2025-10-31 00:00:00
Softening demand from a weakening economy, increased seat capacity, and plummeting visits from abroad have led to cheaper flights from or around the USA during the holidays. Prices are lower than they have been for years. This report from Dollar Flight Club shows that domestic holiday flight prices are down an average of 19% across the board and international flight prices are down 9%. The destinations where you’ll find the best deals are the cities in Florida, Dallas, and Cancun. For departure airports, the biggest drops are in Boston, Nashville, and San Jose (CA). For international departures, prices have dropped the most from Houston, San Jose, and Chicago.
There are as many tips about trying to sleep on a plane in economy class as there are colors of neck pillows at the airport, but I’ve got one trick that has worked consistently for me for a hundred+ flights and bus rides. I pop on an eye mask, put in the noise-canceling earbuds, then play one of the two albums that are my “sleep albums.” These never change. What you pick probably doesn’t matter as long as it’s mellow, but the idea is to find something that trains your brain to say, “Ah, okay, the sleep music. It must be time to snooze.” I’ll put the album on repeat, but I rarely make it past the third song before I’m out.
Which passports will get you into the most countries visa-free? This year’s report says the three most powerful ones are all from Asia: Singapore, South Korea, and Japan. Five countries tying for fourth are all in Europe. Australia is tied for seventh, the UK is in the group ranking eighth, and Canada is tied for number nine. For the first time since the index started 20 years ago, the U.S. passport dropped out of the top-10 and now sits at #12. That’s down three places from last year, tied with Malaysia and just one point above Bulgaria and Romania.
I was just in Patagonia, around a lot of people wearing Patagonia, and I made a YouTube video about that here. I also published this blog post about buying quality travel clothes that will last instead of throwaway fast fashion. I noted in there that Generation Z is leading a resurgence in buying responsibly and buying used; hopefully it will spread. No company has done more for this cause than Patagonia: they are the most sustainably run large apparel corporation in the world, from every angle. They prove it every day by making clothing good enough to carry a lifetime guarantee, plus they give you a credit for trading in items you don’t want anymore (or accept worn-out ones for recycling). They regularly send staffed trucks into adventure travel destinations to repair rips and broken zippers. And that’s just the start. See more on their website here.
A weekly newsletter with four quick bites, edited by Tim Leffel, author of A Better Life for Half the Price and The World’s Cheapest Destinations. See past editions here, where your like-minded friends can subscribe and join you.
2025-10-30 00:00:00
I am a former professional poker player turned life coach. I leverage my years of reading people at the poker tables and navigating corporate strategy at a Fortune 100 company to help clients see their patterns clearly and determine their next best moves. I’m fascinated by games and the human psychology associated with playing them.
If you’re curious what 1:1 coaching is all about you can find me at devinportercoaching.com where you can schedule a free session or sign up for my newsletter where I will sometimes send you an email discussing a popular game and how it relates to the human psyche. — Devin Porter
Ever since hearing this quote by Jerzy Gregorek:
“Easy decision, hard life. Hard decision, easy life.”
I’ve been amazed at how applicable it is to almost any area of life. Tough conversation with a loved one or co-worker? Career Choice? Raising your children? It applies to all; if you choose the easy path you will ultimately be making your long-term life harder. If you choose the hard now, your life will be easier in the long run.
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2025-10-29 03:08:39
Print Workshop: Hand-Printing Techniques and Truly Original Projects
by Christine Schmidt
Potter Craft
2010, 176 pages, 7.5 x 9 x 0.7 inches (softcover)
A year after moving, I am still finding miscellaneous books tucked into previously unpacked boxes. Luckily, that means I get to rediscover favorites like Christine Schmidt’s Print Workshop: Hand-printing Techniques and Truly Original Projects. With step-by-step instructions, project templates, and illustrated project and resource guides, this book serves as both an exhaustive guide for the DIY-er just starting out in printmaking, as well as a jumping-off point for artists who need a nudge toward new ideas.
Schmidt, the creative force behind San Francisco’s Yellow Owl Workshop, organizes the book into several helpful and easy-to-navigate sections. She opens with a brief but thorough introduction to the processes of printmaking, followed by a comprehensive guide, complete with photos and drawings, to setting up a home studio and choosing materials. These initial images of materials-for-making reappear in the technique chapters, plucked from the original grid shots to become part of each project, transformed into visual verbs for the printing process.
As someone who has no formal training in printmaking, I was especially interested in the breadth of the form. The “Relief Printing” chapter, for example, hosts a wax seal project, and “Image Transfer Printing” includes refreshingly simple pin-prick stationary. This book is full of fantastic gift ideas (I’ll be making the sweet-potato-printed picnic set for a wedding present, and my holiday preserves are about to get gussied-up with water-slide decal jars), and because printing is made for multiples, I plan to make a whole cache of go-to homemade presents to pull from throughout the year. – Mk Smith Despres
Smart About Sharks
by Owen Davey
Flying Eye Books
2016, 40 pages, 9.2 x 11.5 x 0.5 inches
I love children’s books that are as delicious for kids as they are for adults, and Smart About Sharks is exactly that. With a sumptuous textured cloth cover, an appealing gray-tinted palette of earth tones playfully punctuated by pink, and a retro encyclopedic design, Smart is filled with fascinating bite-sized shark facts that were completely new to me. Examples: sharks were here on earth 200-million years before dinosaurs; there’s a shark called a megamouth that has a glow-in-the-dark mouth; some sharks grow only to the size of a pencil.
Smart About Sharks, just released today, is similar to illustrator Owen Davey’s other info-packed animal book, Mad About Monkeys, which came out almost exactly a year ago (363 days to be exact), and which I reviewed here on Wink. Everything from what sharks eat to their social life to their various shapes, sizes, and many different types (over 500 unique species in our oceans today!) is covered in this high-quality picture book. Rumor has it that this is the start of a series with Flying Eye Books. I hope the rumors are true! – Carla Sinclair
Books That Belong On Paper first appeared on the web as Wink Books and was edited by Carla Sinclair. Sign up here to get the issues a week early in your inbox.web as Wink Books and was edited by Carla Sinclair.
2025-10-28 00:00:00
Twenty years ago when I moved from the city to the rural acreage I now inhabit, I started researching all kinds of tools. I came across a small ad for a strange-looking contraption called a DR Trimmer/Mower. Picture a rotary lawn mower with an oversize weed whacker instead of a blade, and you’ll have it. I ordered one and was VERY glad I did. Nothing else comes close in keeping vegetation under control, even in tight spots like under fences. If I could only have one yard-maintenance tool, this would be it, hands down. In a pinch, it can even serve as a conventional lawn mower.
My original DR served me faithfully, and in fact still works well though it’s showing its age. But recently the manufacturer made an offer I couldn’t refuse to us early adopters of the original, so I updated to this new model. It has a few nice refinements but isn’t fundamentally different from my 1992 model. Highly recommended for people with lots of weeds, grass, and even brambles to keep under control.
Tips: the optional bigger engine in the 8.75 model is nice but not essential. Electric start is an optional luxury; my engine starts easily with a pull cord. I don’t think the self-propelled option is worth the money and added weight and complexity (YMMV). Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cutting line sizes and types: the stock line lasts a long time but I don’t think cuts as well as Oregon’s Nylium Starline. — Rob Lewis
When I first realized that my housemates were serious about me using a push mower to cut our yard, I was a little skeptical. Eventually I was won over by the environmental benefits and the sense of accomplishment that I received from using a “reel mower”. The first mower we purchased is literally called the “Prison reel mower” and I wouldn’t recommend it. The Brill Luxus 38 Reel Mower on the other hand is a sweet piece of engineering. It is very light at 17 pounds, weather resistant, and has variable height ranges. It feels good in your hands and seems very well designed. Now that I use it, I wouldn’t even consider buying a gas or electric powered mower for an average size yard. But let me warn you, using a manual mower is physically much harder, takes more time, and is very difficult if not impossible with tall grass (which means regular mowing). Whether you choose to look at that as an environmentally friendly and money-saving workout or a punishment is up to you. — Patrick Chen
For the past 20 years I’ve cut my lawn with a hand reel mower. Reel mowers are wonderful — when they are new. The major drawback is not the mild workout, but keeping the blades sharp over time. You can’t sharpen the helical blades of a reel mower without a special jig (at least I can’t). Yet getting it sharpened at the shop will set you back $50 each time. That adds up real fast. And if a reel mower isn’t razor sharp (unlike a power one) cutting the grass does turn into punishment. That’s why the Brill is so interesting. Because its blades do not touch the cutter bar, it claims the average interval for resharpening is 8 years. I don’t know anyone who has had one that long (German-made Brill is big in Europe but new in the US), but in theory this could prolong the duration between sharpenings and change the equation for keeping a manual reel mower going. That is good news because I’ve found that I can cut our small irregular lawn just as fast, and with no more sweat, using a sharp push mower. — KK
I have about an acre of land with a lot of mature oak and hickory trees. They drop a lot of leaves each fall. I got the cyclone rake about 11-years ago, and it is just amazing. In one full day I can clean the entire property of leaves and be ready for winter. I’ll fill it 40 or so times throughout the day and emptying is reasonable. I make a leaf pile in a back area of the property for compost.
The 5-HP engine pulls the leaves from the mower discharge and grinds them further into small bits. One time using the attachment hose I sucked up a small block of wood with no damage to the impeller. However, there was a minor crack in the housing which I was able to patch with a short bolt and a couple of fender washers. Hickory nuts, sticks, pine cones and leaves get sucked up without issue.
Before it was several days of hard labor hauling load after load in a garden wagon, the cyclone rake was worth every penny. — John Dyer
I have used several borrowed models of both electric and gas powered trimmers. The electric plug-in Stihl FSE 60 is my favorite by far. It is quiet and strong. The only concern is that when used continuously for half an hour or more, it gets very hot. I find that it is better to use it in shorter intervals.
It works better than other models and is easier to clean. While I have to wear earplugs when using it, it is far from the teeth-shaking monstrosities that disturb the neighborhood. I couldn’t see going to a gas powered trimmer unless I were very far away from an electric outlet. It is a bit more expensive than big box electric trimmers, but way better. The only reason to buy something like a Black & Decker or McCullough electric model is if you were only going to do a few light jobs one season and never use the thing again.
I was surprised that this dealer distributed model was so much better than the big-box online-marketed alternatives. In value, it’s one of my best tool purchases ever. —Bill Owens
I initially bought my Stihl FSE-60 reading a review at Consumer Search. The Stihl FSE-60 is not available at big boxes. They are only available at stores who function as local Stihl dealers. Presumably, this makes customer service a more personal experience and does a positive service to those smaller hardware stores trying to survive the big box onslaught. In any case, I bought mine a year ago in Kearny, NJ.
The balance is a bit weird. In your hands it has a bias to the rear, which is helpful, but necessary because it is powerful. VERY powerful. It uses a two-string configuration, and it’s a bump-feed. I found it to be efficient and effective. I may have only bumped it twice during a day’s use, whereas the Black and Decker it replaced was more bump than trim. It’s heavy, but not so heavy as to make it a terrible chore. It’s solid and quiet for a trimmer. Cleaning is easy after use as well. I suppose in comparison to the old B&D I had it’s superior, but I don’t do enough yard work to say definitively that it’s the best. I like it a lot, and I’m glad I bought it from a local dealer. — Christopher Wanko
Light, sharp, ergonomic and quiet, this European scythe is not what you’ll find in your local hardware store. The handle (snath) is custom-fit, so you stand comfortably upright while ‘sweeping’ weeds and grass down with ease. Potential uses range from small-acreage hay cutting to weed and brush clearing in variable terrain. I use it as a weed-whacker replacement on my long driveway. You can talk to people and hear birds while ‘weed-whacking’. Pretty sweet. The price for a new one puts it up there with gas-powered weed-whackers, but I find the experience much more enjoyable. Honestly, I believe you can clear more area with less sweat using a European scythe than a powered string trimmer. The key is the light weight of the tool and the sharpness of the blade.
Most people are stunned when they see me take down grass or weed stalks with little more than a gentle nick from the blade. Furthermore, getting it custom fit will make it probably the most pleasant-to-use garden tool you’ll ever have. (I’m unusually tall, so maybe this impresses me more than it would a 5’9” man, for example). Here’s how a European scythe and string-trimmer weed whacker tally up to each other:
Scythe Pros
Scythe is lighter. Likely to be considerably more ergonomic. Quiet. Free from power source. Stalks intact, no pulverizing of plant-matter.
Scythe Cons
Must keep the blade *sharp* (The $170 kit comes with peening jig and whetstone). Sometimes the direction of approach makes a particular weed hard to cut. You won’t be able to pulverize a weed in between rocks or hard things. You must not let the blade hit hard things like rocks or metal.
For those considering a scythe, be sure to get the European style and help end this sad era that has had Americans breaking their backs with horribly un-ergonomic, heavy scythes. For instance, European blades weigh 15 oz, while American style ones weigh twice as much, at 30 oz! Besides the weight difference, the tang on the American style is not angled to help you cut the stalks. The blades are thicker and not as sharp, etc. You’ll find a lot more info on why and how to use this tool at Scythe Supply. — James Zimmerman
Once a week we’ll send out a page from Cool Tools: A Catalog of Possibilities. The tools might be outdated or obsolete, and the links to them may or may not work. We present these vintage recommendations as is because the possibilities they inspire are new. Sign up here to get Tools for Possibilities a week early in your inbox.
2025-10-27 00:00:00
Here’s a new hack for me. I occasionally want to capture a moment I heard while a podcast is playing on my phone. I’d like to keep that passage as a note. So when I hear something I want to keep I yell to my phone “Siri (or Google), take a screenshot.” It captures an image of my podcast app (Overcast) with a timestamp showing. Later I forward that image to a certain email and within a minute I get back the text transcript of the previous 90 seconds, which I can file. This service, called Podcast Magic, requires no app, no sign-in, no ongoing subscription. In the beginning they are free; at some point they ask for a one-time $20 lifetime fee if you use it a lot. — KK
While exploring Berlin, my phone battery was draining fast from constant Google Maps use and museum audio guides. I had a portable charger and cable, but they were awkward to use while walking. I stepped into Berlin’s Apple Store and walked out with an Anker 621 MagGo magnetic portable charger. This slim 5,000mAh power bank magnetically snaps to newer iPhones. No more fumbling with cables and separate battery packs. It warms slightly during use, but the convenience far outweighs this minor issue. Perfect for travel, it slips easily into any pocket. — MF
Directories like the OpenWebcam Database always help me reset between tasks. This website has more than 2,000 live cameras streaming daily from over 50 countries, all searchable by category. You’ll find natural landscapes, airports, construction sites, and warehouses like this one. I love these windows into everyday life around the world. — CD
Adolescence, on Netflix, is one of the most intense, surprising, and satisfying dramas I’ve ever seen. It deserves all the Emmys it’s won. The story explores the consequences of crime on an accused family. Filmed in northern England, you should keep the subtitles on. The drama’s self-imposed, innovative constraint of containing no cuts, no editing (!), for each of its four hours, means that each episode is like a theatrical performance but incredibly intimate via a camera. It is mesmerizing and heartbreakingly memorable. Highly recommended. — KK
Scriber Pro is a $3.99 macOS app that delivers incredibly fast, private audio recording transcription. It processes everything locally on my Mac. Unlike cloud services charging $10+ monthly, Scriber Pro requires no subscriptions and never uploads your files. It supports all common audio/video formats and has multiple export options. — MF
I’m enjoying Curated Supply’s once-a-week email because I get to discover beautiful tools and objects selected by Justin, the curator, who prioritizes design and utility over disposable consumer goods. While there are always links to buy, I don’t feel like that’s the purpose of this newsletter. It’s an appreciation of craftsmanship, timeless design, and beautiful form. — CD
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2025-10-24 00:00:00
I’ve mentioned Europe’s new entry and border system a few times now but this week marked the start of the official roll-out, with all countries on board by April. On the plus side, immigration lines should move faster and be more like Global Entry ones once they work the kinks out and passport stamping will disappear. On the downside, they’ll know exactly how long you’ve been on the continent, plus your movements will be tracked unless you go all Jason Bourne with multiple passports. See the details here.
I linked to a bizarre story a few months ago about a whole city in Burma built by Chinese internet scammers, using forced labor, and Planet Money highlighted another one in Cambodia in this story: The Secret World Behind Those Scammy Text Messages. “Does anyone really fall for those?” you may be wondering, and the answer is a big yes, for big losses. This week the US Department of Justice seized $15 billion in Bitcoin from just one of the perpetrators running a big “pig butchering” scheme.
After 20 years of setbacks and diversions, Mumbai’s overtaxed airport in India is getting a sibling. This will hopefully take some pressure off by moving some of the 54 million annual arrivals to the city. The opening is just phase one, with two airlines committed to flying there, but more should follow as it expands to multiple terminals and runways. See more info here on Navi Airport (NMI).
Each year Time Out publishes its list of the world’s coolest neighborhoods. No matter how well-traveled you are, you’ll find plenty you’ve never heard of, much less experienced. (I’ve only been in three on this year’s list.) It’s clearly written by people with feet on the ground though, unlike many similar round-ups from big publications, and isn’t influenced by who bought advertising that month. It’s a good list for nomads looking to find the local vibe since the purpose is to highlight “places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play.”
A weekly newsletter with four quick bites, edited by Tim Leffel, author of A Better Life for Half the Price and The World’s Cheapest Destinations. See past editions here, where your like-minded friends can subscribe and join you.
