September 6, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
Like many people, I sometimes flash back to mistakes I’ve made in writing or elsewhere. It’s annoying, how they pop up unbidden, their lessons knocking gently (or otherwise) as if I’d forgotten.
I’ve come to the conclusion that it may be easier to move on from those moments if, instead of trying to ignore them, I respond with “yes, and…” It’s a classic technique in improv comedy, of course, but it can also help mitigate the sting of past negatives by acknowledging them while also making space for the positive. Balance out the scales.
“Yes, that thing that’s been swirling around in my head for a week was kind of a silly thing to do, and remember when I also did that other thing that was awesome?”
A little trick I find useful:)
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Posted in Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, creativity, rethinking, Thoughts, Writers, writing | Leave a Comment »
September 5, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
What Happens When You Put an AI-Powered Banana Casino in a Monkey Reserve?
The team started by building a homebrew AI-powered facial recognition program called CapuchinAI. They then installed it on a computer outfitted with a camera and touchscreen, loaded it in a protective DIY box, and included a dispenser to dole out dried forest banana slices. When CapuchinAI detects a monkey’s face, the touchscreen turns on. If the monkey triggers it, the machine dispenses a tasty banana slice. Simple as that.
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Posted in Science! | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, 2001, experiments, inspiration, learning, science | Leave a Comment »
September 4, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.” — Gloria Steinem
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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, feminism, quotes, Thoughts |
September 3, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
It’s end-of-summer, change-of-season, back-to-school time, and for me that means taking a moment for a little reflection and reassessment. I also like to use this time as an opportunity to clear the decks.
I don’t know about you, but I tend to accumulate mental notes to myself, project plans, ideas that have persisted over the course of the year. Now is a great time to cross those items off my list. Maybe an idea is so small that it seems not worth doing, but it’s been taking up space in my mind. Time to get it done. Maybe it’s so big that I’ve been avoiding it. Time to decide if it’s worth tackling or if it should be deliberately shelved in favor of other projects. Either way, I get it off my list and out of my head.
And once the decks are cleared? I can look forward to a new season and new ideas.
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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, #GettingThingsDone, creativity, projects, reflection, rethinking, Thoughts, transformation, writing | Leave a Comment »
September 2, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
I’ve been doing some new things over the break, and one of those things was buying an ice cream maker. I’ve always thought it would be fun to have one, enjoyed my earlier adventures in frozen desserts, and it was on sale, hooray.
My first experiment? Lemon, of course!
And if you, like me, were not 100% clear on the differences between iced desserts, you may find this explainer helpful: Ice Cream vs. Gelato vs. Sherbet vs. Sorbet: What’s the Difference?
Lemon Sherbet
(adapted from King Arthur Baking)
- 3/4 C. (149g) toasted sugar
- 1 T. cornstarch
- 1/2+ C. (125g) lemon juice, chilled
- 1/8 t. lemon oil
- 2 drops Fiori di Sicilia
- 2 cups (454g) whole milk, very cold (or 30g cream and the rest 18% protein 2% milk)
- 1 drop yellow food coloring
- small pinch of salt
- Combine sugar and cornstarch in blender, pulse a couple of times to mix.
- Add remaining ingredients, blend for ~30 seconds to combine well.
- Freeze according to your ice cream maker’s instructions (for me, this took 20–25 minutes).
Very good!
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Posted in Food and... | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, ice cream, lemon, recipes | Leave a Comment »
September 1, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
This is a niche little time-saving suggestion for those who keep cats: add a little zigzag pattern after you clean the litter; it will be obvious if it’s been used the next time around.
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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, cat herding, handy household tips, Random, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
August 31, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
Every hour in every life contains such often-unrecognized potential to affect the world that the great days and thrilling possibilities are combined always in this momentous day.” — Dean Koontz
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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, inspiration, potential, quotes, Thoughts | 1 Comment »
August 30, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
I try to share big astronomical events, but I was in the northern woods and missed the lunar eclipse on August 28th. Luck was with me, though. I happened to be awake around midnight and looked out the window to see 93% of the moon missing. What a lovely and unexpected surprise!
The moon veiled in red
Her face turned from the sun’s gaze
Starlight reflections.
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Posted in Science! | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, haiku, lunar eclipse, moon stuff, poem, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
August 29, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
“If you hold your hand closed, nothing good can come in. The open hand is blessed, for it gives in abundance, even as it receives.” — Biddy Mason, former slave, nurse, midwife, real estate entrepreneur, and philanthropist
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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, generosity, historical figures, kindness, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
August 28, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
“I could tell you my adventures—beginning from this morning,” said Alice a little timidly: “but it’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.” — Lewis Carroll
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Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, Alice in Wonderland, creativity, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers | Leave a Comment »
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