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Susan Schirl Smith

@sschirlsmith.bsky.social
808 followers 956 following 51 posts

Writer. Photographer. Holistic nurse. I'll be In the woods or by the sea. Words: Reckon Review, Kind Over Matter, Cognoscenti, Pangyrus. Photos: Barren Magazine

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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
This has been the truth in nursing for decades. The administration of healthcare facilities need to stand up for their employees, but they don’t. The stories shared with me from some young nurses I know mirror my own experiences from decades ago.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Truth. This is long past a difference in political perspective. It is a difference in fundamental humanity and moral values.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
My magical little cat knew something was wrong with me before I or the medical community did. They are brilliant creatures.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
When you accidentally plant flowers that the hummingbirds love. #nature #hummingbird #newhampshire
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Climbing to the crown of the Statue of Liberty was on my bucket list for decades. My latest essay @kindovermatter reveals the reasons why, and why those reasons matter more today. kindovermatter.com/climbing-to-...
Statue of Liberty
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Let's see. My dad had lung damage from asbestosis when he passed. Likely he brought the toxin home with him, with health impacts on all the family. This is horrific.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Given the world we're living in, a song from decades ago keeps playing in my head. One Tin Soldier is a protest song from decades ago. My latest essay at Kind Over Matter discusses how the meaning still resonates today.
kindovermatter.com
One Tin Soldier - Kind Over Matter
Music has the power to transport us to different times and places. Songs from long ago, written to mirror the times in which they were created, often have the power to resonate in other societal situa...
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
The world seems infinitely unkind these days. How do we remain who we are, remain kind in these times? My latest essay at Kind Over Matter. kindovermatter.com/kindness-in-...
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Loved it!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
So many relationships have ended because of this.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
In these times of chaos, remember to take care of yourself. My essay at Kind Over Matter.
kindovermatter.com
Putting On Your Own Oxygen Mask First: Mindful Self-Care - Kind Over Matter
These are chaotic times in the world. Whatever your perspective might be, it is clear that there is unrest and stress for all of us. The news stories describe one tragedy after another, one expression...
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
PSA: A family member works in the National Parks in search and rescue. She might be the only person left with advanced life support training in her vast location. Most other staff are being fired. You might want to think twice about going to one of the parks. If they're still open at all.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
My grandcat enjoying the couch I made him. If only we could all be so relaxed.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Though this is a bit belated, given the world we are living in right now, finding joy in our daily lives is essential. kindovermatter.com/finding-joy/
kindovermatter.com
Finding Joy - Kind Over Matter
The holiday season has always been a favorite of mine. The twinkle of lights illuminating a cold winter night. The sounds of holiday songs that my family would sing in harmony when I was young. The ga...
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Reposted by Susan Schirl Smith
Reckon Review @reckonreview.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
My friend and writing colleague has written a fabulous book about a team of Soccer Grannies in South Africa. It is a story of resilience, community and connection. Wonderful that the story is reaching a wider global audience!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
As someone named Susan, I have decided to call them "rotating Sally" for the foreseeable future.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Happy to join this brilliant journal!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
How have we forgotten simple human kindness, forgotten empathy? No matter what it is that you’ve chosen for a career, where you live, we are all humans just trying to live a life. My heart is with all the people and animals living through this horror.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
A recent essay at Kind Over Matter. The little things really are the big things, especially in these chaotic times. kindovermatter.com/the-little-t...
kindovermatter.com
The Little Things - Kind Over Matter
It was just a Saturday trip to the home improvement store looking for potting soil, Christmas greens and a new head for the shower. To be honest, it is not my favorite location for shopping, even duri...
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Clearly not understanding the fragility of all our lives, our stability when a traumatic life event or health crisis can lead someone to being unhoused. Having had a beloved brother living on the streets many years ago, this is a very personal issue for me.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Our group has six members. It seems the right number for us, giving us time during our bi-weekly three hour meetings to check in, share whatever writing anyone has, and get feedback.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
I often think that if I wrote my real life occurrences as fiction people would say, “Nah, that’s not believable.” Life, stranger than fiction.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
I haven't seen it. But thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
I worked in hospital and community healthcare during the height of the AIDS epidemic. Not a book, but I published an essay about those times... www.pangyrus.com/in-sickness-...
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
My writing group started in a memoir class seven years ago. A lot of life happened in that time, as we all lived the writers’ life. Our group essay, looking at the things left unsaid in the process, published at: porterhousereview.org/articles/lef...
porterhousereview.org
Left Unsaid: Musings from a Writing Group | Porter House Review
These tales of family, grief and loss, life and love are the stories of the now. Interwoven with our words of the past they have created a tapestry of our six members, our stories forever intertwined.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Much love to you as well!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Many years ago, my beloved brother was living on the streets for a time. The unhoused are all of us, one crisis, one challenge away from being in the same position.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Writer, photographer, sometimes artist here!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
‘In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.’ – John Muir. Every view at Yosemite was more beautiful than the one before. Caring for our wild spaces is caring for ourselves.
Mountain and trees in Yosemite National Park.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
One of my favorite places on the planet.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Happy I joined back in the days when you had to be invited!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Swoopy heart. Love that!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Lovely! I do love your profile description of the dark art of crochet. My daughter watched me crocheting something, and because I do it so quickly, said she thought I was casting spells!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
I think I took a picture of the same jelly friend.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Love that.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
As a fellow CNF writer, so glad to find everyone here!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
Good to find you here after migrating from that other place!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
Sedona is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your neighborhood!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
Northern New England, just last week. No, this isn't normal.
Red rose on white porch railing.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
Shadowplay. Trying to find the balance of light and dark. And not just in this photo.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
media.tenor.com
a black and white drawing of a cat peeking out from behind a keyboard
ALT: a black and white drawing of a cat peeking out from behind a keyboard
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 10/11/2024
Ghosts and books and cats. What could be better?
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 10/11/2024
Thanks so much for this! I have been trying to find some of the accounts I followed at that other place.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
Been on this app for a while... so glad to see the #WritingCommunity expanding here!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
It is hard starting over, but I’m seeing more and more people here. And finding new ones to follow.
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 07/11/2024
Glad to see you here!
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 20/10/2023
Always. 😀
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Susan Schirl Smith @sschirlsmith.bsky.social · 20/10/2023
My friend @eb-bartels.bsky.social has written a fabulous, moving book about our love for our pets, in the here and hereafter. Check out #goodgriefpetsbook and this article.
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