Thoughts | J.R. Johnson

Being away from the rest of us doesn’t mean Curiosity isn’t getting the best dirt. In fact, its latest discovery has the potential to stir up what we know about life on Mars!

Here’s Neil deGrasse Tyson to break it down for us:

As Neil asks, “Could we have Martian neighbors?” If yes, would they fancy a mid-afternoon coffee break?

I know I could use one.

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Just Remember

Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, life, Thoughts on September 17, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Whatever’s on your menu today, I hope that you have a moment to look up, take a breath, and enjoy it.

“Hey, this is awesome. Just remember: This is awesome.”

— Glen Powell

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Ingredients of a Life

Posted in Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, quotes, stories, Thoughts on September 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »

“I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

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We’re All Special

Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, Thoughts on September 15, 2025| Leave a Comment »

I recently sent a note to someone that ended with these lines, and I thought it might be nice to share.

We’re all unique collations of time and place, our essence just the latest collaboration of elements that have formed and reformed time and again, star stuff reshaped from single-cell amoebas to a pterodactyl flying high above an unnamed sea to a hominid spraying paint against a cave wall to Leonardo to you.

And you are special.

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Excellent, No Notes

Posted in Entertainment, Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, advice, knowledge, Thoughts on September 13, 2025| 2 Comments »

This is excellent:

Need advice? Call these older folks for tips on love, dating and moose hunting

You can call 204-788-8060 and hear prerecorded messages from the residents on various topics. Press 1 for Carl’s advice on following your dreams. Press 3 for Randy’s wisdom on how to grow in new ways (he joined some clubs and got a girlfriend). Press 4 for guidance on surviving Winnipeg winters (if possible, don’t be there). Press 0 for Cheryl’s tips on being true to yourself (“it’s you who has to live with yourself later”).

In related “older people are awesome” news, The Thursday Murder Club movie was fun, recommend.

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Keep On Going

Posted in Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, inspiration, life, persist, Thoughts, Writers, writing on September 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »

“Awful first drafts are fine—Agree with this. If you don’t finish something, you’ll never get in the game. Just quell the voice in your head that says “Are you kidding? No one is going to want to read this drivel” and keep on going.”

― Jamie Freveletti

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A Little Perspective

Posted in Other, Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, space, Thoughts on September 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Because some days it’s helpful to remember that even the biggest challenges are literally small.

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The Hunt is On!

Posted in Entertainment, Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2025, Canada, creativity, inspiration, mystery, Thoughts, treasure hunt on September 10, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Are you a fan of puzzles, or mysteries, secrets or treasure? Then perhaps you will be interested to hear about the latest in a tradition of hidden treasure games like The Secret:

A $1 million treasure hunt is underway in Canadian wilderness | Popular Science

An actual treasure chest filled with around $1 million in gold coins is hidden somewhere in Canada. However, the mystery isn’t tied to a centuries’ old pirate bounty or unsolved bank heist, however. These riches were instead intentionally hidden by a mining consortium to celebrate the country’s “rich mining heritage and spirit of adventure.”

The clues are presented in the form of a 13-stanza poem. Have I already asked AI for its opinion on this poem? Maybe. Is it fun that one of the top contenders for the secret stash spot is a place I go to on the regular? It is! And while I doubt that I’ll spend much more time on this, it’s an entertaining idea.

(Speaking of entertaining, I expect that Josh Gates, TV host, explorer, and aficionado of similar puzzle/treasure hunts, will be doing a show on this at some point.)

Because this game is sponsored by a Canadian mining company, the winner will have to be a Canadian citizen to claim the prize.* Sorry (not sorry)!

You have until the end of 2026 to find it.

If nothing else, it’s a fun boost for poetry and a good excuse to get out in nature (explore responsibly, folks!).

Regardless, the hunt is on!

* Although what’s to stop someone from finding it, enlisting a Canadian to cash in the prize, then becoming enmeshed in a sea of ever-shifting lies and betrayals as each party battles to claim the full amount, opening up endless avenues for dramatic retellings and fictionalized accounts? Why, nothing!

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