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.

Valentine’s Day traces back to ancient Rome’s Lupercalia festival, where men whipped women with animal hides for fertility luck. Romance has evolved, thankfully.

Today it’s a multibillion-dollar industry built on chocolates and roses, but here’s the truth:

Love is not about how many days, months, or years you’ve been together. It’s about how much you love each other every day.

The real gift isn’t what you buy on February 14th—it’s showing up consistently, especially on the ordinary days nobody celebrates.

I know I am late, but it is better than never…

Happy Valentine’s Day to everybody!

Congrats on making the Olympics after almost 40 years, Rich Ruohonen. Personal injury lawyer, six-time Minnesota Attorney of the Year, five failed Olympic Trials. Gave up at 52, then got the call at 54. Threw two rocks in a loss Thursday and became the oldest US Winter Olympian ever. Link

Spotted the new LEGO set and wow, so cute! But I’m passing. Why? My tiny house has zero room, plus I’ve already got a backlog of sets waiting to be built. They’re giving me the side-eye from the corner. Soon, I promise! 😅 Link

Today I learned about carryover cooking! I’ve always cooked chicken to 180-190°F because dark meat gets so tender when collagen breaks down. Never thought about pulling it early and letting residual heat finish the job. Might actually help keep white meat from drying out. Worth a try! Link

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

Two years ago, I quit Monarch: Legacy of Monsters with TWO EPISODES LEFT. Canceled Apple TV and completely forgot about it. Now that Season 2 is coming Feb 27th, I’m debating whether to resubscribe and finish Season 1 or just wing it with recaps and watch the new season. Link

Teaser photo: