The (Red Cup) Rebellion – Starbucks Workers Strike in Pittsburgh and Beyond

So don’t go to Starbucks. They went on strike today and it is open-ended. Don’t go to Starbucks. Don’t buy Starbucks stuff. The open-ended strike begins with 65 stores across 40+ cities and comes after six months of Starbucks refusing to offer new proposals to address workers’ demands for better staffing, higher pay, and resolution […]

The blog post about placeholders

I can’t think of a blog topic today. That’s okay. Sometimes you just need a placeholder while your brain sorts out all of the things.

Charlotte was a Northside community cat. A pet food pantry, TNR, and a devoted caretaker made her life better at the end.

I held Charlotte in my arms yesterday as she was euthanized because of a massive tumor in her chest. For the past thee years, she’s lived in the Mexican War Streets, being fed by a 75 year old caretaker with a fixed income. Charlotte was trapped, spayed, and released. She showed no interest in human […]

Will the grandchildren of ICE Nazis make amends?

I watch (and share) a lot of videos that are focused on identifying ICE agents, documenting kidnappings, and lauding the creative, persistent resistance. Sometimes I wonder what I’d say if I was holding the bullhorn or recording with my phone. I’m not sure that the words of an individual have any impact or can prevent […]

My best friend Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD died on this date in 2007. He was 41.

I found this today “Susan, Though I do not tell you often, I am glad that you are part of my life. Some or most of my best memories are times that we have shared together. I will love you always and I hope the day (my birthday) was special for you truly are. I […]

Worry. Why do I let myself worry?

Today was busy. I did some work on sourcing winter shelters for our pet food pantry caretakers. Thanks to many volunteers, we now have 10 completed shelters that should be distributed in the next 48 hours as cold weather approaches. We need some more. I asked Animal Friends for more kits. One of our caretakers […]

Things to Watch During Native History Month

My friend, Lee Dingus, is a Seneca artist and educator who has contributed to this blog in the past. I asked her to specifically share television shows and movies that do a solid job with representation. Indigenous created content is so much more accessible now, but I don’t think people know that. I certainly didn’t, until […]

The cruelty of food distribution in the United States

When I think about the evil decision to cut SNAP benefits for millions of Americans, my next thought is the scene in The Hunger Games where Peeta and Katniss attend a banquet where they learn about the concoction that the elite use to vomit so they can continue to gorge themselves on delicacies. Both are […]

“Why should anyone feel secure about the right to marry when this Court has proven it doesn’t believe in precedent?”

“Why should anyone feel secure about the right to marry,” he asked, “when this Court has proven it doesn’t believe in precedent?” Jim Obergefell to The Advocate magazine. Today, Friday, the Supreme Court Justices will meet behind closed doors to determine if they will hear a case that includes a challenge to the previous ruling […]

NOW This Pittsburgh Pet Food Pantry Needs Your Help Delivering Winter Shelters for Homeless Cats

The Pet Food Pantry is helping our colony caretakers prepare for cold weather. We’ve procured 12 shelters BUT we need help ASAP delivering some & dropping kits off to a volunteer to assemble this weekend. Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities is covering the costs of the kits. A large SUV can accommodate up to six. Here’s the […]