Today’s Tedium looks back at the history of Sears, including their catalogs. I was more into the Service Merchandise catalogs as a youngster. (I wish I’d kept some of those!)

Speaking of being a youngster, it is a little disconcerting to find out that Madonna turns 60 today. 

And now, for your library-related link, here are ten animals who just wanted to borrow some books. At least the owl got its own library card.

Today is really busy. So! Here are two links, both of which are worth some time.

1. Hospitals are TOO LOUD. How is anyone supposed to rest and recuperate? Here are some brilliant ideas on how to change the system. 

2. This world map shows cultures which recognize diverse genders. It’s really fascinating and I recommend it highly.

Greetings!

If you remember the wonderful works of Webomator (including, but not limited to, the Pulp-O-Mizer), its creator could use a little financial help. Why not purchase some art, or join the Patreon? 

How We Get to Next takes a look at the future we were once promised, and what happened to it. 

We Make Money, Not Art takes a look at the international airport, and what happened to it (and how bizarre it is now).

Happy Monday, and happy Left Handers Day! 

We have tremendous respect for Fred, the escapee goat who returned to free his fellow stockyard prisoners. (Thanks, Holly!)

The World Architecture Festival’s shortlist for 2018 is out, and it looks like angles are popular this year.

You may have read the recent story about McDonald’s and the Monopoly contest which went sideways, but did you know it was written in such a way as to create a bidding war for movie options? It’s true!

Happy Friday! The Perseid meteor shower happens this weekend. Unfortunately, it’s supposed to rain here. But if you happen to have clear skies where you are, go out and take a look.

For those of us not watching the skies, there’s always psychogeography to study. 

And now, your moment of moo: Cows help police capture a suspect on the run.

Have a safe and spiffy weekend, everyone. See you next week.

Today ended up being about writing, plus a fun story about a traveling cat.

Business journalists should think like librarians. Or appreciate librarians, at least.

Once upon a time, someone stole some of William Butler Yeats’s letters, and now the letters have been found again! 

Vonnegut did not like semicolons, apparently. Vonnegut was WRONG, man. 

Richard Kadrey talks about his Sandman Slim series, plus some new work which sounds super interesting.

And now, here’s the story of Kiddo the Cat, who unintentionally became the first cat to (try to) cross the Atlantic by airship.

Today, we bring you a variety of links.

For the spooky fans: The weird and wonderful art of Olga Cornacchia. 

For the Muppet fans: Rita Moreno talks about singing “Fever” with Animal.

For the US map fans: The oldest building in each state (with a very white western focus, be warned – nothing before the 1600s!).

For the UK map fans: The bestselling musical artist from each English county. I am off to learn about some of these.