Category Archives: humor

Brought to You by Banner & Balboa: Two Professional Nappers

Posted on by

cat curled up napping after losing an hour to Daylight Saving Time

National Napping Day: The Holiday We Actually Need After the Time Change

If you’ve been following along here on Around Dusty Roads, you know I’ve spent the past week or so grumbling, musing, and generally side‑eyeing Daylight Saving Time. And now that we’ve all “sprung forward” and lost an hour of sleep we never agreed to give up, it’s only fair that today brings us a little mercy.

Enter National Napping Day — the unofficial, absolutely essential holiday that arrives the Monday after the time change. In 2026, that’s today, March 9.

Honestly? This might be the most sensible holiday on the calendar.

Why Today Exists (And Why We Deserve It)

National Napping Day was created back in 1999 by a Boston University professor and his wife — which feels very on‑brand for New England. Only here would someone look at a population of overtired, cranky, sleep‑deprived people and say, “You know what? Let’s make this official.”

The idea was simple:
We lose an hour.
We feel awful.
We should nap.

Science backs them up. Even a short 20‑minute nap can boost alertness, improve mood, and help counteract the grogginess that hits hard after the clocks jump ahead.

And here’s a little personal observation: since retiring, I nap almost every day. It’s become one of the unexpected perks of this new chapter. And no — it doesn’t mess with my nighttime sleep. My bladder and the cats take care of that all on their own. If anything, the nap is the most predictable part of my sleep schedule.

Honestly, if humans took their cues from cats, we’d all be better rested. Banner and Balboa nap with the confidence of creatures who know they’re right.

 

 

A Few Fun Napping Facts

  • A quick nap can improve reaction time and reduce fatigue‑related accidents.
  • Napping helps regulate emotions (which explains why I’m less likely to yell at the microwave afterward).
  • Some cultures have been napping for centuries — the siesta is practically an art form.
  • Even Charlemagne was a napper. If it’s good enough for an emperor…
  • And of course, cats nap up to 16 hours a day. Banner and Balboa would like it noted that they are professionals and we should follow their lead.

How to Celebrate (Spoiler: The Cats Already Know)

  • Find a quiet spot between 1–3 p.m.
  • Set a timer for 10–20 minutes so you don’t wake up wondering what century it is.
  • Dark room, cozy blanket, maybe a weighted eye mask if you’re feeling fancy.
  • If you can’t nap, even closing your eyes for a few minutes helps reset your brain.
  • Or — and hear me out — take a page from the cats. Banner warms his butt on the stove when the oven’s on, Balboa curls up in a glass bowl like he’s auditioning for “Cat Tetris,” and both of them nap anywhere, anytime, without apology. They give National Napping Day their full stamp of approval.

Bonus tip: Try a “coffee nap” — drink a little caffeine right before your nap. By the time you wake up, the caffeine kicks in. It’s like a cheat code for adulthood.

Banner’s got the mug. He’s just waiting for the nap to kick in.

Cat‑Approved Napping

I have plenty of photographic proof that naps are not only acceptable but strongly encouraged in this household. Banner and Balboa are champion nappers — bed, couch, sunny patch on the floor, glass bowl, you name it. If there’s a soft surface (or even a hard one), they’re on it, asleep, living their best lives.

So if you need permission to take a nap today, just look at these two. They’ve given National Napping Day their official stamp of approval — and they take their roles very seriously.

 

Bottom Line

If Daylight Saving Time took something from you, National Napping Day is here to give a little back. So whether you curl up with a cat, stretch out on the couch, or sneak a quick snooze in your favorite chair, consider it your civic duty.

Just ask Banner and Balboa — champions of the mid‑morning, mid‑afternoon, and “just because” nap. They’ve been training for this holiday their whole lives.

Endorsed by the Feline Nap Authority

 

Bald is Beautiful

Posted on by

“Be Bald and Be Free Day” is a celebration of confidence, authenticity, and the beauty of a bare scalp—whether by choice, genetics, or circumstance. Observed annually on October 14, it’s a day to toss the toupees, ditch the hats, and let your head shine.

🌟 What Is Be Bald and Be Free Day?

Be Bald and Be Free Day was founded by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Herbs to honor the freedom and boldness of baldness. It’s not just about hair—or the lack of it—but about liberation from societal expectations. Whether someone is bald by choice, due to aging, or as a result of medical treatment, this day encourages them to embrace their look with pride.

💪 A Symbol of Strength and Style

Baldness has long been associated with power and confidence. Think of iconic figures like Bruce Willis, Mahatma Gandhi, or Sinead O’Connor—each used their baldness as a statement. For some, it’s a minimalist aesthetic; for others, it’s a badge of survival. Cancer patients and those with alopecia often face emotional hurdles tied to hair loss, and this day offers a moment to celebrate their resilience.

🎉 How to Celebrate

Avery Brooks

  • Shave It Off: If you’ve been considering going bald, today’s the day to take the plunge.
  • Shine with Pride: Already bald? Post a selfie with the hashtag #BeBaldAndBeFreeDay.
  • Support Others: Compliment a bald friend or donate to cancer-related charities.
  • Host a Bald Bash: Organize a gathering or virtual event to celebrate bald beauty.
  • Raise Awareness: Share stories of bald icons or your own journey to inspire others.

🌬️ The Perks of a Bare Head

Let’s not forget the practical joys: no bad hair days, no expensive salon visits, and the simple pleasure of feeling the breeze on your scalp. Baldness can be freeing in every sense—financially, emotionally, and stylistically.

 

Whether you’re bald by nature or nurture, Be Bald and Be Free Day is your moment to shine—literally and figuratively.

Sinead O’Connor

As a woman watching time gently waltz through my once-thick locks, I’m not quite ready to bare it all. But perhaps, one day, I’ll greet that moment with grace and a gleaming crown.

🐻 Chuck Reigns Supreme: The 2025 Fattest Bear Champion of Katmai

Posted on by

Champion 2025

🐻The Bear, the Myth, the Muffin-Top Majesty

Move over, bodybuilders—Chuck the brown bear just flexed his way to victory in the most gloriously gluttonous competition of the year: Fat Bear Week 2025. With jowls jiggling and a belly that could moonlight as a beanbag chair, Chuck waddled his way into the hearts (and stomachs) of fans worldwide. This isn’t just a bear. This is a living, breathing marshmallow with claws.

Chuck – Fattest Bear Champion 2025

 

Chuck resides in Alaska’s Katmai National Park, where the salmon run is basically an all-you-can-eat buffet for bears prepping for hibernation. And Chuck? He didn’t just eat. He committed. His pre-hibernation physique is less “dad bod” and more “entire PTA meeting.”

What Is Katmai National Park, Anyway?

Located in southern Alaska, Katmai is a wild wonderland of volcanoes, tundra, and—most famously—grizzly bears. It’s home to over 2,000 brown bears, many of whom gather at Brooks Falls each summer to catch leaping salmon mid-air like furry Olympians. The park was established in 1918 to protect the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a surreal volcanic landscape born from the 1912 Novarupta eruption.

Photo by Thomas Mangelsen

But today, Katmai is best known for its bear cams and the annual Fat Bear Week, a bracket-style showdown where the public votes for the bear who best embodies the spirit of seasonal snacking.

Chuck’s Winning Strategy: Salmon, Swagger, and Zero Shame

Chuck didn’t just eat salmon—he became salmon. His folds have folds. His shadow has its own gravitational pull. Rumor has it he once sat on a log and turned it into mulch. And when he walks, the tundra trembles.

But this isn’t just about comedy—it’s about survival. Bears like Chuck must pack on the pounds to endure months of hibernation, where they’ll live off their fat reserves. So really, Chuck’s not lazy—he’s a strategic genius with a gut of gold.

Chuck’s Winning Strategy: Salmon, Swagger, and Zero Shame

And here’s the kicker: Chuck did it all with a broken jaw. Wildlife experts believe he sustained the injury during a mating-season brawl, but did that slow him down? Not one bite. He slurped, gnawed, and gorged his way to greatness, proving that nothing—not even a busted bite radius—could stop his rise to rotund royalty.
It makes his accomplishment that much more jaw-droppingly heroic.

Long Live the Lard

So here’s to Chuck: the bear, the legend, the walking beanbag. May his salmon dreams be sweet, his winter nap be cozy, and his legacy live on in every jiggle of joy.

Fat Bear Champion 2025

 

Apocalypse Chow

Posted on by

The Gourmet Guide to Apocalypse Chow: Because Even the End Times Deserve Flavor

I don’t usually write political posts. I prefer cats, nature, and the occasional pun about moss. But lately, things feel like they’re sliding downhill on a greased-up sled. Trump’s announced more tariffs, comedians are being banned from free speech, and the general vibe is somewhere between “dystopian novel” and “bad improv night.” What’s next—mandatory beige clothing and government-issued tofu? It’s time to prepare for the coming collapse of civilization as we know it. And by prepare, I mean hoard snacks.

🥫 Canned Goods: The VIPs of the Bunker Ball

Canned beans, chili, peaches, and mystery meat (we’re looking at you, Spam) are the backbone of any respectable doomsday diet. They last forever, require zero refrigeration, and double as weights for your post-apocalyptic workout routine. Bonus: the labels make great wallpaper when you redecorate your bunker.

1,049,000+ Rice Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images ...🍝 Pasta & Rice: Carbs for the Collapse

When the grid goes down and your sourdough starter becomes a science experiment, dry pasta and rice will be your best friends. They’re easy to store, easy to cook, and perfect for pretending everything’s fine while you eat your fifth bowl of apocalypse Alfredo.

🍫 Chocolate: Sanity in a Wrapper

Yes, it melts. Yes, it’s technically non-essential. But let’s be honest—if you’re going to barter for toilet paper or negotiate peace with a rogue band of feral toddlers, chocolate is your golden ticket. Stock up like your emotional stability depends on it. Because it does.

🧂 Spices & Condiments: Flavor the Fallout

Salt, hot sauce, mustard, and that weird jar of pickled jalapeños you forgot about—these are the unsung heroes of survival cuisine. They turn bland beans into gourmet despair and give you something to brag about during bunker dinner parties.

🐱 Bonus Round: Cat Treats (Because Banner and Balboa Deserve Luxury Too)

Your feline overlords will still expect five-star service. Stock up on their favorite treats unless you want them plotting your overthrow. Remember: in the apocalypse, the cats are in charge.

Final Thought: Hoard wisely, laugh often, and never underestimate the morale-boosting power of a well-timed snack. The end of the world might be messy—but your pantry doesn’t have to be.

 

Striped Cows? That’s Ig Nobel

Posted on by

 

🧪 The Ig Nobel Prize: Science That Tickles Your Brain

These scientists may never win a Nobel Prize, but five days ago they lined up to see if they’d be honored with an Ig Nobel Prize—a celebration of research that’s equal parts hilarious and thought-provoking.

First awarded in 1991, the Ig Nobel Prize was created to spark public interest in science. Each year, real Nobel laureates gather at MIT to present the awards. The mission? To “honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think.”

💸 The prize? A whopping 10 trillion Zimbabwean dollars—worth about $0.40 USD.

🐄 Striped Cows?

undefined

By Tomoki Kojima

The 2025 Ig Nobel Prize in Biology went to researchers who painted cows with zebra stripes to see if it would protect them from biting flies. Early results suggest it might work—but it’s probably not the most practical solution for farmers.

🎭 Can Anyone Attend the Awards Ceremony?

Absolutely! You don’t need to be a Nobel laureate to enjoy the show. Much like the Academy Awards, the Ig Nobel ceremony is:

  • 🎙️ Recorded and broadcast on National Public Radio in the U.S.
  • 🌐 Streamed live online—so if you’ve got Wi-Fi, you’re in.

🏆 2025 Award Categories (Drumroll, please…)

The categories change each year, but here’s a taste of the 2025 lineup:

Category Winning Research
Aviation Studying how alcohol affects bats’ ability to fly and echolocate
Biology Painting cows with zebra stripes to deter flies
Chemistry Testing whether eating Teflon increases satiety without adding calories
Engineering Design Analyzing how smelly shoes affect the experience of using a shoe rack
Literature Tracking the growth of a single fingernail over 35 years
Nutrition Investigating which kinds of pizza a certain lizard prefers
Peace Showing that alcohol can improve foreign language fluency
Pediatrics Studying what a nursing baby experiences when the mother eats garlic
Physics Exploring the phase transition in pasta sauce that causes clumping
Psychology Investigating what happens when you tell narcissists (or anyone) they’re intelligent

✉️ And the Winners Are…

Too many to list here—but if you’re curious, you can find the full rundown on MSN’s Ig Nobel Prize coverage or Ars Technica’s winner spotlight. Just goes to show: you really can win an award for almost anything.

Oscar Award Stock Illustrations – 1,597 Oscar Award Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - Dreamstime