Google Earth, Structures and Anomalies

When Google Earth was first introduced more than twenty years ago, it filled many people around the world with a sense of wonder. Never before had the planet seemed so accessible to anyone with internet access. And the legends began. One of the most incredible stories to emerge in this new era of digital empowerment, in my opinion, is that of Saroo Brierley, a young boy who was reunited with his birth family thanks to Google Earth, after having been separated from them at age five. If you are intrigued by the mysteries and enigmas unlocked by this incredible web tool, buckle up to explore and collaborate with like-minded souls via this fascinating community. Home in on Mysterious offshore installations, abandoned urban areas, subterranean Viking vessels and other ancient structures. Visit normally inaccessible locations such as North Korea, Nightingale Island, or Antarctica. Puzzle over moments of intense human drama captured on Google Streetview or freeways, off-ramps and other infrastructure from hell. 

Members: 2 million, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Magical Christmas Markets of Europe

Nothing captures the spirit of Christmas quite like a typical European Christmas market. The German ones are world famous for copious amounts of Glühwein, preferably drunk from a quirky souvenir mug, bratwurst, lebkuchen and roving entertainers to inject an appropriate atmosphere of hearty good cheer. There will also be lots of charmingly crafted goodies, just perfect for a spot of early (or last minute) Christmas shopping. Of course, you shouldn't forget about the associated pageantry tied in with centuries of folklore and ritual, incorporating events such as a spirited Krampus run through the crowded streets. But there are also fabulous markets in neighboring countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, France or even Romania. For real enthusiasts, there are tour packages that lets you experience the Christmas markets in different cities. But if you want to get crowd-sourced opinions from people on the ground, this Facebook group represents a brilliant resource for asking questions, sharing tips or just posting your personal impressions. What's great is the sheer diversity of locations. Germany alone has around 3,000 Christmas markets, and it's great that lesser known venues also get some love for their show of Christmas spirit.  As an initiative of Vacations by Design, there are some great travel deals exclusively available to group members. What are you waiting for? Join the adventure of a once-a-year treasure hunt. 

Members: 554.8k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join

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Edit: At the time of writing this post, I had not yet seen the news of the tragic events in Magdeburg. With this, I wish to add my shock and sadness, as well as heartfelt condolences to the friends and family members of those who died in the attack. 

Show Your Home Library

One poster calls it "my happy place" and I cannot think of a better description for a home library. Ideally, it's a cozy nook with a comfortable chair and a resident cat. Shelves upon shelves filled with wondrous treasures. Childhood favorites brushing spines with new discoveries. Photos with sentimental value, figurines, curiosities, toy cars and items of art guarding the portals to fictional vistas. Crumbling antique book covers lending gravity to a collection. Few things provide such profound insight to the soul of a person as their book collection, but often how it is housed offer additional clues. If you are an avid reader, this Facebook group will feel like home. 

Members: 33.6k, at the time of writing. 

Trigger Warnings:

Go here to visit or join. 

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Dollhouse Miniatures Made from Everyday Things

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Dollhouse miniatures made from everyday things

The combination of lifelike tableaus in tiny scale, yet true to form can be fascinating and awe-inspiring. Welcome to the quietly obsessive world of miniature dollhouses, where everything is in the details. While you can purchase just about anything for your miniature dollhouse from Amazon, a little inspiration and a pinch of improvisation can really go a long, long way. There are delicate teacups fashioned from beads. A family dinner served in potted clay. A collection of realistic looking soft drinks, complete with tiny ice cubes and lemon slices. A plate of yummy-looking cookies. Wine glasses, potted plants, vases of roses and Christmas decorations. Even miniature toilet rolls. Staircases that will never see any foot falls. Haunting recreations from popular media or inspired by fandoms. 

Members: 322k, at the time of writing 

Trigger Warnings: None. 

Go here to visit or join.

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Handmade Craft Ideas

If it were possible to squeeze a thousand crafters from all around the world into one space to showcase their work, the result would probably be something similar to this delightful Facebook group The featured posts include a vast variety of styles and disciplines, ranging from gorgeously crafted dog collars, colorful felt slippers and crocheted animals (the real deal, NOT AI!!!) to leather vambraces and even a one-in-a-million stratocaster guitar. There are quirky Christmas decorations, jolly gingerbread men and bespoke gift ideas, as well as custom denim jackets, knitted socks, shawls, jewelry, painted pebbles and even an art project featuring a recycled doll's head. It really is a celebration of creativity and inspiration. 

Members: 621.2k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warning: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Furries in Unusual Places

I was introduced to the concept of furries through a very enlightening conversation with a young man who wore a memorable lion ring, and ever since I have had a soft spot for otherkin. If like me, you are willing to embrace alternate lifestyles without judgement, this Facebook group would be just the space for you. Whether you're just thrilled to have spotted a furry in the wild, or want to share memories through convention group photos. Some tales of accidental encounters hint at the layer of pure magic that furries sometimes inject into our everyday, mostly mundane world. There are also cartoons, humorous memes, selfies of members showing off their gear and costumes, as well as social media links. 

Members: 46.3k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Magnificent Traditional Costumes of the World 🪭

Culture and ethnicity can be regarded as a vital element of identity. It often functions as the template through which a person interacts with the world outside. And, while globalization has injected a uniformity into how we dress and express ourselves, this delightful Facebook Group counters such blandness with diverse inspirations from locations such as Ethiopia, the Ukraine, Serbia, Mongolia, Angola, Tunesia, Macedonia, Peru, Bulgaria and Tibet. The posted photos are a feast of color, intricately crafted accessories and masses of cultural pride. 

Members: 48.8k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

ghost stories and awesome haunted places

The countdown for Halloween has begun. In roughly 48 hours, it will be time again for scary costumes, trick or treating, distant screams, eerie music and marathon horror binge-watching sessions. Many people are already sharing horror themed lawn decorations, but this Facebook group touches on the spirit of the uncanny, with posts ranging from haunted castles and mysterious photographs to personal ghost stories and unexplained nighttime security footage. See ghost hunters at work or discuss protective measures against the supernatural. Posts and media blur the lines between the elusive safety of the mundane world and the reality of a mysterious world we know so little of. 

Members: 15k, at the time of writing. 

Trigger warnings: Scary stuff

Go here to visit or join.

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S.A. HORRORFEST

Deep Space 9 Lovers

Deep Space 9 is one of the most finely nuanced Star Trek shows, with a range of complex characters that reflect the diversity of a space-age civilization and shows a socio-political landscape that reaches beyond Star Fleet and Federation culture. It features one of Star Trek's most insidious villains in Gul Dukat, two of the most noble and best loved Klingons in Worf and General Martok, and the most subtle of threats represented by the Dominion. The dialogues and relationships are endlessly fascinating, from the mutual superstition between Odo and Quark, to the enduring friendship between Sisko and Dax, which spans through several incarnations and the delightfully layered bromance between Garak and Bashir. If you're a fan, this Facebook group is the place for you to speculate, share memes, media, memorabilia and fan theories. 

Members: 30.9k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit of join. 

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Tree of Life - Depictions of Trees in Art

To see a collection of bare, leafless trees clustered in a snow landscape is to be reminded that, however cold it gets, the world will endure, and other seasons lie dormant amongst their seeds. Some trees cast dreamy shadows into ancient woods and attract the magical remnants of other worlds. Other trees carry a heavy load of summery splendor or hold the secrets of our yesterdays safe within their gnarled bark. And the beauty of riverside trees reflected in the water. Trees enhance the world with their serene and eternal presence. Or perhaps an English poet said it best. "Wild is the music of autumnal winds among the faded woods. " -William Wordsworth. Trees can be so many things, which is probably why landscape painters are so fond of them. This is a stunning Facebook group with an amazing collection of art. 

Members: 18,4k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Vintage and Rarely seen comic strips

It's hard to believe that cartoon strips are over a 120 years old, and what would newspapers be like without them? (Although we may soon need to get used to life without the stallwart print media dailies). Equally unbelievable is that longstanding familiar faces are a lot older than most people realize. Take for instance Blondie (94 years), Popeye (95 years) and Little Orphan Annie (100 years). This Facebook group, though, focuses on obscure rarities. I was surprised (and delighted) to see one of the grandfather's favorites - the Danish strip Ferd'nand. There were also vintage Addams family, Disney's Sleeping Beauty, the Outbursts of Everett and - just to illustrate that not all strips are gags and punchlines - a rare New Zealand episodic strip called World Patrol - The Adventures Of Mark Steel And Dawn Randal. Comic aficionados, this one's your call. 

Members: 28.3k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Outdated and un-PC ideas/phrasing/motifs.

Go here to visit or join. 

Small Bikes Big Adventures

While big motorcycles seem to have all the glamor, power and sex appeal, they are also harder to handle and not particularly forgiving to beginner bikers. By contrast, a small bike is lightweight, easy to maneuver and budget friendly, with lower fuel and maintenance costs. But despite a humbler design and more modest capacity, this Facebook group is proof positive that even little bikes can dream big. Small bikes can reach places that automobiles can't, and because they often serve as first motorcycle, they loom large on the gilded tarmac of memory lane. There are snapshots from all around the world - mountain passes in northern Pakistan, empty beaches in Indonesia, the Mediterranean coastline, Vietnam, Uruguay, Australia and even good old John O'Groats at the northern edge of Scotland. Some posts celebrate acquaintances and travel companions of yesteryear. There's even an old photo of a narrow postman's track.

Members: 26.7k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Collages

Before photoshop and AI, there was the collage. A humbler and more honest method of adapting and combining different and sometimes conflicting elements into something new. A successful work is something that blends seamlessly to become a world wholly its own. Artists share their techniques and even how they went about sourcing different components of their work, or tell stories about the inspirations behind their masterpieces. The layering adds texture and depth. From bold splashes of color to gently harmonious attempts at visual storytelling. The beauty of the collage is that it seems so accessible. It's a discipline where you add and add and add until the picture seems complete. It is visually rich and vibrant. And fun too. Don't forget that. Look at these images for long enough and you'll start looking for a scissors and something to cut up.

Members: 149.5k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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I love Haworth and the Bronte Parsonage

The Bronte sisters have always fascinated me. Their incredible bond with each other and to their Byronically tragic brother Branwell. Their imaginative exploration of the inner worlds that fueled their creativity. The sheer audacity with which they set out to undertake what so few women of their age did - get published. This Facebook group is dedicated to the English town where the Brontes spent most of their lives, and nurtured their talent. Where their father preached his sermons. The pictures shared breathe life into the powerful backdrop of their classic novels, showing the timelessness of Haworth and the moors that inspired them. Contemporary perspectives are interwoven with historical narratives and memorabilia. We get a rare glimpse of one of Charlotte's miniature books. There are historical photographs from the 1850s, showing Haworth and its people as the Bronte sisters must have experienced it. A post on Charlotte's friend Elizabeth Gaskell, who wrote a biography of Charlotte and later became a literary giant herself. For anyone who loved the books and want to get closer to the young women who created them. 

Members: 14.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Keep the Dream Flowing - A Podcast About Woodstock 1969

The Woodstock Festival that took place from 15-18 August 1969 in Bethel, New York state was a pivotal moment in popular culture that defined an era and the youthful, idealistic spirit that drove it. Although the generation that experienced those heady days are now in their seventies and eighties, the legacy endures. And, although this particular Facebook group has a very modest membership, it makes up for that in the sheer richness and diversity of the content shared, which delves into numerous different aspects of what made the festival awesome. There are posts about Max B Yasgur, the dairy farmer who hosted the event on his property, the opposition he faced from the neighboring community and even the crazy bet he made with event organizer, Mike Lang. There are details about the stage construction. Snapshots and videoclips. Links to articles, essays and oral history retrospectives from attendees. There's even media about lesser known, contemporary events and posts about artists who were invited to perform but had to decline due to prior commitments. Many artist profiles include set-lists and other details of their performances. Today, the site is demarcated by a memorial marker that remembers the magic of those three, music-filled days. 

Members: 1.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Ancient Stone Bothering

When seen in context to the brief lives of humans and the even shorter spans of many animals, stone, rock and boulder seems eternal, strewn across the landscape by the long-ago giants of myth. Some stones are lone reminders of a bygone era. Others hosted mysterious rituals or secret roundevous. From the impressive and instantly recognizable image of Stonehenge to the Dolmen of Menga, Spain, here's a Facebook group that celebrates all those enigmatic corners of the world that retain a little of the timeless mysteries of our past. Carnac. Stenness in Orkney.  Pentra Ifan. Carn Goch. Maen Llia. Callanish in the Outer Hebrides. These stones remember our ancestors. And that is where the bothering part comes in, capturing the temporary intrusions of humans, sheep, cows, dogs and an assortment of other indignities. What do the stones make of us? Heaven alone knows. We can but wonder...

Members: 47.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

Paul Klee

The diverse and highly individual work of the Swiss-German artist Paul Klee serves not only as a testament for his creativity, but also hint at a vast internal landscape populated in equal measure with expressions of his intellectual musings and moments of mischief. Unafraid of experimenting in different genres, media and indeed art movements, he had a life-long, passionate love affair with color that informed many of the 9,000 works of art he left behind. As did an early education in music and a deep interest in literature. His epitaph speaks of the sense of wit and whimsy that characterized his very being: "I cannot be grasped in the here and now, for my place is as much among the dead as the yet unborn. Slightly closer to the heart of creation than usual, but still not close enough." This Facebook group share works that are beguiling in their simplicity, or subtle and complex in their shifting palettes. There are also posts that focus on his lesser-known creations, his writings and his more unusual inspirations. 

Members: 137.6k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Mild nudity.

Go here to visit or join.  

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons

Mia's Bayeux Tapestry Story

The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the world's most famous pieces of handcraft. And it tells the story of one of the most significant events in English history - the 1066 invasion of William of Normandy. The original is believed to be around 950 years old. To single-handedly reproduce this incredible piece of cultural art is no mean feat, but that is exactly what the self-taught, Swedish-born artist Mia Hansson has set out to do. To tell the story of this incredible project (which started in July 2016), and to share media about its tie-ins, she had created this Facebook group. The posts offer fascinating insights into the scale and effort involved in bringing the work to life. 

Members: 5k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

Mia's website: https://www.miasbayeuxstyleart.uk/

Mia's other Facebook Group: https://web.facebook.com/groups/miasdrawingandsewing?_rdc=1&_rdr

Dandelion Appreciation Society

There is something absolutely irresistible about dandelions that calls up memories of the innocence of childhood and the wonder of nature. If you are looking for a daily dose of that wonder in your social media newsfeed, then this is the perfect Facebook group to scratch that itch. The vast majority of posts here are visual in nature, featuring photographs, art and inspirations focussed on the humble dandelion in her many guises. Here and there you will glimpse fairies or woodland creatures, and there is also an info-graphic on the health benefits of dandelions. 

Members: 71.6k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

Photo Credit: Herbert/HG Fotografie at Pixabay. 

Fabulous Lovers of Weird Everything

 It's always a good sign if I browse through the first few posts of the group I'm visiting and I'm going wow! Wow! Wow! The content ranges from natural wonders to heart-warming, feel-good human interest stories, and mind-blowing examples of animal intelligence and staggering reality checks. Although there is a really wide range of topics, the general theme alligns to wonder and upliftment. Here are some examples. The Hartashen Megalithic Avenue, a Stonehenge like Ancient site in the USA. A beautiful collection of polar stratospheric clouds over Iceland. An animal shelter who came up with a really novel way of matching humans with dogs for some TLC and a new pet parent devised a novel way of naming the dog he adopted.

Members: 107.9k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

Steps and Stairs appreciation society

Let's go places. Let's climb up, up, up and see where that gets us. Every image is a gateway. A way to get on the eternal staircase. And while you are traversing the steps, pause and look around you. See azure bays from the windows of whitewashed island villas. Explore the backrooms and underbelly of an auditorium. Overgrown steps of stone. Quaint porch gardens. Ancient places where you would have to watch where you go, lest you stumble. Staircases that lead to little pockets of wonder. If you hear the call to adventure, step outside yourself. You'll never know where it might lead. Thanks to the creator of this Facebook group for opening the door to thousands of steps that lead anywhere. 

Members: 11.7k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: None

Go here to visit or join.

Image credit: NakNakNak on Pixabay. 

Retro Horror Paperback Art

 Horror is not everyone's cup of blood. Even though I do read horror, I have to admit that I am also rightly cautious of it. But scrolling through the media of this Facebook group, which focuses on the retro cover art of horror paperbacks, was immensely interesting. The covers feature household names along with great unknowns. There are anthologies, pulp magazines, foreign-langeuage covers of well-known titles, franchises such as the Friday the 13th series and also rarities by authors better known for other fields (musician Serge Tankian) or other genres (George RR Martin). Although some are definitely cringe, I found it really interesting to look at the sheer diversity of the artwork - and to enjoy the viceral realness of the depictions. With many images you can see very clearly that someone drew this. Of particular interest, was the frequent use of surrealism, an art form that blends seamlessly with horror elements. If you have an appreciation for visual horror or are simply looking for obscure book recommendations in the genre, this group might be well worth your time.

Members: 59.5k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: Disturbing and/or violent images.

Go here to visit or join. 

Susan Seddon Boulet

 Born of ex-pat British parents in Brazil, Susan Seddon Boulet brought a rich fusion of influences and inspirations to her art. Her early paintings are infused with a warm light that embodies the whimsy of exploration. Interacting with the divine, through all its incarnations and the disguises it wears. Later paintings shifted to the dubious denizens of the underworld as the artist struggled with her own mortality, but also included the promise of rebirth as personified by mythic figures such as Pegasus, born from the demise of the monstrous (and tragic) maiden Medusa. Compositions are dynamic and shimmer with strong emotional engagement. This Facebook Group shares and celebrates the uniqueness of her art. 

Members: 3.6k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Stranded Knits

According to the description, stranded knits can be termed as any work that included at least two colors. It's that simple. Projects range from beanies, dog sweaters and doll garments, to cardigans, mittens, and socks. Great if you could persuade a loved one to play model, but that's not required. Post works in progress or yarn combos for inspiration. It's great to see how crafters blend their colors, but also what patterns they employ. If you love handcraft, this Facebook group is sure to give you plenty of good ideas for your wool stash.

Members: 81.9k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

Footplate Memories

A few years ago, I did the University of Strathclyde's really excellent MOOC on the history of the railways in the UK, and remembering how the rich histories told in the comment section enhanced the overall experience, I'm really happy to discover that this group exists. The group is dedicated the people, places and above all, the engines of South Africa's railway service. If trainspotting is your thing, you will be most welcome to share your pictures of trains on the move, but there are also tributes to train drivers and stokers, historical photographs, memorabilia, custom locomotives and rail related events. A tribute to the magic of travelling by rail. 

Members: 53.4k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: A few posts (not many) are in Afrikaans.

Go here to visit or join. 

Haunted dolls, teddys and more

Oh, cool, I thought when I spotted this one. A niche paranormal rabbit hole. Probably full of stories. And yes, this did turn out to be really interesting. A few posts featured super-creepy stories about thrift store finds, and there are horror themed dolls that will put Chucky to shame. I'm talking about that ultra realistic, fanged baby doll with the red eyes of course. Some dolls are hauntingly beautiful, but there are also unexpected rarities I've never seen before, such as the vintage magic skin baby doll and the grandpa and grandma doll that seemed to attract a lot of bad karma. There were also one-eyed franken-teddies that were surprisingly cute anyway. There are a few links to other haunted media, and also a few horror themed dolls and jewelry items posted for sale. 

Members: 12.4k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: horror themed media

Go here to visit or join. 

The Mythic Café, with Charles de Lint & Company

 Earlier this month, the co-founder of one of my favorite Facebook groups passed away. Charles de Lint and MaryAnne Harris created Mythic cafe to draw together fans of his books and through her active role in this space, MaryAnn became the heart and soul of a community of fantasists looking for tiny pieces of magic in our mostly mundane world. It was a place to share art, talk about books, share mythic tales and find those places that could be gateways to urban magic and beyond. At those time, when Facebook seemed to be stuck in its more toxic moments, this group became a balm and a refuge. While it is currently infused with a sweet sadness, it still remains one of the most special online spaces I know and it has exerted no small influence on what continues to motivate my quest to find Facebook's best online communities. My heart-felt condolences to Charles (who is one of my favorite authors) and to everyone who loved her. Unlike most of the groups I have featured since reviving the blog, this is a private group.

Members: 8.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to request access.

Beautiful Mountains

Calling all hikers and nature lovers. The great outdoors doesn't get any greater than a mountain (or two), but what makes mountains great are not only their physical nature, but also the iconic status they occupy in the consciousness of those who reside in their shadow. The presence and stature of a mountain offers a unique way to orient, a protective barrier and a focus for weather systems. But most of all mountains are easy on the eye. Reassuring. Mountains are the backbone of the planet and, as such, they remain some of the most mysterious places to be found, hiding unique features, caves, ruins and holy places. Most posts share the name and location of the featured mountain. You will see mountains from Canada, New Zealand, South America, and Switzerland (of course!). 

Members: 601.8k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: AI-generated images. Not enough (in my opinion) to be problematic, but in a group like this, there would be an expectation to see mountains that actually exist. 

Go here to visit or join.

Pen and Ink Drawings

There is something relentless and unforgiving about the use of line in art. Lines are not soft, although they can soften, given the right degree of contact. Lines can be precise, delicate or severe, but a gentle wash of ink can modify. These are my thoughts as I am admiring the skill and character of each of the studies posted in this Facebook group. Ink can be used for quick impressions, or to execute detailed portrait or landscape studies. There are even startlingly well rendered subjects done in nothing other than blue ballpoint pens. While the vast majority of works are of landscapes or cities, there are also still lifes, portraits, and even imagined imagery. 

Members: 12.3k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Assateague Island Pony Pictures

The Assateague Island off the east coast of America is world famous for its herds of feral ponies that were immortalized in the much-loved children's book Misty of Chincoteague written by Marguerite Henry and published almost eighty years ago. This barrier island comprises of several national parks - the Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park on the Maryland side and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on the Virginia side, and the topic of whether the feral equines of the island should be named Assateugue horses or Chincoteague ponies is a matter of debate, but this Facebook group is more interested in sharing the photographs of visitors and residents to the island. The cute foals, of course take center stage, but there are also photographs of adult horses interacting. According to legend, the horses of Assateague are descended from a shipment of Spanish horses that were shipwrecked here. If you love horses, you would really enjoy this space. I did.

Members 60.5k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: None 

Go here to visit or join. 

Sketch in Travel

The discovery of this Facebook group made me smile the moment I realized what it was about, because it combines two of my favorite themes - art and places. If you haven't figured it out (it's pretty easy), it's about sharing the quick sketches you make about the places you visit in your travels. As I'm looking through all these charming pieces of artful expression, it occurs to me, that this used to be an integral part of travelling, in an era before photographs and cameras became ubiquitous and it's really, really wonderful to realize that in some small way, it is still a thing. See sketches from Tokyo, Krakow, Egypt, Lisbon, Paris, Arizona, New York, Thailand, India, Madagascar, Prague, Wales and Birmingham. 

Members 16.5k members, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

Snapshots of the World

In an older version of the world we live in, people sent postcards to friends and family, or tacked their memories in photo albums. Today, sharing is immediate, and if you're smart, you'll save your best one for a photo-sharing Facebook group like this one, where you can anonymously browse through the curated memories of random strangers. Immerse yourself in beaches, city-scapes, canals and flowers. Soak up the sunset or gaze at a distant galaxy. See the full moon from several different wind directions on the same night. See woodland creatures or wild horses. Be dazzled by reflections of light. Calling all you armchair travelers to enjoy a thousand different moments of this beautiful planet we all call home. 

Members: 110.9k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

Gypsy Cob Owners Group

With their two-tone coat color and distinctive shaggy mane and tail, the Gypsy cob, also known as the Gypsy Vanner is one of the equine world's best loved breeds. These charming and showy horses are popular for pleasure riding or just as pets. Which is why it is not at all surprising that there's a Gypsy Cob Owner's Group to share the awesomeness of cob horses around the world. Share photos of your beloved equine darlings. Ask questions about care and, of course, tips on how to fluff up those gorgeously feathered hooves. Post zany two-of-a-kind cob-and-owner snapshot. Above all share the love.

Members: 41,7k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Prince Albert, Queen Victoria & Their Family (1800-1918)

It is difficult to imagine the 19th century without calling it the Victorian era. Queen Victoria, her clever, industrious husband and their nine children are central to everything that era stood for and their offspring spread out across the royal houses of Europe. This facebook group shares historical photographs of the direct and extended family members and descendants of Victoria and Albert, but there are also swoonworthy royal dresses, as well as historical factoids. You will probably see many princes, princessses, dukes, duchesses, counts, countesses and more that you've never heard of, and don't forget to read the comments to some of the posts, which are interesting in and of their own. If you are into royalty, and/or history, you'll probably enjoy this community.

Members: 60.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: Royalty

Go here to visit or join.  

People Incorrectly Correcting Other People

Although they mean well, grammar nazis can be annoying. The same goes for social justice warriors. Or anyone who tries to win an argument on compromised logic But if you look at some of the posts in this group long enough, it may hurt a little.So Especially with the mathematical ones. The good thing is that inevitably, you will learn a lot, bash a few misconceptions on their heads and grow more informed. The down side is that you might be unmasking your own stupidity in the process. Your ego may take a knock here or there. Some posts will make you laugh and/or feel superior. And the schadefreude can be strangely satisfying.

Members: 2.8 million, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Some of this may hurt your ego.

Go here to visit or join.

Ancientology

 If you consider the age of the planet, then written human history is spectacularly short and woe-fully inadequate. There are even large segments of written history that remains mysterious and obscure, when viewed from the lens of the 21st century. In this group, you will find hints and clues of our ancient forebears and their contemporaries, but also of fossils and creatures that walked the earth long before humans were even around. There were posts of enigmatic stone stairs and megalithic structures in Sicily, rock paintings in British Columbia, Chilean mummies, ancient Romanian weaponry, Polish treasure hoards, rock-cut temples in India and Roman mosaics when I paid my visit. 

Members 72.9k, at the time of writing. 

Trigger warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

If you know of a Facebook group that you feel deserves a mention, let me know in the comments. 

Celebrating the Wright Brothers

It's impossible to imagine a world without aviation. In a world where it is possible to cross continents in a hours rather than weeks or even months, few people ever pause to reflect on the early pilots that made this possible. The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur rightly deserve their place in history as aviation pioneers. The Facebook group dedicated to their legacy also features both current and past pilots of note, as well as a little bit of humor and even a model plane here or there.  Although this group is small, by comparison to most of the groups I've been featuring, they deserve some love, as an awesome community. 

Members: 1.8k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons.

Birds in the World

There are many, many regional groups dedicated to bird watchers in a particular country, province, state, region or even town, but this one celebrates the global reach of avian species. The photography is really exceptional. Photographs often include the name of the species as well as the location where it was taken. Occasionally the camera used also gets a mention. Come here to see a northern Goshawk in Spain, an eclectus parrot from the Solomon Islands, Peafowl from India, storks nesting in Romania, a silver-breasted broadbill in Thailand, a woodpecker in Brazil, a Baya weaver in Bangladesh and many, many more.

Members: 147.6k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

The Art Portal

 There is a lot of whimsy and wonder at The Art Portal facebook group and it is obvious that inspiration comes from a wide range of sources - from the naive Georgian folk style of Zurab Martiashvili to the stylized landscapes of G. C. Myers, the unusually soulful cat characters of Anatoly Yaryshkin and the exotic fairy tale worlds of Warwick Goble and Josephine Wall. Artists featured include a famous name here and there such as Van Gogh or Goya, or pre-Raphaelite master John William Waterhouse, but also works in spectacular works in progress from contemporary artists. Although paintings pre-dominate, there are interesting works in other media - for example the walnut face sculptures of Kirk Roda. My brief exploration here made truly realize that art is the gift that opens the window onto a thousand worlds or more. 

Members: 374.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: Occasional nudity (come on, this is art!)

Go here to visit or join. 

Rock Mandalas

There is something very soothing about looking at a rock mandala. Or any kind of mandala. I totally get why there are whole coloring books dedicated to mandalas (I have one - a gift). And having tried my hand at painting a rock mandala once Friday afternoon, I have absolute respect to everyone posting their work in this group, because mine didn't come out nearly as neat and beautiful as any of these. They are so beautiful. Aside from a wealth of rock mandala ideas from all the photos posted, there are video tutorials, as well as examples of how to incorporate Mandalas on functional items.

Members: 72.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Workaway Europe

The gap year abroad is for a rite of passage, that spells adventure and for many, Europe is a favorite destination, by virtue of its rich and varied cultural experiences and landscape. If you are looking for an opportunity to live in Europe, this Facebook group will be a goldmine of useful information. There are numerous posts from persons offering accommodation, usually in exchange for a few hours work per day or per week. The work itself can be across a spectrum of skills and abilities, ranging from pet sitting and childcare to and farm work, light maintenance work or even social media duties. While offers are centered around the European continent, volunteers can come from anywhere in the world. You can post to offer your services or browse for temporary openings. 

Members: 94.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

Bob Ross Style of Painting for Beginners

 With his TV show, The Joy of Painting, Bob Ross inspired a generation to find peace and relaxation in artistic expression. With his easy-to-follow style and gentle guidance, his programs remain popular to this day. Of course, there was so much more to this iconic personality and if you want to know more about how he worked, the unusual pets he kept and some of his other quirks, there's a great collection of fun facts over here. Fans might be interested to know that his very first TV painting was auctioned off for $10 million last year and that a recent exhibition tour shared some of his lesser known work.  While not all of the works featured in this Facebook group for beginner artists follow a technique directly related to the works of Bob Ross, it is nevertheless a great space for amateur artists to share their work and support others. 

Members: 71.1k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

Photography Icons

 As you may have noticed from some of my other posts, I really, really like looking at pictures. And this facebook group has a wealth of them. Especially black and white photography documenting moments from the past or offering social or societal commentary.  Portraits of everyday folk from the Weimar Republic. Punk bands captured on their home turf. Supermodels, caught in the wild. The devestation of World War Two documented. Stills from a David Lynch movie. A 1950s snapshot of Elvis visiting a record store. A tatooed beauty from the 1930s. A behind the scenes look at a Bombay circus. Street photography in different cities, on different continents. There's even a lens reversal which shows a 1945 photographer with his gear. Posts include details about the photographer, date and any interesting details of the shot that are available. 

Members 54.3k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: The past is a different country.

Go here to visit or join. 

Peeling Paint Appreciation Society

Yeah, why not. Let's take a peek at a group about not doing anything. About leaving things as they are. Instead of consciously making art, let's look for accidental art, and leave it where it happens. I found myself pleasantly surprised by this gallery of the incidental, which seems very much to put the rust into rustic. Since many of the images are close-ups, the captions feature a description, and sometimes even a location - which makes it even more interesting. Feast your eyes. Then, with these photos still freshly formed in the back of your opsins, go out, armed with your camera or smartphone and find your own. Anyone can do this. Trust me. 

Members: 46.8k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

Dungeon Master Resources

Even the most resourceful Dungeon Master can occasionally be cursed to trudge through the swamplands where all inspirations go to expire. Don't let this happen to your campaign and leave your players hanging. This group offers advice on resources, alignments, tracking tools, ideas, strategies on story design, player engagement and - well, anything else you might need in your quest to become your best possible dungeon master. A really useful feature is the ability to post questions anonymously - so as to avoid tipping off the people you quest with. 

Members: 151.2k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Slow Stitching with Sew Salvaged

 First, let's talk definitions. Along the same lines as slow fashion, slow stitching is a form of craft that creates art by cleverly employing embroidery stitching, often to revive recycled materials for a new function. It strings together the vintage and the whimsical, and often uses space in surprising ways. If you like stitching, this facebook group will fill you with ideas and inspirations. There are tips for how to get unique pieces of fabric, ideas on how to mix media. You will see examples of vintage feed sacks and ways to perk up your denim blues. There are also excellent quilting ideas. Prepare to be wowed by all the wonderful creativity on display.

Members: 99.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Acoustic Guitar Players on Facebook

The history of stringed instruments go back as far as 3000 years (if one considers the oldest lyres found in archaeological sites) or perhaps even 5000 years (if one considers depictions of lutes on other artefacts). Today the acoustic guitar can be found in many varieties, brands and styles. As an instrument, it has played a profound role in the development of popular music and, it remains a first choice for many people wanting to learn to play music. Regardless of your skill level, Acoustic Guitar Players on Facebook is a great community for sharing your love of guitars, your recent (guitar-related) purchases, tips on how to increase proficiency, and even your playing - if you feel confident enough. Get inspired. Keep playing.

Members: 112.9k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: Envy?

Go here to visit or join.

Image Credit: Stew22 on Pixabay

The Cloud Appreciation Society

Some clouds are painted with the golden hues of the setting sun. Others herald approaching storms. Clouds can arrange themselves in whatever shape pleases them. Some clouds wear silver linings or spread themselves across far horizons. Clouds bring snow, rain, or merely beauty and wonder. If you consider yourself somewhat of a cloud fancier, if you want to see what the clouds around the world are doing: today; tomorrow; any day, then the Cloud Appreciation Society is the Facebook Group for you.

Members: 461.5k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

Photo Credit: Myriams Fotos at Pixabay. 

hippie trail

I must admit to having a fascination with the whole hippie movement of the sixties (and early seventies). The long hair. The colorful improvisation. The music, oh the music. And maybe the ideals, that were at that stage still far from being realized. I don't know if we got any closer to them. To me, it seems we're angrier. An important element of the hippie state of being was going to the near east - usually India to find yourself, an obsession that might be classed as Orientalist now. But this group celebrates stories of those travels, the adventures and the experiences, and shares snapshots and memorabilia. Meet the gurus. Enter the drumming circle. This group evokes such a multi-faceted impression, you can almost smell the incense. And the freedom. 

Members: 85.7k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join.

Dreams Cottages and Gardens

With spring in the Northern hemisphere officially starting in a few days with the equinox, it's probably a good time to start thinking of gardens and flowers. And, oh yes, this Facebook group does have plenty of flowery images to share - mostly homegrown in this space. There are also veggie gardens, formal gardens, large gardens, cozy gardens and far more than gardens to behold. Waterwheels, for instance. Because, what is more magical that an eternal-motion water feature. Also expect pewter, old fashioned kitchens and freshly baked bread - no, you can't smell it, but it that scent does seem to almost waft off the page. If you are in the market for quaint structures, rural bliss and anything cottagecore, visit soon and visit often. Contains cats (of course). 

Members: 948.3k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Equine Art

Horses played a huge role in human history. One could almost say that they enabled it - as they shared their speed and mobility with humankind. Numerous works of art throughout various eras portray and include horses and what makes this group so interesting is the posts where equine art is used to illustrate little vignettes of social history. A peasant family moving house. A Dutch woman in costume. Mustangs repopulating the Americas with equines. Of course, not all of the art shared is of a strictly historical nature. There are also little ornaments, watercolors, charcoal studies, digital art, modern interpretations and permutations. If you love horses, take a moment to walk through this online gallery.

Members: 7.1k members.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

Related Posts:

Animals in Art Through History

Between the Ears

CATTITUDE

 

Cat vs Vet

Cat vs A Packet of Lays

Cat vs Shrimp

Cat vs Spouse

Cat vs Gravity

Cat vs Christmas Tree

Cat vs Satellite Dish

Cat vs Rice Dish

Cat vs The Tiniest Gap Imaginable

Cat vs Whatever You Are Reading Right Now

Cat vs The front door, the back door, the kitchen door, the fridge door, the bathroom door, any friggin' door.

Cat vs A box of any size

Cat vs A random planter (empty or otherwise)

Cat vs The Litter Tray

Cat vs Mondays

Cat vs Bad memes

Cat vs Hooman who wants to get off the couch

Cat vs That thing on the edge

And there's lots more where that came from. It's a new year again and I hope that for you 2024 will be filled with gentle mischief and the cleverest cattitude. Need ideas? Be sure to follow the Facebook group called CATTITUDE for cats at rest and play, the cutest kittens, the bravest rescues and the most honorable of seniors.

Members: 27.1k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Photo credit: Nalinkk (a.k.a Nalin Kounkroo) at Pixabay.