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. The melody and words beautifully matched the mood of the romantic story being […]
Fresh Strawberries Signal Spring
It is strawberry season in my area and their beauty is hard to resist. You can make some wonderful dishes with them but nothing is more pleasing than Strawberry Shortcake. Here is a healthy version that will help you celebrate the beginning of Spring. ###
COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 (part 1) — Fast Facts
Because Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the illnesses it creates Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) are new to humans, there are many unanswered questions even among the medical/health professionals as to its spread and impact within our communities. As a result, in January of 2020, 94 […]
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 many wildlife interactions are happen all around us every day. […]
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, to a lesser degree, a Frenchman tracking the trio). The […]
xkcd comic: Weird Hill
Is a deep attachment to hills weirdly universal? Or are all hills inherently weird?
“Valued Living” — Pursuing Meaningful Actions, Not Happiness
John J Donahue is assistant professor in the Division of Applied Behavioral Sciences and programme director in the Certificate Program in Professional Counseling Studies, both at the University of Baltimore. ~ It’s better to focus on where you are going than how you are feeling The notion that emotional pain […]
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 meditative. But what music and which scenery would you choose […]
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: “We seek an enlargement of our being. We want to be more than ourselves. Each of us by nature see the whole world from […]
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 all surprised at PARASITE’s major wins at the Oscar this […]
For The Joy of Animals: Bison Cam
There is just something compelling and magical about animals and water.
Asian Pork Kababs With Stirfry Noodles
I remember my years living up north and the wonderful Asian restaurants we had in our area. Missing those dishes, I have been tinkering with recipes and sauces to create some of the tastes I remember. This recipe turned out with the taste I was looking for, especially with the […]
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 the first step on the moon. The other was an […]
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 and a coyote. Two of nature’s competitors for prey joining […]
How To Make A Low Carb Quiche
When you are trying to reduce the carbohydrates in your diet, you will still want to keep your menu interesting and good tasting. Eggs are a great breakfast or lunch item when you are low “carbing” but a good way to make them more diverse is to use them in […]
For The Joy of Animals: Baby Skunks
Who knew baby skunks were such cute little stin… um, stompers…
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 by cultural norms, commercial disinformation, and conflicting knowledge. We select […]
Bean Magic In 25 Days
A 25 day time lapse video captures the magic in watching a bean grow. Enjoy. Roots are amazing! ###
Dairy Free Nacho Sauce
This is a favorite recipe of my kids and friends. We serve it as a dip for veggies and if we have company I’ll also add a bag of tortilla chips to the mix. My rancher son in law didn’t believe me when I told him it was vegan. My […]
Animals Community Environment Governance History Knowledge Science Sustainability Video Wellness Women's History
Words: ” We Deny The Existence Of Hazard”
“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 conceive of no such problem.” ~ Rachel Carson, Silent Spring […]
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.
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 made or created something has felt those moments of empowerment… […]
The Restorative Habit of Gardening
Harriet Gross is professor of psychology, as well as acting pro vice chancellor and head of the College of Arts, at the University of Lincoln in the UK. Her latest book is The Psychology of Gardening (2018). ~~~ How pottering about in the garden creates a time warp What’s not […]
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 Pink shares how to getting the most out of your […]
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. ###