Category Archives: Something Good

Something Good

1. 3 wolf pups born in Colorado mountains spotted playing in puddle(video) “Video taken by Mike Usalavage and shared Monday by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) shows three healthy wolf pups born to a male and female that were reintroduced to Colorado last year. The video, reviewed and validated by CPW wolf biologists, shows the three pups and one adult from the Copper Creek pack. CPW said in June that the pair had reproduced and confirmed at least one pup was born. On Monday, CPW spokesperson Rachael Gonzales said the agency now considers the minimum number of pups in the pack to be three, though there might be more. Wolf litters typically consist of four to six pups, CPW previously said. The pups are about 40 to 50 pounds and are seen playing in the video.”

2. Blossoming late: A new State Fair crop artist emerges in retirementIn related news, a short video about her work.

3. Lick that Stamp, Send that Letter, Share that Story“This is a story about all of us, reminding us how much stories matter – not just the stories we write, but also the stories we tell each other every day. It’s how we process our grief and joys and challenges. It’s how we bear witness to each other.”

4. You’ll soon need a Real ID to fly in U.S. Here’s how to get oneSomehow I had missed this, so I thought maybe you had too. Another PSA, A new round of free COVID tests is coming soon. These will test for the new variants. 

5. Y2K | Official Trailer HD(video) This looks fun.

6. 9 of the Most Polarizing Science Fiction Books to Love or Hate.

7. Never take health tips from world’s oldest people, say scientists“Scientists still trying to work out why some people live beyond 100, but agree it is best to avoid taking advice from centenarians themselves.” Apparently, living this kind of long is mostly due to genetics and luck, neither of which we can control.

8. Maxwell: Tiny Desk Concert(video) “Have you ever been in a room where you can feel a palpable, collective swooning? Welcome to a Maxwell Tiny Desk. The crooner’s sensual falsetto and rooted baritone have seduced audiences since his debut album dropped in 1996. One of the leading voices in the resurgence of soul music during the late ’90s, Maxwell’s albums are full of tender songs recounting love, life and heartbreak that have resonated with generations of fans looking for ways to be vulnerable. Clad in soothing neutrals, Maxwell charmingly admitted his nervousness at being at the Desk, stating that “This is where real music can’t lie. You cannot lie here.” The audience was there with encouragement — singing along, screaming in pure glee and adding the party vibe when needed.”

9. The wonder and terror of a mind that doesn’t work like everyone else’s“Sometimes my mind is a sharp knife. Sometimes it’s an empty amusement park. Sometimes it’s a compost heap of garbage where unexpected things grow… Things that may be poisonous. Things that may be magical. Things that may be both.”

10. Good stuff from Seth Godin: The missing file and The steep part of the mountain.

11. Eight of the world’s most extraordinary tiny hotel rooms.

12. They Shouldn’t Have Been Silenced from Frederick Joseph. “On the DNC and the speech we should have heard.”

13. Biden’s Gaza policy is a liability for Kamala Harris“Harris must call for a ceasefire and arms embargo on Israel this week. It’s a no-brainer. Refusing to would mean risking defeat.”

14. Progress 2025, “intended to be a hub for the big ideas—and grassroots methods—that offers a hopeful, collective vision that counters toxic individualism and authoritarianism.”

15. Bombed hospitals, buried children: we have become numb to Gaza’s destruction“As we are saturated with horror, it gets normalized – and Israel’s assault continues unfettered. A Palestinian American poet on dehumanization.”

16. Oh Self-Help by Jamie Attenberg.

17. The worst and the best from Danny Gregory.

18. 8 Hard Lessons I Learned by Doing Too Much and Getting Sick.

19. 40 Of The Best All Time Images From The International Dog Photography Awards.

20. 2024 finalists for the Ocean Photographer of the Year.

21. Let Your Heart Break on Lion’s Roar. “Awareness will not solve the world’s problems, says Ronna Bloom, but it’s an important first step.”

22. Why Self-Love Is So Hard To Achieve from Andrea Gibson.

23. A Short Guide to Dealing with Discouragement on Zen Habits.

24. The Name of Things You Probably Didn’t Know.

25. Bike bus(Instagram reel) “You can’t tell me there is a more joyful, physical, child focused & community oriented event that sets students up for a successful school day than the #BikeBus. Playing Crazy Train is the cherry on top.” I love this, so much.

Something Good

1.Basil Kincaid Amplifies His Ancestry Through Spiritual, Collaged Quilts. “‘The quilt really started changing the way I think about artmaking, and the way I think about intelligence,’ Kincaid said, adding that he had learned to ‘value the intellect of intuition and the spiritual nature of artmaking.’ Soon, he began to lean into the idea of ancestral connections leading his practice. ‘Working on these quilts is the first time where I felt spiritual assistance—where I felt like I’m not alone making these things…and saying, ‘OK, what is this thing trying to tell me?” he explained. ‘I’m a conduit with the thing. And then at the end, I can sit down and listen to it.'”

2. Yoko Ogawa Loves Finding Love at the Bookstore on The New York Times. (gift link) “‘My gaze meets the spine of a certain book,’ explains the author of ‘The Memory Police.’ ‘We exchange glances. … This book has chosen me.'” P.S. I highly recommend “The Memory Police.” It was strange and relevant and beautiful. 

3. Native American author Tommy Orange selected as the next Future Library writer“The Pulitzer prize-shortlisted novelist behind books including There There and Wandering Stars will pen a manuscript that won’t be published until 2114.”

4. Recipe I want to try: Easy Irish Potato Bread. (Facebook reel) I’d also like to try some overnight oats (which my husband eats ALL the time), something like one of these recipes: Almond Butter Overnight Oats or Peach Cobbler Overnight Oats.

5. Long-term selfish from Seth Godin.

6. Beach books at the ready: authors pick their essential summer reads“From newly published novels to timeless classics, Elizabeth Strout, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Irvine Welsh, Tessa Hadley and other writers tell the Observer about their holiday favourites.”

7. Highs, lows and Snoop Dogg: the Guardian’s most memorable Paris Olympic moments“Léon Marchand and Antoine Dupont led the way as home athletes put on a show, but it was the city itself that proved the ultimate star of a wonderful Games.”

8. 5 Reasons to Meditate on Lion’s Roar. “The simple act of stopping, says Pema Chödrön, is the best way to cultivate our good qualities. Here are five ways meditation makes us better people.”

9. Thousands of activists expected in Chicago for Democratic convention to call for Gaza cease-fire“Thousands of activists are expected to converge on Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention, hoping to call attention to abortion rights, economic injustice and the war [you mean the genocide?] in Gaza.”

10. Going Through a Big Life Transition? A Top Yale Psychologist Says This Is the Best Way to Take Care of Yourself.

11. 15 microhabits for calmer, healthier mornings“From cold showers to mini meditations, experts share really simple tips for a brighter start to the day.”

12. 6 Slow-Living Habits to Help You Savor the Moments in Your Life.

13. I have written 10 books on happiness: The simple, 2-minute habit I do every day to feel happier.

14. Three Simple Ways to Recharge“If you’re feeling uninspired and drained, there are mindful ways to recover from burnout. These mindful shifts can help us tap into energy again.”

15. Astronomy Photographer of the Year shortlist revealed“Explore a selection of out-of-this-world images shortlisted in Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024, the world’s biggest space photography competition.”

16. Meet the Granfluencers“From funeral fits to dating hacks, elderly TikTokers are slaying online.”

17. Mini farm animals are adorable. There’s also a growing demand for them.

18. What Does It Take to Learn to Garden? A Willingness to Do It Yourselfon The New York Times. (gift link) “‘If somebody comes in and just does it for you, you miss out’: A beginner shares what his first garden taught him.”

19. Here’s back-to-school advice from elementary to high school students

20. And finally, a bunch of stuff I saved this week: