Tereza Okava

i just came across the AI researcher [specializing in critical thinking and the importance of humanity in the age of AI] who has talked about this at length (wanted to share the other day but couldn't remember her name. She's got a substack, youtube, etc but I only have accessed her instagram content. https://www.youtube.com/@iamshaeo ).
this is an instagram post, the comments are really much more informative than the actual post because they get right into the discussion about the books. https://www.instagram.com/p/DbYO4HGsurg/

and also https://www.instagram.com/p/DbYBT3AshmI/, where they discuss this happening as early as 2023 (we're only hearing about it now) and some reasons why.

I agree with her general takeaway: the big overarching challenge is that DO books need to be digitized, but for everyone's use. Gutemberg and academic collections. A book that is rotting in a private collection or never gets accessed on a stack is not going to be of use to humanity. The more that get scanned and put into a publically accessible format, the better. Supporting libraries and researchers who are doing this work makes sure it stays in the public domain.

Nice find, Bruce, I'd also be throwing all that in the cart in a hot minute!
You hit a lot of my flavor favorites with the rye and molasses and caraway, but especially the fennel seed, which I think makes everything about 85% better.

My morning started putting out fires from a mistake I made yesterday, but we get back on the horse.....

Judith Browning wrote:
I have a reputation for not buying stuff like that so will have to go incogneto or something to get a jar😏

You know you'll run into everyone you know at the Walmart as soon as you have it in your hand!! (I think he might have said he got it from the dollar store)

Rico, I've bought multiple pairs of Crocs brand *shoes* that are not the classic croc-type things, and they've been AMAZINGLY durable. (yes, I have a pair of Crocs heeled clogs, and a pair of Crocs fur-lined boots). After taking the dog out in a rainstorm I had to glue a sole back on the boots, but both of these are at least 8 years old and look brand new. They're really well made.

It will all be in the rear view mirror before you know it!!! Courage, my friend!

(i can still remember the two months before getting the tumor on my hand taken out and the whole mess reconstructed [second opinion surgeon said 'you just need to accept your hand won't work the way it used to' while the actual surgeon was the oncologist telling me I was nuts to not get the surgery done yesterday, but there were reasons I had to wait], it was a very rough couple weeks. I found myself a mantra and an image to use as my phone lock screen, and put it everywhere else I might see it: very simply: "What if it all works out?" And every time I thought I was too scared or losing my shit, I would take a breath and remind myself "What if it all works out?" And go figure, it all worked out. You sound like a tough cookie and might not need this sort of constant reminder, but if you do, I recommend it highly. You got this!)

Annette Jones wrote: rollmops.

here rollmops are a thing where there are communities of German immigrants, little filets wrapped around an onion or a small pickle. they are either pickled in a vinegar brine or submerged in oil. They have been adapted to use local sardines (good sized fish) rather than herring.
They're one of these things people eat to show off their fortitude (I assume), like natto or hot peppers, there are actually rollmops eating contests where I live (current record: 39 in 5 minutes in the men's category). I do like pickled herring (with some horseradish and pumpernickel bread....) but I would probably go for one of my dog's biscuits before I'd eat a rollmop!

Last time I went to visit my mother I had the privilege of getting to know the local pest control guy, who was called for skunks in the yard. (I'll confess I went out there because I saw this little guy with a big beard and the biggest pistol I've ever seen strapped to his belt cruising around my mother's backyard and figured I should go investigate. Glad I did, he turned out to be a real character.)

He didn't mind me watching as he picked up the animals he caught (got possums in the traps instead of skunks, but took them too), and told me his go-to was grape jelly from wherever he could get it cheapest for pretty much every critter he trapped.

Just to be safe, if I were you I'd try that AND peanut butter!

Judith Browning wrote:It looks like dodder to me....(the orange plant growing on the lespedeza)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuscuta

Oh man that stuff is a major problem where I live, it gets into tropical forest areas and literally pulls trees down.

I have never recommended a pair of shoes as much as I have recommended these sandals.

I got them online with a coupon for like 20USD when I was visiting the US. I wore them into the ground, mostly doing long hikes and in the ocean, I wore them on a trip to Wales where we did 12-15k each day, never got even a blister, they were fabulous. After 5 years they looked a bit ratty and I bought a new pair in 2024, which are still going strong and look great.

I bought a women's version of a rope hiking sandal, but they apparently sell men's stuff too. https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/1D225D7C-C0AB-419D-AE75-74273DFD1298?ingress=2&lp_context_asin=B07L5MPXF5&visitId=9a72e3ec-324d-4050-904a-f92f6f5a2bf0&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandlogo_sto&ref_=ast_bln

I never expect much from online stores I've never heard of, but this product at least was spectacular.