An I Had So Much Fun Weekly Link Round-Up

 

After three weeks of not even looking at the computer, I'm finding it difficult to get back into my routine. I'll get there. I'm too stubborn not to!

Those three weeks with my niece, Karen, flew by. They were fantastic. We went places, we accomplished things around the house, we made memories. One night in particular stands out. We watched movies all evening, making ribald comments about pieces of dialogue and action. We laughed so much, it's a wonder the neighbors didn't come over to join in the fun. It's been years since I've experienced an evening like that... what a wonderful memory to keep! (And no, I'm not sharing which movies we were watching or what comments we made!)

Photos will be forthcoming, but not right now. You'll have to settle for a look at my autumn tree that's in the family room. I bought the decorations on our trip to Michael's. Didn't Karen do a wonderful job?

Virtual hugs to you all, and enjoy the links!

►Books & Other Interesting Tidbits◄

• Libraries in Kentucky are seeing more book checkouts after school districts ban cell phones.
• The secret lives of men who read romance novels.
• Audible's new features let you explore book worlds-- and use AI to talk to characters.
• From "Sunday Scaries" and "Whack-a-Mole" to "Looksmaxxing" and "Cuffing Season," these are the newest words in the dictionary.
• A signature Hawaiian textile with a rich history is making a splash in the fashion world.
• 40 years later: A look at the legacy of Michael Mann's Manhunter.

►Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones◄

• A 1,700-year-old tomb discovered in Egypt contains a poem in ancient Greek and spells to protect the dead.
• A lavish private bath used by Roman emperors and "high-status residents" was discovered at an imperial palace in Serbia.
• The Crown of Kerch: A 1,600-year-old gold, gem-studded diadem found in the grave of a Hun noblewoman.
• A 3,200-year-old inscription may point to a long-lost ancient Egyptian city from the time of Ramesses II.
• A stunning Roman-era mosaic discovered in Turkey features "Emerald" the cat and "Ocean" the dog.
• Guldhøj folding chair: The only completely preserved chair from Bronze Age Europe.

►Channeling My Inner Elly May Clampett◄

• "It is extremely rare to witness": Scientists record a humpback whale mother grieving her stillborn calf in first-of-its-kind footage.
• Scientists name a new cat species for the first time in over a century.
• Two heads are better than one: A rare, double-headed turtle hatchling was discovered on Cape Cod.
• FiasKo the police dog gets a sniff of a missing 6-year-old boy's shoe and leads searchers right to him.
• Scientists recreated the long-lost chirps of Jurassic insects. Listen to the simulated soundscape of 164 million years ago.
• These adorable, critically endangered pygmy raccoons in Cozumel are teaching one another to turn trash into toy balls.

►The Wanderer◄

• We now have an incredibly detailed map to help predict which areas of Los Angeles are the most at risk from "The Big One."
• The most (and least) expensive states for groceries, mapped.
• England's beloved Sycamore Gap tree is showing signs of life, three years after vandals chopped it down.
• The best state fairs in America, ranked.
• A lake in Canada got a mysterious new island. Then it disappeared-- and now it's back.
• Crime and the City: the Azores.

►Fascinating Folk◄

• Who wrote Elizabeth I's most scathing letters? New research suggests the Tudor queen's male secretaries revised her correspondence to emphasize her temper.
• 15 trailblazing facts about Gloria Steinem.
• The life of Agatha Christie, the world's best-selling novelist, goes under the microscope at the British Library.
• After 131 years of being buried in an Indian School cemetery, Comanche child Frances Bones' remains are returned to her homelands.
• The Hispanic inventors behind things you use every day.
• The women who sold books door to door.

►I ♥ Lists◄

• Kirkus' 20 best books to read in October.
• Kirkus' 20 must-reads for obsessive book lovers.
• Kirkus' 20 fiction books getting major awards buzz.
• 7 social rules the family landline forced everyone to learn.
• 20 defunct chain restaurants you used to see everywhere.
• The best historical fiction of fall.

That's all for this week! No matter how busy you may be, don't forget that quality Me Time curled up with a good book!