https://katherinebouton.com/2021/08/16/sleeping-with-dogs/ Sleeping with Dogs August 16, 2021 Katherine Bouton Healthy Hearing When my dog was a puppy he slept in a crate, then he moved to a chair, then onto the bed. My husband would pick him up like a little lamb, when he came to bed after me, and move him back to the … Continue reading Wonderful tale about the place a dog has in the writer’s world
Diet soda an addiction? A heartfelt story of quitting after 40 years
If this article persuades you to consider attacking your diet soda habit, here's an article with five good reasons to quit. https://www.eatthis.com/health-benefits-of-quitting-diet-soda/ But, in the meantime, read this from an addict of 40 years who recently quit: nytimes.com/2021/08/11/well/eat/diet-coke-addiction.html I Was Powerless Over Diet Coke After almost 40 years as a diet-soda addict, my body suddenly … Continue reading Diet soda an addiction? A heartfelt story of quitting after 40 years
Wingspan digital board game gorgeously converted for iOS
All three of my posts today have two articles -- just that sort of day. Wingspan used to be just a board game. It was then converted to platforms such as Xbox, Steam, and Nintendo Switch before its recent release for iOS. The first one, set out below, is a fulsome review. The second is … Continue reading Wingspan digital board game gorgeously converted for iOS
Siberian wildfires (at 10 million acres) bigger than all other fires on planet combined
Here's a link to another, excellent magazine article on the same disaster: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/siberian-wildfires-are-larger-globes-total-blazes-year-combined-180978433/ https://abcnews.go.com/International/siberian-wildfires-now-bigger-fires-world-combined/story?id=79422602 Siberian wildfires now bigger than all other fires in world combined Huge fires have been fueled by the historic drought.ByPatrick Reevell August 12, 2021, 12:52 PM 00:1605:525:51 Siberian wildfires now bigger than all other fires in world combinedABC News' Patrick Reevell … Continue reading Siberian wildfires (at 10 million acres) bigger than all other fires on planet combined
NYC population booms but not everywhere and not for everyone
As any regular reader of this blog knows, I'm a huge fan of NYC. This city may not be perfect but it has so many great features -- walkability, diversity, public transit, wide range of activities, four seasons, and (believe it or not) many affordable aspects to daily life -- that the downsides, for me, … Continue reading NYC population booms but not everywhere and not for everyone
Hurray for career bureaucrats who put the public interest ahead of politics
ww.nytimes.com/2021/08/12/sunday-review/census-redistricting-trump-immigrants.html? How the Census Bureau Stood Up to Donald Trump’s Meddling Credit...Nicholas Konrad/The New York Times By Emily Bazelon and Michael Wines Ms. Bazelon is a staff writer at The Times Magazine. Mr. Wines is a national correspondent for the paper who writes about voting and other election-related issues.Aug. 12, 2021 WASHINGTON — There were 10 days left … Continue reading Hurray for career bureaucrats who put the public interest ahead of politics
Methane far worse for us than CO2
https://www.vox.com/22613532/climate-change-methane-emissions (Also: https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/11/us/methane-climate-change/index.html) It’s time to freak out about methane emissions This lesser-known greenhouse gas will make or break a “decisive decade” for climate change. By Rebecca Leber@rebleberrebecca.leber@vox.com Aug 12, 2021, 2:00pm EDT From his home office in Arizona, Riley Duren was multitasking, telling me about frighteningly powerful greenhouse gases even as he monitored his team’s aircraft. … Continue reading Methane far worse for us than CO2
Biden not truly serious about climate change as he grants 2,000 new drilling and fracking permits
President Biden's position on granting drilling and fracking permits was always visible during his campaign and his decades-long favoritism for the fossil fuel industry wasn't hidden. But oh, how I hoped he would realize that times have changed. But he has not and the planet will pay for his decisions. Is Biden serious about climate? … Continue reading Biden not truly serious about climate change as he grants 2,000 new drilling and fracking permits
Stop Spotify from tracking you
Way back when Spotify appeared. I thought this would be a legal way of listening to music so signed up right away. Within days I deleted my account. Why? The software AUTOMATICALLY posted everything I played on my Facebook page for public consumption. I had nothing I was hiding but the idea that Spotify would … Continue reading Stop Spotify from tracking you
This is now heat/fire season, not summer
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/06/summer-normal-heat-season-deadly/619302/ Summer Is Hot, but This Is Abnormal Scorching weather has far outstripped old expectations, but many Americans still have trouble seeing high temperatures as a distinct hazard.By Kathy Baughman McLeod Ralph Freso / Getty JUNE 26, 2021SHARE About the author: Kathy Baughman McLeod is the director of the Adrienne Arsht–Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center at the Atlantic Council. … Continue reading This is now heat/fire season, not summer
Downsides to using artificial turf in low-water areas
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/artificial-turf-installment Is Artificial Turf Right for You? 3 Things to Consider Before Installing a Fake Lawn Because the grass isn’t always greener By Ali Montag August 12, 2021 A small summer house cabin and pair of sunbed loungers with artificial turf in a back garden.Photo: John Keeble via Getty Images It’s the American ideal: a green … Continue reading Downsides to using artificial turf in low-water areas
Arnold says: “Don’t be a schmuck”
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/08/schwarzenegger-schmuck-mask-vaccines/619746/ Don’t Be a Schmuck. Put on a Mask. Generations of Americans made incredible sacrifices, and we’re going to throw fits about putting a mask over our mouth and nose?By Arnold Schwarzenegger Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty AUGUST 13, 2021SHARE About the author: Arnold Schwarzenegger was the 38th governor of California. Earlier this week, I delivered a simple message: … Continue reading Arnold says: “Don’t be a schmuck”
Abycats' Thoughts 