Author, Maine dweller, respite giver, wool sniffer. https://claraparkes.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3mvi25pc3r22fCaught myself mechanically going to open Instagram and Threads to be algorithmically fed division and outrage, decided to set that aside and come back here. How’s everyone doing this morning?14 Sep 2026 11:49 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvi25pc3r22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lwtjhx3ofs2bJust like that, there’s a chill in the air. The field has faded, the hermit thrushes are gone, and the hummingbirds are draining the feeders fast in preparation for their own journey. Our friend summer has turned a corner.20 Aug 2025 13:22 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwtjhx3ofs2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lvq7gduamc2dThere’s something humbling and sacred about seeing trampled plants where a deer gave birth to her fawn and left it, safely hidden, while she went foraging for food and distracting potential predators. The milkweed is already bouncing back, ready for its role as monarch nursery. Nature, I tell ya.06 Aug 2025 12:19 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lvq7gduamc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lng5vlfpa22nHey NOAA. You ok?22 Apr 2025 17:03 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lng5vlfpa22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lmpkqniqnk2eAnd now for the big reveal most of you already guessed: I'm in Knit Stars Season 10! Come to Maine and escape into the magic of swatch therapy with me. Oh, and there'll be cake. Here's my affiliate link for all the details: https://knitstars.com/masterclass/?ref=564&utm_campaign=knit-stars-masterclass-season-10-prelaunch13 Apr 2025 17:22 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmpkqniqnk2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lmhwk7twrc2xLast fall, I got an email that sparked an idea that has given me so much grounding and comfort and creative joy. I had no idea how much we’d be needing that now. On April 13, I finally get to talk about it. I’ll have all the details in my secret newsletter (link in profile) if you’re interested.10 Apr 2025 16:32 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmhwk7twrc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lm5nrmofm22gAugusta, Maine, understood the assignment. #HandsOff06 Apr 2025 14:28 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lm5nrmofm22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lm2ynkdeyc2eGood morning! Anyone feel like taking a walk today?05 Apr 2025 13:05 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lm2ynkdeyc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3llefjulhis2qYou know it’s bad when you’re vastly more qualified than any of the actual cabinet members.27 Mar 2025 13:24 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3llefjulhis2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3ll2xib5pc22rSince our legacy media isn’t doing a sufficient job of conveying just how big the resistance is, here’s a clip of what people were doing yesterday in New Jersey. [contains quote post or other embedded content]23 Mar 2025 19:19 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ll2xib5pc22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lkg55yis2s2fHappy March 15th. #TheIdesofTrump15 Mar 2025 12:34 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkg55yis2s2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lk6tasfpfs2sI feel another swatch coming on…12 Mar 2025 14:48 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lk6tasfpfs2shttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3ljftz2qjdc2oI feel a swatch coming on.02 Mar 2025 16:25 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljftz2qjdc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lihoijwnic2nIf one wants to finish consuming all one’s remaining butter and jam, one must procure a proper vessel.18 Feb 2025 16:27 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lihoijwnic2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3ligcpgnfkc2tThis very good boy wants you to know that the world is still a dumpster fire but red is his favorite color and if you have any snacks he’d like them please, thank you.18 Feb 2025 03:23 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ligcpgnfkc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lhxntgn3jc2gThe world is an absolute dumpster fire right now. I take comfort in knowing that somewhere in Paris there’s a woman feeling quite chuffed that she managed to get this chair home safe and sound. Long may she ride and reign.12 Feb 2025 07:32 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhxntgn3jc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lhbjcjcojc2hScenes from a Sunday walk along the Marne, whose waters are beginning to recede after last week’s flood. All hail the restorative powers of going outside.03 Feb 2025 12:13 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhbjcjcojc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lh75ysxlfk2z95% of Maine heating oil comes from Canada. But don’t worry, Senator Susan Collins has plans to ask nicely for an exception to the tariffs and them apologize and back away when they laugh in her face. Excellent leadership.02 Feb 2025 13:45 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lh75ysxlfk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lh75h3ikjs2zThere’s balancing information intake with self-care, and then there’s occasionally needing to scream because none of this, I repeat none of this, is normal or ok. https://youtube.com/shorts/zBYoYr7NAZA?si=RoDzXafDZjlLwoKw02 Feb 2025 13:35 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lh75h3ikjs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lguk7gjq3k23Good morning from the not-USA, where I’ve been seeking refuge for a few weeks. I’m about to make a bread run. Anyone want anything?29 Jan 2025 08:24 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lguk7gjq3k23https://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lffjrspows2rIt’s a brisk sunny Friday here in Maine. I’m sipping my second coffee and making a list of what needs to be done today, to try and wrangle the jangle in my brain. How’s everyone else doing?10 Jan 2025 15:42 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lffjrspows2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lergurjcx22pIs anyone else struggling with saying“happy New Year” when we know and dread what actually lies ahead? And yet I refuse to be robbed of all optimism. So, I wish us all a New Year of strength, community, possibility, resistance, and resilience.02 Jan 2025 15:56 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lergurjcx22phttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3lehz5pabyk2vI knew he’d have to leave us one day, but that doesn’t make it any easier. May his life of service be an example to us all. [contains quote post or other embedded content]29 Dec 2024 21:57 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3lehz5pabyk2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3le3uh6qog22lMerry eve from a snowy Maine.25 Dec 2024 02:01 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3le3uh6qog22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3ldqontshe22gMood.20 Dec 2024 15:18 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldqontshe22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3ldbthxp7js22I swear, baking is such witchcraft. Need nurturing? Cast a cookie spell. This one came from a dear friend, who got it from her grandma: Gingersnaps, with the requisite snap on the perimeter but a phenomenal chew in the center.14 Dec 2024 17:34 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldbthxp7js22https://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3ldbko45f6222So basically we’re paying more than any other country in the world for healthcare, and our reward is being sick the longest. 🫠 [contains quote post or other embedded content]14 Dec 2024 14:56 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldbko45f6222https://bsky.app/profile/claraparkes.bsky.social/post/3ldbeqmrnhs2wIt’s going to take one hell of a rigorous spiritual practice to make it through the next four years.14 Dec 2024 13:10 +0000at://did:plc:cqmnc444ozc7ud5xuk3hlag6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldbeqmrnhs2w