Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, inspiration, publishing, Thoughts, Writers, writing on May 9, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I just heard that one of my writer friends is in possession of a shiny new book contract! It’s all still super secret and hush hush, so no details yet, but I think it’s great. (They also read this blog and will know who I’m talking about. Hello!)
They are a fabulous person and a terrific writer. Can’t wait to read the book, and I can’t help but want to celebrate this kind of success… even if for the moment, I have to do it in secret.
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, forest bathing, inspiration, nature, Spring, Thoughts on May 6, 2025| Leave a Comment »
It’s Tuesday, ugh, but it’s also spring, so today I’ll be taking a moment to enjoy the bluebells in the forest of Hallerbos.
Join me!
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Posted in Entertainment, Holidays, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, george-lucas, inspiration, meaning, movies, myths, realities, science fiction, star wars, Star Wars Day, Thoughts, Writers on May 4, 2025| Leave a Comment »
It’s May 4th and you know what that means! It’s Star Wars Day!
Why is Star Wars Day celebrated on May the 4th?
Star Wars Day was created by fans as a sly nod to one of the films’ most popular catchphrases, “May the force be with you.”
And when does science fiction become science fact? A few examples:
Some ‘Star Wars’ stories have already become reality
…at least four important aspects of the “Star Wars” saga are much closer – both in time and space – than Lucas was letting on.
And while it’s true that we’re making progress on the scientific and technological aspects of the Star Wars universe, that’s not the reason we care so much about it.
Star Wars came to me at a difficult time, and has served as an anchor ever since. Why does the story resonate so strongly with so many people?
A force awakened: why so many find meaning in Star Wars
According to Lucas: “I became fascinated with how culture is transmitted through fairy tales and myth. Fairy tales are about how people learn about good and evil…it’s the most intimate struggle that we cope with – trying to do the right thing and what’s expected of us by society, by our peers, and in our hearts.”
These stories typically appear during times of doubt and can help viewers reclaim the goodness and innocence in themselves, reminding them they can overcome the evil they see in the world.
And while I normally ignore Episodes I, II and III (IV forever!), this quote from the script of III seems appropriate.
“In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.”
—Yoda
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, ephemera, ideas, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers, writing on May 3, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Every so often I run across story snippets, ideas or lines or just a mood that at one point I committed to paper or pixel.
They are a form of meditation, in a sense, and while some turn into stories or poems or posts, most are just my way of thinking. It’s constructive, but sometimes I find these fragments again and wonder, “What on earth was I thinking?”
And sometimes the idea sets off a new spark and triggers fresh ideas, along a different path. Here’s one such snippet.
When Fluffernutter, our cat of sixteen years, died, we buried her in a shaded spot under the willow in the backyard, down by the creek.
That was our first mistake.
Not checking the grave was the second.
And not warning the neighbors was our third.
*Note: No kitties were harmed in the making of this post.
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Posted in Likes, Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, books, creativity, free reads, innovation, inspiration, libraries, library, national treasures, news, NPR, public libraries, reading, Thoughts on May 2, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I love libraries. Growing up, our local library was a great place to study, read, or wait for the bus, and was a never-ending source of new and interesting information. I’ve moved away but still donate, because I want others to enjoy the benefits I had. Libraries are idea repositories, the physical embodiment of one of humanity’s most impressive accomplishments: the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. The real genius of our current iteration of this concept, however, is that we made so many of our libraries free.
Once upon a time, only the rich could afford books. (Heck, for a long time, few could read at all. And while we’re here, feel free to take a quick detour into the world of traditional bookbinding.)
Now, we all benefit when we all learn.
To those who say that the world is worse than ever? I give you public spaces filled with the magic of ideas, free for the borrowing.
Libraries are a great source for reading material but can also supply music, movies, information, classes, tools, seeds, eclipse glasses, museum passes, fishing poles, a taxidermied sandhill crane, or help with your taxes.
How cool is that?
Why am I talking about libraries? Because PBS has a new documentary about the evolution of the public library system in the US, and it got me thinking. Here’s a review from another national treasure, NPR:
‘Free For All’ review: This library documentary is worth checking out
…this documentary ends up covering all sorts of ground. The historical beginnings of American libraries, with nods to Ben Franklin and Andrew Carnegie. The growth and importance of tiny branches in rural communities. And, at each stop, a focus on individual libraries, librarians and everyday patrons.
Those in the US can watch the full film here:
Free for All: The Public Library – Independent Lens
How public libraries shaped a nation and remain a beloved sanctuary for Americans today.
If you can’t access the film, here’s a bonus article:
10 Ways Public Libraries Make Our Lives Better
Any answer must begin, of course, with books.
It asks, “With the internet putting a seemingly infinite supply of answers, arguments, and amusements at our fingertips, do we still need libraries?”
I say yes.
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Posted in Holidays, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, Beltane, inspiration, Spring, workers' rights on May 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The first of May is marked in a number of ways by different cultures, but here and now it tends to mean two things: spring, and workers’ rights. Read on for more about both.
May Day – Meaning, Date & Workers Day
The Celts of the British Isles believed May 1 to be the most important day of the year, when the festival of Beltane was held.
This May Day festival was thought to divide the year in half, between the light and the dark. Symbolic fire was one of the main rituals of the festival, helping to celebrate the return of life and fertility to the world.
What Is May Day? Traditions and Lore of May 1st
Did you know that May Day has its roots in astronomy? Traditionally, it was the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice! In ancient times, this was one of the Celtic cross-quarter days, which marked the midway points between the (four) solstices and equinoxes of the year.
If you’re planning a dance around the maypole later, have fun. Even if you aren’t, I hope you enjoy the day.
Because we’re halfway to summer, hooray!
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, inspiration, meditations, nature, wildlife, zen on April 25, 2025| 1 Comment »
As mentioned, I’m still having fun watching the Fish Doorbell, but I haven’t actually seen any fish. That’s fine, it’s more of a meditation than anything (and we could all use some zen right now, amirite?) but some days the world is grey and you just want to chill out with the ocean.
For that, I give you a coral reef in Florida:
Underwater camera documents daily life on a Miami coral reef
The Coral City Camera shows endangered corals that are thriving and remarkably resilient in the heart of Miami’s busy port. The live feed has helped scientists gain a new understanding of the value and beauty of something they call “urban corals.”
A thing I learned: “Rip rap are large pieces of rock that armor a shoreline, protecting it from erosion, storm surge and sea level rise.”
Because the world is awesome, and so is science.
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers on April 24, 2025| Leave a Comment »
“Don’t worry that you are moving slowly. Just be sure of what direction you are going in.”
— Nellie Biles, with advice to her daughter Simone
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, cool stuff is cool, inspiration, moose, nature, slow tv, Sweden, Thoughts on April 19, 2025| 2 Comments »
I’m still watching the Fish Doorbell (it’s been quiet at the times I’m on but it’s still fun), and now I’ve added a new livestream to my list of “things to watch when I need a minute of chill.”
If you also need a minute of chill, check this out:
Livestream of moose migrating to their summer pastures fascinates millions | AP News
Before Swedish slow TV hit “The Great Moose Migration” began airing Tuesday, Ulla Malmgren stocked up on coffee and prepared meals so she doesn’t miss a moment of the 20-day, 24-hour event.
“Sleep? Forget it. I don’t sleep,” she said.
Here’s the direct link to this distillation of slow Swedishness: Den stora älgvandringen – Idag 00-00 | SVT Play
Despite the many ongoing challenges of animals in the modern world, there’s something deeply comforting about this reminder that the non-human world continues to turn.
And moose are still on the loose.
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Posted in Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, creativity, inspiration, life, Thoughts on April 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »
“It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.”
— Mae Jemison, Doctor, Astronaut
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J.R. Johnson 
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