I spent last week in Michigan and had a chance to visit the zoo of my childhood. The Detroit Zoo has changed a fair bit since I last visited it a couple of decades ago. I enjoyed the few hours that I spent walking around and visiting the animals.
Category: Miscellany
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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)
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
Scott Boehmer 