Be Wary of Touchy Feely AI People

I watched an interesting video today that explains why there are so many "old people" videos on YouTube.

The creator of the video said up front that she was posting it to illustrate not only how easy it is to create videos but also to put you on notice not to believe what you see.

The Creepy Truth About AI and "Old People" is the video I'm talking about. I must say I didn't realize it was that easy to create an attractive video in a couple of minutes.

YouTube is supposed to flag videos that are AI-created, but there must be ways around that. I think YouTube outght to require an icon or image that plainly says AI, and it should be visible on the video all the way through.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Watch the video and tell me what you think about this subject.

wasI found it fascinating because it explains all those "old people" videos that are all over YouTube.

 the internet.

 which was quite interesting.

Review - Jack Ryan: Ghost War - Prime

The long-awaited (by some) return of the Jack Ryan character as portrayed by John Krasinski premiered on Prime last week.

Jack Ryan: Ghost War, an American political action thriller film based on Tom Clancy's work of the same nave, was directed by Andrew Bernstein and written by Aaron Rabin and John Krasinski from a story by Krasinski and Noah Oppenheim.

In case you're keeping score, this is the 6th film and 3rd reboot of Jack Ryan, and it's distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.

Starring Krasinski as Jack Ryan, the film also has Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, Max Beesley, J.J. Feild, Douglas Hodge, Betty Gabriel, and Sienna Miller.

SHORT BLURB

Jack Ryan reluctantly allows himself to be pulled back into an espionage operation action in which he reunites with his former CIA "friends" to uncover a deadly conspiracy. The international covert operation goes sideways, and he must go rogue to find those responsible.

MY THOUGHTS

I'd seen the previous Jack Ryan flicks with Krasinski. I remember a couple of them had the Ryan character trying to straddle the line of being hard-core covert operative and a man who found it all distasteful. One was a pretty good action flick.

This most recent offering has Ryan a little more firmly committed to being an effective operative even though he rails against the evil done by the CIA, etc. The opening of the movie has a pretty good action scene even though it's contrived to move the plot to the next act. The middle is a bit of a muddle, but the end gets back to action scenes that move the plot to the finish. 

I think Krasinski initially got the part of Ryan because of his work in the stellar film, 13 Hours. He was riveting in that movie as were the other actors. Of course, a story like Benghazi doesn't come along every day—thank goodness.

So it's probably not fair to compare the storytelling of this movie with that of 13 Hours where Krasinksi shone.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

If you're looking for light entertainment with an action story, this latest Jack Ryan film should satisfy you.

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Remembering on Memorial Day

The first person I personally knew who died in service to our country was Billy Joe Renfrow. He was a Senior Class Favorite who noted for Congeniality.

I've know many men and a few women who served in the military, but Billy Joe was the only one I knew who went to school with me. He was the last person I ever expected to see in the Army.

After his death, every time my Mom would see his Mom in town, his mother would tell mine to say hello to me. That's how it is in a small town.

Today, I'm thinking of him and how young he was when he was killed in action. War is hell in so many ways.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Remember those who gave their lives in service.

Memorial Day Explained

Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the United States. Many people think this is the same as Veterans Day, but it's not. They're 2 distinctly different days created to honor our heroes.

What is the difference between the two days?

Memorial Day, celebrated the last Monday in May each year, honors the sacrifice and loss of those who served and died in the military.

Veterans Day honors all who have served in the U.S. military.

In 1868, Americans began to recognize Memorial Day, and the country established it as a federal holiday in 1971. Originally, this day was known as “Decoration Day.” Churches and entire ommunities would decorate the graves of those who died during service.

Many service members, veterans, and others in the military community treat Memorial Day as a time to mourn and honor those they’ve lost. 

WHAT TO SAY ON MEMORIAL DAY

This is not the day to thank someone for their service. That's Veterans Day. Since Memorial Day is  to honor the fallen, it's not appropriate to say, "Happy Memorial Day." I've been guilty of that even though I know better. The appropriate thing to say is, "Have a meaningful Memorial Day." Or, perhaps, "Have a reflective Memorial Day."

RED POPPIES

When I was a kid, people on the streets would sell red poppies made of crepe paper. They cost pennies. 

All the adults would buy them and pin them on shirts, dresses, and suits and wear them proudly. I guess that's not done any longer.

The red poppy, symbolizing remembrance and respect for those who died in service to their country, was inspired by the 1915 poem “In Flanders Fields,” by John McCrae, which honored those who died in WWI.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Amidst the family gatherings and barbeques, take a moment to honor those who gave everything in service to our country.

Saturday Share Recipe - Brandied Steak Sauce

This has been a rainy week, and our Memorial Weekend is following that trend.

We'd planned a barbeque with Darling Hubby's famous BBQ Drumsticks, but it looks as if we'll be grilling indoors instead.

That means Flat Iron Steaks with Brandied Steak Sauce. You make this with drippings in the pan from cooking the steaks.

This homemade steak sauce is great on beef steaks or pork chops and can dress up hamburger steak too.

Make a batch and store it in the fridge or freezer until needed. Heat before serving.

BRANDIED STEAK SAUCE

Ingredients

1/2 cup very finely diced onion or shallots

1/2 cup of brandy

1/2 cup of rich beef stock

1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Directions

1. When the steaks are finished cooking, place them on a platter in a draft-free space for about 10 minutes to allow the meat juices to settle.

2. Pour the drippings from the skillet, leaving about a tablespoon left in the pan. Toss the onions into the pan and saute until soft. Do not brown the onions.

3. When the onions are soft, reduce the heat, and carefully add the brandy. You don't want to flame the onions. Simmer about five minutes until the alcohol volatilizes. You don't want that "raw" brandy taste.

4. Add the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and beef stock. Whisk well. Reduce the heat to low and simmer. 

5. Serve warm with the steaks.

Option. Before serving, when the sauce has thickened a little, add a bit of finely chopped fresh tarragon or fresh thyme leaves to finish. Then pour over the steaks.

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Invitation to a Readers Event

We're having a party, and you're invited!

What: The Power of Love, a Readers and Authors Event

When: May 16, 2026, starting at 11:00AM CDT

Where: RomanceGems…Where Authors and Readers Meet Facebook Group

 Go there now and (1) click to Join (2) Read the Rules (3) Answer the Questions. Someone will review your answers. (4) Then come to the party tomorrow. 

Why: Chat with bestselling authors, shop the 99¢ Ebook Sale, and be entered to win Prizes.

I'm giving away a hardbound Journal that has 200+ pages and inspirational prompts to help you write your life story.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

It's going to be a fun day.

Come to the party and let's talk about romance novels and the kind of stories you like best.

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Monday Magic - Rewire Your Brain

Today's Monday Magic Tip is a little different. Instead of telling you about an app that may make your work life easier, I'm going to tell you about a YouTube video that may do the same.

I'm always urging SlingWords readers to keep a journal, to write your goals, to write an action items list, etc. even though I know many of you never put pen to paper in this digital world.

You make lists on your smartphone or a web app.

Guess what? There's sound science behind writing with pen and paper. Watch this video on The Upgrade with Makai Allbert channel which has over 42K subscribers. 

His video Handwriting Literally Rewires Your Brain has well over 2K comments, but what I like is the explanation of the science behind the premise. If you don't believe me, try it for a couple of weeks. I think you'll be shocked at how much you remember when making notes with handwriting and how much clearer your thinking is.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

This is one of many videos I've seen and articles I've read about the effects of digital reading and/or learning and retention of what was learned. The truth is startling.

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