Heidi Talbot, “Bedlam Boys” (traditional)

This song originates from when Bedlam House (and its counterpart, Maudlin House, for women patients) was a thing, and it serves as a reminder that 1) the Renaissance was really, really weird and 2) mental healthcare has come so far!

I had a lovely time at the Kenosha Book Festival yesterday! It was a bit chilly, but the rain stayed away, and lots of people came out. I learned my lesson to dress in layers at the very first one I attended in April of 2024. If you missed it, there will be more–one a month from now through September, plus Bookoween in October–but I will be elsewhere.

Speaking of, I’ll be at What the Hex: The Magician this Sunday! 11-5 at Dresden Castle on Underwood, Cudahy, WI. I’m excited to rejoin Brooke and all the other magical artists and vendors. Here’s the Facebook event, if that’s helpful.

I’ll have a new page of Last Watch Before Dawn for you tomorrow. Friday is May Day, and it’ll be quiet around here in solidarity with various May Day actions taking place across the country. After that, we should be back on our regular schedule for the foreseeable future (which, to be fair, is not all that far these days).

Also, newsletter this week! It’ll be out on Thursday. If you want updates delivered to your inbox along with pictures of my cats, you can put your email into the box at this link. Be sure to check for a confirmation email afterward.

A couple of petitions:

Via Oxfam: Prioritize Gaza’s recovery

Via Kids In Need of Defense: Investigate indefinite detention of unaccompanied minors

Via Just Foreign Policy: Support the Lebanon war powers resolution

That’s what I’ve got for today. More soon! Take care of yourselves this week.