Thought of the Day

Haste is waste.
Haste is waste.
Summer Rolls Recipe from The Kitchn
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cooking time: N/A
Serving size: 16 rolls
For the filling:
To assemble the rolls:
Cook the Shrimp:
Prepare the Vegetables:
Cook the Noodles:
Prepare the Rice Paper Wrappers:
Assemble the Rolls:
Roll the Spring Rolls:
Serve:
Devils Food Cookies Recipe from Taste of Home
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Serving size: 28 cookies
Prepare the Dough:
Shape and Bake:
Cool and Serve:
Glazed Ranch Carrots Recipe from Taste of Home
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serving size: 12 servings
Hobbies to Take Up
You may have a full-time job or be in school, so choosing a hobby that fits your current obligations is important. Consider how many days per week you can dedicate to a hobby, how often you’ll participate, and the overall free time you have. You might wonder how your friend manages to attend yoga classes four times a week when your schedule feels completely booked. In that case, consider a hobby that is less time-consuming and tailored to your specific routine.
While you may not have the same amount of free time as your friends or family, you can always dip your toe into their hobbies. That friend who goes to yoga four times a week? Maybe you could join them once a week. Doing hobbies with loved ones makes it more likely you’ll stick with them and enjoy the experience.
Think back to when you were a kid. What hobbies did you enjoy? You might consider picking one of them back up. Did you love to bake but stopped making time for it? Hobbies you already know and enjoy are often the easiest to maintain because they bring you joy and familiarity.
Start small. It’s easy to jump into something with full enthusiasm, but before committing too much time or money to a hobby, make sure it’s sustainable. For example, if you’re interested in scrapbooking, buy a few basic supplies to get started and dedicate just one hour per week to it. Keeping your hobby manageable is essential for sticking with it.
Wreck-It Journals are becoming popular on social media platforms like TikTok. They’re a creative space to jot down your thoughts, plans, and goals while incorporating elements of scrapbooking. Unlike traditional scrapbooks, which often feature polished layouts, Wreck-It Journals are all about imperfection and spontaneity. That sushi takeout receipt you got the other day? Throw it in there. That random raffle ticket you didn’t win with? Add it, too! You can even use a portable thermal printer for quick and easy prints.
Learning to cook is a valuable skill that combines practicality with fun. Are you stuck in a microwave-meal routine? Find simple recipes for meal prep instead! TikTok is an excellent resource for all kinds of recipes, from step-by-step meal prep guides to elaborate dinner party ideas. Choose a creator or website you like and start by cooking two or three meals per week. If you want to go the extra mile, book a cooking class for yourself (and maybe a friend).
Sticker-making can be a fun and relaxing hobby. There are plenty of methods, from using a Cricut machine to DIY tape stickers. A Cricut is versatile, allowing you to create stickers, permanent decals, or even iron-on designs for t-shirts. These stickers can be used as gifts, home organization tools, or just for fun. You can design your own stickers using platforms like Canva or find pre-made templates online.
DIY nail products like Gel X are becoming increasingly popular because they’re relatively quick and easy to learn. I started doing my own nails four years ago, and I haven’t been to a salon since. While it may take a little longer to do them yourself, it’s a great way to relax and disconnect.
You can buy Gel X kits or press-ons from retailers like Amazon, and TikTok has detailed tutorials to get you started. Be sure to follow proper safety precautions, such as fully curing your nails and avoiding contact between the gel and your skin. For an extra step, consider using HEMA-free nail polishes for a safer alternative.
Cake decorating was a hobby I loved as a kid, but as I grew older, I found myself with less free time and not as much of a sweet tooth. For me, it was more about the decorating than the baking. I enjoyed gifting small cakes and cupcakes to friends and family. This hobby is perfect for a slow Sunday and is something you can enjoy with loved ones.
Hobbies provide a way to unwind, whether you’re coming off a 40-hour workweek, a day with the kids, or a long study session. Engaging in enjoyable activities helps release dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone, which can reduce stress and improve your mood.
Hobbies encourage you to think outside the box and try new things. Creative hobbies can improve problem-solving skills and spark innovative ideas that help in all areas of life.
Hobbies are a great way to bond with others. Whether you’re attending classes, joining clubs, or trying something new with friends, hobbies create opportunities to build connections and expand your social circle.
Hobbies are an essential part of a well-rounded life. They provide joy, relaxation, and personal growth opportunities. Whether you’re reconnecting with a childhood passion or exploring something entirely new, the possibilities are endless. So, what’s stopping you? Start your hobby journey today!
By DAVID R. MARTIN, MICHAEL R. SISAK and CLAUDIA LAUER Associated Press
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Salvage crews have removed a large portion of a commercial jet from the Potomac River near Washington’s Reagan National Airport on Monday, five days after a midair collision last week that killed 67 people.
Authorities have said the operation to remove the plane will take several days and they will then work to remove the military helicopter involved in the crash.
The crash between the American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter over Washington D.C. on Wednesday was the deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001.
Authorities have recovered and identified 55 of the 67 people killed in the crash and Washington, D.C., Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly has said they are confident all will be found. Crews early Monday could be seen aboard a vessel with a crane.
More than 300 responders were taking part in the recovery effort at any given time, officials said. Two Navy barges were also deployed to lift heavy wreckage.
Divers and salvage workers are adhering to strict protocols and will stop moving debris if a body is found, Col. Francis B. Pera of the Army Corps of Engineers said Sunday. The “dignified recovery” of remains takes precedence over all else, he said.
Portions of the two aircraft that collided over the river Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — an American Airlines jet with 64 people aboard and an Army Black Hawk helicopter with 3 aboard — are being loaded onto flatbed trucks and will be taken to a hangar for investigation.
The crash occurred when the jet, en route from Wichita, Kansas, was about to land. The Black Hawk was on a training mission. There were no survivors.
On Sunday, family members were taken in buses with a police escort to the Potomac River bank near where the two aircraft came to rest after colliding.
The plane’s passengers included figure skaters returning from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita and a group of hunters returning from a guided trip. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland; and Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, of Durham, North Carolina, were in the helicopter.
Federal investigators were working to piece together the events that led to the collision. Full investigations typically take a year or more. Investigators hope to have a preliminary report within 30 days.
Wednesday’s crash was the deadliest in the U.S. since Nov. 12, 2001, when a jet slammed into a New York City neighborhood just after takeoff, killing all 260 people on board and five on the ground.
Experts stress that plane travel is overwhelmingly safe, but the crowded airspace around Reagan Airport can challenge even experienced pilots.
The NTSB said Saturday that preliminary data showed conflicting readings about the altitudes of the airliner and the helicopter.
Investigators also said that about a second before impact, the jet’s flight recorder showed a change in its pitch. But they did not say whether that change in angle meant that pilots were trying to perform an evasive maneuver to avoid the crash.
Data from the jet’s flight recorder showed its altitude as 325 feet (99 meters), plus or minus 25 feet (7.6 meters), when the crash happened, NTSB officials told reporters. Data in the control tower, though, showed the Black Hawk at 200 feet (61 meters), the maximum allowed altitude for helicopters in the area.
The discrepancy has yet to be explained.
Investigators said they hoped to reconcile the difference with data from the helicopter’s black box and planned to refine the tower data, which can be less reliable.
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Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed reporting.
By MARIA SHERMAN AP Music Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé won album of the year for “Cowboy Carter” at Sunday’s Grammys, delivering her — at last — the show’s elusive top award.
The superstar, who is both the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammys history, has been up for the category four times before and many feel she has been snubbed by its top honors.
In winning album of the year with “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé has become the first Black woman to win the top prize in the 21st century. The last was Lauryn Hill with “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” 26 years ago. Before her was Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston. That means Beyoncé is only the fourth Black woman to win album of the year at the Grammys.
Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department presented Beyoncé with the trophy, one of several times the show reflected the recent wildfires that burned thousands of homes.
“It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said in her speech. “I want to dedicate this to Ms. Martell,” she said, referencing Linda Martell, the performer who became the first Black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry.
“We finally saw it happen, everyone,” host Trevor Noah said, nodding to the long overdue achievement for one of music’s transcendent artists.
Kendrick Lamar won song and record of the year for his diss track “Not Like Us,” taking home two of the night’s most prestigious awards.
“We’re gonna dedicate this one to the city,” Lamar said before shouting out Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
It is the second hip-hop single to ever win in the category. The first was Childish Gambino’s “This Is America.”
The Weeknd has mended his fractious relationship with the Grammy Awards with a surprise performance of his new single, “Cry For Me” and “Timeless” with Playboi Carti.
His decision is a direct reflection of the changes the Recording Academy has made to diversify its voting body, CEO Harvey Mason jr. said in his introduction. The Weeknd has been openly critical of the Grammys organization, dating back to 2020 when he wrote on Twitter: “The Grammys remain corrupt.”
It was just one of many pleasant surprises Sunday night. Chappell Roan was named best new artist.
She read a speech from a notebook, speaking directly to major labels and the music industry, instructing them to “offer a living wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists.” She described getting signed as a minor, getting dropped and entering the workforce during COVID-19 with no work experience and no health care. She asked them to treat artists like “valuable employees.”
“Labels, we got you,” she concluded her speech. “But do you got us?”
In one of the biggest moments of the evening so far, Taylor Swift presented the award for best country album to Beyoncé. She became the first Black woman to ever win in the category.
“Genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists,” she said in her speech. “I’m still in shock. Thank you so much for this honor.”
Beyoncé entered the night as the leading nominee.
A little bit of the wild west, a little bit of West Hollywood. Roan brought a rocking version of her “Pink Pony Club” to the Grammy stage. Joined by a posse of dancing clown cowboys, she sang from atop a giant pink horse.
In incorporating the wildfires throughout the show, the Grammys put the spotlight on the city’s resiliency.
Noah’s opening speech was dedicated to those affected by the fires, promising a show that not only celebrates them, but one that also celebrates “the city that brought us so much of that music.” The Grammys have also allotted ad time to be used by local businesses affected by the fires.
As the show neared its end, Noah announced that viewers had contributed $7 million to relief efforts Sunday night so far.
On a stage set up to look like the mountains of Los Angeles, the LA born-and-raised Billie Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas performed her hit “Birds of a Feather.” It was one of a number of ways the show seeks to salute the city. “We love you LA,” she told the crowd at the end of the set.
The show kicked off with a powerful opening performance of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” by Dawes — whose members were directly affected by the Eaton fire — backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent.
The first televised award went to Doechii for best rap album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal.”
The tears were immediate. “This category was introduced in 1989. Two women have won, Lauryn Hill —” she said, correcting herself. “Three women have won. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii.”
Will Smith introduced a tribute to the late, great, legendary producer Quincy Jones. “In his 91 years, Q touched countless lives, but I have to say he changed mine forever,” he said. “You probably wouldn’t even know who Will Smith was without Quincy Jones.”
Jones died in November at age 91. Kicked off by Cynthia Erivo, accompanied by Herbie Hancock on piano, the “Wicked” star sang Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.” Then came Lainey Wilson and Jacob Collier with “Let the Good Times Roll,” followed by Stevie Wonder and Hancock busting out “Bluesette” and “We Are The World.” For the latter, they were joined by student singers from two schools that were lost in the LA-area fires.
Then, Janelle Monae with an inspired rendition of “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” channeling Michael Jackson in a sparkly tuxedo and an effortless moonwalk.
The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” which used AI technology, took home best rock performance. Sean Lennon accepted the award on behalf of his father John Lennon. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s the best band of all time,” he said of the Beatles.
First time winners were abundant. They included Carpenter, Roan, Doechii, Charli xcx, songwriter Amy Allen, Música Mexicana star Carin León, French metal band Gojira and country folk artist Sierra Ferrell.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith led the crowd in a short singalong of their hit “Under the Bridge,” reminding the crowd to “support their friends and neighbors as they rebuild their lives,” said Kiedis. Then they presented the best pop vocal album award to Carpenter for “Short n’ Sweet.”
“I really wasn’t expecting this,” she said. “This is, woo, my first Grammy so I’m going to cry.” (She’s now won two, but the earlier award was handed out a pre-telecast ceremony that many artists don’t attend.) She also performed.
Shakira won Latin pop album for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” and gave a powerful, short speech. “I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country,” she said.
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars teamed up for a cover of “California Dreamin’.” Later, SZA presented them with the award for best pop duo/group performance for “Die With A Smile.”
“Trans people are not invisible. … The queer community deserves to be lifted up,” Gaga said in her speech.
Alicia Keys was awarded the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift,” she said in her speech, referencing diversity, equity and inclusion programs that have been scrapped recently by the U.S. government and several major corporations.
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For more coverage of this year’s Grammy Awards, visit: www.apnews.com/GrammyAwards
It’s time to begin training your dog, great! There are a few things to keep in mind though when beginning to train your pooch.
The first thing is to remember is your tone! Dogs may not understand languages but they do know sounds and tones. If you are happy and use a silly voice, this tells your animal that all is good and will probably respond to you. BUT if you use an angry or monotoned sound, they may run away or not even respond.
Next is to use lots and lots of treats, they like foods and snacks. It’s just like at work, when you do well its wonderful to receive high praise or even a bonus. Dogs are the same, the more your praise and give treats, the more likely they will do the command over and over to get tasty stuff.
There are so many things to keep in mind but probably the most important aspect to remember is to do the training every day. When doing something every day, it becomes a habit and a routine, like brushing your teeth, as a child you were ingrained to always brush your teeth in the morning and at night which became a routine for you. Same with animals, doing something every day and sometimes several times a day will help teach your dog to do the command.
For more information and all the tips and tricks on getting your dog to start training, check out the full article the American Kennel Club has on their website.
Basic Crepes Recipe from allrecipes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serving size: 4 servings
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. Army captain who died in Wednesday’s midair collision of a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet was “brilliant and fearless” and “meticulous in everything she did,” friends and fellow soldiers said.
Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach was identified by the Army Saturday as one of three soldiers killed in the crash near Reagan National Airport just outside Washington, D.C. In all, 67 people died, including the jet’s 60 passengers and 4 crew members.
Lobach, of Durham, North Carolina, had served as an Army aviation officer since July 2019, earning an Army commendation medal and an achievement medal after graduating from the University of North Carolina as a distinguished military graduate in the top 20% of ROTC cadets nationwide, her family said.
Last month, she escorted fashion designer Ralph Lauren at the White House when he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
USA Today White House correspondent Davis Winkie trained with Lobach in the University of North Carolina ROTC program. They were in the same training platoon at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in 2018, and were friends ever since.
“Rebecca was brilliant and fearless, a talented pilot and a PT stud,” Winkie wrote in a social media post, using an abbreviation for physical training.
In a statement released by the Army, Lobach’s family said she had more than 450 hours of flight time and earned “certification as a pilot-in-command after extensive testing by the most senior and experienced pilots in her battalion.”
The Army released the names of the two other Black Hawk soldiers on Friday, but withheld Lobach’s name until Saturday at the request of her family. Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia, was the crew chief. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, was a pilot.
Lobach “was a patriot, she loved her country,” her close friend, Sam Brown, told WNCN-TV.
Lexi Freas credited Lobach’s mentorship for inspiring her to become an aviation officer in the District of Columbia National Guard.
“Not only did she care about being a leader and being the best officer she could, but also about being the best pilot she could,” Freas told the Raleigh, North Carolina, station.
Another friend, Sabrina Bell, said Lobach “was meticulous in everything she did, she never did anything half-heartedly, she never did anything impulsively.”
Lobach’s family noted that she served as a certified sexual harassment/assault response and prevention victim advocate and hoped to become a physician when she got out of the Army.
“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. She was a bright star in all our lives. She was kind, generous, brilliant, funny, ambitious and strong. No one dreamed bigger or worked harder to achieve her goals,” the statement said.
“We request that you please respect our privacy as we grieve this devastating loss,” Lobach’s family added.
After the crash, President Donald Trump blamed the helicopter for flying at too high an altitude, saying: “You had a pilot problem from the standpoint of the helicopter. I mean, because it was visual, it was very clear night.”
The remarks, combined with Trump’s rant about diversity initiatives in the air traffic controller ranks, only added to social media speculation, misinformation and vitriol about the makeup of the Black Hawk crew. No evidence has emerged that diversity rules factored into the collision.
Former military recruiter Bilal Kordab told WRAL-TV that Lobach was kind, intelligent and “put so much pressure on herself to be the best of the best and go the extra mile.”
Before transferring to the University of North Carolina, Lobach played Division III college basketball at the University of The South.
Winkie said he and Lobach were both latecomers to the ROTC program “and quickly bonded over being the new kids on the block.”
One day, while at Fort Knox learning about different Army officer career paths, Winkie said he and Lobach happened upon a small helicopter called a MH-6 Little Bird.
Winkie, who is 6-foot-6 (2 meters) tall, said Lobach — listed at 5-foot-7 (1.7 meters) in her college basketball days — smiled mischievously at him and asked: “Think we can both fit?”
“I’ll be damned if we didn’t somehow stuff ourselves into that cockpit,” Winkie wrote in a tribute to Lobach on X, formerly known as Twitter. “My neck hurt, and I don’t think we would’ve been able to fly it very well, but we were both beaming in the selfie she took.”
Winkie wrote that soon after Wednesday’s crash he texted Lobach, asking: “you good?” He said he didn’t realize until the next day that the message hadn’t gone through.
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Sisak reported from New York.