Little Bits of Joy: Week Twenty One

Can ya dig it? I knew that you could.

Hello, Friend,

Congratulations on making it through another chaotic week in the worst (sur)reality show ever: Survivor America. You did it! There are no gold electroplated fake participation prizes for us, alas. There are, however, some little bits of joy lingering around the edges.

Let’s savor a few, shall we?

My End is My Beginning

With all of the doomsayers predicting the ‘inevitable’ Apocalypse, it’s refreshing to hear from a purveyor of hope. Perhaps this isn’t the end, but a painful transition to a bright new beginning, like being shoved through a sandpaper lined birth canal. Author Rebecca Solnit offers fresh perspective in her new book The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change.

“They’re trying to push rewind on the VCR, which feels like the right technological moment in history for them. They’re essentially saying, if you listen closely: ‘You all are very powerful. You’ve changed the world profoundly, with the environmental and climate work, feminism, queer rights, the general anti-authoritarian push for accountability and equality. All those things are connected.’ Your enemies appraise you accurately, even when you don’t believe it yourself.”

Rebecca Solnit

If they tear it apart let’s build it back better.

The Old Garden (Old English Garden), c. 1900-10 Annie L. Pressland Public Domain Wikimedia Commons

Can Ya Dig It?

Take a break from the doom scrolling in search of a new mindset!

If you, like me, find solace in the wonders of your garden, you might be excited to hear that Old Farmer’s Almanac offers daily (or you can opt for weekly) emails filled with gardening advice, information, insights, and fun facts. Sometimes the best thing we can do for our happiness is to plant something and nurture it with hope that it will flourish.

“When the world wearies and ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden.”

Minnie Aumonier

What is more hopeful than that?

Glitter der Sigmund Lindner GmbH, 2019 Creative Commons Share Alike 4.0 International License via Wikimedia Commons

All That Glitters Isn’t Safe

This may not qualify as joyful, but it seemed worth mentioning to my crafty friends. I’m a big fan of glitter, but I try to use glitter glues whenever possible. There are a lot of microfine plastic glitters on the market. They’re not great for the environment or you, apparently. I’m sorry to report that Glitter Lung is a thing. It’s a deadly thing if you’re not careful.

Keep calm and sparkle on, friend.

To Do List

The question I get most often from readers is what they can do about the current paradigm. There’s a lot of helplessness being fomented to paralyze us with grief, exhaustion, and fear. The best way to counteract the dystopian drumbeat of our lamestream media is to get off your sassy ass and get involved. No one person can do all the things, but every one of us can do something. The fine folks from Existentialist Republic created this list of five things to do about the despair.

And if you are able, there are massive No Kings Protests scheduled this Saturday, March 28th! Find your local event here.

“We are the music makers. We are the dreamers of the dream.”

Ode, Arthur O’Shaughnessy

Person Playing Tuba, Pearson Scott Forseman Donation Public Domain Wikimedia Commons (with edits)

Everybody Farts

Farts are the great equalizer. No matter how rich or famous or powerful one might be, farts happen. This week’s little bit of joy from science is a new development to help people assess (pun intended) the deeper meaning behind their flatulence. Microbiologists from the University of Maryland have developed a sensor that creates ‘smart underwear’ in an attempt to study hydrogen production from gut microbes.

“People are very excited about measuring farts.”

Microbiologist Brantley Hall

Now that’s something to toot about.

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On that note, I shall bid thee adieu. May your weekend provide a whole lotta little bits of joy. I hope to see you back here on Monday. Until then, let ‘er rip!

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