IN THE NEWS
IN THE NEWS
Embedded Files
What's happening in our community and beyond?
September 2025
'You can read hieroglyphics'
September 2025
'You can read hieroglyphics'
August 2025
'The Curious Origins of Imperial and Metric Units'
August 2025
'The Curious Origins of Imperial and Metric Units'
July 2025
'COMICONOMENCLATURIST'
If you know what this word means, you deserve an award!
July 2025
'COMICONOMENCLATURIST'
If you know what this word means, you deserve an award!
A comiconomenclaturist is a collector or coiner of amusing names for people. Think Jean Poole, Justin Case or Hugh Jass (and any of the other names deployed by Bart Simpson to terrorise poor Moe).
(That lot was lifted straight from a newsletter by RobWords. )
May 2025
What bugs you?
May 2025
What bugs you?
Bugs are insects that bother us from time to time, but did you know that the word used to refer to something much worse?
Before a 'bug' was a creepy crawly, the word was used to describe evil spirits and hobgoblins.
April 2025
Don't get your K-nickers in a K-not
April 2025
Don't get your K-nickers in a K-not
Michael McIntyre has a gripe with Silent Letters in English.
April 2025
Spotted on Facebook recently ...
April 2025
Spotted on Facebook recently ...
March 2025
... CATAMARAN
March 2025
... CATAMARAN
We all know what the word means, but where did it come from? We know that it's a watercraft with two parallel hulls of equal size, but why is that a 'catamaran', why not a 'parahull' or a 'twin hull?'
It seems that we have 'acquired' the word from the Tamil language of Sri Lanka and Southern India.
'Kattu' means binding' and 'maram' means wood.
The artful way the locals piloted them earned the respect of the British in the 19th Century. Both the French and the British adopted the word.
February 2025
... FUGACIOUS
February 2025
... FUGACIOUS
One sage piece of advice is to 'savour the enduring pleasures of life as intensely as the fugacious ones.'
When we look at the etymology, we find that Latin had the word fugax which meant swift, fleeting or ephemeral - that is those things that only last a brief time before they fade away.
Emotions can be fugacious. Apparently the vanilla plant has fugacious blossoms, as their flowers last for only a day.
Meaning - something that lasts for only a short time
January 2025
... ADDLEPATED
January 2025
... ADDLEPATED
Have you found yourself becoming increasingly addlepated as you age?
Meaning - confused
December 2024
... QUAKEBUTTOCK
December 2024
... QUAKEBUTTOCK
As you probably guessed this is a rather 'old' word, though it still makes the cut in modern dictionaries. It was used mainly in the 1500 and 1600s and means what it suggests. A person is so afraid that they are quivering / quaking from top to bottom!
It is 'translated' as coward.
November 2024
... MUMPSIMUS
November 2024
... MUMPSIMUS
... This is an old word that goes back to the 16th century. It means 'to refuse to acknowledge that you've made an error despite evidence to the contrary. '
According to legend, an English priest was giving Mass when he incorrectly recited the Latin "quod ore sumpsimus" as "quod ore mumpsimus".
When told of his mistake, the priest insisted that his reading was correct, saying "I will not change my old mumpsimus for your new sumpsimus!"
And so "mumpsimus" quickly became a way to describe someone who refuses to concede despite being faced with evidence of their own wrongness.
October 2024
... GOAT & ZHUZH
October 2024
... GOAT & ZHUZH
... This month we'll take a look at a couple of words recently added to the Miriam Webster Dictionary. I've often wondered how to spell the second one!
GOAT
Some pundits believe that John Farnham is the GOAT.
The GOAT .. is the Greatest Of All Time
zhuzh
Your tie is almost perfect, it just needs a little zhuzh.
A zhuzh is a small adjustment to make something look better.
Word of the Month - September 2024
... CLINOMANIA
Word of the Month - September 2024
... CLINOMANIA
... Have you ever suffered from this terrible affliction?
Clinomania
Not much is known about the roots of this words except that the first part is related to the Greek 'Klino' which means 'recline' or 'slope. 'The second part, mania, first appeared in Middle English and literally meant 'madness.'
Clinomania is 'an excessive desire to stay in bed'
Word of the Month - August 2024
... CURMUDGEON
Word of the Month - August 2024
... CURMUDGEON
... this may just describe me. What about you?
Curmudgeon
This word first appeared in English in the 1600s. and was widely used in the 1800s. It fell into oblivion; with little recorded used after 1900. And then it had a massive resurgence after 2019! Hmmm.
A curmudgeon is a grumpy old person
"There’s a certain, almost charming, mystique to curmudgeons, perhaps because, more often than not, there’s much more beneath that prickly exterior. "
... strangely there is a category of books related to curmudgeons on GoodReads.
Word of the Month - July
... QUAFFTIDE
Word of the Month - July
... QUAFFTIDE
... a one word announcement that it is time for a drink!
Quafftide!
OED's evidence for quafftide is from 1582.
quafftide is formed within English, by compounding etymons: quaff v. & tide n.
Word of the Month - June
... SCURRYFUNGE
Word of the Month - June
... SCURRYFUNGE
... to rush around cleaning when you find out someone's on their way over ...
Eeghadd! Mum will be here any minute. Don't talk to me! I'm in scurryfunge mode!
Apparently the word was in use between 450AD and 1000AD and then put in a re-appearance in the 18th century, but sadly, has largely dropped out of use again!
HOUSING IN LIVINGSTONE SHIRE
HOUSING IN LIVINGSTONE SHIRE
A proposal for 26 factory-built social and affordable two-bedroom homes, created largely for single-parent families in CQ, has been announced. Building is forecast to begin in Livingstone Shire in late 2024.
(please note: the photo is of social housing in Qld, not specifically of the local proposal)
LIVINGSTONE DEMOGRAPHICS
LIVINGSTONE DEMOGRAPHICS
What is the population of Livingstone? What is the median age? What is the average household size? If you're any kind of sticky-beak (mea culpa), you've wondered that! Check out the demographics for our Shire.
BARMARYEE MULTISPORT PRECINCT
BARMARYEE MULTISPORT PRECINCT
Have your say on the proposed extension of the Barmaryee Multisport Precinct.
HEATWAVE CONDITIONS
HEATWAVE CONDITIONS
The council has given us a timely reminder to look after ourselves during these heatwave conditions and also to keep our pets cool.
LIVINGSTONE WASTE WISE EVOUCHERS
LIVINGSTONE WASTE WISE EVOUCHERS
Do you know how to access your Waste Evouchers? You can learn about the app or access your vouchers directly here
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https://www.livingstone.qld.gov.au/livingstone-waste-wise-app
LIVINGSTONE COMMUNITY NURSERY
LIVINGSTONE COMMUNITY NURSERY
The community nursery is located next to Yeppoon Landfill and is open to the public on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am to 3pm.
They grow and sell 50-100 different species of native plants endemic to Capricornia and they can provide advice.
COUNCIL ADVISES US TO BE MINDFUL OF OUR WATER-USE
COUNCIL ADVISES US TO BE MINDFUL OF OUR WATER-USE
“Water is a precious resource for us to use wisely, and with limited rainfall in the foreseeable future, the Shire’s water supply is under strain. "
SERVICES AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE
SERVICES AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE
Did you know that the Community Centre:
... provides the services of a Justice of the Peace (JP) & Commissioner of Declarations (CDec) on Tuesdays and Thursdays?
... hosts a photography group on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9pm?
MENTAL ENERGY
MENTAL ENERGY
Your brain makes up only 2 percent of your body weight, but it consumes 20 to 25 percent of your metabolic energy; and that’s just on idle.
HOW PHUBBING MAKES YOUR PARTNER FEEL
HOW PHUBBING MAKES YOUR PARTNER FEEL
DOES THE COLLAPSE OF THE QING DYNASTY IN CHINA HAVE IMPORTANT LESSONS FOR SOCIETY TODAY?
DOES THE COLLAPSE OF THE QING DYNASTY IN CHINA HAVE IMPORTANT LESSONS FOR SOCIETY TODAY?
The Qing dynasty collapsed in 1912. This article looks at the reasons for the collapse and possible parallels to what we are seeing in the West today.
SLIPS WE MAKE WHEN WE SPEAK
SLIPS WE MAKE WHEN WE SPEAK
When we speak we make slips. Do they mean anything? Freud thought so. Recent research says it is simply a result of thining quickly to retrieve information from the brain.
Young families are being priced out of the Brisbane market and are looking further afield.
LIVINGSTONE SHIRE RATES PAYMENT PERIOD EXTENDED
LIVINGSTONE SHIRE RATES PAYMENT PERIOD EXTENDED
AUGUST 2023: There was recently a bit of a hullaballoo about rates payments. Check out the latest information about your rates.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) recently captured stunning new images of the Ring Nebula, (AKA Messier 57).
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can aid our metabolism. Recent studies have also shown possible links to alleviating a range of issues including memory dysfunction.
SEPTEMBER 2025
SEPTEMBER 2025
September News
September News
AUGUST 2025
AUGUST 2025
August News
August News
Coastal growth and soaring house prices. Read the story here.
Here's a good question ... Why are we talking to AI about our relationships? Find out more here.
Are routines boring, or are they good for us? Learn more here.
JULY 2025
More July News
JULY 2025
More July News
Optical illusions and how we see the world. Do you see circles or rectangles? It partly depends where you grew up. Check out the Guardian image and article here.
Are Teslas safe? This article calls safety and transparency into question. Read it here.
JULY 2025
Mental Health News
JULY 2025
Mental Health News
An article titled, Men and the Hidden Cost of Overthinking, begins with the following Mark Twain quote.
“I’ve lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.” —Mark Twain
Apparently, You're Not Done Learning Until You Sleep.
Conscious aging is a transformative way of approaching our golden years. An Article in Psychology today tells us all about it. How to Age Consciously
Health News
Health News
Green, EV & AI News
Green, EV & AI News
Scientists May Have a Solution to the Cane Toad Problem
Scientists May Have a Solution to the Cane Toad Problem
APRIL 2025
Frankentoads? Scientists are manipulating Cane Toad eggs in an attempt to stop the numbers.
How Awe Helps Us Heal in Times of Crisis
How Awe Helps Us Heal in Times of Crisis
APRIL 2025
This article looks at how the feeling of awe makes us feel more connected.
Remembering infancy
Remembering infancy
APRIL 2025
A study of our hippocampus is beginning to unlock evidence that we can encode memories in our early years.
Photos of recent solar eclipse
Photos of recent solar eclipse
Stress is Contagious for Animals too
Stress is Contagious for Animals too
MARCH 2025
This article looks at the impact on stress on animals exposed to increasing urbanisation and climate change. Their focus is on birds.
How Sensitivity Shapes Our Reactions to Life's Highs and Lows
How Sensitivity Shapes Our Reactions to Life's Highs and Lows
MARCH 2025
Researchers look at our responses to both positive and negative events and they consider how our responses shape our emotional well-being.
Has your brain been shrinking for the last 40+ years?
Has your brain been shrinking for the last 40+ years?
FEBRUARY 2025
This article begins with a quote from Mark Twain,
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
That alone makes it a good read.
How many moons does Mars have? How long does Mars take to orbit the sun?
How many moons does Mars have? How long does Mars take to orbit the sun?
FEBRUARY 2025
How much do you know about Mars?
(You've got to scroll down the link page a little and be patient ... the quiz is worth it once it comes in!)
Try your hand at the 15-question quiz here.
How well do you know Aussie 1960s music?
How well do you know Aussie 1960s music?
Is ICEBERG CALVING in the ANTARCTIC EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE?
Is ICEBERG CALVING in the ANTARCTIC EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE?
DOES YOUR DOG HELP YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?
DOES YOUR DOG HELP YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?
JANUARY 2025
Many of us believe that interacting with our pets helps our mental health. Is it true?
WHY the LIMITS of LANGUAGE are the LIMITS of the WORLD
WHY the LIMITS of LANGUAGE are the LIMITS of the WORLD
VAN GOGH'S STARRY NIGHT contains surprisingly accurate physics
VAN GOGH'S STARRY NIGHT contains surprisingly accurate physics
NOVEMBER 2024:
A new analysis of brushstrokes and colours in van Gogh's painting asks some interesting questions.
MEN and the HIDDEN COSTS of OVERTHINKING
MEN and the HIDDEN COSTS of OVERTHINKING
OCTOBER 2024:
“I’ve lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.” — Mark Twain
'Overthinking comes in hot or creeps up cold to sabotage self-worth and sow self-doubt.'
COGNITIVE EXPERTISE NEEDED TO EXCEL IN ELITE SPORTS
COGNITIVE EXPERTISE NEEDED TO EXCEL IN ELITE SPORTS
WILL OLYMPIC ATHLETES EVER STOP BREAKING RECORDS
WILL OLYMPIC ATHLETES EVER STOP BREAKING RECORDS
RELOCATABLES: AN AFFORDABLE SOLUTION TO THE HOUSING CRISIS
RELOCATABLES: AN AFFORDABLE SOLUTION TO THE HOUSING CRISIS
Is a tiny home or maybe a relocatable home a possible solution for you or your grandkids?
READING FOR MENTAL HEALTH
READING FOR MENTAL HEALTH
"Casual reading has mental health benefits. Readers find that the act of reading reduces stress, regardless of the type of material they read."
THE GIFT AND CHALLENGE OF AGING
THE GIFT AND CHALLENGE OF AGING
Apparently, navigating contrasting feelings is the challenge of aging. The author of this article points to a writer who asks ... as we age, do we swim in an ocean of loss?
ACQUIRED SAVANT SYNDROME
ACQUIRED SAVANT SYNDROME
BRAIN FOG
BRAIN FOG
Your brain weighs just over a kilo, but uses 20 percent of your body's energy. Is that energy going to waste? Do you suffer from brain fog? Is your gut biome partly responsible?
IS AGING SLOWING YOU DOWN?
IS AGING SLOWING YOU DOWN?
It seems that the issue is related to converting energy into muscle force and thus into movement. Our muscles, if they begin to wither, become less efficient and that causes us to recruit more muscles to perform a task ...
ART THERAPY
ART THERAPY
Some Art Galleries are offering art therapy inside their facilities. The programs are targetted at people with dementia. A study is about to be published showing that mortality rates drop when dementia patients create art which is then displayed for medical staff to view.
GRATEFUL TO BE A BABY BOOMER
GRATEFUL TO BE A BABY BOOMER
In recent days I've seen baby boomers referred to as 'old farts' and I read a newspaper article just this morning where the journalist thought it was appropriate to talk about birth and death rates in terms like ... 'and the baby boomers are starting to drop off now.' Seriously?
So I enjoyed this article from an Australian female boomer's perspective.
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR? HARDLY.
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR? HARDLY.
This article from McGill University in Canada asks whether our air fresheners are actually freshening the air and whether there may be health consequences.
DO ORGAN TRANSPLANTS CAUSE PERSONALITY CHANGES IN RECIPIENTS?
DO ORGAN TRANSPLANTS CAUSE PERSONALITY CHANGES IN RECIPIENTS?
Some organ recipients have reported having a sudden taste for food or activities that they didn't previously have. Later they found out that these were things their donor liked! Eek! This raises the question of where memories are stored.
THE SURPRISING POWER OF YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLES
THE SURPRISING POWER OF YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLES
This article talks about the value of our 'weak ties.' They are the connections we make with the checkout person at the supermarket, the waitress we see occasionally at the coffee shop or the random person next to us on the bus. These interactions can help to build our well-being and enjoyment of life.
BETTER BLOOD PRESSURE IS AT THE TIP OF YOUR NOSE!
BETTER BLOOD PRESSURE IS AT THE TIP OF YOUR NOSE!
"Breathing is a central part of many holistic and mindful practices from seated meditation to Yoga postures and motion in martial arts. Almost all of these practices put a critical emphasis on breath and especially nasal inhalation."
WHY DO WE GET WRINKLES?
WHY DO WE GET WRINKLES?
Smiling and frowning are often blamed for the development of wrinkles, but they aren’t the main culprit!
INTELLECTUAL HUMILITY
INTELLECTUAL HUMILITY
What on earth is 'intellectual humility?' They seem to have a name for everything these days! It turns out that 'intellectual humility' worked for a US baseball pitcher and can probably provide a salient lesson for the rest of us!
FARNBOROUGH BEACH DUNE DAMAGE
FARNBOROUGH BEACH DUNE DAMAGE
FLOATING WALKWAYS TO PROVIDE BEACH ACCESS IN LIVINGSTONE SHIRE
FLOATING WALKWAYS TO PROVIDE BEACH ACCESS IN LIVINGSTONE SHIRE
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