The Phantom Planters

 

I've heard of guerilla gardening - the practice of secretly caring for plants, bushes and trees on land not belonging to you, and often for the greater good of the community. Sometimes it's about reclaiming neglected, overgrown spaces. Often it invites debate on the nature of land ownership, or requires secretive, nocturnal activity. But the network of Phantom Planters connecting through this group are often about even higher rewards. They take gently and give with love. They are passionately involved in the preservation of arboreal heritage. One example of a next-level conservation effort involves using this autumn season to harvest acorns from several very specific and famous oak trees found in various locations across the UK. Trees that are hundreds of years old and have stood as witnesses and sentinels to history and the myth that came before. The stories shared tell of trees transplanted in this way and how their produce helps the community. What a beautifully wholesome digital space. 

Members: 58.7k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Image Credit: The Queen Elizabeth Oak in Cowdray Park, as photographed by Shazz for Geograph.org.uk

Mommy Needs A Recipe!!

Food is one of the few things no-one can opt out of. We all need to eat - but navigating your way around food preferences, the moods of picky toddlers or middle-of-the-month budget bottlenecks can be tricky. Find the perfect side dish to complement soft-boiled eggs or inspiration to utilize leftover ingredients. Share family favorites or spooky breakfast ideas for the Halloween season. Show off takeaway wins. Brainstorm easy fast meals to fit into busy schedules or ask cheap options for group meals. Source the group mind for chocolate dessert or cookie recipes. Looking is sometimes enough to leave you feeling hungry for more.

Members: 2.8 million, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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House Pet Pigeon Club

For at least 5,000 years, pigeons have been domesticated by various human civilizations. As with cats and dogs, humanity influenced their development as a species. Over that time period they were used for food, as companions and to power a surprisingly sophisticated messenger system. In both World Wars, carrier pigeons carried vital intel between battlefields, and some of them are honored for their service, such as G.I. Joe, Paddy, Winkie and Mary of Exeter. As recently as 2009, a South African pigeon named Winston proved that he was still faster at delivering 4GB that an internet service provider. But the House Pet Pigeon Club concerns itself with the lives, wellbeing and day-to-day needs with pigeons and their humans. When I visited, one post shared the adorable reel of a 3-month-old white pigeon watching distant feathered cousins on television. Come here to share your newborn nestlings, get tips on feed and socialization or just to join the conversation. 

Members: 61.7k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Landscape Photography

 If you want to visit the beautiful places of the world without ever leaving the comfort of your armchair, or if you happen to live right beside one and want to share its magical allure, this group is tailor made for you. Whether it's natural features, remote lighthouses, modern architecture, endless highways or enigmatic phenomena, there is simply so much that will fill you with awe and wonder. The mighty and mysterious Dolomites. The historic towers of Prague. Island Lake offset against the backdrop of the San Juan Mountains. Sun-kissed valleys in Slovakia. A dreamy sunset in Buffalo, Minnesota. A spectacle of clouds over Austria. Celestial pathways. Swamplands. Since this group showcases the work of serious photographers - whether amateur or professional - the images are all jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Enjoy the moods, the reflections, the lights and the beauty. 

Members: 590.7k at time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None. 

Go here to visit or join. 

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The Adventures of Patrick The Pony

He's virtually housebroke and handsome. He livestreams on Facebook. He wears rubber shoes and a regally red mayor's robe. And he has a taste for Guinness. As the honorary mayor of Cockington in Devon, Patrick the Pony has acquired quite a following and keeps owners Hanna and Kirk Petrakis on their toes with his busy schedule of public appearances, fundraising efforts and therapy sessions. When his favorite pub, the Drum Inn, decided to ban the equine goodwill ambassador from his interaction pen, it made news headlines. And it's hardly surprising. The adorable Shetland pony has an engaging smile, tons of patience and a heart of gold. if you want to join his crew of admirers, get updates on upcoming events, or just get to see the latest snapshot or video reel in your social media news feed, Patrick's very own Facebook Group or the associated fan page is just the place to be. 

Members: 12k, at the time of writing. 

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join

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Spiritual Singles and Spiritual Partners

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

Members: 97.5k, at the time of writing. 

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

Go here to visit or join. 

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Good Housekeeping Book Room

hippie trail

Show Your Home Library

World Watercolor Group

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

Members: 240.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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