Ben
banner
bennythegnome.bsky.social
Ben
@bennythegnome.bsky.social
Your friendly neighborhood forest gnome, baking persimmon bread and befriending stray cats to make the world a more beautiful place.✨

🏳️‍🌈
📍SoCal 🏜️ 🤠
Language Lover 🇩🇪🇸🇪🇳🇱🇫🇮
Hobbies 🪴📚📝☕🎮🎧📽️🏋🏼🏃🏼🚴🏼
Parent of 😺🦎🐍🐊
High School English Teacher 🧑🏼‍🏫
Proud Union Member 🌹✊🏼
While it's unseasonably warm here, it is nice to be able to spend the late morning on the patio and practice my Swedish (känner mig lite ringrostig) by starting this.
December 6, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Once the surprise fog dissipated this morning, I went on a much-needed hike. The alkali goldenbush is looking mighty pretty after the rains.
October 11, 2025 at 11:41 PM
More rain in the desert today. I've been appreciating the mild weather and the frequent rain storms this past month. Compared to previous years, it actually feels like fall.

The animals have been appreciating the rain, too. Here's a red diamond rattlesnake I met on the trail a few weeks ago.
October 11, 2025 at 2:53 AM
If you see this, post a duel
July 3, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Now watching:
June 28, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Rebooted Morrowind and made it all pretty (and quirky, as shown with the mudcrab helmet). It's been ages since I played it, but the story and lore have stuck with me over the years. As have the memes. Looking forward to seeing how the modding community made this masterpiece even greater.
June 24, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Dive Bar Beauty Queen: Pride Edition. ✨🌈💃🏼
June 22, 2025 at 4:56 AM
I'll start:
June 19, 2025 at 3:25 AM
After attending protests against fascism this morning, I ended up going on a hike in Rancho Cucamonga with a new friend that turned out to be lovely. We even found a Plummer's Mariposa Lily, which is a somewhat rare flower to find. All in all, a great day. ✨🌷
June 15, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Also, regarding the road closures:
May 18, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Almost done moving! Despite the chaos, someone is adjusting well.
April 14, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Adopted this little sweetheart today. She's perfect. 😻
April 13, 2025 at 3:23 AM
This handsome dude.
April 5, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Latest episode of White Lotus got me like:
March 17, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Taught another spin class, all by myself! Only one other person was able to attend, but turnin' and burnin' to Gaga was a fabulous way to spend my Sunday morning! ⚡🕶️🪩💃🏼🦄💖
March 16, 2025 at 5:39 PM
A student wrote this on my board yesterday while we were packing up. Suffice it to say, these are the things that make being an educator such a rewarding profession. 🧑🏼‍🏫✨💖
March 15, 2025 at 5:38 PM
So exhausted after a long day, but at least I got a haircut! 💇🏼✨
March 13, 2025 at 2:05 AM
I was bamboozled into (co-)teaching my first spin class! It was such a chaotic session, but boy howdy, it was so much fun! So thankful to have these lovely women there to support me as I begin to turn and burn professionally! ✨🚴🏼💃🏼🦄
March 11, 2025 at 2:28 AM
It is 77°F here in the desert, which means hiking. Aside from the sage lizards on the trail, there were no reptiles. However, I did get to chat with a hummingbird for a minute.
February 23, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Dive bar beauty queen 💃🏼✨
February 16, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Feelin' pretty after a Valentine's Day spin sesh! 💖 Happy Heart Day!
February 15, 2025 at 1:22 AM
A storm's coming (FINALLY), which meant a spectacular sunset. I do love this little spot on Earth.
February 12, 2025 at 3:35 AM
I need more pics on here. So here I am, in all my sweaty, gay glory, after a lovely one-hour spin class.

I can't wait to receive my spin certification and start to #turnandburn professionally next month at my little gym in the desert! 🚴🏼✨🌈🦄💃🏼
February 1, 2025 at 5:40 AM
The energy I'm bringing for the next four years (and until my final days).

"Kvinnan med handväskan" (The Woman with the Handbag). Taken by photojournalist Hans Runesson. Växjö, Sweden. April 1985.
January 28, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Took advantage of the more seasonally-appropriate weather we're experiencing here in SoCal by going on a hike. Encountered these beauties on the trail. I gotta say, it's so neat seeing mule deer on the traditional lands of the Maarrênga'yam. 🧵
January 27, 2025 at 1:59 AM