I often don’t review the nonfiction books I read, but I felt this one was important to share. BOOST YOUR BRAIN is an older book (published 2013) I downloaded on my iPad years ago when it was on sale. It’s … Read more...
For The Joy of Animals: Animal Acts of Compassion
Compassion is not just a human trait. It is a universal “being” trait and animal acts of compassion are all around us if we look.
The meaning of “Compassion” comes from Latin root “passio”, which means to suffer, and … Read more...
Book Review: ANIMALIA by Jean-Baptiste Del Amo
As ANIMALIA by Jean-Baptiste Del Amo promises by its title, it is, on the highest level, about animals – specifically, about the complicated and often brutal and indifferent historical treatment of animals by farmers. But it’s also about people, an … Read more...
Words: Albert Einstein “Widening Our Circles Of Compassion…”
In a letter to a grieving father, Albert Einstein shared his thoughts on the human disconnect between the narrow “universe” we are imprisoned in and “Universe” of nature we need to “widening our circles of compassion” to live in:
“A … Read more...
Book Review: THE SPEED OF LIFE by Anne Pete
THE SPEED OF LIFE by Anne Pete is a compelling debut novel and a must read for anyone who loves the Arizona desert, strong but vulnerable female characters, and moving personal journeys.
The biggest fear most of us have is … Read more...
For The Joy Of Animals: Ninja Squirrels
We humans tend to think our intelligence makes us superior, but we still have a lot to learn from the animal world, especially when it comes to patience, persistence, and adaptability…
Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer, entrepreneur and science … Read more...
Book Review: EAT COMPLETE by Drew Ramsey
Eat Complete by Drew Ramsey, MD effectively details the importance of nutrients and the role they play in brain health. After working with mood and anxiety disorders in patients, Ramsey began researching nutrition and how it affects the brain. His … Read more...
Music: NO DIRECTION by Rachael Yamagata
Songs resonate when they speak to us personally and capture a moment in time. While binge watching ONE SPRING NIGHT on Netflix, I became entranced by a song — NO DIRECTION by Rachael Yamagata — that played in the background. … Read more...
For The Joy Of Animals: Wildlife Bridge Cam
Wildlife cams are always fascinating to watch. As a nature lover it is sad to admit I was both surprised and amazed to see the diversity of foot traffic over this 23 year old bridge.
It is heartening that so … Read more...
Book Review: FREE MEN by Katy Simpson Smith
Katy Simpson Smith, once again, beautifully weaves nature alongside the lives of her characters in her second novel – FREE MEN is based on actual figures in history – about a disparate group: runaway slave, white man, Creek Indian (and, … Read more...
xkcd comic: Weird Hill
Is a deep attachment to hills weirdly universal? Or are all hills inherently weird?… Read more...
Music: CELESTE & BLONDE by Roger & Brian Eno
Cue the classic movie scene of contemplation and it is almost always a ride through the countryside. The passenger in a car or a train, deep in thought, watching the panoramic scenery passing by. The background music is wistful and … Read more...
Words: “We Seek An Enlargement Of Our Being” — CS Lewis
In AN EXPERIMENT IN CRITICISM, C.S. Lewis answers the question of Why We Read and also provides the answers to why all forms of storytelling are so important:
… Read more...“We seek an enlargement of our being. We want to be more
Beyond PARASITE, The Heart & Humor Of South Korean TV Series
Okay, I’ll confess, I haven’t seen the movie PARASITE yet. But, I am among the growing number of viewers eagerly devouring the slew of Asian — mostly, South Korean tv series on Netflix and Amazon Prime. So I wasn’t at … Read more...
For The Joy of Animals: Bison Cam
There is just something compelling and magical about animals and water.… Read more...
Book Review: AMERICA WAS HARD TO FIND by Kathleen Alcott
How timely was AMERICA WAS HARD TO FIND? It was published on May 14, 2019 and the 50TH anniversary of the Apollo 11 Mission was July 20, 1969. One of the main characters is a fictitious NASA astronaut who took … Read more...
For The Joy of Animals: The Coyote And The Badger
We are taught that competing for resources is natures way. That life is about survival of the fittest. That to the victor goes all the spoils.
And then we see a playful moment between two predator species — a badger … Read more...
For The Joy of Animals: Baby Skunks
Who knew baby skunks were such cute little stin… um, stompers…… Read more...
The Truth About Meat, Protein, & Strength
Food plays a crucial role in the functioning of our daily life, yet who among us really knows what the optimal diet is for human health and performance?
So much of our understanding of food and nutrition has been shaped … Read more...
Words: ” We Deny The Existence Of Hazard”
… Read more...“If the Bill of Rights contains no guarantee that a citizen shall be secure against lethal poisons distributed either by private individuals or by public officials, it is surely only because our forefathers, despite their considerable wisdom and foresight, could
For The Joy of Animals: Bear Bathtub
At the end of a long day, there is nothing like a good soak in the local watering hole.… Read more...
Making And Creating — The Connective Tissue of Generations of Humans
Making and creating are the connective tissue of generations of humans…
Whether through fine art that is revered for generations or a roughly formed sand castle that gets washed away before anyone else can see it, anyone who has ever … Read more...
Do You Have A Nappuccino Habit?
A Nappuccino is the combination of a 20 minute nap and a pre nap coffee to create a short, strategic, restorative break without the post nap inertia.
But the key ingredient in a “Nappuccino” is timing. The whens matter.
Daniel … Read more...
For The Joy Of Animals: Banana Loving Baby Flying Fox
Biting off more than one can chew seems to be a universal trait of youth, regardless of species. And National Geographic has video proof with a banana loving baby flying fox in rehab.
###… Read more...
Book Review: AMERICAN DIRT by Jeanine Cummins
I am SO fortunate to have gotten my hands on AMERICAN DIRT by Jeanine Cummins in advance of publication (thanks to my book angel). It was THE way to wind down the reading year: to be totally absorbed in a … Read more...