Rainbow sunflower is a watercolor painting in vertical format painted by artist Karen Kaspar. A happy yellow and orange sunflower is growing on a colorful background in vibrant shades of pink, purple and blue.
And like most cozy and memorable moments, it couldn't be made to happen. Oh, we can plan the general idea, even some of the specifics, but the spark of joy that occurs and warms our hearts is so often spontaneous and unexpected.
Here on the #Fediverse, now more than ever -- if you're willing and able -- we need you to share the things that lift you up and help you keep going.
If it sparks #joy, please, PLEASE share and continue sharing with the class in the coming weeks and months.
Is it #pretty, but you're lacking #spoons? Be sure to follow @altbot so you can still share it.
If it brings a #smile to your face, consider sharing it no matter how small.
If you chuckle at something in your daily life and tell yourself "oh that's so dumb, I better not post it", that's exactly when you SHOULD post it.
If you think of a #DadJoke that could win awards for being so corny, it is your fiduciary duty as a #Fedizen to attempt to make us all groan at your #silliness.
Some of my most popular toots were my most flippant #shitposts (in contrast to ones I've poured hours into crafting, that get a sympathy fav or two and then vanish into the ether..). It might feel awkward at first, but if you keep #shitposting it's like exercising muscles; it gets easier the more you do it. Consider exercising your big brain muscle and then barf the results here for all the world to see.
I know #hashtags aren't as big here, and a lot of people are against them but I find them invaluable. (I do wish we had a bot that auto-generated a reply to posts with socially/contemporarily relevant hashtags.) Consider adding a contribution to #3GoodThings, or tuck a silly #shitpost in a bottle and toss it into the great and fascinating sea called the Fediverse. You might be surprised who might find it interesting.
We need to flood the zone with #kindness and #happiness because I believe that's how we recharge our emotional reserves.
In doing so, it helps us fortify ourselves against the onslaught of stormy weather that is our real-life world. (Or at least that's how I usually do it. [I recommend augmenting with generous doses of cannabis as needed. {consult your doctor first}])
Having said all of this, it's important to remember we must strive to provide #empathy to our fellow passengers. For some of us, this is the closest we can get to #therapy. If people share their struggles and challenges, I implore all of us to remember that #kindness and understanding are radical acts of decency.
Above all, protect yourself by blocking "early and often". You aren't obligated to continue hosting a visitor on your digital "porch". You can simply close the door. You don't even need to have a reason. It's your fucking door and there's nothing that says you're required to buy what they're selling -- especially if it feels like negativity. I can tell you with absolute certainty that I've never blocked someone and later thought, "oh gee, I shouldn't have blocked them so fast." It's generally the opposite.
Alright, my friends. Today your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to brainstorm the corniest damned joke you can think of, and post it. Don't mull it over, don't worry about if it makes sense -- post it. Toot it. Bop it. Shake it. Twist it.
Bring forth the moments and shitposts you wish to see in the world, each one a candle that lights our way on this long journey we call life.
You are allowed to find moments of joy, even in all the horror. Joy is not a prize for getting through it all, it is an important tool to enable us to get through this. Joy itself is an act of resistance, so look for the joys. Small ones, big ones-doesn't matter. Find them, embrace them, let them comfort you, let them fuel you.
First Monday of 2026 and I’m taking advantage of this beautiful sunny day to visit the Art Institute of Chicago. Their members lounge is the perfect place for a cup of tea and a cozy space to contemplate the beauty in the world.
Yes, the world is on fire, and cruel people seem to be winning. Beauty and joy are a spiritual backstop. Feed your soul when you can.
Silver bigger than life sized sculpture of two naked human figures. One is standing and the other is next/alongside it, bending at the waist and touching their feet. Beyond them, the Sears Tower is visible through huge panes of glass. There’s also a spiral staircase between the sculpture and the window.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has accompanied and supported me this year – through your likes, boosts, kind words, or by purchasing prints of my paintings!
I wish you all a healthy, happy, peaceful, and creative New Year 2026 with my eco-friendly and animal-friendly "Fireworks of stars"!
Fireworks of stars is an abstract acrylic painting in portrait format painted by artist Karen Kaspar. Colorful stars in different sizes in all colors of the rainbow dance on a black background.
Mein herzliches Dankeschön an alle, die mich dieses Jahr begleitet und unterstützt haben - durch eure likes, boosts, netten Worte oder den Kauf von Drucken meiner Bilder!
Ich wünsche euch allen ein gesundes, glückliches, friedliches und kreatives Neues Jahr 2026 mit meinem umwelt- und tierfreundlichen "Feuerwerk der Herzen"!
Feuerwerk der Herzen ist ein abstraktes Acrylgemälde im Hochformat gemalt von der Künstlerin Karen Kaspar. Bunte Herzen in verschiedenen Größen und allen Farben des Regenbogens wie Gelb, Orange, Rosa, Grün, Blau und Lila explodieren auf einem abstrakten dunklen Hintergrund eines Nachthimmels. Ein großes Herz in Gelb-, Orange- und Rosatönen schwebt im Zentrum der fröhlichen Farbexplosion.
Lasst uns das Jahr mit Liebe, Freude und Glück füllen.