Goodbye to September and Troubled Waters
Also why strawberry farms are awesome.
Welcome, back Substack friends, to the last Sunday in September as October is right around the corner.
Ellie, my 7 month old husky mix is thrilled it’s almost October and more pumpkin spice for us all.
For those who like to workout but want n inexpensive way in doing so, climbing stairs is a great way to burn calories. From AP News:
“If you’re trying to lose weight and want a new way to do it, stair-climbing as a regular exercise — or just adding a few flights a day — might be for you.
It’s accessible, and research shows it’s more effective than walking on level ground.
“Overall, it is a fact that stair-climbing gets you fit faster and consumes more calories,” said Lauri van Houten, vice president of the International Skyrunning Federation, which oversees a wide range of disciplines that involve vertical climbing.
This includes disciplines like mountain running above 2,000 meters (about 6,500 feet) or events like the Stairclimbing World Championships.
These competitions are for the very fit, but we’re talking here about adding a few minutes of stair-climbing as a daily routine and raising awareness about its effectiveness for all ages.”
Some trivia for you. Which country has more electric cars than gas cars? If you thought Norway, you’re correct! Clean Technica reports:
“The Norwegian Road Traffic Information Council has reported a milestone — the number of fully electric vehicles on roads has surpassed the number of gas cars for the first time ever!
OFV has previously made calculations which indicate that the total vehicle unit number will increase from today’s 2.8 million cars to approximately 3.1 million through 2030.”
How does a vertical strawberry farm sound? Good News Network has the FYI:
“In Richmond, a company has opened the world’s first indoor strawberry farm.
Plenty Unlimited Inc. says their AI-based system makes it possible to grow produce with peak-season flavor, year-round, almost anywhere in the world.
AI analyses more than 10 million data points each day across 12 grow rooms, adapting each grow room’s environment to the evolving needs of the plants.
Plenty says the farm itself uses 97% less land and up to 90% less water than conventional farming, while their patent-pending pollination method, using controlled airflow across strawberry flowers, offers “more efficient and effective pollination than using bees”.
Because I’m still on the pumpkin kick, why not try your hand at making Crustless Pumpkin Pie? Skinny Taste has the way:
You just need the ingredients:
Pumpkin Puree
Full-fat Coconut Milk
Maple Syrup
Eggs
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Lemon Zest
Vanilla Extract
Sea Salt
Dairy-free Whipped Cream
I have a new song to recommend that I can’t stop listening to. It’s my new favorite ear worm song that I think you’ll enjoy also. It’s Trouble Waters by Alex Warren. Alex is big on Tik Tok, per Wikipedia: “ Alexander Warren Hughes is an American singer-songwriter and comedic video creator on YouTube. He is also popular on TikTok and Instagram. He was previously a member and a co-founder of the collaborative TikTok group The Hype House.”
Take a listen and tell me what you think?
This week’s book recommendation is from 2017- Second to None by Nancy Herkness.
Billionaire chemist Max Varela is selling his company and leaving New York for good when Emily Wade bursts into his office, desperate for his help in funding her program for disadvantaged kids and shelter dogs. Seven years ago, he fell in love with her when she was married to another man. To fight the unbidden attraction, he cut off all contact—but he’s never forgotten her.
Ever since her husband died, Emily has poured her heart and soul into the after-school care center. Seeing Max reawakens the pain of her loss, but it also brings unexpected hope for the future. As emotions thought long gone resurface, the two begin a passionate affair that seems destined for a fairy-tale ending.
That is, until Max reveals that he’s moving to Chicago in a matter of weeks and wants Emily to uproot her daughter and her life to come with him. If a second chance at love is possible, someone’s got to give.
Why I’m recommending this book- This is the type of novella you wish was longer because it's such an enjoyable read. The hero billionaire is more of a beta than an alpha, which is a nice change of pace from the usual billionaire hero romances. Second to None is a feel good romance. There's a cute dog and cute kids, including a Prince Charming type hero who adores the heroine. There's not much angst here other than Max trying to figure out a way to be with Emily without using his fortune to push her into a relationship with her. He's beyond smitten with Emily, and watching him court her is one reason to read.
Perhaps give something special to someone who needs it this week…
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”- Maya Angelou