tempting.

 

—

‘the secret joys of living are not found by rushing from point A to point B,

but by slowing down and inventing some imaginary letters along the way.’

– douglas pagels

 

 

 

—

image credit: tom gauld

 

 

 

 

2025 marks the start of generation beta

The reign of Generation Alpha is over — now introducing: Gen Beta. While we have yet to see this new era take shape, we know that many of these children will be the offspring of millennials and older Gen Zers, living until the 22nd century.
​
Gen Beta kids, who are expected to become 16% of the global population by 2035, will grow up in a world infused with technology and AI, which could impact everything from their schools to doctor’s offices. They’ll walk the tightrope of forming their identities and developing relationships both online and IRL, but their parents will be well-equipped to help them.
​
“We predict Generation Beta will embody the balance between hyper-connectivity and personal expression,” wrote author and social researcher Mark McCrindle, who coined the name Gen Beta. “They’ll redefine what it means to belong, blending in-person relationships with global digital communities.”
​
But tech isn’t the only factor that will impact these quarter-century babies. Click here to learn more in Nice News’ guide to the different generations — from Alpha to Z.

 

—

‘take the platapus – that is not a finished product.

it is clearly still in beta.’

-stephen colbert

 

 

—

image credit pinterest 

source credit: julia diddy, nice news

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the cat tower building instructions had me wondering

why do the people in the examples look like friendly ghosts and what are they doing?

i think these pictures meant:

‘warning!

when you open the box of parts

do not throw this instruction manual into the trash

because you will need it

or else you,

(the other ghost, not the throw-away-er,)

might get hurt while building the tower.’

if i interpreted it right. 

i really needed instructions for the instructions. 

luckily, i did not throw the instructions away

 my daughter built the tower without incident or injury. 

close call.

—

‘everything in this world, said my father, is big with jest,

and has wit in it, and instruction too, if we can but find it.’

-laurence sterne, irish-born english novelist and humorist

 

‘i will never lie to you.’

-jimmy carter, 39th president of the united states,

nobel prize winner, volunteer, father, husband

champion of the less fortunate and supporter of global humanity

one of my favorite humans

passed away on december 29, 2024 at 100 years old

today, he will be remembered and celebrated

in his beloved hometown of plains, georgia, usa

be like jimmy.

—

photo credit: bettman archive, novermber 09, 2009

 

may this be the year you learn to fly. 

—

Photographer Hannie Heere was photographing barn owls when she captured an unusual shot of a baby barn owl running across grass. Barn owlets start flapping their wings at seven weeks, making short flights around the nest at eight weeks.

—

‘we learn to fly not by being fearless, but by the daily practice of courage.’

-sam keen, american author, professor, and philosopher

 

years come and go

with friends by the fire

mystery game

comfort food

charades

music 

talk.

—

‘year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on,

with the wisdom that experience can instill in us.’

-hal borland

 

following in the footsteps of some of my blogging friends

i’ve complied of list of 100(ish) of my favorite things.

writing down what comes to mind

in no particular order.

—

Green, especially apple and olive shades

Brainstorming creative ideas with others

Storytelling

Glitter

making collage art, books, cards

Miniatures

Special boxes and bags

garlands of flowers

A great pen

Handmade paper

Handwritten letters and cards

Beautiful postage stamps

Gifting

Tiny paintings

Writing on birch bark

Photographs and memory boxes

cozy cottages by the sea or in a meadow near the woods

Colors and patterns and textures mixed together

Writing on small scraps of paper

Pasta of any kind or shape with any sauce

Making fun food sculptures

Cadbury Carmello bars and eggs

S’mores made on the fire with burnt marshmallows

Fresh strawberry shortcake with warm homemade biscuits

Melted velveta and salsa dip

Taco Tuesday any night

Hot coffee with thick cream or Bailey’s

Soup!

Mini boxes of cereal – if I get the good ones and my sibs don’t fight me for them (flashback)

Family pets

Flamin’ hot Cheetos

Black Crows gumdrops

Leftovers for breakfast

Laughing babies

Babies and children

Fairies, Fairy Stories, and Fairy Houses

The messages in my fortune cookies

Sasquatch/jBig Foot legend

King Arthur legend

Wildflowers in a meadow

Animals, especially mini goats and donkeys, black face sheep, monkeys, cats, mini ponies

Ginkgo trees

Sitting outside at a tiny tea shop on a tiny island in Ireland

Seashores

The skies at dusk and dawn

Listening to live reggae music on the beach sitting at a table with a tropical drink with fresh fruit as the sun goes down in Jamaica

Seashells, rocks, branches, driftwood

Walking in the woods, by the warm water, on cool, soft sand

Flowers, flowers, flowers

Houseplants that can survive me

The early morning

Fresh snow with no footprints, the silence, the squeak

Autumn

Tidepools

Golden books, Children’s literature, all books

Spies and true crime

Vintage cookbooks

Learning new words in all languages

Alphabets

Real newspapers

 Writing Conferences

Reading every book from authors I love

  Kind gestures

Crying at movies

Laughing until I can’t help myself

Love

Small romantic gestures

Surprises and favors

Acts of service

Compassion and kindness

Honesty

Celebrating everything

Spotify, even if my list is embarrassing, i own it

Records

Dancing

Car singing

Music, so much music

Board games

Jigsaw Puzzles

Crossword Puzzles (NYT weekends) 

Badminton and croquet in the yard

Movies of all kinds at the theater with buttered popcorn and smuggled-in candy

DVD’s

Docs/Art films/Indies/shorts/foreign films

Travel shows

Schitt’s Creek, Veep, The Office, especially British version

A live musical performance that engages the audience and moves my soul

My one and only joke – trying to remember it nd share it without messing up

Comedy

Visiting new places near and far

Old worn doors with character

Weathered furniture

Vine twined around old fences and growing up houses

Old bakeries, restaurants, dives, pubs

Going on quests

Mr. Rogers  and Dolly Parton

Family and friends

Talking to strangers

The human story

My children and grandies, watching who they’re growing into 

Original Jergen’s hand lotion, cherry almond

Lemon, vanilla, honey, cinnamon scents

Floating

Herbal Essence Shampoo, from my young hippie days, no longer the same

Being barefoot or in sandals

Soft sand, warm water

Parades

Soft clothing

Holding hands

Soft pillowy feathery mattress and covers that i can sink into

Weather from 65-75F

Falling asleep to the rain, hearing waves, or a fan if no natural noise

Sitting by a fire, feeling the heat and hearing the crackling sounds

Getting in my car and letting the heat soak in

Velvet

Old British sports cars

Being a part of the 4 Crows Detective Club when i was a child

Anything that’s not wool, a dentist, a clown, math, tech, or having to find my way somewhere

—

“seek out what magnifies your spirit.”

-maria popova

 

hmmmmm….

no one is fessing up.

—

‘i didn’t do it.’

-mr. green, from ‘clue.’

—

‘it’s kind of part of human nature to want to know the truth or want to be in on the secret.

for stories that focus in on that – like whodunits – it’s easy to get into.’

-mirelle enos