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February 2, 2026      breaking   add your own add your own news!  search
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  latest local posts

are you ready?

(in education, research, preparedness, advice)

Readiness quiz. A fun way to assess how ready you are for an emergency. Supply chains are fragile. The grid is vulnerable. When disaster strikes, you're on your own. Take the quick quiz to get your Ready Score and discover your family' ... read more

schoolkids-running-down-hall.webp great homeschooling option

(in education, school, homeschooling)

This podcast interviews the creators of a homeschooling option that seems really terrific and very inexpensive called Firefly. They also mention how people can create classes on any subject to teach children and get paid for it. So if you ... read more

chatgpt.webp chatgpt reliability

(in education, tech, ai)

As a joke (and to point out how ChatGPT is frequently USELESS, I asked about the projection of silver for the next year (FYI, it already passed $100)Silver Price Outlook for the Next Year (2026)Base Case Projection (Most Likely)$40-$60 per ... read more

winter-driving.webp how to survive the big freeze

(in life, weather, advice)

Great ideas and tips. Watch on BitchuteIt reminds me of the Amish home I was invited into last week when it was about 25. It was very nice and toasty. As you know, they use their big iron sto ... read more

how to spot fake silver coins

(in education, research, money, coins)

Silver Nearing $100 Is Fueling Counterfeits. Here's How to Spot Fake Coins. But even more fake silver is paper silver ETFs. At least you get some interesting metal in a fake coin. ... read more

focused-female-entrepreneur.webp interesting tools and tips for entrepreneurs

(in life, employment, entrepreneurship)

Interesting tools and tips for entrepreneurs. This might inspire someone:Reinvent Yourself to PROSPER in 2026 and Beyond ... read more

how tattoos affect your immune system

(in education, health)

I've always suspected that they're unhealthy, long-term. Humans have been tattooing their skin for thousands of years, and the practice has grown in popularity across the world in recent decades. However, tattoos don't come without risks ... read more

gardening-filip-urban-unsplash.webp anybody can easily grow potatoes

(in life, health, food, gardening)

Here's an article that tells how to do it in leaves or cardboard: selfsufficientprojects/how-to-grow-potatoes-in-only-leavesReceived: 2025-12-23We h ... read more

finding your footing after life takes an unexpected turn

(in life, health, mental, advice)

Major life changes affect everyone. Whether it's a career shift, a move to a new place, the end of a relationship, a health diagnosis, or becoming a parent, these moments disrupt routines and challenge identity. This article explores prac ... read more

smiling-pc.webp the "greatest" names of modern-day personal tech

(in culture, tech, computers)

Bill: Seems like whenever people mention the greatest names of modern-day personal tech, they mention Steve Jobs (not Wozniack), Bill Gates (not Balmer), maybe Hewlett, Packard and Linus Torvalds, etc. No one mentions the founders of Wo ... read more

schoolkids-running-down-hall.webp the new core subject: teaching digital literacy in today's schools

(in education, tech, computers)

In an age where students learn, communicate, and create through screens, developing digital literacy has become as foundational as reading and writing. Schools across the world are redesigning curricula to help middle and high school stude ... read more

world-cup-trophy.webp copilot ai 2026 world cup prediction full bracket

(in culture, sports, soccer, world-cup)

2026 World Cup Prediction: Full Bracket ... read more

feed external news feeds
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the lies get so tedious
Human existence itself, actually. It's one version of reality versus another. The solution is to create a better reality.

what if nato died?
The world would rejoice.

ex-fifa prez backs call to 'stay away' from wc
The ridiculously high prices are already accomplishing that.

establishing relationships in your new locale, by sarasue
Good article.

jd vance: the new trump doctrine is "f*ck you!"
Classy, as always.

if trump succeeds at acquiring greenland, will he stop there?
No, he wants all of North America, and Bibi wants the entire Middle East.

court confirms trudeaus emergencies act invocation against freedom convoy was illegal
Conveniently, too little too late.

satire: nfl announces each quarter of playoff game will be broadcast on different streaming service
It is getting harder and harder to be a sports fan.

you know they march every fbi member into the holocaust museum?
I'm sure they march them into the Holodomor, Nakba and Armenian holocaust museums, too. Oh, wait...

danish pm warns us attack on greenland would destroy nato
You say that like it's a bad thing.

under trump's madness, insanity has consumed this country
Trump is just one of many insane misleaders on both sides of the aisle.

us imposes visa bans on key figures involved in global censorship pressure
...unless these censors are anti-Palestine and pro-Israel.

a victory for informed consent: cdc panel reverses decades-old newborn vaccine policy
So far, it looks like RFK Jr is the only good thing about this Trump administration.

"stop antisemitism" founder says antisemites will be hunted down and destroyed "for the rest of your life"
She can start with the world's worst anti-Semites, the Israeli government and military.

uk arrests 33 people a day for social media posts
I'll probably be arrested for this website if I ever visit.

the controversial call that may ultimately knock baltimore out of the playoffs
He had the ball in his hands for two steps. Horrible call.

adams sets semifinals goal for usmnt after draw
That's my hope, and that's what Copilot AI predicts.

how mls keeps getting better beyond messi's magic -- but no one seems to care
No one seems to care because it's all behind a paywall.

us institute of peace renamed after president trump
I thought this was satire, but apparently not.

trump announces invasion of venezuela to come
Such a pinhead.

rfk jr plans overhaul of child vaccine schedule: report
This is long overdue. Childhood vaccinations have gotten ridiculous.

trump invites netanyahu to his fifth white house meeting
Netanyahu is the one calling the shots, so it only makes sense.



One name, five books, a singular journey...
by William Arthur Holmes

Temporary Insanity, Operation Detour, Dobie's Dilemma, Lottery President and Another Way have been stitched together as an episodic saga starring Dobie Pokorny.

Yes, Benny, Alex, and Dub have new names. To those who loved them: thank you. This isn’t a rewrite; it’s a reframing. Each book still stands on its own.

The man, the myth, the legend? In his own mind, absolutely. Follow Dobie’s misadventures through bad breakups; cult and anti‑cult entanglements in L.A.; hit men and hit women across Southeast Asia; an unexpected lottery win and presidential run back home, complete with the by‑now expected assassination attempts; a manifesto, more assassination attempts, an alien or hallucination (depending on who you ask), confrontation with the powers-that-be, and true love at last.


random older posts  

wad-of-cash-various-denominations.webp how much money you should save for a comfortable retirement

(in life, money, savings, retirement from 2025)

Many Americans are anxious and confused when it comes to saving for retirement... ... read more

co-working-corporate-unsplash.webp letter to a former co-worker

(in life, money, employment from 2010)

I'm glad you and Cathy are doing well. Our daughter Elizabeth is doing well, too. She spent last night with a cousin north of town so she can attend that little girl's birthday party today. Elizabeth's own birthday party was last month. ... read more

animated-globetrotter.gif sights around the world

(in life, travel from 2013)

A list of must-see sights around the world. Less obvious places, such as Ben Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Vermont, or the ... read more

side-yard-fence-gate.webp i built a fence

(in life, home-garden, chores from 2009)

I forgot to mention I built a fence last weekend. It only spans about 12 feet from the side of the house to the retaining wall dividing us from our slightly-uphill neighbor. I've still got to cut a gate into it. Hopefully, I can pull tha ... read more

cayenne-extract.webp cayenne supplements

(in life, health, food, treatment from 2019) by don

I'd like to report that if anyone has prostate issues, the best treatment I know of is ... read more

tv-clipart.gif e waste (computers, tvs, other electronics) collection

(in life, health, environment, computers from 2010)

There will be an E-Waste (computers, TV's, other electronics) collection held Saturday May 8 at the Walmart Supercenter located on Nolensville Pike a quarter mile south of Old Hickory Blvd. from 8 a. m. -- 12 noon. Othe ... read more

doormats-beer.webp doormats with a difference

(in culture, humor, jokes from 2010) by joker

A few doormats for your consideration... ... read more

thumbs-up-clipart.webp the four s's

(in life, help, advice from 2022)

Be STRONG, be SMART, be SOFT, be SIMPLE. That's it. And don't confuse soft with weak or simple with stupid. Simplicity is the hallmark of genius. ... read more

tv-shows-nikita.webp great quote re the greater good

(in culture, quotes from 2024)

From the writers of the TV show, Nikita, from 2010-2013. Yes, I've been watching. A guilty pleasure. First, I protect the people I love, then I worry about the greater good. From ... read more


Amazon Movers & Shakers

culture.webp CULTURE

quote-open.webp christian josi (columnist) quote

(in culture, quotes, politics from 2020)

"Polling: The gateway political drug to misinformation, mistakes and malfeasance." -- Christian Josi

This was actually just ... read more

davinci.webp leonardo davinci quote

(in culture, quotes from 2021)

"I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do." -- ... read more

aaron-holmes-amazon-icon.webp music by a brother

(in culture, music, country from 2020)

Music by one of my brothers:

  • 'Til the Morning Comes
  • ... read more

    tv-clipart.gif is there a decent series available online?

    (in culture, movies-tv-video from 2016)

    Is there a single, decent series available online that isn't depraved; you know, doesn't involve zombies or some sort of depressing, apocalyptic, loser view of the world? Just wondering. Thanks.UPDATE: ... and th ... read more

    cleo-looking-out-window.webp going for a ride

    (in culture, writing, travel, usa from 2024)

    I went for one of my weekend drives. I almost said Sunday drive, but it was a Saturday. Anyway, I brought our dog, Cleo, with me this time. I never used to, but nowadays I take her almost everywhere because she and our newly adopted Yorks ... read more

  • family-clipart.webp FAMILY

    cities-moscow-st-basils.webp sleep, what a concept

    (in family, adoption, holmes, travel from 2007)

    I slept on the floor most of last night. It's a little after 7 a.m. here. Elizabeth refuses to sleep in her crib, even though we're told that's what she slept in at the orphanage. So, she sleeps with us in our bed. That bed is ba ... read more

    riding the metro

    (in family, adoption, holmes, travel from 2007)

    We're going to attempt to ride the Metro subway to Red Square today. Wish us luck. The exits aren't numbered, they are listed by name ... in Cyrillic. Of course, ... read more

    at-home-1.webp lesson learned

    (in family, holmes, elizabeth from 2011)

    I'll be spending all week (Spring Break) with my almost-6-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. Woo hoo! Yesterday was supposed to be my only "day off," as she was supposed to be in school (snow make-up day). But she's come down with the flu ... read more

    e-laughing-pumpkins.webp diversity

    (in family, holmes, elizabeth from 2017)

    Me (fnewing clothes): I need some of your hangers.

    Elizabeth: Here you go.

    Me: Wow, a variety of hanger types, thanks.

    Elizabeth: Well, I am diverse!

    Her friends are diverse, actually, but it's an inside joke with us ... read more

    family1.webp parenting tip #426

    (in family, advice from 2017)

    Parenting Tip #426: When taking out recycling/trash, check its contents. I almost threw out our daughter's purse and wallet! #parentingtips ... read more

    sunny-large.webp sunny came home

    (in family, holmes, pets, cats from 2010)

    I spent all day today wondering how I was going to tell our 5-year-old that our cat, Sunny, was no longer with us.

    Literally.

    After being awakened last night at 2:30 a.m. by the sound of a VERY close coyote, and then not finding Sunny ... read more

    cities-moscow-st-basils.webp moscow update continued

    (in family, adoption, holmes, travel from 2007) by tara

    We're in Moscow.Bill already summarized our trip here. I do believe that I am fully initiated into the sisterhood of Mothers. I have changed an exploding poopy diaper in an airplane bathroom, with turbulence! I'll spare you all the d ... read more

    life-clipart.webp LIFE

    tree-seasons.webp happy spring

    (in life, health, environment, weather from 2010)

    I am sooooo glad winter is over ... here in Nashville, anyway. I'm also glad we're not getting any flooding like North Dakota. Now, I need to make up for last year in my v ... read more

    dogs-american-pitbull.webp usdot to ban dog breed discrimination on airlines

    (in life, travel, airlines, pets from 2020)

    "The regulation is set to put an end to airlines discriminating against service dogs based on their appearance or breed, particularly pit bulls."

    : ... read more

    hobo-traveler.webp great foreign travel tips

    (in life, travel, advice from 2019) by don

    The Hobo Traveler tells it like it is: don't rent a car, some cultures dishonest, police dangerous.

    : youtu ... read more

    bill-gates-vaccine.webp bill gates funding scheme to cut down 70 million acres of forests

    (in life, health, environment, trees from 2023)

    Gates needs to be stopped.

    Because Earth is a closed system, the amount of carbon on the planet never changes.

    The carbon cycle is vital to life on Earth. Nature tends to keep carbon levels balanced, meaning that the amount ... read more

    fluoride-burk-quote.webp the effects of fluoride

    (in life, health, water from 2020)

    See articles below on the effects of fluoride.

  • Harvard Study Finds Fluoride Lowers IQ -- Published in Federal Gov't J ... read more

  • family newsletter NEWSLETTER

    holmes family newsletter vol 1 no 6

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1989)

    The Holmes Family Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 6a, September 17, 1989

    Everyone seems to be on a diet these days. Lucy and Jeannie are trying a low carbohydrate/high protein diet. Don's trying good new reliab ... read more

    billyclub-clipart.webp holmes family newsletter vol 2 no 3

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1990)

    Billy Club

    Vol. 2, No. 3, February 8, 1990
    [aka Bullseye, Hard Copy, The Holmes Family Newsletter]

    A newsletter for the 90s and beyond!

    Diane now a doctor

    Call her " ... read more

    holmes family newsletter vol 2 no 7

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1990)

    the NEWS Vol. 2, No. 7, May 1, 1990 ... read more

    holmes family newsletter vol 3 no 3

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1991)

    and
    now...
    THE NEWS Vol. 3, No. 3 (yes, only "No. 3")

    April 26, 1991 Doug returns from Hungary

    On March 21, Doug left Sacrament ... read more

    holmes family newsletter vol 2 no 1

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1990)

    HARD COPY Vol. 2, No. 1
    "Hard-Hitting Journalism"
    January 3, 1990
    [formerly known as The Holmes Family Newsletter] Predictions for 1990

  • Elvis Presley will still be dead.
  • Vice-Preside ... read more

    holmes family newsletter vol 3 no 5

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1991)

    NEWS Vol. 3, No. 5, July 6, 1991

    Northern California's leading newsletter since 1989
    (except for those few months when we were Southern California's leading newsletter) ... read more

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