Insight

Brother, What Happened?

January 8, 2021 By Zola Zeester 2 Comments

From the Muddy Magnolias 2016 debut album, Broken People, “Brother, What Happened?” was written by Jessy Wilson and Kallie North, the unlikely, yet perfectly matched duo with a lot of soul and much to say. Their music with a soul-country-blues blended harmony has been described as “collaboration without boundaries” and “musical healing in a landscape of the heart”, but best to just watch & listen, then decide for yourself.

Update: Kallie North left the group at the end of 2017. There’s no guessing what’ll come out next from Muddy Magnolias (the band with Jessy Wilson) as they are currently in the studio working on a follow-up release. In the meantime, here’s a couple more recordings from the Broken People album (free to listen from SoundCloud).

Want more music? MUSIC VIDEO MASHUP is an On2In2™ collection of eclectic music videos (new & old) because we’re nostalgic for the days of 24-7 music video channels.

Feature photo courtesy of Unsplash CC0

Surfing the Greats

January 2, 2021 By Zola Zeester Leave a Comment

It’s certainly not easy to surf Toronto. Some would say impossible. When you’ve got the passion and the right attitude, you really can do just about anything, and at the same time, have fun, make friends and inspire.

See what it takes to catch a wave in the icy cold waters of the Great Lakes in this short documentary On Days Like These We Must Surf by Jake Kovnat.

NASA photo of Great Lakes covered in snow and ice shows how brutal surfing the lakes is during the winter months. — Great Lakes 1/27/2005, NASA Visible Earth, PD

The Great Lakes are a series of five interconnected freshwater lakes (Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron aka Michigan-Huron, Erie, and Ontario) located primarily in the upper mid-east region of North America on the Canada-US border. By total surface area, the Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth, and they are often referred to as ‘inland seas’ because they look much like oceans with rolling waves, winds, currents, great depths, and distant horizons.

Think you’d like to give lake surfing a try? Surfing the Great Lakes any time of year is difficult. Add the freezing cold winter elements, and it becomes brutal. The best surfing, however, is during the winter months because winter storms generate strong winds that produce the biggest waves that come in super fast. Other challenges involved with lake surfing include wind forecasting, getting the proper gear and board, and avoiding debris in the lake. Not for everybody, and getting images of a sunny beach out of your head is another big challenge.

Information/Resources:
Surf the Greats surf shop, sells gear and boards specifically designed for lake surfing, offers classes on lake surfing and wave forecasting, and organizes meetups and competitions.
NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory – Scientists study, monitor, and predict ice coverage on the Great Lakes
The Alliance for the Great Lakes, a non-profit organization that works to protect the Great Lakes

Nordurland is about surfing in the harsh, cold waters of the North Atlantic. Watch as three friends from the subtropical northern rivers of NSW Australia travel to isolated, snow covered coastlines in search of remote waves, and discover the great challenges and rewards of a northern adventure. Filmmaker Ishka Folkwell beautifully captures the vast and stunning landscapes, and you’ll see glaciers, mountains and powerful icy surf come to life on screen.

Big wave surfing is an extremely dangerous sport. So, who does it and why? — Free 2 Watch video documentaries capture epic rides as well as personal stories of big waves surfers, including Rodrigo Koxa’s record breaking ride on an 80 foot (24 meter) wave at Nazaré on November 8, 2017.

FREE 2 WATCH – On Demand Great surfing action and stories on the Cranking Surf video channel, an On2In2™️ selection of favorite videos.

Featured image of surfer by George Nietsch/Unsplash CC0

Polar Bear

January 1, 2021 By Zola Zeester Leave a Comment

Cinematographer Dom West and photographer Joshua Holko along with director, Abraham Joffe and crew trekked over 120 miles per day in Svalbard (a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean located about midway between continental Norway and the North Pole) to capture polar bears on film for the video documentary, Ghosts of the Arctic. It’s awesome.

Polar bears are marine mammals that have been around for a very long time, and for thousands of years, have been an important figure in the material, spiritual and cultural life of indigenous people throughout the Arctic region. A ‘sister species’ to the brown bear, the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) evolved somewhere around 350,000 – 6 million years ago, and at some point, split off from the brown bear and moved North, during which time a series of evolutionary changes occurred allowing the polar bear to survive the harsh conditions of the Arctic. The polar bear of today has black skin covering a layer of fat up to 4.49 inches (11.4 centimeters) thick, small ears, a short tail, and fur made of dense, insulating underfur with top guard hairs of varying lengths that prevent heat loss, and paws and claws perfect for roaming around the Arctic and swimming.

Home for a polar bear is on the ice in the Arctic region, including Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland and Norway (60-80% are in Canada), and it feeds almost exclusively on the fat of ice-dependent seals. As sea ice advances and retreats each season, polar bears may journey thousands of miles to find food, and they rely on the ice to travel, hunt seals, breed, and sometimes den.

Prior to the 1970’s, polar bear populations were in decline as a result of unsustainable hunting and trapping that began as far back as the 1600s, but a 1973 international agreement that strictly regulates commercial hunting helped the population numbers improve. It’s estimated there are currently 22,000-31,000 polar bears in the world. In the 21st century, however, polar bears face additional threats including pollution, oil & gas exploration/development, shipping, human-bear interactions, and climate change as Arctic sea ice is disappearing at an alarming rate. If ice-free periods exceed a polar bear’s fasting ability of 220 days, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for polar bears to survive, especially in areas that lack an alternate food source.

In May 2006, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) added the polar bear to its ‘Red List’ of the world’s most imperiled animals, predicting a 30% reduction in the polar bear population in the next 45 years.

BYU Polar Bear Research Video: Working with Polar Bears International, Brigham Young University Professor of Wildlife Sciences, Tom Smith, and his students are engaged in a multiyear study to monitor maternal polar bear den sites in Alaska and to determine how climate change is impacting these animals.

Information/Resources:
Polar Bear International (Polar Bears 101, Human Interaction, Tracking Map & FAQ)
Defenders of Wildlife – Basic Facts About Polar Bears
World Wide Fund For Nature – Polar Bear Status
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Red List of Threatened Species -Polar Bears
Conservation of Polar Bears in Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada
How a Production Team Broke Cameras and Braved -30° to Shoot Polar Bears in 4K, by Emily Buder, No Film School (August 2, 2017)

Feature photo is a screen shot taken from the Untitled Film Works video, Ghosts of the Arctic
Photo of Arctic polar bear is courtesy of Pixabay/Pexels, CC0

The Power of a Bike

November 24, 2020 By Zola Zeester Leave a Comment

The people, experiences and emotions involved in a bicycle’s search for new purpose are eloquently told in “The Bicycle“, a short film by Chris McCoy & Adam Neustadter.

Bikes from Santa, and a little sister’s smile (Zeester family photo)

I was 8 years old, my sister was 5, when Santa Claus surprised us with two shiny and new bikes under the Christmas tree. Our first ride! It was exciting for the entire family. Mother and Dad took us both out early the next day and taught us how to ride. I remember being a little nervous about getting on a big bike, but it didn’t take me long to get the hang of it, and then I wanted to go fast and ride forever. What a thrill to ride all day long —cruising the hood in search of solo adventures, going to the library to hang out, testing my racing skills against any challenger (bikers, dogs & cars), visiting neighbors, and finding new friends. Many years later, my mother revealed the bikes were not exactly “new”. Dad had found rusty old, beat up bicycles, and spent weekends repairing and restoring them in my grandparent’s home cellar. That, of course, made a special gift and cherished ‘first bike’ memories even more dear.

“As a kid I had a dream – I wanted to own my own bicycle. When I got the bike, I must have been the happiest boy in Liverpool, maybe the world. I lived for that bike.” —- John Lennon

[su_dropcap]A[/su_dropcap] kid with a bicycle is empowered with the ability to travel and explore, building confidence and independence, and learning valuable lessons and lifelong skills with each ride. However, many children are not able to enjoy the benefits of bike riding as there are obstacles, financial as well as safety issues that have resulted in a shocking decline in the number of children who ride bikes or walk to school in the US (48% in 1969 to 13% in 2009). Addressing these problems are community and global organizations dedicated to making bicycles accessible to every child and creating bike-friendly cities and neighborhoods, offering ‘build & earn a bike’ programs, bicycle give-aways, mechanic, repair and safety classes, group touring and activities as well as citizen advocacy projects for walk & bike safe streets. You can participate in efforts to get kids on bikes by donating time, money and/or used bikes. Sometimes it’s the smallest thing that can make a big difference in the world.

Here’s a short list of community & global bikes for kids programs and information on bike safety:

Austin Yellow Bike Project in Austin, TX

The Oasis Bike Workshop in Nashville, TN

Free Bikes for Kids (Minnesota, Utah, Georgia)

World Bicycle Relief

Safe Kids Worldwide (bike safety tips)

Kids Health – Bike Safety

More Information/Resources:
League of American Bicyclists – A non-profit organization that works to create safer roads, stronger communities, and a bicycle-friendly America through information, advocacy and promotion. Established National Bike Month in 1956 to showcase the benefits of biking and “encourage more folks to give biking a try”. [May is National Bike Month, May 14-18 is National Bike To Work Week, and May 18 is Bike To Work Day]

Smart Cycling – safety guide, tips and videos, League of American Bicyclists

I was 3 years old and life was becoming a drag, then my grandfather came to my rescue and built me a Tree Swing.

⇒ Join the conversation. Donna and Marie (@gabby) shared their ‘first bike’ memories with us on Zeester Media’s FB page. Please share your story with On2In2™ and any information that can help get more kids on bikes. To post a comment on this article or any other website page or post, you’ve got to first be logged-in (look for “Log In/Log Out” at top-right of this page). Not registered? We’d love to hear from you. It’s pretty quick & easy and free to register, just click/tap ⇒ here.

Feature photo of “My first bike, first ride” is courtesy of Zeester Media LLC, CC BY-NC-ND

The Last Moonwalk

November 15, 2020 By Zola Zeester 1 Comment

Project Apollo was a NASA spaceflight program dedicated to the goal of “landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth” proposed by President John F. Kennedy on May 25, 1961 during an address to the joint session of Congress. From 1969 to 1972, six Apollo missions made successful Moon landings, and twelve men walked on the Moon.

The final mission of the Apollo program, Apollo 17, launched on December 7, 1972 for a 12 day journey to the Moon and back. It was the last time humans traveled beyond 1,240 miles (2,000km) from Earth, landed on the Moon, and walked its surface. During a three day stay on the Moon, Apollo 17 astronauts, Eugene A. Cernan (mission commander), and Harrison H. Schmitt (lunar modular pilot) made three walks (totaling 22 hours, 2 minutes) while Ronald E. Evans (command module pilot) remained in lunar orbit in the command service module.

I’m on the surface; and, as I take man’s last step from the surface, back home for some time to come – but we believe not too long into the future – I’d like to just [say] what I believe history will record. That America’s challenge of today has forged man’s destiny of tomorrow. And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. ‘Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17’. — Eugene A. Cernan, Apollo 17 mission commander

Man has been fascinated with the Moon for thousands of years, and moon gazing is an aesthetic custom with a spiritual component.

The international Cassini mission has resulted in dramatic photos and new discoveries during an amazing 20-year exploratory journey to Saturn.

The short documentary “Overview” (from Planetary Collective) explores a cosmic worldview with reflections from “Earth gazing” astronauts and philosophers as well as beautiful space imagery. Watch it, and be inspired by the “unity and oneness of all life on Earth”.

The feature photo of Apollo 17 mission commander, Eugene A. Cernan, was taken by astronaut/lunar module pilot, Harrison H. Schmitt, on December 13, 1972 (NASA, Public Domain). Cernan is the last human to have walked on the Moon.

Information/References:

Apollo Space Suit in 3D – View every detail (close-up/inside & out) of the space suit that made walking on the moon possible (Smithsonian Digitized 3D)
Spaceflight NASA: The Apollo 17 Mission
NASA’s Return to the Moon. On November 29, 2018, NASA announced plans are underway to send humans back to the surface of the moon and on to Mars.

In the Shadow of the Moon (2007) is an award-winning documentary that will take you back to the years of the Apollo mission through archival footage and the surviving astronauts telling their personal stories about what it was like to fly to the moon and back. Click/Tap the image to view via Amazon (If you purchase a product or service directly through the link, Zeester Media LLC may earn a small commission. This in no way affects the price you pay for the purchase.)

On July 16, 1969, the huge, 363-feet tall Saturn V rocket launches on the Apollo 11 mission from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, at 9:32 a.m. EDT. — Apollo 11 Launch, July 16, 1969, NASA PD

Continuing through 2019, a new, state-of the art traveling exhibition, Destination Moon: The Apollo Mission, commemorates the first lunar landing in 1969 with tour stops in Houston (October 14, 2017–March 18, 2018), Saint Louis (April 14–September 3, 2018), Pittsburgh (September 29, 2018–February 18, 2019), and Seattle (March 16–Sept. 2, 2019) before returning to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC for permanent display. [Photo of Apollo 11 launch on July 16, 1969, from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, at 9:32am ED]

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The Overview Effect

October 25, 2020 By Zola Zeester Leave a Comment

The iconic Earthrise photo was taken in 1968 by NASA astronaut William A. Anders during the Apollo 8 mission, the first manned spaceflight to orbit the Moon. Never before had a human observed the Earth rising, and Anders’ amazing, first-ever color photo of our stunningly beautiful planet emerging from a lunar horizon still takes your breath away.

“We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth.” — William A. Anders

To See The Earth As It Truly Is*

[su_quote cite=”Frank Borman “]It was very, very sobering to see this little blue marble in the middle of all that darkness. [/su_quote]

The awe-inspiring effect of seeing the whole Earth from the vantage of space (known as “Earth gazing”) is most often described as an overwhelming sense that Earth is an “interconnected whole with one destiny”. An understanding that’s key to our survival. Of course, we can’t see it and feel it firsthand (only 24 humans out of 7.3 billion world population have had the experience) until space travel becomes practical for the general public, but innovative technology continues to provide us with more and better information and visuals.

The short documentary Overview (from Planetary Collective) explores a cosmic worldview with reflections from “Earth gazing” astronauts and philosophers as well as beautiful space imagery. Watch and be inspired by the “unity and oneness of all life on Earth”.

Earthrise: Remembering Apollo 8. Launched on December 21, 1968, Apollo 8 became the first manned spacecraft to reach the Moon, orbit it and return, and its crew became the first humans to see and photograph the Earth emerging from behind the lunar horizon. Watch as the Griffith Lab All Space Considered team recalls the lead up, events and discoveries of this historic mission in celebration of its 50th anniversary.

*”To see the earth as it truly is, small and blue and beautiful in that eternal silence where it floats, is to see ourselves as riders on the earth together, brothers on that bright loveliness in the eternal cold — brothers who know now they are truly brothers.” Archibald MacLeish (1892 – 1982) American poet

Take a virtual ride on a satellite for awesome views of Earth

Apollo 17 photo taken December 13, 1972 on the lunar surface — Moonwalk (December 13, 1972) NASA

Want to see more of what’s out there in space? The short video documentary, “The Last Steps” will take you to a ‘back to the future’ moment in time with original film footage, photographs and audio recordings from Apollo 17, NASA’s final Apollo program mission, and the last time a human walked on the moon. Watch more “out of this world” videos via the “Cosmos Channel“, free to watch, on-demand.

A retrospective look at discoveries and images of Saturn
captured during the 20 year Cassini Mission, plus some
info on when and how you can see Saturn in 2017

“The Overview Effect” is an edited version of an article originally published on the “Zblog” by Zeester Media LLC.

Earthrise photo credit: NASA

Handcrafted Coffee at Home

September 29, 2020 By Zola Zeester Leave a Comment

Those big beautiful single serve coffee machines — so much to love: the convenience of a cup of joe in only a minute, effortless clean-up, and a selection of every coffee flavor imaginable. My sister and I bought one for our mother after her stroke six years ago so that she could make her own breakfast in the morning despite her physical disabilities. She loved it. But, kinda knew from the very start that it was all too good to be true.

The little plastic 2×2 coffee pods (aka K-Cups) used in the machines have quickly become an environmental calamity because they are not recyclable and every year billions of them are incinerated, dumping poison into the air, water and soil. And, until we come up with a solution, there’s no telling how many billions more will end up in the ocean and on our beaches as so much plastic waste does.

For about a year, I substituted a re-usable plastic pod in my single serve coffee maker in an effort to reduce plastic waste at home as well as coffee making costs (the price of those pods add up over time!), but discovered the process of filling, cleaning and re-filling the small pods significantly reduces the convenience of a single serve machine, especially when making more than one cup. Also began to realize the taste of the coffee is not that great when using single serve machines, and the machine takes up a lot of counter space. Then, I had a brainstorm while visiting a friend in France — why not use a french press at home?

I love the rich taste of coffee made with a french press, but hadn’t used one in years as the latest and greatest technology took over the coffee making in my home kitchen. Decided to make a change– go back to basics and simplicity. So, I dug the thing out from its hiding spot on a top shelf, gave it a try and became a fan once again. It’s a good feeling to do just a little something to help save our beautiful planet while enjoying a hot cup of coffee with maximum flavor first thing in the morning. Easy clean-up, too.

It's surprisingly easy and quick to brew coffee using a french press. — Kettle and French Press © Zeester Media LLC 2019

Don’t know how to brew up a cuppa using a french press? No worries. It’s surprisingly quick and easy, and you don’t have to be a coffee expert or spend a lot of money to enjoy the process of brewing handcrafted coffee. Here are the basics in French Press Coffee tools and technique:

What you need to start:

Kettle — for heating up water. Any kind (both stove-top and electric) will work perfectly, and maybe you have one. If not, I recommend you check out the electric kettles. I like that they free up stove-top space and have automatic shut-off. I’ve been using a Capresso model for two years without a problem, but the Hamilton Beach Electric 1.7 Electric Tea Kettle/Water Heater gets good reviews and costs less.

A French Press (aka cafetière, press pot, coffee press, coffee plunger) — is a coffee pot in the shape of a narrow cylinder with a lid and plunger made of fine stainless steal or nylon mesh. A french press can also be used to make cold brew coffee and brew tea. My favorite is by Bodum as they are well made, seem to retain heat longer than other less expensive brands, and come in all sizes and styles — even single serve and a travel mug version for on the go coffee drinkers → Bodum French Press Selections

Coffee Bean Grinder — Your favorite, coarsely ground. I love the taste of deep dark coffee (and chocolate), and go for the dark roast beans (a friend once told me the best coffee comes from beans that are almost black). It’s typically recommended you grind coffee beans for a fresh pot every day as freshly ground beans make better tasting, flavorful coffee. Whole coffee beans stay fresher longer (a few weeks, if stored in air tight container). I sometimes buy pre-ground french roast (dark) coffee to save a step in the process when I’m in a big hurry to get that first cup or serving coffee to a group of friends, but I can also taste the difference — too bitter for some coffee drinkers. If you’d like to grind beans at home, you’ll need a grinder. There are two types of electric grinders: blade and burr. Krups makes a good blade grinder, and you can purchase from Amazon right now for less than $20 → KRUPS F203 Spice and Coffee Grinder (Tip: Not a good idea to use same grinder for coffee and spices because your coffee will pick up the taste of spices.) Electric burr grinders are typically more expensive, but they do a better job of grinding the beans into consistently sized coarse particulars that are best for using with a french press. Burr Grinders

Instructions: (Tip: Everything you do or don’t do affects the taste of coffee with a french press (good & bad). Take advantage by experimenting and adjusting this process until you find your perfect cup of coffee.)

1. Boil water in the kettle. I use filtered water from the tap, but water selection, just like coffee roasts, is really a matter of personal preference because tap water differs by location. Experts recommend using ‘fresh water’, in other words, don’t re-use previously boiled water.

2. Add coffee grounds to french press. General rule: 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of ground coffee for every one cup (8 oz/30 grams) of water. Adjust this ratio to suit your personal taste — use more ground coffee for stronger flavor.

3. After water boils, let it cool about a minute, then pour evenly over the grounds. There are two methods. i) Blooming method — gently pour hot water just to cover grounds (filling pot 1/2 – 3/4 full), and you’ll see foam start to appear (this is the ‘bloom’). Let it sit for 15-20 seconds. Then a quick stir around before pouring more hot water to fill the pot ii) Stirring method – pour hot water evenly over the grounds and stir. For stirring, I use a chopstick or cocktail stirrer. If you use a metal spoon or stirrer, avoid hitting sides of glass pot of the french press while stirring because that could cause cracking of the glass.

4. Cover and let steep. Place the lid/plunger on top of the french press (careful to allow a little space between coffee and plunger), and let coffee steep 2-4 minutes. The longer the steeping time, the stronger the coffee. Here again, you should experiment until you find exactly the right steeping time for your perfect cup of coffee. Here’s a general guide:

Standard – 4 minutes; 2 minutes for small french press (3-4 cups)
Extra dark & strong – as much as 10 minutes
Short/No steep – 30-60 seconds or no steeping time (produces a less bitter coffee taste, but you’ll probably need to use more coffee grounds to get full flavor)

Tip: It’s easy to forget the time when multi-tasking in the morning. A timer helps. Use kitchen appliance timer or phone app.

5. Plunge and Pour. Press down slowly on the plunger using one hand until the mesh filter reaches the bottom of the french press (just above the grounds). Now. it’s ready to pour and serve! Tip: If you aren’t going to drink the brewed coffee immediately, keep it hot by pouring into an insulated carafe. They come in all shapes and sizes → Coffee Carafes

6. Clean it up. Dump out used coffee grounds in trash or compost because pouring down a drain could cause clogging. Follow manufacturer’s instructions as to how to clean your french press for use the next day. Most can be washed in dishwasher. It’s important to remove all the oily coffee residue because it will quickly turn rancid and ruin the taste of the next pot of coffee.

Information/Resources:
Kill the K-Cup – a non-profit organization committed to bringing attention to the growing waste created by K-Cups
Pressed Coffee Is Going Mainstream – But Should You Drink It? by Heidi Godman, Harvard Health Publishing (April 29, 2016) – recommended to limit to no more than 4 cups a day and keep a watch on cholesterol levels as pressed coffee may raise “bad” LDL cholesterol levels

This page includes affiliate links to Amazon shopping. If you purchase a product or service directly through one of the links, Zeester Media LLC may earn a small commission. This in no way affects the price you pay for the purchase.

Feature photo is courtesy of Quincy Alivio/Unsplash CC0

Enjoy your perfect cup of coffee with a German Chocolate Cup Cake or after dinner with Chocolate Amaretto Truffles

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The Good Life

September 22, 2020 By Zola Zeester Leave a Comment

Life certainly has its up and downs. How do we make the best of it?

That’s the million dollar question we’ve all asked ourselves one time or another, and there’s plenty of ‘how to’ advice out there: Be a success, Get a better job, Make more money, Start exercising more, Eat healthy, Find your passion, Find purpose, making the solution seem like a long list of aspirations. But, we all discover sooner or later there is no quick fix, and personal or professional accomplishments do not necessarily result in health and happiness. So, what’s the answer? Let’s explore.

Family, Friends and Community

Robert Waldinger is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, Zen priest, and director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest continuing study on adult life and happiness. A valuable lesson emerged from the 75 years of study — Good relationships with family, friends and community keep us healthier and happier, and it’s the quality, not quantity, of the relationships that matter most.

Information/Resources:
Robert Waldinger Ted Talk, courtesy of TED, CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International
Robert Waldinger website (updated Harvard study findings and insights)
Feature photo is courtesy of Derek Thomson/Unsplash CC0

Live in the Moment

When I met Fernando, I was trying to find my way through grief and upheaval, and struggling with what to do next. I’d been told he had been very ill, suffering a heart attack while being treated for cancer, and he was still recovering when he sat next to me at a hair salon. The first thing I noticed was his gaunt appearance, but then it was the look in his eyes — a joyful peace, and I remember thinking ‘this guy has been hit hard, but he somehow manages to look like the happiest person in the room’. I wanted to know how he did it. What’s his secret? During our talk, Fernando asked me, “Have you ever read ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle?” When I said no (I hadn’t even heard of it), he told me, “It will change your life”. I didn’t believe that, but I got the book anyway and discovered he was right.

In The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, Eckhart Tolle speaks to the topic of personal happiness in a question and answer format, and recommends methods for living in the moment without troubling thoughts of past regrets and worries about the future. The book was first published in the late 1990’s, and remained on the New York Times Best Seller list for years afterward. Some people find the book hard to read, and get more from listening to the audio book. *[As an Amazon affiliate, Zeester Media LLC may receive a small commission for a book purchase you make via the link here. This in no way affects the price you pay for the purchase.]

Laugh Without Reason

Laughter has great short-term as well as long-term effects on both the mind and body that can make you feel happier in some amazing ways.

Stimulates heart, lungs and muscles, and increases endorphins (pain relieving, hormone-like substances that are produced and released by your brain)
Increases circulation and helps muscle relaxation
Releases neuropeptides (protein-like molecules) that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses

Go ahead – Give it a try. Watch the Comedy: People & Phones channel, an On2In2™ collection of short videos about the use/misuse of phones – always good for a laugh.

Martin, a dog with some issues, makes everybody laugh as he tells his story in the comedy ‘mockumentary’ series “Downward Dog”. Watch it here → Dog Speak

Information/Resources: Stress Relief From Laughter? It’s No Joke, Mayo Clinic (April 21, 2016)

Connect to Nature

There’s an enduring belief among many cultures that being outdoors and viewing nature are good for mind and body. But, what to do when you’re trapped indoors?

Research has shown just looking at trees from a window can lighten a hospital patient’s recovery time after surgery, and a study conducted by BBC Earth and the University of California-Berkley revealed that viewing nature in images and video footage triggers a feel good response in people. As a result of these findings, the free-to-watch & share ⇒ Planet Earth video series was produced by BBC Earth. The series consists of 40 hours of visual soundscapes taken from footage filmed by the BBC Planet Earth II camera teams while on location. No commentary on these videos, only breathtaking sights and sounds of nature: Island Sounds, Mountain Sounds, Jungle Sounds, and Desert Sounds.

Information/Resources: View Through a Window May Influence Recovery From Surgery by R.S. Ulrich, The Center For Health Design (1984)

There’s more nature to see on the Natural Beauty video channel, an On2In2™ collection of favorite short videos. Amazing views of the extraordinary and Free to Watch, On-Demand

It’s Never Too Late

“For what it’s worth: It’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. Stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

Benjamin Button’s letter to his daughter
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008 film)
Story/Screenplay by Eric Roth & Robin Swicord
Based on short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Eat without gluttony, drink without getting drunk, love without jealousy, and occasionally, with great discretion, misbehave.”*

*Lessons Learned on the Quest for a Longer, Happier Life by Dan Buettner, The Aspen Institute – Global Health (June 1, 2018) Start with making small changes to downshift through each day – Take more vacation, do not check emails after work hours, eat dinner with family and friends at a table without any distractions, go on a long walk with a friend over your lunch break.

Feature photo is courtesy of Derek Thomson/Unsplash CC0

The Black Cat

September 22, 2020 By Zola Zeester Leave a Comment

“A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere.” — Groucho Marx

Black cat folklore is varied with countless contradictory myths and superstitions. In Britain and Japan, black cats are considered good luck, but many Western cultures view the black cat as a symbol of bad luck. Therefore, you can take your pick of black cat superstitions, and have some fun with it.

Instinct vs Reason

Read Edgar Allan Poe's most disturbing tale, The Black Cat. — Edgar Allan Poe (1848, Masury & Hartshorn, PD)

The Black Cat is a short story by American writer Edgar Allan Poe (1809-49) first published in 1843. It’s one of Poe’s darkest tales, and he uses a black cat named “Pluto” to arouse superstitions and fear. [Read it here, in full for free ⇒ The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe] On the other hand, a black cat was a Poe household pet he described as a “remarkable” animal “of a demure and sanctified demeanor” in the short essay, Instinct vs. Reason–A Black Cat, (Alexander’s Weekly Messenger”, January 29, 1840).

Explore Poe’s Philadelphia home, and (if you dare) descend into the spine-chilling basement that inspired The Black Cat. The Edgar Allen Poe Historic Site is open Friday – Sunday (9am – 12noon and 1pm – 5pm), free to visit, and no reservations are required.

Information/Resources:
Wikipedia (Black Cat – Historical Associations; Ship’s Cat; Bastet; Edgar Allan Poe)

Fright Night Movies: An On2In2™ video collection, free to watch, on demand-– Suspense, Mystery, Terror, Horror, Evil….

Feature photo is courtesy of Pixabay/Pexels CC0

Sacred Shadows

September 8, 2020 By Zola Zeester 2 Comments

Intersections (2013), is a sculptural installation created by Anila Quayyum Agha, a Pakistani-American artist. Simple in its materials and artistic method, the effect is a powerfully elegant, original work of art that wondrously transforms a room into an ethereal space filled with intricate shadowy geometric patterns enwrapping gallery visitors who then become a reflecting element of the artwork. Agha said her art is influenced by personal experiences as well as the complex social and political issues of our time, and the intent with the Intersections installation was “to give substance to mutualism” while exploring the disparate views of “public and private, light and shadow, and static and dynamic”. It was awarded grand prizes in the 2014 international ArtPrize competition, and later exhibited at the Rice Gallery in Houston, Texas as well as the Peabody Essex Museum and Indiana State Museum.

The video documentary, “Intersections”, produced by Walley Films, is an exceptional opportunity to view this transcending work of art as Anila Quayyum Agha recounts her inspiration, discoveries, and creative process.

Agha’s installation pieces focus on transforming public spaces using Islamic architectural motifs, light and shadow, casting viewers of all cultural backgrounds under shadows that allow all to contemplate and reflect.

Resources/Information:

Anila Quayyum Agha website anilaagha.com
Past Installation, Rice Gallery
ArtPrize, Grand Rapids Michigan (Intersections). ArtPrize is an annual public art event and international competition.

Watch: CREATIVE PERSPECTIVES A diverse group of artists reveal thoughts and feelings about their work and living a creative life in this On2In2™ collection of short video documentaries. It’s an interesting and inspiring bunch.

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Insight

Brother, What Happened?

Surfing the Greats

Polar Bear

The Power of a Bike

The Last Moonwalk

The Overview Effect

Handcrafted Coffee at Home

The Good Life

The Black Cat

Sacred Shadows

MUCH 2 SEE

THINGS 2 DO

PLACES 2 GO

PEOPLE 2 MEET

FOOD & DRINKS

JUST LAUGHS

Insight

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MUCH 2 SEE

THINGS 2 DO

PLACES 2 GO

PEOPLE 2 MEET

FOOD & DRINKS

JUST LAUGHS