open to EVERYONE. You don't have to buy a cup of coffee, ask for permission to use a bathroom, or be able to afford a tip.

Trump and DOGE just took $200 million from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Call your Congressperson & demand they protect #libraries!
White text on a light blue background reads: LIBRARIES are the only remaining public place where you can be INDOORS for FREE as long as you like. Tell Congress: Protect Library Funding! Call (202) 224-3121
March 22, 2025 at 4:19 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Do you daydream about a peaceful life in the woods? Prison makes a lot of folks imagine it.

Donate a book and the nonprofit Books Through Bars will send it to an incarcerated person in PA, NY, NJ, MD, DE, or VA

Wishlist: www.thriftbooks.com/list/share/7...

booksthroughbars.org

#BookSky 📚💙
Photo of a green woodsy area. Through the trees a small house is visible. A person is in shadow, walking toward the house. White text on a light green background reads: Do you dream about getting away from it all? So do people in prison. Donate a book today. Books Through Bars will relay it to an incarcerated person.
March 19, 2025 at 5:09 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
An important reminder from @timothysnyder.bsky.social's ON TYRANNY.

It takes so little to jolt people awake. A mundane example from college: Writing a bluebook exam as an imaginary roundtable convo among long-dead philosophers, instead of simply answering the Qs.

Other students were SHOCKED.
Image shows an orange rectangle with white lettering reading "Stand out". At right of the image is black text on a white background, reading: Someone has to. It’s easy to follow along. It can feel strange to do or say something different. But without that unease, there is no freedom. Remember Rosa Parks. The moment you set an example, the spell of the status quo is broken, and others will follow. At bottom there is a smaller line of text, reading: "Source: On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, by Timothy Snyder."
March 18, 2025 at 4:56 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
When you're in prison, creating art can be a vital way to make a peaceful, healthy space for yourself.

Books on how to draw/paint are heavily requested at the nonprofit Books Through Bars.

Send a book today! Wishlist here (prices: $8-25):

www.thriftbooks.com/list/share/2...

#ArtSky #BookSky 📚💙
Image shows a colorful piece of abstract art. Text reads: Art can be a powerful healer for people in prison. Donate a book today and the nonprofit Books Through Bars will relay it to an incarcerated person. BTB is a volunteer-run organization that has been sending free books to incarcerated people in the Mid-Atlantic states for 30 years. Learn more: www.booksthroughbars.org.
March 18, 2025 at 2:58 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
I don’t do fancy food photos, but I can fully vouch for the lemon cake recipe on Sally’s Baking Addiction.

sallysbakingaddiction.com/lemon-cake/

Although I made a straight lemon buttercream frosting instead of the cream cheese one.

#desserts
Photo of a frosted lemon cake in a large rectangular aluminum cake pan. One slice has been cut out of the cake. The pan is sitting on an electric stove top.
March 17, 2025 at 3:06 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Art is a powerful weapon against grief and despair. Help an incarcerated person today by donating an art book ($8-20) via the nonprofit Books Through Bars booksthroughbars.org.

Books will be sent to prisoners in PA, NJ, NY, DE, MD, and VA.

www.thriftbooks.com/list/share/2...

#ArtSky
#BookSky 📚💙
Photo shows a set of paintbrushes with pastel paint on them. An abstract painting in the same pastel shades is in soft focus behind them. Text reads: Send an art book to a person in prison! Donate a book today and Books Through Bars will relay it to an incarcerated person. BTB is a volunteer-run nonprofit that has been sending free books to incarcerated people in the Mid-Atlantic states for 30 years. www.booksthroughbars.org
March 16, 2025 at 3:54 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Attention knitters and graphic novel fans!

I just stumbled across this one on the sale cart at my local independent bookstore.

KNITSTRIPS. Looks intriguing and very accessible for new knitters!

#BookSky 📚💙
Photo of book cover showing hands with brown skin tone knitting a square shape with colorful yarn. The book title is Knitstrips: The World’s First Comic-Strip Knitting Book. Interior page of book showing several panels of a story in comic strip format.
March 13, 2025 at 3:26 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Darn it, now with alt text. #bloomscrolling.
Photo showing a clivia plant with long dark green leaves and a beautiful orange/yellow cluster of flowers.
March 13, 2025 at 3:04 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Growing up in the 80s, medium sized eggs were what was commonly available in the supermarket. Large and extra large were tucked away to the side and rarely purchased.

At some point, they vanished. I haven’t seen medium sized eggs in many years. Guess it took bird flu shortages to bring them back.
Plastic egg carton with brown eggs. Label indicates eggs are size medium. Two medium sized brown eggs with a teaspoon to show proportionate size
March 13, 2025 at 3:01 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Inherited this plant from a late beloved friend and I’m delighted to see it thriving. #bloomscrolling
March 13, 2025 at 2:58 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Super useful data tool: Look up how many FEDERAL WORKERS are in your STATE, COUNTY, or Congressional District.

If you're speaking out about the impact of the Trump/Musk funding cuts in your community, you need this tool!

www.epi.org/research/fed...
Image shows a bar chart and line graph with colorful data. A person's hand is visible, index finger pointing to the data. (Data details are not visible; this is a sample only.)
March 7, 2025 at 5:09 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Did you know that the @freelibrary.bsky.social’s Independence Branch has a robust Chinese language collection?

It’s the closest branch (near 7th &Market) to the city’s Chinatown neighborhood.

#libraries #booksky 📚💙 #philly
Photo of a large library alcove filled with bookshelves. Above the alcove reads the lettering “Chinese Interest,” followed by Chinese characters.
March 4, 2025 at 3:29 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
It is so painful to see one of these signs in the lobby of one of the @freelibrary.bsky.social branches.

I’m thrilled that people are getting the help they need to escape dangerous domestic violence situations, but so sad that it is needed.
Poster pinned to a corkboard wall. Photo shows, an ethnically diverse group of smiling women. Text reads: Philadelphia domestic violence hotline 1-866 723 3014 Confidential, toll free, 24/7 WE ARE HERE FOR YOU Logos for five entities are pasted below: city of Philadelphia,Congreso, Lutheran Settlement House, Women Against Abuse, Women in Transition. Almost all of the tear strips at the bottom of the poster with the 800 number written on them have been torn off .
March 4, 2025 at 3:20 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
I love walking past random bits of history in Philadelphia.

The Lit Brothers department store existed for decades and finally went out of business in 1977.
Photo of a brown brick building with the words “Lit Brothers” carved above two archways. A car is parked on the street in front of the building.
March 4, 2025 at 3:13 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Just read this for the zillionth time. This go-round was to a five-year-old who’d never heard it before.

It holds up amazingly well, occasional sexism aside.

And the names are unparalleled: Nate Twitchell, age 12, and his dinosaur Uncle Beazley?!
Cover illustration of the book The Enormous Egg, by Oliver Butterworth. Illustration has a yellow border and a blue background. In the center is a young white boy with blonde hair, throwing out his arms in excitement. A chicken is off to the side peering in amazement at a box of straw. Inside the box is an enormous eggshell, cracked in half.
March 3, 2025 at 3:11 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Mosaics are so cool. (NYC 34th St/Penn Station.) #artsky
Tile mosaic showing man with his hands raised exultantly, back to the viewer. His briefcase has been flung into the air next to him. He appears as if in a yellow spotlight. At his right are other figures. Tile mosaic showing man standing in field holding a baby in his arm. At right of mosaic a yellow/black caution tape is visible.
March 3, 2025 at 3:05 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Philly arts & culture people: Philadelphia Folklore Project's archive is now part of Special Collections @temple.edu!

Includes records of significant but often ephemeral
community events, traditions, and arts, in ~10 languages.

folkloreproject.org/wp-content/u...

#artsky #folklore #philly
Installation view: Folk Arts of Social Change exhibition (1999)
March 2, 2025 at 4:24 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Many people end up in prison due to mental health issues. Everyone faces challenges to their emotional well-being in the inhumane environment of prison.

You can help by donating a book to an incarcerated person via Books Through Bars
www.thriftbooks.com/list/share/9...

📚💙 #booksky #mentalhealth
Photo of a white man with brown hair and beard, looking pensively downward. He is wearing a white t-shirt and dark pants. Shadows and light from a nearby window are cast on to him, making him appear as though he is behind bars. At left, on a yellow background, text reads: Ever feel like you’re stuck trying to figure yourself out? A lot of folks in prison feel that way too, but many don’t have access to resources on mental or emotional health. Donate a book today and the nonprofit Books Through Bars will relay it to an incarcerated person. Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/BTBmhealth BTB is a volunteer-run organization that has been sending free books to incarcerated people in the Mid-Atlantic states for 30 years. Learn more: www.booksthroughbars.org. Stock photo for illustrative purposes only.
February 27, 2025 at 4:38 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
When you're in prison, music can be a lifeline.

At the nonprofit Books Through Bars, beginner guitar books are often requested, but rarely donated.

You can help. Purchase a book from BTB's wishlist and it will go to an incarcerated person!

📚💙 #BookSky

www.thriftbooks.com/list/share/0...
Photo of a person's hands holding an acoustic guitar. On a brown background, accompanying text reads: Send a book to an incarcerated person who wants to learn guitar! Purchase from our wishlist and Books Through Bars will relay your donated book to a person in prison. Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/BTBguitarbooks BTB is a volunteer-run nonprofit that has been sending free books to incarcerated people for over 30 years. In 2024, we responded to 8,000 people in prisons and jails across the Mid-Atlantic states. Beginner guitar books (in English and Spanish) are often requested, but rarely donated. www.booksthroughbars.org
February 27, 2025 at 4:04 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Turns out Americans REALLY don't like Musk or Zuckerberg.
Imagine having all that money and STILL not even being able to get to 50/50 with people liking you.

It's almost like Americans have core values that can't be purchased.

www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
February 26, 2025 at 2:38 AM
amandaworking.bsky.social
Same, door. Same.
Photo of a large red sign. White lettering reads: Door Alarmed.
February 23, 2025 at 11:57 PM