Life is essentially a cheat and its conditions are those of defeat. The redeeming things are not “happiness and pleasure” but the deeper satisfactions that come out of struggle. – Scott Fitzgerald in a letter to his daughter.

Just a really great piece from the New York Times (yes, I said it!). I’m not a yard sale person, but I would totally attend this yard sale. What is great about the writing, above all, is that there is nothing contemptuous about the tone. One might expect a paper such as the NYT to take such an attitude, but thankfully, they saw a refreshing wonderful story and went with it. And while I’m at it, also from the NYT, a really fascinating look at Israel’s 21st century Trojan Horse, those grim beepers they used to take out a good percentage of Hezbollah’s, er, “staff.” (Yes, both of these features are from a few weeks ago – one gets distracted.)

I am a terrible sleeper. And it’s a particular type of poor sleep: I have no difficulty falling asleep but I rarely stay asleep through the night. Sometimes, I take melatonin to help, but I try not to as it leaves me feeling groggy the next day. I used to despair about it – does everyone have this issue? – until I listened to an interview with an evolutionary biologist (I stupidly lost the link) who explained why people tend to wake at about 3 a.m. and stay awake. He said that it is our lizard brain – our fight or flight – looking out for us, after all these years… Apparently, we haven’t evolved to the point that our lizard brain fails to understand we no longer need to worry about woolly mammoths waiting outside the cave to avenge their dead relatives, or rival cave guys breaking into our lovely abodes to muck up our cave art. Oddly, this made me feel better. And now, when I wake up at 3 a.m., I keep that in mind and it does help.

…at my Substack.

A great piece on why institutions have all gone woke – it’s from Richard Hanania’s newsletter. (I have at least one sibling who insists to me that the left have not won the culture wars – honestly, I don’t know what planet this otherwise observant person is on!) FYI, the article is from last year but still on the ball. One of the joys of interrupted sleep is that I find cool things while scrolling in the wee small hours.

Why are the aqueducts still standing while our roads are full of potholes? The secret to Roman concrete.

Ontario mum designs helmets for Sikh kids – impressive and useful.

This article about Malak Karsh is from a few years ago, but I just found it – a photo of my mum is featured!

Rescuers in Wales find a sheep by bleating. (Of course – when you are looking for a kitty, you meow, right?)

A film I want to see: two brothers in India trying to save Delhi’s Black Kites.

Terrific piece about Woody Allen.

Ian Tyson died. So much talent. I think Four Strong Winds is one of the great Canadian songs.

Happy Hallowe’en, all. It’s a sad anniversary in our family and I do reference that in my latest Substack piece, though it is about other matters. Also, Happy Reformation Day, Protestants!

So, not many links. A small barrel. An “ette.” But a few I like and think you will like. First, some fine writing and reporting in the New York Times about…bachelorette parties. I particularly admire that the writer avoids a sneering tone – it would be so easy, given the topic.

Preserved dinosaur leg found in North Dakota. Really! Wowza. Sort of creepy to see it, and makes you feel for the little guy.

Apparently, koala bears have fingerprints that are indistinguishable from ours! Yikes! Koalas can start framing us for eucalyptus theft.

Being the age that I am, I cannot help but be excited about the new Top Gun movie – here is an important piece about Top Gun, China and Hollywood.

And just a great photograph: when Bardot met Picasso, 1956. What an image (from Life magazine archives); what an iconic pair.