Denise Ganley
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deniseganley.bsky.social
Denise Ganley
@deniseganley.bsky.social
580 followers 590 following 940 posts
Writer. Vegan. Pluviophile. Perpetually on Wizard Time. She/her. Arizona. Mural from Don Vegan in Quebec City. Photos 📸 by me.
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deniseganley.bsky.social
Afternoon snack. Strawberry Italian soda with nondairy cream and a sugar cookie. Yum!
Strawberry, cream, and mineral water beverage in a see-thru cup on a café table and a hand holding an Arizona shaped-sugar cookie iced ina design of a sunset and desert landscape featuring a saguaro.
November 11, 2025 at 10:16 PM
deniseganley.bsky.social
I voted. This is the way.
Handmade crocheted Grogu wearing an "I voted. Maricopa County" Sticker featuring a cartoon ballot character wearing glasses and a hat with a thumbs up.
October 31, 2025 at 1:59 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
I've mostly been decorating the inside of my stomach with Halloween, but I did pick up a cute lil pumpkin and ghost with an air plant. I usually try to stick to plants I can water infrequently but it was too cute, so I'll try the weekly misting as instructed.
Frankenstein frosted donut. I ordered this apple pie filled Frankie but ended up with a vampire kissed donut leaking red jam. Pumpkin macaron with jack o lantern face. Small round pumpkin sitting on the kitchen windowsill next to a white ceramic ghost serving as a pot for a tiny air plant growing out of its head like spiky hair
October 23, 2025 at 4:38 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Kinda wishing I had a little bit of Aeon Flux going. Then maybe I'd have caught the little flying bug with my eyelashes instead of getting sucker punched in the eyeball.
A green fly is caught between the lower and upper eyelashes of an animated woman's (Aeon Flux's) blue/purple eye.
October 7, 2025 at 6:08 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Cheerful black-eyed Susan blooms. #PhoenixGarden
Two black-eyed Susan blooms, one much larger and higher and one smaller. Lots of bright yellow slender petals with a raised cone center, both centers here are yellow and green, not dark. Blooms surrounded by healthy green leaves in a pot.
September 22, 2025 at 2:21 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
I'm still thinking about all the amazing exhibits I saw at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix this weekend. This is a guitar from the School of Matteo Sellas c. 1625 and an Amati violin c. 1560s. So old and still so beautiful!
Two instruments in a display case in a museum. Embellished guitar from the School of Matteo Sellas c. 1625 Venice, Italy. Violin made by Andrea Amati from c. 1560s Cremona, Italy.
September 19, 2025 at 8:40 PM
deniseganley.bsky.social
I'm gonna end the posts about this special exhibit with some fine detail work on various instruments. I have about a million photos from other exhibits in the MIM, maybe I will share some of those another day.
A view of the detailed soundhole rose and upper guitar body. A guitar made by Matteo Sellas, late 1630s, made from snakewood, spruce, walnut, pear wood, ebony, ivory, pearl, parchment, mastic, gut. The soundhole's tiered rose is intact, however, the lighting was not ideal and no flash was allowed, so the top part is in shadow. An English guitar by John Preston, circa 1775, made from maple, spruce, ebony, brass, ivory, tortoiseshell, bone, steel. A close look at the middle body and a carved soundhole. The back of an archlute made by Joachim Tielke, 1707, made from rosewood, spruce, hardwood, ivory, tortoiseshell, ebony, bone. The back of the neck is decorated with classical imagery and a leaflike design. In the background is a side view of a chitarriglia (small Tielke guitar) from 1684, made from rosewood, ivory, tortoiseshell, spruce, ebony, maple, and gut. The sides have flower and vine designs. A close view of a carved woman's head above tuning pegs on a viola d'amore made by Jean Baptiste Deshayes Salomon, 1749. Made from maple, spruce, ebony, rosewood, bone. This woman is blindfolded because "love is blind" and this is a viola of love known for its sweet sound.
September 16, 2025 at 6:20 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
I took sooo many photos. I just loved the exhibit and the whole museum. Here are a couple pochettes and an Irish sultana, which is a cross between a cittern and a viola d'amore.
A pochette from late 17th century. Made from ivory, spruce, tortoiseshell, ebony, poplar, bone. A small, narrow instrument made to be portable and kept in the pocket of an overcoat. A full frontal view of an Irish sultana, made by Thomas Perry, circa 1790, made from maple, spruce, ebony, ivory, brass, silver, pearl. A slightly angled full front view of an Irish sultana, made by Thomas Perry, circa 1790, made from maple, spruce, ebony, ivory, brass, silver, pearl. A pochette with a carved woman's head made by Antoine Medard, 1666. Made from maple, spruce, ebony, silver. A pochette bow from 18th century France. Made from snakewood, bone, horsehair.
September 16, 2025 at 5:53 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
I'm going to show a few more instruments that I really loved. I have always been fond of ship figureheads and the same is now true of figureheads on instruments! Here's a viola de gamba with a carved woman's head and an adorable 3 string rebec which is an ancestor of the violin.
An angled front view of a German viola de gamba, from the lower neck to the lower bout, made by Hans Christoph Fleischer, circa 1680s. Made from maple, spruce, ebony, boxwood, gut. A petite rebec by August Tolbecque, 1898. Unfortunately, I only have a blurry photo of the informational sign next to the exhibit, so I am not sure what it is made out of, other than spruce. A close look at the carved woman's head above the tuning pegs and neck of a German viola de gamba, made by Hans Christoph Fleischer, circa 1680s. Made from maple, spruce, ebony, boxwood, gut. A full view of a German viola de gamba made by Hans Christoph Fleischer, circa 1680s. Made from maple, spruce, ebony, boxwood, gut. The rebec is next to it on display in the background right.
September 16, 2025 at 5:21 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Two more highlights from this special exhibit, this masterpiece "Tartini" violin and rare mandolin (and case), all made by Antonio Stradivari. #MIM #Stradivarius #Violin #Mandolin
View of an open mandolin case made by Antonio Stradivari, early 18th century. It is hinged and opens at the bottom. Made from poplar, paper, leather, metal. The mandolino coristo is on display behind it, also by Antonio Stradivari. The "Tartini" violin made by Antonio Stradivari, 1726, made from maple, spruce, and ebony. A full length view of the front of the violin, with people viewing other exhibits in the background. A 3/4 view of the full mandolino coristo on display, made by Antonio Stradivari, early 18th century. Made from maple, spruce, ebony, boxwood, rosewood, ivory, gut. The "Tartini" violin made by Antonio Stradivari, 1726, made from maple, spruce, and ebony. A full length view of the front of the violin, with people viewing other exhibits in the background.
September 16, 2025 at 4:43 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
I visited the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix yesterday for the last day of their special exhibit, Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars. I went to go see all of the wonderful instruments, but especially this beautiful guitar from the School of Matteo Sellas, c. 1625.
A view of the body and part of the fretboard of an ornate guitar from the School of Matteo Sellas, c. 1625. Made from spruce, snakewood, ebony, ivory, bone, tortoiseshell, pearl, parchment, gut. It has a "wedding cake" rose for the soundhole. A view of the full front of an ornate guitar (from the headstock and tuning pegs to the bottom of the body) from the School of Matteo Sellas, c. 1625. Made from spruce, snakewood, ebony, ivory, bone, tortoiseshell, pearl, parchment, gut. It has a "wedding cake" rose for the soundhole. A side view of the headstock, tuning pegs, and fretboard of an ornate guitar from the School of Matteo Sellas, c. 1625. Made from spruce, snakewood, ebony, ivory, bone, tortoiseshell, pearl, parchment, gut. A full side view of an ornate guitar (from the headstock and tuning pegs to the bottom of the body) from the School of Matteo Sellas, c. 1625. Made from spruce, snakewood, ebony, ivory, bone, tortoiseshell, pearl, parchment, gut.
September 16, 2025 at 4:20 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Just opened my commissioned pet portraits package from amazing artist & #kidlit friend @jengubicza.bsky.social. Look how fun and cute they are! Jen used highlighter & colored pencils for each of my kitties. This is still in its plastic cover protector until I find the perfect frame. Thanks, Jen!
Five cats drawn with highlighters and colored pencils on a white piece of paper. Clockwise from top left: Orange Tabby - Finn Brown Torbie - Amelie Calico - Nikita Black & White - Diego Black - Sorsha Art by Jen Gubicza For her Zooguu handmade art: https://www.zooguu.com/ For her author/illustrator portfolio: https://www.jengubicza.com/
September 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day!

The adorable black cats in my life; my cat Sorsha on the left, my parents' cat, Zakk, on the right.
Sorsha. A black cat reclining on a gray cat condo, front paws crossed, gazing past the camera. Zakk. A black cat sitting on a gray carpet, staring at the camera with a red crinkle toy shrimp in between his paws.
August 18, 2025 at 5:40 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Been plantsitting my uncle's cantaloupe and watermelon plants. He's more optimistic about their success in the Phoenix heat than I am without a drip system, but they're doing well so far. And they did not die on my watch! #PhoenixGarden
A healthy looking cantaloupe plant with big green leaves and viney tendrils and yellow flower buds with a gray brick fence behind it. A healthy looking watermelon plant with lots of green leaves climbing a metal tomato cage with a wood post and gray brick fence behind it.
August 2, 2025 at 2:50 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Today's agenda: Play and nap! #HappyCaturday
Amelie, a brown torbie cat has caught a fleece ribbon from a wand toy while sitting on a cat condo near a window. Sorsha, a black cat, is deep asleep on a cat condo, resting on her back with legs curled in the air.
July 19, 2025 at 6:23 PM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Four years ago, when Sorsha and Amelie were just 3 months old. Amelie hadn't grown her floof yet and Nikita was already a cranky 12.
Calico cat Nikita on top rung of cat condo. Black cat Sorsha and brown torbie Amelie on lower rung. All looking at the camera. Calico cat Nikita on top rung of cat condo. Black cat Sorsha and brown torbie Amelie on lower rung. Nikita looking at the camera, Sorsha and Amelie looking up at Nikita.
June 29, 2025 at 6:18 PM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Happy Caturday from these two handsome BFFs that my parents adopted recently. My parents needed some good kitty love & trouble in their lives again. ♥️
White/Brown tabby mix relaxing on light carpet with two colorful rope wand toys draped over him. Black cat with light green eyes wearing an orange collar lounging on the floor staring into the camera.
June 21, 2025 at 5:33 PM
deniseganley.bsky.social
I recently read the middle grade graphic novel, Ellie in First Position, by Brian Freschi and Elena Trivolo, and translated by Nanette McGuinness. Ellie is trying to fit in at a new school and finds her joy, dance! 🩰 But her mom isn't on board with lessons.
Book cover image: pale pink background with Ellie, a scrawny girl in pigtails, a red and white striped top and jeans, excited, arms outstretched and big smile. Ellie's shadow is wearing a tutu and doing a pirouette. Text: Ellie in First Position by Brian Freschi and Elena Trivolo A blonde girl, Chloe, is reading a graphic novel next to Ellie. Both girls are sitting with their backs against a tree. Ellie's long black hair is down, she's wearing a royal blue scarf and a bright red jacket. Ellie's head is cocked to the side thoughtfully. Text in dialogue bubble: Ellie: Oh no, there's that showoff Anna. Ellie is engaged in a dance off with an unfriendly classmate. There's a series of dance poses for each of them. Ellie is kicking butt and radiating joy as she dances.
June 10, 2025 at 4:34 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Delicious Pride cake batter macarons. Mmmm.
2 small macarons with rainbow stripes on the cookie top and a white ruffled creamy center.
June 8, 2025 at 3:54 PM
deniseganley.bsky.social
♥️ Loved this fun new picture book, There's Something Odd About the Babysitter by Elayne Crain & John Ledda. Kiddos will laugh at this oblivious kid & the antics of his wild babysitter. Who wouldn't want to spend the evening with 3 attentive raccoons?! Hire them for storytime now! 🦝🦝🦝 #kidlit
Book cover: A kid stares at his babysitter in contemplation. Babysitter is 3 raccoons in a trench coat with a fake mustache. One raccoon is holding an apple core to share and kid's dog is sniffing a banana peel on the ground in suspicion. Text: There's Something Odd About the Babysitter by Elayne Crain and John Ledda Interior book spread: A kid and his dog sit on a green couch and stare at the babysitter. Dog has the best suspicious look ever. Babysitter is 3 raccoons in a trench coat with a fake mustache. Text: He and the babysitter regarded one another. Hmm, thought Freddie. There's something odd about this babysitter. The front end papers with a bowler hat and mustache repeating pattern in gray scale. Interior spread image: The 3 raccoons in a trench coat are off balance, trying to protect their identity by holding the trench coat closed. Text: The babysitter gripped them both tightly and shook their head
June 6, 2025 at 5:57 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
It's hard to see all the swallows flitting about near the travertine bridge at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, but I gave video a shot anyway.
May 29, 2025 at 3:26 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Went to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park today, perhaps the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. I've lived in and visited much of Arizona, but had not hit this spot before.
Part of the travertine bridge arch and natural limestone formations and a small tree curving over it. Closeup of some of the limestone formations that look like drips going down the rock with lichen and plant roots hanging down. Part of the travertine bridge arch and natural limestone formations and trees growing on top of it.
May 29, 2025 at 3:18 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
These are interesting results. Lane Kim at 86% was my highest match.

Take the fictional characters quiz and post the first four you know: openpsychometrics.org/tests/charac...
Lane Kim from Gilmore Girls Ginny Weasley from Harry Potter Rose Tico from Star Wars Felicity Smoak from Arrow
May 19, 2025 at 3:02 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
I should be an art broker. Bought this little Madonna painting at auction for a measly $5M, but it was worth $10M. #Masterpiece #BoardGames #TableTopGames
Closeup of the Masterpiece board game on a table. A card featuring the painting, Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist by Correggio, c. 1515. Image of the Masterpiece boardgame on a table in the background. In the foreground, game money, a value reference card, and a card featuring Pierre Auguste Renoir's Woman at the Piano, c. 1875-76.
April 28, 2025 at 2:41 AM
deniseganley.bsky.social
Such a lovely day in the Valley of the Sun. High of 75F degrees. Bit of a breeze. Purty clouds. Gotta save up this vibe cause the 100+ degree grind is coming fast.
Photo looking up into the sky. Mostly cumulous clouds with some grey bellies and deep blue sky. Bit of sun hiding peeking from behind clouds and off stage at the top. Another photo looking up into the sky. Mostly cumulous clouds with some grey bellies and deep blue sky. Bit of sun hiding peeking from behind clouds and off stage at the top.
April 18, 2025 at 10:03 PM