by Phil Houseal | Jun 17, 2026 | All Articles, Education, Food, History, Philosophy
June 17, 2026–What substance found naturally on earth caused mankind to go to war, forge new trade routes, and walk past chocolate chip cookies in a bakery? I give you salt. This substance must once have seemed to hold magical properties. It could be used to enhance...
by Phil Houseal | Jun 10, 2026 | All Articles, Food, History, Philosophy
June 10, 2026–My online shopping strategy is to haphazardly drop individual items into my shopping cart over a matter of weeks until I have enough to qualify for free shipping from this huge site named after a South American river. I am never in a hurry to buy more...
by Phil Houseal | May 13, 2026 | All Articles, Education, History, Philosophy
May 13, 2026–I need potatoes. I’m grilling steaks. The meal requires a traditional side dish that is delicious with gravy. You have potatoes. Piles of potatoes. You grow them in your garden, and you have dug up more than your family can eat in a reasonable amount of...
by Phil Houseal | Apr 29, 2026 | All Articles, Education, History, Philosophy
April 29, 2026–I had dropped off my tax forms at the post office and, as I am oft accused of doing, abruptly headed out the door. The clerk called out to remind me to take my receipt as proof of mailing. I must have appeared impatient, as she good-naturedly explained...
by Phil Houseal | Apr 22, 2026 | All Articles, History, Philosophy
April 22, 2026–Have you ever made a terrible faux pas in public and wished you could just disappear? Good news! You’re already gone! There was a psychology experiment back in 2000 that tested something called the “invisible guest theory.” Student guinea...
by Phil Houseal | Apr 15, 2026 | All Articles, Education, History, Philosophy
April 15, 2026–Have you ever wanted to call yourself an “award winning” whatever-it-is-you-do? Maybe it’s an award-winning plumber. Or an award-winning wedding cake baker. Or an award-winning human resources manager. Or dog walker. Or seat filler. I always wanted to...
