J.R. Johnson

What She Said

January 18, 2026 by J.R. Johnson

“We’re only here for a short time. So why not go for it?”

— Belle Burden

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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, creativity, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers, writing | 3 Comments »

Here, Now, Between Us

January 17, 2026 by J.R. Johnson

We live in an often discouraging time, but when I take a step back from “the world” writ large, it can be endlessly encouraging too.

Today I’m baking as a way to say thank you to the neighbors. They helped us out when we were in a bit of a crunch, and it was a great reminder that day-to-day life is not only what we see in the headlines.

It’s also what we make here, now, between us.

I hope the neighbors enjoy today’s kitchen adventures (magic posset, only this time with real key lime juice), but I’m mostly thankful to have a way to share a bit of good in the world.

Whatever your way is, I hope that this weekend you have something to do, and someone to do it for.

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Because It’s Cold!

January 16, 2026 by J.R. Johnson

It’s cold here today, the temperature almost 20C/35F lower than it was before a storm came through and left a thick coating of lovely but frigid snow.

Which got me thinking, and not for the first time: How do birds stay warm?

Here’s a short explainer article with a helpful video of chickadees, cardinals, jays and other birds (some in dramatic slo-mo!):

How Birds Stay Warm in the Winter Snow: Backyard Birds Revealed | All About Birds

Some of the survival tricks captured in this episode include: “drinking” snow on icy days; an ingenious solution to the problem of cold feet; and the incredible warmth of a fluffy coat of feathers.

Now I’m off to refill my bird feeder and top up the bird bath. Because it’s cold!

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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, #BirdsAreReal, nature, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »

Got Books?

January 15, 2026 by J.R. Johnson

Today, a little update related to a post I made in (checks notes) 2012: Today in Spectacular Bookseller Practices: A Random Used-Book Vending Machine.

The image for that post is broken and there wasn’t a lot of information about the actual book vending machine, but I’m here to rectify that oversight!

What am I on about? The BIBLIO-MAT, a.k.a the book vending machine.

THE BIBLIO-MAT

The BIBLIO-MAT is a random book vending machine designed and built by Craig Small for The Monkey’s Paw, an idiosyncratic antiquarian bookshop in Toronto.

It’s awesome and handmade and should be something you can get in multiple sizes and formats for next-day delivery because it is just that cool. (Seriously, what would a suitcase sized or food truck style or e-book version of this look like?)

Check out the link for how-it-works videos and enough interior sketches to inspire your own if you are mechanically inclined (and have a significant pile of maybe-never-to-be-read books).

Because as Dame Margaret Atwood says, “THIS! IS! BRILLIANT!”

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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, books, creativity, invention, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »

On the occasion of a cold front coming to do away with our weird January rain…

January 14, 2026 by J.R. Johnson

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”

— Edith Sitwell

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Posted in Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, quotes, Thoughts, wintre | Leave a Comment »

Was It the H?

January 13, 2026 by J.R. Johnson

Well, it looks like Big Thom the Turkey has winged his way off to other climes. Did he get bored in the back yard? Run out of food? Or was it the H?

As I mentioned yesterday, adding that olde thyme H just seemed right, especially as I gave a shoutout to his dinosaur ancestors. Maybe he didn’t like that. Maybe he’s a modern turkey who wants nothing more than to shrug off the expectations of Uncle Rex and Auntie Stega and move to the big city to find his true calling, like being a graphic designer or a skydiving instructor or maybe even an artist who DJs on the side.

I hear you, big guy, we all need to find our purpose, and use it to bring good into the world.

Nice knowing you, Thom!

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When Big Thom Comes to Town

January 12, 2026 by J.R. Johnson

We had an unexpected visitor in the backyard yesterday:

Pretty sure the bird bath and feeder perches are too small for you, buddy.

This prime specimen of turkeydom appears to have been separated from his flock and decided to explore our little slice of suburbia. We had a big windstorm that might have thrown him off course, or he may be a young male looking to strike out on his own and isn’t going to let little things like cars and fences and stray cats deter him.

And that’s how a casual glance out the back window turned into a “Holy cow, giant turkey in the back!”

I’m used to seeing turkeys in fields or trees, not up close.

He’s big in body, wingspan, and claw. His feathers are a beautiful metallic bronze with variegated stripes that blend in with the pine trees. His tracks are all over the snow-covered deck and they are almost the size of my hand.

I’ve taken to calling him Big Thom. (With an olde thyme H because he looks pretty Jurassic if I’m honest.)

He was still here when we got up this morning, roosting in a white pine. Our cat has given up trying to out-stare the new visitor and is pretending to ignore him.

Not me! It’s impossible (for me at least) to see a bird like this up close and not think about their evolutionary connection to dinosaurs. Fortunately, it’s been a long time since they were in a position to eat large mammals like ourselves.

At least that’s what I’m telling myself, as I head off to have lunch with my new neighbor, Big Thom.

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