ALEX TREBEK CANCER UPDATE

It has been a full year now since Jeopardy! host, Alex Trebek was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He took the opportunity to update everyone on his condition. Obviously, I relate.

AN ICE STORM LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN

Last weekend, a mega-ice storm hit homes on the shore of Lake Erie. Take a look:

There is a full story along with a large number of breathtaking still photos of the frozen houses at Huffpost.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS TONIGHT

If it feels like you just turned back your clocks, you are not far off. We just did that in the U.S. on 3 November 2019, and now it's time again to turn them forward one hour tonight.

Cell phones, computers, tablets and some other tech toys reset themselves. For some reason I have a lot of analog clocks. Grrrrrrr.

SHORTEST HARLEM GLOBETROTTER

Jahmani Swanson tells us he is 4-foot-5 but he carries himself like he's 6-foot-5.

”This basketball player, who goes by the nickname Hot Shot, plays to win. Born in the Bronx and raised in Harlem, Swanson is the shortest Harlem Globetrotter in the team’s history.

"People typically see height as the ultimate advantage in basketball. But players who underestimate Swanson because he is a little person soon regret it.”

Take a look:

A WHITE PEACOCK SHOWS OFF

TGB reader Joan McMullen sent in this idea. What can I say except Wow.

FOR BOOK LOVERS

The Booksellers is a documentary film about the New York City rare books world. The YouTube page for the trailer tells us:

”Antiquarian booksellers are part scholar, part detective and part businessperson, and their personalities and knowledge are as broad as the material they handle.

“They also play an underappreciated yet essential role in preserving history. The Bookselleers takes viewers inside their small but fascinating world, populated by an assortment of obsessives, intellects, eccentrics and dreamers.”

Here's the trailer:

There is a list of upcoming screenings at the film's website along with a contact form so you can ask when The Booksellers will show up in your town, and there is a good story about the film at The Guardian.

WIDESPREAD SOCIAL SECURITY SCAM

On Wednesday, the Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, issued a warning of a new tactic by government imposters to reach — and victimize — Americans by phone.

”We have received reports of text messages on cell phones that appear to come from Social Security,” said Ennis. “The texts warn about a Social Security number problem. They ask the recipient to call a number back to resolve the problem and avoid legal action.

None of this is real. It is a scam.

”We have received reports of text messages on cell phones that appear to come from Social Security. The texts warn about a Social Security number problem. They ask the recipient to call a number back to resolve the problem and avoid legal action.”

Do not believe it. Do not call the number. Find out all the information you need at the Social Security Website.

BLOOM

Too many old people live alone, don't get out much and are lonely. Some experts say loneliness is epidemic. Here is a lovely, little animated story about that.

Nadine, depressed and alone, has been living her life in the dark. A gift from a friendly neighbor gives Nadine something to live for.

WILD LIFE AT THE LOG BRIDGE

Wait until you see all the different animals that use this log bridge in a Pennsylvania forest over the course of a year. Thank TGB reader Alan Goldsmith for this.

Interesting Stuff is a weekly listing of short takes and links to web items that have caught my attention; some related to aging and some not, some useful and others just for fun.

You are all encouraged to submit items for inclusion. Just click “Contact” at the top of any Time Goes By page to send them. I'm sorry that I won't have time to acknowledge receipt and there is no guarantee of publication. But when I do include them, you will be credited and I will link to your blog.