#365Ways2023 | J.R. Johnson

Posts Tagged ‘#365Ways2023’

African Futures

Posted in Entertainment, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, Africa, ASU, creativity, Fiction, genre fiction, inspiration, Writers, writing on November 12, 2023| Leave a Comment »

While I’m more of a written word sort of a person, you may have noticed that this thing called a (checks notes) “podcast” has become something of a trend;)

If you are a fan of the spoken word, speculative fiction, futurism, African writers, writers in general and interviews with same, this new series from Arizona State University’s Center for Science and the Imagination might be just the ticket.

The Imagination Desk: Introducing Griots & Galaxies

The Center for Science and the Imagination is proud to present the new podcast Griots & Galaxies! This is a ten episode series hosted by Jenna Hanchey, Chinelo Onwualu, and Yvette Lisa Ndlovu that explores the work of ten African speculative fiction authors and imagining new futures for the continent.

Here’s a link to the series page.

Podcasts: Center for Science and the Imagination

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The Trees Remember

Posted in Holidays, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, inspiration on November 11, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada. I found this commemoration of Canadian soldiers in England both unexpected and beautiful.

Red Maple Trees Line English Road to Honor 418 Canadian Soldiers Who Died Defending Freedom Overseas

Many motorists are unaware that they are passing through a sacred war memorial on the A3 in Hampshire, England.

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Words of Thanks

Posted in Holidays, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, Thoughts on November 10, 2023| Leave a Comment »

“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”
― Gaylord Nelson

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The Mustache, An Abbreviated History

Posted in Funny, Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, Thoughts on November 9, 2023| Leave a Comment »

As we enjoy Movember, a.k.a. the month where men either grow facial hair in support of men’s health, or use it as an excuse not to shave, here is A hairy history of the moustache.

And just because, here’s a mustache-related ditty written by Stephen Foster:

This movie was 100% historically accurate, I’m sure.

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So Many Options

Posted in Food and..., tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, baking again, creativity on November 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »

I’m looking to make a new special-occasion cake and find myself with too many recipe options. We’re also under a bit of a time crunch. So of course I will take three of these possible alternatives and combine them into something I hope will work.

Wish me luck!

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Always Becoming

Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, creativity, growth, Thoughts, Writers on November 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »

“A self is not something static, tied up in a pretty parcel and handed to the child, finished and complete. A self is always becoming.”
― Madeleine L’Engle

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An Exotic but Well-Kept Craft

Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, craft, creativity, history on November 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

I came across an article about socks. Why share? Because I happen to like good socks, and I like history, and I like crafting. And these are very special socks.

1,600-Year-Old Ancient Egyptian Socks Made for Sandals

I had never heard about the technique behind these socks, which is called nålebinding or nalbinding (literally, needle binding). If I were to characterize the method, I’d say that it’s knitting without the needles, or crochet without a hook, and if Wikipedia is to be believed, nålebinding predates both. Now more closely associated with Scandinavian cultures, the oldest known examples date from the Mediterranean around 6500 BCE.

If you also wonder what it took to make a sock in ancient Egypt, check out this site for descriptions and instructional videos.

Nalbinding Stitch

I will now go appreciate the drawer full of socks I did not have to make.

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How to Weigh a Cat

Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, cat herding, creativity, Thoughts on November 5, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Perhaps you, like me, have found yourself trying to corral a recalcitrant cat (or dog, ferret, bunny or lizard, I don’t judge!) onto a scale. Perhaps that device frightens or just generally annoys your cat for whatever reason, and that cat refuses to stay on the scale for the requisite time required for weighing.

Perhaps you have also been watching a Lot of shows about veterinarians, and you come up with an idea.

That idea might look something like this.

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*Stand at one end of your makeshift chute with a treat and the cat will come to you. All that’s left is to wonder how on earth the cat Still hasn’t reached his target weight.*

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Halfway There

Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, Thoughts on November 4, 2023| Leave a Comment »

I’ve started three posts and am halfway done on each of them. I have another batch of chili that’s in progress but needs attention. I have a cat who is certain that some of the cans we just opened are for him, and is being quite vocal about it. And I’ve got a story I’m supposed to be working on.

What’s that, you say? Sounds like it’s time for a quote and a pretty picture?

Excellent idea!