Sarah
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usewordsbetter.bsky.social
Sarah
@usewordsbetter.bsky.social
430 followers 420 following 77 posts
fights paragraphs | Houston
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usewordsbetter.bsky.social
The universal hanger
Juvenile finch with wild white eyebrows puts their whole body into screeching at a parent
May 6, 2025 at 4:20 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
Obstreperous, oversized, rumpled child makes ruckus.
May 6, 2025 at 4:14 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
They were adorable yesterday.
March 24, 2025 at 10:30 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
My backyard birding update of the month is that Josh Grabbin fed Cardi B. I didn’t think he had it in him!
March 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
Here for all the post-lipoma elder pups! Our vet had surgery suits with a cute namecard. She hardly noticed she was wearing it the whole two weeks, which was a pleasant surprise
white terrier with bat ears in a passenger seat wearing a hot pink sleeveless bodysuit and a forearm bandage with a cartoon octopus small white dog on a grassy field in a hot pink sleeveless bodysuit and purple plaid harness. the suit has a prominent namecard that reads “My name is Ophelia. I just had surgery.”
March 4, 2025 at 3:17 AM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
Reporting from Houston
A male cardinal on snow-covered patio furniture next to snow-covered nandina bushes
January 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
One thing to know about me is dog.
A white terrier, hair trimmed, large ears pointed back, sitting on a mousepad in a home workspace in dramatic afternoon shadows
November 15, 2024 at 7:35 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
This week I’ve also been discovering the delight of a bird feeder cam. It is possible to make my home a welcome for living things
November 11, 2024 at 5:19 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
My favorite tile at the elementary where I work elections. Kids get how awesome a tiger is. The dread ferocity.

Somehow today I am feeling all the shared strength and care in which I am already intertwined, the latent power we carry and call upon to get by, for which I've never been more grateful.
A child’s painting on a tile embedded in a brick wall, depicting a girl walking g a tiger like it’s a dog, their limbs respectively noodle-like and bulbous
November 6, 2024 at 10:03 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
Sushi Ophelia is the perfect look because she can enjoy leaning back on the pillow.
A small white terrier with short fur and enormous upright ears wears a long little orange pillow strapped to her back with a dark green sash. The idea is she’s sushi. She is relaxed on a couch.
November 1, 2024 at 3:47 AM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
I’ve been less online the past couple weeks, and it looks like this. I have a lot of identities, usually “editor,” and frequently “dancer.” This attire is from Tausug culture bearers in the southern Philippines, sunglasses not included.
A woman in brightly colored silk, embroidered in contrasting colors and sequined in gold, including a red blouse, a large pink cross-body sash, and orange trousers. It’s a sunny day and she has pink sunglasses on. It’s a slightly cocky selfie.
October 27, 2024 at 6:32 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
Colleague shared this intro to a writing textbook. “If you were going to your first college level on sculpting, do you imagine your instructor would have you start by sculpting the tiny details such as the veins on the clenched hand of Michaelangelo’s David?” open.library.okstate.edu/whoteacheswr...
“So why do experienced writers tend to benefit from overt grammar and usage instruction, but not beginning writers? While grammar and usage are often talked about as “the basics” or the “nuts and bolts” of writing, it is better understood as the fine artistic styling and finishing touches of good writing completed by experts. Think of it in terms of another artistic medium, such as sculpture. If you were going to your first college level on sculpting, do you imagine your instructor would have you start by sculpting the tiny details such as the veins on the clenched hand of Michaelangelo’s David? Of course not, because you are so inexperienced with sculpting that you don’t yet really understand how to chip a chunk of marble into the general shape of a human body.” “Think of “macro level” writing concerns like organization, theme, and content as the general shape of the human body, and think of “micro level” concerns such as sentence-level usage and style as the delicate details on David’s hand. With time and dedication to your craft, you will be able to sculpt those veins, but it need not be today. Focus first on shaping the body of your writing into the general shapes and structures you imagine.”
October 1, 2024 at 8:26 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
each time I make chilaquiles, I add one more thing
A round wooden plate with a couple fried eggs and a row of avocado slices piled with queso fresco crumbles, bits of red and green onions, tomato slices, and drizzles of crema and Valentina. Under the toppings are salsa-soaked tortillas, but they’re basically hidden.
August 7, 2024 at 8:46 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
I’ve been doing this.
A round loaf scored in a way that looks like strewn leaves with the edges flaking upward and a floury spiral imprint visible on the intact crust Eight homemade bagels cooling down. Some have “everything bagel” seasoning, some coated in asiago, some plain A pan of rolls, each covered with with golden brown cheese, tucked under a purple patterned cloth and on top of a red woven blanket in the grass
June 5, 2024 at 4:54 AM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
He used singular “they” in the paragraph after the one in which he said he wouldn’t.
The text reads, “and I will not allow a male teaching assistant to wear a dress or high heals or any type of drag attire while working for me. Although I am not opposed to hiring a cross-dresser or transvestite as a teaching assistant, they must refrain from this behavior while on the job and when interacting with my students in any way.” The word “they” is highlighted.
May 30, 2024 at 6:47 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
Ophelia as Mitski albums
A white dog wearing a lion’s mane, big white ears poking out, bewildered expression Cover of Mitski’s album Be the Cowboy; she faces us wearing a ruffled white cap that covers her hair completely, while a hand not her own applies eyeliner
February 6, 2024 at 7:19 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
Ophelia as Mitski albums
A small white dog belly up getting a rub, back arched and arms curled, a shadowy sepia mood to the colors Cover of Mitski’s album, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We; she seems to be falling backward, in deep shadow, hands reaching forward
February 6, 2024 at 7:14 PM
usewordsbetter.bsky.social
I’ve never not been gladdened by cheesecloth.
A mound of labneh topped with olive spread, olive oil, and pepper flakes with two pieces of focaccia at the ready, on a colorful plate
September 21, 2023 at 12:03 AM