FRIENDS AND FICTION

If books give you a reason to breathe. If stories are your pleasure and your poison. If your to-be-read pile is in danger of collapse, but you want more. If you've just visited the most awesome fictional place and dined and danced with its people, and now, you're looking for someone else who's been there too. If you need a road map or maybe just some directions to your next reading adventure. Then FRIENDS AND FICTION is the virtual lounge where you will receive the warmest welcome and more treasures than you can count, because its people are your people. Friendly. Positive. Cozy. And book-centric. The fact that so many books are referenced without authors' names, and the right people still get it, speaks of the easy familiarity that exists between members.

Members: 256.2k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

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Let's make rag dolls!

Some are stylish, with a hint of sultry energy gleaming between the tiny stitches. Others are humbler, with yarn for hair and button eyes. There's a collection of outrageous witches regarding you with wise, yet tired eyes. At least one has outfits and accessories to spare. Another draws inspiration for her bright traditional dress from Yamaya, Orisha Goddess of the Sea. But she is not the only ambassador for cultural fashion. A personalized gift pokes fun at the trials and tribulations of the aging female body. Here and there, a cloth cat or dog. Or a blast from the past - a rag doll from long ago that represents love and distant memories. There are Viking maidens, baby dolls and even a plush and pink elephant lady. It is amazing to see how much individualization is possible with rag dolls. Many probably reflect the unique characters of their makers. 

Members: 7.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

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Roma Urbs Aeterna

For the past few weeks, the eyes of the world had been fixed on events in the Eternal City of Rome, with the burial of one pontiff and the election of his successor. In world history, the buildings, monuments and art of Rome provides a continuous thread that connects our world with ancient triumphs and tragedies. For good or ill, it forms a sturdy framework to fixtures of our modern world, even to those of us who reside far from it. Whether it's the timeless views of old bridges that bisect the Tiber, the inscribed stonework of recovered ruins or terracotta statuary now residing in museums, Rome has so many faces, so many impressions to show us. Infographics decode the mysteries of a Pompeii bathhouse or Hadrian's wall. Scenes from everyday life, depicted in painted images or inlaid mosiac humanize the people of ancient Rome. We see it reflected in opulent image from Renaissance or 18th century art. There are the backstories behind significant archaeological discoveries. Even a little factoid revealing what Gaius Julius Caesar thought of beer.

Members 91.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warning: None.

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Tips & Tricks For Monstera Happiness

Did you know that a Monstera plant is supposed to be a harbinger of monetary wellness? That while residing in your home, it is supposed to be quietly, yet efficiently purifying the air you breathe?  Or that the plant was first discovered by Louis XIV's Royal Botanist? Whether you subscribe to the above-mentioned superstitions, or whether you just like to enjoy its green, leafy tranquility in your proximity, if you own a monstera, chances are you will want it to thrive. For gardening enthusiasts, this Facebook Group is a valuable resource for connecting to like-minded monster-heads, or to ask the hive mind for advice, if your delicious monster needs a boost or some tender loving care. 

Members: 527.5k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

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Mixed Media & Mixed Medium Art

A fusion of styles and inspirations. A bright and unexpected explosion of color. Found objects meeting paint and canvas. A few staves of sheet music peeking out from behind the colored folds of an imagined lady. New life growing in the heart of vintage elements. Black and white photographs. Re-purposed buttons. Art becomes so much more dynamic when it moves out of the confines of its framing. A unique energy dances across the pages when multiples blend into one. As I scroll through the creations of group members at Mixed Media & Mixed Medium Art, delight sits frequently on my shoulders, tugging at the corners of my mouth. It is easy to smile, in the presence of so much creativity. So much beauty. Visit often and stay inspired. 

Members: 19.7k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

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SWFL Eagles - The ORIGINAL LEGACY OF HARRIET, M15 & HIS NEW FAMILY

 For those who consider the title of this post (and the name of the Facebook Group) to be incomprehensible gibberish, allow me to introduce you to the superstars of the Southwest Florida eagle cam. First there were Ozzie and Harriet, the original pair of mated bald eagles, observed all the way back in 2006. In 2013, a hidden camera was first installed in their tree-located nest, just in time to observe a brood of 8-week-old eaglets. To have called them little, even at that stage, might have been an understatement. They were already over a foot high, with almost adult-sized beaks, at reported in the very first nest notes. After Ozzie vanished, Harriet welcomed a new "husband" to her home, M15, and by now, Harriet too is gone, and the feathered-Mrs-in-residence is now dubbed F23. Earlier this year, this dignified pair suffered the loss of their youngest to avian flu, but they remain resilient. One of the most fascinating episodes of this long-term project has been when M15 did his stint as solo eagle dad, after Harriet's disappearance, raising two young eaglets on his own, before choosing a new companion. For regular updates or even livestreams on the private lives of these magnificent birds, you can visit their website or check out the Facebook Group for highlights. There will also be news and footage from other raptor families in different locations. 

Members: 55.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Nature is nature.

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DIY Ponds & Water Gardens

There is something tranquilizing about the sound of running water. There is also something soothing about the presence of a water body outside your window. If you're super rich, you can opt for a seaside villa, a lake cabin or even an island of your own. But if your budget's a little more modest than that, there is a deeply satisfying alternative you can craft in your own time. Welcome to the cozy magic of do-it-yourself fishponds and water features. Secret sanctuaries for pet turtles. Magical nocturnal lighting. Quaint bridges. Gnomes, faeries and toadstools. If you're looking for advice on wholesome pond maintenance or even tips on fish whispering (no, seriously - there are ways to make the fish come to you), this is your village of sage advisors.

Members: 274.6k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

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Cemetery Arts

 Tiddles's tombstone was what drew me in to take yet another look at this Facebook Group. Tiddles was a church cat, remembered in a lovely gravestone and monument. But Tiddles is not the only cat immortalized in this manner. Further down, "the beautiful cat endures". The macabre funerary art of a Czech ossuary. An automobile engineer's grave communicates his passion for wheels - in life and in death. The loveliness of early springtime in Savannah's Bonaventure. The famous Highgate cemetery in London. Angels, angels and more angels. Stone puppies frozen in a moment of play. A Hello-Kitty memorial for the tragic young victim of a murder. The popular mausoleum of a Persian poet. A remembrance for unknown soldiers observed in Copenhagen. An Argentine memorial garden pays tribute to musical stars such as bandleader Anibal Troilo and singer Carlos Gardel. There are flowers everywhere and even after all this time, admirers make sure that the cigarette between Gardel's fingers stays lit. A ray of sun lights the tombs of tranquil Yanaka cemetery in Tokyo. Guatemala's land of the joyful dead. There is so much beauty here.

Members: 75.5k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Some non-English text.

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Reg Smythe - The Cartooning Genius behind Andy Capp

 If ever there was a paragon of disgrace and infamy, you need look no further than Reg Smythe's pint-sized, permanently pickled lay-about, Andy Capp. I should know. However inappropriate for juvenile consumption they may seem today, we grew up with a stack of the Andy Capp comics, usually hauled out on Sundays or rainy days. Andy Capp drank until he was horizontal, abused snatching privileges on his wife's handbag to finance his vices and avoided work and the rent collector like the plague. On top of that, he was toxically misogynistic and all too frequently, his endless battles with long-suffering spouse Florrie turned physical. About the only nice thing one could say about the diminutive Northerner was that he liked pigeons. Andy and his regular supporting cast of victims and enablers are shrewdly observed and drawn, providing brutally honest social commentary. To quote Charlie Chaplin (yet another flawed human being, by modern standards), "Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot". 

Members: 109.8k at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: Inappropriate humor.

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Old Post boxes UK

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Old Post boxes uk

Some overlook a moody coastline. Others languish among other discarded relics in scrapheaps. Or take up the mantle of inanimate ambassador to the Best of British across the pond and further beyond. Occasionally they attract yarn bombers or other fiber art enthusiasts, inspire visual tributes or attract graffiti. But many still stand sentinel, guarding the unfettered flow of the Royal Mail system. There's a post box in Cardiff that's more than a hundred years old and not showing that much wear and tear of its many decades of service. Poldark Tin Mine in Cornwall boasts the deepest post box. And, just to show that postboxes are moving with the times, there are newer editions that bear the monogram of King Charles III. Even Edward VIII, famous for his short and scandalous reign, left his mark on post box culture. If you mentioned postbox red, everyone would know what you're talking about. But in Ireland, they're green. In Guernsey, you might stumble across a blue one. In Cyprus, they are as yellow as the sun. And - this is no legend - there is a gold-painted one in St Stephens, Cornwall. If you're keenly interested in the world of the post box, there are books and groups dedicated to their charm, as well as museums in London, Colne Valley, Halstead and the Isle of Wight. 

Members: 22.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

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BANKSY

Photo Restoration Group

 I love history. I also love looking at pictures. Not just paintings. Photographs too. I love the way they capture random moments. Special times. And love lost. Somewhere in a box beneath my mother's bed there's a sepia tinged photograph of my grandfather as a baby. That photograph is more than a hundred years old, and - thank goodness - it remains in fairly good shape, for its age. Scrolling through the posts here made me think my own keepsakes - and those of family members. Each photo shared here is irreplaceable. Some are weathered, creased, faded or sun stained. Some are just blurry - poor representations of the memories they hold. Some are spoiled by accidental photo-bombs. Whatever may be that niggling reason for a snapshot being less than perfect, the wonderfully generous members of this Facebook group lovingly apply their skill and their magic to retouch and repair all those special photos that tell stories of a thousand words or more. Some of the resulting images are nothing short of amazing. If nothing else, this space is also a welcome antidote to the soulless manifestations of AI generation apps. 

Members: 314k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

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IT Humor and Memes (UNCENSORED)

Calling all geeks and nerds and tech wannabees. Here's your water-cooler. A not-quite-safe space to snigger at those ubiquitous Windows Updates, the short-sightedness of corporate culture, the humorous side of connectivity woes and even some hilariously insane idiot hacks (that have zero chance of working). Share your nostalgia for classic operating systems such as Windows XP or donate your two cents on those endless Windows vs Linux debates. Your frustrations relating to chargers, cables, search engines and the inevitable left-over screws. Dream about the gaming gadgets of the future, speculate on how automatic passwords are generated or pontificate on the benefits of double monitors. 

Members: 836.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Don't advertise your ignorance.

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Red Dead Redemption Photography

When you look at the gorgeous scenery, a fascinating cast of non-player characters, real-world climate and ecosystem and immersive sound design, it's easy to see why Red Dead Redemption and its pre-quel Red Dead Redemption 2 has such a loyal following. With a development path that took five years to bring the game to fruition, Red Dead Redemption became one of the most expensive games of its time but sold around 15 million units worldwide. The game's genre is the closing days of the Wild West, but there are interesting side features such as a hunt for Bigfoot or even a flirtation with zombies. On the Red Dead Redemption Photography Facebook group, you can share aspects of your gameplay and individual character experiences with like-minded enthusiasts. You can share the places you explore, your hunting triumphs and character portraits. Show snapshots of beautiful sunsets or moonlight rides. Showing off horses is also popular. There's even a tip on a feature that allows you to keep your old horse as a secondary horse when you upgrade mounts and a music video. 

Members: 123.4k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Some digital violence

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Matrix Mysteries

I have a confession to make. Glitches in the Matrix fascinate me. And I'm not talking about whether Nelson Mandela died in the 1980s or in 2013, or whether a certain brand has changed their logo or not. What really interests me, are the personal stories, because they hint at hidden truths beyond the confines of our own universe. These are the posts that proliferate in Matrix Mysteries. Homes that seem to shift in and out of reality. Weirdly person-specific micro-climates. Ambient sounds that inexplicably go quiet. Personal objects that don't behave the way they should. Private thoughts and observations that bleed through into the physical world. Ghost pets and ghostly co-residents. Even near-death or real-death experiences that result in a reset of reality or the formation of eerie portals in the wilderness. But there are also posts that challenge your perceptions or wake you up to previously unimagined possibilities. Here you will find a truly mind-blowing collection of crowd-sourced enigmas. 

Members: 791.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: Avoid, if you are not into the paranormal.

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Scotland's Turntable

 In a bygone era, musical discoverability was an easy thing - if you had money to burn and the ear of an influential program director or two. Some bands and artists ran up the charts with almost supernatural dexterity and a seemingly permanent exemption from the laws of gravity. Others played their hearts out and it was never enough. Today, new platforms have made it both easier and harder to get noticed. Algorithms analyze your choices on platforms like Spotify and YouTube to craft new suggestions. But sometimes good old word of mouth survives in hallowed spaces such as this Facebook group which combines nostalgic vinyl imagery with song suggestions. It's an elegant fusion of past obsessions conquering new horizons. Music varies from the eclectic, mystical pop of Kate Bush, the gritty realism of Tom Waits, hard rocking Led Zeppelin, Blue Oyster Cult and Scorpions, Marillion to the electronic work of Kraftwerk, Gary Numan and Ultravox. As expected, there's a fair amount of eighties Britpop classics and rarities, but there are also new vinyl re-issues and limited editions featured. I loved seeing records in non-standard colors or even picture disks. In a few cases, even the label art was beautiful. And occasionally something truly obscure gets to be aired again.

Members: 34.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

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Dance Accepts Everyone

Founder Adam Boreland created the dance-positive Facebook Group Dance Accepts Everyone in response to a news anchor's comment about Prince George's ballet lessons. According to an online biography, Adam is a highly trained professional dancer who has taken on principal roles in productions of Swan Lake, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Moulin Rouge and Peter Pan. From the perspective of someone with zero training in dance like myself, Adam's beautiful dexterity and grace seems almost super-human and impossible to achieve, but his infectious joy opens the door for anyone to join in. There is a somewhat humorous clip of a high kick gone wrong and the triumph of a smiling, tap-dancing granny of almost 102. A sinuously emotive sidewalk performance. A vintage Audrey Hepburn clip. Catch Adam himself live for his inspiring Monday Motivation sessions. Other posts highlight the way dancing informs other aspects of lives. Its ability to heal and rejuvenate. The way dance celebrates the union of music and movement.

Members: 412.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

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Windmills

In the arid Karoo of South Africa, windmills are lifelines, to supply scarce water to man and beast. They also serve as lone landmark in a landscape that seems almost featureless. One could almost say that they emphasize the atmosphere of desolation. But they can also be found in Namibia, Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Iowa, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya. In the American Great Plains, windmills transformed the terrain from desert to breadbasket of the nation. Penong in Southern Australia features 20 restored windmills as a roadside attraction. Dutch windmills are a completely different kettle of salted herring, partly because they fulfill a different function. Shorter and stockier, the iconic windmills of the Netherlands serve to take charge of an over-abundance of water, in a country that is partially below sea level. From the Middle Ages, mills stood at the heart of a community's economic activity, used in the production of flour, mustard, snuff, cocoa, oil, chalk and even paint. They can even be used for communication - the position of the sails can be used to share important messages such as deaths, weddings or even warnings during time of warfare. If you know of a windmill you'd like to share with the world, this Facebook group is the platform to show it.

Members: 67k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

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Death Stairs

 They can be found lurking below trap doors or behind secret corners, at the apex of precarious yet scenic trails, in tourist hot spots, on Airbnb, navigating public transport or even forming a nail-bitingly dramatic backdrop to fictional thrills on the big screen. Like it or not, death stairs are everywhere. While Amsterdam seems to be the world capital of death stairs, and China takes particular delight in terrifying innocent travelers with jaw-dropping engineering feats such as the Staircase to the Sky, British double-decker buses can compete with the best of vertical challenges. Whether you are looking at asymmetric mal-alignments, industrial spaces from hell, obsessions with efficient design that toss user safety to the wayside, rail-free circular steps or even wheelchair access ramps that are strangely inaccessible to the disabled, the users of this Facebook Group track down offenders to shame them. Even the Great Pyramid of Giza, with its claustrophobically narrow interior and the fabulous dwarven kingdoms of Tolkien are not spared.

Members: 952k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Vertigo by proxy.

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Weird (and wonderful) secondhand Finds That Just Need to Be Shared

We all love a bargain, or even just the opportunity to peer at an anonymous someone's pre-loved treasures. After all, one man's trash, as the saying goes... Whether it's Goodwill, Facebook Marketplace or just some anonymous car boot sale, if you're stumbled upon something random and truly awesome, snap a pic and share your story to this fascinating Facebook group. Items range from the quirky and the gorgeous to the occasionally gory. There are plenty of ceramics, for some reason, but other finds include hand-crafted dolls, music boxes, salt and pepper shakers, antique lamps, art and an extensive collection of bowling balls, but you will also see vintage telephones, miniature cottages, whimsical paintings, antique silver mugs and even a many-spouted tea pot (or should we say tea pot shaped porcelain folly?). Scrolling through the posts filled me with awe for the most eclectic collection of random wonders. 

Members: 3.5 Million, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

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I Love Cappybara

 Despite the fact that they are the size of a large dog, and can weigh as much as an adult human, cappybara are still classed as rodents. And yes, they do exist outside the strange reality of jaw-dropping social media memes. For scale, they are frequently portrayed with pets, such as cats, their rodent-like features at odds with their gigantic size. Even without captions, cappybara are effortlessly instagramable with their distinctly unphased expressions. Although many photos show them interacting with members of their own species, there are also snapshots of cappybara chilling in domestic environments. The I Love Cappybara Facebook Group is linked to Capybara's Planet, a group that promotes Cappybara-themed merchandize.

Members: 9.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: None.

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Sunrises and Sunsets of the World

Whether it be the silvery slithers of new light that signify the start of another day, or the golden, sun-drenched glory that marks the end of it, there is something romantic and special about sunrise and sunset. Both prompt you equally towards self-reflection with their beauty. When travelling, a sunset infuses the watcher with the magic of transitions - be they temporal or geographical. But they also touch of the timelessness of our shared appreciation of beauty. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's wise Little Prince exalted in the sunsets of his tiny home planet and mourned the fact that Earth's sunsets were a whole twenty-four hours apart. He might have loved this group, where you can experience a thousand sunsets around the world, simply by scrolling further. Goodnight, beautiful planet. Here's looking at you. 

Members: 114.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

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Wild Green Memes for Ecological Fiends

Kindness. After scroll through the posts here, I became absolutely convinced that this is a Facebook group that runs on kindness. What did it for me? One commmenter explaining the sad backstory of a (non-ecological) meme I must have seen on Facebook a million times before. But the caring here wears the garments of scientific lingo and the badges of species battling extinction. It flaunts insider knowledge on animals most people couldn't even spare a thought for. It crafts clever jokes and challenges members and visitors to think wider, think higher and think deeper. Enlightening us, for instance, on the distinction between critters and varmints. Even the virtual air feels a little more wholesome within this space.

Members: 836.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

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Feather Identification Worldwide

Legend has it that when you encounter an angel, he will leave a perfectly white feather nearby to be taken as a sign of his presence. But that doesn't mean that the multi-patterned feathers posted in this Facebook group for crowd-sourced answers are any less special. Ideally, besides a photograph optimized to illustrate size, a post should also feature details about the region and general habitat type where a photograph was found. Although the group is international, there is an abundance of plumage from Australia, which makes it even more interesting. There are feathers shown from ibises, hawks, pheasants, egrets, ducks, owls, cockatoo, ravens, kestrels, peacocks and even humble pigeons. A great space for birding enthusiasts, if you want to play along and have something to show.

Members: 7.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

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Barbie Vintage, Silkstone and Reproduction Collection

 As an icon of the 20th century, Barbie the intrepid trendsetter represents a role model to millions. But her global appeal is no longer limited to brand-conscious adolescents. Whole industries and online platforms have sprung up to support the numerous adult collectors of Barbie dolls. This Facebook group is one such entity - dedicated to showcasing and exploring the many faces of Barbie. Special attention is paid to the newer Silkstone range of fashion dolls, created to accommodate collectors with a skin texture and feel that mimics more durable porcelain. Posts show-case Barbie in dioramas with her plastic friends, ranging from wedding parties to popular media re-enactments and even historical guises. You will see Barbie modeling hand-made prom dresses, rocking a vibrant Italian style, showing off period cocktail dresses, designer edition dresses or even wearing the identity of the equally iconic Audrey Hepburn. One post shows what laundry day in the dollhouse looks like. Another shows Barbie looking stylishly demure in one of Ken's garments. There are even rescue stories of dolls found in distressing circumstances. 

Members: 76k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

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The Women of Star Trek (Le Donne di Star Trek) In Love Memory (2025) ...

 From Uhura to Michael Burnham. Deanna Troi's composure. The sexy but forbidding Seven of Nine. Captain's Archer's calculating, yet gorgeous Vulcan mentor T'Pol. The formidable Captain Janeway. Brainy B'Elanna - an engineer as combustible as dilithium and anti-matter. The infinite depths of former revolutionary, Major Kira. Not to mention Dr Beverley Crusher, tough-as-nails Tasha Yar, Nurse Capell, Deanna Troi, elfin Kes, Ensign Tilly, Jadzia and Ezri Dax, the relatably cautious Hoshi and so many more. Over almost six decades, the Star Trek has seen a wide spectrum of female characters, all memorable and unique, and here's where you can see them all. There's a vintage snapshot of the legendary Majel Barrett in her very first Star Trek appearance as Captain Pike's Number One. Former beauty queen Persis Khambatta. We also see the Star Trek ladies out of costume or in other non-related productions. What's really great is that this Facebook group does not only pay attention to the familiar ensemble faces that returned week after week to the screen. Notable guest stars are also celebrated for their role in bringing Star Trek to life, such as Suzie Plakson as Worf's lost sweetheart, K'Ehleyr and Rosalyn Landor as the feisty Bringloidi babe, Breena Odell. 

Members: 6.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: A few AI images. 

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Hurtigruten Insiders

 It is somewhat surprising to discover that a remote and inhospitable region located within Norway's arctic territory is home to a population representing over 20 nations. But with the Domesday Clock currently set the closest it's ever been to midnight; it might be a relieve to know that the Svalbard Global Seed Vault serves as a repository guarding the planet's biodiversity with its priceless collection of flora species. Its existence highlights the fascinating and important research taking place here, as well as its amazing natural and cultural heritage. Tourists to this area are drawn to the spectacular aerial dance that alternates between the enigmatic northern lights in winter and the midnight sun of the arctic's summer season, as well as its unique wildlife which includes several species of whales, walruses, seals, arctic foxes, puffins, barnacle geese, reindeer and of course, the rock stars of the arctic, the polar bear. As a Facebook group, Hurtigruten Insiders represents the shipping company that offers a gateway to this important region for 130 years, a great place to visit, if you are planning an icy adventure amidst its glaciers or just curious.

Members: 71.1k members, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

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My Cat is an Asshole

To be honest, mine too. There was a time, not that long ago, when Leo could not be trusted with a cat litter bag, as the above photos show. And as much as we all love our furry felines, those exasperating moments are part and parcel of being a cat parent. Of course, there are a few instances where My Cat is a Badass might seem more appropriate. Like the tuxedo who brought home a live foot snake as prey. But in general, you will see plenty of cats behaving badly, ranging from misdirected excretions, the selection and appropriation of unlikely toys or conspiring to deprive their long-suffering owners of that good night's sleep they really need. Meet the destroyers of upholstery, furniture and electronic peripherals. Super-picky eaters, who are hooked on gourmet cuisine. Or accident-prone grumps who rack up astronomical vet bills and then behave badly towards veterinary professionals who saved their lives. Innocent looking duos or trios of felines plotting mayhem. Siblings being brats. Cats sharing their favorite entertainment options, whether it's hijacking boardgame-play or randomly knocking things off surfaces. Cats showing their sweetest asshole faces.

Members: 498.4k, at the time of writing. 

Trigger Warnings: None.

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Episcopal Cats With Problems

Tasty Treats with a Gothic Twist

Most Goth-themed Facebook groups and pages don't have plates of cookies in them. But this one does. There are also delectable cocktails and mocktails, bundt cakes, brownies, air fryer meals, bat plushies and black cats. Not to mention legendary Goth icons, vintage horror legends, Halloween themed art and dark, dark memes. For some reason nearly half of the edibles have cherries in them. No complaints here, though. Actually, it's really cool to see such an eclectic mash-up presented in such a gorgeously seductive ensemble. 

Members: 1.2k members, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Forever Fall and Halloween

Paper Mache on the Wild Side

For most of us, paper mâché represents that embarrassing crime against the art establishment that somehow managed to sneak into our school curriculum. Paper mache is not smooth and sexy, like clay, nor mind-blowingly arresting like oil-paintings. But in the hands of the professionals or perhaps a dedicated amateur, you could be surprised at the results. Meet surprisingly realistic dogs or engaging cat families. Auto-biographical trophies, and jaw-dropping masks. A delightful carousel horse. A stylish collection of bunnies. Quirky white mice. The sheer versatility of the art featured in this group and the fun spaces they populate is mind-blowing and inspiring.

Members: 50.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

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Wild Dogs of Africa

Although their evolutionary path parted ways with those of domestic dogs around three million years ago, Africa's painted dogs are nevertheless eerily similar to their distant cousins in the ways they move and socialize. But their exploits are larger than life by comparison. Hunting in packs, they take down larger prey such as impala, zebra, waterbuck, reedbuck and kudu by their sheer tenacity, persistence and close co-operation, or even brave a skirmish with a pair of crocodiles. There are signs that the African wild dog was once highly regarded by the San community and also in prehistoric Egypt and the oldest fossils go back 200,000 years. The Facebook Group dedicated to the Wild Dogs of Africa take us into their world through the lenses of wildlife photographers and safari tour guides. We also meet their fiercest defenders and advocates, such as Jealous and Edward Mpofu, and catch the dogs themselves in rare moments - such as expressing playful joy at a surprise shower of rain. 

Members: 13.1k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: inter-species violence.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Work with ICELANDIC horses in Iceland

Volunteering with horses is a bucket-list activity for many young animal lovers and Iceland has a quaint and magical allure that attracts many visitors. As an ancient breed known for its sturdy resilience and unique fifth gait, Icelandic horses are popular choices for cross-country riding and even certain equestrian sports disciplines. They are gentle, with a rugged, yet endearing appearance. If you are looking for volunteering opportunities that include access to riding and working with horses, you can post your availability and skillset, or browse through the available listings. Even if you're not yet ready to take the plunge for this popular gap year activity, the posts should give you a good idea of what's required and what to expect. 

Members: 26.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Film Locations - Then and Now

What if I told you that you could trek through Tatooine, in the footsteps of Luke Skywalker? Brush shoulders with the aura of Tony Soprano. Dine at the very same table as Tootsie in the Russian Tea Room. Step into the sandals of Maximus Decimus Meridius from Gladiator in Italy, or the boots of Laura Ingalls, at Big Sky Ranch, California. For the members of this Facebook Group dedicated to sharing movie locations, it's all about recreating iconic and defining moments in pop culture. Occasionally, other famous events are re-immortalized, such as music videos or just a couple of celebrities hanging out. Some settings barely show the passage of half a century or more. Others seem almost disappointingly mundane, without that extra glow of Tinsel Town magic. If you're a film buff, you will enjoy the obscure and not so obscure references and clues. 

Members: 1 million.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Random acts of knitting and crochet kindness

Some of them are deliberately flawed, but non-the-less endearing. They are made from the colorful little balls of yarn found within any knitter's stash. Apparently, they are called Izzy dolls, and you can probably make one in little more than an hour. With a few clever embellishments, you can its bland face into a familiar one - Paddington Bear or Mario. Take your pick. But the whole purpose of this group is not merely to create and post - there is a deeper sharing at play here. These adorable little knitted dolls are created to bring love and joy into the life of the random stranger who finds it and takes it home. Occasionally a grateful recipient shares the find. Take a moment to browse through all the adorable little ambassadors of kindness. You are sure to be inspired. 

Members: 92.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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The Medieval Horse and its Equipment

The horse is such a central figure in popular media depictions of the Middle Ages that most people seldom notice the inaccuracies or misconceptions. For example, fantasy movies would have us believe that every average farm boy with dreams of grandeur just happened to have access to a well-bred Friesian stallion, never mind the fact that destriers were expensive, high-maintenance and exclusively reserved for the elite. There were times when laws prohibited the peasantry from even owning equines above a certain height, or at all. If however, you are interested in scratching beneath the glamor of modern myth to uncover some real facts, this fascinating Facebook group, dedicated to the tack and care of medieval steeds should give you plenty to digest. Posts include period depictions, book references, real artifacts from museums and links to re-enactments. 

Members: 2.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Beatrix Potter Loves

Most people don't know this, but Beatrix Potter, now synonymous with Victorian children's literature, was also a pioneer in terms of creating a brand identity and earning a healthy residual income from merchandising opportunities. What began as a letter to a child, became the iconic Peter Rabbit, a charming creature inspired by one of the author's own pets, Peter Piper. Ms. Potter was also an enthusiastic naturalist and an award-winning sheep farmer, and before you mistake her for a straitlaced prude, there was an anecdote about the time she rewarded one of her animal models with hemp seeds, and inadvertently got him stoned out of his skull. Even now, more than a hundred years later, her creations remain as recognizable and beloved as ever. One need only look at the images found in this Facebook Group, which includes jaw-dropping fan-art alongside beautifully rendered originals. If you love the relatable innocence of small woodland creatures, this one's for you. 

Members: 116.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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The View From My Window

One of the best things of the Internet, in my opinion, is the way it brings the world to you. It's wonderful to be chatting to someone in World of Warcraft, who is on another continent, or find a kindred soul whom you would never have met, had it not been for the World Wide Web or Facebook. This Facebook group uses images shared as a medium of saying hello to someone far away. And it's not necessarily the stunning, touristy scenery that's shared in snapshots - just moments of life, little pieces or local, with a few words that say, in so many ways "Look, I am here!" Take glimpses through windows in Australia, Kenya, Argentina, Chile, Minnesota, USA, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Malta, the UK, Madeira, the Orkney Islands, Norway and Northern Ireland.   You may see newsworthy moments, adorable pets, visiting wildlife, sunsets, water, greenery and snow-capped firs, traffic and laundry, flowers, swimming pools and lawn flamingos, garden gnomes in Germany, visiting kangaroos in Australia, marinas, seascapes and beach views, the vastness of Canada and quaint little gardens and so much more. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy this wonderful collection of crowd-sourced postcards and pictures.

Members: 1.6 million at time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None. 

Go here to visit or join. 

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