Michael Werner
@mindtrekker.bsky.social
Podcast host, Books+Beyond. Former CEO SimpleK12.com. Traveler. Publisher. Writer. Trying to be kinder today than yesterday. Oh, and completely loco for IU basketball. (I'm also an international spy working out of the commerce desk at a local embassy.)
Pinned
Michael Werner
@mindtrekker.bsky.social
· Feb 21
Library good news / bad news. When all your holds are ready at the same time. #booksky
Best post of the day —>
Went to my local library this morning to do a bit of research for my current book project and my goodness such a life-affirming space! There was an adult being taught to read on the next table, children enjoying story time, countless people taking out books. So grateful for our libraries ❤️
January 26, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Best post of the day —>
I am grateful for great movies I stumble across. Just saw The Life of Chuck on Hulu. Wow, what a treat. Made me happy to be alive. Life is extraordinary if you pay attention. Check ‘er out.
January 26, 2026 at 6:31 PM
I am grateful for great movies I stumble across. Just saw The Life of Chuck on Hulu. Wow, what a treat. Made me happy to be alive. Life is extraordinary if you pay attention. Check ‘er out.
Today I am grateful for kind words. I received, out of the blue, a note from one of my mom’s former students — of at least 60 years ago — telling me how much she loved my mom. Totally unexpected.
January 23, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Today I am grateful for kind words. I received, out of the blue, a note from one of my mom’s former students — of at least 60 years ago — telling me how much she loved my mom. Totally unexpected.
[Join me with your thoughts about gratitude?] Today I am grateful for Lowery’s Candies from Muncie, Indiana, USA. You can order online and they beat just about anything you’ve ever tried. They are a Christmas and New Year’s tradition in our family, and great year-round.
January 21, 2026 at 8:13 AM
[Join me with your thoughts about gratitude?] Today I am grateful for Lowery’s Candies from Muncie, Indiana, USA. You can order online and they beat just about anything you’ve ever tried. They are a Christmas and New Year’s tradition in our family, and great year-round.
Today I am grateful for Indiana University. Indiana University both formed and changed my life, for the better I believe.
January 19, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Today I am grateful for Indiana University. Indiana University both formed and changed my life, for the better I believe.
I’m grateful for sleeping in late, not even knowing or caring about the time or any to-do lists I have floating around.
January 18, 2026 at 1:05 PM
I’m grateful for sleeping in late, not even knowing or caring about the time or any to-do lists I have floating around.
Today I am grateful for the “payback days” in Florida. After long hot and humid summers, we get months of cool (even cold at night) days. We’re in the midst of those right now.
January 16, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Today I am grateful for the “payback days” in Florida. After long hot and humid summers, we get months of cool (even cold at night) days. We’re in the midst of those right now.
[Join me with your thoughts about gratitude?] Today I am grateful for old beat up and marked books you return to over and over again. Good advice and wonderful writing never fades. Do you have such a book? Books?
January 14, 2026 at 4:11 PM
[Join me with your thoughts about gratitude?] Today I am grateful for old beat up and marked books you return to over and over again. Good advice and wonderful writing never fades. Do you have such a book? Books?
Today I’m grateful for Ken Jaworowski’s first book, Small Town Sins, after loving his second one, What About the Bodies. Superb plot, believable characters from left-behind dead coal towns, and dialogue that jumps out at you. BUT… Ken, you gotta write faster! I need more books.
January 12, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Today I’m grateful for Ken Jaworowski’s first book, Small Town Sins, after loving his second one, What About the Bodies. Superb plot, believable characters from left-behind dead coal towns, and dialogue that jumps out at you. BUT… Ken, you gotta write faster! I need more books.
Reposted by Michael Werner
[What say you about gratitude?] Today I am grateful for something my dad taught me, and it’s this: keep a folding chair in your trunk; and, when things get overwhelming, just say “ahhh, fuck it!” and take your chair to a park, beach, or other quiet place… then stay there till you want to go back.
January 8, 2026 at 2:20 PM
[What say you about gratitude?] Today I am grateful for something my dad taught me, and it’s this: keep a folding chair in your trunk; and, when things get overwhelming, just say “ahhh, fuck it!” and take your chair to a park, beach, or other quiet place… then stay there till you want to go back.
Today I am grateful for a quiet and peaceful household after the departure of the 17 days of loving chaos known as our offspring, ages 3 to 35.
January 6, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Today I am grateful for a quiet and peaceful household after the departure of the 17 days of loving chaos known as our offspring, ages 3 to 35.
Today I am grateful for streaming services. We’re in a golden age of TV. Sheesh — between my books and best TV, I have little time left for work.
January 6, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Today I am grateful for streaming services. We’re in a golden age of TV. Sheesh — between my books and best TV, I have little time left for work.
ANSWER: Zero.
QUESTION: What did we learn from Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan?
QUESTION: What did we learn from Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan?
January 4, 2026 at 8:14 PM
ANSWER: Zero.
QUESTION: What did we learn from Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan?
QUESTION: What did we learn from Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan?
Okay, Trump, now do Putin.
January 3, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Okay, Trump, now do Putin.
Today I am over the top grateful for love.
January 3, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Today I am over the top grateful for love.
Today I am grateful for the Indiana University Hoosiers. Number 1 in college football; first time in their history. Rose Bowl victors. An unbelievable and incredible story.
January 2, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Today I am grateful for the Indiana University Hoosiers. Number 1 in college football; first time in their history. Rose Bowl victors. An unbelievable and incredible story.
Today I am grateful for an ancient Mexican ritual for New Year’s. We make a silent wish, toss lentils in the air, collect some from the ground, and store them in a small bag or envelope. Then we store them near us throughout the year.
January 1, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Today I am grateful for an ancient Mexican ritual for New Year’s. We make a silent wish, toss lentils in the air, collect some from the ground, and store them in a small bag or envelope. Then we store them near us throughout the year.
Today I am grateful for memories of family gatherings. Most of my favorites revolve around holiday family gatherings. And, now that I am the clan elder, I enjoy helping the youngest of our group learn and enjoy family stories and traditions.
December 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Today I am grateful for memories of family gatherings. Most of my favorites revolve around holiday family gatherings. And, now that I am the clan elder, I enjoy helping the youngest of our group learn and enjoy family stories and traditions.
Today I am grateful for independent movies. Here’s a good one: Bob Treviño Likes It. Hulu. Offbeat, odd, life affirming. Check ‘er out.
December 30, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Today I am grateful for independent movies. Here’s a good one: Bob Treviño Likes It. Hulu. Offbeat, odd, life affirming. Check ‘er out.
Today I am grateful for Mendoza’s front line.
December 29, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Today I am grateful for Mendoza’s front line.
Today I am grateful for Fernando Mendoza.
December 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Today I am grateful for Fernando Mendoza.
Today I am grateful for shade on a hot, sunny day. It’s like a little time-out from the universe.
December 27, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Today I am grateful for shade on a hot, sunny day. It’s like a little time-out from the universe.