A million sunflowers, skywells, and the 20 year old PSL
Happy Friday! Not sure if it’s just me, but this week has felt long. Definitely not bad, just drawn out. Today is my wonderful parents’ anniversary and I am incredibly grateful for their relationship and the mutual love and respect and fun that they have!
Also! Yesterday it rained for a good 15 minutes which was so, so needed….I don’t remember our last rain, maybe early July? Our water association sent out a message last week asking people to not water their yards unless it was around 2 AM because of the strain on the system. Hopefully the rain went south of us as well to help the farms there in desperate need of it.
I have quite a long list for you today. It’s been a while since I’ve had a longer one so I thought it would be fun. I’ve broken it into categories of: History, Love, Learn, Food, Movies/Music. As always, I hope that you are able to find something you really enjoy.
History
o How ancient 'skywells' are keeping Chinese homes cool - BBC Future
“In Huizhou, a skywell is small but tall, and the rooms around it can block out sunlight on hot days, enabling the bottom of the skywell to stay cool, he adds. Meanwhile, hot air inside the house can rise and escape through the opening above the skywell, which "works just like a chimney".”
o Seminary Square Historical Marker (hmdb.org)
This is in my hometown, since 1828 -195 years!- there has been a school building on this piece of land.
o ‘The Iron Butterfly’: How Eloise Page Became the CIA’s First Female Station Chief (coffeeordie.com)
o The Tigris: The river that birthed civilisation - BBC Travel
“Mosul's Arabic name, Al-Mawsiil, means "the linking point", likely because it was a crossroads of trade and a major hub along the Tigris between Diyarbakır and Basra. Established in the 7th Century BCE, it's one of the oldest cities in the world, and during its pinnacle in the 12th-Century AD, it not only wielded great power and influence over the region but became ethnically and religiously diverse.”
Love
o Ocean Springs couple celebrates 70 years of wedded bliss (wlbt.com)
“He does what I ask. I get along with her. I not only love her, I like her, and respect her. Those are three things. You’ve got to like them, you’ve got to love them and you’ve got to respect them.” Tony & Jean Ann Petricca
o Pratt farmer plants 80 acres of sunflowers for wife of 50 years - KAKE
August 10th was Lee and Renee Wilson’s 50th wedding anniversary, so he planted her “about 1.2 million sunflowers.”
Learn
o Four scientifically-proven ways to live longer - BBC Reel
o Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend | TED Talk
How you think and how you act can transform your experience of stress. When you choose to view your stress response as helpful, you create the biology of courage. When you choose to connect with others under stress, you can create resilience. The compassionate heart that finds joy ad meaning in connecting with others, and yes, your pounding physical heart, working so hard to give you strength and energy.”
o Organize Your Bookmarks with the PARA Method for Lightning Fast Web Browsing (fortelabs.com)
“The key principle is organizing by actionability. PARA helps you keep the information you need the most right now front and center (while keeping everything else accessible but out of sight).”
o Isometric Exercises, Planks, Wall Sits Are Best For Blood Pressure, Study Says (forbes.com)
This is so exciting to me, this has been my favorite exercise (wall sits) since high school and it is super easy to do almost anywhere.
Food
My sister found these for me the other night at Target, I’ve only tried the Ghetto Gastro Toaster Pastries Chocolate Raspberry - 7.2oz : Target, they are so good!
We also have recently found these and become obsessed with these. These are our favorite ones: Raspberries White & Dark Chocolate 8 oz - TruFru and Blueberries White & Dark Chocolate 8 oz - TruFru. The dried strawberries are also really good!
o Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte Turns 20: How It Was Invented | Entrepreneur
It seems that you either love or hate this drink….I am not a pumpkin fan, yet I really enjoy this drink every Fall. Can you believe it’s been 20 years?! In my opinion, the drink is best made with oatmilk.
Movies/Music
o Video shows three humpback whales jumping out of water in unison - YouTube
Whales terrify me, but this is a beautiful video!
o From Dumb Money to Saw X: 10 of the best films to watch in September - BBC Culture
This is a good list of different genres coming out next month. I am most excited about MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 - Official Trailer [HD] - Only In Theaters September 8 - YouTube!
o Dan Tyminski - Hey Brother (Official Video) - YouTube
Dan just did his own version of this Avicii song after appearing on the record for Avicii a decade or so ago. Here’s the original if you’d care to listen, it has a neat music video. Avicii - Hey Brother - YouTube
I hope you enjoy this nice toasty, last weekend of August!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!