iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 02/09/2026

My top artists for August were definitely influenced by who I saw live. I mean, @guster.bsky.social is a top five mainstay, but Iron & Wine and @carbonleaf.bsky.social have been getting a lot more play time than usual. Coincidentally wearing my Carbon Leaf t-shirt today 😁

Top Artist: #1 Carbon Lead, 101 scrobbles
#2 Guster 98
#3 Iron & Wine 91
#4 Fountains of Wayne 63
#5 Same Beam & Jesca Hoop 62

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 11/08/2026

Back at work today after a great weekend at our first #ontheocean. Aside from the fantastic immersion into everything #guster 🤩, another high point for me was seeing #ironandwine -- loved his mostly female band! Thanks @guster.bsky.social @brianrosenworcel.bsky.social for an awesome experience!

The On The Ocean main stage in the afternoon, and the growing crowd in front of it.

A close-up of Sam Beam of Iron and Wine playing guitar and singing

Guster on the small stage, getting ready to answer questions in a Q+A

Guster performing with the Portland Symphony Orchestra

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 13/07/2026

Saw #toadthewetsprocket last night for the first time since 1997, and they were fantastic! So glad I started prioritizing live music with my favorite bands these last few years. It is such a joyful experience to be in a room full of people singing and dancing along to music you all love 🤗

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 08/07/2026

My 50 most-listened-to artists of the last 30 days 🎧 Anybody else on @lastfm.bsky.social ? Feel free to connect with me: www.last.fm/user/polkado... I've been scrobbling since 2007 😮

Fountains of Wayne . The Innocence Mission . Toad The Wet Sprocket .
Crowded House · Guster . Travis . The Sundays . Real Estate . Kings of Convenience · Martin Courtney · Skinshape · Suzanne Vega · Matt Pond PA · Sinéad O'Connor . Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass . Nick Drake · Lord Huron . Enya . 0 & the Mo . The Shins . Father John Misty . Miley Cyrus · Kasabian · Fleetwood Mac · Gomez . Jason Collett . Katherine Priddy · Putumayo . Bruce Hornsby and the Range . Fruit Bats . Old Sea Brigade · Deep Sea Arcade . The Decemberists . Foo Fighters . Adam Melchor · Carbon Leaf · Kylie Dailey ·R.E.M. . Sea Wolf . The Mamas & the Papas . 10,000 Maniacs · Antonio Vivaldi / Georg Friedrich Händel / Henry Purcell / Johann Sebastian Bach / Heinrich Schütz . Coldplay. Dispatch . Joakim Karud . Clairo . David Byrne · George Frideric Handel · Great Lake Swimmers · Indigo Girls

Top 50 Artists / polkadotradio
(8 Jun 2026 - 8 Jul 2026)

last.fm

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 21/04/2026

New in the shop: I've made a bunch of pretty pens! Here's a tour 😁: www.lisaclarke.net/2026/04/20/f... #fountainpens #polkadotcottage 🧶

Ten mechanical pencils, all with handcrafted polymer clay barrels, in a variety of colors, arranged side-by-side like a rainbow

Ten fountain pens, all with handcrafted polymer clay barrels, in a variety of colors, arranged side-by-side like a rainbow

Ten Cross-style twist pens, all with handcrafted polymer clay barrels, in a variety of colors, arranged side-by-side like a rainbow

A fountain pen, Cross-style twist pen, mechanical pencil, and stick pen, all with handcrafted polymer clay barrels, in a kaleidoscopic design I call "Celadon Jubilee"

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 20/03/2026

69 MILLION married women can’t use their birth certificate alone under the SAVE Act because their name changed. This isn’t accidental. This is engineered. Call your senators! 202-224-3121. #SaveActTaxesVoting

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 03/02/2026

I just stumbled upon my old Weekend Favorites category on my blog and was reminded how wonderful Instagram used to be. So much beautiful imagery. No wonder it used to be my happy place. It has changed so much :-/ www.lisaclarke.net/category/wee...

Weekend Favorites... at Polka Dot Cottage: a 4x4 mosaic of brightly colored beautiful photos, many of which feature pink peonies, colorful crochet, and people relaxing with a mug of something hot.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 21/01/2026

Oh, I hope so! Gotta say I am having my doubts with what I've seen so far, though, lol!

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 18/12/2025

I've got nine wool hats to block before Christmas, but I am hesitating because every time I block a hat, it grows. These are perfect as is. Any tips for keeping the stitches from stretching out? (P.S. the pom-poms snap on, and I will remove them before blocking.) #knitting 🧶

A stack of nine knit hats, from baby size on top to adult on the bottom. Three of the hats have faux fur pom-poms on top.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 25/11/2025

Here are some upcoming events where you can find me and my #polkadotcottage #polymerclay creations! There are more details on my website: www.lisaclarke.net/buy-my-work-...

Polka Dot Cottage
In person!

Holiday Market @ SCAHC
Nov 28 Two weeks through Dec 16th | Newton, NJ

Small Business Saturday @ Do Ewe Knit
Nov 29 Saturday | 10:00 AM -- 4:00 PM | Basking Ridge, NJ

Makers Market @ Urban Sewciely
Dec 6 Saturday | 10:00 AM — 4:00 PM | Westfield, NJ

Holiday Market @ SCAHC
Dec 18 Two weeks through Jan 1st | Newton, NJ

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 18/11/2025

Ok, one more post before I go back to my Day Job 😁 Last week was Polymer Claycation, and I made some things that I am really very happy with. These are those things. I'll be selling at some local shows over the next month, but what's left will go in the shop. #polymerclay #polkadotcottage 🧶

The focus is on five brass bangle bracelets with polymer clay millefiori designs in the channels. Also visible in the frame are a few stacks of brass rings that are made in the same fashion as the bracelets, some dangly earrings with round 3/4-inch millefiori tiles, a few crochet hooks, and half a pair of resin-topped stud earrings.

The focus is on seven stacks of brass rings with polymer clay millefiori designs in the channels. Also visible in the frame are three brass bracelets that are made in the same fashion as the rings, and some dangly earrings with round 3/4-inch millefiori tiles.

The focus is on fourteen crochet hooks with polymer clay millefiori handles. Also visible in the frame are a stack of brass bangle bracelets with polymer clay millefiori designs in the channels, several pairs of resin-topped stud earrings, and a snap hair clip with a millefiori design in the bezel.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 18/11/2025

And the finished sweater! I had to buy one hank of red to finish off the trim, but otherwise it was a total stash-buster. I can close the lid on my tub of Berroco Vintage once again, LOL. Not gonna lie, it's heavy. Like wearing a blanket. #crochet #grannysquares 🧶2/2

Me, in a hotel room, wearing my new sweater vest. The final connecting row, and all of the trim was made using four different shades of red.

Me, in a hotel room, wearing my new vest and making a silly face, but also wearing a name tag that says "Lisa Clarke she/her", and a headband with two pop-up "got clay?" signs. It was the first day of Polymer Claycation 2025, something I will post more about later :-)

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 18/11/2025

Here's another project in various stages of completion! A granny square sweater vest of my own design. #crochet #grannysquares 🧶 1/2

68 tiny granny square centers, made mostly in a variety of bright or dark reds, browns, and blues, arranged horizontally in a row, with the unwoven ends dangling down from each one.

68 two-round granny squares spread out so you can see the face of each one. Both rounds were made mostly in a variety of bright or dark reds, browns, and blues.

A close-up view of 68 three-round granny squares spread out so you can see the face of each one. All three rounds were made mostly in a variety of bright or dark reds, browns, and blues.

68 four-round granny squares spread out so you can see the face of each one. These are ready for their final joining round. Round four was mostly in shades of red and brown.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 18/11/2025

I posted about this #antlersweater in September and then never again! Here's the finished sweater, and the bigger one I made for baby's 7-year-old sister :-) #knitting 🧶

A small purple pullover sweater with cabled yoke

Close-up view of the cabled yoke in a small purple pullover sweater

A tiny gray-green pullover sweater with a cabled yoke, next to a basket with an in-progress purple sweater

A close-up of the cabled yoke on a gray-green sweater

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 21/09/2025

Sunday morning knitting 🧶 I've gotten as far as I can with an #antlersweater (#tincanknits) until yarn reinforcements arrive. Just hope the new ball of yarn arrives before the new nephew does!

A top down view of the bed. There's a granny stripe blanket (which I am sitting under) to the left. At the top of the frame is a tray with a nearly full coffee cup and an empty little coffee pot on it. Below that are three little sweater pieces: two sleeves and a body, all knit to the point where they will be joined together.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 04/09/2025

Newly knit sweater, new profile pic, potential new hair clip product, and new unapologetically political t-shirt, FTW! Sweater: #judahcardigan by #knitbyjules 🧶 Pic: It's time you saw the left side of my face 😜 Clip: Snap clip w/polymer doo-dad. Make more? Shirt: @resist.bot via @cottonbureau.com

Me, wearing my newly knit Judah Cardigan by Juliana Lustenader, and holding the bottom edge to better show the simple lace design.

Me, holding a bronze-colored snap hair clip with a bezel on the end, which I have filled with one of my polymer clay designs. I think they're fun with my newly short hair. What do you think? Should I make more of these? Are they good matte? Or should I put a blob of resin on top to make them domed and shiny?

Me, showing my new resistbot t-shirt. The shirt is light blue, with a cartoon of the Resistbot mascot wearing a Rosie the Riveter bandana. Under the bot is the text: "Text RESIST to 50409"

Resisbot is an easy way to tell your government representatives what you think.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 08/08/2025

Lately I like flipping through $2 bins looking for classical music to listen to while I work. I look mostly for baroque period composers, and strictly instrumentals without any choral or solo voice pieces. In the process I seem to have inadvertently started a vintage @nonesuch.com collection 😁

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 03/08/2025

Some more pictures from Friday with #guster and #themountaingoats, now that I've had some time to go through my photos 😁

Adam Gardner of Guster playing the trumpet

Brian Rosenwercel of Guster playing the drums with his hands

Ryan Miller and Luke Reynolds of Guster singing and playing guitar and bass

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 02/08/2025

I was in the front row with @clarkesworldmagazine.com for a great show tonight with @guster.bsky.social and @themountaingoats.bsky.social 🤩 Such a happy, joyful way to spend a Friday night. Can we do it again tomorrow? 😜

Me and my husband wearing Guster t shirts and standing in front of an empty stage before a concert

The Mountain Goats performing on an outdoor stage as the sun sets

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 17/07/2025

Gotta say, this actually feels pretty spot-on for me, LOL

Answer Unclear
Oh, you. No-one can figure you out. Some people love you, some people hate you, some people just don't care. You're hot, but also ugly, but also bland. You're funny, but also serious, but also a kind of weird grey zone. Honestly, keep doing what you're doing. It's pretty cool, in my option. Though a lot of my friends would disagree.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 14/07/2025

DM me if you'd like one of the two extra pairs. $30 each, and I'll pay shipping, to thank you for keeping me from having to photograph and list these on my website 😁 3/3 #polymerclay #polkadotcottage #pdcearrings 🧶

In the blurred background, all of the finished pieces mentioned in the previous photo, except for one pair of earrings. Those are being held on an earring card by me in the foreground. They are about .75-inch polymer clay circles hanging from brass ear wires. The design is a messy stripe with a variety of pastel colors, and even a bit of sparkle. They have been sanded to be exceptionally smooth, and buffed to a nice shine.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 14/07/2025

Little barrettes, because they seem to be the only thing right now that is stopping me from shaving all of this annoying hair off of my head; a new drilling tool, because the three sizes I made 20 years ago weren't quite sufficient; and a pair of earrings which turned into three pairs 😁. 2/3

In the top row, four pairs of tiny barrettes, all with a "messy stripe" kind of pattern on them in different colors (pink, pastel multi, blue, and green). The next row has three pairs of earrings, with brass ear wires. The dangles are .75-inch circles in the pastel multi stripe design. In the bottom row is a drill bit with a polymer clay handle, in a rainbow-colored kaleidoscopic pattern.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 14/07/2025

I haven't done much with clay lately, because my work space needed a clean. Finally did that yesterday morning, and then spent literally the rest of the day making a bunch of stuff for ME 😁 1/3

A messy desk, with unfinished polymer clay projects, finished cane designs, finished jewelry, jewelry-making supplies and tools, and other unrelated stuff scattered about.

A freshly-cleaned-up work area, with two square feet of empty workspace to the left, and a polymer clay millefiori cane slicer to the right. At the back of the desk are various tools I use for working.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 12/07/2025

These are a couple of bizarre holidays worth combining: share a pecan pie with a lonely person today! 😁

A screen capture that says "Events
- Bizarre American Holidays: National Cheer Up The Lonely Day
- Bizarre American Holidays: National Pecan Pie Day" with the names of the holidays highlighted.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 10/07/2025

Front yard visitor. He was beautiful and intriguing, but he had to go when it became clear he was after one of our friendly chipmunks. @clarkesworldmagazine.com chased him away, and chippy lived to nibble nuts another day. #newjersey #bobcat

An orange bobcat, sitting calmly on a brick path, probably eyeing a chipmunk just out of view of the camera

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 08/07/2025

I was planning to post this anyway, but now that I see the #CrochetAway theme is blue, it's even more perfect 😁 This is an improvised stroller-size granny square blanket made almost entirely from stash. A gift for a nephew coming in October 💙 #crochet #crochetsky 🧶

A small granny-square blanket draped diagonally from the top of a four poster bed. The colors are all blues, teals, and grays.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 02/07/2025

Spent some time in this lovely spot next to the Passaic River today. Then I stopped for blueberries on the way home. #newjersey

A roadside farm stand, advertising Fresh Sweet Corn on a hand painted sign. There are pots of flowers, and tables with fruits and vegetables for sale.

A wooded scene. There's a big tree to the right, and next to the tree is a long park bench. The bench faces a narrow river that winds through the scene.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 27/06/2025

Movie you've watched more than six times with a gif. ("Hard mode" no Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, or Marvel).

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 26/06/2025

This was $1.99 well spent. Nothing like baroque strings to improve my productivity 🎻🤎

A record cabinet, zoomed in on the now-playing area, where there is a Johann Sebastian Bach record, featuring two concertos performed by the Chamber Orchestra of the Sarre.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 14/06/2025

We got soaked to the skin, literally, but it was worth it. We got a few middle fingers from passersby, but many many times more enthusiastic waves and beeps from passing supporters 💙 🇺🇸 #nokings #bridgewater #newjersey

Protesters on a rainy highway. One holding a sign that says End US Terrorism.

Protesters on a rainy highway. One holding a sign that says Stop The Madness, and another one holding a sign that says We The People Will Never Forget The Cowards in Congress Who Kept Quiet

Protesters on a rainy highway. One holding a sign that says Defend Democracy, and letters are stylized to resemble the American flag.

Protesters on a rainy highway. One holding a sign that says Trump Makes Nixon Look Good, and another one holding a sign that says Dump Trump. Someone behind them waves a large American flag.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 04/06/2025

This was my vacation reading last year. Highly recommend 👍

Me, on the couch of my Verbo rental, under a cozy blanket, reading "If You Can't Take the Heat"

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 24/05/2025

Last night from the front row in Ardmore PA, with #theinnocencemission 😍

In the foreground, Karen Peris of The Innocence Mission singing and playing guitar. To her right, Don Peris also playing guitar.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 23/05/2025

Taking myself on a little adventure today 🩵💚 #theinnocencemission

A photo of the front of the Ardmore Music Hall. It says: "Tonight: The Innocence Mission Sold Out"

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 22/05/2025

A few of my favorite moments captured on film this past weekend in Ocean City, NJ 📷: Canon EOS Rebel 2000 🎞: Kodak ColorPlus 200 #newjersey #oceancitynj #believeinfilm #photography

A group of people in bathing suits playing ball on the beach next to the Ocean City Fishing Pier. A few people, standing next to a pile of beach paraphernalia look on.

A gigantic blow-up duck, in the style of a bathtub rubber ducky, peeks its head out of the doorway of a store on the boardwalk.

The "Xtreme Cyclone" amusement, caught frozen in time, as it swings its arm up in the air like a pendulum, while simultaneously spinning the passengers seated in its claw.

Behind the lit-up "Alien Abduction" amusement, which is shaped like a UFO, is a dark, reddish-purple menacing sky with black clouds.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 21/05/2025

I feel like "tense" can be used to describe nearly *every* recent Oval Office meeting 🙄

A screenshot of a notification from the NPR app saying: "President Trump ambushes South Africa's president with false claims of `white genocide` in a tense Oval Office meeting."

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 07/05/2025

Now there's an idea 😁

Screenshot of a post from @ElleGray@mstdn.social that says "If you turn the two dolls you're allotted into voodoo dolls, you can really put those five pencils to good use"

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 06/05/2025

My neighbor's pink flowering tree. Lomography Instant Wide Fujifilm Instax Wide #believeinfilm #bloomscroll

An instant photo with white borders. Looking up into the canopy of pink flowers of my neighbor's tree, a clump of the flowers is in focus, while the rest of the flowers and branches behind it are pleasantly soft.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 09/04/2025

It's never a good sign when your retirement account provider makes you look at this popup before revealing your balance 😬

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 08/04/2025

If you see this post, post or requote post a boarded walkway or something similar Looking for spring peepers in a vernal pool in Harding Twp, NJ, March 2025

It's dusk. There is a guide from the Great Swamp Watershed Association wearing a pair of red and green lamps on her head and standing in a vernal pool and talking about the spring peepers (tiny frogs) that breed there at this time of year. A small crowd of spectators stands on a wooden boardwalk and watching and listening.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 04/04/2025

If you like the pink ones, they're the only pair I have left in my shop: www.lisaclarke.net/store/handma...

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 04/04/2025

A few months ago, I made a few of this style of earring, never thinking I'd like it much for my own personal use. But I do. And now I want to make them in every color for me, Me, ME 😁 (I may spend my Day Job lunch hour at the clay table, getting started...) #polkadotcottage #polymerclay 🧶

Donut-shaped earrings, hanging from handmade oxidized sterling silver wires. The donuts are roughly 1.5 inches across and feature a kaleidoscopic design in pinks, yellows, and greens.

Me, on the left, wearing my only pair of these donut-shaped earrings. Mine pair is similar to the first image, but the colors are more on the orange, blue, red, and purple side. (On the right is my partner in crime - we took this photo this week while celebrating our anniversary). I cropped the image to make it easier to see the earrings.

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 03/04/2025

Got mine! I love this design ❤️🖤

Me, wearing black-and-white polka dot glasses, jeans, and a t-shirt, The shirt has a red bunny with two black thought balloons that say "Stand up for each other" and "we have power"

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 02/04/2025

I finally deactivated my unused X account. I'd been hanging on to it so those who'd connected with me there for 17+ years could follow my links and find me on Bluesky or Mastodon. I think I've given those people enough time now.

Deactivated
Your account is deactivated
Sorry to see you go. #GoodBye

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 31/03/2025

I listened to a lot of #innocencemission this month (seeing them in concert in May 🤩). Also played a lot of the other usual suspects: @guster.bsky.social , Travis, @crowdedhouse.com, and @toadthewetsprocket.bsky.social

I listened to 2952 minutes and 805 streams in March.

Top 5 tracks:
1. Your Saturday Picture (The Innocence Mission)
2. Witness Tree (Guster)
3. Jacaranda (Blind Pilot)
4. Avalon (Travis)
5. Distant Skies (Old Sea Brigade)

Top 5 artists:
1. The Innocence Mission
2. Guster
3. Travis
4. Crowded House
5. Toad The Wet Sprocket

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 31/03/2025

"Remember the Ladies" - Abigail Adams to John Adams on this date in 1776

The highlighted portion says "I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation."

The entire text reads: "Tho we felicitate ourselves, we sympathize with those who are trembling least the Lot of Boston should be theirs. But they cannot be in similar circumstances unless pusilanimity and cowardise should take possession of them. They have time and warning given them to see the Evil and shun it.—I long to hear that you have declared an independancy—and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.

"That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender and endearing one of Friend. Why then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the Lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity. Men of Sense in all Ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your Sex. Regard us then as Beings placed by providence under your protection and in immitation of the Supreem Being make use of that power only for our happiness."

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Lisa Clarke @lisaclarke.net · 29/03/2025

I'm working on a spring playlist today, and as usual, I've got the cover and the title picked out before I've finalized the track list. And also as usual, the cover has little to do with the actual musical contents, and the title is a phrase from the lyrics of the first track 😁

A square image with the words "Wild and Bold Extremes" in green, and smaller words "Lisa Clarke March 2025" in black. The image is a top down view of a marble coffee shop table. In the bottom left corner is my hand wearing black nail polish and holding a big mug of a bright green hot matcha latte. In the top right corner is my adult kid holding a much smaller-looking glass of iced coffee with milk.

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