Cherry Blossom, size 39 x 31 inches, watercolor, 2026

Nine years ago I met Cheech Marin at his book signing in San Mateo… and the book was even funnier than I expected. Fast forward to last Saturday at San Jose GalaxyCon — I finally got to meet the other half of the duo, Tommy Chong. I was THIS close to capturing the whole interaction on my spy watch (free, no photo-op needed)… then the battery decided to die on me mid-line. Red lights. No recording. Had to pay for the photo and meet him the old-fashioned way. Still an awesome moment though. Already eyeing a new, way more discreet recorder with better battery and bigger storage. Next time I’m ready. Who else has had a celebrity meet go sideways because of tech? Drop your stories below

Ice is less dense than liquid water because of its crystal structure, which is why it floats instead of sinking.

That means frozen water can keep lakes and oceans alive underneath it.

Some bird species have sensory receptors that help them detect chemical cues through their feet and skin. That means a bird can sometimes taste the world before it even touches it.

Got to see this beautiful moth at my daughter’s house before she moved.

Crocodiles can secrete tears while feeding or resting, but this is not an emotional display. That means a tear is not always a sign of feeling sorry.

Giant sequoias and redwoods can live for thousands of years, far longer than many human societies. That means a tree can outlive entire cities and kingdoms.

Scientists estimate Earth has around three trillion trees, while the Milky Way contains hundreds of billions of stars.
That means there are more trees on our planet than stars in our galaxy.

Even though the brain weighs only about 2% of the body, it can use around 20% of the body’s energy while awake. That means your thinking is incredibly expensive, metabolically speaking.

Bees communicate direction and distance through a waggle dance that indicates where nectar is located. That means a tiny insect can give a precise GPS instruction to its colony.

Ants can link bodies together to create stable temporary bridges that help them move across gaps.
That means teamwork can become architecture in the insect world.

Pure honey can stay safe to eat for thousands of years when it is sealed and stored properly because it is naturally acidic and low in water. That means a spoonful of honey can outlive empires.

The Eiffel Tower can expand by several inches during hot weather because the metal structure warms up and lengthens.

That means the tower physically grows when summer hits.