I Am Loving The Tree Cam, It Has The Most Interesting Stuff In My Yard Currently. Here's A Little Medley

I HAVE SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT TO SAY ABOUT READING

Which is why I'm yelling 😆 But seriously, this is very important:

#1 Reading should be enjoyable.

#2 The original intent of fiction books was entertainment.

#3 You don't have to finish a book if it isn't enjoyable.

I have a degree in English. I used to be an English teacher. And I still firmly stand by all of the above. Yes, in school you have to read what you're assigned, but guess what?

Outside of school you can read what you want. No one can tell you what to read. No one can force you to finish something you're not enjoying.

I am a member of a Facebook group about fiction reading. Actually, I'm in two. One is specifically for romance novels, and it's a blast. The other one I feel is a little bit snobby. They read "literature." The other day, someone posted about a book and asked, "This book is depressing me so much. Does anything hopeful happen? I don't know if I can finish it unless there's some light ahead."

Last I checked, there were 64 comments. Some simply answered her question. "No, it's dark and sad." Everyone else lectured her on how it was "so accurate to the time period, what do you expect?" and "not every book is light and happy you know" "the best books challenge us to think."

Oh boy. You better believe I chimed in. I said, "Just know that if this book is too much for you emotionally, there is nothing wrong with ditching it and reading something lighter."

I could not believe people were acting all high and mighty to this woman like it was SO SHALLOW of her not wanting to be depressed while reading FOR FUN. In the year 2021. After a year of a pandemic, murder hornets, and rioting, she didn't want to read a depressing book? YA THINK?????

So, here I am, a certified English teacher giving everyone permission to not finish books. For whatever reason. It's depressing. It's boring. It's scary. Whatever. If anyone makes you feel bad for it, screw them. They have a giant stick up their pretentious ass.

Now excuse me while I go read this romance novel with a sexy man in a cowboy hat on the cover

(Seriously, that's what I'm reading right now.)

Quite an amazing moment patiently watching this big guy fish for his dinner. 

Finally some good fucking news

Once, the sky was full of stories. Ancient cultures filled the heavens with heroes and monsters, and spent nights telling epics and memorizing patterns in the stars.

These days, the stars are a little less familiar. Our skies are full of light pollution and, usually, obscured by a sturdy roof. But if you can get away from the city lights, you can still find a handful of the 88 officially recognized constellations with the help of this video guide, which allows you to look around in 360 degrees, mimicking the actual experience of stargazing.

How To Find The Summer Constellations (360° Video)

Video: NPR’s Skunk Bear

Giant floating islands that turn atmospheric CO2 into fuel could prevent climate change, scientists say

If rolled out globally, the islands could offset the total global emissions from fossil fuels.

Scientists in Norway and Switzerland have proposed that “Solar Methanol Islands” could use solar energy to recycle atmospheric CO2 into methanol fuel.

The idea arose when scientists were trying to find a way to provide electricity to future off-shore fish farms without access to power grids. Solar energy could power hydrogen production and CO2 extraction from seawater, which would produce gases that could be reacted to form methanol.

The team of scientists wrote:

“Humankind must cease CO2 emissions from fossil fuel burning if dangerous climate change is to be avoided. However, liquid carbon-based energy carriers are often without practical alternatives for vital mobility applications. The recycling of atmospheric CO2 into synthetic fuels, using renewable energy, offers an energy concept with no net CO2 emission.”

Currently, the team of scientists is working on prototypes for the floating solar islands.

Thanks to @sabre-fish for sending this in! 

Buttermilk Falls, Mechanicville, NY

#someoneunfreezeAustinPowers!

Ladies, ladies, not all at once [blocking pornbots left and right]

I bequeath this Otter to those of you who may be having a rough Christmas.