June 29, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
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.
* * *
Posted in Food and..., Science! | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, food stuff, inspiration, moon stuff, summer | Leave a Comment »
June 28, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
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!
* * *
Posted in Food and... | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, ice cream, innovation, summer, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
June 27, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
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!
* * *
Posted in Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, #wotf39, audio fiction, free fiction, sff, short stories, Writers, Writers of the Future, writing | 2 Comments »
June 26, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
“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
* * *
Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, creativity, inspiration, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
June 25, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
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!
* * *
Posted in Other, Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, idea generating machine, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers, writing | Leave a Comment »
June 24, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
“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
* * *
Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, inspiration, make a difference, power, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
June 23, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
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
* * *
Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, persistence, Thoughts, ugh | Leave a Comment »
June 22, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
“You’re trying to find your audience. And the way to find your audience is by being fully yourself in an engaging and interesting way.” — DongWon Song
* * *
Posted in Writing | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, audience, connection, creativity, Thoughts, Writers, writing, writing advice | Leave a Comment »
June 21, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
Happy Father’s Day, fathers! And happy June Solstice, everyone!
The sun is at its northernmost position today, hovering over the Tropic of Cancer like a thrown ball at its apex. It’s the longest day of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere and is commonly treated as the first day of summer. As a child, my father painstakingly laid out the night sky with glow-in-the-dark stars on his bedroom ceiling. He passed that curiosity and joy in the world’s magic on to us.
Here’s to happy summer days and family.
* * *
Posted in Holidays | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, Father's Day, solstice, summer, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
June 20, 2026 by J.R. Johnson
It’s been storming here on and off, so Mr Man and I took advantage of a sunny break in the clouds to go for a walk in the neighborhood. The flowers are blooming, the bees are buzzing, and summer is just around the corner. It was a lovely stroll, made even nicer by a short encounter at the park.
A man we didn’t know had a wheelbarrow and garden tools, and was trimming errant branches and vines by the walkway. We said hello (bonjour, actually) and he explained that he was a neighbor, just doing a bit of community service so that it would be easier for the city mowers to edge the pathways and open the way for the children who use the park.
How wonderful, I thought. How casually heroic.
“Heroism doesn’t always happen in a burst of glory. Sometimes small triumphs and large hearts change the course of history.” — Mary Roach
* * *
Posted in Other | Tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, Bonjour, good neighbors, inspiration, Mary Roach, quotes, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
« Newer Posts - Older Posts »
You must be logged in to post a comment.