FriendsNews header

January 19, 2026      breaking   add your own add your own news!  search
  Happy MLK Day!

  latest local posts

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

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

alpha-brainwaves.webp do you realize how powerful gratitude is?

(in life, health, mental)

Let Greg Reese explain: Watch on Bitchute Received: 2025-11-26 18:32:44 That's interesting. last Sunday our pastor gave a sermon on how powerful gratitude is (No, I haven't looked ... read more

woman-raised-fist-sunset.webp how to pursue self-improvement without burning out right away

(in life, health, advice)

Image from FreePik Introduction Everyone wants to improve. Yet in the chase for better, man ... read more

jeannie-jeppy-ho-powder-puff-derby-1974.webp harness racing returns to california in 2026

(in culture, sports, horse-racing)

Prompted and edited by Bill. The California Horse Racing Board's approval of dates at Fresno for Watch and Wager harness racing marks a significant step forward for the sport in the ... read more

vaccination-clipart.webp covid bioweapon shots still killing, but not everyone

(in life, health, covid, treatment)

If you know someone who got these injections and has no signs of cancer yet, this doctor recommends being proactive and not waiting for signs of poor health. Get tested for the spike proteins still working after all this time. It's not ev ... read more

how creative pursuits help people manage stress

(in life, health, advice)

Image: Freepik by Michelle Casey from doityourselfpro. Stress shows up quietly but affects every ... read more

feed external news feeds
click here for more

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.

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

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...

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.

trump tells airlines venezuela's airspace is 'closed in its entirety' as tensions rise
Trump is creating his own little Bay of Pigs scenario.

war department investigating allegations against mark kelly, court-martial possible
Military personnel are SUPPOSED TO defy illegal orders.

russia responds to trump: 'venezuela' is spanish for 'vietnam'
Gotta love the Russian sense of humor.

danish cattle dropping like flies after government mandates
Denmark apparently can't be trusted with animals, period.

trump when asked what hed say to u.s. ranchers losing their shirts
He is not very consistent with this America First thing.



Dobie Pokorny title picture

One name. Five books. A singular journey.

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

The man? On a good day, sure. Myth and Legend? In his own mind, definitely.

Yes, Benny, Alex, and Dub have been renamed. To those who loved them: thank you. This isn't a rewrite -- it's a reframing. Dobie carries their spirit, contradictions, and consequences.

Each book stands alone. Start anywhere. Exit clean. The saga unfolds in semi-regular posts on Substack.


random older posts  

money-clipart.webp strike debt, debt resistance for the 99%

(in life, money from 2012)

Strike Debt is a nationwide movement of debt resisters fighting for economic justice and democratic freedom. Read, listen or watch the rest here: ... read more

food-beets.webp beet salad

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

The time stamp on these blog posts are in US Central Time, not Russia time. It's 6am Sunday morning here. We had lu ... read more

cities-moscow-st-basils.webp saturday with elizabeth

(in family, holmes, elizabeth from 2010)

As Elizabeth likes to say, she and I were hanging out today while Tara had a girls' day out with Ronica. I think Tara's was a belated birthday thing. Hers was on the 10th. Anyway, once Ronica finally called -- after Tara had started to ... read more

elon-musk-smiling.webp elon musk flooded with requests to buy facebook, linkedin and youtube to return free speech to those platforms

(in culture, humor, internet, social from 2022)

If you came here looking for an actual article, you'll be disappointed. The title has more words than the article, or did until I wrote this sentence. This is a joke, though I wouldn't be surprised to hear this is actually happening. Elo ... read more

positive-black-man-headphones.webp harness adversity for growth

(in life, health, mental, advice from 2024) by elijah dawson

Image via Pexels Transforming Challenges Into Strengths Adversity, often perceived as a hin ... read more

toothpaste-clipart.webp make your own toothpaste

(in life, health, care from 2010)

Virtually all commercial toothpaste contains one or both of two problematic ingredients: fluoride and glycerin. Fluoride, a mining by-product, is one of the bigger scams perpetrated on an unwitting public. Instead of being beneficial it ... read more

shot-glass.webp order an angel shot

(in life, health, safety, advice from 2021)

I had no idea. Good to know. If you ever feel uncomfortable at a bar, or require some form of assistance, order an angel shot and a bartender will escort you to your car. It could ... read more

money-clipart.webp minimum wage adjusted for inflation

(in life, money, employment from 2013)

I don't agree with this calculation, but, for what it's worth, my brother sent this out recently. So, in case I'm wrong and he's right, which almost never happens... 50 years ago (1963) the minimum wage was 1. 25. See ... read more


Amazon Movers & Shakers

culture.webp CULTURE

panera-bread.webp panera favorites

(in culture, food, restaurants from 2018)

Insider favorites at Panera Bread.

See panera-bread-employee-favorites ... read more

easy deviled eggs

(in culture, food, recipes from 2020)

  • Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag.
  • Seal, mash till they are all broken up.
  • Add remainder of ingredients, reseal
  • keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly
  • cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg
  • ... read more

    thought-bubble-clipart.webp latest deep thought

    (in culture, quotes from 2019)

    "One way or another, in our own inimitable way, we all do to others what was done to us." -- William Arthur Holmes

    "Wow, that ... read more

    artwork-palicokvanie.webp crafts by friendsnews members page

    (in culture, arts-crafts from 2019)

    Jana's Palickovanie art ... read more

    map-usa-states.webp where you belong

    (in culture, people, geography, usa from 2019)

    I've been in middle Tennessee the past 25 years, grew up in northern California, spent most of my 20s in L.A., but according to th ... read more

    family-clipart.webp FAMILY

    video-camera.webp on vimeo

    (in family, holmes, elizabeth from 2009)

    In chronological order (I think):

  • Bill in Europe, 1996
  • ... read more

    bill-tara-98.webp engaged... finally

    (in family, holmes, bill from 2001)

    Engaged... finally!

    Tara and I are finally getting married. We've "felt married," but now we're making it official, just for the sake of making it official. :)

    The actual wedding will be August 22, which we've always celebra ... read more

    dog-friends.webp counterfeit seresto collars linked to pet deaths and injuries

    (in family, animals, pets, safety from 2021)

    "If we can't depend on the EPA to warn the public about something so thoroughly documented, should we depend on the agency..."Read the ... read more

    comment-clipart.webp comments welcome

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

    I set this blog so that you can now add your comments anonymously without logging in. So, comment away! I was afraid that the requirement for a login was keeping people from participating. Now you can go crazy because you're anonymous. J ... read more

    cities-moscow-st-basils.webp links to all holmes family adoption posts

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

  • This Time Next Week -- I'm happy to s ... read more

    taras-favorites.webp tara's favorites

    (in family, holmes, tara from 2008)

    Tara's got a new blog! It's called Tara's Favorites, available at tarasfaves.com or ... read more

    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

  • life-clipart.webp LIFE

    sleepy-clipart.webp the myth of the eight-hour sleep

    (in life, health, sleep from 2012)

    "Many sleeping problems may have roots in the human body's natural preference for segmented sleep...

    "It's not just the number of references, it is the way they refer to it, as if it was common knowledge," Ekirch says." ... read more

    woman-smiling-stretching.webp small shifts, big payoffs: everyday health habits that actually work

    (in life, health, exercise, advice from 2025) by michelle casey

    Image from Freepik -- In the middle of our days -- the clamor of unread emails, the growing pile of laundr ... read more

    alpha-brainwaves.webp what happens in your brain when you get mad, and how to control it

    (in life, health, mental from 2013)

    I love this! Especially after my last post.

    "By using one of his strategies, 'projecting peace,' you can 'activate a different set of mirror neurons ... read more

    donation-clipart.webp giving matters

    (in life, help, charity from 2020)

    "GivingMatters.com furthers The Community Foundation's work of "connecting generosity with need" by raising the level of local nonprofit transparency, making comprehensive information available to the public in a searchable d ... read more

    butterfly-bee.webp million pollinator garden challenge

    (in life, health, environment, home-garden from 2015)

    Looks like a worthwhile project. Click the link/badge below for more info.

    "Pollinators are responsible for 1 out of 3 bites of food we take each day, and yet pollinators are at a critical point in their own survival. ... read more

    family newsletter NEWSLETTER

    sprocket-clipart.webp holmes family newsletter vol 4 no 4

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1992)

    The Squeaky Sprocket ... read more

    leaky-faucet-clipart.webp holmes family newsletter vol 4 no 2

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1992)

    The Leaky Faucet Vol. 4, No. 2, February 13, 1992
    "The quintessential newsletter."
    Warning: May not be suitable for the humor impaired. Elvis lives!

    Yes, all your prayers have been answered! "The King ... read more

    happy-hairball.webp holmes family newsletter vol 5 no 8

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1993)

    The Happy Hairball

    (something we keep coughing up)
    Volume 5, Number 8 December 20, 1993
    Publisher: This guy ->>
    Editor: Same guy
    Distributor: Brave little delivery boys and girls worldwide
    Address: Nashville ... read more

    newspaper-clipart.webp holmes family newsletter vol 1 no 4

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1989)

    The Holmes Family Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 4, August 1, 1989 Largest Tri-Weekly Newsletter Circulation in the West!
    [tri-weekly (tri-week'lee) 1. we TRY to get it out weekly) [Editor's Note: This will prob ... read more

    cow-clipart.webp holmes family newsletter vol 5 no 2

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1993)

    The Sacred CowVol. 5, No. 2, March 15, 1993 Dad sucked from plane!

    Well, almost. And it was 41 ... read more

    blue-moon.webp holmes family newsletter vol 8 no 1

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1997)

    Once in a Blue MoonVol. 8 No. 1, February 1997

    A lot has happened since our last newsletter, so let's just jump right in with the "news"... Mike and Evelyn get married Almost two years ago now (June 21, 1995, a ... read more

     

    © 1999-2026 · Original content may be copied and used ONLY under the Fair Use Doctrine. All other rights reserved.
    about · sitemap · Contact Us or DONATE · privacy · substack
    We use affiliate links, which earn a tiny (infinitesimal) commission if you make a purchase after clicking it.
    host = dreamhost · our IP = 67.205.28.165 · your IP = 216.73.216.153 · search