Michelle
@thegreenstudy.com
Writer, Minnesotan, Army Veteran, Bird Nerd, Parent, Spouse, Atheist, GenX. I've named the squirrels in my yard & I swear a lot.
Writing at thegreenstudy.com. She/her.
2025-26 Loft Literary Mentor Fellow in Fiction.
Ruining workplaces since 1985.
Writing at thegreenstudy.com. She/her.
2025-26 Loft Literary Mentor Fellow in Fiction.
Ruining workplaces since 1985.
I will be hiding in my dark house tonight furtively eating candy. Our unlit streets w/no sidewalks are not great for kids (see annual pedestrian fatalities on the 31st). I do my part to make our street look foreboding. We've been getting visits by guests who don't no stinkin' sidewalks though.
October 31, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I will be hiding in my dark house tonight furtively eating candy. Our unlit streets w/no sidewalks are not great for kids (see annual pedestrian fatalities on the 31st). I do my part to make our street look foreboding. We've been getting visits by guests who don't no stinkin' sidewalks though.
Good lord, conservative talking points today. Sen. Ernst (Iowa) saying it's important to find out who was funding the protests.
Where's my check, you obnoxious cornhole?
Where's my check, you obnoxious cornhole?
October 20, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Good lord, conservative talking points today. Sen. Ernst (Iowa) saying it's important to find out who was funding the protests.
Where's my check, you obnoxious cornhole?
Where's my check, you obnoxious cornhole?
It is my most heartfelt wish to have 98% of my life undocumented, unposted, unliked, unseen, unfilmed, unphotographed. The wildlife that crosses my path, on the other hand, will have no such luxury. Sorry berbs.
October 15, 2025 at 11:48 AM
It is my most heartfelt wish to have 98% of my life undocumented, unposted, unliked, unseen, unfilmed, unphotographed. The wildlife that crosses my path, on the other hand, will have no such luxury. Sorry berbs.
Not on my best behavior this morning - snarking at the AP about headline syntax.
I'll try to do better today.
Meanwhile, found this little guy sunning itself on a rock at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
I'll try to do better today.
Meanwhile, found this little guy sunning itself on a rock at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
September 17, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Not on my best behavior this morning - snarking at the AP about headline syntax.
I'll try to do better today.
Meanwhile, found this little guy sunning itself on a rock at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
I'll try to do better today.
Meanwhile, found this little guy sunning itself on a rock at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
Went to the woods to enjoy this spate of warm MN days before winter hits. Saw this guy stretched out and taking in the sun. Instinctive joy.
September 12, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Went to the woods to enjoy this spate of warm MN days before winter hits. Saw this guy stretched out and taking in the sun. Instinctive joy.
Me, avoiding other humans who want to talk about the news. Seriously, it's okay to take a moment to process things and then make a conscious decision about whether or not one's opinion adds to the conversation. Mine won't. I'll be over here eating a yard salad.
September 11, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Me, avoiding other humans who want to talk about the news. Seriously, it's okay to take a moment to process things and then make a conscious decision about whether or not one's opinion adds to the conversation. Mine won't. I'll be over here eating a yard salad.
First time I've ever seen a bluejay molting. All personality and flashy outfit - terrible haircut. What a little dinosaur!
September 11, 2025 at 11:32 PM
First time I've ever seen a bluejay molting. All personality and flashy outfit - terrible haircut. What a little dinosaur!
Just got an automated email from a vendor: "Get excited! Your order is on the way."
First of all, don't tell me what to do.
Second of all, you don't know me. I don't get excited about stuff.
I am excited that a flock of bluejays have visited this morning. Peanuts, it's all about the peanuts.
First of all, don't tell me what to do.
Second of all, you don't know me. I don't get excited about stuff.
I am excited that a flock of bluejays have visited this morning. Peanuts, it's all about the peanuts.
September 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Just got an automated email from a vendor: "Get excited! Your order is on the way."
First of all, don't tell me what to do.
Second of all, you don't know me. I don't get excited about stuff.
I am excited that a flock of bluejays have visited this morning. Peanuts, it's all about the peanuts.
First of all, don't tell me what to do.
Second of all, you don't know me. I don't get excited about stuff.
I am excited that a flock of bluejays have visited this morning. Peanuts, it's all about the peanuts.
Now just sitting in the drink.
July 9, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Now just sitting in the drink.
Bird baths, high and low, getting some action this morning. Another hot day ahead in MN.
July 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Bird baths, high and low, getting some action this morning. Another hot day ahead in MN.
Blue Heron from a kayak, on a dock, in a tree.
Not great shots, but herons seem to be a theme in my bird outings lately. I've also learned I need to improve my kayaking skills before dragging along the good camera (thank goodness for plastic bags!).
Not great shots, but herons seem to be a theme in my bird outings lately. I've also learned I need to improve my kayaking skills before dragging along the good camera (thank goodness for plastic bags!).
July 9, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Blue Heron from a kayak, on a dock, in a tree.
Not great shots, but herons seem to be a theme in my bird outings lately. I've also learned I need to improve my kayaking skills before dragging along the good camera (thank goodness for plastic bags!).
Not great shots, but herons seem to be a theme in my bird outings lately. I've also learned I need to improve my kayaking skills before dragging along the good camera (thank goodness for plastic bags!).
Smug, destructive bunnies for a Monday. I adore them.
June 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Smug, destructive bunnies for a Monday. I adore them.
I spent the last week reading and writing while looking at this, so that I could take a breather from the news/life and get myself grounded more in thoughtfulness than reflexive rage. It worked all of a few hours upon my return.
June 22, 2025 at 1:52 AM
I spent the last week reading and writing while looking at this, so that I could take a breather from the news/life and get myself grounded more in thoughtfulness than reflexive rage. It worked all of a few hours upon my return.
When you gotta scritch, you gotta scritch...
June 5, 2025 at 12:19 PM
When you gotta scritch, you gotta scritch...
It's that time of year. Baby bunnies everywhere. Being outside and offline has been useful for my mental health. These little guys surely help!
May 25, 2025 at 10:40 PM
It's that time of year. Baby bunnies everywhere. Being outside and offline has been useful for my mental health. These little guys surely help!
All of today's activities have been cancelled. New book order has arrived.
A burst of yellow, like sunshine and bumblebees. Thanks to @rosemarymosco.com's The Birding Dictionary and @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social's No Straight Road Takes You There. I might have to set up a hammock.
A burst of yellow, like sunshine and bumblebees. Thanks to @rosemarymosco.com's The Birding Dictionary and @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social's No Straight Road Takes You There. I might have to set up a hammock.
May 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
All of today's activities have been cancelled. New book order has arrived.
A burst of yellow, like sunshine and bumblebees. Thanks to @rosemarymosco.com's The Birding Dictionary and @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social's No Straight Road Takes You There. I might have to set up a hammock.
A burst of yellow, like sunshine and bumblebees. Thanks to @rosemarymosco.com's The Birding Dictionary and @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social's No Straight Road Takes You There. I might have to set up a hammock.
Nothing to say that will add to the conversation on Bluesky. Here, have 5 turtles sunning on a rock.
April 23, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Nothing to say that will add to the conversation on Bluesky. Here, have 5 turtles sunning on a rock.
This robin's territorial defense and poopification against my husband's truck continues apace, day 2. Every spring, I put up new window decals & deflectors around the house to prevent bird strikes. Fortunately this robin is going for up-close strikes. Only his pride would be injured, if he had any.
April 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM
This robin's territorial defense and poopification against my husband's truck continues apace, day 2. Every spring, I put up new window decals & deflectors around the house to prevent bird strikes. Fortunately this robin is going for up-close strikes. Only his pride would be injured, if he had any.
Have nothing worth saying. Went to the woods. Here, have a birb.
He had something to say. It went something like: "Lookie here, ladies, I got puffy flamenco wings and I sing like an angel, doncha want to get with this?" #birds
He had something to say. It went something like: "Lookie here, ladies, I got puffy flamenco wings and I sing like an angel, doncha want to get with this?" #birds
April 11, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Have nothing worth saying. Went to the woods. Here, have a birb.
He had something to say. It went something like: "Lookie here, ladies, I got puffy flamenco wings and I sing like an angel, doncha want to get with this?" #birds
He had something to say. It went something like: "Lookie here, ladies, I got puffy flamenco wings and I sing like an angel, doncha want to get with this?" #birds
Minnesota is waking up. Spotted my first butterfly of the season today, an Eastern Comma. Turtles were out sunning themselves and loons could be heard across the lake. Being outside is a great brain cleanser. And when I came home, tariffs were lifted. So much magic out there!
April 9, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Minnesota is waking up. Spotted my first butterfly of the season today, an Eastern Comma. Turtles were out sunning themselves and loons could be heard across the lake. Being outside is a great brain cleanser. And when I came home, tariffs were lifted. So much magic out there!
Per my social media engagement, I've written, deleted, published, deleted at least 20 posts this morning. My work here is done. Going outside to hang out with the birds and critters. They don't give a shit about my opinions, so no compulsions to blurt out or retract anything.
April 9, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Per my social media engagement, I've written, deleted, published, deleted at least 20 posts this morning. My work here is done. Going outside to hang out with the birds and critters. They don't give a shit about my opinions, so no compulsions to blurt out or retract anything.
4/7
Lessons from a protest: Perfection is unnecessary. Showing up is key. I do not have artistic drawing skills, but people were very enthusiastic about this sign. They love their parks!
Lessons from a protest: Perfection is unnecessary. Showing up is key. I do not have artistic drawing skills, but people were very enthusiastic about this sign. They love their parks!
April 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
4/7
Lessons from a protest: Perfection is unnecessary. Showing up is key. I do not have artistic drawing skills, but people were very enthusiastic about this sign. They love their parks!
Lessons from a protest: Perfection is unnecessary. Showing up is key. I do not have artistic drawing skills, but people were very enthusiastic about this sign. They love their parks!
3/7
Lessons from a protest: What inspires people is interesting. A woman said "I just love it when white men honk and wave in support."
Lessons from a protest: What inspires people is interesting. A woman said "I just love it when white men honk and wave in support."
April 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
3/7
Lessons from a protest: What inspires people is interesting. A woman said "I just love it when white men honk and wave in support."
Lessons from a protest: What inspires people is interesting. A woman said "I just love it when white men honk and wave in support."
2/7
Lessons from a protest: Compassion and never assuming we know. One woman told us how she owned a Tesla that her husband had purchased, but that he had died and now she was stuck with a car she couldn't sell.
Lessons from a protest: Compassion and never assuming we know. One woman told us how she owned a Tesla that her husband had purchased, but that he had died and now she was stuck with a car she couldn't sell.
April 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
2/7
Lessons from a protest: Compassion and never assuming we know. One woman told us how she owned a Tesla that her husband had purchased, but that he had died and now she was stuck with a car she couldn't sell.
Lessons from a protest: Compassion and never assuming we know. One woman told us how she owned a Tesla that her husband had purchased, but that he had died and now she was stuck with a car she couldn't sell.