Roof Tiles From Tyres
My husband came home from work last Friday with a trailer full of old tires and announced he was fixing our leaky shed roof. I thought he meant he was going to buy actual roofing materials, not turn our backyard into a tire graveyard.
He spent the entire weekend arranging these things like giant black shingles, overlapping them in rows that somehow actually look intentional. When I asked where he got the idea, he just shrugged and said “free materials, good drainage, problem solved.” The man has an engineering degree but apparently thinks like a caveman when it comes to home improvement.
I posted photos in my upcycling group on the Tedooo app hoping someone would back me up that this looks ridiculous. Instead, half the people said it was genius and started asking for tutorials. One woman said her neighbor did something similar and it has lasted fifteen years without a single leak. Another person shared photos of tire roofs in developing countries that are built to withstand hurricanes.
The shed has not had a single drop of water inside since he finished, even after three days of heavy rain last week. The tires seem to channel water away perfectly, and I have to admit they are probably more durable than the cheap metal roofing we were going to buy. My neighbor stopped by yesterday and said it looks like modern art.
…even a man with nothing… can still give everything.
In the 1950s, Red Skelton was performing to sold-out crowds in Los Angeles. One night after the show, an elderly, hunched man in tattered clothes appeared at the stage door—so unrecognizable that the staff assumed he was just another street performer and tried to send him away.
But the man quietly pleaded:
“Please… tell Mr. Skelton I’ve come to see Freddie the Freeloader.”
Red, still dressed as his beloved character Freddie, heard the commotion and peeked outside—only to be completely stunned.
It wasn’t just anyone.
It was Charlie Chaplin—the silent film legend himself.
Red immediately invited him in, offered him a seat, and the two comedians spent nearly two hours together, just the two of them. No reporters, no audience—just two kindred spirits sharing stories from the heart.
Chaplin told Red:
“Freddie the Freeloader… he’s a beautiful soul. He’s the closest I’ve seen to The Tramp since I retired him.”
For Red, this meant the world. Chaplin was his idol, and to have him recognize Freddie—not as a copy, but as a kindred soul—was the highest honor.
Before leaving, Chaplin embraced Red and whispered:
“Never stop playing that character. The world needs to remember that even a man with nothing… can still give everything.”
A Fly Solution
This farmer explains what he does to protect his cattle from flies.
Your Daily Dose of Inspiration
You are not what was done to you.
You are what you became in spite of it.
Richard Norris Williams
Richard Norris Williams was an extraordinary figure whose legacy bridges one of history’s greatest disasters and remarkable athletic triumph. Born on January 29, 1891, in Geneva, Switzerland, Williams was aboard the RMS Titanic when it struck an iceberg and sank on April 15, 1912. He survived the tragedy despite spending hours in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. Doctors recommended amputation due to severe frostbite, but he refused—and that decision would soon define his resilience. Not only did he recover, but he also went on to dominate the tennis world. He won the U.S. Open singles title in 1914 and 1916, and in 1920, he captured the Wimbledon doubles championship, partnering with Chuck Garland. His powerful play and steadfast determination made him a standout in early American tennis.
Beyond his tennis victories, Williams’ life was a testament to perseverance. He represented the United States in the Davis Cup and earned a bronze medal in mixed doubles at the 1924 Paris Olympics. In 1957, his contributions to the sport were formally recognized when he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. His story is more than one of athletic prowess—it’s the arc of survival and triumph. The visual depiction of him playing tennis against the backdrop of the Titanic captures this duality perfectly: one man, shaped by catastrophe, yet undeterred in his pursuit of greatness. Williams remains a symbol of grit, endurance, and the indomitable human spirit.
Quote of the Day
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”
Theodore Roosevelt (1858 – 1919)
Germany developed a glass battery that could power cities for 100 years
In a high-voltage materials lab near Dresden, German scientists have crafted a revolutionary new battery design — made almost entirely from glass. This isn’t a metaphor. The battery’s solid-state electrolyte is based on crystallized glass infused with special conductive ceramics, offering unheard-of lifespan and stability. Early tests suggest the battery could function for a century — without significant degradation.
The core of the innovation is a glass-based lithium-sodium hybrid solid electrolyte, which is non-flammable, non-toxic, and resistant to both moisture and corrosion. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries that degrade after a few thousand cycles, this battery can recharge over 50,000 times — making it ideal for grid-scale storage and electric transportation.
Its internal chemistry avoids common failure modes like dendrite growth and thermal runaway, two issues that plague today’s lithium designs. The glass not only acts as a stabilizer but also enhances ion conductivity at room temperature, meaning no cooling or complex safety systems are required.
Germany’s Federal Energy Institute reports that when connected to solar or wind infrastructure, a single shipping-container-sized unit could store enough energy to power 1,000 homes for a week — and be reused for decades. Its long life and recyclability drastically reduce the environmental footprint of energy storage.
Researchers are now testing the battery in electric buses and rural microgrids. It operates safely in extreme temperatures, charges in under 10 minutes, and can be manufactured with abundant materials — no cobalt or rare earths required. Maintenance costs are nearly zero over its lifetime.
This glass battery may offer the final piece of the renewable energy puzzle — reliable, scalable, safe, and timeless. It doesn’t just beat lithium-ion. It buries it
Bloody Extremists
Future Greats
A GREAT rendition of a wonderful number!
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