Joel Barker
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joelbyronbarker.bsky.social
Joel Barker
@joelbyronbarker.bsky.social
Chair of the Jefferson County of Oregon Democrats.
Writer at https://joelbyronbarker and https://oldtruckgoodcoffee about urban rural interchange and the braiding of vision to people to nature to tech. Fly fishing. Empathy. Some running. Lots of dogs.
Not really a shard, but some directions I heard this morning that held true as useful.
December 13, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Shard.
December 12, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Also not exactly a shard, but a thought that came to me while thinking about how to have something to say on social media and why I think of things to say on social media.
December 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Returning home to a dog is the experience of the world telling you that you belong.
December 11, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Shard
December 10, 2025 at 11:30 PM
The book proof — proof of its physical existence — is wending its way to me. I am in a strange haze as I await proof that my imagination has been turned to actuality.
December 9, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Not sure how far this piece will go.
December 8, 2025 at 11:30 PM
"I was just such a rider for many years. I loved my gear and was pleased with the grit. Particularly when that first real winter rain that would come down, signaling the end of the easy season."

#portland #pdxbike

open.substack.com/pub/oldtruck...
December 8, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Dogs on a frosty dawn. Me, lucky enough to witness.
December 7, 2025 at 11:30 PM
December 6, 2025 at 11:30 PM
The hour as long as the cup takes to drink.
December 5, 2025 at 11:30 PM
"When will it be over?"
"Once they release the files…"
"He'll resign, or die, or something…"

I don't think there are any quick fixes ahead of us.
December 5, 2025 at 1:49 AM
“When we regain a sense of what poems are for, we will renew the art (the technical means) of writing them. And so we will renew their ability to tell the truth.”
— Wendell Berry

December 4, 2025 at 11:30 PM
I have developed practices that keep social media from distracting me during writing sessions. Unfortunately I have no resistance to this face. #letsplay #writingdistraction #dogs
December 3, 2025 at 11:30 PM
It is very nearly here for you. Very nearly.
December 2, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Local Ants Achieve Multi-generational Dream, Building Scale Model of Snowy Volcano.
December 1, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Sent my novel off to print! What self publishing can be for the author today.
November 28, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Another friend of mine quit #spotify today! Hooray
November 25, 2025 at 7:28 PM
November 15, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Update on the book production. And have you gotten a sticker yet? Send me your address and I will get you one.

Should I share the book cover in advance of the release or make it a surprise?
November 11, 2025 at 11:30 PM

We have shown as people with our rallies, and with our votes that we are here for America and Democracy. We are here for the work. It feels like these Senators are not, that they did not honor our effort and bravery.

November 11, 2025 at 3:10 PM
On the record, explicitly: Don't cave. Don't give in. Stand up against Trump. I know there are subtle inside baseball justifications but the big picture here is outside the halls. Durbin, Booker, King, Hassan, Ossoff, Shaheen, Gillibrand, Masto, Warner: Don't do it.
November 10, 2025 at 6:37 PM
New Redmond (Oregon) library has a window that seems an homage to dot grid paper and I am here for it.
November 6, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Victory makes the coffee taste delicious. Here’s to more victories. How about you? Have you thought about stepping forward and running for office? Curious about being a part of the next #bluewave?
November 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Interested in how to talk with neighbors in these complicated times? Join our friends at Redmond Collective Action on Saturday and workshop together what to say.
November 5, 2025 at 1:47 PM