Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 02/10/2026The sudden closure of the Academy of Natural Science was a gut punch. I went five times in September — all day for two of those times. But there’s a campaign to reopen it that includes stakeholders with clout. News reports and action steps at the link: save-the-academy.org 000
Reposted by Laura BlanchardMichelle says: Be kind. Always. ❤️ @snarkysillysad.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Giving a tiny bird a helping hand: #AGoodPlace Source: www.reddit.com/r/MadeMeSmil... 782839370
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 13/09/2026save-the-academy.orgsave-the-academy.orgSave the Academy of Natural SciencesDon't mourn — organize. The museum's last public day is Sunday, Sept 27. Ten things you can do today. 021
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Doing my bit to save the Academy of Natural Sciences -- I went on Friday, joined the Academy to help bump their numbers, and am contacting my elected officials and other stakeholders. Without a concerted public effort, the country's oldest natural history museum will close at the end of the month. 186
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 13/04/2026I had to miss it but am looking forward to the recording. Looking forward to your romp through so many chapters of The Hobbit. 010
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 07/04/2026With Congress, having skedaddle and being disinclined to come back to cope with this, I suppose our only recourse is to call the White House comment line and register an opinion – which I just did. The number is 202-456-1111. I told them I would support any lawful action to invoke Article 25. 010
Reposted by Laura BlanchardClare Moore @clarelmoore.bsky.social · 05/04/2026Sneak peak for our first Big Read session: Erik Jampa Andersson on Tolkien’s “On Fairy-stories”! erikjampa.substack.com/p/tolkien-on...erikjampa.substack.comTolkien On Fairy-storiesThe Tolkien Society 'Big Read': Session 1 1155
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 06/04/2026We’ll probably pop popcorn and watch Sylvester McCoy and his Rhosgobel rabbits. 110
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 06/04/2026Missing this one (family is here) but will catch the recording. 111
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 06/04/2026Her novel,The Ear Trumpet, merits reading and re-reading. 110
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 06/04/2026I screamed at my Congresscritters about Trump/Hegseth and war crimes, immigration, the despoliation of our public lands, and the Epstein files first thing this morning. Enjoy this photo of a magnolia blossom with solar flare as a palate-cleanser. 000
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 02/04/2026I did my civic duty last weekend. I also scream at my Congresscritters on the regular. 010
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 01/04/2026It should say "go Birds" somewhere and it would then be perfect. 010
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 31/03/2026I’m only sharing because Gritty is holding a gingko branch, honest! 010
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 27/03/2026I'm registered mobilize.us/s/BU4Ehcmobilize.usNO KINGS PHILADELPHIA · No Kings**We have the power and are claiming it together. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.** What began in 2025 as a single day of defiance has become a sustained national resistance to tyranny, spreading fr... 000
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 07/03/2026I think that Daylight Savings time should start later so we don't have those dark mornings. 000
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 03/03/2026Are you a friend, colleague, or admirer of the open access work of the late, great Will Noel? Nominate an open access project for the Noel Prize Award (deadline March 15). Details: pacscl.org/what-we-do/f... 000
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 21/02/2026A cleanse for your feed as the level of political angst rises: my beautiful Hippeastrum 'La Paz,' a cybister hybrid, now opening on my windowsill. You're welcome. 020
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 20/02/2026The signage is back at The President's House historic site. For now. share.inquirer.com/Wi6KW4share.inquirer.comHow a Black history tour kept the story of the President’s House alive after the Trump administration tried to erase itThe National Park Service began restoring slavery exhibits at the President's House on Thursday, but in the last few weeks Philadelphians made sure the story was told despite the bare walls. 011
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 20/02/2026I want the hat! Unfortunately, it's out of stock -- for a preorder??? 000
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 20/02/2026The only thing better than reading about the Supreme Court's tariff decision is reading about the reaction of that man in the White House. 000
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 07/02/2026Indeed. That hair is epic. So is the velvet tunic. 010
Reposted by Laura BlanchardOmg. WTF is Happening? @lalahaenzy.bsky.social · 05/02/2026Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again. #Pinks #ProudBlue 5783269614046
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 05/02/2026Welp, so much for my plan to order some red yarn... 000
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 04/02/2026They're both wrong. It's clearly August Derleth. 110
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 04/02/2026When I'm not doomscrolling, caregiving, preparing for the Flower Show, or protesting, there's always Tolkien. This online read-through of The Hobbit is definitely popcorn-worthy. The sessions are live-streamed on YouTube with recordings available later. www.rosenbach.org/programs/bib... 000
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 04/02/2026More opportunities to support the restoration of the President's House signage... 021
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 04/02/2026My prediction: PMA knows that it has to change or die, and there will perforce continue to be changes. 000
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 04/02/2026"Philadelphia Art Museum" does not flow as smoothly as "Philadelphia Museum of Art." It becomes Philadelphyart Museum. They've kept the redesign but not the rebranding and I am fine with that. The new griffin rocks. 110
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 03/02/2026I signed the petition to restore the interpretive signage at the President's House, where George Washington Washington evaded Pennsylvania's gradual emancipation law. www.change.org/RestoreOurHi...change.orgSign the PetitionTell The Truth: Restore the President’s House Slavery Memorial 021
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 31/01/2026The weather and the news are both frightful but the holiday cactus doesn't care. 020
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 31/01/2026Gift link: share.inquirer.com/VgnUJXshare.inquirer.comJudge chastises Trump administration attorney in hearing over dismantled President’s House exhibitsThe city wants the judge to order that no more exhibits be removed and that the already-removed exhibits be protected as the litigation continues. 043
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 30/01/2026The administration's removal of signage about slavery at the President's House in Philadelphia included a panel about the venerable Pennsylvania Abolition Society. Today they issued a statement. paabolition.org/presidents_h...paabolition.orgPennsylvania Abolition Society 000
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 24/01/2026I am stirred up about ICE, Trump's multifarious malefactions, and the attempt to erase George Washington's shenanigans over his enslaved house servants at Independence Park, but Buddy says he has a warm lap and all is well. 020
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 24/01/2026Those who try to erase this particular past are about to learn a lesson of a different sort. 010
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 23/01/2026I think that there are some much better photos out there. I think the Inquirer ran some today in an explainer about what the NPS reviewers objected to. 000
Laura Blanchard @lblanchard.bsky.social · 23/01/2026DEADLINE APPLICATION: January 26, 2026 for Pennsylvania Abolition Society grants. Our gift to the snowbound: something to do between bouts of shoveling. Grab an electronic copy of your 501(c)(3) letter and think about what you might do with another $1,000 or so. Paabolition.org/grants.htmlpaabolition.orgPennsylvania Abolition Society 000