“Give people what they need: food, medicine, clean air, pure water, trees and grass, pleasant homes to live in, some hours of work, more hours of leisure. Don’t ask who deserves it. Every human being deserves it.” Howard Zinn

I truly believe that the key to a happier life is to read more books, eat more scones, and use more Oxford commas.

Listening to Patti Smith‘s memoir, moved by the moment she discovers the intoxication of getting lost in books when 8 years old. It was the same for me, the first bookish kid in our family. Ever since, I spend a big part of my life, and work, daydreaming. That state is so undervalued.

happy bday physicist Richard Feynman, b.1918, NYC. “Nobody ever figures out what life is all about, and it doesn't matter. Explore the world. Nearly everything is really interesting if you go into it deeply enough.” “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself...

IRVING BERLIN Composer/lyricist #IrvingBerlin was #BOTD May 11, 1888. Considered 1 of the greatest songwriters in American history. He wrote 1,500 songs, the scores for 20 Bway shows & 15 Hollywood films. His songs were nominated 8 times for Academy Awards. #FilmSky #MusicSky 🎥📽️🎞️🎼🎹🎬

#MemorableVoices Lou Reed #music open.spotify.com/track/4TOMI0...

(1/5) ...From the standpoint of each individual within the illusion of mortality and space and time it simply seems impossible that one will ever know enough. And one comes to the conclusion that one does not know much at all. https://www.llresearch.org/channeling/1997/0202

(2/5) And when one comes to this realization it is a great gift because the great mistakes are made by those who think they know exactly what to do.

(3/5) And there is great healing in the awareness that not only do you not know but that you are not supposed to know, and you are not here to know the right thing.

(4/5) But rather you are here to experience and to learn and to share the essence of yourself with the planet that you came to love and serve. And this is not that which is spoken...[or by] working with another entity. This is that which begins with breathing in and breathing out.

(5/5) Here is your vocation, in the living, in being, in the breathing, in being where you are with your senses alert and your heart open, paying attention to that moment that is the only such moment that you ever shall have. – Q’uo

One of my favourite birds! The male blackbird. I just love its singing from morning till night at this time of year. #birds #blackbird #photography

Scientists successfully controlled HIV for up to two years with a single infusion of engineered cells, demonstrating the potential for a functional cure that eliminates the need for daily medication. Source: The New York Times.

The EU has announced new sanctions targeting individuals and organisations accused of deporting and indoctrinating Ukrainian children youtube.com/shorts/ls39N...

#MemorableVoices Cher #music open.spotify.com/track/6mYrhC...

Words of wisdom. #CGJung #QuoteOftheDay

Some people think protesting Israel's actions is antisemitic. It's not. It's a protest against Israel's government and the actions they are taking

I make sure that I eat vegetarian a few times a week. It’s amazing what you can do with vegetables.

Saddened and stunned by such cruelty #WestBank #war His father had just been buried. Then West Bank settlers forced him to dig up the body www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Iran has issued a stark warning to Britain, urging it not to “escalate the crisis” in the Middle East by sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...

In the tropical forests of Central Africa, the Black-Necked Wattle-Eye darts through branches with quick, restless movements. The male’s striking black-and-white plumage is accented by vivid green facial wattles, giving it an appearance both elegant and fierce despite its tiny size 📷 H.Cho

You’re not violating a "reading rule" if you opt not to finish a book that's not resonating with you. Life is finite and we thus have a finite number of books to read. Reading shouldn’t be a chore, and you needn’t feel guilty for ensuring that your time reading is spent reading things that you love.

I suspect political leaders don’t understand the trauma of modern life experienced by many of the voting population The powerlessness The uncertainty The unpredictability The never ending series of large and small shocks ‘Spin’ won’t achieve much in countering the despair anger or confusion

#MemorableVoices The Hollies #music open.spotify.com/track/3P3fym...

Isn't it amazing how easily people can make a connection to aliens but not to artists.

#Mothers are vulnerable people for many reasons They are blessed to be fertile creative and productive - but it means they literally open themselves so that new life emerges That done they are transformed Can never be the same again Loving others makes us vulnerable It’s risky and joyous

Trevor Phillips on Sky News pontificating about 'separatist' parties in Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland pressing for referendums. Philipps is on the advisory council of Labour-linked anti-independence propaganda group These Islands, hardly a neutral commentator. These links should be made clear.

(1/2) …Gaze then at the stunning mystery of the One Infinite Creator. The archetypical mind does not resolve any paradoxes or bring all into unity. This is not the property of any source which is of the third-density. https://www.llresearch.org/channeling/ra-contact/97#9

(2/2) Therefore, may we ask the student to look up from inward working and behold the glory, the might, the majesty, the mystery, and the peace of oneness. Let no consideration of bird or beast, darkness or light, shape or shadow keep any which seeks from the central consideration of unity. – Ra

364 years agp, on the 9th of May 1662, the first recorded performance of Punch and Judy took place. Punch was based on the Neapolitan Pulcinella, Judy was originally named 'Joan'. #otd #history 🗃️

#OnThisDay, 9 May 1922, the International Astronomical Union formally adopts Annie Jump Cannon's stellar classification system. The principles in it still underpin modern classification. #WomenInHistory #OTD #History #WomensHistory #Astronomy #WomenInSTEM #AmericanHistory 🗃️

Streusel-Topped Banana Bread Nothing beats the aroma of banana bread baking in the oven - that sweet, homey scent that transforms any kitchen into a place of comfort. https://beestrot.com/recipe/banana-bread/ #food #baking #bananabread #recipe #kidfriendly

Starmer has called more than once for ‘unity’ Yet he seems unable to conceive of unity as anything other than uniformity Silently conforming to a collective top-down position isn’t unity Can he walk comfortably among Labour Party members? Or along Welsh/Scottish/English streets? If not, why not?

#MemorableVoices Charles Trenet #MusicBluesky #SkyMusic youtu.be/ka--QM_tJ-s?...

Kammer Castle on Lake Attersee Gustav Klimt

Meryl Streep discusses experience with Jeff Bezos on the Met Gala event. Interesting. 1min www.youtube.com/shorts/bea_1...

We’re told that our modern democratic process began in Athens in about 600BCE Yet there are a number of significant differences between Athenian democracy and our present day systems Not least accountability #society #democracy #history education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/dem...

Delicious lunch at Nonna’s in Kirkintilloch today Spaghetti carbonara traditionallly cooked and served with egg yolks and Parmesan squares Molte Grazie! #food #restaurants

Water is H2O, hydrogen two parts, oxygen one, But there is also a third thing, that makes it water And nobody knows what that is. ~ D. H. Lawrence, ‘The Third Thing’ (1929) #Sculpture by Diana Thomson.

‘Figure of a Cat.’ #Sculpture, wood (sycamore fig), gold leaf, gesso, bronze, copper, pigment, rock crystal, glass, Saqqara, #Egypt [305 B.C.- A. D. 1st century] #art

Not bad for £2.00.

"I am no longer afraid of becoming lost, because the journey back always reveals something new, and that is ultimately good for the artist." - Billy Joel Happy Birthday to the legendary & influential Grammy/Tony-winning & Emmy-nominated singer, songwriter, and pianist who was #BOTD on 5/9/1949.

A pastel portrait of a life class model.

A new generation brings us hope for the future Nurturing every life matters #science #humanvalues Told He Had a Disorder at School. By 13 He Held a Molecular Biology Degree. Now at 15, He Engineers Enzymes That Eat Plastic dailygalaxy.com/2026/05/ian-...

"Do not wait for life. Do not long for it. Be aware, always and at every moment, that the miracle is in the here and now." ~ Marcel Proust La Seine à La Grande Jatte (1884) 🎨 Georges Seurat

In the #UK Parliament the Prime Minister does not have to be a party leader She/he is appointed PM by the monarch on the basis of being able to command a majority of votes in the House of Commons *Constitutionally* there does not have to be a leadership election A cabinet member could take over

(1/3) We cannot offer shortcuts to enlightenment. Enlightenment is, of the moment, an opening to intelligent infinity. It can only be accomplished by the self, for the self. https://www.llresearch.org/channeling/ra-contact/17#2

(2/3) Another self cannot teach/learn enlightenment, but only teach/learn information, inspiration, or a sharing of love, of mystery, of the unknown that makes the other-self reach out and begin the seeking process that ends in a moment...