5/29/25 - How Are You? And Sailing With Phoenix

Thursday 5/29/25

Celebrate:

End of the Middle Ages Day

International Coq Au Vin Day

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

Learn About Composting Day

National 529 Day - College Savings

National Biscuit Day

World Digestive Health Day

Paper Clip Day - Fastening papers together was first done in the thirteenth century. Short pieces of ribbon were put through parallel cuts that were made in the upper left-hand corners of paper. In 1835, John Ireland Howe, a New York physician, invented the machine for the mass production of straight pins. These pins were designed to be used with cloth, but people also used them to fasten paper together.

It wasn't until at least the 1860s when paper clips as we know them today began being made, and it wasn't until the 1890s that production really picked up. 

Put a Pillow on Your Fridge Day - In the early 1900s, people would put pieces of cloth or linen in their larders, with hopes that this would bring good fortune and prosperity, in the form of a plentiful amount of food, as well as fertility. The cloth was usually torn from something in their bedroom, such as a blanket or gown. 

--

If you ask someone, "How are you?"  Chances are they'll say something like, "good," "fine," or "not bad."  We don't want the whole rundown anyway, it's just a pleasentry..and you're probably lying.

According to a new report, the average American only feels "fully healthy" 19 days in a typical month.  That's roughly 63% of the time.

So in a typical week, you'll feel fully healthy for about four of the days, and less healthy for three days.  And this is just about feeling healthy . . . not that everything is awesome.

People were asked what health issues they battle the most frequently, and the main problem areas are:

Fatigue  . . . people struggle with that about 13 days per month.

Mood changes . . . 10 days per month.

Digestive issues . . . 9.8 days per month.

Headaches . . . 7.5 days per month.

People were asked how they were feeling right now, and only 28% felt completely healthy at the time.  72% said they were in moderate or poor health.

And 51% admitted that they're living with recurring health issues, which have been ongoing for six months or longer.

Also, 15% said that "not feeling well" has impacted their ability to fully enjoy time with their family. 

--

Guitarist Rick Derringer died Monday, at the age of 77.

Besides his #1 with the McCoys in 1965 Hang On Sloopy, and his 1973 solo hit Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo, he did seeion work with Steely Dan, Todd Rundgren, KISS, and Barbra Streisand. He played the solo on Total Eclipse of the Heart, and produced Cyndi Laouper and Weird Al.

--

"Consumer Reports" posted a list of the most dangerous foods that might be sitting in your fridge right now.  It's based on how many people got sick or landed in the hospital last year thanks to food poisoning.

(ok..these are the foods that are linked with outbreaks of certain bacteria)

1.  Deli meat:  87 hospitalizations last year, and 10 deaths.

2.  Cucumbers:  No deaths, but 173 people hospitalized.

3.  Raw milk and raw milk cheese:  29 people in the E.R.

4.  Queso fresco and cotija cheese.  (koh-TEE-hah)  2 deaths, 23 hospitalized.

5.  Eggs:  They landed 34 people in the hospital.

6.  Onions:  One death, 34 hospitalizations.

7.  Leafy greens:  One death, 36 people had to be treated.

8.  Organic carrots:  One death, 20 hospitalized.

9.  Organic basil:  Four hospitalizations.

10.  Pre-cooked meat:  That includes things like pre-made salads and frozen burritos. They tossed it on the list because stuff like that gets recalled a lot.

–

What do you do when you get diagnosed with a rare bone disorder that could eventually cause paralysis?

A guy from Oregon named Oliver Widger quit his job, cashed in his 401K and decided to see the world with his cat Phoenix. Now he suddenly has a huge following online.

The cosmetics brand e.l.f. sent a plane out and dropped him a care package in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. (sunscreen??)  Then a huge crowd greeted him when he landed in Hawaii this weekend.

He might head to French Polynesia next, he's not sure.  He says he learned how to sail from watching YouTube videos.  If you want to follow him, his TikTok handle is "Sailing with Phoenix."

Here's his TikTok

--

Here's a TikTok trend that's actually NICE:  After you hang out with friends, send a quick "thank you" text just to let them know you enjoyed their company.

–

Today's Useless Fact of the Day - An old wives' tale says a pregnant woman with heartburn is more likely to have a hairy baby.  A study in 2006 tried to disprove it . . . but actually proved it TRUE.  Heartburn and hairy babies are both linked to a woman's estrogen levels.

–