Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Birthday Week

     The Brick's birthday is Tuesday...Happy Birthday to him! 

This remarkable guy has been in my life for nearly 43 years...and I don't know what I'd do without him. Ruby, either...we both love him very much.

Meanwhile:

Cheerful memes -- that will cheer you up, too.

"Don't be like me" -- interesting advice from Shaq to Kelce. (And us.)

Sometimes living from paycheck to paycheck temporarily can save you enough -- to get out of that pattern.  (From Financial Samurai)

The stripper who accused the college lacrosse players of rape... is now in jail for stabbing her boyfriend to death. Did you know the 'rest of the story?/' (I didn't.) Her story is actually WAY more complicated than this article implies. What a messy, wasted life...and it's all everyone else's fault. (Or so she says.)

Favorite hangover foods.  Biscuits & gravy?!?

The Vietnam War POW who fooled his captors into thinking he was an idiot -- and memorized 256 names of fellow POWS. (He did it to the tune of "Old McDonald," and can still recite them today.)

Feedsacks -- an interesting exhibit at one of the Depression's most useful textiles.

'I'm a "trailerpark mom" on a limited budget. Here's how I do it, foodwise.'

'Six families -- what we spent in a month.'  This is a NY Times article, so you may have to sign in for a free account -- but it's worth it, at least for this post.  P.S. They spend a LOT.

A preserved egg found -- with liquid still inside -- buried in Great Britain during Roman times!

The sad story of the guys in Monty Python and all their terrible, financially-strained lives.  (Where did all the money go??)

I have a Modest Proposal -- let's have EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS and EVERY CABINET FIGURE, as well as our President -- take the 'gold standard cognitive test!'  It sure couldn't hurt...

A closer look at tricks and phrases Nigerian scammers use on their victims. 

Protecting your money better in (and from) banks, according to Kevin O'Leary.

The extended cut of that very silly (and funny!) Ben Affleck Dunkin' Donuts commercial. What can I say...

Meatless meals, from a specialist:  The Prudent Homemaker. I'm planning on her 'chicken' fried steak this week for a vegetarian friend. 

Interesting things noted in the 2024 Oscars class photo -- including Godzilla!

Something you CAN do about squatters in Florida, thanks to a little-known law. 

A very effective strategy for making your grocery money go further.  (From My Tireless Retirement)

Reality checks for entitled kids. 

The Arlington, which sank in 1940 with its captain still on board, is found, deep in Lake Superior.

Barney the purple dinosaur weighs in -- for the first time since 2010.  Does this mean he's coming back?

Have a great week.