Life's too fort

When you were a kid, was there any place more magical than your fort? Whether it was in your backyard, the rafters of your garage, or built with pillows and blankets in the living room—it was a place to call your own. No adults allowed 😎

Speaking of places that only the invited get to see, cellist turned photographer Charles Brooks is exposing some musical places. He’s launched a photo series capturing what looks like medieval-architecture but is actually the inside of some instruments.

Looks like you could dance inside the music ;)

(Love nostalgia? Play today’s trivia below for a chance to win a $25 Amazon eGift Card!)

IN THE NEWS

Marijuana use skyrockets among older Americans

According to research published in JAMA Internal Medicine, marijuana use in seniors rose 46% between 2021 and 2023, prompting some geriatricians to warn against its health risks.

Marijuana is becoming more socially acceptable, and its medicinal use, including for chronic conditions and stress, is growing. However, most of the rise is likely due to the rapid adoption of state laws during this time period that liberalized marijuana regulations, decriminalizing or outright legalizing its use.

Some geriatricians have specifically highlighted the need for extra caution in seniors, given the greater likelihood that this demographic is also on other types of prescription medication.

"As a geriatrician, I see more and more people interested in using cannabis for treating chronic health symptoms. But cannabis can complicate the management of chronic diseases and be potentially harmful if patients are not educated on its use and potential risks," said Benjamin Han, geriatrician and associate professor at the University of California San Diego.

FEASTING FRIDAYS

Dairy is good for your gut

Recent research conducted by Dr. Li Jiao at the Baylor College of Medicine hones in on the gut health-promoting qualities of dairy, with milk and cheese in particular assisting with the growth of certain elements of the gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome is a community of microbes, fungi, and viruses that actually live in the human body and assist with several bodily functions, including metabolism, digestion, inflammation reduction, and mood regulation.

Milk consumption was found to promote several bacteria, including Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia, the former of which helps maintain gut balance while reducing inflammation, and the latter helps regulate weight and blood sugar control.

Cheese helps reduce Bacteroides, which could negatively influence colon function, and Subdoligranulum, which is commonly linked to metabolic health.

Yogurt wasn’t found to have measurable impacts on the microbiota, though Dr. Jiao and team believe that was due to study participants reporting such low intake rather than the yogurt itself—known for high prebiotic content—not having a positive impact.

Dieticians typically recommend three cups of dairy per day on average, though many have different reactions to dairy, including those who are lactose intolerance. Your family doctor can provide individual dairy consumption recommendations.

PSYCHOLOGY

Irony key to successful relationships

Couples that have never fought are admittedly strange, and often don’t last forever. Couples that fight all the time may not last forever either, but the ones that do also have a keen sense of irony.

Irony allows people to detach from themselves and not take things too literally, seeing humor in situations that wouldn’t be possible without such awareness.

The way we behave on a day to day basis is referred to by psychoanalyst Adam Phillips as “performing,” in the sense that the way we manifest our “self” is in the way we project it, present it, and act it out to the world.

“Not being possessed by our performances” is his way of describing the active sense of irony, and in the case of a romantic relationship, performances are the way a couple behaves around and toward each other. If past performance has been successful, a couple may want to either continue that success, which prevents growth, or by contrast, each partner may find they’ve surrendered their psychological self to the relationship and no longer “exist.”

This may sound absurd, which is actually the point; finding humor in the absurd is an indication that someone understands irony, and couples who can fight about something and then laugh about its absurdity tend to have stronger bonds and longer-lasting relationships.

CURIOSITIES

0074, the loneliest number that you ever heard

Sherwin-Williams names a color each year that doesn’t get enough love, despite its versatility in decor. This year’s loneliest color has been identified as Radiant Lilac SW 0074.

Few people walk into a paint store these days to purchase a pail containing this lonesome deep purple, and Sherwin-Williams is perplexed. It says the color has major potential for use in several decorative styles, including mid-century modern, retro, Scandinavian, bohemian, and bold minimalism.

Despite making and selling millions of gallons of paint annually, under 1,000 gallons of Radiant Lilac were sold in 2024.

“We’re always looking for ways to inspire consumers to take bold and unexpected approaches in their color choices,” director of color marketing Sue Wadden said in a press release. “The Loneliest Color is exactly that—celebrating the unique, daring shades that have often been overlooked and would have been considered unconventional before."

“I recommend highlighting architectural features, a statement furniture, or even painted kitchen cabinets for a bold yet refined touch,” Wadden said. “Any of the above lend themselves well to DIY projects for homeowners.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Where’s Marty McFly’s guitar

When Michael J. Fox travelled back in time as Marty McFly to save his parents’ marriage, he took some liberties with his knowledge of the future, including “inventing” Johnny B. Goode and the concept of a guitar solo.

Apparently, the deal he made to defy the laws of physics in order to travel through time came with a price: the guitar he played the song with.

Shortly after wrapping production in 1985, the Gibson ES-345 was stolen directly off the set, and hasn’t been seen or heard since. Fox and Gibson just launched a coordinated effort to finally track it down.

"It's somewhere lost in the space-time continuum or it's in a Teamster's garage," says Fox in the campaign video. Christopher Lloyd, who played Dr. Emmett Brown, continues with: "This guitar has been lost to the future.”

The video asks anyone with any possible information about the six string’s whereabouts to send their tips at losttothefuture.com, a site that also contains a countdown that ends on Oct. 21—also known as Back to the Future Day, given it’s the day Marty and Dr. Brown sailed the DeLorean through the ocean of time.

STAKE TRIVIA

Check the specs

When you were growin’ up in the ’70s, glasses weren’t exactly the coolest thing. Then again, Clark Kent sure pulled them off! 🤓 

It doesn’t stop there though. There have been plenty of awesome characters who wore glasses, and we’ll be quizzing you on them with today’s trivia! Complete the game and earn a shot at a $25 Amazon eGift Card ;)

Winner will be notified on Monday afternoon—keep an eye on your inbox!*

Have a great weekend Staker!

Today’s issue written by Michael Cowan, Joey Cowan, and Maureen Norman.


*SEE FULL STAKE TRIVIA CONTEST RULES HERE.