C.M.Pettitt
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cmpettitt.bsky.social
C.M.Pettitt
@cmpettitt.bsky.social
260 followers 320 following 320 posts
Californian. Interests: history, especially military history; journalism/politics/muckraking; typography; books; growing aggressive native plants to combat aggressive non-native plants. Also: fuck the gender police.
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cmpettitt.bsky.social
This summer arborists removed a gigantic invasive privet covered with invasive english ivy, so I sowed poppy, lupine, and phacelia seeds in the new sunny area just before our first serious rain. Old hummingbird sage already taking off. A newly planted white sage will anchor the area. 🌱 #nativeplants
A rather spidery red cherry picker holds a chainsaw-wielding arborist about 30 feet up. The focus of his attention is a tall invasive privet tree with an ivy covered trunk.
November 13, 2025 at 11:42 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
The cat has a tufty fluffy left eyebrow.
#cats #fivcats
A tabby and white longhaired cat nestled among canvas tarps and faux sheepskin. Over her left eye is a big tuft of white hair.
November 13, 2025 at 1:17 AM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
A fluffy tabby and white cat relaxes on empty plant shelves at a plant nursery. Her eyes are a nearly solid gold color, pupils closed to tiny black specks in the Fall sunlight.
November 12, 2025 at 1:45 AM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Cat in residence at the Plant Foundry plant nursery. #cats #catswithjobs
A very fluffy tabby with fur that is tabby/calico/tortoiseshell plus a bit of white. She lies on empty plant shelves. Her eyes are nearly closed and her head is raised up to enjoy the fast dimming Fall sunlight.
November 12, 2025 at 1:45 AM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
The new matilija poppy in the former english ivy patch is doing OK. But after I removed the decades-old ivy thatch, the most persistent weeds appeared. Now elmleaf blackberry looms. Hope the matilija poppy rhizomes can kick its butt. 🌱 #nativeplants #californianativeplants #blackberry #matilijapoppy
A small Matilija Poppy grows in brown loamy soil. Behind it seven elmleaf blackberry sprouts are emerging.
November 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
1981. Reagan puts air traffic control strike leaders in chains.
Steven Wallaert, president of local 291 of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), right, chained to another unidentified prisoner, leaves a courthouse in Alexandria, Va. on Friday, August 7, 1981 following a hearing on contempt charges stemming from the PATCO strike. Photo and text from: https://www.flickriver.com/photos/washington_area_spark/34787063903/
November 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Neighbor's cat came over to eat long grass. 🌱 🐈‍⬛ #cats #blackcats #voidcats
A black cat in long grass surrounded by salvia amistad, pozo blue sage, purple haze aster turning brown, and a few burgundy amaranth stalks going to seed. Leafy fig trees in the background.
November 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Cat having a Tamara de Lempicka moment.

#fivcats #cats
A fluffy white and tabby cat relaxes amid canvas tarps in sharp folds. The cat's green eyes are lined with black, and she has the aloof yet beguiling manner of the painter Tamara de Lempicki's Art Deco beauties.
November 9, 2025 at 8:46 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
My FIV former street kitty says hello!
A white and striped fluffy cat looks up from inside a cardboard box. Her eyes are very green.
November 8, 2025 at 3:14 AM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
#pumpkin #possum #opossum #halloween #plushtoy
A large pumpkin carved with a door and windows. A plush toy possum is coming out of the pumpkin door. Its long tail casually drapes out of a window. Night shot taken with flash. Pumpkin interior lit with LED candles.
October 31, 2025 at 5:44 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Current "Halloween/everything else" reading.
#colsonwhitehead #zombies #halloween #books #tryingtimes #toputitmildly
Bookcover of "Zone One" by Colson Whitehead. Shows a New York City skyline in bright magenta against a vibrant orange.
October 30, 2025 at 7:44 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Used to be hundreds of pokeweeds in the yard during 20 years of neglect. It was one of the few native plants that could stand up to the invasive privet, English ivy, and wisteria. I allowed two survivors this year.

#pokeweed #pokeberry
A small green pokeweed plant with still immature yet very toxic red berries.
October 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
After clearing a large area of English ivy (took months), I wondered what would first appear in the newly exposed soil. You all know the answer already: pokeweed! 🌱 #nativeplants
Brown loamy soil punctuated by small green seedlings with red stems.
October 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Not a native, but look at the fractal beauty of this plant growing in the neighborhood. Known as Woolly Grevillea, Grevillea lanigira, and Australian Rosemary. 🌱
#gardening #australianativeplants #groundcover
Dense green branches spread in all directions in a pleasing symmetrical pattern. The branches have small rosemary like leaves. Some branches end in small light pink flowers.
October 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Neighbor's black cat in our persimmon tree.
#cats #blackcats #voidcats
A black cat perches in the crook of a persimmon tree. The cat is alert, looking off into the distance.
October 27, 2025 at 10:43 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Getting colder. Cat has activated her guard hairs.
#cats #fivcats
A long haired white and tabby cat curled up in a plush blue blanket. Her face is covered by her fluffy tail. Illuminated by late fall sunlight. Longer guard hairs show up against the blue blanket.
October 25, 2025 at 1:17 AM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Misty Copeland will take to the ballet stage one last time, before hanging up her pointe shoes.

apnews.com/article/mist...

#mistycopeland #abt #ballet
Misty Copeland photographed by Henry Leutwyler in 2017. Copeland is standing en pointe on her right foot. Her face is turned toward the camera. She is wearing a simple white and black leotard and short black tulle skirt.
October 22, 2025 at 4:17 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Two days later. Some (probably cute and fluffy) jerk ate it. One day more and the last leaf is gone as well.
🌱 🐿 🦨 🦝
A few bare green sticks with a single leaf are all that remain of the globe mallow.
October 19, 2025 at 6:44 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Before: newly planted globe mallow, Sphaeralcea "Hot Pink."
🌱 #nativeplants #californianativeplants
A green baby shrub globe mallow stands out against a dark brown dirt background.
October 19, 2025 at 6:44 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Mexican American flag finishes off her ensemble.
Woman wears a flag cape with mingled USA and United States of Mexico flag design: stars, stripes, and a golden eagle devouring a serpent.
October 18, 2025 at 6:12 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Woman veteran at No Kings protest gave me permission to share a photo.

#antifa #nokings #sacramento
Woman wearing "Woman Veteran" hat holding a sign reading "I am ANTIFA, just like my fellow veterans before me."
October 18, 2025 at 6:07 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Checked out from library. Looks good. A bit disappointed Catbus not involved.

bookshop.org/p/books/inst...

#food
#books
#ramen
#cookbooks
Cover of the cookbook "Instant Ramen Kitchen" by Peter J. Kim. Cover features pleasing stacks of instant ramen noodles against a black blackground.
October 16, 2025 at 2:03 AM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Ultimate plant battle begins. Native Matilija Poppy vs. area recently cleared of decades of English Ivy. Huge non-native privet shading the area now gone, giving the sun-loving Matilija Poppy an edge. Go rhizomes, go! 🌱
#nativeplants
#californianativeplants
A small feathery green Matilija Poppy seedling stands out against surprisingly rich brown soil formerly buried under a half meter layer of English Ivy.
October 12, 2025 at 7:22 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
A dozen amaranths are setting seed. When the seed is ready, I will cut the stems and tie the plants to arbors and fences for easy bird access.
🌱🐦 #gardening #nativeplants
Closeup of a fluffy red-pink amaranth flower spray with tan seeds showing through.
October 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM
cmpettitt.bsky.social
Left the purple haze asters alone after their summer bloom. They will provide insect habitat through the winter. 🌱
#nativeplants
#californianativeplants
Dried tall golden plant stems in sunlight. In center is a 2D metal winged cherub garden decoration. A virginia creeper covered fence is in the background.
October 7, 2025 at 3:33 PM