FriendsNews header

February 5, 2026      breaking   add your own add your own news!  search

  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
click here for more

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  

william-arthur-holmes.webp william arthur holmes quotes

(in culture, quotes from 2020)

I try to avoid stupidity and depravity... but I repeat myself. I've decided the world in fact DOES owe me a living. But until it pays up, I'll keep working. A novel is the fine art of never getting to the point. Stay loose, kee ... read more

dennis-gabor.webp dennis gabor quote

(in culture, quotes from 2022)

The best way to predict the future is to create it! -- Dennis Gabor ... read more

adoption-video-frame.webp success!

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

As you probably read below in Tara's post, our court appearance went very well. Ten days from now we will officially be the pr ... read more

job-fair-line.webp ibm's internal plan, fire most u.s. employees

(in life, money, employment from 2012)

The primary method for accomplishing this feat, according to the plan, will be by reducing US employee head count by 78 percent in that time frame. Read, listen or watch the rest here: ... 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

another-way-cover-2022.webp inspiration for my novels and novellas

(in culture, writing, books, novels from 2022)

I just put this together and thought I'd share it on this blog in addition to my writing platform. ... read more

dogs-flying.webp regarding america's most popular dog names

(in family, pets, dogs, names from 2024) by rob mitchell

Hi, I was doing some research and found the information you have on your article about dog names by breed to be helpful: Should I Capitalize That Dog Breed Name I wanted to introduce y ... read more

mark-twain.webp one of my favorite twain quotes

(in culture, quotes from 2020)

If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're mis-informed. -- Mark Twain ... read more

cities-moscow-st-basils.webp just another week to go

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

... maybe less! That cheers me up. That's assuming everything goes as planned ... and it WILL. I believe in positive thinking (when I'm desperate, anyway, because it leads to positive actions, which lead to positive results, or at least ... read more


Amazon Movers & Shakers

culture.webp CULTURE

meme-dont-like-spam.webp vacancies available

(in culture, humor, internet, spam from 2021)

A global leader with a yahoo address? I don't think so. Supposedly from Kayla Smith but address is iran.retailer? And it was not sent to me but to bonabsad@. Starting to look like randomly-generated "AI" names, don't you think?

... read more

trees-ginkgo.webp when is arbor day?

(in culture, holidays, environment, trees from 2022)

Yes, I know today (6/19/2022) is both Father's Day and Juneteenth, but I wanted to know when Arbor Day was. You know, add it to my calendar. Welp, as it turns out, that's not such a simple question. Here's the response I got when ... read more

ballroom-dance-for-couples.webp life is meant to be enjoyed

(in culture, quotes, philosophy, religion from 2024)

Life on Earth is essentially a struggle between those who believe it is meant to be enjoyed, like a dance with many partners, and those who think it is a never-ending competition to be controlled and dominated. ... read more

teddy-roosevelt.webp theodore roosevelt quote

(in culture, quotes from 2021)

"Get action; do things; be sane; don't fritter away your time; create; act; take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action." -- ... read more

animated-artist.webp greeting cards by natalia holmes

(in culture, arts-crafts from 2010)

Greeting Cards by Natalia Holmes, my niece.

[NOTE: She no longer does this.] ... read more

family-clipart.webp FAMILY

hotel-sokolniki-front-desk.webp still in moscow

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

We're in a different hotel, the Holiday Inn -- Moscow Sokolniki, for the rest of our stay. This is the one that was originally reserved fo ... read more

pug-dog-peeing-hydrant.webp get rid of dog urine smell

(in family, pets, dogs, advice from 2020)

"Does your whole house smell like dog urine? If so, you've come to the right place! If a dog hasn't been trained correctly or is suffering from a health problem, it's likely that it won't be able to control itself ... read more

e-laughing-pumpkins.webp good friday

(in family, holmes, elizabeth from 2008)

It WAS a good Friday. There was nothing religious about it. If you know me at all, that wouldn't surprise you.

I was just reading my previous post and wanted to have something more positive this time. We're all still adjusting to ... 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

don-1981.webp all about don

(in family, holmes, pets from 2005)

Music by a brother

Conan

Our cat Conan died of a kidney infection today (we had ... read more

adoption-return-luncheon-1.webp luncheon for elizabeth

(in family, adoption, holmes, lunch from 2008)

I can't believe how nice my coworkers at Franklin are. On Friday, they had a luncheon at work for Elizabeth and Tara. They invited me, too. :)

Great food, several gifts, and the biggest surprise: a money tree. Tara and I were speech ... read more

holiday-world.webp holiday world (2013)

(in family, holmes, elizabeth from 2013)

I rode a rollercoaster for the first time in I don't know how long. It was a blast! The Raven has been voted "most awesome [or whatever] wooden coaster" several times in ... read more

life-clipart.webp LIFE

animated-slow-clap.gif aetna reverses its decision

(in life, health, insurance from 2010)

My insurance company, Aetna, which denied a $10,000 medical claim last year, has finally reversed its decision (after my second appeal) and decided to "process the claim" again.

Woo-hoo ... read more

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 more

bill-tara-98.webp st. louis trip

(in life, travel, usa, blog from 1999)

Tara and I made a quick trip (if you can call a five-hour road trip quick) to St. Louis over the Labor Day weekend. We visited their historic Old Town district along the river where they were hosting the Big Muddy Blues & Roots Festival. Tha ... read more

food-broccoli.webp kids hate broccoli

(in life, health, food from 2013)

Elizabeth (at the dinner table being forced to eat her broccoli): Ugh, can I throw up?

Her mom: Um, no.

Me: [trying not to laugh out loud]

Mom: You're not helping! ... read more

animated-bully.webp angry people

(in life, health, mental from 2013)

Funny how the day after commenting on Facebook (see below) about driving past a local rich neighborhood, this morning in that same neighborhood I ticked off the driver behind me by having the gall to use a turn lane properly. You do realize ... read more

family newsletter NEWSLETTER

holmes family newsletter vol 5 no 5

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1993)

the rabblerouser Vol. 5, No. 5, August 8, 1993

Bill moving to Nashville

Bill is moving to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue his boyhood dream of being a country sing ... read more

holmes family newsletter vol 1 no 7

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1989)

The Holmes Family Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 7, October 5, 1989

[Let's face it, these things are going to just keep coming.] Steve arrested ... read more

record-clipart.webp holmes family newsletter vol 4 no 5

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1992)

The Broken Record Vol. 4, No. 5, June 25, 1992

"Predictable, irritating. Really, no redeeming qualities whatsoever."

L.A. riots: The aftermath

In the aftermath of the Los Angeles riots, re ... read more

holmes family newsletter vol 1 no 3

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1989)

The Holmes Family Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 3, July, 1989

[Editor's Note: Due to profanity, nudity, and the mature theme of this issue, parental discretion is advised.]

... read more

bullseye-clipart.webp holmes family newsletter vol 2 no 2

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1990)

Bullseye Vol. 2, No. 2, January 26, 1990

[formerly known as Hard Copy; before that, The Holmes Family Newsletter] Denise expecting!

Taking her cue from Lucy's dog, Coyote, Denise is also e ... 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 = 216.73.216.91 · search