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  

trees-yiyo-zamorano-cypress.webp at 5,000 years old, ancient cypress in chile may be world's oldest tree

(in life, environment, trees from 2022)

In 1993, a cypress tree stump in Chile was confirmed by tree-ring-counting as 3,622 years new, showing the capacity of these slow-growing relatives of sequoia to endure through centuries. However, another scientist recently found that a l ... read more

obituary-clipart.webp uncles obituaries

(in family, holmes, obituaries from 2010)

I lost a couple of uncles this year. Here are their obituaries: ... read more

animated-pets-clipart.webp tell your pet you love them

(in family, pets from 2020)

If you ever wondered how strong your furry friends' love is for you, here's your answer. Hearing 'I love you' from their owner makes pups' heart rate skyrocket by 46 percent, study shows... ... read more

turmeric-slices-powder.webp 11 most powerful natural antibiotics that won't kill good gut bacteria

(in life, health, treatment, herbs from 2023)

The article is on natural ways to stay healthy in a world where doctors usually turn to Big Pharma's solutions for pretty much everything. But in a near-future scenario in which either the pharmaceutical... GarlicApple ... read more

splat31.webp how to support this website

(in culture, writing, blog, friendsnews from 2019)

Please support this website, should you be so inclined: buy one of my novels/novellas buy me a (virtual) cup of coffee here or ... read more

record-clipart.webp old music, newly uploaded

(in culture, music, piano from 2008)

Here's some piano music I've composed over the years, mostly from the late 80s and early 90s. I rarely play nowadays. None of the compositions (if you can call them that) had names until just now. And none of it is very professionally pl ... read more

garden-hoe.webp diary: saturday, november 18, 2023

(in culture, writing, blog, chores from 2023)

Today started, as usual, with feeding Cleo, our Boston terrier, and leaving the back door open. It was cool out but not too cold, and I prop the door open, weather permitting, so she can let herself out. With ... read more

quote-open.webp aesop quote

(in culture, quotes, philosophy from 2013)

We hang the petty thieves, and appoint the great ones to public office. -- Aesop ... read more


Amazon Movers & Shakers

culture.webp CULTURE

books-clipart.webp the faded page

(in culture, writing, books from 2021)

Books in the public domain.

"Free eBooks forever. FP now includes 6312 eBooks in its collection."

: ... read more

masked-gunman.webp bandanna fashion

(in culture, humor, covid, fashion from 2020)

Nobody bats an eye now when I walk into a bank or store with a bandanna wrapped across my face. Of course, the gun is still a sure giveaway. ... read more

cinema-movie-camera.webp movies and tv shows filmed in budapest

(in culture, movies-tv-video, europe, hungary from 2020)

I was researching this for my next poss ... 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

operation-detour-cover.webp riva petkovic quotes (from operation detour)

(in culture, quotes, books, novels from 2020)

"You might be smart with computers, but in real life you are a complete idiot."

"Programmer, data entry clerk, whatever. How have you not gone insane already!?"

"Put some clot ... read more

family-clipart.webp FAMILY

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

the day after

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

Well, we're much more relaxed now that we've gotten past the court appearance. The pro ... read more

tuesday (10/2/2007)

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

Just some random notes this morning.

There's a real stray dog problem in Russian cities; or, at least Moscow and Astrakhan. A lot of people even apparently let the ... read more

doug-jana-milanko.webp doug and family page

(in family, holmes, doug from 2003)

Doug sells power tools

Doug's ... read more

animated-pets-clipart.webp tell your pet you love them

(in family, pets from 2020)

"If you ever wondered how strong your furry friends' love is for you, here's your answer. Hearing 'I love you' from their owner makes pups' heart rate skyrocket by 46 percent, study shows..."

... read more

cities-moscow-st-basils.webp can't leave early

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

... but at least it's all over. The Embassy visit went fine.

Delta said that the only way we could take the available seats on earlier flights was to pay $2800 extra FOR EACH ticket. We said no. Unless someone wants to donate that to ... read more

update to the update's update

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

I went ahead and paid for the 24-hour internet connection from the room. It wasn't even double the cost of one hour. I also swapped out the flaky cable and that seems to have fixed the connection problem. [Wrong. I had to call the te ... read more

life-clipart.webp LIFE

money-clipart.webp jon ashley on the corporate prosecution registry

(in life, money, employment, crime from 2020)

"The Justice Department regularly announces corporate crime settlements with deferred and non prosecution agreements. Sometimes they make the agreements public, sometimes they dont. And over the years, corporate crime defense att ... read more

simple-smile.webp contributing factors to happiness

(in life, health, mental from 2013)

What a great experiment ... and website!

Scientists Discover One Of The Greatest Contribu ... read more

money-clipart.webp the 1930s chicago plan vs the american monetary act

(in life, money, economy from 2012)

"If the purpose of money and credit were to discourage the exchange of goods and services, to destroy periodically the wealth produced, to frustrate and trip those who save, our present monetary system does that most effectively! ... read more

lazy-exercise.webp virtual gym helps weight loss

(in life, health, fitness from 2013) by don

This one's for those too lazy to actually work out. :) "Regular visits to a health club in the online virtual world Second Life appear to help shed the pounds in real life, say exercise scientists. Participants in two ... read more

you know you're lazy when

(in life, health, environment, weather from 2016)

You know you're lazy when you check weather.com instead of getting up and going outside to see what the weather is doing! I (eventually) went outside. ... read more

family newsletter NEWSLETTER

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

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1993)

Not Just Another NewsletterMONDAY, JULY 19, 1993CIRCULATION: From 8 to 15 (depending on our mood and how many stamps we have)
Copyright 1993 / Enterprises / 2 pages BILL ARRESTED

That's right ... read more

holmes family newsletter vol 2 no 15

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1990)

NEWS, ETC. Vol. 2, No. 15, December 18, 1990

"Christmas Issue" Lucy to Host Christmas

Lucy will be having Christmas at her house this year. It's a potluck affair. Only those with food will be allowed in. Sa ... 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

holmes family newsletter vol 3 no 7

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1991)

The Leaky Faucet Vol. 3, No. 7, October 14, 1991 Mike lands great job!

Michael has been named Executive Producer of Cal State Stanislaus' new bi-weekly cable television show. It will basically be a show focus ... read more

newspaper-clipart.webp 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

lizard-clipart.webp holmes family newsletter vol 4 no 8

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1992)

The Leaping Lizard Vol. 4, No. 8, October 20, 1992 EDITOR'S NOTE ...

After Grandma's ... 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