Good Morning, Digital Neighbors! Happy Monday to all you kindly souls across the internet who mingle here on Locals or Substack. I hope you all had a great weekend. I enjoyed celebrating with my parish family and wishing all the men of the parish a Happy Father’s Day. Here are a few quotes on courage from the Forbes Leadership Library:
“Life is not easy for any of us, but what of that? We must have perseverance and above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing, at all cost, must be attained.” — Marie Curie
“You can surmount the obstacles in your path if you are determined, courageous, and hardworking. Never be fainthearted. Be resolute but never bitter. Permit no one to dissuade you from pursuing the goals you set for yourselves. Do not fear to pioneer, to venture down new paths of endeavor.” — Ralph J. Bunche
“Freedom dies with each individual; it is not reborn with its successors; it must be achieved anew, generation after generation.” — Henry M. Wriston
Today marks the three hundred and thirtieth birthday of the Frenchman François-Marie Arouet, better known by his nom de plume, Voltaire (1694-1778).
Born into a bourgeois family during the reign of Louis XIV, the “Sun King” (r. 1643-1715), Voltaire suffered tragedy at a young age when his mother died. Never close with his father or brother, Voltaire exhibited a rebellious attitude toward authority from his youth. His brilliant mind was fostered in the care of the Society of Jesus, who introduced him to the joys of literature and theater. Despite his later criticisms against the Church, Voltaire, throughout his life, fondly recalled his dedicated Jesuit teachers.
Although he spent time as a civil servant in the French embassy to the Hague, Voltaire’s main love was writing—an endeavor where he excelled in various genres, including poetry, which led to his appointment as the royal court poet for King Louis XV. Widely recognized as one of the greatest French writers, and even hyperbolically referred to by ...
Happy National Kissing Day y'all! Hopefully, you've all found someone willing to tolerate you today.
If you want to test the absolute limits of their love, it is fortuitously also National Onion Rings Day. I strongly suggest smashing a giant portion of deep-fried, greasy battered onions right before you lean in for that celebratory smooch, which, fittingly enough, ties perfectly into today also being National Stupid Guy Thing Day. What could possibly go wrong by combining celebrations of all three?!
Anyhoo, it's that time of the week to crown our latest comedy champion, your nominations, as ever, are below:
Padre - Tom Miller invites you to a Coffee Talk, Speakeasies, Schmoozes, Tea Times, Afterhours and other gatherings.
https://teams.live.com/meet/93792382189049?p=DiBHsYfuECPgDrG7vO
2026 Coffee Talk with the ADD Irregulars
Thursday, January 1, 2026
6:00 AM - 8:00 AM (CST)
Occurs every day starting 1/1 until 12/31/2027
Coffee Talk - Daily beginning at 6:00 AM Central Time Zone - USA
White Pilled Wednesday - A break from the heaviness of news and current events to focus upon things more personal & positive for the first hour of Coffee Talk.
Afternoon Chats - Most Tuesday, Friday & Sundays 2:00 PM Central
Other chats as posted in the community.
