Category: Miscellany

  • 5 Star Reviews Are Ruining Your Life

    This video from Adam Conover covers something that I’ve been thinking about myself – online review systems and ratings are pretty horrible. You shouldn’t care what anonymous people rating things on websites think. If you need a recommendation, get it from a trusted person instead.

    5 Star Reviews Are Ruining Your Life (Adam Conover – YouTube)

  • Cherry Republic

    The Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, Summer 2023

    I first visited the Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, Michigan when I was in high school. One of my teachers, who was also my coach for cross country and the sponsor of adventure club, was the brother of Bob, Cherry Republic’s founder. I don’t remember whether that first visit was on a trip for a race or a stop on the way to backpacking, but either way, the Cherry Republic left an impression.

    Since moving out of Michigan after college, I don’t have the chance to get to Glen Arbor often. The last time I visited was during the summer a couple of years ago. Luckily though, the Cherry Republic now has more stores throughout the state, their products in gift shops (you can usually find some in DTW while waiting for a flight), and the option for ordering online. That’s allowed me to continue to enjoy sour cherry patches and other cherry treats whenever I get the craving.

    If you find yourself in the northern portion of Michigan’s lower peninsula, I recommend you make the time to visit the Glen Arbor store. And if you’re not in that area, you can always place an order. I’ve never had anything from them that I didn’t enjoy.

    Cherry Republic

  • Financial Literacy 101 for Farms

    Sarah Taber published a video essay on farming as a business that I think is worth watching even if you’re not a farmer.

    Financial Literacy 101 for Farms (Sarah Taber – YouTube)

  • North Carolina Zoo

    My family spent a day at the North Carolina Zoo earlier this week. Here are some of my favorite photos from the day.

  • The Search for Manatees

    During the cold months of winter, manatees in Florida swim up rivers towards warm springs in order to stay warm. Stefanie has wanted to take a trip to see them at the springs for a few years now, and last weekend, we made that trip.

    We visited three state parks: De Leon Springs, Blue Springs, and Wekiwa Springs. We saw manatees at the first two while at the third we saw fish and soaked our feet in the warm water. It was a great trip made possible by public parks and environmental protections.

  • Important Dates for 2025

    Find reasons to celebrate the things that matter to you.

    January

    1: New Year’s Day

    20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

    29: Lunar New Year

    30: National Croissant Day

    February

    1: Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

    14: Valentine’s Day

    17: Presidents’ Day

    March

    4: Game Master’s Day & Paczki Day

    14: Pi Day

    15: Ides of March

    20: Spring Equinox

    April

    9: Unicorn Day

    15: Tax Day

    20: Easter Day

    May

    4: Star Wars Day

    11: Mother’s Day

    21: Tukayyid Day

    26: Memorial Day

    June

    6: Doughnut Day

    15: Father’s Day

    19: Juneteenth

    21: Summer Solstice & Free RPG Day

    July

    4: Independence Day

    20: National Ice Cream Day

    August

    2: Ice Cream Sandwich Day

    4: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

    8: International Cat Day

    10: National S’mores Day

    19: World Photo Day

    26: National Dog Day

    September

    1: Labor Day

    18: Cheeseburger Day

    20: National Pepperoni Pizza Day

    22: Fall Equinox

    October

    4: National Taco Day

    13: Indigenous Peoples Day

    15: Cheese Curd Day

    28: National Chocolate Day

    29: National Cat Day

    31: Halloween

    November

    4: Election Day

    11: Veteran’s Day & Origami Day

    27: Thanksgiving

    28: French Toast Day

    December

    21: Winter Solstice

    24: Christmas Eve

    25: Christmas

    31: New Year’s Eve

  • Day After Thanksgiving

    If you have leftover apple pie and ice cream, you should go ahead and have a slice of apple pie à la mode for breakfast. It’s a good way to start the day.