Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, art, creativity, rules, Thoughts, Writers, writing on May 9, 2026| Leave a Comment »
It’s understandable that a lot of beginners at any art want rules for how to do it. But there comes a time when one has to make one’s own choices about how one’s art is structured, how it’s executed, what you want it to do. There is no rulebook that will help you with that, you just have to step up and decide. That’s scary! But there’s no getting around it. — Ann Leckie
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, Thoughts, to do and not to do on May 8, 2026| Leave a Comment »
“The fundamental misunderstanding of humanity is believing that we can achieve all our desires without limitation.” — Momofuku Ando
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, creativity, lists, Thoughts on May 7, 2026| Leave a Comment »
I have decided that it is time for me to go to finishing school. Not the kind that includes (I assume) lessons in how to curtsy, choose wine for a meal, or keep feuding families from disrupting a wedding.
The kind that helps me tackle the unfinished projects that have been piling up around me.
Perhaps you have this issue too? Fortunately, there is very real joy in crossing things off a list and I intend to dive right in.
I’ll be tackling some writing, some baking, and a bit of art, as well as some house and life maintenance.
And who knows, I might even learn how to curtsy.
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, #GettingThingsDone, action, creativity, Thoughts on May 6, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Don’t overthink it, do something, and repeat. — Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, aliens, inspiration, science, self-reflection, writing on May 5, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Recently, Neil deGrasse Tyson visited Stephen Colbert to talk about aliens and his new book Take Me To Your Leader: Perspectives On Your First Alien Encounter. He discussed aliens, why you probably shouldn’t shake hands, and how they might mirror what they see of humanity.
It made me think of the story I wrote on that topic, and how I hope that humanity does more good than not. I’ve re-posted before but I like the story, so here it is again. Click through for the full piece.
You and Yours
I came from the stars to meet you. I was happy. Excited, even. First contact with your verdant world. Think of all that we could share with you.
“You” could have meant a lot of things. I started with one of the most populous. An insect.
I remember little of what it was like, a flash of light, a warm wriggle in a puddle after rain. The feel of wind in my wings.
It’s embarrassing to say this now, but I was promptly eaten.
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Posted in Likes, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, #Maythe4thBeWithYou, inspiration, Star Wars Day, Thoughts on May 4, 2026| Leave a Comment »
May the Force be with you, today and every day.
“That’s how we’re gonna win.
Not fighting what we hate, saving what we love.
— Rose, The Last Jedi
And because I can’t help myself:
What do you call a pirate droid?
Arr-2 D2.
Heehee!
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, F1, fun, Thoughts on May 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Yay, F1 is back after its war-related hiatus. Weather depending, of course. Maybe you follow the races, maybe you don’t, but I hope that whatever you are doing today, you are able to have some fun.
See you tomorrow!
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, books, libraries, reading, Thoughts on May 2, 2026| Leave a Comment »
I have half a dozen books checked out from the library and I’m pretty sure I single-handedly inspired a reduction in hold limits, but that’s okay. “To be read” is not just an aspiration, it’s a way of life. And while I’m very much a library person, this quote speaks to me:
“Think not of the books you’ve bought as a ‘to be read’ pile. Instead, think of your bookcase as a wine cellar. You collect books to be read at the right time, the right place, and the right mood.” ― Luc van Donkersgoed
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Posted in Other, Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, Artemis II, NASA, science, space exploration, Victor Glover, writing on May 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Here’s an interesting interview with astronaut and naval aviator Victor Glover, pilot for Artemis II’s Orion spacecraft.
Artemis II pilot talks about what it was really like to fly and land in Orion – Ars Technica
And when those parachutes came out, when the mains came out, it was like God himself led us down to the water. And I had a big old grin on my face. It was intense. It went from intense to pure elation.
If you are curious about what it’s like to pilot in space, the difference between a touchscreen controller and stick-and-throttle hand controllers, or the “very intense” 13 minutes and 36 seconds of reentry, read on.
I was!
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, birds, nature, the world, Thoughts, wildlife on April 30, 2026| Leave a Comment »
I’m reading the headlines, watching holes being punched in democracy, and I don’t like it.
At the same time, my father is sending nature notes from the beach.
/headline
Pigeons, house finches
/headline
The headlines are important.
/headline
The headlines mark a world changing in ways that will hurt the people and things I care about. That’s… not great.
/headline
/headline
But there is more to the world than just headlines.
Pelicans, herring gulls, terns, mockingbird, starlings, boat-tailed grackles, house sparrows, swallows, dolphins.
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