@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

"Place this under your pillow when you sleep," Heather said, in assured tones. "Only sweet dreams will come."
Gratefully, the woman pressed a coin into Heather's hands then, comforted, she headed off into the plaza. Heather's eyes stole to the coin and widened. It was a silver coin. She was astonished. She might work for a whole day at a village #market and not make more than a handful of copper.
Heather settled back to wait for the next person seeking the services of a hedge witch. #wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub Have you ever added to a work after it was finished?

It's called a sequel.

My fortune says I am a role model for otters!

#WritersCoffeeClub How do you support your fellow writers?

I am involved in several writing organizations. I serve as Secretary of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA). I am on the program committee of the Straw Dog Writers Guild, organizing craft presentations and hosting Straw Dog Writes, a weekly writing group. Finally, with the support of an amazing group of curators, I also run @wss366, a writing prompt on Mastodon.

Businesses have started to realize that AI isn't working. But I always remember Christopher Dede's observation about the life cycle of technology: "It didn't work for Business, so it must be good for Education!"

"I would like to have my daughter tested for geomancy."
"How old is she?"
Veronica held up four fingers.
"Very good! Please fill out this form. There's a fee of 10 #gross to administer the test. Is that alright?"
Veronica's father filled out the form, signed it, and counted out the ten copper coins onto the counter.
"Just wait over there until the examiner is ready," the woman said. #wss366 (from The Ground Never Lies)

Two Car Garage is playing The Friday Song at BBC. A Foxglove DIPA #beer is the best way to put a good buzz on. #WesternMass

It's convenient that "substack" blogs have that interstitial window that pops up to tell you to close the tab and never visit that domain name ever again.

"That was unexpected," Argo said.
"Right?" said the Borthon. "I didn't think *four* was the number!"
"And why Delacroix?"
They both sighed.
"At least it's over," Argo said. "Let's go #home!"
They intertwined tentacles with pincers and lifted off the surface of the methane sea into the sky. #wss366

Isn't it weird how they never have summer, fall, or winter water?

I was reading this nice little article about venomous snakes. https://snakesarelong.blogspot.com/2013/09/basics-of-snake-fangs.html?m=1

I loved the little side comments in the captions.

For lots more about Sssindy, pick up Better Angels: Tour de Force, only at the Truck Stop at the Center of the Galaxy (and other places fine books are sold.) https://truckstop.waterdragonpublishing.com/product/better-angels-tour-de-force/

"Quiet down, children!" the principal said. "We have a special guest coming to the assembly today."
Two boys in the front row rolled their eyes.
"I'll bet it's that fire safety bear again," one whispered to the other.
Once it was quiet, a teacher opened the door. An enormous pink #snake slithered through.
Screams erupted from the children. "It's Sssindy! It's Sssindy!"
She reared up in front.
"Let'sss talk physssical fitnesss!" she said. "Isss everyone ready for sssome calisssthenicsss?" #wss366

I wonder if anyone noticed the initials of the characters…

"You know… He… He just…"
"You're about to say something really offensive, aren't you?"
"Hey, guys!" Bruce called. He walked up with another young man. "I'd like to you meet my friend, Tony. Is it OK if he comes with us?"
Greg and Larry looked at each and mouthed, "Gay" at one another. (2/2) #wss366

"Do you think Bruce is #gay?" Greg asked.
They were waiting for Bruce to go to a movie together.
"Wow!" Larry said. "Where did that come from?"
"No, seriously. What do you think?"
"Does it matter?"
"No. Not to me," Greg said. "But doesn't he seem gay to you?"
"Like how?" (1/2) #wss366

When countries are at war, there are places where one can express views that are unpopular in the warring country. But, with "peace," authoritarian regimes can bring pressure to bear on other countries to censor unpopular points of view. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/world/asia/bangkok-museum-censorship-china.html?unlocked_article_code=1.oU8.Iayy.Z0rG9b-RK6KA&smid=url-share

Latest Cretaceous megaraptorid theropod dinosaur sheds light on megaraptoran evolution and palaeobiology. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63793-5

It reminds me of that old joke: Would you rather fight one megaraptorid theropod, or 100 microraptorid theropods?

It's hard to get non-blurry photos of Tanuki-chan with her fightin' ball. #DogsOfMastodon

Everyone keeps talking about the #rapture… Didn't it already happen? In Waco? In 1993?