Just a little note to say that my teensy, tiny poem ‘hope’ has just been published by Whispers & Echoes. You can read it here: https://whispersandechoesmag.home.blog/2025/09/29/hope-britta-benson/ Thanks!| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
Here’s my response to this week’s W3 poetry challenge, set by Jaideep Khanduja. You can find Jaideep’s prompt poem and guidelines here: I took liberties. Some. The poem just went …| Odds & Ends - Poetry Blog
Land’s End Striped Rugby Shirt. While researching the rugby shirt guide we published earlier this week, I purchased one from Land’s End. At around $50, it’s reasonably priced and well-made. It’s 100% cotton that’s been garment-washed so it feels broken in, not stiff. They’ve got several color options; I went with the dark walnut brown/navy […]| The Art of Manliness
Here’s my response to Sadje’s WDYS picture prompt. Somehow, her prompts always find me at the right time. 8am, Monday morning, and ready to write, while also looking for a little distraction. You can find Sadje’s full post and guidelines here: https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2025/09/15/what-do-you-see-306-15-september25/ blue and brokenheart dryfrom a hundred firstsgaspsin full colourshadows prop uppossibilitieswill you waitforContinue reading "blue and broken, by Britta Benson"| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
Image credit; Peter Thomas @ Unsplash Here’s my response to Sadje’s What Do You See photo prompt. You can find her full guidelines here: Inside outI want a view I can hearthe coming and…| Odds & Ends - Poetry Blog
Old is new again: this command line application retrieves data from Open Street Map and renders an interactive map using only text. The post Cartography in Your Command Line appeared first on Maps.com.| Maps.com
Vero Smokey Bear Watch. I’ve been looking for a nice field watch and was stoked to come across this Smokey Bear edition watch from Vero. It’s very well-made and handsome (as is the box it comes in, which would make it great for gifting), and it features an automatic movement with a 41-hour power reserve. […] This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.| Odds & Ends Archives | The Art of Manliness
Two Years After Cormac McCarthy’s Death, Rare Access to His Personal Library Reveals the Man Behind the Myth. If you’ve been following AoM long enough, you know that Cormac McCarthy is one of my favorite writers. So I was fascinated to read about the project to catalog McCarthy’s personal library — all 20,000 volumes of […] This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.| Odds & Ends Archives | The Art of Manliness
Laura Davidson SOHO II Office Chair. A few weeks back on Dying Breed, I gave readers a tour of our home office. I noted how we needed new office chairs and solicited recommendations. Reader Alex B. pointed us toward the Laura Davidson SOHO II, and after checking out the clean, mid-century lines, we pulled the […]| The Art of Manliness
Veja Rio Branco II Mesh Sneakers. My trusty New Balance 574s finally gave out after years of faithful service, so I pulled the trigger on these retro-styled running shoes. I’d been eyeing them for awhile. I’m a fan of that classic 80s silhouette that works equally well with jeans or chinos. They’re not cheap, but […]| The Art of Manliness
Here’s my response to this week’s W3 poetry challenge, set by poet of the week, Violet Lentz. Her guidelines: write a poem using one of the words in the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows as prompt for your writing. You can find Violet’s prompt poem and full guidelines here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/08/13/w3-prompt-172-weave-written-weekly/ I love the Dictionary of ObscureContinue reading "Astrophe, by Britta Benson"| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
My tiny poem ‘the silences’ has just been published over on Whispers & Echoes. Here’s the link, in case you are interested: https://whispersandechoesmag.home.blog/2025/08/11/the-silences-britta-benson/ Thanks for stopping by!| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
Here’s my response to this Sadje’s WDYS photo prompt. You can find all of her guidelines here: https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2025/08/04/what-do-you-see-300-4th-august-2025/ I chose the AI generated image. I don’t enjoy the multitude of AI images now so frequent on WordPress. Personal preference. My choice. I find them strange and eerie. This might explain my response. Again, just personalContinue reading "None of this, by Britta Benson"| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com I haven’t posted in quite some time – mostly for the fact that I’ve started writing a novel. I’m still writing poetry, though. Here&#…| Odds & Ends - Poetry Blog
Patagonia Provisions Lemon Olive White Anchovies. I’ve never been a canned fish guy, but after reading Michael Easter’s article about the nutritional benefits of anchovies, sardines, and mackerel, I decided to give these Patagonia Provisions a try. Turns out anchovies are nutritional powerhouses — packed with omega-3s, vitamins, minerals, and an impressive 20 grams of […]| The Art of Manliness
On a peaceful Sunday, watching children play badminton in Ranchi brought back memories of my childhood in India. This piece explores the development of badminton from its ancient origins to the con…| Indrosphere
During a WhatsApp chat with former classmates, a philosophical discussion emerged about spirituality and religion. The talk emphasized that genuine faith goes beyond physical places of worship. Hin…| Indrosphere
To mark the 15th anniversary of Indrosphere, I pause to reflect on its powerful and deeply personal origins—born in the aftermath of surviving a twin bomb blast in Baghdad. That harrowing day, cloa…| Indrosphere
In the village of Jilingseling, West Bengal, Malati Murmu, a determined woman, has established a school in her humble mud house amidst significant challenges. Despite lacking institutional support …| Indrosphere
Cholera is a deadly disease often overlooked in global health agendas, overshadowed by issues like HIV/AIDS and malaria. Indian scientists Dr. Shambhunath De and Dr. Dilip Mahalanabis made crucial …| Indrosphere
TypingClub. I learned to touch type back in high school. While I’ve maintained decent skills over the years, I recently noticed my typing getting a little sloppy. There’s been a bit more backspacing and hunt-and-pecking than I’d like to admit. The itch to tighten things up led me to TypingClub, a free online platform that […] This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.| Odds & Ends Archives | The Art of Manliness
The Great Cousin Decline. There’s a lot of talk about declining birthrates. One of the second-order consequences of this decline is that younger people today have fewer cousins than those in previous generations. I have 15 cousins; my kids have 8. In this Atlantic article from a couple years back, Faith Hill explores what it […]| The Art of Manliness
Here’s my response to Sadje’s ‘What do you see?’ photo prompt. You can find her full blog post and guidelines here: https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2025/06/30/what-do-you-see-295-june-30-2025/ This one is a bit weird. Hey ho, it’s Monday morning and perhaps, I just need another coffee! On a bridge in front of the fallI didn’t ask for your scream.Your heart, drenchedContinue reading "On a bridge in front of the fall"| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
Every Father’s Day, I reflect on my father, Babuji, who passed away forty-two years ago. His presence shaped my childhood through quiet love and profound lessons shared over newspapers and books. H…| Indrosphere
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171 tragically crashed into a hostel in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of 241 lives, with only one survivor. The investigation by India&…| Indrosphere
Bhishma is portrayed as a steadfast warrior embodying duty and sacrifice in the Mahabharata. His complex actions during the Kurukshetra war, including a vow to not kill the Pandavas and his subtle …| Indrosphere
A gift guide for creative people and unusual gifts for people who want both the practical and the whimsical for this holiday season.| Legal Nomads
Inception. We recently watched Christopher Nolan’s 2010 complex thriller Inception as a family and enjoyed it. What I love about Nolan’s films in general is that even when I’m not totally sure I understand what’s going on (here’s looking at you too, The Prestige and Interstellar), the cinematography and overall plots are so rich, immersive, […]| The Art of Manliness
In a Test of Adult Know-How, America Comes Up Short. A sobering new study reveals that American workers are falling behind their international peers in basic reading comprehension and math skills, making it increasingly difficult for them to complete everyday tasks like planning a complex travel itinerary, interpreting a thermometer, or extracting information from a […]| The Art of Manliness
Cold Hollow Cider Mill Apple Cider Donuts. Our family has made regular visits to Vermont over the years, and when we’re there, one place we always visit is the Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury. The big draw? Their famous apple cider donuts. So good. Though we can’t get to VT as often as we’d […]| The Art of Manliness
Oklahoma’s Onion Burgers. Many regions of the country lay claim to a signature burger. For Oklahoma, it’s the onion burger, which is made by pressing thinly sliced onions directly into the patty while it cooks. It’s delicious. In back-to-back weeks, the McKays sampled burgers that are considered two of Oklahoma’s best. We got one at […]| The Art of Manliness
Books make for great gifts. Here are my favourite books of 2022, divided into categories of food, nonfiction, fiction, and self-help/memoir.| Legal Nomads
