Plus: clean energy crosses a historic 2025 threshold, Rome's fall rewritten by DNA, oak trees with memory, and a horse who plays guitar with his muzzle
Many of us, myself included, believe the animals in our life are family. We have managed to change language in state laws describing animals as family rather than property. The bond was revealed to me when, as a child, I fell from a tree, couldn't breathe, and the collie next door stayed with me till I recovered 🐕
Trees reading a threat and timing their response. Fascinating 🌳
Nothing under my bed but a kitty during a storm. Upon moving in, I sprinkle diatomaceous earth along baseboards. No pesticides, no creatures 🪳
I love Yupia the musical horse! Hermit crabs are pals and I bring them mobile homes.
A fascinating collection of stories, all great. But clean energy, prehistoric copper miner and underbed storage are all attention getters for me. Guilty on the underbed storage.
I fully agree with dogs having a special sense about their humans.
The hermit crab story in Moment of Science is really interesting and Moment of Beauty is indeed beautiful.
But you know the oak trees drew me like a magnet. Love it.
Just adore a guitar playing horse! And any cat or dog, though I can house one no longer. I only hope when those Berlin museums open again, they will be accompanied by huge folio volumes illustrating their treasures.
Ah, Iceland. Many of the U. S. soldiers stationed in Iceland took Icelandic wives, and maybe because of that the University of Virginia (of all places) is the American center of Icelandic studies. I am very fond of the country and its people, though perhaps not in the covetous way or certain American politicians.
The meaning of May 5 also resonates in Mexico where they celebrate liberation from French rule (1862).
You are right, Alexander, I can’t unsee that naked crab! You have given us all new eyes to see the world.
Hi, Alex! Lots of good news today. I especially love the equine guitarist. ❤️ 🐎 🎸 I could listen to him play all day!
Great news about animal companions. Through the decades their beneficial influence has been researched, and the results always recognize their impact on their humans' health and social well being. Way back when I worked with psychiatric patients, I brought my dog to work with me. It was amazing how facades broke down in his presence. ❤️ 🐕
Equally good news about sustainable power! Here in the desert, we should be using solar power ... yet it's not popular and very expensive to install the panels. The know-how has been around for at least 40 years, but government has never backed it. If only we could get some trillionaire tech bros and billionaire politicians interested! 🌞
Love that oak trees remember caterpillars. Trees do possess sentience even if it differs from ours. I hope that it will soon be recognized.
Oh Rena, what an amazing story and memory of that sweet Collie. 💗. You learned all about the possibility of great compassion with an animal early on. Now that more dogs are being trained to be companions for children in their schools , younger “ humans” are now becoming more aware of the loving relationship between people and animals. You obviously recovered from that fall!☺️. So glad!
This really highlights the deep, non-verbal connection we share with other species. They truly are tuned into our frequency. And it’s fascinating how our pets acts as a mirror to our internal states.
Yeah, our cats have behaved with empathy as long as we have had them. My son has had cancer twice and open heart surgery twice. (Alls well now by the way). Each time our normally independent cats (various over the years) have stayed by his side and kept him company during recovery.
Of course, my attention goes directly to animals! After a late bloom, acquired my first Sheltie (before properly educated about adoption and randomly mixed breeds) at age 27. Love enduring at first sight and continuing to present age 78 😱 involved heavily in rescue and fostering for many years after retirement. TMTC except the keepers, total 14. I prefer mixes of cats and dogs; worked well for me with some planning. Some of the most endearing pairs were one of each. They do love companionship! Really excited about green electricity but the 🍑🤡, well, may he end on a lump of coal! ❤️🕊️🥰
A brilliant selection today! Trees that remember, well why not, plants seem pretty intelligent! And certainly my first dog knew exactly how I felt, and would snuggle up when I needed it. Not too sure about the other two who were both (ex) boys and obviously believed my husband was Mr One!
But what really interested me were the copper mines in the Pyrenees. I live near the copper mines in Alderley Edge, which date back to 1756 BC and were worked until the 1860s (AD). Mining is a dangerous occupation but it seems such valuable metals were worth it.
Such an interesting selection this morning, thank you, Alexander.
It's a fact. Humans' lives are enormously improved by having animals. I've looked after loads, from domestic rats, a rather dodgy African Grey (parrot), to fowl and horses. They are so 'giving'.
So many new things are being known about trees. Your story of the oaks is excellent.
With each post you share for this newsletter, I grow increasingly curious: what news or information have you come across that has been the most impactful, surprising or moving for you?
The posts you share about animals and trees/plants/nature are always the ones that hit my heart the deepest, but I’m genuinely curious about if there has ever been a story that has knocked your socks off, so to speak? ☺️
Oh goodness, yes of course! How silly of me, my apologies. I was absentmindedly assuming my question would be isolated to the “good news”, but of course the most impactful would be - in fact - what is most impactful. Thank you for recentering, and in light of those realities, thank you even more for these lovely posts about goodness in the world.
I work on a laptop but the typewriter illustration is from a text where I described Screen Skills as a newsletter for those who, like me, learned typing in a classic typewriter.
Many of us, myself included, believe the animals in our life are family. We have managed to change language in state laws describing animals as family rather than property. The bond was revealed to me when, as a child, I fell from a tree, couldn't breathe, and the collie next door stayed with me till I recovered 🐕
Trees reading a threat and timing their response. Fascinating 🌳
Nothing under my bed but a kitty during a storm. Upon moving in, I sprinkle diatomaceous earth along baseboards. No pesticides, no creatures 🪳
I love Yupia the musical horse! Hermit crabs are pals and I bring them mobile homes.
☕
A fascinating collection of stories, all great. But clean energy, prehistoric copper miner and underbed storage are all attention getters for me. Guilty on the underbed storage.
I fully agree with dogs having a special sense about their humans.
The hermit crab story in Moment of Science is really interesting and Moment of Beauty is indeed beautiful.
But you know the oak trees drew me like a magnet. Love it.
Thank you for another wonderful read.
Luna watches you. We watch Luna. That kitty face is showing displeasure as you pet that dog 😾
Agreed 🤣 ... ohhh Luna 🥺🐈⬛
Just adore a guitar playing horse! And any cat or dog, though I can house one no longer. I only hope when those Berlin museums open again, they will be accompanied by huge folio volumes illustrating their treasures.
Ah, Iceland. Many of the U. S. soldiers stationed in Iceland took Icelandic wives, and maybe because of that the University of Virginia (of all places) is the American center of Icelandic studies. I am very fond of the country and its people, though perhaps not in the covetous way or certain American politicians.
The meaning of May 5 also resonates in Mexico where they celebrate liberation from French rule (1862).
You are right, Alexander, I can’t unsee that naked crab! You have given us all new eyes to see the world.
I grew up with many animals and sometimes I had three cats in my bed. They knew for sure.
I will now go done a rabbit hole of oak trees and caterpillars. Thanks for that 😂
As wolf already remarked, Luna doesn't look pleased that you're petting a dog - understandably so.
Dear Rena noticed it too. Please Alex, was it real?
Any post about a pet parent’s dog or cat is going to attract my attention right away, as it did this morning.
Living for 12 years with my dog Cadbury has taught me that he is very sensitive to my moods. I have never lived
with a cat so I can’t vouch for them. Cadbury could be looking at me the way Luna is watching you in your
lovely illustration! If I pull out a suitcase he gets upset and leaves the room. If I’m talking on my phone (not
writing) he’s right by my side listening to me. The studies in France validate whatI’ve thought all through these years
with my “emotional support dog”.
Good news about clean energy outpacing the demand for global electricity. (This news on top of #47 cancelling
wind farms along the East Coast.) Oak trees fighting caterpillars… nature is smart!
I have nothing under my bed! I guess that’s because my flat has enough closet space. That was a really interesting
part of today’s DNB. Yupia, the guitar-strumming horse, wins today’s prize for inspiration😁 Thank you for a nice
Tuesday read ☕️💚
Hi, Alex! Lots of good news today. I especially love the equine guitarist. ❤️ 🐎 🎸 I could listen to him play all day!
Great news about animal companions. Through the decades their beneficial influence has been researched, and the results always recognize their impact on their humans' health and social well being. Way back when I worked with psychiatric patients, I brought my dog to work with me. It was amazing how facades broke down in his presence. ❤️ 🐕
Equally good news about sustainable power! Here in the desert, we should be using solar power ... yet it's not popular and very expensive to install the panels. The know-how has been around for at least 40 years, but government has never backed it. If only we could get some trillionaire tech bros and billionaire politicians interested! 🌞
Love that oak trees remember caterpillars. Trees do possess sentience even if it differs from ours. I hope that it will soon be recognized.
Thank you for a delightful newsletter!
Thank you, Mari
Oh Rena, what an amazing story and memory of that sweet Collie. 💗. You learned all about the possibility of great compassion with an animal early on. Now that more dogs are being trained to be companions for children in their schools , younger “ humans” are now becoming more aware of the loving relationship between people and animals. You obviously recovered from that fall!☺️. So glad!
This really highlights the deep, non-verbal connection we share with other species. They truly are tuned into our frequency. And it’s fascinating how our pets acts as a mirror to our internal states.
Yeah, our cats have behaved with empathy as long as we have had them. My son has had cancer twice and open heart surgery twice. (Alls well now by the way). Each time our normally independent cats (various over the years) have stayed by his side and kept him company during recovery.
Of course, my attention goes directly to animals! After a late bloom, acquired my first Sheltie (before properly educated about adoption and randomly mixed breeds) at age 27. Love enduring at first sight and continuing to present age 78 😱 involved heavily in rescue and fostering for many years after retirement. TMTC except the keepers, total 14. I prefer mixes of cats and dogs; worked well for me with some planning. Some of the most endearing pairs were one of each. They do love companionship! Really excited about green electricity but the 🍑🤡, well, may he end on a lump of coal! ❤️🕊️🥰
A brilliant selection today! Trees that remember, well why not, plants seem pretty intelligent! And certainly my first dog knew exactly how I felt, and would snuggle up when I needed it. Not too sure about the other two who were both (ex) boys and obviously believed my husband was Mr One!
But what really interested me were the copper mines in the Pyrenees. I live near the copper mines in Alderley Edge, which date back to 1756 BC and were worked until the 1860s (AD). Mining is a dangerous occupation but it seems such valuable metals were worth it.
Such an interesting selection this morning, thank you, Alexander.
The "guitar playing horse" ranks up there with the happy cows getting freedom. Love the animal stories!
It's a fact. Humans' lives are enormously improved by having animals. I've looked after loads, from domestic rats, a rather dodgy African Grey (parrot), to fowl and horses. They are so 'giving'.
So many new things are being known about trees. Your story of the oaks is excellent.
Thank you.
With each post you share for this newsletter, I grow increasingly curious: what news or information have you come across that has been the most impactful, surprising or moving for you?
The posts you share about animals and trees/plants/nature are always the ones that hit my heart the deepest, but I’m genuinely curious about if there has ever been a story that has knocked your socks off, so to speak? ☺️
Those are the subjects I can’t write about, such as human rights violations, or genocide.
Oh goodness, yes of course! How silly of me, my apologies. I was absentmindedly assuming my question would be isolated to the “good news”, but of course the most impactful would be - in fact - what is most impactful. Thank you for recentering, and in light of those realities, thank you even more for these lovely posts about goodness in the world.
One of your illustrations shows you using a laptop, and another shows you using an old fashioned typewriter. Which is it?
I work on a laptop but the typewriter illustration is from a text where I described Screen Skills as a newsletter for those who, like me, learned typing in a classic typewriter.
Yes, I learned "real" typing, too. I'm glad I no longer have to swing the carriage in order to start a new sentence. Or twice for a new paragraph.