DustyElf

Cat-loving AuDHD parent to an #ActuallyAutistic teen. She/her. LGBTIQA+ ally

[Steve B @75ThunderRoad]

Three years ago, when my daughter had become consumed by anxiety, her mobile phone was a lifeline for her at school.

She was in a mental health crisis.

In school, at breaktime and lunchtime (not during lessons), she would sometimes use her phone to message me or her mum.

1/

[Roman Sheremeta 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @rshereme]

After 9/11, NATO's Article 5 was invoked for the first (and only) time ever by the United States.

Troops from Denmark, the UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Spain, Poland, Norway, Romania, Turkey, New Zealand, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Finland, and many others joined the fight in Afghanistan.

More than one thousand of these soldiers paid the ultimate price.

And how does the US respond to this? By threatening to take over Greenland.

Author: Pekka Kallioniemi

[Larry the Cat @Number10cat]

1. The tariffs are paid by US consumers
2. Greenland isn't for sale
3. Go f**k yourself

[ScotRail @ScotRail]

It would be a Christmas miracle if we could reunite this teddy with their owner! 🎅

If you were on an Edinburgh service today and your little one has lost their favourite cuddly toy, please send us a message. 😊

[Claire 💙 @clairebubblepop]

I’m SICK of people attacking those on benefits. I’ll say one more time. I had a partner and a beautiful family. But sadly he died. I had 4 kids by myself. I didn’t have family to help step in. I ended on benefits because I couldn’t afford childcare. My kids were 3yr, 5yr, 6yr and 15yrs old. You’re only ever one tragedy away from ending up on benefits. STOP judging when you don’t know people’s story’s.

Also many people on benefits work. Why should they have to top up their wages? Shouldn’t companies pay liveable wages in the first place? It’s more like corporation subsidies imho. You’re blaming the wrong people. It’s the system that works against us not the people themselves.

[BladeoftheSun @BladeoftheS]

If I came from a family that has held a seat in House of Lords for 7 generations and used it to protect their vast empire from Tax and Inheritance Tax.

I probably wouldn't be complaining about free bus passes for Senior Citizens.

You'd look ridiculous.

[Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder]

Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻

In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year.

Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it.

*****

"I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.

My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found.

At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me.

At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul.

At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being.

At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible.

Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever.

I’m writing this to tell you something simple:

Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.

Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS.

You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless.

You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours.

With love and gentleness,

Patricia Routledge

*****

Once more, rest in peace. 🤍

[Miriam Margolyes OBE @MMargolyes]

She might not be here to say it.

But let’s not let death stop Janey Godley from giving the middle finger to Donald Trump.

Let’s do it for dear friend Janey.

[Mr P MBE @ICT_MrP]

I would normally completely ignore stupid comments like this, but seeing as though he wants to know why I’m a primary school teacher, I thought I’d answer.

[YoungMinds @YoungMindsUK]

If you received your A-level results today and didn’t get what you expected, this is for you.

[Duolingo @duolingo]

to the supreme court: inclusivity matters

[The Bee Guy @the_beeguy]

Queen #BUMBLEBEES - HELP THEM OUT!
Another Saturday morning means another vital thread concerning #bumblebee queens at this time of year!
Please #retweet/#share as EVERY QUEEN BEE THAT SURVIVES GETS TO ESTABLISH A NEST that otherwise would not happen. Let me explain.
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#bees

[Dave McPartlin @dave_mcpartlin]

🚨Enough is enough!🚨
Our School Council is standing up for Fleetwood. The stench is unbearable and the @EnvAgency MUST act now. We teach our children to fight for what’s right - and they’re demanding change. Will you stand with them? #StopTheStink

[Elle McNicoll ✍🏻📚🩷💜💙 @BooksandChokers]

Me: My publisher have asked me to write an eBook for World Book Day, as there is usually little to no Scottish/ND rep.

You guys: and we will make it a bestseller!!

(Very grateful and full of love. Thank you)

[Elle McNicoll ✍🏻📚🩷💜💙 @BooksandChokers]

Never on here these days, so doubt this will be seen, but I'm doing the Barnes Kids Lit School programme this year. 4th of June. Free to attend, schools just need to sign up via the Barnes Kids Lit website.

It's for Y5 & Y6 and completely free of charge.

RTs appreciated!

[VeryBritishProblems @SoVeryBritish]

I’m making my own list of text abbreviations (or initialisms) for more middle-aged, British people, like me. This is what I have so far. Hopefully they’ll catch on. Let me know what you’d add.

[YoungMinds @YoungMindsUK]

The average waiting time for CAMHS has more than doubled since 2019.

But still only 1% of the NHS budget goes towards young people’s mental health.

Services urgently need more investment.

[CurseForge @CurseForge]

😢