Remarkably Bright Creatures and Barbie Stamps

Cuteness Help with the calm

Welcome back, Substack friends to the start of the hay days of what will be summer soon. Are you ready for Summer yet. Have you changed over your closets yet, which I still have to do.

I wouldn’t spending my, soon to be summer on an island or near an island like this one:

Now onto the good news to help you start your week…

This is for the Barbie fans- “The United States Postal Service announced a new stamp release coming later this summer: A set of Barbie designs, dressed in outfits representing 10 iconic careers.” From Good Good Good:

“These include classic Barbie dolls dressed as nurses, teachers, and astronauts, as well as some more modern styles, like a soccer player, a judge, and a robotics engineer.

The stamps will be released on July 11, during the 2026 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention in Austin, Texas.”

Awesome news about banning ‘puppy mills’. From The Denver Post:

“Following in the paw-steps of several other states and local governments, Gov. Jared Polis signed a new law Wednesday that will soon ban pet stores in Colorado from selling dogs or cats.

Once it goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2028, House Bill 1011 will only allow pet stores to host animals from adoption or rescue services, so long as the stores don’t charge fees and the animals are sterilized. It otherwise prohibits those stores from selling dogs and cats in an effort to curb commercial breeding and sales from “puppy mills.”

The bill took eight years to pass, according to Polis and the bill’s primary sponsor, House Majority Leader Monica Duran. Duran officially named the bill after her late Pomeranian, Pistol.”

Cigarette butts are so horrible for the environment, but scientists have a fund a way to use these gross butts into recycling them into sustainable bricks. From Good Good Good:

“Cigarette butts are the most common form of litter in the world, with over 6 trillion tossed each year. And because they’re made of plastic, nicotine, tar, and heavy metals, they’re not just a public health risk — they’re an environmental hazard.

Fortunately, researchers have developed a way to recycle discarded cigarette butts — while diverting heavy metals away from soil and water. And they’re doing it by adding discarded butts to clay-fired bricks.

By adding roughly 1% cigarette butt material to the brick mixture, the bricks maintain structural integrity while using less energy during production, and repurposing would-be waste.”

Have you noticed many small businesses are building a ‘fanbase’ to grab more customers? Axios reports:

“The pandemic forced small businesses to get more creative online about reaching customers. The loyalty forged during that period has stuck around and evolved.

Restaurants, coffee shops and fitness studios aren’t just selling their core products anymore. Hats, hoodies and pins are part of the playbook, too.

Restaurant merch “is the new band tee,” as many have put it.”

Cherry Fluff seems like a refreshing treat. You can make your own thanks to The Kitchn:

All you need:

1 1/2 cups marshmallow fluff

1 cup cold heavy cream

2 cups mini marshmallows

1 (about 21-ounce) can cherry pie filling

1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple in 100% juice, drained

1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, lightly toasted

Marashino cherries, for garnish (optional)

Awww… “Cat visits the library so often, he now has his own library card”.

My movie recommendation for this week is Remarkably Bright Creatures (Netflix).

“A widow who works at a local aquarium finds joy again when she forms unlikely bonds with a giant Pacific octopus and a wayward young man who comes to town in search of family. Together, they uncover a mystery that will lead them to a life-changing discovery and restore their sense of wonder.”

Based on the 2022 book by Shelby Van Pelt, Remarkably Bright Creatures is such a heartfelt movie adaptation done right. I had so many feels while I watched. Sally Field makes this movie and deserves many acting nominations. She does heartbreak and subtle comedy so well here. The mystery element, and the twists, and not just about Marcellus the octopus, voiced perfectly by Alfred Molina, will keep you guessing. So many happy years will be shed at the end. Lewis Pullman also leaves a mark here, and is also perfect in his role.

Netflix has a hit with Remarkably Bright Creatures, and a must watch for those who want something to fill your heart.

“Adapt yourself to the things among which your lot has been cast and love sincerely the fellow creatures with whom destiny has ordained that you shall live.” -Marcus Aurelius