Loren Mayshark

The Economist: Geothermal Energy’s Time Has Finally Come; Could Become Bigger Than Nuclear tinyurl.com/4cc95v5s [PDF of Article] tinyurl.com/ynbmb6sx

Born on this day in 1819, Mary Anne Evans—George Eliot—was a towering Victorian novelist known for Middlemarch, Silas Marner, and The Mill on the Floss. Her deep psychological insight reshaped English fiction. “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” #GeorgeEliot #OTD

Born on this day in 1858, Selma Lagerlöf was a Swedish novelist and the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Known for Gösta Berlings Saga and The Wonderful Adventures of Nils. “Fear not the future. Weep not for the past.” #SelmaLagerlöf #OTD

Born on this day in 1939, Margaret Atwood (b. 1939) is a Canadian novelist, poet, and essayist known for The Handmaid’s Tale, Alias Grace, and Oryx and Crake. Her sharp, visionary storytelling reshapes our understanding of power and society. “A word after a word is power.” #OTD

How Modern Architecture Reflects Our Values: From Cathedrals to Skyscrapers Joseph Campbell said a society's biggest buildings reveal its priorities. Explore how the shift from cathedrals to skyscrapers reflects our modern values and spiritual decline.

Joseph #Campbell believed a society’s grandest buildings reveal its deepest beliefs.
So what does it mean that #skyscrapers now overshadow our cathedrals?
I explore this question in my article.
lorenmayshark.com/from-cathedr...

Born on this day in 1907, Astrid Lindgren (1907–2002) reshaped children’s literature with beloved stories like Pippi Longstocking and Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter. Her work champions imagination, courage, and kindness. “Give the children love, more love, and still more love.” #OTD

Born on this day in 1850, Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer best known for Treasure Island, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Kidnapped. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” #OTD

Born on this day in 1922, Kurt Vonnegut (1922–2007) wrote with dark humor and deep humanity in Slaughterhouse-Five and Mother Night. “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” #KurtVonnegut #OTD

Born on this day in 1913, Albert Camus (1913–1960) was a philosopher and novelist whose works like The Stranger and The Plague explored absurdism and hope. “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” #AlbertCamus #OTD

Born on this day in 1795, John Keats (1795–1821) was a Romantic poet whose works like Ode to a Nightingale celebrate beauty, love, and transience. He died young, but his poetry lives on: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” #JohnKeats #OTD #Poetry

Born on this day in 1886, Zoë Akins (1886–1958) was a Pulitzer-winning playwright, poet, and screenwriter whose works gave voice to women’s stories with grace and wit. “Change is the only thing that’s eternal.” #ZoeAkins #OTD

Born on this day in 1903, Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966) was an English novelist and satirist best known for Brideshead Revisited and Scoop. His sharp wit and elegant prose exposed the absurdities of class and faith in modern life. “Punctuality is the virtue of the bored.” #EvelynWaugh #OTD

Born on this day in 1932, Sylvia Plath (1932–1963) was a poet and novelist known for Ariel and The Bell Jar. Her bold, emotional voice transformed modern poetry. “I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart: I am, I am, I am.” #SylviaPlath #OTD

Born on this day in 1923, Denise Levertov (1923–1997) was a poet whose work bridged the spiritual and political. Her poems on faith, nature, and peace—like The Freeing of the Dust—made her one of modern poetry’s most resonant voices. “Peace as a woman, clothed in light.”
#DeniseLevertov #OTD

Born on this day in 1929, Ursula K. Le Guin (1929–2018) was a visionary author known for A Wizard of Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness. Her works reshaped sci-fi and fantasy with empathy, imagination, and deep human insight.
“To light a candle is to cast a shadow.” #OTD

Writing is more than ink on paper — it’s how we make sense of ourselves and the world.

Celebrate #NationalDayOnWriting by putting your thoughts into words today.

Even one sentence can change everything.

#WritersLife #AmWriting #Creativity #WhyIWrite

#war #quotes

Looking over a glassy lake onto a variety of trees in autumn colors of yellow, orange, and light green.

"I escape into the great outdoors; where freedom’s soul forever roars."

~Angie Weiland-Crosby

#photography #minnesota #autumn #freedom #quotes

Yes, a scary time indeed. Joining a credit union is a good step in the right direction. Thank you for sharing!

Fear and Self-loathing We faced a substantial, unexpected expense this week, related to our one vehicle, and it conjured up all manner of emotions, some based in r...

The uncertainty of everything money.... senseofmisplaced.blogspot.com/2025/10/fear... #blogpost #personalfinance #economy

Discovering Florence Through the Sant’Ambrogio Market: A Journey of Food, Tradition, and Perspective Explore the historic Sant’Ambrogio Market in Florence through a writer’s journey of food, tradition, and culture that reveals the city’s authentic soul.

There’s something magical about local markets—the stories, the smells, the sense of connection.
My visit to Florence’s Sant’Ambrogio Market turned into a lesson in food, culture, and tradition.

#Florence #ItalyTravel #CulturalJourney #SantAmbrogioMarket
lorenmayshark.com/santambrogio...

Born on this day in 1854, Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish poet, playwright, and master of wit. Known for The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest, he championed beauty, art, and individuality.

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
#OscarWilde #OTD

Born on this day in 1894, E.E. Cummings (1894–1962) was a poet and artist who redefined modern verse with playful language and structure. His works honor individuality, love, and creativity. “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” #EECummings #OTD

Born on this day in 1902, Arna Bontemps (1902–1973) was a poet and novelist of the Harlem Renaissance. Through works like God Sends Sunday and Black Thunder, he celebrated Black identity, history, and freedom. #ArnaBontemps #OTD

In a chaotic world, nearly everyone is searching for a reason.

How was it?

Born on this day in 1895, Caroline Gordon (1895–1981) was an American novelist of the Southern Renaissance. Her works, like None Shall Look Back, reflect the South’s heritage, faith, and modern tensions. #CarolineGordon #OTD

Liberty, Justice & the Power of Choice: Rethinking the Pledge of Allegiance (Part 2) What does liberty and justice mean in a divided nation? Part 2 of our series explores the Pledge of Allegiance, systemic inequality, and the freedom to choose dissent.

We say “liberty and justice for all”—but living those words is another story.

Part 2 of our series reexamines the Pledge of Allegiance, exploring how justice, freedom, and personal conscience shape our national identity.

#Freedom #Justice #AmericanIdentity

lorenmayshark.com/liberty-just...

Born on this day in 1879, Wallace Stevens (1879–1955) was a modernist poet whose works, like Harmonium, fused imagination with philosophy. By day an insurance executive, he remains one of America’s most profound poetic voices. #WallaceStevens #OTD

Jane Goodall – a life in pictures The world-renowned primatologist Jane Goodall has died at the age of 91

This is a fine tribute to an amazing life...