Tell me you're neurodivergent without telling me you're neurodivergent

To begin with, here's a confession from my corner. I'm also neurodivergent (diagnosed about 3-4 years ago). So, this particular space felt familiar and welcoming, as well as infinitely fascinating and insightful. There are gags and serious posts about that ever-evolving dialogue with your own mental processes. There are journeys and life stories that offer hope for the future, because different people are at different stages of self-acceptation. There are questions about adulting challenges and strange anxieties; medication and other supportive tools and strategies; talk about getting over-stimulated by things most neurotypicals relegate to the realm of background noise; talk about superstitions, symptoms not covered in the diagnostic bible, superpowers. And owls, which I found interesting. I also loved an alternate take on the proverbial biological clock that has nothing to do with female reproduction - and quite frankly makes a lot more sense. But there are also discussions about sensitive topics, such as how to handle trauma and triggering memories. There are many daily posts and a fair amount of engagement on each. No judgement. Only real sharing, real support. I loved this community. 

Members: 719.9k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: Occasionally, uncomfortable topics.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Ravelry

 Anyone visiting Ravelry in these days will be seeing a lot of red. Red yarn. Red works in progress. And completed melt-the-ice hats proudly displayed in solidarity with the community of Minnesota. There's even a few dogs sporting MTI-beanies. The Ravelry forum, founded 19 years ago and almost as old as Facebook, is a social networking site where fiber artists such as knitters, crocheters, dyers and spinners can meet to swap ideas, and patterns and its Facebook chapter is a very busy space indeed. So, what are the Ravelry community up to when they aren't engaged in stitch-craft subversion? Well, I saw a dinosaur hoodie, toy elephant, knitted troll dolls and, to save your poor fingers, a collection of bobbin huggers. Save the skull pattern shawl for Halloween, but there's an adorable selection of marine bird cozies for yummy easter eggs. There's a gorgeous selection of gift blankets, a mosaic inspired project and even a post that shares the story behind welcome blankets.

Members: 44k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Weird Art for Weird People

It has traditionally been the role of art to speak truth to power, to challenge world views and to give inner demons an airing in the real world. In a way, art is supposed to be inherently weird, but this group leans into work that takes hostages and draws blood. It shows paintings that tell stories and heal life-long wounds. It draws inspiration from uncomfortable muses: horror themes, paganism, cosmic dread, esoteric theory, political responses. There are screams and distortions, but also quirky characters, felted miniatures and micro crocheted creatures, as well as anthropomorphic fetish issues. One sketch hints at creepy emanations from the subliminal. Another speaks of body image. One beautiful painting shares a powerful and poignant message about surviving a history of abuse. And then there's the cake that drips with dark obsessive love. 

Members: 330.5k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Uncomfortable themes.

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Wild Horses of Sand Wash Basin

The Sand Wash Basin, located in a 166,000 acre parcel of public land to the north-west of Colorado, is home to a diverse collection of wildlife that includes sage grouse, bald eagles, foxes, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, black bears, elk, and mule deer, but this Facebook group features one of its most majestic species - wild horses. With their distinct color patterns, many of these equines are familiar characters to the wildlife photographers and fans who document their life stories and gift them with noble names such as Divine, Sprite, Lola, Brayley, Fireball, Astro, Picasso, Cairo, Sky King, Starshine, Spirit Dancer and Midnight Blue. There is something compelling about their beauty and their grace. Their stories provide fascinating nuance. It is obvious that their images are shared with deep love and authenticity. There is also a related Facebook page with 247k followers. 

Members: 44.6k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit and join. 

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Safe Space for Artists

Art is easy. Until it's not. The paint flows freely until courage falters. Step into the circle of fellow artists to show what's cooking on your easel, or even just perculating in the uncharted fields of your imagination. Boldly share your experimental pieces. Share your journey and what art means to you. Share your fears and insecurities. Share your success stories. Share hacks about the medium you use. Ask questions: organizing hacks, advice, opinions, whatever. Crowd-source suggestions for titles. There are calls for motivational tips or works in progress. Some visuals are raw and visceral. There are many, many posts per day, as this is a lively community. Come here if you're feeling vulnerable. Draw inspiration from the well of the hivemind. Then go back to your work to create some more.

Members: 183k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Birds of New Zealand (official)

When I first read about Nassim Nicholas Taleb's black swan theory, I was utterly delighted with the mystery and promise of unexpected discoveries that it signifies. But black swans are real and can be seen in all their glory in this Facebook group dedicated to the birdlife of the southern hemisphere island nation of New Zealand. But there are other, equally fascinating avians to behold. A lone oyster catcher on a beach. A large flock of spoonbills, head places. A white-capped albatross with its wings spread. A magical night-time shot of a white heron. Avian recluses such as the Banded Rail and Spotless Crake. A tiny, elfin rifleman - a delicate dynamo (and New Zealand's smallest bird) that can be a real challenge to capture on film. One can only imagine what the posts might have looked like if the giant moa was still around.

Members: 86.8k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Larry the Cat (@Number10cat)

 While world politics has devolved into the type of nail-biting lunacy that can rob anyone of their peace of mind and an adequate night's sleep, it's wonderful to know that there is still someone at Number 10 Downing Street in London who still values the good things in life: food, sleep, and a touch of mischief. I'm talking, of course, about Larry the Downing Street Cat, who has seen prime ministers and world leaders come and go, while still remaining in tune with his innate cattitude. His main role is rodent patrol, but Larry also has important PR duties and beware the fox that trespasses on his sidewalk, or even the shrubbed verge around it. He's met Obama and Zelensky, has over 871k followers on X and just celebrated his 19th birthday. For a daily dose of Larry-updates in your news feed, with charming clips and meme-worthy snapshots, as well as the odd greeting from furry (and human) fans, visit often.

Members: 15.5k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

CATTITUDE

The Adventures of Patrick the Pony

My Cat is an Asshole

The Model T Ford Club International

When Henry Ford assembled the first Model T Ford, he created so much more than just a car. Within a decade, his vision transformed travel, leisure and work. And while many of these often mechanically-needy vehicles also became the punchline of their era, a surprising number of them have endured the century or so, that separates their manufacture from 2026. This Facebook group celebrates the iconic automobile through vintage photographs, footage from classic car shows, invitations to Ford themed events and also, through shared memories. One of the many video clip shares Mr. Ford's connection to another iconic vehicle brand, a post about a mechanical workshop that includes a module on the T's engine and a calendar post that shows off the Ford company's now-defunct aircraft division. Bet you didn't know Ford made airplanes too! Many of the black and white photographs document the Model T's incredible versatility and the improvising ingenuity of its people.

Members: 11k

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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The gorgeous photo accompanying this blog post is used courtesy of Joe Ross of Lansing, Michigan via Wiki Commons. It can be found here:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Model_T_Ford_(32460978).jpg

puzzle Lovers

Who doesn't love and hate the challenge of a jigsaw puzzle. There are the ones you do only once. They are so heartbreakingly beautiful, that you buy glue and a picture frame. Some are suspended halfway between composure and drama. Cats. Horsecarts and steam locomotives. Seasonal transitions that speak of continuity. Some inject colorful naivity into chilly winter days. There are mind-warping visual brain teasers. Dogs, cats, horses, stags and unicorns. A page out of a symphony. Astrological charts and world maps. So many Christmases (so little time). Charity shop edens that take shape piece by piece. Humorous holiday dioramas and mouthwatering treats. There's even an advent puzzle comprising of 25 different boxes of puzzle pieces. This was probably the best time to visit - as everyone was unpacking and showing off their festive season gifts and treasures.

Members: 170.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Folklore, Customs, Legends and Mythology

 Beyond the tinsel and fake, cottonwool beards, there are older traditions clustered around the observance of Yule and midwinter. Depending on where you are, the friends and fiends of the season may wear different masks and ask for (or dispense) different favors. For example, there are the thirteen unruly Yule trolls who pester mortals for almost a fortnight - each troll gets his own night - with disturbances ranging from door-banging and window-peeping to all sorts of thefts around the house (and usually the kitchen). The Gloucestershire practice of wassailing sounds suspiciously similar to caroling, albeit with a few unique twists. Frau Perchta prowls the alpine mountainsides, while the eerie looking La Guajona lurks in the nocturnal gloom of wintry northern Spain. And then there's Krampus, the Wild Hunt, the Scandinavian tomten and the gnomes to worry about. In fact, this is a great space to get acquainted with the pagan origins of many Christmas traditions. Of course, this group is hardly limited to Yuletide figures, good or bad. There's standing stones, Appalachian folk magic and Native American artefacts. A post that really wowed me featured pages from the gorgeously laid-out Enchanted Gazette, which included a pagan calendar

Members: 1.2 million.

Trigger Warnings: The occasional AI image. 

Go here to visit or join. 

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Identification of Rocks & Minerals - NO sales! NO spam

In the past, we've done bugs and feathers. Why not turn our attention to something that does not decay or scamper off to the nearest crack in the floor. Rocks carry the long history of our planet's more turbulent beginnings, when lava cooled and compacted to begin the process of forming the minerals that still nestle within its arteries. They are imprinted with struggles that were old long before the first apes came down from the tree. Found a pretty rock or mineral specimen that intrigues you? Post it here. Or scroll through other leavings and finds from around the world. Agate or opal? Unekite or jasper? Sodalite or azurite? If you geek geology, join this crew of rock detectives to help, or even just to admire some of the images posted. Tantalizingly cracked crusts. Telltale erosion patterns. An enigmatic specimen from Namibia which eludes a positive ID - but could be heterosite or purpurite. And there are helpfully educational comments, such as the finger-tip-test to determine the presence of fossil or cleaning tips for tarnished pyrite. 

Members: 232k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Stories from the Road Museum AUSTRALIA

With rapid advances being made in autonomous driving technology, a persistent rumor suggests that old school truckers are on the way out. That would, of course, be an absolute shame. There's something utterly romantic about the men and women who hoist themselves up into the cabins of 18-wheeler behemoths to transport food, furniture, toys, and so much more to shops around the world. Their service is especially appreciated in countries where long distances separate cities and regions from each other. Road Museum, Australia pays tribute to these mechanical wonders through vintage photographs and roadside snapshots. Some posts share the heart and soul of long-time truckers, such as a tribute post for Ian Castles, an Australian country music icon who was also a lifelong trucker. There's even a have-you-seen-this-truck post, on behalf of a past owner and a video clip from a truck show. If you like your combustion engines supersized and rolling, this Facebook group is well worth a visit. The Road Museum is located in Port Pirie in southern Australia.

Members: 129.1k, at the time of writing. 

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Toy knitting patterns (finished projects)

It is astounding what you can knit when you put your mind to it. And it helps when you have a pattern to guide you from casting on the first stitches to sewing in a quirky smile or mischievous eyes. But this is not a strictly pattern swapping community, although there are occasional requests for specific items. No, this is pure inspiration. In keeping with the time of year, there's an abundance of Christmas themed items - Santa's, elves, reindeer, snowmen, angels, tree decorations and even a grinch or two. There are also plenty of covers and cozies, ranging from can covers and orange covers to tiny cozies to protect your chocolate bonbons. I saw characters such as Super Mario, Postman Pete and even the K-pop Demon Hunters. Probably the zaniest exhibit was that knitted cyclops potted plant.

Members: 92.5k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None. 

Go here to visit or join. 

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Professional Portrait Artists

A beautiful young woman in graphite. The thoughtful gaze of an old man. The sparkling merriment that live in the eyes and soul of a musician. A freckled child holding her striped cat. A study that pays homage to a popular Netflix series. A self-portrait that captures the artist's amused gaze. A moody waif in watercolor. The close-up of an eye that brims with moisture and life. The carefree smile of a brown-haired boy. A rogueish centenarian betraying his continued love for life. An elegant woman resplended under her parasol. A war veteran showing off his medals Here and there, also a pet portrait. Not all of the work featured is by professional portrait artists, but each hint at the unique character of the subject in a way that is both compelling and insightful.

Members: 45k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None. 

Go here to visit or join. 

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THINGS WITH FACES (original)

Sometimes, what gives us the biggest jump-scare, is adding imaginary sentience to an ordinary everyday object. Do you see a car's headlamps as eyes? What about the symmetric windows of a cottage? Is there a mouth forming in the creaky, knobby bark of an old tree? What's in the vegetable box? A potato with a soft, dimpled smile. There are even second faces hiding within folds of skin. Anything is possible. Some of these are accidental and totally random collections of objects. Some, like clouds or soap suds, make the briefest of incursions into our reality. Sometimes they are the stuff of scary stories. Others serve merely as gentle reminders that it is up to us to add significance to our own existence. This Facebook group prompts you to see your world looking back and smiling.

Members: 2.9k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

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Industrial Heritage and Art

 The Industrial Revolution fundamentally changed our world and the culture of our communities. It created the immortal image of the blue-collar worker but also colored our world with rigidly structural imagery and the taint of pollution. It drives a mixed message of prosperity and decay, containing larger than life behemoths of industry and the work gangs that power them. Through the gaze of an artist, the human factor is amplified, highlighting a fascination with machinery, but also showing poignantly intimate moments swallowed from the relentless march of the machine. It encompasses the romanticism of rail travel, the ubiquitous presence of stark factory yards and the endurance of the human spirit. When I spotted a post by one of my favorite industrial artists, Ryan Mutter, I knew I had come to the right place. 

Members: 30.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Association of Cryptozoology: Fieldwork, Analysis & Veracity

What's Halloween season without monsters and some of the best monsters are the legendary creatures that lurk within the secret recesses of the collective unconscious. The shadowy presences beyond the campfire, that are surprisingly universal despite a distinct lack of physical evidence. In acknowledgement of St Patty's Day (20 October), a fair amount of posts and discussion alluded to the now famous Patterson-Gimlin film clip, an enigmatic piece of footage filmed in Bluff Creek, California documenting one of the most famous Bigfoot sightings in 1967, with links to several video essays on YouTube, as well as some memes. But there are also posts about the Loch Ness monster, an artist's impression of the Japanese kappa monster and some debate about the true nature of the Borneo crocodile. There are concept drawings from a Bestiary of an abandoned Disney series. One poster features the fearsome African cryptid, Mokele-Mbembe, known to haunt the rain forests of the Congo. One infographic details the differences between cryptozoology and paracryptozoology, while another post discussed the Double Bottom Effect as a possible theory to explain certain sightings, especially in bodies of water. 

Members: 12.9k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Monsters.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Savage Chickens

This seems an odd choice to feature for a Sunday afternoon, but the Facebook algo rhythm giveth and who am I to complain? Savage Chickens is centered around the work of Canadian cartoonist Doug Savage, a dark humor strip that communicates the human rat race, via the medium of a chicken-verse, hence the name. The common and underlying thread of many of the gags is, of course, is using the short-evity of chickens as an analogy for the brutality of modern corporate culture. The combination is potently effective and can be pretty harsh if you really think about it. As a strip, Savage Chickens has been around for twenty years, and a Weblog Award for best comic strip. There are occasional deviations into related themes, such as office humor of the non-avian variety or jokes about other animals interacting with the world of humans. What I loved, was the way admins and members occasionally play up the chicken connection for the comment section. Doug Adams is himself involved in the running of this Facebook Groups. Great stuff!

Members: 7.3k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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But does it come in BLACK?

If you've hung around those of the Goth/Alternative persuasion, then you'll know there is such a thing as black-envy. That feeling that someone (or possibly everyone) in the room is wearing blacker apparel than you. Has Doc Martens with more holes. More shiny, pointy accessories. But the folk in this community of odd crows and witchy spooks are definitely way cooler than such petty concerns. If they share Gothic cathedrals, it's Clermond-Ferrand - constructed of black lava rock. Their advocacy for the monsters from classic horror flicks actually make sense. Their obsessions are dark and compulsive. They know how to geek with style and deep empathy. Often, they are startlingly wholesome, in their own eccentric way, of course. Sometimes they wear a jagged pumpkin-face smile that's creepier than silence. They effortlessly channel Dracula, Wednesday Addams, Tim Burton and Lenore the Cute Dead Girl. They own their ominous aura without a hint of apology. And they won't let you forget for a moment that this is their month. 

Members: 123.9k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Black humor (what else?)

Go here to visit or join.

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Little Free Library :)

Sixteen years. That's how long ago it was, that day when Todd Bol decided to put up the very first Little Free Library outside his home in Hudson, Wisconsin. It was built to resemble a mini schoolhouse. A tribute to his book-loving mother. The idea was a simple act of altruism. If you see a book that interests you, take it home. Finished it? Cool. Pass it on. Add your own favorites. Let the community grow and thrive, one book at a time. The concept was surprisingly contagious. Just three years later, Bol and friends reached their first goal of 2,509 Little Free Libraries. Today there are more than 200,000 Little Free Libraries, sharing the light of literacy across 128 countries. Little Free Libraries come in many quaintly adorable shapes, but they are normally post-box sized little cabinets, stuffed with an enticing diversity of books. The benefit of anonymity adds the quiet power to transform them into safe spaces, and they are powered by kindness and empathy. Join in and share your own curb-side repositories or discoveries.

Members: 150.1k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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