Monday, 9 March 2026

Witty Humour

Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. It's linked with improved cardiovascular health, pain relief, and immune system functioning. Laughter truly is a good medicine.

Take a look at today’s selection of witty aphorisms. I hope they make you laugh. Have a great week ahead and may your days be filled with laughter.

Income tax returns are the most imaginative fiction being written today. - Herman Wouk

The only aspect of our travels that is interesting to others is disaster. - Martha Gellman

A politician is an animal who can sit on a fence and yet keep both ears to the ground. - H. L. Mencken

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. - Margaret Atwood

The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer

A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. - Samuel Goldwyn

If you are good for nothing else, you can still serve as a bad example. - Peter Ludwig Berger

About the time we think we can make ends meet, somebody moves the ends. - Herbert Clark Hoover

We can all learn something from the parrot, which is content to repeat what it hears without trying to make a good story out of it. - Unknown

The woman whose behavior indicates that she will make a scene if she is told the truth asks to be deceived. - Elizabeth Jenkins

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Sunday, 8 March 2026

The World of Plants

Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can – there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did. - Sarah Caldwell

The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder. - Ralph W. Sockman

A peek into the world of plants. Trivia, and fun facts about plants, courtesy of Facebook pages ‘Colours of Nature’, ‘Ancestral Stories’, ‘Weird Facts’, ‘Unbelievable Facts’, ‘Today I Learned’, ‘Science and Facts’, ‘Crazy Creatures’, ‘The Knowledge Factory’, ‘The Study Secrets’ etc… However, I do not know if they are true. Some of them sound really incredible.

Beyond storage, aloe opens its pores at night to limit water loss and stabilizes that gel with sugars that protect its cells in extreme heat. A self contained survival system, refined for dry worlds. – A Facebook post by ‘Strangest Facts’
The ghost orchid lives rootless on tree bark, absorbing moisture from humid air deep in swamp forests. At night it blooms to attract a giant sphinx moth, then fades by morning, a reminder that rarity often survives quietly. – A Facebook post by ‘Strangest Facts’
A mulberry is not made from just one flower. Many tiny flowers grow close together in a cluster on the tree. Instead of each flower making its own separate fruit, they join together as they grow.

Each little flower makes a very small fruit with a seed inside. As these small fruits develop, they press together and fuse. From the outside it looks like one single berry, but up close you can see the many tiny parts that make it up, and each bump hides a seed.

This way of forming fruit is what makes mulberries special. They are soft and sweet like other berries, but they are really a group of many small fruits acting as one. That is why when you pick a mulberry and pull it apart, you can sometimes see the tiny pieces that came from different flowers. – A Facebook post by ‘Amazing World’

That artichoke on your plate is a flower waiting to bloom. You are eating a blossom paused just before it turns violet and wild. But the detail most people miss is what happens if you let it keep going.

An artichoke is the immature bud of a thistle in the sunflower family, cut before it can open. Left in the field, it swells and splits into a crown of electric purple filaments, sometimes six inches across, drawing bees instead of butter.

The tender heart we prize would toughen into a fibrous core. The tight leaves we peel back would flare outward, no longer layered for us but for pollinators.

For centuries around the Mediterranean, growers harvested them early on purpose. Flavor depends on interruption. Every plate holds a flower stopped mid becoming. Beauty, sometimes, is brightest right before it is allowed to unfold. – A Facebook post by ‘Strangest Facts’

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Saturday, 7 March 2026

The World of Insects

Live to learn and you will really learn to live. - John C. Maxwell

Knowledge is like a rare gem; the more facets it has, the greater its brilliance. - Validivar

Today, we take a peek into the world of insects. These are some interesting fun facts about insects – courtesy of Facebook pages ‘Colours of Nature’, ‘Ancestral Stories’, ‘Weird Facts’, ‘Unbelievable Facts’, ‘Today I Learned’, ‘Science and Facts’, ‘Crazy Creatures, ‘The Knowledge Factory’, ‘The Study Secrets’ etc… However, I do not know if they are true. Some of them sound really incredible.

The African midge Polypedilum vanderplanki is one of the few animals capable of true anhydrobiosis survival without water. Its larvae can lose up to 97% of their body moisture and enter a glass-like suspended state in which metabolism nearly stops.

In this dried condition they can survive extreme heat, cold, and even the vacuum of space for years. When water returns, the larvae rehydrate, restart their cellular processes, and recover within hours as if nothing happened. – A Facebook post by ‘Crazy for Facts’

Confirmed sightings followed reports from local observers, with scientists verifying the insects after Iceland’s warmest May on record allowed them to survive outdoors.

One of the last mosquito free countries just crossed a quiet but historic climate threshold. – A Facebook post by 'Strangest Facts'

Before adulthood, the atlas moth spends weeks as a caterpillar eating constantly to store energy. As an adult, it has no mouth, flies only at night to find a mate, and burns through its entire lifetime fuel in days. – A Facebook post by 'Strangest Facts'
Honeybee venom contains melittin, a compound that activates pain receptors, and because a honeybee’s stinger is barbed, it can continue pumping venom for a short time after detaching (typically up to a few minutes). The intensity of pain really does vary depending on the person and where the sting occurs. – A Facebook post

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Friday, 6 March 2026

Humour

They say the most wasted of all days is that which one has not laughed. So, don’t waste a single day of your life. Laugh, and be merry.

Humour and laughter is the antidote to this stressful life. When possible, where possible, laugh. It may not add years to your life but will surely add life to your years.

If you are having one of those days where you are finding it hard to laugh, have a look at the following imges - courtesy of friends’ WhatsApp messages and images from the internet. Maybe they will bring on a chuckle, or a smile at least.

May your days be filled with laughter.

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Thursday, 5 March 2026

Food / Health

The benefits of consuming the following food/fruits. The information is taken from Facebook posts by ‘Food IQ’. 👉 HERE I do not know how true, or accurate they are. But I do know that consumed in moderation, they will not do you any harm.

When rice is cooked and then cooled (even for just a few hours), the molecular structure changes into Resistant Starch Type 3. This starch acts as a "shield" because it doesn't turn into glucose in your blood. Instead, it travels to your large intestine where it ferments and produces Butyrate—a fatty acid that heals your gut lining and tells your body to burn fat for energy instead of storing it. When rice is cooked and then cooled (even for just a few hours), the molecular structure changes into Resistant Starch Type 3. This starch acts as a "shield" because it doesn't turn into glucose in your blood. Instead, it travels to your large intestine where it ferments and produces Butyrate—a fatty acid that heals your gut lining and tells your body to burn fat for energy instead of storing it. – A Facebook post by ‘Fruit IQ’
Most people discard the hard core, but that is where the highest concentration of Bromelain lives. Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that breaks down proteins and is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory. In sports medicine, it's used to reduce swelling and muscle soreness. Instead of tossing it, chop the core finely into smoothies or salads to get a pharmaceutical-grade dose of joint protection that you can't get from the soft flesh. – A Facebook post by ‘Fruit IQ’
Commercial cucumbers are coated in a food-grade petroleum-based wax to prevent moisture loss. This wax doesn't just sit on top; it acts as a solvent that "locks" pesticides into the skin of the vegetable. No amount of scrubbing or vinegar-soaking can remove what's trapped under the wax. Unless you’re buying organic or home-grown, peeling the cucumber is the only way to reduce your pesticide exposure by up to 80%. – A Facebook post by ‘Fruit IQ’
When you eat sugar on an empty stomach, your blood glucose spikes instantly. However, if you eat dessert right after protein, the protein triggers the release of GLP-1 and Peptide YY (satiety hormones). These hormones physically slow down "gastric emptying"—the speed at which food leaves your stomach. This forces the dessert to wait in line, releasing its sugar into your blood in a slow drip rather than a flood, preventing the insulin spike that triggers fat storage. – A Facebook post by ‘Fruit IQ’
2026 gut health data shows that the number of different plant species you eat is the single greatest predictor of gut microbial diversity. Each plant (grains, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, fruits, veggies) contains unique fibers and polyphenols that feed different "specialist" bacteria. Most people eat the same 5-10 plants. By hitting 30, you diversify your gut flora so much that your immune system becomes significantly more resilient to inflammation and pathogens. – A Facebook post by ‘Fruit IQ’

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Wednesday, 4 March 2026

The World of Our Feathered Friends

You live and learn. Or you don't live long. - Robert A. Heinlein

Today, we take a peek into the world of our feathered friends.

Some interesting fun facts about birds – courtesy of Facebook pages ‘Colours of Nature’, ‘Ancestral Stories’, ‘Weird Facts’, ‘Unbelievable Facts’, ‘Today I Learned’, ‘Science and Facts’, ‘Crazy Creatures’, ‘The Knowledge Factory’, ‘The Study Secrets’ etc… However, I do not know if they are true. Some of them sound really incredible.

Kiwi chicks really do hatch with an enormous yolk sac (up to ~40–50% of their body weight), which fuels them for about 7–10 days without eating. They’re fully feathered at birth, largely independent, hide during the day, roam at night, and receive little to no parental care—a super rare strategy among birds. – A Facebook post by ‘Strangest Facts’
Tiny, fearless, and built for cold forests—this Golden-crowned Kinglet is moments away from flight.

Despite its delicate size, the Golden-crowned Kinglet is one of North America’s toughest little birds. Weighing barely more than a few coins, it survives freezing winters that seem far too harsh for such a small body. Its secret is not strength, but strategy. As night falls and temperatures drop, these birds gather together and snuggle tightly, sharing body heat to conserve energy and stay alive through the coldest hours.

During the day, kinglets are in constant motion. They flit rapidly from branch to branch, searching bark and needles for tiny insects and eggs. Their fast metabolism demands near-constant feeding, which is why you often see them pausing only briefly before launching again. The bright yellow stripe on the crown, bordered by black, gives the species its name and is especially vivid in good light.

This image captures more than a bird—it shows resilience in miniature form. In a world where survival often favors size and power, the Golden-crowned Kinglet proves that cooperation, efficiency, and adaptation can be just as powerful. – A Facebook post by ‘Knowledge Bytes’

Even the fastest hunter stops to prepare first. The peregrine falcon can dive at over 240 miles per hour, making it the fastest animal on Earth. Yet sheer speed is only part of its success. Before each hunt, the falcon meticulously grooms its talons, checking every claw with intense focus. These talons are not just sharp, they are essential tools for survival. One misstep at top speed could mean serious injury or missing a meal.

The talons are engineered to strike with crushing precision, often locking prey instantly in mid-air. Grooming keeps them clean, removes debris, and repairs minor wear that could reduce grip. But preparation doesn’t stop there. Falcons carefully realign feathers, clean their beaks, and ensure their body is perfectly primed for the hunt.

Every small action adds up to a single, flawless strike. In the world of the peregrine, preparation and precision are just as critical as speed. – A Facebook post by Patrick Barnes

This is the Kakapo, what many call the "world's dumbest bird." It's entire existence is a parade of evolutionary miscalculations.

It’s the world's only parrot that cannot fly, but nobody told the Kakapo that. It constantly climbs trees and jumps off, only to plummet straight to the ground like a feathery rock.

But the real comedy is its love life. When it wants to find a mate, the male digs a hole in the dirt, sits inside it, and just screams for hours. It makes a booming noise that sounds like a foghorn, hoping a female will hear it from miles away.

Now that rarely works, we’re talking like once every 5 years they’ll find success, so when they’re unsuccessful they waddle off to find a nice rock to get busy with.

The males have been also been known to attempt to seduce a falling leaf or more famously, a human head. - A Facebook post by ‘The Feed Ski’

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Tuesday, 3 March 2026

‘Yuan Xiao Jie’

👉 Source

Happy ‘Yuan Xiao Jie’

Today is Yuan Xiao Jie. This festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month (March the 3rd) this year, marks the first full moon of the year and the end of the Chinese New Year. In China, it is also known as the Lantern Festival, and Chinese Valentine’s Day. The festival dates back over 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty.

I don’t know what it is like in China now, but according to history, in the olden days, young people took to the streets, enjoying the colourful and beautifully designed lanterns on display, and hoped for a chance to meet their potential partner. Games like solving riddles, and vibrant dragon dances add to the vibrant atmosphere of the occasion.

👉 Source

People eat ‘tangyuan’ (sweet rice balls), with various fillings, symbolizing family reunion and happiness.

👉 Source

Outside of China, the festival is not as popularly celebrated. In Singapore, grassroot leaders in each housing estate might organise an event to mark the end of the Chinese New Year. Families might gather for a meal in the evening, but the meal is not as elaborate, or as important as the reunion dinner.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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Monday, 2 March 2026

Wacky Humour

Laughter is our reflex to something that tickles our funny bone; it is our reflex to something which we find amusing. It is when we find, or see the humour – in a joke, an action or a situation. And it doesn’t matter if you revel in the coarsest puns or the raunchiest jokes.

Whatever humour works for you, it is great. The important thing is to have a sense of humour. And not to lose your sense of humour no matter how tough life gets.

Enjoy this week’s selection of humour! May you days be filled with laughter!

Sometimes, when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shame. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, "It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver." - Jack Handy

It's actually not too difficult to get a dog to bring a ball back to you once you learn how. It helps to start by understanding that dogs are just trying to teach you to play their game while you're trying to teach them yours. Who ends up training whom first depends on you. Keep in mind that dogs are naturals as animal trainers, while humans aren't, so you'd better be on your toes when you start to try out "fetch" with a new dog. - Patricia McConnel

Stealing, of course, is a crime, and a very impolite thing to do. But like most impolite things, it is excusable under certain circumstances. Stealing is not excusable if, for instance, you are in a museum and you decide that a certain painting would look better in your house, and you simply grab the painting and take it there. But if you were very, very hungry, and you had no way of obtaining money, it would be excusable to grab the painting, take it to your house, and eat it. - Daniel Handler

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Sunday, 1 March 2026

Chinese New Year Dinner

Officially, Chinese New Year is a two days celebration. Unofficially, it goes on until the 15th day of the first lunar month.

As with the previous years, the ‘Motley Crew’ organised a Lunar New Year get together. Due to some not being available during the weekend, the gathering was held on a Friday – the 27th of February, two days ago.

Dinner was at 7pm. The venue was at our artist and chef friend, Ernest’s house. He had once again welcomed us to his home and volunteered to cook for us.

On this occasion, there were eight of us (including the host). Those who were free went a bit earlier, and those who were working joined us after work.

For starter, we had ‘Yu Sheng’, also known as raw fish salad. The dish contains raw fish (could be salmon, mackerel, or abalone), shredded radishes, carrots, cucumbers, ginger, pomelo, roasted peanuts, and fried crackers, dressed with plum sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.

There is a ritual before consuming this dish that is only served during Chinese New Year. Diners gather around the platter and toss the ingredients high in the air with chopsticks while shouting auspicious phrases, believing the higher the tosses, the greater the fortune.

Sharks fin soup
Before you berate us for being cruel to the sharks and not being environmentally friendly, the can of shark’s fin soup was a gift to one of the members in the group, who thought to share it with us. We did not set out to have the dish on purpose.
Claypot rice – rice cooked in a claypot with a mixture of ingredients like salted fish, chicken, sausages...
Claypot rice after a good stir
Braised pork
Claypot seafood with tong hoon (glass noodles)
Long cabbage with abalone
There was another dish of meat and prawn ‘cake’ which I forgot to take a photo of.

As usual, there were generous portions of food, snacks and fruits. We all had our fill washed down with a couple of bottles of wine.

We all had a lovely evening. In October this year we would have known each other for 40 years, albeit some missing years in between before Facebook reunited us. It was suggested that when the time comes – in October, we should all go for a long trip together. We shall see.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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Saturday, 28 February 2026

The World of Animals

We live and Learn. It is good to learn sonething about this amazing, wonder-ful world everyday.

Today, we take a peek into the world of animals that share our wonder-ful world.

Here are some trivia, fun facts about animals, courtesy of Facebook pages ‘Colours of Nature’, ‘Ancestral Stories’, ‘Weird Facts’, ‘Unbelievable Facts’, ‘Today I Learned’, ‘Science and Facts’, ‘Crazy Creatures’, ‘The Knowledge Factory’, ‘The Study Secrets’ etc… However, I do not know if they are true. Some of them sound really incredible.

Terrifying at first glance… but secretly one of nature’s greatest helpers.

A single bat can devour thousands of mosquitoes every night, protecting humans from bites and harmful diseases. When a bat accidentally enters your home, it isn’t aggressive or dangerous. It’s disoriented, frightened, and desperately trying to find a way back outside.

These misunderstood creatures play a vital role in balancing ecosystems, silently working while we sleep. Instead of fear, they deserve understanding — because that tiny visitor isn’t a threat, but an exhausted guardian looking for an escape route. – A Facebook post by ‘Knowledge Factory’

A serval cat slips through the tall grass as the sky lightens. It is dawn on the African plains and the air is cool and soft. The world wakes slowly, and the serval moves with care. Its coat blends with the brown and gold of the grass, making it look like a living shadow.

It springs and pauses, every motion quick and sure. Long legs coil like a spring, then push off in a smooth jump. Ears prick up at every tiny sound. Eyes lock on a rustle in the grass. It moves quietly but with fierce purpose, a small hunter in a wide, quiet land.

As the sun rises, the serval melts back into the grass after the hunt, calm and ready for the next moment. Watching it feels like watching a secret of the wild unfold. The scene is simple and strong: a lone cat, the open grasslands, and the soft light of a new day. – A Facebook post by ‘Amazing World’

Cheetahs are unique among big cats because they lack the aggressive instinct toward humans seen in lions or tigers, leading to a history where there are no documented cases of a wild cheetah killing a human being. This docile nature stems partly from their evolution as specialized sprinters rather than ambush brawlers, making them naturally more cautious and prone to fleeing from potential threats rather than attacking. While they are still formidable predators with sharp claws and incredible speed, they often display chirping vocalizations and purring behaviors remarkably similar to domestic felines, which has earned them their reputation as the world's most oversized house cats. – A Facebook post by ‘Scientist Facts’

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