IN THE CHILDREN'S book by Kevin Henkes titled A Good Day, a bird loses his favorite feather, a dog gets tangled in her leash, a fox can't find his mother, a squirrel drops her nut, and everyone is in a bad mood until suddenly things turn around. The fox finds his mother, the squirrel finds an even bigger nut, the dog untangles herself, and the bird flies higher than ever before. A little girl finds the bird's lost feather and it makes her day.

This is a board book, ostensibly written for toddlers, but Michaela and I love it and I plan on sending it to college with her. It's a great illustration of "growth mindset." The text of the book runs often through my mind, a mantra, or maybe a prayer.

I did have a deadline this past week and it felt like more than the usual millstone around my neck. But if I were a little braver this comic would tackle more significant concerns, the kind that keep me up at night, especially lately.

Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, starts at sundown. I'm trying to figure out my role in the process of reconciliation, and wishing for the little bird's lost feather to come floating into view.

Today in Mushroom News

I was fascinated by this NPR story about ants farming fungi and how that might help humans farm, especially when it comes to the use of antibiotics. It shouldn't surprise anyone that insects are key to surviving climate change, especially ants.

Also, October 15th is National Mushroom Day!

I wish you all a week of industry and rejuvenation and finding lost feathers and many, many mushrooms.

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A good day

Everyone is in a bad mood until suddenly things turn around