Spiritual Singles and Spiritual Partners

I haven't featured this type of group before, but despite my own lack of interest playing the romance game, I found myself fascinated by the tone of this group. It's a space for meeting friends or life partners. Collaborators in a journey of self-discovery. Perhaps for finding someone to share your own flavor of woo with. (Don't get me wrong - I have absolutely nothing against woo!) That makes it somewhat different than your average space for meeting new friends or partners. Some posters share openly about past wounds and present challenges. There are short posts, just to say hi. There are much longer narratives that speak of paths and goals. Deep thinkers and light seekers. Posts that speculate with piercing honestly about motives. There is a ton of engagement, and most comments tend to be positive, honest and supportive. 

Members: 97.5k, at the time of writing. 

Trigger Warnings: Should I mention that the romance-seeking component of this group seems mainly about seeking heterosexually oriented connections? Or perhaps that is just my superficial perception...

Go here to visit or join. 

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World Watercolor Group

At first glance, watercolor painting may seem deceptively simple. It's portable enough to have been a valuable tool to the botanists and biologists of past centuries. With a few washes of color, you can cover your paper with impressions suggestive of any number of subjects. Those are the basics. But with a more expert hand guiding the brush, those blotches are infused with a wealth of detail, containing - as the saying goes - multitudes. There are floral studies that pulse with life. Portraits that capture the very essence of a subject. River views where ripples of water interplay with reflections of light. Street scenes that show the sharp, precise line of architectural structures or the messy chaos of humanity going about its daily activities. Paintings that demonstrate clearly just how versatile a medium this can be. The group is associated with the awesome Doodlewash blog created by watercolor enthusiast Charlie O'Shields, which features monthly challenges and showcases watercolor artists from around the world.

Members: 240.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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World Cityscapes & Skyscrapers

There was a time in the Middle Ages when religious communities actively competed with each other to build the largest, most prestigious cathedral. In those days, it was hubris to even consider building any structure higher than the local church tower. Today it's easy to compare skyscrapers. At night, the great cities of the world paint their skylines in glittering lights. By day, citizens whizz by on highways that are often themselves stunning feats of engineering. Coastal cities cast their reflections in the nearby waters for all to admire. In Chicago, the highest buildings vanish in cloud cover. New York, no longer the world's greatest, still has an immense presence that demands admiration. Across the pond, bustling London seems both timeless and eternal. Guangzhou, China vibrates with eternal motion. Kolkata, India seems immense in dimension and scope. These are just a few of the World Cityscapes featured in this group that is unashamedly urban. Share the skyscrapers that awe you and the cities that hold your heart.

Members: 648.8k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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The Trail of Painted Ponies Collectors Group

If you can't afford to own living horses and ponies, then figurines have to be the next best consolation. They don't need feed or visits from the farrier and most of them can be accommodated in the average display cabinet. For those unfamiliar with the company, The Trail of Painted Ponies was founded by author Rod Barker and had already released a startling range of over 400 collectible ponies, many of them designed by everyday artists guided only by their creative muse and their love for horses. There are even special celebrity designs from Dolly Parton, Ali MacGraw, Barbara Eden and Tony Curtis, and other partner initiatives to benefit. (If you live in the USA and you have an idea for an artist's horse, check out the company website for more details.) The Facebook Group is for collectors showing off their equine treasures, looking for display ideas or posting pony figurines for sale. It offers members and visitors the opportunity to acquire or admire retired models, such as the Blue Medicine pony, Tropical Reef pony, Lightning Bolt Colt or the Poinsettia Pony. The ponies are all so beautifully made - they are a joy to behold. 

Members: 4.9k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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House and Pet Sitting (Worldwide) - "Pawhaps you wanna join?"

 Few things add more emotional/soul value to a home than the presence of a pet. Whether it's a cat, dog, bird or an assortment of farm animals, pets spell unconditional love, soft pets and... travel opportunities? Apparently one way of saving on travel accommodation is to offer your house/pet sitting services to someone in another city or country. A win-win situation where the sitter gets a free roof and the pet owner gets peace of mind. What was really touching, though, was several posters mentioning being past pet owners and missing the opportunity to bond with an animal. The group follows fairly strict guidelines regarding how you may post and seems to be well-moderated, despite also being super active. While it's difficult for me to imagine even spending a single night away from my two feline boys, I can well imagine that this platform must solve problems and create opportunities for animal lovers around the world. Remember to do your own due diligence regarding any responses you may receive.

Members: 204k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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High-Protein & Low Carb Meal Ideas

Browsing through just a few threads in this wonderful Facebook group convinced me that we don't need AI for ideation. We already have something much better. Each other. And crowd-sourced suggestions can be so much richer than regurgitations from content farms. Here's how it seems to work. Ask a food-related question. What's goes good inside a grilled cheese sandwich? A sugar-free late-night snack. Which foods and beverages lower blood pressure? A high-protein alternative to eggs for breakfast? Your thoughts on a breakfast croissant? It's really great to see how much engagement posts like these draws, with some of the suggestions being really original and useful, featuring added condiments and surprise choices. You can also share your meals or recipes for public consumption. This is a food space for everyday people who love what they eat.

Members: 127.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Vegans may want to give this group a miss. 

Go here to visit or join.

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The Pastel Palette

I have a love for pastels, when it comes to creating art. The easy blending of color, and soft strokes allows for a very natural brand of realism. But the eye of the artist can still grab your attention with surprising perspectives and expertly rendered details. Examples? The hairy face of a chimpanzee. The interplay of sun and shadow as reflected on a toddler's face by the sunhat she's wearing, or in a riverbed. A bird's eye view on a small plane flying over a coastal cove. A dew-fresh pod of freshly harvested peas. The sun setting on a country park. An exquisite little bird perched precariously on a tree trunk. Dreamy, likelike portraits. A cowboy and his horses, having a moment. I'm really stunned by the skill and expertise displayed within the work shared by members. 

Members: 8.8k members, at the time of writing. 

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Paul Klee