Expat Brit still bemused by life in America. Avid reader, SFF & mystery fan. Apt to be sweary. Sometimes I write stuff. Occasionally blogging at www.AbroadInTheUSA.com Writing Guardians of the Weave. She/herhttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mttr7vwwy22wThis b’day gift from the spouse is, tbh, very accurate for me 😏24 Aug 2026 16:51 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mttr7vwwy22whttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mtrl5ytv5c2oTomorrow is my bday. Tonight we’re going to Nifty Fifties with First Born & G’daughter because I want a bloody great milkshake that’s also marked ‘gluten free’ so I can sashay into 65 in style.23 Aug 2026 19:57 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtrl5ytv5c2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mtpeny53as2uSo today on Bluesky I learned about Franks Casket, Rameses III and the Great Harem Conspiracy, and that there’s a Cardinals pitcher playing while wearing a pearl necklace - I love it here22 Aug 2026 22:55 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtpeny53as2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mt7vx4ovb225Raining steadily here in suburban Philly and I’m ridiculously happy to see it after a desperately dry 5+ weeks in southern England. Like yes I know ~this~ place doesn’t need it, but weeks without rain is apparently not good for my Brit soul. Just need to send some over to the UK16 Aug 2026 19:22 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt7vx4ovb225https://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3msyb5fejdc2jBefore we went away I saw a lil’ patch of wild grape vine down in the corner - eh, it’s only two feet tall, I’ll deal with it when we get back. One month later and a fucking triffid is taking over the house.13 Aug 2026 18:21 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3msyb5fejdc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3msvvbt2a2s23Brain is moving at about the pace of an ancient turtle plodding through half-congealed molasses. Jet lag gets worse every bloody trip.12 Aug 2026 19:44 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3msvvbt2a2s23https://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3msqcoknegk24Me: I’m so depressed to be going back to the US. Him: cos you’ll miss our son? Or dread the fascist hellscape where it’s not safe to eat and people are being snatched off the streets? Me: ~sobs~ Both. It’s both.10 Aug 2026 14:27 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3msqcoknegk24https://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mspyuh75ps2vStumbled on this utterly delightful and deeply English history 🧵 [contains quote post or other embedded content]10 Aug 2026 11:32 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mspyuh75ps2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3msohmt4erk2pOur last night in London and had the BEST Indian meal at Cinnamon Bazaar. Fantastic, creative, great cocktails too.09 Aug 2026 20:51 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3msohmt4erk2phttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3msbe7r27hk2iIt’s raining! First time in the month we’ve been in central London. Barely a sprinkle but still great see. Easy to tell who’s a local - they’re the ones with big grins on their faces 😄04 Aug 2026 15:45 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3msbe7r27hk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3ms4epkcvqk2qActual convo with spouse this afternoon: “This bench isn’t nearly as comfy as the one at Coal Drops Yard.” “Yeah, I think it’s the shape of the back support, not as good.” (Signs we’re Getting Old 😬)02 Aug 2026 16:11 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms4epkcvqk2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mrnip3dwss2gTraveling the Piccadilly Line in rush hour when a heatwave is building = like being INSIDE a flop-sweat inducing hot flash 🥵🥵🥵27 Jul 2026 18:12 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrnip3dwss2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mrneyh4c6k2lThe Admiral Codrington pub on Mossop St, London has gluten free sticky toffee pudding. Repeat: GLUTEN FREE STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING !!! Bliss 🤤27 Jul 2026 17:06 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrneyh4c6k2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mrfgb6efes2sWhen your kid works front of house at the theatre and tells you which is the best seat to book. ❤️😄 #Beetlejuice #PrinceEdwardTheatre24 Jul 2026 13:07 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrfgb6efes2shttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mrf6gvm5m223Superb and horrifying column: The “inhumane mass deportation policy … has become a mindless and lawless machine of evil banality … sweeping up all kinds of refugees to fill its gulag detention quota” and permanently destroying the U.S. legacy as a safe place for the world's stateless dissidents. [contains quote post or other embedded content]24 Jul 2026 10:47 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrf6gvm5m223https://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mrd2txrwgk2cWell if one has to hobble around using a walking stick one might as well get something a tad stylish from the venerable James Smith & Sons of London. Custom fitted and everything - I feel Right Posh.23 Jul 2026 14:37 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrd2txrwgk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mr3nnvjykk2jPrivileged to see this utterly brilliant flamenco version of “Love’s Labour’s Lost” at Shakespeare’s Globe yesterday. Yes! Shakespeare with flamenco! It works really well! If you’re in London don’t miss it. Superb & creative staging, top-notch performances.20 Jul 2026 15:53 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr3nnvjykk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/vmarklew.bsky.social/post/3mqngjk4qpk2eAs usual, Charlotte has the best take. [contains quote post or other embedded content]15 Jul 2026 00:08 +0000at://did:plc:wl5ww5ogdkpbt6cjk2iyjsfo/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqngjk4qpk2e