Michigan-landia

On January 26, 2026 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized3 Comments

I have a lot swirling around in my head and my heart and my soul; the terrible events happening here are taking center stage in my consciousness, naturally.

But I did make it to Michigan. It’s lovely with all the winter fairy-ness, and my apartment is wonderful.

The cats especially love it; in the space of an afternoon/evening, the wildlife cam I used to get some cat cameos actually snapped 231 photos of my devilish duo playing and running around (nope, I’m not exaggerating!).

It may take me a while to get back into the habit of blog reading, although I did miss keeping up with all your adventures, for sure!

At the same time, it was (and still is) really hard to return to the digital realm after, what, two months away from the screen? Sigh.

Anyway, I’m still just getting organized and trying to get some sort of writing/blogging/job-hunting schedule put together around my day job hours.

I was going through my WP Reader, and I didn’t see any posts from the Evil Squirrel’s Nest? I tried to go to the site address directly, and it says it might not be up anymore? Anyone have any updates?

Who else’s blog(s) might have been 86ed?

How are you all faring out there, in the digiverse and in other…dimensions?

I did manage to get my second master’s in professional science (wildlife conservation & advocacy) and I’m taking some more certification courses and other schooling in things like organizational development and change.

And I’m trying to regain my fluency in Spanish, though French might be better depending on whether I manage to pull off emigrating to Canada. I’m also considering Mexico.

Fill me in on all your new news in the comments! I can’t wait to hear what you all have been up to!

On (Not) Talking Politics…

On October 23, 2025October 23, 2025 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized3 Comments

A few days ago, I was at work and a co-worker, as they are wont to do, started talking about Trump. A manager said “Don’t talk politics at work.” Fair enough, right?

Since I often think before I speak, I didn’t come up with a response until just this morning, when I realized that talking about Trump was, in fact, not talking about politics at all.

Because Trump is no longer a president. He is no longer a political representative of the people, and, in fact, he conned many of these people who voted for him into thinking that he actually was their public servant who would represent their interests (until he turned on them, too).

This is not an opinion. This is not a matter of semantics or word play or “fake news”.

It is an unequivocal fact.

Donald Trump is a militarized tyrant who is waging war against the Constitution he swore to uphold, he is waging a complete and total war against our (yes, OUR!) government, he is waging a complete and total war against the people who reside in this country, both citizens and noncitizens alike, and he is committing multiple acts of war (war crimes) on the international stage as well.

He has broken his oath of office multiple times. He is not upholding the Constitution, he is blatantly defying Congress and the myriad of other checks and balances on his power.

Likewise, his so-called administration is no longer a presidential administration. They, like Trump, are acting solely in their own (financial) self-interests and they are also swept up in this vicious cycle created by Trump in that they have to continue to maximize their power in complete disregard of the government, the Constitution, and the will of the people. Because if they don’t, if they lose control of their power at this point, they will have to face prosecution for their crimes.

I will stress this again. Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, Katherine Leavitt, Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem, Pete Hegseth, Stephen Miller, Tom Homan, Kash Patel, Mike Johnson, and many more have lost the right to be called duly elected representatives of the people of the United States. They are this nation’s–this nation’s era of–war criminals.

Our (actual) elected representatives like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker are holding fast to their sworn oath to uphold the Constitution and to protect and serve the people who live in the United States, while not violating the structure and operation of the government like Trump and his corrupt cronies are.

We, though, are the people. We are the ones who aren’t politicians. We are the ones with the power and the freedom to fight back against Trump who has crowned himself king, and surrounded himself with a court of greedy sycophants who want a piece of King Trump’s golden cake.

I’ll remind you again. Trump doesn’t just want to be king–he already is.

He is the one that is the “clear and present danger” to the United States.

It is our duty to stand up to kings, no matter which side of the political spectrum you fall on.

Furthermore, this war against our constitution, against the residents of this country, against Congress, our government, and our system of checks and balances, is all being conducted under the guise of the Republican Party, as a way to mislead the people of this country that they are actually voting for their representatives that reflect and support their Republican values. Trump and his royal court have hijacked, and continue to control, the Republican Party and many of the Republican politicians in order to put themselves as kings, hell bent on ruling with the full, and often lethal/unchecked, power of an authoritarian regime.

Make phone calls to your representatives, continue to educate yourself on the deplorable actions of Trump and his cronies by listening to podcasts like the DAM Digest, The Left Hook, The Meidas Touch, and many more, attend nonviolent peaceful protests, and, above all, keep exercising your right to free speech, and vote these tyrants out of the power they’ve seized over the past nine or so months.

And, lastly, talk. Talk to your neighbors, talk to the members of your community, talk with your representatives, talk with your elders, your friends, your families, and your coworkers, even if you’re scared, even if you feel disempowered, even if you feel inexperienced in the world of politics (like me!).

Because it is our silence that makes us complicit to Trump’s destruction of our democracy, and it is by building community at the grassroots level that we can help defeat this depraved authoritarian regime.

#NoKings

#AntifaWasHere

https://5calls.org/

https://indivisible.org/

https://daniellemoodie.substack.com/

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/

https://thelefthook.substack.com/

https://jesspiper.substack.com/

https://allisongill.com/

https://meidasnews.com/

https://www.justaskthequestion.com/

#AntifaWasHere

On October 19, 2025October 19, 2025 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized7 Comments

I know I’ve been a bit AWOL what with finishing up school, planning my move, and all that, but I had this idea. The MAGA goons/the Trump Administration is spewing out all this nonsense about Antifa, so what if we (the collective resisters) take the hashtag #AntifaWasHere and attach it to posts ranging from volunteer activities to random acts of kindness for friends, neighbors, elderly, etc. etc.?

Essentially, any community- or civic-minded activities (nonviolent/peaceful/community building actions) could be marked with the hashtag #AntifaWasHere.

Maybe it can even be a bit tongue-in-check, like “I repaired my roof today #AntifaWasHere.” “I took my kids to soccer practice #AntifaWasHere.”I went grocery shopping at the local farmer’s market #AntifaWasHere.” “I washed my car today #AntifaWasHere.”

All these things could really work to dismantle the Trump Administration’s claims that Antifa is an organized movement, an organized “terrorist” organization, blah blah blah.

So, for example, if I gave a coworker a ride to work/a ride home, I’d share this “nefarious” activity (aka act of kindness) by posting up about it and with the hashtag #AntifaWasHere”.

Feel free to pass this along, and to join in. #AntifaWasHere.

“Running Over the Same Old Ground…”

On August 26, 2025 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized12 Comments

(Cue up Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”…)

Okay, while I’m taking it out of context a bit, I have been stuck in a bit of a loop mentally and emotionally and just trying to figure out a plan for the next few months, and not coming up with very much.

But at the same time, while it feels like I’m not accomplishing very much or being very upward-productive, I have been completing a few things on my to-do list, and backburning some other things. I’m exploring options like FlexJobs (anybody have any experience with them?) to bring in more income.

It does feel a little stuck-in-place, though, as a lot of my progress has been internal, and not readily visible or quantifiable.

I’m getting there, or so I hope, but it’s a very emotional and confusing time, amidst trying to do my small part in the fight against fascism/authoritarianism taking over the United States.

I’ve still managed to contribute to the Horror Tree site when I can. If you want some fictional horror/spec fic to retreat into, check out my interviews and book reviews over there:

https://horrortree.com/author/willowcroft/

I’d love to know what you all are doing to stay safe, and ways you all are fighting the good fight. Share in the comments below…

Until next time…

The “Stories From Within” Project and other news…

On July 13, 2025 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized25 Comments

Yes, I’ve been away from WordPress for quite some time. I’ve lost track of how long it’s been since I’ve been on here, reading posts and such. It’s at the point where going back and catching up on all the missed posts from you all is probably a lost cause, because it’s been soooooo long. Apologies to you all.

The good news is that I at least have a place to live and managed to get my belongings safely into a storage unit. I won’t say too much about the place I found, but it’s at least a roof over my head. Well, most importantly, a roof over my cats’ furry little heads.

In short, things were even more stressful and unstable than usual. I’m riding it out here in southern Illinois until December, and am revisiting the idea to move to Virginia, but I am more likely looking at Michigan. Canada is still a ways off due to costs, but I’ll be taking bitty steps as I can towards that emigration goal.

The theme of things right now for me is just “getting through”. Admittedly, like so many others out there, I’ve been horrified, disgusted, appalled, furious, and depressed over the actions of the current Trump administration. While not religious, I’ve also been having a severe crisis of faith about the example Trump and his cronies are displaying…because here are these corrupt, callous, greedy, deplorable people that get handed everything they want–money, power, influence–while so many that are good people and doing good, compassionate, ethical work are trapped at the bottom of this social and political system here in the United States and are lucky to even have the funds to buy food–and forget about healthcare, retirement, or even an adequate and safe place to live.

So this leads me to my idea to record and post people’s stories about the impact Trump and his administration is having on them, either directly or indirectly. If you’d like to participate, or know someone who would, please check out the post on my other blog, here:

https://kirstenleebarger.com/2025/07/13/stories-from-within/

Grannies Against!

On April 14, 2025 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized3 Comments

I’ve been out of touch yet once again, but I’ve been trying to overcome my lack of knowledge of politics, and have been keeping abreast of the terrible actions the current administration has been doing in the United States.

I decided I won’t sit back and do nothing.

This may not even take off, but I will also look for other ways to fight the terrible injustices Trump (I did not vote for him, of course) and to get involved in the “good fight”.

I am still working towards my Canadian immigration, but it takes a sizeable monetary investment, and I am still finishing up my school, and working a minimum-wage job.

And I have to move yet once again come May/June.

I decided to stay in Illinois, rather than go to Virginia as I had originally planned.

Because, this:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/glenn-youngkin-credits-help-from-trump-administration-for-major-ms-13-arrest/ar-AA1CGzsM

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/ice-nabs-more-than-425-migrant-criminals-in-virginia-gov-youngkin-says/vi-AA1CFHRU

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jake-tapper-glenn-youngkin-trump-comments_n_670e2e10e4b0c5b8c0af3288

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/youngkin-invites-new-trump-admin-settle-virginia-over-maryland-dc

And this:

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/what-comes-next-illinois-governor-delivers-stern-message-on-state-of-country/3678083/

So, please go check out my post, and if you want to join, if you have ideas and want to brainstorm and plan the resistance with me as a “Granny”, don’t hesitate to reach out by email!

Check out my “Grannies Against” post on my other blog for more info:

Grannies Against…

Something’s…Fishy!

On April 8, 2025 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized4 Comments

I started a new series of questions for author interviews over at the Horror Tree!

Check the first one in all its suspicious fishy wonder here: https://horrortree.com/four-red-herrings-with-phil-lecomber/

And, I can’t remember which I linked to in previous posts, but I have reviewed some great books to help take your mind off recent/current events (for a little while anyway).

https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-murder-by-memory-by-olivia-waite-2/

https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-the-daughters-war-by-christopher-buehlman/

https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-fiasco-uncharted-hearts-book-2-by-constance-fay-2/

Sadly, though, things are not just fishy outside of the fictional world, but deeply troubling and horrifying in the world of politics here in the United States. I wrote another, more serious post about it on my other blog. If you want join my grassroots resistance movement of one (me!), head here: https://kirstenleebarger.com/2025/04/08/words-fail-me/.

Two paths? I choose…both of them!

On March 12, 2025March 11, 2025 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized10 Comments

(Yes, yes, I know, Robert Frost, you said “road” in your work. Sigh.)

I’ve long striven to make both my “professional” self complementary with my author persona (or vice versa) in terms of certain areas–my dedication to environmental and nonhuman animal advocacy causes, namely.

I was really excited to have my short stories included in anthologies such as the Shark Week-themed anthology, the climate change-themed anthology, and the “urban Celtic fantasy” one.

A few years back, I decided to leave my position as vice publisher/acquisitions director/senior editor at a L.A.-based book publishing company and get back to my nonprofit/advocacy roots. I enrolled in a MPS (master’s in professional science) program in environmental branding & marketing at Unity Environmental University. Sadly, that program wasn’t offered due to low enrollment so I ended up in wildlife conservation and advocacy. (I’ve also been accepted into a doctorate program in business management.)

(It’s with a sinking feeling as I watch the political situation unfold as most of the employment opportunities I may have both with this degree and my former one–public history/museums–are directly or indirectly reliant on federal funding.)

I will graduate this winter with my degree, and I am just trying to keep my spirits up. Still, it’s devastating especially when I encountered a customer wearing an “I Hate Trump” t-shirt, and learned their partner had received a “Fork in the Road” letter.

(It probably goes without saying that I did not vote for that corrupt oligarch-hopeful Trump. I despise Trump and everything he stands–or doesn’t stand–for. The bitter silver lining is that those who did vote for him are getting their wake-up call–at great cost, sadly.)

Anyway, I won’t get into politics–or my outrage–more in-depth here, because that will detract from the point of this blog post.

As part of my networking plan, and building up my professional status for my new possible career, I’ve created a new blog.

I toyed with the idea of posting up articles via my LinkedIn page, and put up a few over there, but decided I wanted to keep ownership of my content and not publish it on an external site.

Also, thank goodness for my colleague/fellow author Courtney Mroch, both for her posts and for our long-time professional connection. She’s been a Virgo-practical guiding light through my own confusing mid-life transition(s), for sure. I have been floating around, completely untethered, the past few years, and she’s helped me keep my perspective with her sound advice and support. (I’m not at all surprised she’s been a regular contributor to the Chicken Soup books.)

Anyway, while I figure out what new social media platforms to join, and which to jettison (Facebook, I’m looking at you, next!), and here’s some other post from a fellow blogger about social media platforms they’re on just because.

Anyway, redux, I started a new blog for my “other” self, and it’s brand new, and I know I have continued to fall behind in blog reading (i.e. nonexistent blog reading) but I was struggling with my course this past term for the first time ever, and received a *gasp* C- in a field of As, and one B+ and I wanted to perfectionist-drop out of the entire program, and I am working full time and am moving come May/June because slumlords and I have been so worried about losing food stamps and Medicaid and even my financial aid for another break-out-of-minimum-wage plateau attempt that I am just flat-out exhausted.

Here’s the link to my blog, and my first post! https://kirstenleebarger.com/

Hope you enjoy the essays and such over there!

Holiday Fun with my fellow Scream Queens!

On January 10, 2025January 8, 2025 By Willow CroftIn Friday Friends, Uncategorized12 Comments

I was fortunate enough to spend part of the winter holidays with my fellow Scream Queens during Resurrection Media’s “Dark Days of Christmas Movie Madness” party. The frightfully festive event was kicked off with a “Horror Holiday Ugly Sweater Contest” followed by a trivia quiz about the movie Krampus.

As we settled in for Resurrection Media’s screening of Krampus, I excitedly dug into my Scream Queens’ stocking of terror.

Resurrection Media knows no movie experience is complete without a visit to the theatre’s concession stand. They captured this experience by providing a bag of microwaveable popcorn (inside the custom-labeled wrapper) and a selection of vintage candy.

I swear, it’s just popcorn. Don’t you trust me? (cackles evilly)

I guess even the wicked get sweets for the holidays!

Resurrection Media was also thoughtful enough to provide us Scream Queens with a delightful self-care package–perfect after all the mischief and mayhem we caused! The wipes will be especially perfect for wiping the ~~blood~~ the popcorn grease from our fingers.

Thanks to Resurrection Media and their Scream Queens for providing a holiday event that was to die for!

Want to join in the deliciously macabre fun? Check out Resurrection Media to learn more about their upcoming projects: https://resurrection-media.com.