gwembel
@gwembel.com
Reader & puzzle game player. Interested in science, culture, math, music, art, education. Politically liberal work-within-system. Hobby-writer of Interactive Fiction IF text adventure (stories about time travel/magic/humor/mystery). Wife, mother, grandma.
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gwembel
@gwembel.com
· May 3
Not my photo, just my eyes seeing hope in youngsters who'll try to repair the world. May empathy guide them to resist the reflex of collective blame, to seek truth from evidence, to plan creatively, to cooperate w/o prejudice, and to persist in trying alternatives to simplistic cynical violence.
Reposted by gwembel
Five expressions that are used when bumping into someone in an unexpected place…
1. It’s a small world (English)
2. How round is the earth (Ukrainian)
3. The world is a village (German)
4. The world is a handkerchief (Spanish)
5. What an odd place to find a lobster (Irish)
1. It’s a small world (English)
2. How round is the earth (Ukrainian)
3. The world is a village (German)
4. The world is a handkerchief (Spanish)
5. What an odd place to find a lobster (Irish)
January 27, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Five expressions that are used when bumping into someone in an unexpected place…
1. It’s a small world (English)
2. How round is the earth (Ukrainian)
3. The world is a village (German)
4. The world is a handkerchief (Spanish)
5. What an odd place to find a lobster (Irish)
1. It’s a small world (English)
2. How round is the earth (Ukrainian)
3. The world is a village (German)
4. The world is a handkerchief (Spanish)
5. What an odd place to find a lobster (Irish)
Even ICE agents are asking why Trump has been encouraging them to get increasing aggessive against protesters. Of course he wants to distract from Epstein and affordability concerns, but there also seems to be a deliberate provocation to create excuses to invoke the Insurrection Act. (1/3)
#ICEout
#ICEout
January 27, 2026 at 1:07 AM
Even ICE agents are asking why Trump has been encouraging them to get increasing aggessive against protesters. Of course he wants to distract from Epstein and affordability concerns, but there also seems to be a deliberate provocation to create excuses to invoke the Insurrection Act. (1/3)
#ICEout
#ICEout
Street art near the Swedish Medical Center (First Hill Campus) in Seattle, Washington. This mural depicts Alex Pretti, the ICU nurse who was shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
(from topsy_paints on Instagram)
(from topsy_paints on Instagram)
January 27, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Street art near the Swedish Medical Center (First Hill Campus) in Seattle, Washington. This mural depicts Alex Pretti, the ICU nurse who was shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
(from topsy_paints on Instagram)
(from topsy_paints on Instagram)
Reposted by gwembel
In my ongoing attempts to give you a break from *gestures widely* THE HORRORS:
Let's talk about the utterly bizarre science of cats' purring.
Here's a weird starting point:
There are NO cats (Felidae) that can BOTH roar AND purr.
Cats that roar = genus Panthera
Cats that purr = genus Felis
Let's talk about the utterly bizarre science of cats' purring.
Here's a weird starting point:
There are NO cats (Felidae) that can BOTH roar AND purr.
Cats that roar = genus Panthera
Cats that purr = genus Felis
January 24, 2026 at 11:12 PM
In my ongoing attempts to give you a break from *gestures widely* THE HORRORS:
Let's talk about the utterly bizarre science of cats' purring.
Here's a weird starting point:
There are NO cats (Felidae) that can BOTH roar AND purr.
Cats that roar = genus Panthera
Cats that purr = genus Felis
Let's talk about the utterly bizarre science of cats' purring.
Here's a weird starting point:
There are NO cats (Felidae) that can BOTH roar AND purr.
Cats that roar = genus Panthera
Cats that purr = genus Felis
Reposted by gwembel
January 16, 2026 at 5:42 PM
I've been enjoying the recently released Mel Brooks documentary. Like Carl and Rob Reiner, Mel seems like such a genuine mensch.
It's fascinating how the Dick Van Dyke show was partly a tv-on-tv show about the writers on Sid Caesar's "Show of Shows." (1/4)
www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mel-...
It's fascinating how the Dick Van Dyke show was partly a tv-on-tv show about the writers on Sid Caesar's "Show of Shows." (1/4)
www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mel-...
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! movie review (2026) | Roger Ebert
Brooks is still the man—still willing to do anything for a laugh and still wanting us to love Melvin Brooks
www.rogerebert.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:55 PM
I've been enjoying the recently released Mel Brooks documentary. Like Carl and Rob Reiner, Mel seems like such a genuine mensch.
It's fascinating how the Dick Van Dyke show was partly a tv-on-tv show about the writers on Sid Caesar's "Show of Shows." (1/4)
www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mel-...
It's fascinating how the Dick Van Dyke show was partly a tv-on-tv show about the writers on Sid Caesar's "Show of Shows." (1/4)
www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mel-...
On a beautiful, rugged, windswept island, a farmer sent one of his chicken-protection dogs to save a fairy penguin colony from being wiped out by foxes. More dogs were added, and a film telling the story (Oddball) has generated tourist traffic.
The smallest penguin on Earth is also the most CASUAL, trading the black tie and tails for a more casual blue suit jacket.
Let's meet the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor), native to New Zealand + Australia's southern shores.
The Māori named it 'kororā.'
Australians call it the fairy penguin. 🐧🧚
Let's meet the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor), native to New Zealand + Australia's southern shores.
The Māori named it 'kororā.'
Australians call it the fairy penguin. 🐧🧚
January 23, 2026 at 3:17 PM
On a beautiful, rugged, windswept island, a farmer sent one of his chicken-protection dogs to save a fairy penguin colony from being wiped out by foxes. More dogs were added, and a film telling the story (Oddball) has generated tourist traffic.
The song about "a little piece of Poland, a little piece of France," from the 1983 Mel Brooks movie remake of "To Be or Not To Be," a tribute to the also excellent Jack Benny 1942 movie of the same name. Satire is more important than ever.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VM6...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VM6...
To Be or Not To Be (1983) A Little Piece of Poland Scene 4K
YouTube video by Things
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:06 PM
The song about "a little piece of Poland, a little piece of France," from the 1983 Mel Brooks movie remake of "To Be or Not To Be," a tribute to the also excellent Jack Benny 1942 movie of the same name. Satire is more important than ever.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VM6...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VM6...
In a recent speech, he said, "I don't want to use force. I won't use force. All this alligator is asking for is a rotisserie chicken."
Then, after taking and eating it anyway, his crypto-betting site welched on payout while claiming insufficient force to qualify as an invasion.
Then, after taking and eating it anyway, his crypto-betting site welched on payout while claiming insufficient force to qualify as an invasion.
January 21, 2026 at 5:56 PM
In a recent speech, he said, "I don't want to use force. I won't use force. All this alligator is asking for is a rotisserie chicken."
Then, after taking and eating it anyway, his crypto-betting site welched on payout while claiming insufficient force to qualify as an invasion.
Then, after taking and eating it anyway, his crypto-betting site welched on payout while claiming insufficient force to qualify as an invasion.
Reposted by gwembel
(The Atlantic) This is the article that you need to read...about the future of what might or will happen with the US harassment and potential invasion of Greenland. Superb writing by Anne Applebaum. @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Trump’s Letter to Norway Should Be the Last Straw
Will Republicans in Congress ever step in?
www.theatlantic.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:36 PM
(The Atlantic) This is the article that you need to read...about the future of what might or will happen with the US harassment and potential invasion of Greenland. Superb writing by Anne Applebaum. @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Many of us remember being taught to recognize common logical fallacies. At some point we might've added Internet search skills to suss out lies/hoaxes/over-spin. Now we should update the toolbox: spotting video deception techniques.
cardcatalogforlife.substack.com/p/the-verifi...
cardcatalogforlife.substack.com/p/the-verifi...
The Verification Ladder: A Framework for Evaluating Video When You Can’t Tell What’s Real
"Is this real?" isn't a straightforward question anymore. What to ask instead, and why the source often matters more than the footage itself.
cardcatalogforlife.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Many of us remember being taught to recognize common logical fallacies. At some point we might've added Internet search skills to suss out lies/hoaxes/over-spin. Now we should update the toolbox: spotting video deception techniques.
cardcatalogforlife.substack.com/p/the-verifi...
cardcatalogforlife.substack.com/p/the-verifi...
Finnish ice lanterns: jäälyhty! Ice is less upsetting (and more hopeful) with double umlauts.
I don't know who made these lanterns or who took the beautiful photo. But I know it was Jimmy Kimmel who said, "Donald, you can't have any Greenland until you finish your Venezuela!"
I don't know who made these lanterns or who took the beautiful photo. But I know it was Jimmy Kimmel who said, "Donald, you can't have any Greenland until you finish your Venezuela!"
January 17, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Finnish ice lanterns: jäälyhty! Ice is less upsetting (and more hopeful) with double umlauts.
I don't know who made these lanterns or who took the beautiful photo. But I know it was Jimmy Kimmel who said, "Donald, you can't have any Greenland until you finish your Venezuela!"
I don't know who made these lanterns or who took the beautiful photo. But I know it was Jimmy Kimmel who said, "Donald, you can't have any Greenland until you finish your Venezuela!"
thinkygames.com/dailies/
Yay! I just solved the entry puzzle, and I bet you can do it, too!
Yay! I just solved the entry puzzle, and I bet you can do it, too!
Thinky Dailies, a daily puzzle adventure!
Join our thinky friend on an adventure through handcrafted daily puzzles - every day, a new puzzle, new rules, new surprises.
thinkygames.com
January 17, 2026 at 1:35 AM
thinkygames.com/dailies/
Yay! I just solved the entry puzzle, and I bet you can do it, too!
Yay! I just solved the entry puzzle, and I bet you can do it, too!
Reposted by gwembel
Beautiful sunrise on the ridge this morning. Not quite this colorful but I couldn’t resist a little poetic license. #draw #mentalhealth 11x7”
December 26, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Beautiful sunrise on the ridge this morning. Not quite this colorful but I couldn’t resist a little poetic license. #draw #mentalhealth 11x7”
Reposted by gwembel
Blackwater Swamp oil. 3’x4’
#contemporaryart #traditionalart #artsky. #landscape #drawing #fineart #art #traditionalart #swamp #oilpainting
www.rmhershberger.com
#contemporaryart #traditionalart #artsky. #landscape #drawing #fineart #art #traditionalart #swamp #oilpainting
www.rmhershberger.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Blackwater Swamp oil. 3’x4’
#contemporaryart #traditionalart #artsky. #landscape #drawing #fineart #art #traditionalart #swamp #oilpainting
www.rmhershberger.com
#contemporaryart #traditionalart #artsky. #landscape #drawing #fineart #art #traditionalart #swamp #oilpainting
www.rmhershberger.com
Soul-consuming horrors continue, day after day after day. So much. Too much.
@mikeluckovich captured this day in the American history in a cartoon... 😭
January 9, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Soul-consuming horrors continue, day after day after day. So much. Too much.
Reposted by gwembel
January 7, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Reposted by gwembel
New painting! Oil and pastels on panel, 40 x 50cm. #oilpainting #oilpastels #wildflowers #poppies #scribbling
January 6, 2026 at 11:35 AM
New painting! Oil and pastels on panel, 40 x 50cm. #oilpainting #oilpastels #wildflowers #poppies #scribbling
WTG Erik! This band has really clever lyrics for a variety of musical genres. So if you happen to be near Bloomington, Indiana, check it out!
My band, The Magical Space Wizards from Outer Space is playing at the Blockhouse on Friday, January 16th, 8pm!
December 30, 2025 at 2:05 AM
WTG Erik! This band has really clever lyrics for a variety of musical genres. So if you happen to be near Bloomington, Indiana, check it out!
So unfair that the cognitive tests are getting harder. I could still find the lion, the fish, and the hippopotamus, but they kept asking me which one was the giraffe.
(Maybe the giraffe is in the wardrobe with the witch and Jean-Luc Picard's fifth light.)
(Maybe the giraffe is in the wardrobe with the witch and Jean-Luc Picard's fifth light.)
December 21, 2025 at 7:09 PM
So unfair that the cognitive tests are getting harder. I could still find the lion, the fish, and the hippopotamus, but they kept asking me which one was the giraffe.
(Maybe the giraffe is in the wardrobe with the witch and Jean-Luc Picard's fifth light.)
(Maybe the giraffe is in the wardrobe with the witch and Jean-Luc Picard's fifth light.)
Reposted by gwembel
Saying "Happy Hollandaise" as a part of my war on eggs benedict.
December 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Saying "Happy Hollandaise" as a part of my war on eggs benedict.
Reposted by gwembel
Summit
30”x30” oil on canvas
30”x30” oil on canvas
December 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Summit
30”x30” oil on canvas
30”x30” oil on canvas
But where did he find a swan who was willing to pose in place for a whole year?
A SOLSTICE ANALEMMA: Italian photographer Paolo Bardelli stitched together 48 pictures spanning 12 months to reveal the analemma over Lake Varese. spaceweathergallery2.com/indiv_upload... spaceweather.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
But where did he find a swan who was willing to pose in place for a whole year?
Today I heard about a great Hanukkah miracle that happened in reverse: An eight-day supply of Hanukkah doughnuts lasted for only one day. Here, there, and everywhere. #doughnuts
December 21, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Today I heard about a great Hanukkah miracle that happened in reverse: An eight-day supply of Hanukkah doughnuts lasted for only one day. Here, there, and everywhere. #doughnuts
Wishing everyone light, love, good health, and the warmth of being connected to friends and family. Good Yule, Hopeful Solstice, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Jubilant Kwanzaa, SuperCaliFragiListic Season's Greetings, Live Long and Prosper, and These Aren't the Droids You're Looking For.
December 21, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Wishing everyone light, love, good health, and the warmth of being connected to friends and family. Good Yule, Hopeful Solstice, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Jubilant Kwanzaa, SuperCaliFragiListic Season's Greetings, Live Long and Prosper, and These Aren't the Droids You're Looking For.