This Is What Should Go Viral
Hi Friend,
Next to the spring in our backyard is an old clawfoot tub that is filled from the overflow of the cistern. It has always been a favorite place for our Labs. We can be in the yard and Andy will walk to the edge of the yard and look back at us. We know that she is asking if she can run into the woods and jump in the tub. We give the OK, she disappears, and we hear the splash.
Spike is not as excited about the tub. She will stomp around in the mud around the tub. She can't easily get herself into the tub.
I finally realized that I was thinking way too much about what to call the 'stuff I want to share' newsletter. Cool Stuff, Good Choices, etc. The name doesn't matter. Its just the second newsletter of the week. Ideally. When I can actually get two out the door that week. ;)
Big Boys Don't Cry Who is the whispering woman behind 10cc's hit song I'm Not In Love. This song was an earworm in my head last week. I saw this headline on the BBC Culture website and yes I did want to know who this woman was. Shows how lightbulb moments can start from a message about a phone call. Of course I then looked up the song on iTunes and ended up buying a compilation album of songs from the 90s. And now it is in your head too, right?
If you'd like to steer clear of most of the U.S.'s OMG FOMO approach to news and articles, the BBC website is the first place I go.
Hooked Utility Knife Blades I had to cut off the back of a pair of clogs I use in the park. The grass is wet in the morning and I (try to) wear these clogs that had good reviews. Except the back of the shoe kept digging into my heel. So I pulled out a utility knife to trim it, and it was a pain to cut down the back of the shoe with a straight knife. I then remembered I had a pack of these hook blades for cutting roofing shingles, and wow, what a difference this makes. Easily cuts the material and with less chance of cutting into a finger. Now I use this blade for cutting down cardboard to recycle. You can cut carpet, rubber sheets, etc. with it. Smooth cut. Amazon link.
Victorian Era Body Art I don't have any tattoos. But some of them are amazing. This guy is one of the artist who mainstreamed tattooing. Another cool story from Public Domain Review: The Art of Sutherland Macdonald, Victorian England’s “Michelangelo of Tattooing” (ca. 1905)
Keep Ticks Off Last week it was the Bug Baffler for deer flies, this week, ticks. Oh joy. Tons of them in our yard this year. In addition to tucking pants into our socks and long sleeves, we spray our clothes and shoes with this permethrim based spray. Follow the instructions, it does work. As a last minute defense, I have sprayed my pant cuffs, shoes, and socks with this before going out into the woods as well, but this wet method is not included in the product's directions. Amazon Link.
Check out the Bug Baffler head net at their website, well worth the trip.
The Most Honest and Beautiful Video On YouTube. I posted this title and a link the this video on my Patreon feed (free to join & follow) and got a little pushback.
For some reason the algorithms decided to suggest to me a video that had 5 views, and the title and thumbnail were not screaming at me, but I knew right away I had to watch. The first few minutes stumble along, but then our host hits a rhythm that is beautiful to me. It is what it is, a guy sharing his town. The town is just about empty, yet this is his town. He's not asking you to check out his links to the tools he uses, or to try out this new green energy drink in his ad read. He's just made a video about his town. And it is exceedingly rare now to see vids made by some person who just hit the record button thinking, "I'll make a video about my town"
I posted a videos about my battle with invasive weeds, and a street find sliding drawer I installed. Watch Here.
What is your Most Honest & Beautiful thing on the internet? Please email me: gardenfork87@gmail.com :) Eric.
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