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February 19, 2026      breaking   add your own add your own news!  search

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food-deviled-eggs-2.webp foods named after cultures... but not really

(in life, health, food, language)

Prompted and edited by Bill. Food history is basically a scrapbook of misunderstandings, stereotypes, and Europeans projecting their fantasies onto other cultures. Let's walk through a few of the most interesting examples. Here are some of ... read more

inflation-real-wages.webp 5000 years of wages in one giant timeline

(in life, money, employment)

Interesting. Key Takeaways:In ancient times, wages were paid daily. Over time, payday shifted with technology, laws, and scale. Biweekly pay dominates today, yet timing gaps still create pressure. Earned Wage Access gives e ... read more

homeopathic-remedy-preparation.webp 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

silver-coin.webp 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

tattoo-artist.webp 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

blonde-woman-walking-away.webp 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 Ballmer meant to say Paul Allen), maybe Hewlett, Packard and Linus Torvalds, etc. No one me ... read more

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america's enemies, who's on the list?
Probably anyone who disagrees with Israel... on anything.

the lies get so tedious
Human existence itself is 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 trudeau's 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.



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  

quiz-clipart.webp take this quiz

(in culture, people from 2014)

From somewhere on the Internet ... Name the five wealthiest people in the world. Name the last five Heisman Trophy winners. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize. ... read more

cat-sleeping.webp missing cat returns

(in family, pets, cats from 2010) by jinx

Good news from best friends Julie and Bert in Las Vegas. One of their cats, Tobie, went missing this past January. He was an indoor/outdoor cat and one day just disappeared. Needless to say, they were heartbroken and spent many hours/day ... read more

cities-moscow-st-basils.webp we're home! (for good, this time)

(in family, adoption, holmes from 2007)

And now I'm going to bed! :) I'll blog tomorrow. ... read more

human-organs-chart.webp give your liver a break

(in life, health from 2019)

The study tested the urine of four diverse American families in Oakland, Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Baltimore after eating their typical diet of conventional food for six days and then after a controlled diet of all organic food for six day ... read more

horsetail-herb.webp horsetail herb said to remove aluminum

(in life, health, food, plants from 2017)

The Health Ranger reveals why Horsetail herb, which grows as a weed, allows your body to eliminate toxic ALUMINUM, a heavy metal linked to Alzheimer's and dementia. (It's also found in popular deodorant products. ) ... read more

monopoly-man.webp the 1% and what do they do for a living

(in life, money, employment from 2013)

A lot of emphasis is on the 99% versus the 1% in these protests. But who are the 1% and what do they do for a living? Are they all Wilt Chamberlains and Oprahs and other people taking part in the dynamism of the new economy? Nope. It ... read more

joke-need-heart-and-brain.webp your intellect and thoughts originate in your heart, not your brain

(in life, health, mental from 2024)

Your most sane thoughts, anyway. Those of us who have been educated in Western Culture today have been taught to believe that the center of a person's consciousness and thoughts is our brain. Like a computer that contains a microprocesso ... 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 detai ... read more

tv-clipart.gif my youtube videos

(in family, holmes, bill, movies-tv-video from 2019)

Most videos have been moved to Vimeo. Contact us here for the password. ... read more


Amazon Movers & Shakers

culture.webp CULTURE

quote-open.webp all quotes

(in culture, quotes from 2020)

"When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad; and that is my religion. -- Abraham Lincoln"

"We now live in a nation where doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy ... read more

meme-dont-like-spam.webp the latest creative safety shoes

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

I'm starting to think this 163.com domain is not legit!

Dear Sir,

Lucky da ... 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

popcorn-clipart.webp indian flick with subtitles

(in culture, movies-tv-video from 2017)

I'm selecting a movie to watch on Netflix. I see "Holiday: A Snewier Is Never Off Duty."

It's Indian, with subtitles, but in the category of Act ... read more

operation-detour-cover.webp operation detour

(in culture, writing, books, novels from 2019)

Riva, a beautiful young "black ops" agent on her first assignment, tries to turn Alex into her own "asset" just to prove she can. When he loses both his job and his girlfriend, she thinks he's putty in her hands. When he decides to go ou ... read more

family-clipart.webp FAMILY

bill-tara-98.webp engaged... finally

(in family, holmes, bill from 2001)

Engaged... finally!

Tara and I are finally getting married. We've "felt married," but now we're making it official, just for the sake of making it official. :)

The actual wedding will be August 22, which we've always celebra ... read more

at-home-1.webp lesson learned

(in family, holmes, elizabeth from 2011)

I'll be spending all week (Spring Break) with my almost-6-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. Woo hoo! Yesterday was supposed to be my only "day off," as she was supposed to be in school (snow make-up day). But she's come down with the flu ... read more

steve-kristen-dad.webp dad's 94th birthday, part 3

(in family, holmes, lionel, birthdays from 2013)

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Old Sacramento

Onc ... 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

website-clipart.webp internet access

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

I'm wondering about internet access now that we've tentatively planned to stay in a weekly apartment in Astrakhan instead of the hotel the entire time. We'll probably want/need that internet access for the sake of something to do ... read more

cities-moscow-st-basils.webp riding the metro, part deux

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

All three of us went to Red Square this time. I'm glad Tara was able to see it. Elizabeth was fascinated, too, but probably won't remember a thing.

We then ha ... 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

pizza-slice.webp a few tips

(in life, help, advice from 2001) by don

Reheat Pizza

Heat up leftover pizza in a non-stick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel ... read more

co-working-corporate-unsplash.webp the 10 most hated companies in america

(in life, money, employment from 2012)

"Facebook currently has more than 800 million users. Any company of this size is sure to have some detractors. Compared to other leading social media sites, however, Facebook has the lowest customer satisfaction score from the Am ... read more

recycled-tires.webp roads last twice as long when made with recycled tire rubber

(in life, travel, roads, recycling from 2022)

"I like this! Reduce, reuse, recycle, as they say.

"Engineers at the ... read more

horse-in-hat.webp advice page

(in life, help, advice from 2008)

You're asking me?! Actually, here's some advice:

People need to be listened to -- preferably agreed with -- more than anything else. If you could do one thing for someone that would be it.

Controlling a bad habit can be like con ... read more

shopping-cart.webp kroger policy

(in life, money, shopping from 2018)

I think Kroger has a policy of periodically moving everything around in order to stimulate our hunter-gatherer instinct, never knowing which aisle our next meal is in. ... read more

family newsletter NEWSLETTER

paperboy-clipart.png holmes family newsletter vol 2 no 9

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1990)

WORLD NEWS

"Award-Winning Journalism"

Vol. 2, No. 9, June 14, 1990 Dad kills rattler! Special to the News

Back from a week in the wilds of Arizona, Dad and Eleanor told of battles with ma ... 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

paperboy-clipart.png holmes family newsletter vol 1 no 1

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1989)

The Holmes Family Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, Since 1989

May 25, 1989

[Editor's Note: This may be the only issue, so pay attention!] Announcements

Well, the big news, of course, is Steve and Denise's ... read more

holmes family newsletter vol 3 no 4

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1991)

the Evening Star Post-Tribune Dispatch (we couldn't decide on a name) Vol. 3, No. 4, June 4, 1991 Bikers ride to Yosemite

On Mother's Day, John, Jeannie, Don and Diane (collectively known as "He ... read more

shark-clipart.webp holmes family newsletter vol 6 no 4

(in family, holmes, newsletter from 1994)

Fish Stories Best when lightly buttered, with just a pinch of lemon.

Vol. 6 No. 4

June 28, 1994 Tiffany wins awards

Tiffany and her horse, Rocky, of Tracy, CA, competed in a local horse show a couple of months ... read more

paperboy-clipart.png 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

 

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