Enjoy your weekend! The first day of Spring is a mere three weeks and change away, so yay! See you on Monday.
Friday, February 27, 2026
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Rumi
The Particle of Light by Rumi
I am a particle of a sun, and I am the sun.
To the pebble I say, 'Stay,' and to the sun, 'Flow.'
I am the morning mist, and the breath of evening.
I am the wind in the top of the grove, and the surf on the cliff.
I am the mast, the rudder, the steersman, and the ship.
I am the coral reef they founder on.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Buddha
Hatred never ceases by hatred
But by love alone is healed.
This is the ancient and eternal law. - Buddha
But by love alone is healed.
This is the ancient and eternal law. - Buddha
Flatbread Or Muffin
From AI Gemini:
Here is a versatile Almond Flour Savory Flatbread that can also be baked in a tin if you prefer a muffin shape. It’s naturally dairy-free, low-carb, and takes about 5 minutes to prep.
---
3-Ingredient Almond Flatbread
Yields: 1 large flatbread or 2-3 muffins
The Ingredients
- 1 cup Almond flour (blanched works best for texture)
- 2 large Eggs (acts as the binder)
- 1 tsp Baking powder (for a little lift)
- Optional: A pinch of salt, garlic powder, or dried rosemary for flavor.
Instructions
1. Whisk: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the almond flour, baking powder, and any seasonings. Mix until a smooth batter forms.
2. For Flatbread: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat with a tiny bit of olive oil. Pour the batter in and spread it into a circle. Cover with a lid and cook for 3–4 minutes, flip, and cook for another 2 minutes until golden.
3. For Muffins: Pour the batter into greased muffin tins. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15–18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
---
Why this works
Almond flour is essentially just ground-up nuts, so it doesn't "absorb" liquid the way flour does. The eggs are the MVP here; they provide the structure that the almond flour lacks.
Pro Tip: If you want a sweet muffin version instead, just add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and a handful of blueberries to this same base!
Here is a versatile Almond Flour Savory Flatbread that can also be baked in a tin if you prefer a muffin shape. It’s naturally dairy-free, low-carb, and takes about 5 minutes to prep.
---
3-Ingredient Almond Flatbread
Yields: 1 large flatbread or 2-3 muffins
The Ingredients
- 1 cup Almond flour (blanched works best for texture)
- 2 large Eggs (acts as the binder)
- 1 tsp Baking powder (for a little lift)
- Optional: A pinch of salt, garlic powder, or dried rosemary for flavor.
Instructions
1. Whisk: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the almond flour, baking powder, and any seasonings. Mix until a smooth batter forms.
2. For Flatbread: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat with a tiny bit of olive oil. Pour the batter in and spread it into a circle. Cover with a lid and cook for 3–4 minutes, flip, and cook for another 2 minutes until golden.
3. For Muffins: Pour the batter into greased muffin tins. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15–18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
---
Why this works
Almond flour is essentially just ground-up nuts, so it doesn't "absorb" liquid the way flour does. The eggs are the MVP here; they provide the structure that the almond flour lacks.
Pro Tip: If you want a sweet muffin version instead, just add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and a handful of blueberries to this same base!
Monday, February 23, 2026
Exegetical
"Exegetical, derived from the Greek - exegeisthai ("to explain, interpret"), refers to the critical, in-depth interpretation of a text, particularly scripture. It focuses on discovering the original, intended meaning of a passage through historical, literary, and linguistic analysis. Exegetical work is crucial for avoiding misinterpretation and bridging cultural or linguistic gaps."
Friday, February 20, 2026
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Astrology
I'm not really a big astrology person, I simply enjoyingly look at it from time to time. This was interesting. She's predicting big changes in 2026.
Lynch
"I don't know why people expect art to make sense. They accept the fact that life doesn't make sense."
David Lynch
Gloomy
We're gloomy.
AP News: What a new Gallup poll shows about the depth of Americans’ gloom By Linley Sanders
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Fire
"The 2026 Year of the Fire Horse (starting Feb 17) is a rare (every 60 years) Chinese zodiac cycle marking a time of intense, transformative energy, rapid change, and passionate independence. It represents a high-energy period favoring bold action, innovation, and taking risks, often bringing significant career growth or public attention."
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Monday, February 16, 2026
Savor
"Savoring is a positive psychology practice of intentionally focusing on, intensifying, and prolonging enjoyment of positive experiences—past, present, or future—to boost well-being. It involves engaging the senses, dwelling on joyful emotions, and actively "taking in the good" to combat negativity bias."
Under
Get out there!
"Undersociality is the tendency to avoid social interaction due to a miscalibrated, overly pessimistic belief about how others will respond, leading people to miss out on positive connections. Driven by underestimating the positive impact of social actions like conversation, compliments, or kindness, this behavior hinders well-being."
Friday, February 13, 2026
Science
From AI Gemini:
It is widely recognized in the scientific community that the consensus on global warming is nearly unanimous. Depending on the specific study and the level of expertise of the scientists surveyed, the figure typically cited is between 97% and 100%.
While the "97%" figure became a famous benchmark following a 2013 study, more recent research suggests the level of agreement has climbed even higher as evidence has continued to mount.
Actively Publishing Climate Scientists: Studies consistently find a consensus of 99% or higher among those whose primary research focus is climate science.
As of early 2026, major international scientific bodies—including the IPCC, NASA, and the National Academies of Science in dozens of countries—maintain that the evidence for human-caused global warming is "unequivocal."
It is widely recognized in the scientific community that the consensus on global warming is nearly unanimous. Depending on the specific study and the level of expertise of the scientists surveyed, the figure typically cited is between 97% and 100%.
While the "97%" figure became a famous benchmark following a 2013 study, more recent research suggests the level of agreement has climbed even higher as evidence has continued to mount.
Actively Publishing Climate Scientists: Studies consistently find a consensus of 99% or higher among those whose primary research focus is climate science.
As of early 2026, major international scientific bodies—including the IPCC, NASA, and the National Academies of Science in dozens of countries—maintain that the evidence for human-caused global warming is "unequivocal."
Jupiter
From AI Gemini:
While we usually think of the Moon as our primary celestial guardian, Jupiter is essentially the "Big Brother" of the Solar System. Without that gas giant looming out there, life on Earth might have had a much harder time getting—and staying—off the ground.
Jupiter influences Earth’s habitability in two main ways: acting as a cosmic shield and serving as a delivery service for essential ingredients.
1. The Cosmic Vacuum Cleaner
Jupiter’s most famous role is its ability to protect the inner planets from devastating impacts. Because of its massive size—it's more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined—it exerts an enormous gravitational pull.
- Deflecting Comets: Jupiter’s gravity can intercept long-period comets incoming from the outer Solar System. It either sucks them into its own atmosphere (like it did with Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 in 1994) or slingshots them out of the Solar System entirely.
- Thinning the Crowd: By clearing out debris, Jupiter reduces the frequency of "extinction-level events" on Earth, giving life the long, stable periods of time it needs to evolve.
2. The Delivery of Water
Ironically, the same gravity that kicks comets out may have been responsible for kicking life in.
Early in the Solar System's history, the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) were likely too hot to hold onto much water. Astronomers believe Jupiter’s gravitational nudges sent water-rich asteroids and planetesimals from the colder outer regions spiraling toward the Sun, where they eventually collided with a young Earth.
The "Grand Tack" Theory: This hypothesis suggests Jupiter migrated inward toward the Sun and then back out again early in its life. This movement acted like a giant wooden spoon, stirring the Solar System and sending life-essential materials toward the inner rocky planets.
3. Maintaining Orbital Stability
Jupiter also plays a subtle role in keeping Earth’s orbit relatively circular. In a multi-planet system, the gravitational tug-of-war is constant. Jupiter’s specific placement helps prevent other planets' orbits from becoming too elliptical. If Earth's orbit were more "stretched out," we would experience extreme temperature swings that would make agriculture and complex life nearly impossible.
It’s worth noting that scientists are still debating exactly how much of a "shield" Jupiter is—some models suggest it might occasionally redirect an asteroid toward us—but the general consensus remains: we're much better off with it than without it.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Ressentiment
"Ressentiment is a deep-seated, self-poisoning psychological state of suppressed envy, hatred, and revenge, often described as a, "long-lasting, passive, and resentful attitude" that arises from a feeling of powerlessness to act on these emotions."
Hughes
“Crossing Jordan” by Langston Hughes
It was that lonely day, folks,
When I walked by myself.
My friends was all around me
But it was just as if they’d left
I went up on a mountain
In a high cold wind
And the coat that I was wearing
Was mosquito-net thin.
Then I went down in the valley
And I crossed an icy stream
And the water I was crossing,
Was no water in a dream,
And the shoes that I was wearing
No protection for that stream.
Then I stood out on a prairie
And as far as I could see
Wasn’t nobody on that prairie
That looked like me—
Cause it was that lonely day, folks,
When I walked all by myself
And my friends was right there with me
But was just as if they’d left.
Crossing Jordan! Crossing Jordan!
Alone and by myself.
It was that lonely day, folks,
When I walked by myself.
My friends was all around me
But it was just as if they’d left
I went up on a mountain
In a high cold wind
And the coat that I was wearing
Was mosquito-net thin.
Then I went down in the valley
And I crossed an icy stream
And the water I was crossing,
Was no water in a dream,
And the shoes that I was wearing
No protection for that stream.
Then I stood out on a prairie
And as far as I could see
Wasn’t nobody on that prairie
That looked like me—
Cause it was that lonely day, folks,
When I walked all by myself
And my friends was right there with me
But was just as if they’d left.
Crossing Jordan! Crossing Jordan!
Alone and by myself.
Thích Nhất Hạnh
"If your house is on fire, the most urgent thing to do is to go back and try to put out the fire, not to run after the person you believe to be the arsonist. If you run after the person you suspect has burned your house, your house will burn down while you are chasing him or her. That is not wise. You must go back and put out the fire. So when you are angry, if you continue to interact with or argue with the other person and try to punish her, you are acting exactly like someone who runs after the arsonist while everything goes up in flames." Thích Nhất Hạnh
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Tagatose
"Tagatose is a rare, low-calorie sugar substitute that tastes similar to sucrose but has fewer calories and a minimal impact on blood sugar, making it suitable for keto and diabetic diets. Found naturally in small amounts in dairy and some fruits, it's typically manufactured for use in a wide range of foods like beverages, baked goods, and frozen desserts, offering sweetness, texture, and prebiotic benefits."
Wolf
Wolf behavior by Rick McIntyre
"Wolves can more easily carry food internally than in their jaws, so the regurgitation system works especially well when a kill is made far from the den. Pups trigger a regurgitation from an adult by licking its muzzle. When a pet dog licks the face of a returning human friend, it is a remnant of the behavior of their wolf ancestors."
"Wolves can more easily carry food internally than in their jaws, so the regurgitation system works especially well when a kill is made far from the den. Pups trigger a regurgitation from an adult by licking its muzzle. When a pet dog licks the face of a returning human friend, it is a remnant of the behavior of their wolf ancestors."
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Moments
There are moments that cry out to be fulfilled.
Like, telling someone you love them.
Or giving your money away, all of it.
Your heart is beating, isn't it?
You're not in chains, are you?
There is nothing more pathetic than caution
when headlong might save a life,
even, possibly, your own.
Mary Oliver
Like, telling someone you love them.
Or giving your money away, all of it.
Your heart is beating, isn't it?
You're not in chains, are you?
There is nothing more pathetic than caution
when headlong might save a life,
even, possibly, your own.
Mary Oliver
Condition
Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." Robert A. Heinlein
SCTV - Catherine O'Hara And John Candy - 'Taxidermist' - 1977
I didn't find this funny, but it's curious.
Monday, February 09, 2026
Voltaire
"The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing." - Voltaire
Friday, February 06, 2026
Thursday, February 05, 2026
February
February is someone going into a very dark room and flipping the light switch on, except the switch is a dimmer and only slowly and gradually makes the room brighter.
March is an old man, who is comfortably sleeping in that same room, getting woken up by the light, but he's contrary and ornery about having to get up.
April is that ornery old man, finally out of bed, and realizing he has to take a shower before going to work in May.
March is an old man, who is comfortably sleeping in that same room, getting woken up by the light, but he's contrary and ornery about having to get up.
April is that ornery old man, finally out of bed, and realizing he has to take a shower before going to work in May.
Wolves
From Ai Gemini:
While some species (like elephants or orcas) are strictly matriarchal, wolf social structures are more of a partnership.
Here is the breakdown of how wolf packs actually function:
The "Alpha" Myth vs. Reality
For a long time, we thought wolf packs were hierarchies won through combat. We now know that most wild packs are actually nuclear families. The leaders aren't just "bosses"; they are parents.
- Co-Dominance: In a typical pack, there is a breeding male and a breeding female. They share leadership responsibilities rather than one gender ruling the other.
- The Matriarch's Role: The mother often has the final say in denning locations and pup care. She is the social glue of the pack.
- The Patriarch's Role: The father often takes the lead in territory defense and hunting large prey, though roles frequently overlap.
Why It’s Not Strictly Matriarchal
In a true matriarchy, females hold the primary power, and males often disperse or hold subordinate roles (similar to spotted hyenas). In wolves:
1. Shared Authority: Decision-making is usually collaborative. If the breeding male dies, the pack may dissolve or a new male may step in; if the female dies, the same often happens.
2. Hunting & Defense: Both sexes participate equally in the survival of the unit.
Notable Exceptions
While "matriarchal" might not be the standard scientific label, some specific packs have been observed where a particularly high-ranking or long-lived female becomes the primary decision-maker for years, effectively acting as a matriarch. This is common in the Yellowstone wolf packs, where legendary females like Wolf 06 were known to lead hunts and navigate territories with more influence than their mates.
The Bottom Line: Wolf society is best described as monogamous and egalitarian. It’s less about "who is in charge" and more about a dedicated parenting duo managing their offspring.
Wednesday, February 04, 2026
Tuesday, February 03, 2026
Fry
"If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather. Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do." Stephen Fry
Cocteau
"Man seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so by any means at his disposal. Drugs, alcohol, or lies. Unable to withdraw into himself, he disguises himself. Lies and inaccuracy give him a few moments of comfort." Jean Cocteau
Monday, February 02, 2026
Rios
Salt Sky by Alberto Ríos
The bright night sky,
Doorway to everything—
In all that black
All those stars:
Salt.
Pinpricks.
White fireworks.
Perlite.
We look up
Pulled into the immensity,
Lifted into the limitless—
As if it were a hole
We are falling into,
Up instead of down.
We stand on the earth,
Breathe in the night.
It is all too big.
We go back inside.
The bright night sky,
Doorway to everything—
In all that black
All those stars:
Salt.
Pinpricks.
White fireworks.
Perlite.
We look up
Pulled into the immensity,
Lifted into the limitless—
As if it were a hole
We are falling into,
Up instead of down.
We stand on the earth,
Breathe in the night.
It is all too big.
We go back inside.
Tahini Miso Sauce
From Ai Gemini:
That flavor combination is a total powerhouse—you’ve got the creamy nuttiness of tahini, the salty umami of miso, and the bright acidity of lemon. It’s basically the "everything sauce" because it works as a dressing, a dip, or a glaze.
Here is a foolproof recipe for what I like to call "Liquid Gold" Umami Sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Tahini (make sure it’s well-stirred)
- 1 tbsp White or Yellow Miso (milder than red miso, which can be a bit overbearing here)
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice (fresh is best!)
- 1 tsp Maple Syrup or Honey (optional, but balances the bitterness)
- 1 small clove Garlic, grated (optional, for a kick)
- 2–4 tbsp Warm Water (to thin it out)
Instructions
1. Whisk the base: In a small bowl, combine the tahini, miso, lemon juice, sweetener, and garlic. It will likely turn thick and "seize" up—don't panic, that's normal.
2. Emulsify: Add warm water one tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly.
3. Adjust: Keep adding water until you reach your desired consistency.
That flavor combination is a total powerhouse—you’ve got the creamy nuttiness of tahini, the salty umami of miso, and the bright acidity of lemon. It’s basically the "everything sauce" because it works as a dressing, a dip, or a glaze.
Here is a foolproof recipe for what I like to call "Liquid Gold" Umami Sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Tahini (make sure it’s well-stirred)
- 1 tbsp White or Yellow Miso (milder than red miso, which can be a bit overbearing here)
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice (fresh is best!)
- 1 tsp Maple Syrup or Honey (optional, but balances the bitterness)
- 1 small clove Garlic, grated (optional, for a kick)
- 2–4 tbsp Warm Water (to thin it out)
Instructions
1. Whisk the base: In a small bowl, combine the tahini, miso, lemon juice, sweetener, and garlic. It will likely turn thick and "seize" up—don't panic, that's normal.
2. Emulsify: Add warm water one tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly.
3. Adjust: Keep adding water until you reach your desired consistency.
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