My Virtual Reading Room

Hello to everyone,

This journal is mostly public because most of it contains poetry, quotations, pictures, jokes, videos, and news (medical and otherwise). In other words, all the really interesting entries are public--if you like what you see, you are welcome to drop by, anytime. I update frequently.

Please note: since Feb. 2022, this is my main journal, rather than my LJ (same username).

Cheers,
Cat

(P.S. Comments on this entry are disabled because of the persistent anon spam; however, if you want to drop me a line, feel free to comment on any other entry and/or send a PM)

Something relaxing for your Sunday/as you enter the workweek

Runaway kangaroo’s hop down Alabama highway causes two-vehicle crash

The marsupial was unharmed, law enforcement said. It was shot with a tranquilizer and returned to its owner.

(there's a video in the article, take a look ;))

Promising research:

Experimental cancer drugs found to help some patients avoid surgery

(immunotherapy has really taken off in recent years)

A slightly older article, but one I'd not come across before:

She wrote to a scientist about her fatigue. It inspired a breakthrough.

(all three are from The Washington Post, and all three are gift links)

Huge rabbit rescued from kill farm is now therapy bunny, drives mini truck, from The Washington Post

“There’s just not a place that he’s not completely the center of attention,” said Josh Row, who owns rabbit Alex The Great.
~~

And wishing you an enjoyable weekend, and a Happy Easter, if you celebrate it :)

4 Types of Grief No One Told You About, by Sarah Epstein

The caption says: "When mice got into our house, we decided to get a cat. Now we're feeding everyone."

NORMAN ROCKWELL APRIL FOOL (GIRL WITH SHOPKEEPER, CURIOSITY SHOP), 1948
There are many objects and details that are wrong or with a lot of humor in this painting!!
Can you find them??



(from Vintage Postcards FB page)

The Partnership:The Secret History of the War in Ukraine, from the NYT

(gift link)

This is the untold story of America’s hidden role in Ukrainian military operations against Russia’s invading armies.

( Lyrics and translation: )

Something I have found amusing, and perhaps you might, too--

Carolyn Hax chat from Feb. 21, 2025

You can scroll down to the "Mental Health" question, and I'll also post it below


Mental Health
Guest
Feb 21, 1:03 p.m.
Just a simple question if you can get to it: How do you make yourself happy - when the world demands you to be sad?( Here's the answer: )


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And here's the article about the seal, which was referred to in the chat:

A seal is found wandering streets of New Haven, becomes local celebrity

Spotted five miles from the water, the pup was taken to an aquarium for rehab and eventual release.

(Take a look--it has cute photos)

This is a very interesting interview with Alexandra Arkhipova (she's a social anthropologist) I've watched recently. It now has professionally-translated English subtitles (they're good quality, I checked). You get to see some of Paris, and Musee d'Homme--and there's an absolutely hilarious story from Mongolia, do take a look at that one, if nothing else--it's at 2 hours 32 minutes in, and only a few minutes long.

“He's teaching her arithmetic,
He said it was his mission,
He kissed her once, he kissed her twice, and said,
"Now that's addition."
And as he added smack by smack
In silent satisfaction,
She sweetly gave the kisses back and said,
"Now that's subtraction."

Then he kissed her, and she kissed him,
Without an explanation,
And both together smiled and said,
"That's multiplication."
Then Dad appeared upon the scene and
Made a quick decision.
He kicked that kid three blocks away
And said, "That's long division!”

― Dan Clark, Chicken Soup for the College Soul: Inspiring and Humorous Stories About College

A Mathematician's Love Proposal

You integrate my differential
And dislocate my focus.
My pulse goes up like exponential
Whenever you cross my locus.

Without you, the world is null and void:
So won't you be my cardioid?

This is springtime, from levkonoe 

Quite a variety, and if you want more, keep clicking on "previous 50"... :)

"The Small, Happy Life", by David Brooks, from The New York Times (2015)

"Ask Yourself: What Are You Grateful For?", by Donna Britt, from The Washington Post (2020)

"The Dog's Wet and Life Is Wonderful", also by Donna Britt, from The Washington Post (1995)

(all three links are gift links)