#zen-mischief — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #zen-mischief, aggregated by home.social.
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This morning the answers to this month's quiz questions on the classical & ancient world are on the blog.
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This morning the answers to this month's quiz questions on the classical & ancient world are on the blog.
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This morning the answers to this month's quiz questions on the classical & ancient world are on the blog.
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This morning the answers to this month's quiz questions on the classical & ancient world are on the blog.
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This morning the answers to this month's quiz questions on the classical & ancient world are on the blog.
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September Quiz Answers
Here are the answers to this month’s six quiz questions. If in doubt, all should be able to be easily verified online.
Classical & Ancient World
- In Greek mythology, who is the muse of sacred poetry? Polyhymnia
- What Roman holiday held from 17 to 23 December had a large influence on how Christmas was celebrated? Saturnalia
- What ancient wonder was located in the city of Alexandria in Egypt? Pharos, the Lighthouse of Alexandria
- What’s the name of the paradise warriors go to after death? Valhalla
- Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian God of Death, had the head of what? Jackal
- What is the title of the classic Greek epic attributed to Homer, telling the story of the Trojan War? The Iliad
Answers were correct when questions were compiled in late 2025.
#blog #classics #history #quiz #September #zenmischief -
September Quiz Answers
Here are the answers to this month’s six quiz questions. If in doubt, all should be able to be easily verified online.
Classical & Ancient World
- In Greek mythology, who is the muse of sacred poetry? Polyhymnia
- What Roman holiday held from 17 to 23 December had a large influence on how Christmas was celebrated? Saturnalia
- What ancient wonder was located in the city of Alexandria in Egypt? Pharos, the Lighthouse of Alexandria
- What’s the name of the paradise warriors go to after death? Valhalla
- Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian God of Death, had the head of what? Jackal
- What is the title of the classic Greek epic attributed to Homer, telling the story of the Trojan War? The Iliad
Answers were correct when questions were compiled in late 2025.
#blog #classics #history #quiz #September #zenmischief -
September Quiz Answers
Here are the answers to this month’s six quiz questions. If in doubt, all should be able to be easily verified online.
Classical & Ancient World
- In Greek mythology, who is the muse of sacred poetry? Polyhymnia
- What Roman holiday held from 17 to 23 December had a large influence on how Christmas was celebrated? Saturnalia
- What ancient wonder was located in the city of Alexandria in Egypt? Pharos, the Lighthouse of Alexandria
- What’s the name of the paradise warriors go to after death? Valhalla
- Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian God of Death, had the head of what? Jackal
- What is the title of the classic Greek epic attributed to Homer, telling the story of the Trojan War? The Iliad
Answers were correct when questions were compiled in late 2025.
#blog #classics #history #quiz #September #zenmischief -
September Quiz Answers
Here are the answers to this month’s six quiz questions. If in doubt, all should be able to be easily verified online.
Classical & Ancient World
- In Greek mythology, who is the muse of sacred poetry? Polyhymnia
- What Roman holiday held from 17 to 23 December had a large influence on how Christmas was celebrated? Saturnalia
- What ancient wonder was located in the city of Alexandria in Egypt? Pharos, the Lighthouse of Alexandria
- What’s the name of the paradise warriors go to after death? Valhalla
- Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian God of Death, had the head of what? Jackal
- What is the title of the classic Greek epic attributed to Homer, telling the story of the Trojan War? The Iliad
Answers were correct when questions were compiled in late 2025.
#blog #classics #history #quiz #September #zenmischief -
From my blog today, this month's poem is the opening of ...
"Hiawatha’s Photographing" by Lewis Carroll
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From my blog today, this month's poem is the opening of ...
"Hiawatha’s Photographing" by Lewis Carroll
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From my blog today, this month's poem is the opening of ...
"Hiawatha’s Photographing" by Lewis Carroll
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From my blog today, this month's poem is the opening of ...
"Hiawatha’s Photographing" by Lewis Carroll
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On my blog earlier today, this month's self-portrait: "Wingman"
https://zenmischief.com/2026/09/september-self-portrait-2/
#photography #selfportrait #personal #September #blog #zenmischief
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On my blog earlier today, this month's self-portrait: "Wingman"
https://zenmischief.com/2026/09/september-self-portrait-2/
#photography #selfportrait #personal #September #blog #zenmischief
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On my blog earlier today, this month's self-portrait: "Wingman"
https://zenmischief.com/2026/09/september-self-portrait-2/
#photography #selfportrait #personal #September #blog #zenmischief
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On my blog earlier today, this month's self-portrait: "Wingman"
https://zenmischief.com/2026/09/september-self-portrait-2/
#photography #selfportrait #personal #September #blog #zenmischief
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On my blog earlier today, this month's self-portrait: "Wingman"
https://zenmischief.com/2026/09/september-self-portrait-2/
#photography #selfportrait #personal #September #blog #zenmischief
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Today on the blog, this month's "Ten Things" is words ending in "-ah".
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Today on the blog, this month's "Ten Things" is words ending in "-ah".
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Today on the blog, this month's "Ten Things" is words ending in "-ah".
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Today on the blog, this month's "Ten Things" is words ending in "-ah".
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Ten Things
This year our Ten Things column will present a selection of words (of five or more letters) with a different ending each month. This month …
Words Ending in -ah
- batmitzvah
- chutzpah
- coolabah
- hallelujah
- kabbalah
- maharajah
- mynah
- pariah
- verandah
- zillah
So how many of those words did you know? And how many do you use?
#blog #language #tenthings #words #zenmischief -
Yesterday on my blog we had this month's quote:
"The universe is a circle whose circumference is nowhere and whose centre is everywhere."
[A paraphrase of Blaise Pascal] -
Yesterday on my blog we had this month's quote:
"The universe is a circle whose circumference is nowhere and whose centre is everywhere."
[A paraphrase of Blaise Pascal] -
Yesterday on my blog we had this month's quote:
"The universe is a circle whose circumference is nowhere and whose centre is everywhere."
[A paraphrase of Blaise Pascal] -
Yesterday on my blog we had this month's quote:
"The universe is a circle whose circumference is nowhere and whose centre is everywhere."
[A paraphrase of Blaise Pascal] -
This Month’s Quote
The universe is a circle whose circumference is nowhere
and whose centre is everywhere.Paraphrase of Blaise Pascal
#blog #quotes #zenmischief -
On my blog today, this month's half a dozen quiz questions on the Classical and Ancient World. Answers in a couple of weeks.
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On my blog today, this month's half a dozen quiz questions on the Classical and Ancient World. Answers in a couple of weeks.
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On my blog today, this month's half a dozen quiz questions on the Classical and Ancient World. Answers in a couple of weeks.
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On my blog today, this month's half a dozen quiz questions on the Classical and Ancient World. Answers in a couple of weeks.
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On my blog today, this month's half a dozen quiz questions on the Classical and Ancient World. Answers in a couple of weeks.
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September Quiz Questions
Each month we’re posing six pub quiz style questions, with a different subject each month.
As always, they’re designed to be tricky but not impossible, so it’s unlikely everyone will know all the answers – just have a bit of fun.Classical & Ancient World
- In Greek mythology, who is the muse of sacred poetry?
- What Roman holiday held from 17 to 23 December had a large influence on how Christmas was celebrated?
- What ancient wonder was located in the city of Alexandria in Egypt?
- What’s the name of the paradise warriors go to after death?
- Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian God of Death, had the head of what?
- What is the title of the classic Greek epic attributed to Homer, telling the story of the Trojan War?
Answers will be posted in 2 weeks time.
#blog #classics #history #quiz #September #zenmischief -
September Quiz Questions
Each month we’re posing six pub quiz style questions, with a different subject each month.
As always, they’re designed to be tricky but not impossible, so it’s unlikely everyone will know all the answers – just have a bit of fun.Classical & Ancient World
- In Greek mythology, who is the muse of sacred poetry?
- What Roman holiday held from 17 to 23 December had a large influence on how Christmas was celebrated?
- What ancient wonder was located in the city of Alexandria in Egypt?
- What’s the name of the paradise warriors go to after death?
- Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian God of Death, had the head of what?
- What is the title of the classic Greek epic attributed to Homer, telling the story of the Trojan War?
Answers will be posted in 2 weeks time.
#blog #classics #history #quiz #September #zenmischief -
September Quiz Questions
Each month we’re posing six pub quiz style questions, with a different subject each month.
As always, they’re designed to be tricky but not impossible, so it’s unlikely everyone will know all the answers – just have a bit of fun.Classical & Ancient World
- In Greek mythology, who is the muse of sacred poetry?
- What Roman holiday held from 17 to 23 December had a large influence on how Christmas was celebrated?
- What ancient wonder was located in the city of Alexandria in Egypt?
- What’s the name of the paradise warriors go to after death?
- Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian God of Death, had the head of what?
- What is the title of the classic Greek epic attributed to Homer, telling the story of the Trojan War?
Answers will be posted in 2 weeks time.
#blog #classics #history #quiz #September #zenmischief -
September Quiz Questions
Each month we’re posing six pub quiz style questions, with a different subject each month.
As always, they’re designed to be tricky but not impossible, so it’s unlikely everyone will know all the answers – just have a bit of fun.Classical & Ancient World
- In Greek mythology, who is the muse of sacred poetry?
- What Roman holiday held from 17 to 23 December had a large influence on how Christmas was celebrated?
- What ancient wonder was located in the city of Alexandria in Egypt?
- What’s the name of the paradise warriors go to after death?
- Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian God of Death, had the head of what?
- What is the title of the classic Greek epic attributed to Homer, telling the story of the Trojan War?
Answers will be posted in 2 weeks time.
#blog #classics #history #quiz #September #zenmischief -
As usual at the beginning of the month there's a quick note of some things that happened this month 100 years ago.
https://zenmischief.com/2026/09/september-1926/
#otd #1926 #September #zenmischief #blog
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As usual at the beginning of the month there's a quick note of some things that happened this month 100 years ago.
https://zenmischief.com/2026/09/september-1926/
#otd #1926 #September #zenmischief #blog
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As usual at the beginning of the month there's a quick note of some things that happened this month 100 years ago.
https://zenmischief.com/2026/09/september-1926/
#otd #1926 #September #zenmischief #blog
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As usual at the beginning of the month there's a quick note of some things that happened this month 100 years ago.
https://zenmischief.com/2026/09/september-1926/
#otd #1926 #September #zenmischief #blog
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September 1926
Our look at some of the significant happenings 100 years ago this month.
3. Birth. Alison Lurie, American author and academic (d.2020)
8. The German Weimar Republic joins the League of Nations.
11. In Rome, Gino Lucetti throws a bomb at Benito Mussolini’s car, but Mussolini is unhurt.
14. The Locarno Treaties of 1926 are ratified in Geneva.
20. The North Side Gang attempts to assassinate Al Capone, then at the apex of his power, spraying his headquarters in Cicero, Illinois with over a thousand rounds of machine gun fire in broad daylight, as Capone is eating there. Capone escapes unharmed.
21. Birth. Noor Jehan, Pakistani singer and actress (d.2000)
25. The League of Nations Slavery Convention abolishes all types of slavery.
25. Henry Ford announces the 8-hour, 5-day work week.
#1926 #blog #otd #September #zenmischief -
This evening by "Unblogged August" notes are on my blog.
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This evening by "Unblogged August" notes are on my blog.
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This evening by "Unblogged August" notes are on my blog.
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This evening by "Unblogged August" notes are on my blog.
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Unblogged August
A few things from the last month which I didn’t otherwise write about …
Saturday 1
Just how did we get to August?!Sunday 2
After 10 years this is apparently the last year that the UCL group are doing the Big Wasp Survey. So of course today I had to set my two traps for this years first round, which means I think I’ve taken part in all 10 years! It’s been a wonderful, and very interesting piece of citizen science which has already enabled several academic publications.Monday 3
We now have five ripe yellow chillies.I’m not sure it’s going to be a bumper year, but a few will be good, although we have loads in the freezer.Tuesday 4
A miracle! 16:30 this afternoon. RAIN! Only a five minute shower but it’s the first we’ve seen in literally weeks. An odd distant rumble of thunder too. Followed by bright sunshine.Thursday 6
Phew! Monthly finances day – again. And thankfully we’re solvent again this month. As I had hoped, I even managed to put away the small legacy I got from my aunt.Sunday 9
Wasp traps taken in today. For once this year wasps in both traps. The trap by the pond was especially good with three common wasps (Vespula vulgaris), but also what look like four either parasitic wasps or sawflies – I can’t identify which. The latter are on the right of the image.Sadly nothing more exciting.Monday 10
It’s dusk. And our local robin is still singing its heart out in the garden.Tuesday 11
So having finished the new pavements in the whole road last week, the guys came along this morning and ripped up the area of dropped curb in front of my neighbour’s. Why? I suspect because he didn’t like what they’d done (it was actually OK) and moaned.Wednesday 12
Solar eclipse day. Sadly not a total eclipse here, but about 95%. And for once I managed to see an astronomical event; there was a clear blue sky and nothing to intervene. Obviously I had got the correct viewing shades. Very nice to watch, especially around maximum. I remember the 1999 eclipse (also only partial) although that day was partly cloudy, so one got some view, without shades, through the cloud. In both cases it was very obvious from the surprising dimming of the light.Thursday 13
So Heathrow has fallen from being the busiest airport in Europe. Good! Not only do we have to significantly curtail air travel (and filthy shipping, cars, etc.) but it belies the need for the third runway.Friday 14
New TV installed in the bedroom. Blimey what a fight as we had to change the wall mount which meant even more holes in the wall; luckily concealed by the TV.Monday 17
Monday gets the week off to a bad start. Stressed early on before hospital appointment, followed by lots of everything conspiring to bugger things up. It’s going to be one of those weeks.Tuesday 18
Rendered totally incapable today by depression. No obvious reason, but is all of a piece with yesterday. Nothing attempted, so nothing achieved.Thursday 20
A trip today to a new (to me) hospital. In the 45 years we’ve lived here I’ve never been to the Central Middlesex Hospital although it is only a handful of miles away. Although rebuilt about 10 years ago it is quite a small hospital which does a lot of the local elective surgery. You walk in and the main entrance hall is vast; it feels like you could fit a cathedral in there; and the coffee shop looks big enough to serve a complete army battalion! Outside the main entrance is no different, except that it is a bus station; I lost count of how many bus routes go through there – I counted six without trying. All the staff I came across were really friendly and helpful, which is a refreshing change!Friday 21
I’ve been really struggling all week, and it’s been a relentless round of appointments etc. It’s not been helped by two consecutive late nights and early morning starts. I know N feels the same, so weekend recuperation is badly needed.Saturday 22
The Boy Cat has disappeared. I noticed late last evening that he had a huge abscess on the left side of his face, but before we could scoop him up this morning he’d obviously shed drops of blood through the house and gone out in the middle of the night. Writing this evening, he hasn’t been seen since. Oh bugger! Sadly not a lot we can do, except hope he’s OK and will wander back.Sunday 23
So Boy Cat came in late last evening looking a real mess. He had some attention, a long drink and some food; and buggered off again. He reappeared at lunchtime today looking somewhat less sorry for himself; had a few bits of the ham we were eating, and disappeared again. But he returned at teatime to demolish a bowl of food; and when we were eating he had a lick round the end of the cream tub. If we can, he’d better be kept in tonight until he can go to the V-E-T tomorrow.Monday 24
So instead of coming with me to the optician, N took Boy Cat to the V-E-T. Boy is OK but has lost quite a bit of weight since Easter, so blood tests done as well as having his face sorted out and sent home with antibiotics and painkillers. And I need new glasses: expensive lenses and expensive frames. The combined cost made a huge dent in the credit card! Ouch!Friday 28
Today a culinary adventure, which I really should write up. For evening meal I did Chicken Kiev, something I’ve never done before, with a side of pasta with onion, yellow pepper and a little tomato paste. It worked surprisingly well, although the chicken wasn’t exactly beautifully presented – well you try cutting a pocket in a chicken breast without putting the knife through the edges! I followed this with a nectarine and raspberry rustic tart (below), which went down well with cream; and will provide some breakfasts over the coming days.Sunday 30
Well yesterday it rained steadily, on and off, all day, just as promised. Today we were promised more rain – but where was it? It threatened all day but did nothing. Annoying especially as we hassled around to set the wasp traps for round two of sampling. But while doing the wasp traps I spotted this rather splendid hoverfly.a href=”https://zenmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/hoverfly2.jpg” target=”_blank”>I think it’s probably a Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) so called from the mask on the back of the thorax.Monday 31
#August #blog #personal #unblogged #zenmischief
August Bank Holiday. Yet again a promise of rain which didn’t materialise. Yesterday’s hoverfly confirmed by iNaturalist as a Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); not uncommon and I’ve doubtless seen many before and not realised it. -
Today on the blog we bring you this month's selection of links to items you didn't know you'd missed.
https://zenmischief.com/2026/08/monthly-links-for-august/
#biology #blog #history #links #medicine #physics #science #sexuality #zenmischief
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Today on the blog we bring you this month's selection of links to items you didn't know you'd missed.
https://zenmischief.com/2026/08/monthly-links-for-august/
#biology #blog #history #links #medicine #physics #science #sexuality #zenmischief
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Today on the blog we bring you this month's selection of links to items you didn't know you'd missed.
https://zenmischief.com/2026/08/monthly-links-for-august/
#biology #blog #history #links #medicine #physics #science #sexuality #zenmischief
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Today on the blog we bring you this month's selection of links to items you didn't know you'd missed.
https://zenmischief.com/2026/08/monthly-links-for-august/
#biology #blog #history #links #medicine #physics #science #sexuality #zenmischief
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Monthly Links for August
We’re at the end of August already, and even my young optician was being concerned about the speed with which the year was disappearing. Anyway here’s episode eight of this year’s monthly links to items you didn’t know you’d missed. As always we start with the heavy stuff …
Science, Technology, Natural World
Astronomers think they’ve discovered a black hole “star”, which would be a new kind of cosmic object.
The venerable Voyager 2 spacecraft, which is now outside the solar system, has done a very risky manoeuvre to save power and keep it working for anther couple of years. [££££]
Down on Earth there are safety concerns as scientists have made the first AI designed viruses.
Another concern, at least for ecologists, is where all the wasps have gone this summer.
While we’re on invertebrates, here are half a dozen somewhat surprising facts about them.
Larry the Cat has recently welcomed yet another new Prime Minister to Downing Street, but how do pets adapt to change?
Why do sleeping cats so often cover their eyes with a paw?
It was 388 years ago that Galileo worked out that physics means that human giants can’t exist. [££££]
Kew Gardens is about to start renovation of the iconic Palm House, but that means many plants have to be moved, and some even sacrificed.
Health, Medicine
Why do heatwaves hit women harder than men?
Research sems to be suggesting that in the final five minutes before death something odd happens with consciousness. [LONG READ]
Sexuality & Relationships
An essay on the importance of the foreskin. [LONG READ]
[NSFW] On the need for females to be fucked for bodily serenity.
Environment & Ecology
On the environmental effects of humans on trees.
History, Archaeology, Anthropology
Research is showing that long before any evidence of sails European stone age hunter-gatherers made sea voyages to Malta.
Another Ancient Roman shipwreck has been discovered off the coast of Sicily – and its fully laden with amphorae.
While on the ancient world, here’s a look at the mysteries surrounding the Antikythera Mechanism. And the author, Isa Grant, has taken a logical look at many unsolved mysteries, so dig around in her Substack.
Many researchers believe that ancient Pictish symbols are actually names, but this is unlikely.
Medievals had a fixation on female pubic anatomy.
Mummified bodies found in Chile have revealed a lost lineage of smallpox. [££££]
London
Here’s a quick look at half a dozen London places associated with Samuel Pepys.
The latest instalment of Matt Brown’s coloured rendition of John Rocque’s 1746 map of London is out on the edge of the East End.
Lifestyle, Personal Development, Beliefs
Nobody will admit to having far right beliefs these days, but here’s a checklist to allow you to determine if they really are.
On being more than an attractive photograph, because there’s life behind the frame.
On designing and wearing female attire without the need for underwear.
And finally … a look at the bizarre world of banning pop songs for profanity and what gets missed. [LONG READ]
#biology #blog #history #links #medicine #physics #science #sexuality #zenmischief -
"Something to Think About" this month, from my blog:
"Can animals commit suicide?"
https://zenmischief.com/2026/08/something-to-think-about-this-month-20/
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"Something to Think About" this month, from my blog:
"Can animals commit suicide?"
https://zenmischief.com/2026/08/something-to-think-about-this-month-20/
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"Something to Think About" this month, from my blog:
"Can animals commit suicide?"
https://zenmischief.com/2026/08/something-to-think-about-this-month-20/
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"Something to Think About" this month, from my blog:
"Can animals commit suicide?"
https://zenmischief.com/2026/08/something-to-think-about-this-month-20/
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Something to Think About this Month
Each month I offer you something to think about to get the brain working. This month …
Can animals commit suicide?
#blog #logic #thoughts #zenmischief -
Today's contribution on my blog is this month's collection of quotes.
https://zenmischief.com/2026/08/monthly-quotes-for-august-2/
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Today's contribution on my blog is this month's collection of quotes.
https://zenmischief.com/2026/08/monthly-quotes-for-august-2/
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Today's contribution on my blog is this month's collection of quotes.
https://zenmischief.com/2026/08/monthly-quotes-for-august-2/