Karen J. McLean
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kj-mclean.bsky.social
Karen J. McLean
@kj-mclean.bsky.social
760 followers 1.2K following 640 posts
Storyteller/educator/booksniffer/artdabbler. GenX Maritimer. Thoreauvian. Spacetweep. CBC Forever. Dynamic disability. Tree-talker. Quietly witchy. Kindness matters.

Grateful for the support of The Canada Council for the Arts.

⚡️Solvitur ambulando. 🇨🇦
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kj-mclean.bsky.social
My 2026 Hemlock & Oak planner has just arrived. I am so excited that I am savouring the moment and taking my time opening it..

A new planner is a symbol of hope, and a belief in the future. Blank pages are full of potential.

#planner #stationery #journal #hemlockandoak
Image shows an opened box with a hardcover book wrapped in white paper emblazoned with”H&O: Hemlock and Oak” and “Sustainable Stationery.” Sticking out of the white paper are two charms on ribbons, a leaf and a crescent moon. There is also a small card with H&O branding that reads “Thank you, friend. You have our sincerest gratitude.”
November 11, 2025 at 3:38 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Happy Fountain Pen Day 2025!

My yellow Lamy Safari is my trusty and simple ride-or-die. What are you writing with today?

(Louisa May Alcatt doesn’t care about pens, but she thinks I have excellent taste in paper.)

#FountainPenDay
#FountainPenDay2025
#FountainPens
#LamySafari
#InkyFingers
Image shows a tabby cat biting the corner of a blank notebook. In the centre of the image is a yellow fountain pen.
November 7, 2025 at 12:58 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Just pulled this out of my cedar chest. (The only other article of clothing in that hallowed space is my wedding gown.)

It worked in 1992 and 1993. Let it work its magic tonight.
A vintage Toronto Blue Jays t-shirt from 1990. Close-up reading “CGW copyright MLB 1990”
November 1, 2025 at 12:26 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
The country you are trying to reach is currently watching baseball. (Blue Jays logo.) Please check in after the game.
October 31, 2025 at 11:47 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
WORLD SERIES, BABY!!!
October 21, 2025 at 3:04 AM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Today in #chronicillness ...
Image is a parody of H.A.L. from 2001: A Space Odyssey. It shows a glowing red light, with the text reading "I'm sorry, Karen. I'm afraid I can't do that."
October 7, 2025 at 10:56 AM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Image shows five cute cartoon furry monsters, labeled as follows: "thinking about cheese"; "chronically overwhelmed; "too silly to function"; "an actual ball of panic"; and "shrieking into the abyss."
October 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Just watched this little dinghy leave the harbour.
Image shows the 145000-tonne cruise ship, Norwegian Getaway, sailing out of Saint John Harbour.
September 25, 2025 at 6:24 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
New sticker for my laptop. IYKYK
Image is a blue maple leaf reminiscent of the logo of the hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Instead of the team’s name, the white lettering in the centre reads, “MAYBE THIS YEAR.”
September 12, 2025 at 8:55 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Shared from Quiet Wisdom on Substack: My therapist told me this, and it changed my life: "You're not healing to be able to handle trauma, pain, anxiety, depression. You're used to those. You're healing to be able to handle joy and to accept happiness back into your life."
September 5, 2025 at 3:25 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
White text on black background reads: “I love the phrase ‘bear with me’, because it either means ‘be patient’ or ‘the zoo heist was a success.’”
September 3, 2025 at 2:00 AM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
My occupational therapist is pleased with my knuckle’s post-surgery progress. This is my new “daytime splint” for the rest of the month. I can write with this one on!
September 2, 2025 at 11:02 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Saw this 1970s Adler Meteor for sale for $15, and was intrigued.

This electric machine has ribbon spools. So when your ribbon wears out, you can just swap out the old ribbon on the spools for new. Much better than proprietary ribbon cassettes, which are getting scarce.

Needs a good cleaning.
A photo of an Adler Meteor typewriter.
August 27, 2025 at 10:46 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
The crop is everything. 😉
August 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Happy Taco Tuesday! #supportsmallbusiness
August 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Say hello to my new friends!
Photo shows two tiny plant pots on the dash of a car. The pot to the left is blue pottery and contains a jade or propeller plant. The pot on the right looks like a big-eyed, big-lipped, aqua and pink cartoony fish. It contains a string-of-pearls plant.
August 26, 2025 at 2:39 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
This image is not reminiscent of Nazi Germany at alllll …
Image is a screen capture of a post by the Meidas Touch Network on YouTube. The text reads: “A large poster of Donald Trump is now hanging from the Department of Labor building in D. C..” The poster is three storeys tall, features his face, and the words “America’s Workers FIRST.” The word “first” is in a much bigger font than the previous words, as if the main message is really “Trump FIRST.”
August 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Starting to feel more like myself again. That week in the cast lasted years.
Image of jagged cursive writing reads: “New splint yesterday. Interferes with holding the pen, even with the foam adapter, but I’m writing with my right hand!”
August 22, 2025 at 1:11 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Sometimes being a Canadian and looking southward brings on a feeling akin to “survivor’s guilt.”

I am so grateful to be in a country that cares about the health of its citizens. But when you’re a soft-hearted person who just wants everyone to be okay … Sigh.
Image features brochures, with the top one titled “Welcome to the Canadian Dental Care Plan.”
August 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
I am elated! All is healing well, and I graduated from the cast today!
August 21, 2025 at 10:26 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Writing my Morning Page(s) is tricky these days.
Image shows a right hand in a thick cast. A yellow fountain pen is clutched by one finger tip.
August 20, 2025 at 10:22 AM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
Friends have pointed out to me that I made myself a temporary southpaw — by having surgery on my dominant, right, hand — on International Lefthanders Day.

I can’t stop laughing.
Illustrated poster-style graphic for International Lefthanders Day, superimposed by a photo of my right hand, marked up in preparation for surgery.
August 14, 2025 at 6:57 PM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
After spending some time visiting the artist's website, I have a new absolute favourite:

Peter Harskamp (1951-): _Woman with Cat in Moonlight_

The shadow of the outstretched toes just reduces me to giggling rubble.
Peter Harskamp (1951-) _Woman with Cat in Moonlight_
August 12, 2025 at 11:35 AM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
I have discovered a new favourite artwork:
Peter H. Harskamp (1951-), _Woman and Cat_.

I miss my late void-kitties, Nero and Bronson. This made me smile. 🐈‍⬛
Artwork entitled "Woman and Cat", by Peter H. Harskamp (1951-).
August 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
kj-mclean.bsky.social
A good and wise friend once gave me the gift of this reminder: “The thought of a tiger is not a tiger.” I created this image so I can also visualize it. Sometimes an image is easier for my mind to cling to..

If my anxiety starts to spin about my upcoming surgery on Wednesday, this will be my rock.
A graphic showing a picture of a tiger inside of a thought bubble, then a not-equal sign, and then the tiger without the thought bubble. It illustrates that “The thought of a tiger is not a tiger.”
August 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM