Short Stacks

April 12–18, 2026

Not everything needs 1,000 words. Here's the short stuff from last week — quick takes, random thoughts, and links worth clicking. (Also: I spent most of the week elbow-deep in the blog's code, so posts were light — but the site looks better for it.)

Sunday

April 12

A bright and airy tiny home interior with blue cabinets and large mountain-view windows

If I ever redid my tiny house, I'd steal this window layout. Different sizes, all that light flooding in — no overhead fixture competes. Shiplap on walls and ceiling? Brilliant. And navy cabinets? My favorite color. ↗

A modern tiny house with dark siding on a grassy area

Thinking a second tiny house — one room, big window, office space. Or maybe just a small sunroom off my bedroom. Nothing fancy. Just exploring what's possible. Link ↗

❧ EVs chew through tires faster than gas cars — heavy batteries and instant torque put extra stress on every acceleration. A former Michelin executive put a number on it: up to 20% faster. Many EV tires use harder tread compounds and shallower depth for low rolling resistance — less tread from the start equals a shorter lifespan. I passed my permit test, and I've been going back and forth between an EV, hybrid, or gas car for my first. Good to know what I'd actually be signing up for. ↗

Cozy rustic room with wooden ceilings, wicker chair, and bamboo blinds

That star chandelier against the wood ceiling. The way light filters through bamboo shades onto a sage floor. Painted floors transform the indoor porch of a 1920s Minneapolis Craftsman by designer Anne McDonald. I could disappear into that room with a book and not come back for hours. ↗

Haft-sin Nowruz table with seven symbolic items

TIL about Nowruz, the Persian New Year, celebrated for over 3,000 years. Every spring equinox, families set a "haft-sin" table: seven items starting with "S," each symbolic — sprouts for renewal, apples for beauty, garlic for protection, sumac for light over darkness, vinegar for wisdom, wheat pudding for abundance, dried oleaster for love. On day 13, you tie the sprouts in a knot, make a wish, and throw them into running water. Beautifully weird. Beautifully human. via Remodelista ↗

❧ For fun, I check my horoscope once in a while. I am a Virgo. This year's card: The Star. Word: Self-Love. The reading says it's time to step into the spotlight and take care of yourself first — that self-care is not selfish. I'll take it. The Word That Will Define Your 2026 (According To Tarot) ↗

With a sequel on the way, I looked into whether The Devil Wears Prada is based on a true story. While technically fiction, it's a thinly veiled look at Lauren Weisberger's tenure at Vogue. Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly is the cinematic ghost of Anna Wintour — right down to the high-fashion armor. Legendary satire. ↗

❧ Though I still have an iPhone 12 Pro Max and use it occasionally, I mainly rely on my Android phone daily. I generally prefer Android over iOS — but to really enjoy Android's benefits, a high-end phone makes all the difference. After being an iPhone user for 13 years… decided to switch to Android for good ↗

Yellow front door with number 37 in a white archway with green tiles

I love browsing house doors; I used to photograph them in DC. This one — oil painted in an age-old, durable finish made from flax seed — with its central knob and stunning color inspires me. I plan to paint my door yellow but struggle to choose the right shade. Link ↗

❧ Watchlist: Mother Mary 🍿 Coming out April 22nd. Check out the Trailer. ↗

Monday

April 13

❧ I passed my driver's test on Friday. Thirty years since I last sat behind a wheel. Later today I do a practice drive to see if the rest of my brain remembers what to do. Nervous. Excited. Mostly just hoping muscle memory is a real thing. ↗

❧ I forgot to post this over Easter weekend — better late than never. Did you know that in 17th-century New England, celebrating Easter was actually illegal? The Puritans believed the holiday lacked biblical basis and imposed fines on those who refused to work! Read the full story ↗

Wednesday

April 15

❧ I'm curious to find out what became of that boy who transforms into something completely different… Added to my watchlist: The Wolf and the Lamb 🍿 Check out the Trailer. ↗

❧ Watched: The Carpenter's Son 🍿 ★★★☆☆ — Always fascinated by Bible stories about Jesus, especially his early life. This one pulls from the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, covering ages 5–12 and Jesus's uneasy relationship with his father. Interesting territory. ↗

❧ Watched: Sisu: Road to Revenge 🍿 ★★★½☆ — Post-WWII Finland. Ex-commando just wants to move his family somewhere safe — until the Soviet commander who murdered his family comes hunting for him. Brutal chase movie. Ridiculous action. The lead doesn't say a word the entire film and still carries every scene. Total blast. There's a first one I haven't seen yet — adding it to the watchlist. ↗

❧ Finally watched: Thrash on Netflix. ★★★½☆ — Solid watch, scary and tense at times, and clearly not done — a sequel may be on the way. Watch out for those bush sharks! 😬 ↗

❧ Gotta try this bundt cake recipe. It looks good… but I need to buy a bundt cake pan first — on my shopping list! ↗

❧ My friend and I have talked about making homemade Rice Krispies marshmallow treats! This looks good — definitely adding to my shopping list to make this weekend, hopefully!!! ↗

❧ I have seen all the Insidious films. The new one is coming out this year — will this be the scariest of all? Definitely on my watchlist: Insidious: Out of the Further 🍿 Check out the Trailer. ↗

❧ This wooden house is gorgeous. I don't mind moving in — it's 800 square feet, nearly twice the size of my place. Check the video out! ↗

❧ I will definitely check this out: Little House on the Prairie is coming to Netflix on July 29th. Check out the Official Teaser. ↗

From the executive producers of Stranger Things: The Boroughs — starring Geena Davis, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Bill Pullman, Clarke Peters, and Denis O'Hare. A picturesque retirement community hides an otherworldly threat. Coming May 21 on Netflix. That cast is stacked. Watch the trailer. ↗

Watched: Hoppers 🍿 ★★★★☆ — A college student transfers her consciousness into a robotic beaver to save a nature preserve, and stumbles into a full-blown animal uprising. Exactly as wild as it sounds. ↗

Thursday

April 16

Madonna looks stunning! Excited for her music video — a sequel to her 2005 hit Confessions on a Dance Floor. I can't hear her vocals but I admire her dance moves. Given her age, I hope she delivers a great performance! ↗

Saturday

April 18

❧ Tesla brings its robotaxi service to Dallas and Houston — driverless, no one in the front seat. Earlier I wrote about Waymo; now Tesla's joining the party in Texas. Hmm. ↗

❧ Do Kindles need screen protectors? I've owned at least three Kindles, a Kobo, and a Boox, and never once felt the need. I always use a cover, and since e-ink screens aren't glass like a phone, they don't crack the same way. What do you think — do you put one on yours? ↗

❧ AI-driven demand for HBM memory is outstripping supply — makers are only expected to meet 60% of demand by end of 2027, with shortages potentially lasting until 2030. The RAM shortage could last years. Expect volatile prices for consumer tech for the foreseeable future. Yikes. ↗

I love flaky biscuits — homemade ones are always the best. Growing up, biscuits and gravy were a staple. I miss that. Lately I've been grabbing whop biscuits from the store, but it's time to make them from scratch again with a delicious sausage gravy. King Arthur has a method worth trying. ↗

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