Useful Diversions for Challenging Times

While it’s important to stay up-to-date on the news of the world, it’s also mentally important to take some time away. Here we offer some updated interesting and amusing diversions for all ages, from videos and music to recipes and book suggestions. We invite you to join us in spreading joy: if you have a link to a diversion that you’d like us to consider sharing with our readers, please email us!

Pass the pawp-corn for this one

Action! Suspense! Intrigue! Maruru, Kururu and Beruru keep the action going in this delightful treat from Cat Navi Desk.

We now return you to our previous amusements:

Reading suggestions

Several books might be interesting in the hours when concentrating on the problems of the day can be set aside. In no order they are:

John Adams by David McCullough is a well-researched and sober biography of a true American patriot who worked tirelessly and effectively to realize the stabilization of the United States. His dedication to the cause in the climate of intense partisanship was unsurpassed and an inspiration for all of us today.

Chekhov Becomes Chekhov by Bob Blaisdell is a meticulous and scholarly description of Anton Chekhov’s life as an accomplished author and young physician in the years 1886 through 1887. Czarist Russia and its population provided Chekhov with a myriad of opportunities to explore human nature with deep compassion and remarkable insight.

An Immense World by Ed Yong is a contemporary discussion of many “superpowers” that permit animals from small flies to elephants, from small fish to birds of prey, including the naked mole rat, to sense the environment they live in and to survive. The observations Yong makes are woven into a fascinating set of examples of investigations by zoologists and ecologists that make us think about the wonders and complexity of our world.

Drone deliveries for life-saving medical supplies…in minutes

An igihe.com article describes how this fascinating Mark Rober YouTube video takes viewers to Rwanda to witness the transformative impact of Zipline, a company that designs, manufactures, and operates delivery drones through distribution centers across the world.

The best lemonade you’ll never get to taste

Whatever the weather, enjoy this video of a tiny and perfect glass of lemonade being made thanks to Andrea Love’s outstanding fiber arts and stop-motion animation skills.

There is no “I” in “cello”

For those seeking a brief and entertaining musical interlude, check out Stringfever’s version of “Bolero,” featuring eight hands and one cello.

Puzzles

Puzzles are a great way to completely zone out and still feel that sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from the finished product. Artist Sarah Jane Lapp presents jigsaw puzzle experiences both online and off.

Good News 

Editorial stories

Reasons to be Cheerful, a website founded by musician David Byrne, shares inspiring stories that remind us, “Hey, there’s actually some positive stuff going on!”

Kids

What’s special about today?

In areas like the Pacific Northwest, you can celebrate National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day on January 11th! Or for young and old alike, February 2nd is National Tater Tot Day. On April 4th, celebrate the hardworking librarians on National School Librarian Day. Find these and other days to celebrate on this National Day calendar.

Zoo Penguin walks

At the Oregon Zoo, watch as Nacho the Penguin Meets Marine Mammals (1:48)

A spontaneous penguin walk through the grounds of the St. Louis Zoo in December 2018, back when hanging out in large groups was okay. (1:46)

Storytime

Storyline Online streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.

Science Demonstrations and videos

Visit the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s website for science videos and demonstrations that can be done at home

Our Planet

With a Netflix subscription, you can enjoy British documentary nature series, “Our Planet”

Grandparents

Staying in touch with the family

If you have an iPhone or other Apple device, you can read stories, show pictures to, or just talk with your grandchildren by using FaceTime. Just click on the FaceTime icon (shown) or have them call you and click “accept.” Other low-cost or no-cost ways to connect via video-chat include Zoom, Skype, and Google Chat.

Sharing stories

To make your own audiobooks for your grandchildren to listen to anytime, record yourself reading their favorite stories with these LifeHacker tips.

Humor

Working from home

If you miss the background noises of a traditional office, visit the Sound of Colleagues, where you can select and combine ambient sounds such as the coffee machine, people talking, and even the office dog.

Just because no one can see your desk doesn’t mean you should let it get messy. Fold an origami box for your paper clips and rubber bands from a piece of paper! A letter size ( 8.5″ x 11″) sheet will make a 3-inch cube.

Everyday life as sporting events

With sporting events cancelled, rugby sportscaster Nick Heath narrates real life.

For kids and kids at heart

Rube Goldberg fans, unite! The clever folks at Joseph’s Machines and Sprice Machines present “How to Pass the Salt While Maintaining Proper Social Distance” (4:26)

Recipes

What have you been stirring up in the kitchen during this quarantine? Here are some of the editors’ favorite comfort food recipes:

• Chicken and Fruit Salad
• Simple Chicken or Shrimp Curry
• Coffee Cake
• Banana Bread
• Easy Summer Salad
• Simple Cheese Soufflé
• Salmon Chowder
• Snicker Doodles Cookies
• Gold Rush Brownies
• Honey Bread

Books

Reading suggestions

Are you waiting impatiently to renew travel plans postponed due to the pandemic? This book list of ‘epic travel disasters’ may be just what you need.

On a calmer note, here is a lovely essay on the common swift, the mysterious birds “who never come down,” by Helen MacDonald.

Book reviews

• Tightrope, by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
• Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, by Matthew Walker, PhD.

John LeCarré

A review of select LeCarré novels as non-bedtime stories.

Old Favorites

Some of our favorite “comfort food” mystery books and shows.

Music

Music, old and new

Meet Yogetsu Akasaka, a Japanese buddhist monk who combines traditional chanting with beat-boxing. His YouTube page features a Heart Sutra Live Looping Remix (or pick from one of his daily live streams, now numbering over 100).

Some musical favorites: American country folk singer-songwriter John Prine; choral music composer Morten Lauridsen; and jazz artist Wynton Marsalis.