Matthew Dowd
@matthewjdowd.bsky.social
Father, friend, believe love conquers hate, and truth wins over prevarication.
On this date in 1898 was the Wilmington insurrection, also known as the Wilmington massacre or the Wilmington coup. It is when a group of white supremacists overthrew the eleced municipal government in NC and killed numerous black citizens.
November 10, 2025 at 1:29 PM
On this date in 1898 was the Wilmington insurrection, also known as the Wilmington massacre or the Wilmington coup. It is when a group of white supremacists overthrew the eleced municipal government in NC and killed numerous black citizens.
happy bday the iconic, and one of my favs, Carl Sagan, b.1934, NYC.
“For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.”
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
“For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.”
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
November 9, 2025 at 3:17 PM
happy bday the iconic, and one of my favs, Carl Sagan, b.1934, NYC.
“For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.”
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
“For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.”
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
happy bday environmentalist/suffragist Rosalie Edge, b.1877, NYC.
"Thousands of people who had within them a yearning toward nature, a deep-seated need to preserve its beauty, had been in very truth asleep. I know, for I was one of them."
"Thousands of people who had within them a yearning toward nature, a deep-seated need to preserve its beauty, had been in very truth asleep. I know, for I was one of them."
November 3, 2025 at 12:58 PM
happy bday environmentalist/suffragist Rosalie Edge, b.1877, NYC.
"Thousands of people who had within them a yearning toward nature, a deep-seated need to preserve its beauty, had been in very truth asleep. I know, for I was one of them."
"Thousands of people who had within them a yearning toward nature, a deep-seated need to preserve its beauty, had been in very truth asleep. I know, for I was one of them."
happy bday Swedish writer Moa Martinson, b.1890.
"The scents of roses and honeysuckles waft around her. She stops, enthralled by the silence and beauty of the summer night. The noise from the day's bustle still lingers in her ears."
"The scents of roses and honeysuckles waft around her. She stops, enthralled by the silence and beauty of the summer night. The noise from the day's bustle still lingers in her ears."
November 2, 2025 at 12:36 PM
happy bday Swedish writer Moa Martinson, b.1890.
"The scents of roses and honeysuckles waft around her. She stops, enthralled by the silence and beauty of the summer night. The noise from the day's bustle still lingers in her ears."
"The scents of roses and honeysuckles waft around her. She stops, enthralled by the silence and beauty of the summer night. The noise from the day's bustle still lingers in her ears."
on this day in 1941 "photographer Ansel Adams takes a picture of a moonrise over the town of Hernandez, New Mexico that would become one of the most famous images in the history of photography."
November 1, 2025 at 12:51 PM
on this day in 1941 "photographer Ansel Adams takes a picture of a moonrise over the town of Hernandez, New Mexico that would become one of the most famous images in the history of photography."
Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Happy Halloween!
happy halloween! one of my favorite holidays and time of year. i remember growing up as one of 11 kids in Michigan, apple cider, cider mill doughnuts, running home from school, dressing up, cool weather, pumpkins carved, scary costumes, grabbing old pillowcase for trick or treating.
October 31, 2025 at 12:22 PM
happy halloween! one of my favorite holidays and time of year. i remember growing up as one of 11 kids in Michigan, apple cider, cider mill doughnuts, running home from school, dressing up, cool weather, pumpkins carved, scary costumes, grabbing old pillowcase for trick or treating.
happy bday French artist Alfred Sisley, b.1839, one of the founders of French Impressionism.
"The beauty of nature inspires me to paint every day."
"Nature is the greatest source of inspiration; it is the ultimate artist."
"Every picture shows a spot with which the artist has fallen in love."
"The beauty of nature inspires me to paint every day."
"Nature is the greatest source of inspiration; it is the ultimate artist."
"Every picture shows a spot with which the artist has fallen in love."
October 30, 2025 at 11:32 AM
happy bday French artist Alfred Sisley, b.1839, one of the founders of French Impressionism.
"The beauty of nature inspires me to paint every day."
"Nature is the greatest source of inspiration; it is the ultimate artist."
"Every picture shows a spot with which the artist has fallen in love."
"The beauty of nature inspires me to paint every day."
"Nature is the greatest source of inspiration; it is the ultimate artist."
"Every picture shows a spot with which the artist has fallen in love."
Today is Intersex Awareness Day. This marks the anniversary of the first public demonstration by intersex people in the United States. "It seeks to raise awareness about intersex people and the struggles that they face in society."
October 26, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Today is Intersex Awareness Day. This marks the anniversary of the first public demonstration by intersex people in the United States. "It seeks to raise awareness about intersex people and the struggles that they face in society."
on this day in 1892 Ida B. Wells first publishes Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases.
“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”
“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”
October 26, 2025 at 2:28 PM
on this day in 1892 Ida B. Wells first publishes Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases.
“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”
“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”
happy bday English biologist/botanical artist Marianne North, b.1830.
"I am a very wild bird and like liberty"
"I am a very wild bird and like liberty"
October 24, 2025 at 1:44 PM
happy bday English biologist/botanical artist Marianne North, b.1830.
"I am a very wild bird and like liberty"
"I am a very wild bird and like liberty"
RIP self taught African American artist Bill Traylor, died this day 1949, born into slavery and son of slaves, was born in 1853 in Alabama.
“It just comes to me.”
“It just comes to me.”
October 23, 2025 at 11:44 AM
RIP self taught African American artist Bill Traylor, died this day 1949, born into slavery and son of slaves, was born in 1853 in Alabama.
“It just comes to me.”
“It just comes to me.”
happy bday writer/artist Emma Bell Miles, b.1879, Evansville, IN.
"When the laurel jungles hide in snows of blossom
All the streams that leap anew with rippled rain,
When the young wind loiters through trembling
leaves adrench with dew,..."
"When the laurel jungles hide in snows of blossom
All the streams that leap anew with rippled rain,
When the young wind loiters through trembling
leaves adrench with dew,..."
October 19, 2025 at 12:23 PM
happy bday writer/artist Emma Bell Miles, b.1879, Evansville, IN.
"When the laurel jungles hide in snows of blossom
All the streams that leap anew with rippled rain,
When the young wind loiters through trembling
leaves adrench with dew,..."
"When the laurel jungles hide in snows of blossom
All the streams that leap anew with rippled rain,
When the young wind loiters through trembling
leaves adrench with dew,..."
Went to No Kings gathering in Marble Falls, TX, a county which voted 80% for Trump, and more than 500 folks gathered on bridge over Lake. Wow. So Amazing.
October 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Went to No Kings gathering in Marble Falls, TX, a county which voted 80% for Trump, and more than 500 folks gathered on bridge over Lake. Wow. So Amazing.
On this day in 1939 the classic film, and one of my favs, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington has its world premiere.
"Because of just one plain simple rule. Love thy neighbor. And in this world today of great hatred a man who knows that rule has a great trust."
"Because of just one plain simple rule. Love thy neighbor. And in this world today of great hatred a man who knows that rule has a great trust."
October 17, 2025 at 12:40 PM
On this day in 1939 the classic film, and one of my favs, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington has its world premiere.
"Because of just one plain simple rule. Love thy neighbor. And in this world today of great hatred a man who knows that rule has a great trust."
"Because of just one plain simple rule. Love thy neighbor. And in this world today of great hatred a man who knows that rule has a great trust."
Today is World Food Day, and theme this year is Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future, "calling for global collaboration in creating a peaceful, sustainable, prosperous, and food-secure future."
October 16, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Today is World Food Day, and theme this year is Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future, "calling for global collaboration in creating a peaceful, sustainable, prosperous, and food-secure future."
Happy Feast Day of St. Teresa of Ávila,mystic, died this day 1582.
“It is love alone that gives worth to all things.”
“The important thing is not to think much but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love.”
“It is love alone that gives worth to all things.”
“The important thing is not to think much but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love.”
October 15, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Happy Feast Day of St. Teresa of Ávila,mystic, died this day 1582.
“It is love alone that gives worth to all things.”
“The important thing is not to think much but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love.”
“It is love alone that gives worth to all things.”
“The important thing is not to think much but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love.”
happy bday poet E. E. Cummings, b.1894, Cambridge, MA.
“To be nobody but
yourself in a world
which is doing its best day and night to make you like
everybody else means to fight the hardest battle
which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.”
“To be nobody but
yourself in a world
which is doing its best day and night to make you like
everybody else means to fight the hardest battle
which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.”
October 14, 2025 at 12:28 PM
happy bday poet E. E. Cummings, b.1894, Cambridge, MA.
“To be nobody but
yourself in a world
which is doing its best day and night to make you like
everybody else means to fight the hardest battle
which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.”
“To be nobody but
yourself in a world
which is doing its best day and night to make you like
everybody else means to fight the hardest battle
which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.”
RIP Japanese artist Hiroshige, died this day 1858.
"Leaving my brush behind; I travel upward to the sky / To see places of fame in the Western Paradise".
"Leaving my brush behind; I travel upward to the sky / To see places of fame in the Western Paradise".
October 12, 2025 at 12:11 PM
RIP Japanese artist Hiroshige, died this day 1858.
"Leaving my brush behind; I travel upward to the sky / To see places of fame in the Western Paradise".
"Leaving my brush behind; I travel upward to the sky / To see places of fame in the Western Paradise".
RIP poet Elizabeth Bishop, died this day 1979, won Pulitzer Prize in 1956.
“all my life i have lived and behaved very much like the sandpiper just running down the edges of different countries and continents, looking for something.”
“all my life i have lived and behaved very much like the sandpiper just running down the edges of different countries and continents, looking for something.”
October 6, 2025 at 12:30 PM
RIP poet Elizabeth Bishop, died this day 1979, won Pulitzer Prize in 1956.
“all my life i have lived and behaved very much like the sandpiper just running down the edges of different countries and continents, looking for something.”
“all my life i have lived and behaved very much like the sandpiper just running down the edges of different countries and continents, looking for something.”
happy bday civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, b.1917, Montgomery county, MS.
“Sometimes it seem like to tell the truth today is to run the risk of being killed. But if I fall, I’ll fall five feet four inches forward in the fight for freedom. I’m not backing off.”
“Sometimes it seem like to tell the truth today is to run the risk of being killed. But if I fall, I’ll fall five feet four inches forward in the fight for freedom. I’m not backing off.”
October 6, 2025 at 12:25 PM
happy bday civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, b.1917, Montgomery county, MS.
“Sometimes it seem like to tell the truth today is to run the risk of being killed. But if I fall, I’ll fall five feet four inches forward in the fight for freedom. I’m not backing off.”
“Sometimes it seem like to tell the truth today is to run the risk of being killed. But if I fall, I’ll fall five feet four inches forward in the fight for freedom. I’m not backing off.”
On this day in 1941 The Maltese Falcon one of my favs, premiered for first time, in NYC.
"Don't worry about the story's goofiness. A sensible one would have had us all in the cooler."
“The stuff that dreams are made of."
"Don't worry about the story's goofiness. A sensible one would have had us all in the cooler."
“The stuff that dreams are made of."
October 3, 2025 at 10:28 AM
On this day in 1941 The Maltese Falcon one of my favs, premiered for first time, in NYC.
"Don't worry about the story's goofiness. A sensible one would have had us all in the cooler."
“The stuff that dreams are made of."
"Don't worry about the story's goofiness. A sensible one would have had us all in the cooler."
“The stuff that dreams are made of."
happy bday poet Wallace Stevens, b.1879, Reading, PA.
“Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.”
At sunset in Petoskey, I took a walk by the lake.
“The exceeding brightness of this early sun
Makes me conceive how dark I have become.”
“Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.”
At sunset in Petoskey, I took a walk by the lake.
“The exceeding brightness of this early sun
Makes me conceive how dark I have become.”
October 2, 2025 at 10:09 AM
happy bday poet Wallace Stevens, b.1879, Reading, PA.
“Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.”
At sunset in Petoskey, I took a walk by the lake.
“The exceeding brightness of this early sun
Makes me conceive how dark I have become.”
“Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.”
At sunset in Petoskey, I took a walk by the lake.
“The exceeding brightness of this early sun
Makes me conceive how dark I have become.”
happy first day of October! This is my favorite month of the year. Love the weather, and always remember great times growing up in Michigan. Headed up to Petoskey today to chill and see fall colors and escape heat of Texas.
October 1, 2025 at 11:36 AM
happy first day of October! This is my favorite month of the year. Love the weather, and always remember great times growing up in Michigan. Headed up to Petoskey today to chill and see fall colors and escape heat of Texas.
happy bday artist/teacher Alma Thomas, b.1891, Columbus, GA, "first African-American woman to be included in the White House's permanent art collection". “Color is life. Light is the mother of color. Light reveals to us the spirit and living soul of the world through colors.”
September 22, 2025 at 11:36 AM
happy bday artist/teacher Alma Thomas, b.1891, Columbus, GA, "first African-American woman to be included in the White House's permanent art collection". “Color is life. Light is the mother of color. Light reveals to us the spirit and living soul of the world through colors.”