Think... Coffee ☕

As he wound his way through, 
the seductive scent of coffee 

reached out and 

hooked him.

Ian MacGregor 

@

MacGregor Grooms 

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User:Salimfadhley [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

Simply Thinking About Coffee Gives Your Brain A Boost, Study Suggests

For millions of us, the day begins with at least one cup of coffee to jump-start our brains into productivity. We think clearer, move faster, and interact with coworkers (also drinking coffee) like we’re meant to work together – at least for a little while.

What if we could benefit from some of those effects by simply experiencing cues that make us think of coffee?  That’s the topic of a new study, the latest in the ongoing scientific fascination with our favorite legal drug.

FORBES

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Smiling sweetly, Whitney set the pot to heat and 
drew in the scent of coffee. 

The cave, full of dung and damp, 

was immediately civilized.

Hot Ice

Happy in marriage?

“I’m telling you this so you understand my basic genetic makeup. My mother,

while satisfied with me on the whole, never loved me or wished to. She never

accepted I might have my own goals or desires or plans. Hers, for me, were

again very specific and detailed. For a very long time I thought she didn’t love

me because I was lacking in some area, but I came to understand she simply

didn’t love. She has no capacity or aptitude for love, and no skills at displaying

affection. Factoring genetics and environment, I also lack the capacity. I may not

have the skills for relationships, but I understand emotions and affection are

primary needs in developing and maintaining them.”

Brooks thought, What a load of crap. But he structured his response more

carefully. “Let me get this straight. Because your mother’s cold, selfish and

appears to have all the finer feelings of a sand flea, you’re genetically

predestined to be the same.”

The Witness

_________________

PEAK99 [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

People fall in love for many reasons — similar interests, physical attraction, and shared values among them. But if they marry and stay together, their long-term happiness may depend on their individual genes or those of their spouse, says a new study led by Yale School of Public Health researchers. 

YaleNews

_________________

“Is he still married?”

“Yes.”

“So he can develop and maintain a relationship. You’ve got his genes, too.”

For a moment, a long moment, she watched the flight of the hummingbird—

that sapphire blur—until it whizzed out of sight.

“Why would you want to be with someone whose skills and aptitude for

personal connections are stunted?”

“Maybe I like the idea of watching them grow, and being part of it.”

The Witness

Julia Roberts preparing for ‘Pretty Woman’

"Are you out of your mind?" Alex barked the question as he leaned over into her face. 

"Do you have any idea what you were doing?"

She blinked, at once innocent and amused. "Research?"

He swore again, and Bess found she liked the way he raked 

impatient fingers through his thick black hair. "Lady, just how far were you

intending to take your research?"

"How—? Oh." Her eyes brightened with laughter. 

"Well no, not quite that far."

Convincing Alex 

____________________

Julia Roberts prepared to play a prostitute in “Pretty Woman” by hanging out with hookers

 on Hollywood Boulevard, according to Barbara Marshall, 

widow of the movie’s director, Garry Marshall.

FOX News

____________________

"My wife went nuts." Judd Malloy munched on his cherry Danish 

while Alex swung in and out of downtown traffic. "She's a big fan of that

soap, you know? Tapes it every day when she's in school."

"Terrific." Alex had been doing his best to forget his little 

encounter with the soap queen, but his partner wasn't cooperating.

"Holly figures it was just like meeting a celebrity."

"You don't find many celebrities turning tricks."

"Come on, Alex." Judd washed down the Danish with

heavily sugared coffee. "She wasn't, really."

Convincing Alex

Things You Should Do Every Sunday

Morgana enjoyed the peace of Sunday afternoons. It was her day to indulge

herself-and from her first breath, Morgana had appreciated indulgences. Not that

she avoided work. She had put a great deal of time and effort into seeing that her

shop ran smoothly and turned a profit-without using her special skills to smooth

her path. Still, she firmly believed that the proper reward for any effort was

relaxation.

Captivated

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renato agostini [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

When you think about your perfect Sunday, it could involve sleeping in, going out for brunch, and then binge watching Netflix. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs can't enjoy that luxury. Either we're tied down to a completing a deadline or we simply just can't sit there and not be productive. The thing is, you do need to enjoy some time away from the business. You can actually step away from work and still have a productive Sunday by doing the following six things. If you do, you'll notice that you'll be more productive, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle the work week when your alarm goes off on Monday morning.

INC

__________________

“Didn’t come in until Sunday, and I had the day off—fond, fond memory. 

You guys get Sundays off?”

“Now and again.”

“Something about sleeping in on a Sunday morning, 

or sleeping off Saturday night

until Sunday afternoon. But Monday always comes.”

Remember When

Quoting Nora

Celebrating Bach

She closed her eyes, opened herself to the music as she drew out Bach. 

The lovely, complicated and romantic notes from his Suite Number I in G 

for Unaccompanied Cello.

Her mind could rest with the music. Flow with it. Quiet. 

Here was comfort, the mathematics and the art, blended together into beauty.

For these precious moments, she had and would drag the cumbersome instrument

 on every plane, truck, train, to every dig no matter how problematic.

Soothed, she set the bow aside.

Birthright 

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Google Doodle celebrates the composer's birthday with AI music game

Search engine giant makes its first-ever AI-powered doodle in an incredible tribute to the Baroque composer.

Today, you can mark the 334th birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach by creating your own two-bar chorale in perfect harmony.

You can try the interactive doodle here.

J.S. Bach was born in Germany on 21 March 1685, spending his life as a church and court musician, writing over 1,200 works for organ, choirs, chamber ensembles and orchestras.

Classic FM

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"Why don't you play, Kirby?" Fairchild poured a second brandy for himself

and Adam. "It helps clear my mind."

"All right." With a quick smile for Adam, Kirby moved to the far end of the

room, running a finger over a wing-shaped instrument he'd taken for a small

piano.

It took only a few notes for him to realize he'd been wrong. A harpsichord,

he thought, astonished. The tinny music floated up. Bach. Adam recognized

the composer and wondered if he'd fallen down the rabbit hole. No one—no

one normal—played Bach on a harpsichord in a castle in the twentieth

century.

Fairchild sat, his eyes half closed, one thin finger tapping while Kirby

continued to play. Her eyes were grave, her mouth faintly moist and sober.

The Art of Deception

Teach Your Teenager How to Paint Their Room

It was the same room he'd been given when Ray and Stella Quinn had

brought him home. 

The walls had been a pale green then. 

Sometime during his sixteenth year he'd gotten a wild hair and painted them magenta. 

God knew why. 

He remembered that his mother--for Stella had become his

mother by then--had taken one look and warned him he'd have terminal indigestion.

He thought it was sexy. For about three months. 

Then he'd gone with a

stark white for a while, accented with moody black-framed,

black-and-white photographs.

Always looking for ambiance, Phillip thought now, amused at himself.

He'd circled back to that soft green right before he moved to Baltimore.

Inner Harbor

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When your teenager wants to update their bedroom, why not use it as an opportunity to teach them an important life skill? How to paint a room! We break down the basics so your teenager can make their own decisions, do the work and even clean up. You won’t have to lift a finger, unless you want to.

Family Handyman

'Your taste is questionable!'

"What kind of kitchen is it 
that doesn't have any Fritos?"

"In the pantry, top shelf," Roz said from the doorway. 
"I'm surprised you'd think I'd forget your childish addiction to corn chips."

Black Rose

____________________

'Human Dorito' Chris Evans sparks a FURIOUS 

debate on Twitter after ranking his 

favorite chip options in a snack pack

DAILYMAIL

____________________

"You want something to eat? I want something to eat."

He turned, opened another cupboard and pulled out a bag of Doritos.

"That's not actual food."

"That's what makes it good."

Tribute

🕈 A reflection on St. Patrick’s prayer

"Life's a religious thing. But
don't worry, Nash-I won't try to convert you." 
She filled two glasses with ice. 
"It shouldn't make you uncomfortable. "


Captivated

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As we reflect upon the prayer of Saint Patrick this St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, we see that these very powerful, yet intrinsically beautiful uplifting words, represent a total transformation of the self with complete trust and faith in the Divine, God our Creator.

This prayer is known widely as “Morning Prayer,” “St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” or “The Lorica.”

World Vision

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Her parents had been quietly devout Catholics, and she'd attended Catholic schools, 
gone through all the rites and rituals. 

She considered herself a Catholic, a modern, female Catholic who was 
dissatisfied with many of the doctrines and laws that came through the Vatican.

Born in Shame 

🌈 St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas 🍀

And what better day to celebrate than St. Patrick's Day?

Irish Rose 

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St. Patrick’s Day is a magical holiday and it’s becoming a popular event!

People love to have an excuse to party with the people they love!

So we decided to gather up 100 Party Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day

to help you throw the luckiest party out there!

The Dating Divas

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"Fresh lemonade!" 

Ava wheeled a cart to the doorway. 

"With plenty of mint so we've got the green."

High Noon

"Danny Boy" 💚

"How about 'Danny Boy'?"

Maggie rolled her eyes. 

"Count on a Yank to ask for it. 

A Brit wrote that tune, outlander."

Born in Ice

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"What a pity that it is often the favourite repertoire of drunks on late-night trains!"

Danny Boy: mystery remains over a haunting tune

The Australian

_____________________

_____________________

Phin only shook his head as he climbed the stairs. 

"I should've known you wouldn't remember. You were too busy drinking Irish

 and singing 'Danny Boy.'"

"I did not sing 'Danny Boy.'" Please, God.

"Can't say for sure. All those Irish tunes sound the same to me." 

High Noon

☘️ St. Patrick's Day Toasts and Blessings

"Blessed be."

The Donovan Legacy

_________________

Ireland enjoys a long-standing history of pithy phrases, 

powerful prayers, and wise or witty words from the lips 

and pens of famous saints, writers, and pub crawlers. 

Here are a few favorite Irish toasts so that your words 

will be well-equipped to toast a special day or 

bless a sacred event. 

Sláinte!

the spruce Eats

Could your child survive alone in the woods?

The kid had been out for a minimum of two hours, she thought. A lifetime for worried parents.

But toddlers didn’t have any real sense of time. Children of his age were very mobile, she mused, and didn’t always understand the concept of being lost. They wandered, distracted by sights and sounds, and had considerable endurance, so it might be hours of that wandering before Hugh tired out and realized he wanted his mother.

She watched a rabbit skitter away into the brush. Peck had too much dignity to do more than spare it a passing glance.

But a little boy? Fiona thought. One who loved his “Wubby,” who enjoyed animals? One his mother said was fascinated by the forest? Wouldn’t he want to try to catch it, probably hoping to play with it?

He’d try, wouldn’t he, to follow it? City boy, she thought, enchanted with the woods, the wildlife, the other of it all.

How could he resist?

The Search 

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There's a hierarchy of survival skills that are appropriate for children.

For any parent, the idea of your children wondering lost and alone in the wilderness is a terrifying one. A family in California had their worst fears come true on March 1, 2019.

Two sisters, ages 8 and 5, miraculously survived 44 hours alone in the woods in freezing temperatures. But it wasn't just luck that kept them safe.

mother nature network

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“Where'd you find him?” Trent asked Nathaniel quietly.

“Up on the cliffs, holed up in a crevice in the rocks.”

“Good God.” C.C. shuddered. “Did he spend the night up there?”

“Looked that way. I had this feeling, I can't explain it. And there he was.”

Megan's Mate

Not-Your-Mama’s Tuna Casserole

“Because you don’t know what to do with a can of tuna?”

Unfinished Business

__________________________

Modern Tuna Casserole

Taste of Home

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“Wouldn’t I want to fix him a meal, something we could sit down to together, 

something we could talk over? Isn’t that something he would want? Expect?”

“Why don’t you ask him?”

“Damn it, Brady, don’t you see? I couldn’t make it work.”

“All I see is that you’re having trouble putting—” He leaned forward to

look at the disarray on the counter. “What is this?”

Her mouth moved into a pout. “It’s supposed to be a tuna casserole.”

“You’re having trouble putting a tuna casserole together.”

Unfinished Business

"Help", he said

Husband has been reading Philip Roth's "Portnoy's Complaint" - why my son would think it was a good choice for his father I have no idea - 
and I could feel him restless and antsy when we read side by side before bedtime - me with my novels and him with anything-I-can-grab books...

I asked what was wrong and he said "You HAVE to find me a new book to read. I hate this. Is there a Nora's  I can have?" and I said no as he went through Nora's books as I've never seen a woman do LOL.

But I took pity on him and on my Lunch hour headed for the bookstore...

There are still books published in Portuguese that I only have in English or in Kindle... so it's no hardship and I guess I'll earn good-wifey points from it.

I Love this Title. So I (even) used it when I gave it too him... corny I know, but

 "From The Heart" it goes:

Dear husband was happy as a clam. He started on it immediately and contrary to his customary 1 chapter per night (who reads like this anyway?!?!?) he went on until he thought if he didn't stop he wouldn't sleep until finished.

Three Lovely Novels,all my favorite, for my handsome and sweet husband:

Tonight and Always

~*~

A Matter of Choice

~*~

Endings and Beginnings

🎭 Mardi Gras

"Cher, it's Mardi Gras. Every night's the weekend."

Midnight Bayou 

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By The original uploader was Wikid77 at English Wikipedia. - 

Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 3.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2043235

What is it, and how do people celebrate every year

Break out your beads, Mardi Gras is upon us.

Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday," also called Shrove Tuesday. It is the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Christian Lent season leading up to Easter.

USA TODAY

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There was a madness about Mardi Gras. The music, the masks, the mayhem all crashing together into a desperate sort of celebration 
managed to create a tone that was both gleefully innocent and rawly sexual. 
He doubted the majority of the tourists who flocked here for the event understood or cared 
about the purpose of it. 
That rush to gorge on pleasures before the forty days of fasting. 

Midnight Bayou