Plus: One gene that changed human history, Australia's bandicoot bounces back, your houseplants aren't cleaning your air, and a bumblebee asleep in a dahlia
Great stuff! Thanks, Alexander Verbeek, for my first 24 hours as a member of the D.N & B. news - it's truly first-rate, as are you. This writing reminds me of a quote from Doris Lessing's masterpiece, the novel "THE GOLDEN NOTEBOOK" in which she had Anna, say: "What's terrible is to pretend that the second-rate is the first-rate."
As you may well know, she became the oldest person ever to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature at age 88. I'm in my 80th year and hoping to finish my debut novel in the next year. I hope the planet survives that long...
And the Nobel Prize for Literature, which has been in some rough waters too in recent years. Publish next year, get the Nobel Prize seven years later to reach that record. Everything is possible if you believe in it. 😊
Alexander! Your newsletters are all marvelous, but I am especially happy that Daybreak Notes & Beans is celebrating its first anniversary and who better to share the date with than David Attenborough! You are my absolute favorite Substack writer and I knew this from the day I first subscribed. I urge everyone to become a subscriber if they can. Happy Birthday — and many more !
Happy Birthday Sir David. For a brief while, working as a radio journalist, I did nature documentary narration (voice over) work for a small production company on the side. I always had David Attenborough’s cadences and measured, calm, intimate style in my head whilst I worked. He’s a true treasure.
Loved the other stories too, an enjoyable read this morning.
I’m thinking of starting a regular Substack essay (tbf, I’ve been thinking about it for a cpl of years), linked to my work but also with a personal touch. So many great writers on here, it’s a community I’d be honoured to join.
Hi Jackie, just start writing. The rest of the setup of Substack can follow later. And since nobody will read the first few newsletters, it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just comes once you get active. Just go to youtube or google and type: how to start a substack newsletter. Follow those steps and in half an hour you can start
"365 Days of Insights, Updates, and Shared Passion." ✍️
"Happy 1st Anniversary Daybreak Notes and Beans!" 🎉
Thank you, for the insight and passion you share. Thank you, for your valuable insights. Thank you, for bringing quality subject matter to our inboxes every day.
Wishing you continued (more) growth and fortune in the year ahead. Blessings. ✨️🤍
I’m enjoying the newsletters and am also impressed by your accompanying illustrations which highlight points in the newsletters. Do you design them yourself? I wonder which graphics and AI programs you use. Keep up the amazing work!
Hi Margie, yes I design them and combine photography and AI to create the image I want to share. I made this one with Gemini but most of the main generative AI brands allow you to create an image. I worked in a printery, at a marketing office, and have had a passion for photography and design all my life, so I know what I want to create. But you can start very easy. Just go to chat gpt and ask something simple, like draw a house with a dog in the garden. Once you get to know it you can improve it further
This was lovely today, thank you very much Alex. I loved the bumblebee asleep in the Dahlia! Isn't nature grand? Best wishes for your birthday today. I am so grateful for your newsletter. My daily dose of happy!
"It has now found its own community here on Substack. That still surprises me, in the best possible way."
Happy birthday, Daybreak! 🎂 A paid subscriber and renewed 😊
Fascinating information about ancient horse DNA
Bandicoots!!
Interesting info regarding plants and air. Keeping both 😄
As if we didn't have enough reasons to celebrate and protect coral reefs
Western parotia. A disco king!
Bumblebee napping in a dahlia 🧡
Poor Sir David wanted a quiet 100th birthday. We took care of that 🤍
☕
Happy birthday Daybreak Notes & Beans 🎉🎈🎂
Great stuff! Thanks, Alexander Verbeek, for my first 24 hours as a member of the D.N & B. news - it's truly first-rate, as are you. This writing reminds me of a quote from Doris Lessing's masterpiece, the novel "THE GOLDEN NOTEBOOK" in which she had Anna, say: "What's terrible is to pretend that the second-rate is the first-rate."
As you may well know, she became the oldest person ever to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature at age 88. I'm in my 80th year and hoping to finish my debut novel in the next year. I hope the planet survives that long...
And the Nobel Prize for Literature, which has been in some rough waters too in recent years. Publish next year, get the Nobel Prize seven years later to reach that record. Everything is possible if you believe in it. 😊
Daybreak Notes and Beans shares its birthday with the remarkable and widely loved Sir David Attenborough. Seems appropriate.
Happy Birthday to both.
Bless that tiny gene that made horses rideable. One of the earliest forms of transportation that made travel easier. And so beautiful at that.
Really interesting information about both eggs and anesthesia. Need to eat more eggs.
I hope those ancient clay texts survive Trump’s bombs.
Coral reefs are simply amazing and incredibly beautiful. They must be protected.
I have seen a program featuring the parotia, I think on a David Attenborough special. I was mesmerized by this fabulous bird!
He goes to the greatest lengths for his potential mate in the most elaborate courting ritual. I think he was rejected in the film I saw. Go figure.
Seeing a bumblebee snuggled in for the night in the petals of a flower seems like a sweet fairytale.
Thank you for another great Daybreak Notes and Beans.
Happy birthday, Daybreak! I need no better weekly envoi than the parotia mating dance and the bumblebee asleep in the dahlia!
Congratulations!
Bon anniversaire! J'aime chaque édition. Merci.
This is my favorite post of all I subscribe to because your notes always fascinate me.
I am forwarding this one to family and friends. I read all of your substacks, and they
are excellent. Thank you.
Thank you, Janice 😊
Happy Birthday! Congrats and thank you!
Alexander! Your newsletters are all marvelous, but I am especially happy that Daybreak Notes & Beans is celebrating its first anniversary and who better to share the date with than David Attenborough! You are my absolute favorite Substack writer and I knew this from the day I first subscribed. I urge everyone to become a subscriber if they can. Happy Birthday — and many more !
Thank you, Judy. You made me smile 😊
Happy Birthday Sir David. For a brief while, working as a radio journalist, I did nature documentary narration (voice over) work for a small production company on the side. I always had David Attenborough’s cadences and measured, calm, intimate style in my head whilst I worked. He’s a true treasure.
Loved the other stories too, an enjoyable read this morning.
I’m thinking of starting a regular Substack essay (tbf, I’ve been thinking about it for a cpl of years), linked to my work but also with a personal touch. So many great writers on here, it’s a community I’d be honoured to join.
Hi Jackie, just start writing. The rest of the setup of Substack can follow later. And since nobody will read the first few newsletters, it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just comes once you get active. Just go to youtube or google and type: how to start a substack newsletter. Follow those steps and in half an hour you can start
"365 Days of Insights, Updates, and Shared Passion." ✍️
"Happy 1st Anniversary Daybreak Notes and Beans!" 🎉
Thank you, for the insight and passion you share. Thank you, for your valuable insights. Thank you, for bringing quality subject matter to our inboxes every day.
Wishing you continued (more) growth and fortune in the year ahead. Blessings. ✨️🤍
Alexander,
I’m enjoying the newsletters and am also impressed by your accompanying illustrations which highlight points in the newsletters. Do you design them yourself? I wonder which graphics and AI programs you use. Keep up the amazing work!
Margie Muns
Hi Margie, yes I design them and combine photography and AI to create the image I want to share. I made this one with Gemini but most of the main generative AI brands allow you to create an image. I worked in a printery, at a marketing office, and have had a passion for photography and design all my life, so I know what I want to create. But you can start very easy. Just go to chat gpt and ask something simple, like draw a house with a dog in the garden. Once you get to know it you can improve it further
Thanks for the answer Alexander. I used to be an illustrator but am now retired. The amazing AI developments have all
happened since then. You definitely have a command of the new medium. I’m still enjoying “old school” watercolor.
Best, Margie
Happy Birthday both you “Daybreak” and the fantastic Mr. Attenborough! Congratulations 🎊🍾🎈
This was lovely today, thank you very much Alex. I loved the bumblebee asleep in the Dahlia! Isn't nature grand? Best wishes for your birthday today. I am so grateful for your newsletter. My daily dose of happy!
Happy BD to your wonderful publication ! I have lots of admiration for your work here on Substack! From another earthling 🌎 to you! 🙏
Thank you 😊