26 Comments
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KT's avatar

Sorry, I have to take exception to the term “Canadian” wildfires, especially after Trump added new 50% tariffs as a penalty for the smoke. Canadians are becoming extremely sensitive to language ~ we’ve just been called “nasty” by him!

It’s important to be aware of each country's share of global cumulative CO2 emissions, now contributing to increased wildfires worldwide. This measures fossil fuel and industry emissions since 1750:

US 24%, China 15%, Russia 6.7%, India 3.5%, Canada 1.9%

Sorry to be political here, it just depends on which way the wind is blowing. Praying for rain in areas affected by wildfires and happy rest of summer! 🙏🏼

Sari Botton's avatar

I hear you. But we have lately been downwind from fires in Canada. That isn’t me blaming Canada. It’s just geography in this case.

Asha Sanaker's avatar

Folks local to you might also check with your public library. Ours has Empire State passes you can borrow for the day, which allow free access to any state park.

Virginia's avatar

MusicLeague.com is an app where you get a small group of music-loving friends and you each contribute one song a week on a theme. The app makes a spotify playlist out of all the "songs about springtime" or "song that would shock the Pope" or "songs featuring brass instruments" and then everyone votes (blind, you don't know who submitted what and you can't vote for your own song).

There's a round winner every week, and then a big winner at the end. Each player picks a theme, so the League is as many weeks long as the number of players.

This got me through the pandemic, and I've just kept going. I like a little friendly competition; I learn new music; in our chat, we geek out about music; I have a new playlist every week that doesn't have anything to do with AI or algorithms but rather with friends.

Ed Iannuccilli's avatar

The summer gives me joy

Laurie Berrie's avatar

I’ve also been enjoying water exercise in an outdoor pool. Makes me feel alive!!

Sari Botton's avatar

Ah, yes. Visiting my mom this week and her building has a pool. Been nice to get in some swims in the sunshine before that’s no longer an option!

joan Turkell's avatar

Learning from the grands!

Also,I love flowers and veggies

I’ve been gardening for years!

On line auctions!

Cooking ‘

I read recipes, then I put what I have in the house together .

Going in our pool.

Wearing shorts and t shirts!

And, many more adventures!

Wendi Gordon's avatar

What’s giving me joy are the occasional day trips to the beach (Galveston Island State Park) that enable me to play in the ocean and watch the pelicans. And $1 Frosties at Wendy’s - nothing beats ice cream when it’s 100 degrees out.

Judith Weston's avatar

I suspect my answers to such a questionnaire would match yours. After learning that cremation is harmful to the environment, my spouse and I signed up for Earth Funeral.

PS's avatar

Re: End of Life Planning. This is an enjoyable & useful book.

https://books.google.com/books/about/Get_Ahead_of_Being_Dead.html?id=WqNoEQAAQBAJ

Jolene Handy's avatar

Congratulations on 5 years, Sari, I love being part of the community you’ve built here! xx

Sari Botton's avatar

Thank you, Jolene! Wonderful to have you be a part of it!!

Barbara D's avatar

End-of-day (and start-of-day) lake dips are the best! I find swimming the perfect antidote to the world right now.

Kathy's avatar

Joy - I’m finding joy in each new bloom in my messy garden. Practicing weaving with Willow with the intention of becoming a heck of a lot more skilled. And the incredible joy of experiencing my one and only granddaughter who is nearly six months old.

Rexanne Felton's avatar

I know this is off topic, but is there any news about Joyce Wadler? She is facing serious health challenges and has not posted lately. She is one of my favorites and I am worried.

Sari Botton's avatar

I don’t know. Sent her an email recently but didn’t hear back. I think she’s in the thick of chemo and radiation.

Rexanne Felton's avatar

Thank you, Sari.

Jennifer Dines's avatar

Michael MUSTO! I LOVED his Grub Street Diary where a lot of things came from the 99 Cent store. And then all his appearances in Nelson Sullivan’s World of Wonder. I wish you all an incredible celebration! What gives me joy? Planning for the upcoming school year and hoping it can be a fun and worthwhile one for the students…and myself!)

Sari Botton's avatar

Michael is the best! Hope it's a great school year for you and your students.

Jennifer Dines's avatar

Thanks! My principal asked that I teach two Graphic Novel electives, so I am pretty thrilled that there’s an actual Creative Writing course at our school. :) <3

Sari Botton's avatar

Sweet. I love graphic novels and memoir.