Betsy Withycombe
@betsywithycombe.bsky.social
MFA Candidate, Mother, Wife, Polymath, Introvert
While I’m working in the kitchen, I keep looking out the window for him. He hasn’t shown up yet this autumn. Waiting.
November 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
While I’m working in the kitchen, I keep looking out the window for him. He hasn’t shown up yet this autumn. Waiting.
Autumn’s ticker tape parade is for you, because you woke today and rose - equipped from your very start - to find joy, face hard truths, and survive the intensity of both.
November 10, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Autumn’s ticker tape parade is for you, because you woke today and rose - equipped from your very start - to find joy, face hard truths, and survive the intensity of both.
Turned in my final 2025 packet. Since July, I’ve read 5,700 pages of short stories & craft instruction, written 18 short stories, & created 4 critical essays. I remained clothed at my desk (see last photo) while doing so. Grateful to advisor Ellen Lesser for shepherding me through my first semester.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Turned in my final 2025 packet. Since July, I’ve read 5,700 pages of short stories & craft instruction, written 18 short stories, & created 4 critical essays. I remained clothed at my desk (see last photo) while doing so. Grateful to advisor Ellen Lesser for shepherding me through my first semester.
A must-see movie.
November 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
A must-see movie.
All the rooms at the front of the house glow red because of the maples.
November 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
All the rooms at the front of the house glow red because of the maples.
Today I took my young friend shopping for items to donate. She used index cards to find things and fake $ cards to figure out best price. Shopping can be lessons in economics, math, reading, decision-making. When the shopping is for those who have less than we do, it’s also a lesson in compassion.
November 7, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Today I took my young friend shopping for items to donate. She used index cards to find things and fake $ cards to figure out best price. Shopping can be lessons in economics, math, reading, decision-making. When the shopping is for those who have less than we do, it’s also a lesson in compassion.
We just voted in Virginia. Always rooting for democracy!
November 4, 2025 at 2:59 PM
We just voted in Virginia. Always rooting for democracy!
Took a walk. Sitting on my porch. Thankful for autumn’s beauty.
November 2, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Took a walk. Sitting on my porch. Thankful for autumn’s beauty.
All the little things…Autumn outside, orange pumpkin rolls for dinner rise and bake while I work, some editing at Godfrey’s, and a little existential dread.
October 30, 2025 at 9:14 PM
All the little things…Autumn outside, orange pumpkin rolls for dinner rise and bake while I work, some editing at Godfrey’s, and a little existential dread.
Jon Meacham and Cory Booker in conversation tonight at the National Cathedral.
October 30, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Jon Meacham and Cory Booker in conversation tonight at the National Cathedral.
How can people sleep well at night?
October 29, 2025 at 3:24 AM
How can people sleep well at night?
Some days, my work in my graduate program makes me so happy. Today, I learned that “What’s on de rail for de lizard?” translates from Harlem Slang as “Suggestions for moral turpitude?” Henceforth, I shall enter rooms with this question. #vcfa #lovewhatyoudo #writing #writingcommunity
October 28, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Some days, my work in my graduate program makes me so happy. Today, I learned that “What’s on de rail for de lizard?” translates from Harlem Slang as “Suggestions for moral turpitude?” Henceforth, I shall enter rooms with this question. #vcfa #lovewhatyoudo #writing #writingcommunity
These are days for cooking with everything available and eating leftovers. Waste not, want not. 12 leftover egg whites become Angel Food Cake.
October 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
These are days for cooking with everything available and eating leftovers. Waste not, want not. 12 leftover egg whites become Angel Food Cake.
All the little things…Sumos, stories/school, scones, sunsets, ‘shrooms, skies, and setting the table for fall.
October 23, 2025 at 3:20 PM
All the little things…Sumos, stories/school, scones, sunsets, ‘shrooms, skies, and setting the table for fall.
No Kings in Philadelphia today. Thousands upon thousands of peaceful people marched to Independence Hall. Strong police presence (with nothing to do), a flock of helicopters and drones in the sky. Jamie Raskin delivers a call to action. The citizenry does not want tyranny.
October 19, 2025 at 2:53 AM
No Kings in Philadelphia today. Thousands upon thousands of peaceful people marched to Independence Hall. Strong police presence (with nothing to do), a flock of helicopters and drones in the sky. Jamie Raskin delivers a call to action. The citizenry does not want tyranny.
All the little things…Kent drove me away from the internet last weekend so my eye could rest. TBH, my soul rested, too.
October 15, 2025 at 5:52 PM
All the little things…Kent drove me away from the internet last weekend so my eye could rest. TBH, my soul rested, too.
Opened the shade last night so I could wake to the sight of the trees.
October 14, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Opened the shade last night so I could wake to the sight of the trees.
MFA Packet #3 has been submitted to my advisor. Since July, I’ve read 4,040 pages of craft prose and short stories - and written 12 short stories and 3 critical essays. When you’ve waited decades for your turn in grad school, you try and wring the experience dry. READ BANNED BOOKS. #vcfa
October 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
MFA Packet #3 has been submitted to my advisor. Since July, I’ve read 4,040 pages of craft prose and short stories - and written 12 short stories and 3 critical essays. When you’ve waited decades for your turn in grad school, you try and wring the experience dry. READ BANNED BOOKS. #vcfa
All the little things…
October 3, 2025 at 8:47 PM
All the little things…
French Apple Tart for dessert tonight.
October 2, 2025 at 8:37 PM
French Apple Tart for dessert tonight.
Dessert. Butter tart shell and vanilla pastry cream for a fruit tart topped with beautiful strawberries.
September 30, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Dessert. Butter tart shell and vanilla pastry cream for a fruit tart topped with beautiful strawberries.
This statue of best friends had a permit to stand on the National Mall until September 28th but it was removed today, in the darkness of early morning. Bless artists of all kinds, who have a long history of speaking truth to power. Keep creating.
September 25, 2025 at 12:03 AM
This statue of best friends had a permit to stand on the National Mall until September 28th but it was removed today, in the darkness of early morning. Bless artists of all kinds, who have a long history of speaking truth to power. Keep creating.
All the little things…sunflowers, reality check, compassion soap for the bathrooms, cool bug friends, cinnamon rolls, writing is hard work.
#writer #writinglife #vcfa
#writer #writinglife #vcfa
September 22, 2025 at 3:48 PM
All the little things…sunflowers, reality check, compassion soap for the bathrooms, cool bug friends, cinnamon rolls, writing is hard work.
#writer #writinglife #vcfa
#writer #writinglife #vcfa