J.D. Ho
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nematode.bsky.social
J.D. Ho
@nematode.bsky.social
150 followers 35 following 1.6K posts
Writer and Reviewer: Essays in Georgia Review, Missouri Review, and my brain. Book forthcoming with River River, spring 2026. They/them.
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nematode.bsky.social
The coop in Hanover, NH had these beguiling radicchios. I mean!
Giant, lush, red radicchios that are the size and shape of heads of romaine
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
nematode.bsky.social
To be in the midst of a mental health crisis, watching this show, is to feel seen and heard.

And the use of set design, cinematography, and sound to represent subjective states? Stellar. #BrilliantMinds
Jane Krakowski as Arianna Burnett on ep 2.04 of Brilliant Minds. She sits in a chair in profile in a dim room. Motes float through the air. Paper cranes at her feet. It is like Miss Havisham in Great expectations
November 18, 2025 at 10:20 AM
nematode.bsky.social
Is it ambitious to take this many library books to family Thanksgiving? I am halfway through writing my new book, and I need these books to stare at me and ask if I am working.
A tote bag filled with eight Library books. They are stood up on their ends so that we just see the tops of them, all the pages
November 14, 2025 at 12:21 PM
nematode.bsky.social
I've heard that paper letters are so unusual now that they can be quite effective, so I wrote an actual paper letter to NBC to ask them to renew Brilliant Minds. I had to Google how to format the letter. I consider that an act of devotion. #BrilliantMinds
I'm writing to make a case for renewing Brilliant Minds for a third season. I realize the ratings are not great. I realize the networks are facing political pressure to cut diversity initiatives, and representation may not be a priority. But I used to work at a kids' bookstore, and I saw how important it was for kids to have books they could relate to - where they saw themselves. I see online that a lot of high school kids watch this show, I think because they see their own neurodivergence, mental health challenges, and identities. It's the same for me, and I would argue that now is a time when stories of this kind are essential. I know a network doesn't run on Hope and kindness, but hope and kindness are essential, too, and this show has so much of those. It also has a tremendously talented crew who are producing something worthwhile and unique. It's not often that I find a television show I like and that is good on every level from the writing to the acting to the cinematography and art direction. Every time I sit down to watch a new episode I'm so excited to see the Small Things This Crew does to make the story interesting and complex. I want these people to continue to have their jobs. I've purchased the show on multiple platforms to support it. I wish I had the power to pay everyone to keep doing what they're doing. I can see that people on the cast and crew like and respect each other, and, wow, I need that right now! A lot of people need that. I'm a writer who doesn't have a huge social media following, but I have been on a mission to get people to watch brilliant minds. It took me ages to decide to watch because I hate medical dramas - but I love this one. I love that the writers surprised me and overcame my prejudices. I'll keep doing my part to support the show, and it would mean a lot to so many people if the network did, too. Please give it a chance for another year.
November 10, 2025 at 12:21 PM
nematode.bsky.social
Brilliant Minds' themes of mentorship and found family are so good. Is it too much to hope that an intelligent and humane show will make it in this world? Working on my 4th essay about it. #BrilliantMinds
Zachary Quinto and Ashleigh LaThrop as Dr. Oliver Wolf and Dr. Ericka Kinney. They sit on a couch with some popcorn. You can't see it, but they are watching casablanca. The shot is kind of dark because that is the show's visual style. And i could go on for thousands more words on the cinematography and art direction, which seem to be woefully underappreciated. A really kickass crew runs this ship.
November 4, 2025 at 9:59 AM
nematode.bsky.social
I really don't understand why more people aren't watching this show. It is so empathetic and compassionate, and often quite funny. It's getting me through these terrible times. #BrilliantMinds
Zachary Quinto and Tamberla Perry as Dr Oliver wolf and Dr Carol Pierce on brilliant minds. They are dressed as Spock and Uhura for Halloween and they are standing in an elevator
November 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
nematode.bsky.social
Growing my first successful chrysanthemum greens crop. I think it worked because I, in despair, threw the seeds out there and said I did not give a fuck. And then they grew.
Chrysanthemum and pea greens growing in a garden. The chrysanthemums have frilly leaves. There is also some chervil hiding in there
October 31, 2025 at 2:51 PM
nematode.bsky.social
The end of the bittermelon blossoms. They smell so good.

Also, I started writing a new book.
A small yellow flower against a background of green leaves
October 24, 2025 at 9:41 AM
nematode.bsky.social
Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you happiness. #BrilliantMinds
A screenshot from brilliant minds. It shows Teddy Sears as Josh Nichols and Zachary Quinto as Oliver wolf. They are walking down a hospital hallway that is painted turquoise. Josh is serious and Oliver is being silly. There is lots of Hospital junk in the hallway and art on the walls. The credits on screen read: guest starring nabil rajo and Ari Cohen
October 21, 2025 at 10:05 AM
nematode.bsky.social
Klip dagga. Pineapple sage. Late color.
A flower head with lots of little orange flowers coming out of it like tongues A flower stalk with lots of little red flowers coming off of it
October 19, 2025 at 12:48 PM
nematode.bsky.social
More people need to watch Brilliant Minds. It's so creative and weird. I'm writing another essay about it because I also am creative and weird. #BrilliantMinds
Zachary Quinto as Dr Oliver wolf on brilliant minds. In this screenshot, he is with guest star Molly Bernard whose back is to us
October 17, 2025 at 11:41 AM
nematode.bsky.social
My loofahs are the talk of the neighborhood. They grew all the way up the dogwood.
A blue sky with a white cloud. A dogwood Branch with a loofah Vine and a bunch of big loofahs, which looks like giant zucchinis
October 15, 2025 at 3:58 PM
nematode.bsky.social
This show's commentary on the American health care system is 10/10. No notes. Last night's ep: A+. #empathy #BrilliantMinds #neurodivergence #mentalhealth
Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf in Brilliant Minds. He wears a white doctor coat and has a stethoscope around his neck.
October 14, 2025 at 9:27 AM
nematode.bsky.social
The end of the okra.
Three little okras, light green, sitting on a white countertop
October 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
nematode.bsky.social
Lots of these in the garden rn. They love fennel!
Yellow and green and black swallowtail caterpillar on frilly fennel stalk
October 4, 2025 at 10:20 AM
nematode.bsky.social
Had the best bitter melon crop this year!
A green leafy Vine growing on a trellis. Bumpy, elongated green fruits hang from the Vine
October 1, 2025 at 1:31 PM
nematode.bsky.social
This photo of the two books I am going to try to read this month basically sums up my aesthetic
Two books side by side. The one on the left is all systems Red by Martha wells, a murderbot diary. The book on the right is late migrations by Margaret renkl
January 8, 2025 at 1:22 PM
nematode.bsky.social
I've done this survey so many times, and I never win. Does anyone ever win? I suspect I never win because, in the comment section, I always say they should pay the employees more. Capitalist fuckers.
A small fluorescent green piece of paper that says: want a chance for $500 in free groceries? Tell us about your visit to get entered into a monthly drawing. To participate please visit www.htsurvey.com please respond within 5 days of your visit. Use the code at the bottom of your receipt. Our intent is that you are very satisfied (rating five) today
December 11, 2024 at 11:54 AM
nematode.bsky.social
December harvest
A bunch of vegetables sit on top of an induction cooktop set into a red counter. There are many escarles and endives, plus a bunch of carrots and parsley
December 8, 2024 at 4:31 PM
nematode.bsky.social
Frostbitten
A bunch of vegetables on a stove top. They are tiny squashes, loofahs, a cucumber, and a bunch of bitter melons. One lone cherry tomato
November 13, 2024 at 7:54 PM
nematode.bsky.social
A big harvesting and processing day. Lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, and a loofah that was not quite ready.
A Ziplock freezer bag full of lemongrass stocks sitting on a red counter. Next to it is a ziplock bag full of ginger leaves and stalks. There is a tupperware full of ginger roots just cut, very nice pale gold with green bits sticking out. There are also whole turmeric plants in the foreground with big green leaves and dirty Orange roots. In the upper right corner you can just see the peeled loofah, which is a tan slimy looking thing
October 25, 2024 at 9:18 PM
nematode.bsky.social
A little orange cat napping with Paws outstretched on top of an orange bed
October 6, 2024 at 9:02 PM
nematode.bsky.social
I harvested tons of herbs to dry for winter tea, and then it rained for 2 weeks. Today, I composted everything because you can't fuck around with mold.
Pieces of blue tape on a white countertop. Written on the tape in Black Sharpie are the names of various herbs. Mullein, Goldenrod, v. Hastata, Apple mint
October 5, 2024 at 6:31 PM
nematode.bsky.social
If this isn't the mood for today, I don't know what is.
A wet, tired bumblebee hugging closed luffa buds to its abdomen. The legs not clinging to the luffa buds are clinging to a spent yellow luffa flower, which is about to fall to the ground. In the background, green leaves.
October 4, 2024 at 12:17 PM
nematode.bsky.social
Somebody tell this kid that she can't have her bananas unless the strike stops. She is allergic to everything, and gets her pills inside bananas. It is one of the highlights of her day. We have four bananas left.
A close up of the face of a black lab. The eyes are sleepy, and the nose rests on an orange pillow
October 3, 2024 at 7:57 PM