“To cultivate hope, people need three things, [Jamil Zaki, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab] said: They first need to be able to envision a better future, either personally or collectively. Second, they need the willpower or motivation to move toward that future. And third, they must be able to chart “a path from where they are to where they want to be.” — Jamil Zaki, quoted in The Morning
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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, future, hope, Motivation, perspective, Thoughts, Writers, writing | Leave a Comment »
I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind. — John Diefenbaker
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Posted in Holidays | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, Canada Day, freedom, o canada, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
Hey Summer, you’ve got a lot of great things going for you. The sunshine, the blue skies, the warmth and the vacations, so much joy.
Too bad about the ticks. They are out there and everywhere, and as far as I can tell, there is nothing good about them.
Step 1: avoid!
Step 2: if not possible, remove asap.
Step 3: send that nasty little critter to the PA Tick Research Lab to find out what unpleasant diseases it may be carrying, because information is power.
While we’re here, I might as well link to that other summer danger, heat. Because the heat wave about to hit a large part of the North American continent is no joke. Hydrate, watch yourself and your loved ones for signs of heat stress, and keep alcohol consumption down.
Stay safe out there!
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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, dangers, nature isn't always nice, preventatives, summer, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
Tonight’s full moon is the first of the summer, and is also known for marking that sweetest of seasons, strawberry harvest time.
Strawberry moon: How to see the 1st full moon of summer
The moon will not actually appear dark red like a strawberry, but it may take on a slight orange or reddish tint when it first appears above the horizon. That color shift is caused by light scattering through Earth’s atmosphere, similar to the way some sunsets appear more vivid than others.
The farm down the road has pint baskets overflowing with red berries, and later I’m going to make a red and white dessert for Canada Day.
As the moon watches from on high.
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Posted in Food and..., Science! | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, food stuff, inspiration, moon stuff, summer | Leave a Comment »
Mr Man and I just got back from a walk and it was hot hot hot. That meant we’d earned a treat from the new ice cream parlor up the street, and it was delicious! It reminded me of summer days a kid, chasing after the ice cream truck that would swing by our neighborhood.
Here’s an interesting piece on invention, icy cold treats, and the making of a classic warm weather treat.
Bomb Pops, the Kansas City invention that defined American summers and patriotic nostalgia
These sweet, thirst-quenching treats call back to the simple days of childhood: Fourth of July fireworks, cannonballs in the pool, staying up late because there’s no school tomorrow.
Stay cool!
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Posted in Food and... | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, ice cream, innovation, summer, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
I started two posts for today but neither have come together (yet!), so let me share a story from David Hankins (a fabulous and funny author from my Writers of the Future cohort!), with a bonus short from Lisa Para.
Quest Tropes | Cast of Wonders: The audio for David’s story begins at 10m20s. Read the transcript or listen to the audio version, your choice!
The Last Quest of Corbin the Coward, by David Hankins
Corbin collapsed outside the dragon’s lair, acrid smoke wafting from his armor. He was getting too old for this. He’d never asked to be the gods’ favored champion.
Sunlit forests spread out below him, a peaceful world unaware and unconcerned that he’d almost been eaten. Twice.
Corbin drew a shuddering breath and wrenched a dragon tooth from his armor. Yet another pointless quest completed. What the hell did the gods want with a dragon tooth anyway?
No more. Corbin was done.
Enjoy!
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Posted in Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, #wotf39, audio fiction, free fiction, sff, short stories, Writers, Writers of the Future, writing | 2 Comments »
“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.” — J.B. Priestley
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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, creativity, inspiration, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
I have no idea what this “game” is supposed to be about but I love it.
Wiki Spy from Neal.fun
Check out all those images; so many interesting people, places, things, and ideas!
Hint: Hovering over an image will pop up a window with the title and source. If you want more info, click the image (a new round of related images will come up) and go to the top of the page. To right of the search field you’ll see a thumbnail of the image you clicked and (even further right) a “View on Wikipedia” link.
Have fun exploring!
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Posted in Other, Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, idea generating machine, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers, writing | Leave a Comment »
“Each and every one of you has the power, the will, and the capacity to make a difference in the world in which you live.” — Harry Belafonte
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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, inspiration, make a difference, power, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
Ever have one of those days where you take a left turn at your to-do list and just keep going, as the fragments of your plans fall by the wayside? That’s my today.
That’s okay, it happens. Persistence equals progress, even if sometimes I have to take the long way.
“Whatever you do, keep walking.” — Raphael Warnock
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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, persistence, Thoughts, ugh | Leave a Comment »
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