“Don’t put a ceiling on yourself.”
— Oprah Winfrey
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Archive for the ‘Other’ Category
Only Sky
Posted in Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, inspiration, life, Thoughts, Writers, writing on May 24, 2025| Leave a Comment »
A Deluge of Palindromes
Posted in Holidays, Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, calendar fun, not exactly a holiday but, Thoughts on May 22, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Good news, people who enjoy fun trivia and temporally specific facts, today is a palindrome day. That’s when the date (as written American style, at least) reads the same forwards as well as backwards.
I’ve mentioned this before in A Minor Mystery, but this week, we’re actually in the middle of what I’m going to call a Deluge of Palindromes, because all dates between 5/21/25 and 5/29/25 qualify.
Fun, right?
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Accomplish This
Posted in Other, Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, physics, science, space, star wars, tests, Thoughts on May 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »
We’re heading into the end of the week and I don’t know about you, but I’m usually looking at my to do lists and wondering where the time has gone. (Also? I’m now convinced that meetings exist primarily to spawn more meetings.)
So, fine, maybe I haven’t accomplished everything I wanted to, but it’s not like I haven’t earned a little time for fun.
You too? Then consider taking a few minutes off to read about why The Phony Physics of Star Wars Are a Blast.
You can also read more about the Science Behind Science Fiction: The Physics of Star Wars from the Connecticut Science Center.
An extra bit of fun: And if you’ve always wondered how quickly you’d react to a lightsaber in the dark, or a TIE fighter arrowing out from behind a canyon wall, maybe you should try testing your Reaction Time. (That big blue bar at the top? Click that:)
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Make Time for Cookies
Posted in Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, problems, solutions, Thoughts on May 15, 2025| Leave a Comment »
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”
― Dr. Seuss
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Bonkers Busy
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, cool stuff, invention, Thoughts on May 14, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Bonkers busy at the moment, and predictably behind. If only I’d started the day with one of these:
Creative fun, yes please!
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If You Need Me, Haller
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, forest bathing, inspiration, nature, Spring, Thoughts on May 6, 2025| Leave a Comment »
It’s Tuesday, ugh, but it’s also spring, so today I’ll be taking a moment to enjoy the bluebells in the forest of Hallerbos.
Join me!
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The Basics
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, difference, diversity, humanity, quotes, similarity, Thoughts on May 5, 2025| Leave a Comment »
“We talk so often about the differences between people, yet here in our country we find that, in spite of circumstances which create great differences, we have certain great similarities. Rich or poor, we want our children to be well educated. Rich or poor, we want them to do better than we have done. Rich or poor, we want the respect of our neighbors and perhaps their affection. Love and death come to us all, no matter what the circumstances of our lives. In the big things that matter, the similarities are far greater than the differences. If this is true at home it is true anywhere in the world. People want the same things. They strive for the same things. They suffer from the same things. The differences are important but often superficial. The basic things are similar.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
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I Say Yes
Posted in Likes, Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, books, creativity, free reads, innovation, inspiration, libraries, library, national treasures, news, NPR, public libraries, reading, Thoughts on May 2, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I love libraries. Growing up, our local library was a great place to study, read, or wait for the bus, and was a never-ending source of new and interesting information. I’ve moved away but still donate, because I want others to enjoy the benefits I had. Libraries are idea repositories, the physical embodiment of one of humanity’s most impressive accomplishments: the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. The real genius of our current iteration of this concept, however, is that we made so many of our libraries free.
Once upon a time, only the rich could afford books. (Heck, for a long time, few could read at all. And while we’re here, feel free to take a quick detour into the world of traditional bookbinding.)
Now, we all benefit when we all learn.
To those who say that the world is worse than ever? I give you public spaces filled with the magic of ideas, free for the borrowing.
Libraries are a great source for reading material but can also supply music, movies, information, classes, tools, seeds, eclipse glasses, museum passes, fishing poles, a taxidermied sandhill crane, or help with your taxes.
How cool is that?
Why am I talking about libraries? Because PBS has a new documentary about the evolution of the public library system in the US, and it got me thinking. Here’s a review from another national treasure, NPR:
‘Free For All’ review: This library documentary is worth checking out
…this documentary ends up covering all sorts of ground. The historical beginnings of American libraries, with nods to Ben Franklin and Andrew Carnegie. The growth and importance of tiny branches in rural communities. And, at each stop, a focus on individual libraries, librarians and everyday patrons.
Those in the US can watch the full film here:
Free for All: The Public Library – Independent Lens
How public libraries shaped a nation and remain a beloved sanctuary for Americans today.
If you can’t access the film, here’s a bonus article:
10 Ways Public Libraries Make Our Lives Better
Any answer must begin, of course, with books.
It asks, “With the internet putting a seemingly infinite supply of answers, arguments, and amusements at our fingertips, do we still need libraries?”
I say yes.
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True North
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, Canada, election day, politics, Thoughts, voting on April 28, 2025| Leave a Comment »
It’s election day, if you’re a Canadian. And if you haven’t already voted (early voting is a great option, consider it for the next time around), there’s still lots fo time to make your voice heard.
How? Here’s what you need to know to vote today.
For even more answers to election-related questions, visit Elections Canada.
So go forth and help shape our future. And enjoy being part of the true north, strong and free.
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Time for Cake
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, bright side, cake, Spring on April 27, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Morning clouds have given way to a beautiful day here, and I’m enjoying new birds and blooming flowers and neighborly nods from those passing by.
Because I’ve got to be honest, with a day job that requires me to stay up to date on politics, it’s been harder to focus on good things lately. So whatever you do, wherever you are, I wish you a day in which the good outweighs the bad, and a personal filter that highlights the many positive things in this world.
Speaking of looking on the bright side, it’s time for chocolate cake🙂
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