Wednesday, February 04, 2026

Another Day, Another Tire Fire Put Out

I made it. Time to get ready for Stone Soup Poetry.

It's an all-open mic tonight.

Get online and in line early. 


Sh-t's F--ked

The Chad Parenteau's Lost Causes newsletter for February 4 is up now at Substack.

Last Steps

A fitting poem by Robin Styles Oliver with stunning photography by Jake Williams closes us out today at Oddball Magazine. I hope we see you all next Wednesday or whatever day you choose to return.

Thoughts While Walking, 2-4-26

Technically filmed yesterday, but it took me forever to want to post this.

 


Seeking

For the morning, we introduce poet Poem by Adara Schwartz with photography by returning contributor Kelly Sauvage Moyer. Thanks for joining us this Wednesday at Oddball Magazine. Come back later.

 

Beckmann Bends It

 

Somerville Arts Council Board member Sarah C. Beckmann gives a little more back to the arts with her poem in this week's Lyrical Somerville. Read it now at The Somerville Times.

Must Check Again

The "No ICE" graffiti was still there with only one blemish back at the end of January. I hope it outlasts the blizzard. I'll check next week when I hopefully resume my normal commute.

Graffiti: No ICE

A Moment of Comics

This month isn't going to be all Captain America, but I couldn't resist with this week's choice. I saw a joke video the other day about the Marvel villains having an alliance and Doctor Doom was dumb enough to invite both the Red Skull, a Nazi, and Magneto, a Jewish Holocaust survivor. Thing is, this did happen in Marvel's Acts of Vengeance" crossover story from 1989-1990. Loki brought the villains together, and it makes sense he wouldn't care much about the politics of mere mortals. 
 

Here's a page showing how Magneto dealt with Red Skull in Captain America #367 written by Mark Gruenwald with pencils by Kieron Dwyer and inks by Danny Bulanadi.


American Haiku: Can't Roll Back a Boulder on Fire

When I started my Sarcastic Haiku series, I wrote my first American Haiku. An American Haiku doesn't care about tradition, formality or history. it takes as long as it wants to make its point because America. You can read others I've written since by clicking here and scrolling down. 
 

American Haiku: Can't Roll Back a Boulder on Fire

Sure, Trump believes in
the Constitution,
but he
has also touched a lot of kids!


Happy Birthday, M'shairi

 

 


Happy Birthday, Ralph Pennel

 

 


Berklee After Blizzard

Took this on Monday while running errands around town. 


Your Wednesday Morning Poetry

If only all that was left of a pedophile kingmaker was to read poems like this. Read "The Ballad Of Jeffery Epstein" by Anais Vionet over at Poem Hunter.


Tuesday, February 03, 2026

The Horrible People Were Always Horrible

"The Horrible People That Were Allowed to Be" is my new essay on my Substack.


Something Has to Move

Jason Wright's Jagged Thought comes through today over at Oddball Magazine. 

Influenced by Ron


Shipshape in a Sh-tstorm, Part Four: Grounded. Read it on my Patreon.


Two New for Tuesday

Today features new contributors with poet Joe Couture and artist Lee Hammerschmidt. Check them out now at Oddball Magazine. 

This Week's Most Distinguished Network Name

It's amazing what people will name their online networks. I'm always trying to hijack Wi-Fi when I'm commuting, so I often come across a number of interesting names. Every Tuesday, I post the most impressive and/or cringe-inducing names.

Network Name: GOONERS
There's such as thing as too much honesty, you know.

Keep Breathing

LThings are going to change next year.

And what I’m doing today is going to change.

How I feel today is going to change.

Drastically.


Monday, February 02, 2026

Oddball Stories with David Ledrick

Thank you for reading Oddball Magazine this Monday.

All Time Pigs Must Die

Must listen to the album All Pigs Must Die by Death In June.

My war on time pigs continues. 


The Review is In

Read Robert Fleming's take on a Melania spin-off musical thanks to artwork by our regular contributing cartoonist Hoss. It's up now at Oddball Magazine. 

How It's Going and Going

The people who annoy me are back in full force even as the rest of the city struggles to get back on their collective feet. Hooray.

Make Your Own Tools

Anne Skove shares a zine she recently made. Make your own items for Superbowl Sunday or the next protest. Read Anne Skove "She Who Laughs Lasts" now at Oddball Magazine. 


Fun Entry for Me


It's Later Now, Part Twenty-Two: You and the Cat. Read it on my Patreon.

The Party Starts Here

Poet Lynn White and photographer Laura Shear kick off the week at Oddball Magazine. Enjoy your Monday while you can!


Get Ready

Jules Nyquist features at the end of February for Stone Soup Poetry.

Flyer: Jules Shows Stone Soup Her Poetry Playbook. - Poet philanthropist Jules Nyquist reads has her long-awaited Stone Soup Poetry feature. - Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 7:00-9:00 P.M. ET - Open mic included! Donations appreciated! - Visit https://stonesouppoetry.blogspot.com/ for the Zoom link

February 4: Stone Soup Says, "Join Us! It Sucks Outside!"

Stone Soup has a limited schedule this month, but we are still opening up February with an all-open mic this Wednesday on February 4. Join us for a respite from the cold and general awfulness outside your window and inside your home. 

Join us on Wednesday, February 4 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM ET by clicking this link.

The meeting ID is 824 3226 2906

Password: stonesoup 


Quick Stop

Saw Mom and Twig on Saturday before the alleged storm that never happened. Don't let the face fool you. Twig is living the good life. 


Happy Belated Birthday, Andrea Lovett

 

 


Happy Belated Birthday, Gabrielle Myers

 

 


Happy Belated Birthday, Charles Alexander

 

 


Happy Belated Birthday, Cat Dossett

 

 


Seeing Progress

I haven't heard the band Divorce Cake yet, but their stickers have gone from this...

This Week's Friendly Reminder

A new sticker. We need people more than ever to be informed.

Sticker: Boston - We Protect Our Own! - If you see ICE, help protect your neighbors by calling the LUCE hotline: 617-370-5023 - Save it in your phone now!

My Monday Morning Music

Megadeth has a new album. Let's listen to the song whose title catches my eye first. 

 

 


Sunday, February 01, 2026

Ron in Silvertone

I looked back recently at some footage from Ron performing his poetry alongside cellist Glynnis Lomon. I never loaded most of the photos up, and I realized why. The photos weren't very good with the lighting and the limits of my camera. I do have a ton of footage I hope to share in the coming weeks.

 

Your Weekly Dose of God

This memorial card from Ron Goba's funeral is all you're getting this week.


Annoying Thought of the Day

When I write, I am kinder to some people than they ever were to me in the living world.

In my mind, this is an elaborate form of revenge.

I have no idea if it works either as a writing technique or a life strategy.

Saturday, January 31, 2026

My Saturday Haiku for Bluesky, 1-3126

 
January was
a house guest that wouldn't leave,
jackboot jammed in door.

The Axes Are Out

"And it doesn't matter how many Pier 1 import wall decos he puts in the White House or how many historical buildings he funnels taxpayer money to destroy and makeover in his image. The aesthetic legacy of Trump and those surrounding him will always be one of slovenly indignity. Ill-fitting suits, visible diapers, bad makeup, cheap tans, and gold painted pablum made in China. But they desperately want to be liked, adored for their style and grace, despite sacrificing any they may have once had. Yet, because these people have no real understanding of art, Trump has been engaged in several efforts to reimagine a conservative aesthetic landscape that will acquiesce to his tackiness."

From the opening of Dead Domain's review of Melania. 

 

 


Friday, January 30, 2026

My Friday Evening Music

A final example of Mary Ann Honaker's musical inspiration. I learn a lot of new things on the weekly open mic. See you next week.

 

 


Happy Birthday, Anum Sattar

 


Happy Birthday, Hiram Larew

 


Happy Birthday, Pamela Gemme

 


Bitter, Yet Wise

Bruce Wise closes out the week with Wise Words. Thank you for reading Oddball Magazine this week.

Tired

My soul is exhausted. I hope I can get a tenth wind. 


Not Her Season

Janet Cormier's Bamboozled No More! is up now at Oddball Magazine. 

Happy Friday, I think. 


Brian Mosher Features at Stone Soup Poetry, 1-28-25

From this week's online gathering. Thanks to Brian Mosher for closing out the month with his work. Visit his website to purchase his poetry and fiction collections.

 

 


My Friday Morning Music

Another source of inspiration from poet Mary Ann Honaker I wanted to hear for the first time.

 


Leopards Eating Faces Update!

 

Never thought I'd say this even sarcastically, but sorry, NRA.


Thursday, January 29, 2026

Saying Goodbye to Warmth

Thanks to Brian Mosher for a wonderful reading last night. Be sure to visit his website for information on how to purchase his various collections. Stay tuned for more Stone Soup news.


The "Incident"

 James Van Looy's It's All One Thing is worth reading today. Go to Oddball Magazine now.