Hello, Friends,
Happy FriYAY! We did it! We survived another week of the madness. Go us! It’s time to shine our light on the good stuff. We may have to dig a little deeper to find them these days, but those little bits of joy await our exploration.
Let’s go get us some JOY!
We have a serious plastic problem. It’s in everything and everyone. Plastic takes between 20-500 years to break down, which makes it a mounting challenge everywhere. Earth Prize winning 18-year old Irish high school student Arya Satheesh has developed a solution with a plant based plastic she calls Eco Purge. It not only biodegrades in a couple of weeks, it breaks down existing microplastics in surrounding soil and water in the process.
“As a young environmental scientist, Satheesh is already focused on improving Eco Purge with some of the award funds from the Earth Prize. She would like to see companies involved with packaging, bioplastic and garbage bag productions use it in the next five years.
Eventually, she hopes to start her own bioplastic production company.”
Ramsha Waseem for Smithsonian Magazine
Go get ‘em, Arya!
Synthetic fertilizers emit 2.6 gigatonnes of CO2 into the environment annually. Brazilian scientist Dr. Mariangela Hungria has developed biological seed treatments that reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers while increasing crop yields. Dr. Hungria was named 2025 World Food Prize Laureate for her work. She’s a pioneer in applying microbiology to soil fertility having published over 500 papers on the topic.
“Many people questioned me and my abilities throughout my career but I believed in what I was doing and persevered. The role of women in agriculture, from farming to science, deserves more recognition. I hope my achievement inspires others to pursue their passions in science.”
Dr. Mariangela Hungria
Feeling restless? Make a dazzling pair of Beaded Butterfly Earrings with my latest step by step photo tutorial for WireJewelry.com!
Historian Heather Cox Richardson has been helping to translate the chaos with her clear and concise takes on current events filtered through the lens of history. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or disheartened in this moment, Heather’s got you. Take a few moments to watch this video and exhale.
“Everybody’s feeling like they’re not in control, and that’s not going to help you enjoy the rest of the summer or understand what’s happening in the country. So I really need you to take a deep breath and realize that the American people are the ones who need to be in control in this moment.” Heather Cox Richardson
This isn’t the first time this country has stood on the brink. Heather’s here to remind us that moments like this offer opportunities for powerful and positive change.
Perspective is everything.
In my seemingly endless search for the elusive forever home, I sometimes meander around the Penobscot Bay in coastal Maine. Sure, it’s obscenely cold and ridiculously snowy in the winter and not terribly warm in the summer, but something about the topography speaks to me. Let’s take a virtual stroll and peek inside two lovely and thoughtfully appointed side by side properties on Islesboro Island just a few steps from the water’s edge.
Try not to think about the black flies. Pesky little buzzkills.
I don’t see us moving there, for a host of reasons, but it’s fun to ponder the possibility!
Thus concludes this week’s judicious smattering of joyful bits. If they spoke to you, consider sharing with a friend! We can all use a little more joy these days.
Wishing you and yours a most delightful weekend. Let’s meet back here next week!
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