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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her)
@bettysueblue.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.7K following 380 posts
Author. Editor. Copywriter. Anti-fascist. EIC & Publisher of Black Lily Zine. Living w C-PTSD & vocal about ending the stigma surrounding mental illness.
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 20h
Orders for @blacklilyzine.bsky.social issue 3 are now open! See details below.
A b& white photo of a human in dark clothing, one hand near heart, one hand by their side and wearing a bag over their head w a sad face drawn on it in black marker. TOC for Issue 3 of Black Lily: BLACK LILY - ISSUE 03 - FALL / WINTER 2025 IN THIS ISSUE POETRY BY VANESA PACHECO 9-11 ART BY KATHY LOU SCHULTZ 12-13 FICTION BY CLAYTON BRADSHAW-MITTAL ... 14-16 POETRY BY DEE ALLEN. . 17 POETRY BY RHY ROBIDOUX 18-19 ART BY PIPER CORNMAN. 20-21 POETRY BY SHARON DENMARK 22 POETRY BY EVELYN BERRY 23 POETRY BY RHEA MELINA 24-26 ART BY VICTORIA SHEN 27 POETRY BY MORGAN WRIGHT 28 POETRY BY COURT HARLER 29 POETRY BY JEN KROPINAK 30 ART BY IRINA TALL NOVIKOVA 31-32 FICTION BY MIKE MCLELLAND 33-38 PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW R. HUMPHREY 39-41 POETRY BY MEGAN MCDERMOTT 42-43 NONFICTION BY KRISTINE LANGLEY MAHLER 44-46 NONFICTION BY GRAYSON BUCKLEY 47-49 POETRY BY d.w. bayliss 50 POETRY BY LILYANNE KANE 51 FICTION BY JAMES R. GAPINSKI 52-54 ART BY PAUL LUIKART 55-57 FICTION BY PAUL LUIKART 58 POETRY BY RENEE SALMÓN. 59 POETRY BY CALEB EDMONDSON 60 FICTION BY HEATHER BELL ADAMS 61-62 POETRY BY CAL FREEMAN 63 POETRY BY JEREMY MICHAEL REED 64 POETRY BY JOSHUA LILLIE 65-66 POETRY BY RONNIE JACKSON 67-68 PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAVENS . 69 NONFICTION BY JORDON BRIGGS 70-74 POETRY BY J.L. ABBOTT 75 POETRY BY HUNTER HODKINSON 76-77 ART + PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARAH TULL 78, 86 FICTION BY DAVID BRADY. 79-85 POETRY BY GENEVIEVE BETTS 87-88 Details for ordering: Alright y'all, I think we've got 99% of the final final edits in (it's a big issue & comms w writers (myself included) are like herding cats), so we are now open for orders. Please email me at blacklilyzine@gmail.com, tell me how many you want, give me the addresses where you'd like them sent, and Venmo me @Beth-Gilstrap-2 $8 each, or 2 for $15 + shipping. Standard mail (in the U.S. is usually cheapest at a couple bucks, media mail is around $4.50 last I checked). We are a goth/punk leaning zine & I think this issue responds to the fascists with a clear, LOUD voice. Spread the word.
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 32m
Or if you’re located close enough to NC or SC to travel.
bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 33m
Particularly if you have a recent or book coming out in early ‘26. Dm or email me at [email protected]
a man is writing in a notebook with a pen .
Alt: a man is writing in a notebook with a pen
media.tenor.com
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 35m
I’m looking to collaborate on some in-person and virtual events to promote my new book, a hybrid flash CNF coll. about my time in Louisville 2020-2022, “There Is News Along the Ohio River” coming Feb ‘26 from @riverriverbooks.bsky.social. If you or your bookshop are near the river, let’s talk.
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Reposted by Beth Gilstrap (she/her)
bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 20h
Orders for @blacklilyzine.bsky.social issue 3 are now open! See details below.
A b& white photo of a human in dark clothing, one hand near heart, one hand by their side and wearing a bag over their head w a sad face drawn on it in black marker. TOC for Issue 3 of Black Lily: BLACK LILY - ISSUE 03 - FALL / WINTER 2025 IN THIS ISSUE POETRY BY VANESA PACHECO 9-11 ART BY KATHY LOU SCHULTZ 12-13 FICTION BY CLAYTON BRADSHAW-MITTAL ... 14-16 POETRY BY DEE ALLEN. . 17 POETRY BY RHY ROBIDOUX 18-19 ART BY PIPER CORNMAN. 20-21 POETRY BY SHARON DENMARK 22 POETRY BY EVELYN BERRY 23 POETRY BY RHEA MELINA 24-26 ART BY VICTORIA SHEN 27 POETRY BY MORGAN WRIGHT 28 POETRY BY COURT HARLER 29 POETRY BY JEN KROPINAK 30 ART BY IRINA TALL NOVIKOVA 31-32 FICTION BY MIKE MCLELLAND 33-38 PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW R. HUMPHREY 39-41 POETRY BY MEGAN MCDERMOTT 42-43 NONFICTION BY KRISTINE LANGLEY MAHLER 44-46 NONFICTION BY GRAYSON BUCKLEY 47-49 POETRY BY d.w. bayliss 50 POETRY BY LILYANNE KANE 51 FICTION BY JAMES R. GAPINSKI 52-54 ART BY PAUL LUIKART 55-57 FICTION BY PAUL LUIKART 58 POETRY BY RENEE SALMÓN. 59 POETRY BY CALEB EDMONDSON 60 FICTION BY HEATHER BELL ADAMS 61-62 POETRY BY CAL FREEMAN 63 POETRY BY JEREMY MICHAEL REED 64 POETRY BY JOSHUA LILLIE 65-66 POETRY BY RONNIE JACKSON 67-68 PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAVENS . 69 NONFICTION BY JORDON BRIGGS 70-74 POETRY BY J.L. ABBOTT 75 POETRY BY HUNTER HODKINSON 76-77 ART + PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARAH TULL 78, 86 FICTION BY DAVID BRADY. 79-85 POETRY BY GENEVIEVE BETTS 87-88 Details for ordering: Alright y'all, I think we've got 99% of the final final edits in (it's a big issue & comms w writers (myself included) are like herding cats), so we are now open for orders. Please email me at blacklilyzine@gmail.com, tell me how many you want, give me the addresses where you'd like them sent, and Venmo me @Beth-Gilstrap-2 $8 each, or 2 for $15 + shipping. Standard mail (in the U.S. is usually cheapest at a couple bucks, media mail is around $4.50 last I checked). We are a goth/punk leaning zine & I think this issue responds to the fascists with a clear, LOUD voice. Spread the word.
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Reposted by Beth Gilstrap (she/her)
megmcdermott92.bsky.social
Megan McDermott (she/her) @megmcdermott92.bsky.social · 19h
Y'all I'm in this and so excited to read it! Find info here for ordering. There's a feminist ekphrastic poem from me ✨ can you guess about which artist???
bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 20h
Orders for @blacklilyzine.bsky.social issue 3 are now open! See details below.
A b& white photo of a human in dark clothing, one hand near heart, one hand by their side and wearing a bag over their head w a sad face drawn on it in black marker. TOC for Issue 3 of Black Lily: BLACK LILY - ISSUE 03 - FALL / WINTER 2025 IN THIS ISSUE POETRY BY VANESA PACHECO 9-11 ART BY KATHY LOU SCHULTZ 12-13 FICTION BY CLAYTON BRADSHAW-MITTAL ... 14-16 POETRY BY DEE ALLEN. . 17 POETRY BY RHY ROBIDOUX 18-19 ART BY PIPER CORNMAN. 20-21 POETRY BY SHARON DENMARK 22 POETRY BY EVELYN BERRY 23 POETRY BY RHEA MELINA 24-26 ART BY VICTORIA SHEN 27 POETRY BY MORGAN WRIGHT 28 POETRY BY COURT HARLER 29 POETRY BY JEN KROPINAK 30 ART BY IRINA TALL NOVIKOVA 31-32 FICTION BY MIKE MCLELLAND 33-38 PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW R. HUMPHREY 39-41 POETRY BY MEGAN MCDERMOTT 42-43 NONFICTION BY KRISTINE LANGLEY MAHLER 44-46 NONFICTION BY GRAYSON BUCKLEY 47-49 POETRY BY d.w. bayliss 50 POETRY BY LILYANNE KANE 51 FICTION BY JAMES R. GAPINSKI 52-54 ART BY PAUL LUIKART 55-57 FICTION BY PAUL LUIKART 58 POETRY BY RENEE SALMÓN. 59 POETRY BY CALEB EDMONDSON 60 FICTION BY HEATHER BELL ADAMS 61-62 POETRY BY CAL FREEMAN 63 POETRY BY JEREMY MICHAEL REED 64 POETRY BY JOSHUA LILLIE 65-66 POETRY BY RONNIE JACKSON 67-68 PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAVENS . 69 NONFICTION BY JORDON BRIGGS 70-74 POETRY BY J.L. ABBOTT 75 POETRY BY HUNTER HODKINSON 76-77 ART + PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARAH TULL 78, 86 FICTION BY DAVID BRADY. 79-85 POETRY BY GENEVIEVE BETTS 87-88 Details for ordering: Alright y'all, I think we've got 99% of the final final edits in (it's a big issue & comms w writers (myself included) are like herding cats), so we are now open for orders. Please email me at blacklilyzine@gmail.com, tell me how many you want, give me the addresses where you'd like them sent, and Venmo me @Beth-Gilstrap-2 $8 each, or 2 for $15 + shipping. Standard mail (in the U.S. is usually cheapest at a couple bucks, media mail is around $4.50 last I checked). We are a goth/punk leaning zine & I think this issue responds to the fascists with a clear, LOUD voice. Spread the word.
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Reposted by Beth Gilstrap (she/her)
kristenhavens.bsky.social
Kristen Havens @kristenhavens.bsky.social · 19h
If you can support and buy a copy of this zine, please do. Thankful to have a photo appearing in this issue. (And what a stunning cover image!)
bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 20h
Orders for @blacklilyzine.bsky.social issue 3 are now open! See details below.
A b& white photo of a human in dark clothing, one hand near heart, one hand by their side and wearing a bag over their head w a sad face drawn on it in black marker. TOC for Issue 3 of Black Lily: BLACK LILY - ISSUE 03 - FALL / WINTER 2025 IN THIS ISSUE POETRY BY VANESA PACHECO 9-11 ART BY KATHY LOU SCHULTZ 12-13 FICTION BY CLAYTON BRADSHAW-MITTAL ... 14-16 POETRY BY DEE ALLEN. . 17 POETRY BY RHY ROBIDOUX 18-19 ART BY PIPER CORNMAN. 20-21 POETRY BY SHARON DENMARK 22 POETRY BY EVELYN BERRY 23 POETRY BY RHEA MELINA 24-26 ART BY VICTORIA SHEN 27 POETRY BY MORGAN WRIGHT 28 POETRY BY COURT HARLER 29 POETRY BY JEN KROPINAK 30 ART BY IRINA TALL NOVIKOVA 31-32 FICTION BY MIKE MCLELLAND 33-38 PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW R. HUMPHREY 39-41 POETRY BY MEGAN MCDERMOTT 42-43 NONFICTION BY KRISTINE LANGLEY MAHLER 44-46 NONFICTION BY GRAYSON BUCKLEY 47-49 POETRY BY d.w. bayliss 50 POETRY BY LILYANNE KANE 51 FICTION BY JAMES R. GAPINSKI 52-54 ART BY PAUL LUIKART 55-57 FICTION BY PAUL LUIKART 58 POETRY BY RENEE SALMÓN. 59 POETRY BY CALEB EDMONDSON 60 FICTION BY HEATHER BELL ADAMS 61-62 POETRY BY CAL FREEMAN 63 POETRY BY JEREMY MICHAEL REED 64 POETRY BY JOSHUA LILLIE 65-66 POETRY BY RONNIE JACKSON 67-68 PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAVENS . 69 NONFICTION BY JORDON BRIGGS 70-74 POETRY BY J.L. ABBOTT 75 POETRY BY HUNTER HODKINSON 76-77 ART + PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARAH TULL 78, 86 FICTION BY DAVID BRADY. 79-85 POETRY BY GENEVIEVE BETTS 87-88 Details for ordering: Alright y'all, I think we've got 99% of the final final edits in (it's a big issue & comms w writers (myself included) are like herding cats), so we are now open for orders. Please email me at blacklilyzine@gmail.com, tell me how many you want, give me the addresses where you'd like them sent, and Venmo me @Beth-Gilstrap-2 $8 each, or 2 for $15 + shipping. Standard mail (in the U.S. is usually cheapest at a couple bucks, media mail is around $4.50 last I checked). We are a goth/punk leaning zine & I think this issue responds to the fascists with a clear, LOUD voice. Spread the word.
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 19h
The <3 is for solidarity
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 20h
Orders for @blacklilyzine.bsky.social issue 3 are now open! See details below.
A b& white photo of a human in dark clothing, one hand near heart, one hand by their side and wearing a bag over their head w a sad face drawn on it in black marker. TOC for Issue 3 of Black Lily: BLACK LILY - ISSUE 03 - FALL / WINTER 2025 IN THIS ISSUE POETRY BY VANESA PACHECO 9-11 ART BY KATHY LOU SCHULTZ 12-13 FICTION BY CLAYTON BRADSHAW-MITTAL ... 14-16 POETRY BY DEE ALLEN. . 17 POETRY BY RHY ROBIDOUX 18-19 ART BY PIPER CORNMAN. 20-21 POETRY BY SHARON DENMARK 22 POETRY BY EVELYN BERRY 23 POETRY BY RHEA MELINA 24-26 ART BY VICTORIA SHEN 27 POETRY BY MORGAN WRIGHT 28 POETRY BY COURT HARLER 29 POETRY BY JEN KROPINAK 30 ART BY IRINA TALL NOVIKOVA 31-32 FICTION BY MIKE MCLELLAND 33-38 PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW R. HUMPHREY 39-41 POETRY BY MEGAN MCDERMOTT 42-43 NONFICTION BY KRISTINE LANGLEY MAHLER 44-46 NONFICTION BY GRAYSON BUCKLEY 47-49 POETRY BY d.w. bayliss 50 POETRY BY LILYANNE KANE 51 FICTION BY JAMES R. GAPINSKI 52-54 ART BY PAUL LUIKART 55-57 FICTION BY PAUL LUIKART 58 POETRY BY RENEE SALMÓN. 59 POETRY BY CALEB EDMONDSON 60 FICTION BY HEATHER BELL ADAMS 61-62 POETRY BY CAL FREEMAN 63 POETRY BY JEREMY MICHAEL REED 64 POETRY BY JOSHUA LILLIE 65-66 POETRY BY RONNIE JACKSON 67-68 PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN HAVENS . 69 NONFICTION BY JORDON BRIGGS 70-74 POETRY BY J.L. ABBOTT 75 POETRY BY HUNTER HODKINSON 76-77 ART + PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARAH TULL 78, 86 FICTION BY DAVID BRADY. 79-85 POETRY BY GENEVIEVE BETTS 87-88 Details for ordering: Alright y'all, I think we've got 99% of the final final edits in (it's a big issue & comms w writers (myself included) are like herding cats), so we are now open for orders. Please email me at blacklilyzine@gmail.com, tell me how many you want, give me the addresses where you'd like them sent, and Venmo me @Beth-Gilstrap-2 $8 each, or 2 for $15 + shipping. Standard mail (in the U.S. is usually cheapest at a couple bucks, media mail is around $4.50 last I checked). We are a goth/punk leaning zine & I think this issue responds to the fascists with a clear, LOUD voice. Spread the word.
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 21h
Me & most women I know around my age (in the U.S.) are wondering right now: is it perimenopause/is it an autoimmune disease/have I finally lost the last of my marbles/is it late stage capitalism under a fascist regime/does it matter bc doctors will tell me bloodwork is normal/or all of the above?!
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 2d
Y’all, I think the frog is now the symbol of the resistance and I know folx who grew up (*coughs genxers & millennials) w Jim Henson’s work are fucking ready. My 1st tattoo quotes The Rainbow Connection ffs.
kermit the frog is sitting at a typewriter in a room .
Alt: kermit the frog is sitting at a typewriter in a room
media.tenor.com
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 4d
Prepping cherry tomatoes for slow roasting & a very important novel epiphany & a few lines of dialogue arrived. Love it when that happens. Can’t wait til I have time to work on it again.
A pan of sliced cherry tomatoes drizzled in olive oil & salt & pepper, ready for roasting in the foreground. A stainless teapot, a tray of drying heirloom cayenne peppers & a jar sourdough starter in the background.
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 5d
It’s my backup plan since the universities wouldn’t hire me FT, but my experience in school has been positive so far and I’m on the pastry side of things from here on out. Plus, I’ve healed enough not to take any shit at this age thank goodness.
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 5d
This response was my favorite lol
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 5d
John Waters is going to be the keynote speaker at AWP?! Yasss! Might actually go to that if I’m not reading at an offsite.
a man sitting in front of a desk with the words i invited you here to corrupt you written below him
Alt: John Waters sitting in front of a desk with the words i invited you here to corrupt you written below him
media.tenor.com
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Reposted by Beth Gilstrap (she/her)
bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 13d
It’s been a minute since I’ve published anything so I’m super honored & grateful to have one piece from my forthcoming hybrid/flash CNF collection, There Is News Along the Ohio River (@riverriverbooks Feb’26) out today @pitheadchapel.bsky.social pitheadchapel.com/volume-14-is...
Volume 14, Issue 10
COVER ART BY NATALIE NEE   FICTION ANY MAN’S BETTER THAN NO MAN AT ALL BY BIZZY COY DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG BY KATIE BURGESS HIGH DESE…
pitheadchapel.com
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Reposted by Beth Gilstrap (she/her)
katieburgess.bsky.social
Katie Burgess @katieburgess.bsky.social · 13d
And check out this beautiful & beautifully disturbing prose poem by @bettysueblue.bsky.social
in @pitheadchapel.bsky.social :
pitheadchapel.com/xi/
XI
Beth Gilstrap There is news along the Ohio River: Some days she has no idea why she moved here to live alone in a house built when her Mee-maw was still sweeping the speck of yard out front of mill…
pitheadchapel.com
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 13d
a man with a mustache is saying thank you .
Alt: Jack Black with a mustache is saying thank you .
media.tenor.com
1
Reposted by Beth Gilstrap (she/her)
hanvanderhart.bsky.social
Han VanderHart @hanvanderhart.bsky.social · 14d
“The shower floods the kitchen. Slugs come through outlets to mate on the walls and the mess of it is revelation. The voice of ancestors saying, No, love, no.”

Beth Gilstrap (@bettysueblue.bsky.social) in the new @pitheadchapel.bsky.social!

pitheadchapel.com/xi/
XI
Beth Gilstrap There is news along the Ohio River: Some days she has no idea why she moved here to live alone in a house built when her Mee-maw was still sweeping the speck of yard out front of mill…
pitheadchapel.com
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Reposted by Beth Gilstrap (she/her)
danbillyc.bsky.social
Dan Crawley @danbillyc.bsky.social · 13d
"The voice of ancestors saying, No, love, no."

I love this brilliance by @bettysueblue.bsky.social in @pitheadchapel.bsky.social 💙💙💙
pitheadchapel.com/xi/
XI
Beth Gilstrap There is news along the Ohio River: Some days she has no idea why she moved here to live alone in a house built when her Mee-maw was still sweeping the speck of yard out front of mill…
pitheadchapel.com
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 13d
Aww thanks for reading & sharing!
a brown bear is standing on its hind legs in a field and says `` thank you beary much '' .
Alt: a brown bear is standing on its hind legs in a field and says `` thank you beary much '' .
media.tenor.com
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 13d
Thanks for sharing!
a cartoon drawing of a bear holding a heart
Alt: a cartoon drawing of a bear holding a heart
media.tenor.com
bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 13d
It’s been a minute since I’ve published anything so I’m super honored & grateful to have one piece from my forthcoming hybrid/flash CNF collection, There Is News Along the Ohio River (@riverriverbooks Feb’26) out today @pitheadchapel.bsky.social pitheadchapel.com/volume-14-is...
Volume 14, Issue 10
COVER ART BY NATALIE NEE   FICTION ANY MAN’S BETTER THAN NO MAN AT ALL BY BIZZY COY DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG DOG BY KATIE BURGESS HIGH DESE…
pitheadchapel.com
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 15d
Got notice that I don’t have to pay student loans while I’m back in school. Think I’ll just stay in school til I’m ☠️. Can’t get me then.
a man in a black and white striped suit and tie looks scary
Alt: Beetlejuice in a black and white striped suit brushes self off
media.tenor.com
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 15d
Hurricanes make the prettiest sunsets. Grateful Imelda is turning east.
a woman in a sweater says phew thats such a relief
Alt: a woman in a sweater says phew thats such a relief
media.tenor.com
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bettysueblue.bsky.social
Beth Gilstrap (she/her) @bettysueblue.bsky.social · 16d
This evening was the annual lighting of Glen. Welcome, back buddy. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
An approx 2 foot tall, cartoonish, & kinda sweet looking replica of a grim reaper smokes with his scythe.
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