J.R. Johnson

Read the article for more on formaldehyde, brick dust, lead and other things you never thought would be mentioned in a story about food. (There’s also a shout-out to Upton Sinclair’s classic novel The Jungle, which, among other things, helped publicize the unsavory conditions inside Chicago’s meatpacking plants.)

Now I’m off to have a Plaster of Paris-free sandwich, yum!

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Posted in Food and..., Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, better now, FDA, food, olden times, regulations, Writers | Leave a Comment »

Some Day Is Today

July 15, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

Not getting everything done you’d hoped? Life intruding into your carefully made plans? It happens. Some days are weird.

And some days you just need to give yourself a break.

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Posted in Other, Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, Thoughts, Writers | Leave a Comment »

The Secret to Speculative Fiction

July 14, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

Why Tolkien thought “sub-creation” was the secret to great fantasy and science fiction

There is something about great fantasy that emboldens the spirit and gives fire to the fight. It is found not only in the words and plot but in its atemporality. It tells us that there is something universal to the human condition that ought to be celebrated. It is something as true for Anglo-Saxons in their snowy mead halls as it is for office drones changing their login passwords.

It says that no matter what monsters we face, we shall overcome and live on. We shall not be defeated.

That’s a pretty good secret.

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Posted in Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien, speculative fiction, Writers, writing | Leave a Comment »

Do and Dare

July 13, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

“Dare to be strong and courageous. That is the road. Venture anything.”

— Sherwood Anderson

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Posted in Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, inspiration, quotes, Thoughts, Writers, writing | Leave a Comment »

Sunshine in a Jar

July 12, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

Today, a quick visit to Sicily to make tomato paste by hand. I had no idea it was this concentrated!

How to Make Tomato Paste in Sicily | The Kid Should See This

It’s easy. Take a ridiculously large amount of perfectly ripe Sicilian tomatoes. Cut them up. Leave them in the sun for 4 days to reduce down to about one tenth of their original volume. Put them in a jar and save it for a gloomy February day.

Here’s the video:

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Posted in Food and... | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, cooking, food, learning stuff | Leave a Comment »

Art’s Enemy

July 11, 2025 by J.R. Johnson

“For only after, can one nail down, examine, explain. To try to know beforehand is to freeze and kill. Self-consciousness is the enemy of all art, be it acting, writing, painting, or living itself, which is the greatest art of all.”

― Ray Bradbury

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