Marianne Spampinato
@mts-wrtr.bsky.social
Writer, author of two books, crafter, dog mom. Fmr Red Cross communicator. Enjoys reading, tea, old movies, music, and British mysteries. Blue in a red PA county. Ovarian Cancer survivor. The Golden Rule. Galatians 5:22-23. Micah 6:8. No DMs.
How are things going with my new rescue dog, Cocoa and me? Read all about us in my latest blog post...overall, things are going well, except for Cocoa's intense separation anxiety: mspampinato.wordpress.com/2026/02/02/t...
February 3, 2026 at 1:01 AM
How are things going with my new rescue dog, Cocoa and me? Read all about us in my latest blog post...overall, things are going well, except for Cocoa's intense separation anxiety: mspampinato.wordpress.com/2026/02/02/t...
Still the Boss...sing it Bruce!
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Still the Boss...sing it Bruce!
Book #5 in 2026 opens with Bud, a recently divorced NYC obituary writer, submitting his own obituary (though not really bc it's full of lies) after getting drunk when a blind date showed up (late) with her ex. Because he's considered dead in the newspaper's computer system, he's suspended, 1/3
January 25, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Book #5 in 2026 opens with Bud, a recently divorced NYC obituary writer, submitting his own obituary (though not really bc it's full of lies) after getting drunk when a blind date showed up (late) with her ex. Because he's considered dead in the newspaper's computer system, he's suspended, 1/3
A couple of #WesternPA funnies as we're in the path of this weekend's predicted winter storm... #Milk #Bread #TP #snowstorm
January 23, 2026 at 2:33 AM
A couple of #WesternPA funnies as we're in the path of this weekend's predicted winter storm... #Milk #Bread #TP #snowstorm
My 4th book of 2026 is the charming 2nd novel by the author of "The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot," which I've also read. I enjoyed both books, but like "Eddie" even more. Eddie, a 90yo retired prof, lives in Birmingham, England, where he works at a thrift store. 1/3
January 21, 2026 at 7:10 PM
My 4th book of 2026 is the charming 2nd novel by the author of "The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot," which I've also read. I enjoyed both books, but like "Eddie" even more. Eddie, a 90yo retired prof, lives in Birmingham, England, where he works at a thrift store. 1/3
My third book of 2026 is a collection of mostly unpublished essays and speeches by David McCullough, a native Pittsburgher who wrote his first book, "The Johnstown Flood," after finding photographs of the aftermath of the 1889 deluge that devastated my hometown in the Library of Congress. 1/3
January 15, 2026 at 9:36 PM
My third book of 2026 is a collection of mostly unpublished essays and speeches by David McCullough, a native Pittsburgher who wrote his first book, "The Johnstown Flood," after finding photographs of the aftermath of the 1889 deluge that devastated my hometown in the Library of Congress. 1/3
My second book of 2026 is the autobiography of #MyrnaLoy, one of my favorite actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age, certainly the favorite who never won an Oscar, never even nominated for one, although Loy did receive an honorary Oscar two years before her death at age 88 in 1993. 1/4
January 11, 2026 at 4:12 PM
My second book of 2026 is the autobiography of #MyrnaLoy, one of my favorite actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age, certainly the favorite who never won an Oscar, never even nominated for one, although Loy did receive an honorary Oscar two years before her death at age 88 in 1993. 1/4
First book completed in 2026 is the second in the author's Vicar Max Tudor series. Set during the holiday season, a guest (or guests?) at Chedrow Castle has anything but peace and goodwill on the mind. The lord of the manor is brutally murdered and his sister is found dead, followed by 1/2
January 6, 2026 at 3:47 PM
First book completed in 2026 is the second in the author's Vicar Max Tudor series. Set during the holiday season, a guest (or guests?) at Chedrow Castle has anything but peace and goodwill on the mind. The lord of the manor is brutally murdered and his sister is found dead, followed by 1/2
My personal 2026 Reading Challenge! Again attempting to average at least a book a week. Last year, I completed 55...can I hit 56 in 2026? #BookSky
January 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
My personal 2026 Reading Challenge! Again attempting to average at least a book a week. Last year, I completed 55...can I hit 56 in 2026? #BookSky
Last evening, during the Miami-Ohio State playoff game, I finished my 55th book of 2025, setting a new 12-month reading record. In this mystery set in a small town during the holiday season, professor Cameron Winter, who has a few secrets of his own, is asked by a former lover, now a public 1/2
January 1, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Last evening, during the Miami-Ohio State playoff game, I finished my 55th book of 2025, setting a new 12-month reading record. In this mystery set in a small town during the holiday season, professor Cameron Winter, who has a few secrets of his own, is asked by a former lover, now a public 1/2
Now that 2025 is over (at least where I am), hoping and praying that 2026 is much, much better!
January 1, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Now that 2025 is over (at least where I am), hoping and praying that 2026 is much, much better!
I've finished my 54th book of the year, a 442-page collection of Mary Oliver's poetry I started midsummer. I challenge myself to read a book of poetry each year as it's not a preferred genre (unlike prose, specifically mysteries, historical fiction, and non-fiction). 1/2
December 30, 2025 at 1:10 PM
I've finished my 54th book of the year, a 442-page collection of Mary Oliver's poetry I started midsummer. I challenge myself to read a book of poetry each year as it's not a preferred genre (unlike prose, specifically mysteries, historical fiction, and non-fiction). 1/2
My 53rd book of 2025, meeting the "book set in the local area" category, brought a wave of nostalgia for the Kaufmann's department store that operated in #PittsburghPA and the surrounding area for 144 years. A German Jewish immigrant family established the store in 1871 and owned it until it 1/3
December 30, 2025 at 1:15 AM
My 53rd book of 2025, meeting the "book set in the local area" category, brought a wave of nostalgia for the Kaufmann's department store that operated in #PittsburghPA and the surrounding area for 144 years. A German Jewish immigrant family established the store in 1871 and owned it until it 1/3
As I take some time to rest and relax after holiday preparations, I hope to set a new personal annual reading record - 55 books. In my 52nd, completed moments ago, Hamilton discusses a title for Jesus Christ - King, Savior, Emmanuel, Light, Lord - during each week of Advent and Christmas. 1/3
December 26, 2025 at 4:19 PM
As I take some time to rest and relax after holiday preparations, I hope to set a new personal annual reading record - 55 books. In my 52nd, completed moments ago, Hamilton discusses a title for Jesus Christ - King, Savior, Emmanuel, Light, Lord - during each week of Advent and Christmas. 1/3
Merry Christmas from Cocoa and me!
December 25, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Merry Christmas from Cocoa and me!
The Reiner news was the last horrific news of a horrible news weekend. Worst...Brown University shootings. Bondi Beach attack during a Hanukkah party. Yet learning that the man who tackled a Bondi Beach killer is a Muslim from Syria gives me hope.
December 15, 2025 at 12:51 PM
The Reiner news was the last horrific news of a horrible news weekend. Worst...Brown University shootings. Bondi Beach attack during a Hanukkah party. Yet learning that the man who tackled a Bondi Beach killer is a Muslim from Syria gives me hope.
From "Meathead" to a director and producer of wonderful movies in a range of genres, a couple with iconic quotes. Plus a progressive and human rights activist. To paraphrase Jack Nicholson in "A Few Good Men," I can't handle this truth. RIP Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.
December 15, 2025 at 12:21 PM
From "Meathead" to a director and producer of wonderful movies in a range of genres, a couple with iconic quotes. Plus a progressive and human rights activist. To paraphrase Jack Nicholson in "A Few Good Men," I can't handle this truth. RIP Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.
Time to introduce Cocoa, a Labrador retriever mix I adopted yesterday from Ninth Life Rescue Center in Westmoreland County PA. Here's my post about the sometimes bumpy road to becoming a pet parent again: mspampinato.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/a... #rescuedogs #dogs #petparents #dogmom #animalrescue
A rescue dog picked me
About a month ago, I began my search for a new rescue dog to become my best furry friend. At the end of September, I returned home from an “Autumn in New England” vacation, including stays in inns …
mspampinato.wordpress.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Time to introduce Cocoa, a Labrador retriever mix I adopted yesterday from Ninth Life Rescue Center in Westmoreland County PA. Here's my post about the sometimes bumpy road to becoming a pet parent again: mspampinato.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/a... #rescuedogs #dogs #petparents #dogmom #animalrescue
Just completed my 51st book of 2025, a richly illustrated tabletop book I bought during a group tour of the #LincolnHighway Experience Museum located on the LH/Route 30 between #LatrobePA and #LigonierPA. Our experience was indeed great, including pie and coffee or tea in a refurbished diner. 1/3
December 1, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Just completed my 51st book of 2025, a richly illustrated tabletop book I bought during a group tour of the #LincolnHighway Experience Museum located on the LH/Route 30 between #LatrobePA and #LigonierPA. Our experience was indeed great, including pie and coffee or tea in a refurbished diner. 1/3
#HappyThanksgiving to you and your loved ones. And may every day provide blessings to be thankful for!
November 27, 2025 at 12:37 PM
#HappyThanksgiving to you and your loved ones. And may every day provide blessings to be thankful for!
Old enough to remember this classic the 1st time around🤣
"Oh, the humanity!"
Best ever television turkey episode. WKRP in Cincinnati, such a great show.
Of course, this skit is even funnier if you know what happened in 1937.
Happy Thanksgiving!
share.google/r1FIj24TcmCJ...
Best ever television turkey episode. WKRP in Cincinnati, such a great show.
Of course, this skit is even funnier if you know what happened in 1937.
Happy Thanksgiving!
share.google/r1FIj24TcmCJ...
share.google
November 27, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Old enough to remember this classic the 1st time around🤣
You bet I got in on the comments to this post...I've lost count how many times I've seen this classic!
On this day in 1942, my favorite movie Casablanca first premieres in NYC.
"Louis, I Think This Is The Beginning Of A Beautiful Friendship."
"Of All The Gin Joints In All The Towns In The World, She Walks Into Mine."
"Louis, I Think This Is The Beginning Of A Beautiful Friendship."
"Of All The Gin Joints In All The Towns In The World, She Walks Into Mine."
November 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM
You bet I got in on the comments to this post...I've lost count how many times I've seen this classic!
My 50th book of 2025 is a book set in Provence, meeting the "book set somewhere you want to visit" category - more than one book in this annual category has been set in the south of France...hmm, I guess I need to go to there! Runyan's novel opens in Connecticut, where Tempesta Luddington learns 1/3
November 19, 2025 at 11:48 PM
My 50th book of 2025 is a book set in Provence, meeting the "book set somewhere you want to visit" category - more than one book in this annual category has been set in the south of France...hmm, I guess I need to go to there! Runyan's novel opens in Connecticut, where Tempesta Luddington learns 1/3
My 49th book of 2025 leaves me with four categories to go on this year's reading challenge list. Recently unemployed and newly separated from her unfaithful husband, Thea learns she has inherited her Scottish great-uncle's house and property, including hundreds of valuable old books. 1/2
November 10, 2025 at 9:07 PM
My 49th book of 2025 leaves me with four categories to go on this year's reading challenge list. Recently unemployed and newly separated from her unfaithful husband, Thea learns she has inherited her Scottish great-uncle's house and property, including hundreds of valuable old books. 1/2