Category Archives: News to use

Useful news for all to advance knowledge of the world and how it works

News Analysis: Trump seeks to reclaim spotlight with lies, smack talk – Los Angeles Times

Then, he veered off into a rambling 40-minute speech — uninterrupted by media questions — in which he aired old political grievances and debunked conspiracy theories, and lied, repeatedly, about the state of the economy, the safety of the nation and the policies of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running against him in the presidential race…At his recent events, Trump has delivered a steady stream of insults about the country, about Harris and about the media — which have responded by showering him with headlines…

To avoid being used, Mercieca said, reporters should write about Trump’s “news conferences” only if he says something newsworthy, not whenever he says anything outrageous — because the latter, at this point, is his standard shtick, a stump speech that’s old news.

“When a plane lands safely, that’s not news, because it happens every five seconds,” Mercieca said. “When Trump says something outrageous, that’s not news, because it happens every five seconds.”

Source: News Analysis: Trump seeks to reclaim spotlight with lies, smack talk – Los Angeles Times

What would Jessica do? + A Teacher’s Betrayal by Ernestine Whitman – Happiness Between Tails by da-AL

Older women rock! Have you ever watched “Murder She Wrote,” the TV mystery series starring Angela Lansbury? It first aired from 1984 to 1996 (not counting four movie versions released between 1997 and 2002), yet I’ve only recently discovered the huge uplift of Angela Lansbury playing Jessica (J.B.) Fletcher. Jessica, like me (more on my books here), is a writer, one who got her lucky break later in life.

Angela Lansbury achieved acting success in her youth, but by 58-years-old, her career had slowed. The role of Jessica soared Angela back to fame! The show’s opening changed throughout the years, but it always showed her vibrantly jogging, biking, and fishing here, there, and everywhere. This is the very first version…

 

 

Today’s guest blog post is authored by Ernestine Whitman. At 20, she began her career as a professional flutist, the youngest and one of few women in the Atlanta Symphony. For the next 33 years, she was a professor at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. At 60, she took up martial arts and earned two black belts in her sixties. At 70, she started writing.

Photo of Ernestine Whitman sitting at a table
Author Ernestine Whitman

She says, “I do believe the older you get, the more important it is to take risks — reasonable ones.”

Her first book, Countermelodies: A Memoir in Sonata Form, comes out in September 2024. She describes it this way: “My memoir is about a mentor who turns into a tormentor when I become his colleague in the flute section of the Atlanta Symphony. The narrative centers around my need for male approval, caused by, as usual, a distant father. Trigger warnings: the story includes rape and two suicide attempts, though I could focus the podcast solely on the intense bonding that often occurs between a student and her private music teacher.”

Here’s a sample…

Source: What would Jessica do? + A Teacher’s Betrayal by Ernestine Whitman – Happiness Between Tails by da-AL

Receita de Chocolate Quente Super Cremoso : Linkezine

Receita de Chocolate Quente Super Cremoso

Que tal preparar um chocolate quente super cremoso para aquecer o seu dia? Essa receita é fácil de fazer e promete agradar a todos os paladares. Com poucos ingredientes e em pouco tempo, você terá uma bebida deliciosa para se deliciar. Confira o passo a passo abaixo:

Ingredientes:

  • 500 ml de leite
  • 1 colher (sopa) de amido de milho
  • 4 colheres (sopa) de achocolatado
  • 1/2 caixinha de creme de leite…

Source: Receita de Chocolate Quente Super Cremoso : Linkezine

Japanese Techniques for Well-being  – Kaushal Kishore

 

Here’s a brief overview of some Japanese techniques I came across long ago. You may already be familiar with most of them, but their impact on self-improvement, discipline, efficiency, and well-being is so profound that I feel it’s worth revisiting them.

These 8 Japanese techniques have helped me in many ways like overcoming laziness and cultivating a more positive mindset. Hope you will also find some usefulness in them.

1. Kaizen: 

Kaizen, a method rooted in the concept of continuous improvement, is often regarded as the building blocks of all lean production practices. It emphasises reducing waste, boosting productivity, and fostering ongoing improvement in targetted activities and processes.

So break tasks into smaller, manageable steps by focussing on tiny improvements each day, sometimes with the help of others.

2. Pomodoro: 

The Pomodoro Technique, developed by Italian Francesco Cirillo, has gained significant popularity in Japan. This method divides work into focused 25-minute sessions, each followed by a 5-minute break. These concentrated intervals keep your mind sharp, while the short breaks help prevent burnout and allow for quick recharging.

So work in focused 25-minute increments, followed by a 5-minute break.

3. Ichigo Ichie: 

This phrase translates to “one encounter, one lifetime,” emphasising that every meeting is a unique event, occurring in its own time and space, and is therefore irreplaceable. It teaches us to let go of the past and future, allowing us to fully embrace and cherish each moment as something truly special.

So treat each task as a unique opportunity by  concentrating on the present moment.

4. Wabi-Sabi: 

Wabi-Sabi represents an appreciation for the fleeting nature of all things, and the beauty found in their imperfections. It encourages us to find charm in what might be considered “ugly” and to see perfection in what is “imperfect.” Since nature is always changing, nothing is ever truly complete.

So don’t wait for perfection; take action by embracing imperfections.

5. Hara Hachi Bu:

Hara Hachi Bu, which can be loosely translated as “eat until you are 80% full,” emphasises the practice of eating slowly and stopping before reaching full satiety.

So avoid overindulgence and the associated health risks.

6. Shoshin :

Shoshin means “beginner’s mind.”and refers to the idea of approaching every task like a beginner with the same curiosity as if you were doing it for the first time.

So adopt a mindset of humility and curiosity with openness, when approaching a subject, even if you are already at an advanced level

7. Ikigai:

Ikigai is a Japanese term that blends two words: “iki” meaning “to live,” and “gai” meaning “reason,” which translates to “a reason to live.” It’s a concept that encourages people to discover what truly matters to them and to live a life filled with purpose and joy.

So find something that fuels you to wake up each morning, harmonising your talents, passion, profession, and contribution to this world.

8. Shikata ga nai: 

Shikata ga nai is a Japanese phrase that translates to “it cannot be helped” or “nothing can be done about it”. This philosophy highlights the importance of accepting and letting go of things which are beyond our control.

So accept what you can’t change, and focus on what you can control.

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–Kaushal Kishore 

Source: Japanese Techniques for Well-being  – Kaushal Kishore

Duke, the Limerick | From Behind the Pen

Image Credit: JuliusH/Pixabay

Silly is as silly does! I found this poem I’d written some time ago, while I was cleaning up my file cabinet a little while ago…like last week. I believe this was one of the first limericks I wrote. Like to hear a little limerick? Well, here it go (nope, not goes, but go!) You have a right to be a little silly today!

Duke

A handsome guy named Duke
became quite wealthy by a fluke
his hair was always in place
not a pimple anywhere on his face
but his breath made a skunk want to puke!

©2006 Kym Gordon Moore

May you have a limerick-licious day!

Source: Duke, the Limerick | From Behind the Pen

How Trump’s intimidation tactics have reshaped the Republican Party

…Since launching his Truth Social media platform in early 2022, Trump has posted more than 600 attacks on fellow Republicans, singling out more than 100 party officials, activists and right-leaning media figures for condemnation, according to a Reuters review of his nearly 20,000 posts during that time…

Source: How Trump’s intimidation tactics have reshaped the Republican Party