Random Musings
I came across this fascinating study abt how the Chincha Kingdom in Peru fertilized their way to success w/ seabird poop! They used guano to grow surplus maize, which they traded w/ the Inca for ceremonial beer. They even celebrated this in their art, showing seabirds & sprouting corn together!
Here’s something wild: an old Texas coal mine is now a garden feeding 3,000 people a year. The Dewey Prairie Garden near Jewett grows 10,000 pounds of produce for local food pantries—turning land that once powered plants into something that actually nourishes families. Pretty cool redemption story.
Just read this fascinating study where older adults (65+) did brain training for 10 weeks and reversed about a decade of brain aging. They actually measured brain chemistry changes. Kind of makes me think about what I could be doing now at 50 to keep my brain sharp down the road. Read more here.
This year: more bloom than doom. Bloomscrolling means intentionally curating uplifting content instead of doomscrolling. I won’t avoid hard topics—open wounds need discussion—but I want scrolling that serves me, not just drains me. Small shifts, better mental space. Read more about it here
Today I learned pine cones are little weather predictors! Fascinating, isn’t it? Their scales close up when they sense humidity rising (rain’s coming), protecting the seeds inside. When it’s dry, they open back up to release seeds. Nature’s got some clever tricks.
Photo: Technogeek75 via Instagram
Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate.” – Deena Kastor, Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victor
5 yrs ago during COVID, my glasses broke & I cldn’t make an eye appt. Started using reader. My eyes have worsened, bumping up the diopter over time. Need RX glasses anyway. Will see eye dr appt next week.
Fact: Turns out, squinting at your phone isn’t just annoying—it’s a sign.
Read here.
Tech gadgets are my kryptonite—saying no is NOT my superpower. 🤷♂️ Are you taking the no-spend challenge? I’ll try my best, but zero guarantees here. Fun fact: The average American makes 3 impulse purchases per week. Suddenly feeling very called out right now. Link
Just learned a new word tonight: phubbing. Yeah, it’s a portmanteau of “phone” and “snubbing” — when you’re sitting across from someone and instead of actually engaging with them, you’re scrolling through your phone.
I’ll be honest, I’ve been guilty of this more times than I’d like to admit. You’re in the middle of a conversation, someone’s telling you something, and that little buzz pulls your attention away. Before you know it, you’ve checked three apps and completely lost the thread of what the person was saying.
I’ve loved Winnie the Pooh since I was a baby. My Pooh doll was such a comfort to me and I still have it. Just heard Lego is making a Pooh set and I’m thrilled! I love building Lego. Already have the Gizmo from Gremlins set. This 85-piece Pooh set is mine! P.S. I also have the Acre house set!
