Hilary Tamar
@hilarytamar.bsky.social
Dyke. Jew. lapsed academic philosopher. far, far too fond of epistolary novels.
I’m in a long COVID study which gives gift cards to various places as a reward for logging symptoms when ill, and I can now report that having RSV is equivalent to six paperbacks at Barnes & Noble. I don’t recommend it, exactly, but there are worse things than getting books for science.
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 PM
I’m in a long COVID study which gives gift cards to various places as a reward for logging symptoms when ill, and I can now report that having RSV is equivalent to six paperbacks at Barnes & Noble. I don’t recommend it, exactly, but there are worse things than getting books for science.
Recommended!
If you're still snowed in today, my trans upstairs/downstairs Regency romance is on sale for $1.99 on Kindle
No idea how long!
Buy: www.amazon.com/Gentlemans-G...
No idea how long!
Buy: www.amazon.com/Gentlemans-G...
January 26, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Recommended!
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42 and post the second sentence.
“Hence these texts.”
“Hence these texts.”
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42 and post the second sentence.
"The key to drawing cute skeletons is simplifying the body as much as you can."
"The key to drawing cute skeletons is simplifying the body as much as you can."
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42 and post the second sentence.
"Both of these assumptions, that of a "ready-made" world and that of an objective reference relation, are incompatible with Nagarjuna's theory of emptiness, since each would entail the existence of entities with svabhava."
"Both of these assumptions, that of a "ready-made" world and that of an objective reference relation, are incompatible with Nagarjuna's theory of emptiness, since each would entail the existence of entities with svabhava."
January 21, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42 and post the second sentence.
“Hence these texts.”
“Hence these texts.”
Reposted by Hilary Tamar
Time for the reminder: don’t be shitty to folks having their cities shut down for getting the kind of weather you’re used to going to work and school in. There’s a BIG difference between snow in a place with infrastructure for snow and snow in a place without it.
January 21, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Time for the reminder: don’t be shitty to folks having their cities shut down for getting the kind of weather you’re used to going to work and school in. There’s a BIG difference between snow in a place with infrastructure for snow and snow in a place without it.
I was asked to put the cover on the Torah after it was read today and hoo boy, the impromptu first-time wrangling of a sacred object during a major ritual in front of a bunch of people is not for the faint of heart.
I got lots of whispered coaching from kind people, but WHEW.
I got lots of whispered coaching from kind people, but WHEW.
January 19, 2026 at 4:52 PM
I was asked to put the cover on the Torah after it was read today and hoo boy, the impromptu first-time wrangling of a sacred object during a major ritual in front of a bunch of people is not for the faint of heart.
I got lots of whispered coaching from kind people, but WHEW.
I got lots of whispered coaching from kind people, but WHEW.
Yesterday’s pacing included a 2 hour nap and 9 hours of non-speaking bed rest, and after 9 hours of sleep I’m still not sure that’s going to be enough to go to service today.
Friends, post-viral recovery is no joke.
Friends, post-viral recovery is no joke.
January 14, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Yesterday’s pacing included a 2 hour nap and 9 hours of non-speaking bed rest, and after 9 hours of sleep I’m still not sure that’s going to be enough to go to service today.
Friends, post-viral recovery is no joke.
Friends, post-viral recovery is no joke.
Gosh, I’ve remembered I have winter-themed bath bombs I need to use up, gosh, what a trial. And several library books remain unread, heavens and alack however can I fix these dreadful problems simultaneously.
(Also what are our thoughts re: ziplock baggies for e-readers in the bath? Safe? Unwise?)
(Also what are our thoughts re: ziplock baggies for e-readers in the bath? Safe? Unwise?)
January 12, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Gosh, I’ve remembered I have winter-themed bath bombs I need to use up, gosh, what a trial. And several library books remain unread, heavens and alack however can I fix these dreadful problems simultaneously.
(Also what are our thoughts re: ziplock baggies for e-readers in the bath? Safe? Unwise?)
(Also what are our thoughts re: ziplock baggies for e-readers in the bath? Safe? Unwise?)
The Elizabeth
My favorite Twitter prompt was "RT this with your home river," so reskeet this with your home river.
Mine is the Patuxent.
Mine is the Patuxent.
January 12, 2026 at 8:37 PM
The Elizabeth
"Pacing is the top priority," I chant as I lie in bed with the heating pad on my chest on day 14 of RSV.
See, I was feeling better by day 5 but waited to feel virtually recovered on day 9 before resuming walks to shul. Good, right? Pacing, right? Yeah, turns out brisk 1mi walks aren't "pacing". 🤦🏻
See, I was feeling better by day 5 but waited to feel virtually recovered on day 9 before resuming walks to shul. Good, right? Pacing, right? Yeah, turns out brisk 1mi walks aren't "pacing". 🤦🏻
January 12, 2026 at 3:29 PM
"Pacing is the top priority," I chant as I lie in bed with the heating pad on my chest on day 14 of RSV.
See, I was feeling better by day 5 but waited to feel virtually recovered on day 9 before resuming walks to shul. Good, right? Pacing, right? Yeah, turns out brisk 1mi walks aren't "pacing". 🤦🏻
See, I was feeling better by day 5 but waited to feel virtually recovered on day 9 before resuming walks to shul. Good, right? Pacing, right? Yeah, turns out brisk 1mi walks aren't "pacing". 🤦🏻
Reposted by Hilary Tamar
Big news for library users! 📚🖨️
Starting Jan. 5, Montgomery County Public Libraries will offer free daily printing and copying at most branches, making it easier and more convenient to take care of school, work, and everyday needs.
https://ow.ly/iEA750XNR51
Starting Jan. 5, Montgomery County Public Libraries will offer free daily printing and copying at most branches, making it easier and more convenient to take care of school, work, and everyday needs.
https://ow.ly/iEA750XNR51
December 23, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Big news for library users! 📚🖨️
Starting Jan. 5, Montgomery County Public Libraries will offer free daily printing and copying at most branches, making it easier and more convenient to take care of school, work, and everyday needs.
https://ow.ly/iEA750XNR51
Starting Jan. 5, Montgomery County Public Libraries will offer free daily printing and copying at most branches, making it easier and more convenient to take care of school, work, and everyday needs.
https://ow.ly/iEA750XNR51
Reposted by Hilary Tamar
@aliascelli.bsky.social, @sarahquaint.bsky.social, or anyone else that does needlework: I'm looking for 11ct PLASTIC cross stich fabric. I can find 14ct plastic and 11ct cloth but not 11ct plastic. Do you have any sources that you can think of that might have it? Does it even exist? TYK!!
December 19, 2025 at 1:07 AM
@aliascelli.bsky.social, @sarahquaint.bsky.social, or anyone else that does needlework: I'm looking for 11ct PLASTIC cross stich fabric. I can find 14ct plastic and 11ct cloth but not 11ct plastic. Do you have any sources that you can think of that might have it? Does it even exist? TYK!!
Reposted by Hilary Tamar
YOU DUMB FUCKS. THIS IS ME.
I have a scooter. I can walk. I can't, however, walk through 80 miles of airport. I can walk onto an airplane or through hallways. I can't walk the .5 mile to the convention center.
People, get smarter, it's embarrassing at this point.
I have a scooter. I can walk. I can't, however, walk through 80 miles of airport. I can walk onto an airplane or through hallways. I can't walk the .5 mile to the convention center.
People, get smarter, it's embarrassing at this point.
Travelers bemoan a rise of able-bodied passengers who game the system to skip the lines. on.wsj.com/3N6apva
They Get Wheeled on Flights and Miraculously Walk Off. Praise ‘Jetway Jesus.’
Travelers bemoan a rise of able-bodied passengers who game the system to skip the lines.
on.wsj.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:39 AM
YOU DUMB FUCKS. THIS IS ME.
I have a scooter. I can walk. I can't, however, walk through 80 miles of airport. I can walk onto an airplane or through hallways. I can't walk the .5 mile to the convention center.
People, get smarter, it's embarrassing at this point.
I have a scooter. I can walk. I can't, however, walk through 80 miles of airport. I can walk onto an airplane or through hallways. I can't walk the .5 mile to the convention center.
People, get smarter, it's embarrassing at this point.
OK, I have picked myself up from the doldrums, organized my floss stash, and started a new project. (It's the classic Cirque des Cercles on 40ct dark green linen with variegated tan/cream silk floss that I'm hoping will look more exciting than it sounds.)
inkcircles.com/products/cir...
inkcircles.com/products/cir...
December 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
OK, I have picked myself up from the doldrums, organized my floss stash, and started a new project. (It's the classic Cirque des Cercles on 40ct dark green linen with variegated tan/cream silk floss that I'm hoping will look more exciting than it sounds.)
inkcircles.com/products/cir...
inkcircles.com/products/cir...
This time last year I carefully put away a cross-stitch project to return to after conversion. I picked it up again just now and it turns out all my caution was still insufficient, and it's faded badly in the sun. I've lost a hundred hours of work & 6 sq feet of linen and the tears are starting.
December 12, 2025 at 7:03 PM
This time last year I carefully put away a cross-stitch project to return to after conversion. I picked it up again just now and it turns out all my caution was still insufficient, and it's faded badly in the sun. I've lost a hundred hours of work & 6 sq feet of linen and the tears are starting.
Reposted by Hilary Tamar
People always conveniently "forget" when it's a disability issue.
December 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
People always conveniently "forget" when it's a disability issue.
Reposted by Hilary Tamar
Seasonal reminder that raisins are extremely toxic to dogs and cats, just a few of them will kill your pet.
Christmas-themed food, which is often packed with raisins, and then handed to small children, *will* end up in a pet's belly.
Christmas-themed food, which is often packed with raisins, and then handed to small children, *will* end up in a pet's belly.
December 9, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Seasonal reminder that raisins are extremely toxic to dogs and cats, just a few of them will kill your pet.
Christmas-themed food, which is often packed with raisins, and then handed to small children, *will* end up in a pet's belly.
Christmas-themed food, which is often packed with raisins, and then handed to small children, *will* end up in a pet's belly.
My mikveh was yesterday afternoon and I start today as Rina Yehudit, or “a joyful Jew”.
December 5, 2025 at 6:40 AM
My mikveh was yesterday afternoon and I start today as Rina Yehudit, or “a joyful Jew”.
I am being completely normal about this.
November 27, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I am being completely normal about this.
I've finished my conversion essays for my beit din!!!!
19 pages/7500 words/5 footnotes, but it's all in labeled sections so they can pick out just a few pages to ask about.
That was the last work before The Day! For the first time in a year I am free of academic-adjacent responsibilities.
19 pages/7500 words/5 footnotes, but it's all in labeled sections so they can pick out just a few pages to ask about.
That was the last work before The Day! For the first time in a year I am free of academic-adjacent responsibilities.
kermit the frog is standing in front of a red curtain on a stage .
Alt: Kermit the frog is standing in front of a red curtain flailing his arms wildly.
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:27 PM
I've finished my conversion essays for my beit din!!!!
19 pages/7500 words/5 footnotes, but it's all in labeled sections so they can pick out just a few pages to ask about.
That was the last work before The Day! For the first time in a year I am free of academic-adjacent responsibilities.
19 pages/7500 words/5 footnotes, but it's all in labeled sections so they can pick out just a few pages to ask about.
That was the last work before The Day! For the first time in a year I am free of academic-adjacent responsibilities.
A millennia-old tradition of textual transmission and I am Contributing My Piece.
Achievement unlocked: reported a typo to Sefaria.
(Sefaria is the primary online library of Torah-related texts and commentaries, and there’s a tiny typo in the English translation of the apocryphal Book of Judith.) www.sefaria.org/Book_of_Judith.1.8?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=eng
(Sefaria is the primary online library of Torah-related texts and commentaries, and there’s a tiny typo in the English translation of the apocryphal Book of Judith.) www.sefaria.org/Book_of_Judith.1.8?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=eng
Book of Judith 1:8
And Nebuchadnezzar the King of Assyria sent emmisaries to call the inhabitants of Persia, and to all those who dwell in the west, which consisted of: Cilicia,...
www.sefaria.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:08 PM
A millennia-old tradition of textual transmission and I am Contributing My Piece.
Achievement unlocked: reported a typo to Sefaria.
(Sefaria is the primary online library of Torah-related texts and commentaries, and there’s a tiny typo in the English translation of the apocryphal Book of Judith.) www.sefaria.org/Book_of_Judith.1.8?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=eng
(Sefaria is the primary online library of Torah-related texts and commentaries, and there’s a tiny typo in the English translation of the apocryphal Book of Judith.) www.sefaria.org/Book_of_Judith.1.8?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=eng
Book of Judith 1:8
And Nebuchadnezzar the King of Assyria sent emmisaries to call the inhabitants of Persia, and to all those who dwell in the west, which consisted of: Cilicia,...
www.sefaria.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Achievement unlocked: reported a typo to Sefaria.
(Sefaria is the primary online library of Torah-related texts and commentaries, and there’s a tiny typo in the English translation of the apocryphal Book of Judith.) www.sefaria.org/Book_of_Judith.1.8?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=eng
(Sefaria is the primary online library of Torah-related texts and commentaries, and there’s a tiny typo in the English translation of the apocryphal Book of Judith.) www.sefaria.org/Book_of_Judith.1.8?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=eng
I’ve been waved off “Shalhevet” by two trusted rabbis and I’m now into “Final-RevisedFinal-ReallyFinal.doc” territory here as far as names go. Current thought is Rina Yehudit but also I’m >thisclose< to picking out of a hat labeled “All The Names Kate Can Pronounce”.
November 16, 2025 at 8:31 PM
I’ve been waved off “Shalhevet” by two trusted rabbis and I’m now into “Final-RevisedFinal-ReallyFinal.doc” territory here as far as names go. Current thought is Rina Yehudit but also I’m >thisclose< to picking out of a hat labeled “All The Names Kate Can Pronounce”.
Met with the rabbi today and among other things I committed to the conversion name Shalhevet Rina, meaning ‘flame’ and ‘joy’. Woo hoo!
November 7, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Met with the rabbi today and among other things I committed to the conversion name Shalhevet Rina, meaning ‘flame’ and ‘joy’. Woo hoo!
I’m suddenly host to incredibly chaotic pre-conversion emotions, and friends, it is A Lot. I’m ricocheting from glee to overwhelmed sobbing to feeling irreparably unworthy to contentment, and I’m going to burn out my brain if this keeps up for another month.
November 4, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I’m suddenly host to incredibly chaotic pre-conversion emotions, and friends, it is A Lot. I’m ricocheting from glee to overwhelmed sobbing to feeling irreparably unworthy to contentment, and I’m going to burn out my brain if this keeps up for another month.
Reposted by Hilary Tamar
Want to make sure this letter arrives at the right place.
October 30, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Want to make sure this letter arrives at the right place.