Check out the Pew Research Center. America 250 asks: how great have we been? Juneteenth asks: how free are we, really? Watch and subscribe to Jemar Tisby’s Footnotes Substack. Don’t forget to support NPR and PBS. We need them more than ever. New info in Better Health. Why is every other email, none from Amazon itself, touting sales for Amazon Prime Days? 943 more days; check out the Presidential Term Countdown Clock.
Kintsugi 6/26/26
An archaeological dig to uncover artifacts from a fort critical to the Battle of Bunker Hill ended on the 251st anniversary of the fight. Archaeologists found musket balls, teacups, tobacco pipes, and even a wig curler. Watch the excavation process here.
Many hotel reservations allow you to cancel the booking in the event that something comes up. But don’t assume you can back out at any time or get a full refund if you do — the terms of each booking dictate just how much flexibility you have. Here’s what you need to know before canceling a hotel reservation to avoid fines or penalties.
Fast-growing poison ivy vines can grow 20 feet each season along fence lines and in landscaped beds. When removing and disposing of poison ivy, take proper care to protect your skin from contact with the plant. If you live in the western USA, you probably have poison oak. Same method. (more)
MorningStar Farms has recalled two of its frozen meat alternatives. The recall, announced by the brand on June 18 and shared by the FDA on June 22, warns customers that MorningStar Farms Buffalo Chick’n Nuggets and Hot and Spicy Sausage Patties might contain pieces of plastic. (more)
Over the past month, the price of a barrel of oil has fallen more than 26% amid ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations. A barrel now trades at about $70, according to West Texas Intermediate. But gas prices are lagging behind. But drivers are still paying nearly $4 per gallon for gas. (more)
U.S. Democratic senators are introducing legislation that would require President Donald Trump to rejoin the World Health Organization and immediately begin coordinating with the body on the ongoing Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda. The US will provide an experimental Ebola drug to DR Congo for a clinical trial in the region. Washington initially said the MBP134 drug cocktail from California’s Mapp Biopharmaceutical would be used only on Americans, but the trial could help secure eventual US regulatory approval. (more)
One remote highway in Nevada links far-flung communities that attracted settlers for generations. Why are some still drawn there today? (more)
Juneteenth offers an opportunity to reflect on and learn from the past, and to consider what freedom, citizenship, and democracy mean in the present. Check out the Southern Poverty Law Center site. https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/juneteenth?r=opppp&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
What do you know about the Fourteenth Amendment? This is the constitutional amendment that established birthright citizenship.
Fourteenth Amendment
Section 1: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Do you have a shower that has glass doors and tiled walls? I do, and I hate to clean it. Here are some easy ways to cut back on that painful but necessary evil.
- Have someone do it for you (my preference).
- Use something like Kaboom bathroom cleaner or Rejuvinate Soap Scum Remover.
- Rinse thoroughly after your shower, squeege the excess water away, then dry.
- Use a paste of baking soda and vinegar on tough stains for 15 minutes, then rinse and dry..
- Spray with hydrogen peroxide, rinse, and dry with a soft cloth.
Today is Sunday, 6/14, and I am back more or less. Let’s pretend it is Monday. Things have been too busy for words. I am moved, just found the single shoes that got separated from their mates, and am finding my way in the new kitchen. I saw the vanilla in passing. There is a fly in my office who will meet its end SOON; I don’t do indoor flies. Lots to talk about. Have you been paying attention to sports, like the NBA finals, the World Cup, and the WNBA? Good escapism. Sometimes it is too easy to be concerned about the possible consequences of free speech, particularly when it does not favor vindictive, childish, thin-skinned people in power.
Wild Cooking Woman 6/15/26
I have ants in my yard. Lots and lots of ants. They are everywhere, those little hills of strange dirt with holes in the top that look like they are moving when I don’t have my glasses on. I seriously dislike ants. What to do, what to do? A few suggestions. I really like the cinnamon and coffee ideas because I have both. I know Diatomaceous earth also works. As soon as it stops raining, I’ll get busy.
The Pew Research Center just published its ninth political typology, the latest portrait of the groups that make up America’s political landscape. The typology reveals nine distinct groups, each defined by its own mix of values, beliefs, and experiences. Take the quiz and see where you are. (This is an old video, but it is useful for understanding the thinking behind the quiz.) Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank. As a neutral source of data and analysis, Pew Research Center does not take policy positions.
From coffee grounds to household cleaners, here are nine things plumbers say you shouldn’t pour down the drain. Pay attention. Do you know how much plumbers cost these days?! For a standard plumbing house call, you can expect to pay a diagnostic service fee between $75 and $150, which covers the plumber’s time to drive to your home, assess the issue, and provide an estimate. Some companies waive the fee if you get them to do the repairs immediately.
I need a new passport. I don’t want to travel and find myself sent home because I have less than 6 months left before it expires. So…I need a new passport. I saw these tips about taking acceptable photos. I also saw a link for renewing my passport online. Watch out for companies that promise to do it all for you, and fast, too! Here are the criteria:
- Age: You are 25 or older.
- Passport Validity: Your current passport was issued for 10 years.
- Expiration Date: It is either expiring within 1 year or expired less than 5 years ago.
- Possession: The physical passport is in your possession, undamaged, and has never been reported lost or stolen.
- No Changes: You are not changing your name, sex, date of birth, or place of birth.
- Location: You are physically located in a U.S. state or territory.
- Travel Timeline: You are not traveling internationally for at least 6 weeks
BTW, given our current international political and economic relationships, don’t forget to check for visa requirements immediately!
A Class Act
