FriendsNews header

January 11, 2026      breaking   add your own add your own news!  search

  latest local posts

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

groucho-clipart.webp mundane-in-chaos: why triviality wins big laughs

(in culture, writing, humor, advice)

Prompted and edited by Bill How a can of Cheez Whiz became comedy geniusand how to use that rhythm in your own writing. The Blues Brothers' Cheez Whiz Masterclass ... read more

feed external news feeds
click here for more

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.

with monster: the ed gein story,netflix revels in darkness
Aren't they always reveling in darkness?

a-list nepo-baby demands global mask mandates at un
You are free to wear a mask, but cannot force your personal choices on the rest of us.

justice clarence thomas says legal precedents are 'not the gospel'
I'm glad someone realizes the "because that's how it's always been done" mentality is not always the right approach.



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  

funny-bible-fiction.webp a little bible study never hurt anyone

(in culture, humor, jokes, religion from 1998) by joker

Subject: Why can't I own a Canadian? Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination accord ... read more

we are like raindrops

(in culture, quotes, philosophy, religion from 2022)

We are like raindrops. We start out as a collection of molecules in the clouds. When we get too heavy, we fall to the ground as glorious, individual raindrops, only to hit the ground and return to the collection as a puddle, lake or ocean ... read more

25th-anniversary-balloon.webp our 25th year

(in culture, writing, blog, friendsnews from 2024)

Can you believe we've been online since 1999!?!? Even more unbelievable, we STILL have almost no audience! Truly amazing. Shouting into the void for a quarter century. Quite impressive, no? Anyone rea ... read more

signs-name-in-vain.webp lists: common or famous names, etc

(in culture, lists, names, given from 2024)

I was making a list of names (including titles, states and countries) for a vbScript I'm working on. ... read more

marijuana-buds.webp marijuana, hemp and cbd: what's legal and where

(in life, health, food, legal from 2019)

For those asking for a friend, see marijuana-hemp-cbd-whats-legal-and-where:As the legalized cannabis industry in the Unite ... read more

special-k-cereal.webp addicted to cereal

(in culture, humor, food from 2015)

I think I'm addicted to cereal, I said. Addicted? she asked. Yeah, I'm gonna hit the street looking for my latest fix. And by 'street,' you mean Aisle 3 at Kroger, right?Don't question my street cred! ... 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

airports-moscow-sheremetyevo.webp we're in moscow

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

We'll be spending the night in Moscow, after all, and flying down to Astrakhan tomorrow afternoon. I was stressed out without an internet or even a usable power connection. But I'm obviously connected now. I had the power converters, but ... read more


Amazon Movers & Shakers

culture.webp CULTURE

reading-novel-clipart.webp novels and novellas

(in culture, writing, books, novels from 2018)

Did I mention I've written a few novels/novellas?

Another Way: Beyond the Status Quo

"A politically-incorrect manifesto. Anti-corporate crusader Dobie Pokorny wants to save the wo ... read more

aldous-huxley.webp aldous huxley quotes

(in culture, quotes, politics from 2020)

"

  • "There will be in the next generation or so a pharmacological method of making people love their servitude and producing dictatorship without tears so to speak. Producing a kind of painless concentration camp for entire ... read more

    money-clipart.webp the ppp is letting our small restaurants and businesses die

    (in culture, food, restaurants, politics from 2020)

    "The PPP was supposed to save our small restaurants and businesses. But where's the money?...

    : ... read more

    quote-open.webp tom mullen quote

    (in culture, quotes, politics from 2021)

    "We even have an organization that styles itself, "AntiFa," its chief means for fighting fascism being to dress all in black and beat its political opponents with clubs." -- ... read more

    baked-chicken.webp ronica's maple roasted chicken

    (in culture, food, recipes from 2020)

  • 4 large skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 3 potatoes cut into chunks
  • 1 medium onion cut into small pieces
  • 1 bag baby carrots
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • Combine all ingredients in ... read more

  • family-clipart.webp FAMILY

    elizabeth.webp elizabeth's room

    (in family, adoption, holmes from 2007)

    OK, here are the pictures:

    Before

    ... read more

    cities-moscow-st-basils.webp last visit for a while

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

    We'll be leaving in a few minutes for our last visit to the orphanage this trip. I'm practicing asking for my baggage back from the hotel baggage room. Baggage actually sounds like "boggage." "Please" is pa-ZHAL-sta. Fascinating, I k ... read more

    elizabeth-music-class.webp elizabeth's first play

    (in family, holmes, elizabeth, plays from 2010)

    Elizabeth, 5, came up with the following play just as we were finishing dinner the other day. Dinner theater, if you will. :) We were in Sacramento visiting my Dad, joined by my brother Greg and his wife June.

  • MOM (Tara): Where is the ... 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

    dna-clipart-2.webp my own genealogy

    (in family, genealogy, holmes from 2020)

    Got my genealogy DNA test results back. I have bits from all over the world:

  • 1% E.Central Africa
  • 1% Native American (Chile)
  • 5% Middle Eastern
  • 91% Europe (Portuguese, Flemish, German, Hungarian, Slovak)
  • ... read more

    food-taco.webp california trip (2008)

    (in family, holmes, travel from 2008)

    Tara, Elizabeth and I just returned from a trip to California. We went for my nephew Thomas's wedding (to bride Heather at Lake Tahoe), but it was also a convenient excuse to let everyone on my side of the family, especially her ... read more

    chandler-on-couch.webp a warning to pet owners with kids

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

    I had to take our dog Chandler (my "best puppy", the "big man", or "Chanva" as our daughter Elizabeth used to call him) to the vet Thursday. I had discovered while giving ... read more

    life-clipart.webp LIFE

    corruption-clipart.webp u.s. foreclosures in new legal trouble

    (in life, money, legal from 2011)

    And remember those politicians who are in the banks' back pocket (hint: it's most of them)

    "Backing a lower court ruling made in 2009, it said two foreclosure sales were invalid because the banks did not pr ... read more

    co-working-corporate-unsplash.webp boycott verizon if at all possible

    (in life, money, employment from 2011)

    They're forcing pay cuts for the people who do the actual work there while their executives get millions in bonuses

    "Last year ... read more

    telecomm-5g-pole.webp 5g coming to ohio and tennessee

    (in life, health, environment, wireless from 2019)

    And that's not a good thing.

    See also Senate co ... read more

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

    (in life, health, advice from 2025) by michellecasey

    Image from FreePik.com Introduction

    Everyone wants to improve. Yet in t ... read more

    tv-dinner.webp good food, bad packaging

    (in life, health, food from 2017)

    Feedback I sent to Luvo (now Performance Kitchen):

    I love your frozen meals, but hate your packaging.

    Your microwave cooking instructions basically say "look elsewhere on ... read more

    family newsletter NEWSLETTER

    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

    belching-frog.webp holmes family newsletter vol 4 no 7

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1992)

    The Belching Frog Vol. 4, No. 7, September 16, 1992

    "Thomas should like this name." Doug returns again

    On August 26, Doug returned from Europe for the second time in as many months. Of ... read more

    newspaper-clipart.webp 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 13

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1990)

    Hometown NewsVol. 2, No. 13, October 20, 1990
    [Editor's Note: This is most definitely the last issue.]

    Bill graduates!

    After seven months, Bill has finally completed his computer prog ... read more

    gargoyle-laughing.webp holmes family newsletter vol 2 no 14

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1990)

    The Daily Gargoyle Vol. 2, No. 14, November 16, 1990
    "Just when you thought it was safe to open the mailbox!"

    [Editor's note: For those of you who actually believed, or hoped, that there wouldn't be any more newsletters, we ... read more

    judge-spitting-clipart.webp holmes family newsletter vol 6 no 6

    (in family, holmes, newsletter from 1994)

    Coyote BreathVol. 6 No. 6, October 26, 1994 Don rides to Denver ... 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 · remove duplicate lines · strip tags
    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 = 216.73.216.140 · search