Crystal Sands
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crystalsands.bsky.social
Crystal Sands
@crystalsands.bsky.social
PhD, writer, baker, and candlestick maker

--and a cello mom

www.farmerish.net
Farmer-ish journal’s Spring Equinox issue is live and dedicated to the chicken. It is full of essays and poems to make you think more deeply about the world’s most important bird. ♥️🐓 #chickens #journal #independentpublishing

farmerish.net/the-chicken-...
The Chicken (Vol. 4, No. 1)
Spring Equinox 2025 So much has changed since Farmer-ish last published an issue of our journal. The world is different now. Isn’t that funny? The whole world? But, somehow, there are still t…
farmerish.net
March 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Bella Ciao is an Italian folk song associated with the resistance to fascism. My 15 year old son arranged it for two cellos and recorded himself playing both parts. It’s powerful on the cello. #resist

youtu.be/RlUQL5uNQys
Bella Ciao (Italian folk and resistance song), arranged by Ronan Sands
YouTube video by Ronan Sands Cello
youtu.be
February 23, 2025 at 4:53 PM
In addition to calling my three elected officials to Congress every single day, I am trying to resist bny helping keep track of information related to bird flu. Many think bird flu is fake, so that's going to be a big problem. #birdflu #farming

farmerish.net/2025/02/12/d...
“Dead Birds Flying” (Another Bird Flu Update)
I wish I had better news to share about the bird flu right now. In terms of spread to humans, chances are still low, but in the last 24 hours, another human became infected. This time, it was a dai…
farmerish.net
February 12, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Crystal Sands
"There's nothing theoretical about cutting off funding to a rural health clinic, for example, or support for small farmers or grants to your fire department."
Opinion: Elon Musk and DOGE have crossed a constitutional ‘red line’
"There's nothing theoretical about cutting off funding to a rural health clinic, for example, or support for small farmers or grants to your fire department."
buff.ly
February 7, 2025 at 8:08 PM
It has been an “old timey” winter here in Maine, and though my long COVID body is tired of shoveling snow, I’m thankful for short walks in the snowy woods with Boudica. ♥️🐾 #maine #greatpyrenees
February 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This is Tuesday. I adore her! She is one of our girls who is a free spirit, and I admire her greatly for it. #chickens #backyardchickens
January 16, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Reposted by Crystal Sands
January 12, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This is a post just to see if any of my friends are out there and see this. Still learning this platform. Still determined to leave FB.

I think I limited this post to those I follow...If you see this, please let me know!
January 12, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I run a journal focused on farming, nature, sustainability, and sufficiency. We publish educational essays but creative nonfiction and poetry as well. Please check out our call for submissions for 2025!

farmerish.net/submissions/

#callforpapers #submissions #poetry #farming #nature
Submissions
Farmer-ish publishes both online issues and print collections. Our print annual is on hold until 2026, but our online journal will be back for the Spring Equinox in 2025. We’re looking for cr…
farmerish.net
January 10, 2025 at 1:00 AM
I love homemade gifts, so I did a round up from the journal! What are your favorite homemade gifts?

#holidays #handmadegifts #Christmasgifts #handmade

farmerish.net/2024/12/15/h...
Homemade Gifts for the Holidays
Every year during the holiday season, I see the memes on social media that focus on normalizing homemade gifts, and they make me hopeful. Truly, there is nothing better than a homemade gift, one th…
farmerish.net
December 15, 2024 at 7:50 PM
The squirrels have been emptying the bird feeds faster than I can fill them, so I didn't fill them at all yesterday. But, this morning, I saw the Blue Jays hanging around--letting me know. They reminded me of a poem from the journal.

#poetry #Maine #birdwatching

farmerish.net/the-reminder/
The Reminder
by Sarah Fraser When I see a bluejay I am reminded of my Grandmother (Bluejays were her favorite bird) She visits me on rough days andOn contemplative daysShe flies over my head&nbsp…
farmerish.net
December 11, 2024 at 4:26 PM
I run a journal about farming, homesteading, and self-sufficiency. I think were are going to need a lot of self-sufficiency in the coming years. But, for now, just a lovely poem. It's a favorite of mine.

#poetry #homesteading #winterpoems

farmerish.net/wood-box/
Wood Box
by James Sands This is a poem: My wood box in the basement is full;out here in the margins where I have always lived my life,this is a poem of the mind, an idea that exists outsidethe currents and …
farmerish.net
December 5, 2024 at 4:16 PM
This is my first post! I wrote about our 2024 harvest last night. I hope this space is a lovely as I have heard. <3

farmerish.net/2024/12/03/a...
A Season of Harvest in Pictures
December 2 is definitely the latest we have ever harvested anything, but last night, Ron pulled the last of the carrots from the ground. They were so delicious. We learned to always let your carrot…
farmerish.net
December 4, 2024 at 4:31 PM