February 13, 2026

REMINDER: YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE ENCOURAGED

Overview for this week.

1. Bindu's Corner: This week, Bindu has shared a sage insight from American author and educator Parker Palmer.

2. Holidays: Happy Valentine's Day! Here are a couple of different ways the holiday is celebrated.

3. Philanthropy: Kids of Steel is hosting a membership event at the University of Arizona Steele Children's Research Center in just over a week. They are a fantastic Tucson nonprofit that supports pediatric medical research and patient care.

4. Surfing: Portuguese surfers riding a standing river wave were washed into the ocean after bac-to-back storms.

5. Performing Arts: The Zoppé Family Circus is an old-world Italian family circus that has been performing a classic one-ring traveling show for more than 180 years.

6. Winter Olympics: I have Team USA Highlights from the first week of competition at Milan Cortina 2026, as well as the most recent medal count.

7. Hayward M. Fox, Ph.D.: Read the latest post from Dr. Fox's blog.

A Note From Beth

With this note of sympathy and hope, I ask everyone to join in and keep the prayers going for beautiful Nancy Guthrie and the whole Guthrie family.

Now, to this week's Flock.

Thank you, Bindu, for sharing this wise insight from Parker Palmer, author, educator, and founder of the Center for Courage and Renewal.

Clinging to what you already know is the path to an unlived life. So cultivate beginner’s mind, walk straight into your not-knowing, and take the risk of failing and falling, again and again—then getting up to learn again and again. That’s the path to a life lived large in the service of love, truth, and justice.

—Parker Palmer

People around the world celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14th each year. In most Western countries, Valentine's Day is treated as a holiday for couples to express their affection by exchanging cards and gifts or enjoying a romantic dinner. The Northern European countries Finland and Estonia celebrate February 14th as "Friend's Day", emphasizing friendship and camaraderie more than romance. Japan and South Korea also celebrate Valentine's Day, but with their own unique traditions.

From: Time, By: Mélissa Godin, February 12, 2020

In many countries around the world, single people can find themselves dreading Valentine’s day. The holiday is designed for couples, who exchange chocolate, flowers, and doting smiles. But not in Estonia and Finland, two tiny European countries where Feb. 14 is Friend’s Day, a celebration of platonic love.

Known as Ystävän Päivä in Finnish and Sõbrapäev in Estonian, Friend’s Day is celebrated by single people and couples alike. Families, friends and couples gather for shared meals and sporting activities like skating or sledding.

The holiday began in Finland in the 1980s and made its way south to nearby Estonia by the end of the decade. In the beginning, the holiday was for school children who were encouraged to make handmade gifts and cards for their loved ones. By the 1990s, the holiday became popular among adults.

From: ABC Asia, By: sopkie Johnson, February 12, 2025

Across Asia, Valentine's day celebrations take unique turns from country to country. From mass weddings in the Philippines to women gifting men chocolates in Japan, Asian nations put their own spin on the Roman holiday.

Japan

In Japan, Valentine's Day is all about women giving chocolates to men.

But there's a catch, not all chocolates are created equal.

Giri-choco, which roughtly translates to "courtesy chocolates", are given to friends and coworkers, while Honmei-choco, also known as true love chocolates, are reserved for romantic interests.

A month later, on White Day, which will take place on March 14, men return the favour, often with fancier gifts.

South Korea

South Korea celebrates in a similar way to Japan but takes the Valentine's celebrations a step further with three dedicated days.

On February 14, women give chocolates to men. On White Day, men reciprocate with gifts, then, for those still single, on April 14, Black Day takes place.

Black Day is where people mourn their singleness by eating black bean noodles, known as jjajangmyeon, with friends.

I'm a big fan of Kids of Steele. They are a nonprofit in Tucson that does amazing work providing services to improve the quality of life for young patients and their families, while also supporting research at the University of Arizona Steele Children's Research Center. They are hosting a family-friendly membership event at the University of Arizona Health Sciences campus next Sunday, February 22nd, where you and your family can participate in STEM activities and learn more about the work scientists and researchers do as you tour the laboratories of the University of Arizona Steele Children's Research Center. Follow the link below to learn more about Kids of Steele and to register for the event.

From: Kids of Steele

Family fun for all to includescience experiments, service projects, and tour of one of the labs at the University of Arizona Steele Children's Research Center!

Sunday, February 22nd, 2026

3:00pm - 4:30pm

Health Sciences Plazam 1501 N. Campbell Ave. 

parking at Lot#2030 located at mabel and Martin Street

The west coasts of Portugal and Morocco have been experiencing dangerous, large-scale surf conditions after back-to-back Atlantic storms, Leonardo and Marta, which have caused widespread flooding. Surfers in the southern coastal town of Albufeira riding a standing river wave caused by the ocean tide meeting the swollen river's current were washed out into the ocean by the strong currents. Back in March of 2024, I posted about the historic swell at Nazaré, Portugal, caused by an atmospheric depression that year and by the topography of the area's ocean floor, which helped create waves over 80 feet (25 meters).

It’s been a few weeks of crazy weather in Spain and Portugal, as the region has been battered by back-to-back Storms Leonardo and Marta.

According to reports, hundreds of thousands have been evacuated in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco due to widespread flooding. Portuguese officials have declared a state of emergency, calling the situation a “devastating crisis.”

On the flipside, however, surfers have gotten creative amidst the stormy conditions, with a posse of Portuguese shredders attempting to ride novelty waves, including a wild and woolly river wave in southern coastal town of Albufeira. See below.

Watch video on Instagram

As translated from 27-year-old Portuguese surfer, Luis Perloiro, he wrote:

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much water moving…

“The Albufeira lagoon opened to the sea last night and we even arrived in time to surf a bit.

“I don’t know how many cubic meters of water were passing through there per second, but it wasn’t a small amount.”

I love the Zoppé Family Circus. I've been following them through their website for years. They perform an honest, gimmick-free, old-school circus that delivers an intimate and exhilarating experience. They are currently touring the US with their next shows in Texas. If they are performing near you, I highly recommend catching their show.

From: Zoppé Family Circus

About Zoppé Circus

The Zoppé Family Circus welcomes guests into an intimate, 500 seat tent for a one-ring circus that honors the history of their old-world Italian circus tradition. Starring Nino the clown, the circus is propelled by a central story (as opposed to individual acts) that features acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning and plenty of audience participation.

Giovanni Zoppé, the director of the circus and a sixth-generation performer, says the show aims higher than what passes for circuses these days. “We try to touch every emotion during the show,” he says. “They’ll laugh, they’ll cry, and they’ll feel for the characters. It’s more of an event than a show.”

Zoppe: An Italian Family Circus Trailer

History

The Zoppé Family Circus emerged from humble beginnings more than 175 years ago to become one of the legendary circuses of Europe. Like many good legends, it begins with a boy and a girl falling in love.

In 1842, a young French street performer named Napoline Zoppé wandered into a plaza in Budapest, Hungary, looking for work. There, his eyes glanced upon a beautiful equestrian ballerina named Ermenegilda, who captured the hearts and minds of the crowd with her grace and showmanship. More important, this talented beauty captured Napoline’s heart.

Unfortunately, Napoline was a clown, and Ermenegilda’s father saw him as beneath her and disapproved of their relationship. The two ran away to Venice, Italy, and founded the circus that still bears their name. Over the generations, the circus survived wars and political upheaval in Italy and the rest of Europe.

Team USA has had its ups and downs so far at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The women Alpine skiers took a hard hit when Lindsey Vonn suffered a devastating crash in the women's downhill, ending her hopes for another Olympic medal. The women's team came back strong with Breezy Johnson taking the gold medal in the same event. Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf added to Team USA's medal count by taking gold and silver in the women's moguls. Back in Milan, Jordan Stoltz added another gold to Team USA's tally while setting a new Olympic record in the men's speed skating 1000m competition.

From: CNN, By: Kyle Feldscher, February 9, 2026

Lindsey Vonn said she has no regrets over her decision to compete in the Winter Olympics on a “completely ruptured” ACL following her devastating crash that put an end to her Olympic comeback.

“Yesterday my Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would. It wasn’t a story book ending or a fairy tail (sic), it was just life. I dared to dream and had worked so hard to achieve it. Because in Downhill ski racing the difference between a strategic line and a catastrophic injury can be as small as 5 inches,” she wrote on Instagram.

Lindsey Vonn crashes in Olympic women's downhill at Milan Cortina 2026 | NBC Sports

“I was simply 5 inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me and resulted in my crash. My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.”

Vonn was referencing the crash she suffered in Crans-Montana on the World Cup circuit on January 30. In that race, Vonn tore her ACL in her left knee and the injury threw her participation in these Games into doubt…

“Unfortunately, I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly,” she said.

“While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets. Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget.”

From: Olympics.com, By:Sean McAlister, February 8, 2026

The U.S. athlete claims the Olympic title in a time of 1:36.10. Germany’s Emma Aicher wins silver as Italy’s Sofia Goggia takes bronze. Alpine legend Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic hopes come to an end as she crashes in the race at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre.

Breezy Johnson has won the women’s downhill race at Milano Cortina 2026 on Sunday (8 February). The reigning world champion clinched Olympic gold in a time of 1:36.10, with Emma Aicher of Germany claiming silver in 1:36.14 (+0.04 seconds) and home favourite Sofia Goggia skiing to bronze in 1:36.69 (+0.59)

The race at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre was marred by the sight of Alpine legend Lindsey Vonn crashing out after clipping a gate, as she sought to claim a second Olympic gold medal in unlikely circumstances.

Johnson wins downhill for first U.S. gold of Milan Cortina

From: CBS News, February 11, 2026

Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf won gold and silver for Team USA in women's freestyle moguls skiing at the Winter Olympics on Wednesday.

Lemley won the eight-skier final with a score of 82.30 points. The 20-year-old from Vail, Colorado, is making her Olympic debut at the Milan Cortina Games.

During the medal ceremony, Lemley's gold detached from its ribbon, an issue that organizers have acknowledged has been happening to a "limited number" of medalists. At a news conference afterward, Lemley displayed her repaired medal.

Liz Lemley is Golden in the moguls

Kauf repeated as silver medalist with a score of 80.77. The 29-year-old from Alta, Wyoming, also won silver in 2022 in Beijing.

Jaelin Kauf

Both of Kauf's parents were professional mogul skiers.

"My mom has always been my biggest hero and role model, just watching how she's just gone at life and done what she's done, pushing the boundaries," she told CBS News ahead of the Games.

Winter Olympics 2026: Jordan Stolz sets new Olympic record as he blazes to Milano Cortina 2026 gold in men’s speed skating 1000m

From: Olympics.com, By: Sean McAlister, February 11, 2026

The 21-year-old passed the line in 1:06.28 to make history at Milano Cortina 2026. Netherlands’ Jenning de Boo takes the silver medal while Ning Zhongyan of People’s Republic of China wins bronze.

Jordan Stolz claimed a stunning victory in speed skating’s men’s 1000m, finishing in an Olympic record time of 1:06.28 on Wednesday 11 February.

The U.S. world record holder in the event was flawless and peerless as he came home 0.50 seconds ahead of silver medallist Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands (1:06.78). People’s Republic of China’s Ning Zhongyan won bronze in 1:07.34.

“You can win as many World Cups as you want, but to be able to win the 1000m here, it’s once every four years, it’s just indescribable,” Stolz told Olympics.com of his victory, which was achieved in front of a roaring crowd that included U.S. speed skating legend Eric Heiden. 

“I mean, the feeling of crossing the line and seeing an Olympic record, and I was pretty sure that time was going to win, I was super happy about that.”

Stolz was the clear favourite for victory at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, as he began his quest for four Olympic gold medals - in the 500m, 1000m, 1500m and mass start.

USA's Jordan Stolz SMASHES 1000m Olympic record in debut | Winter Olympics 2026 | NBC Sports

The above chart is the medal count at the time of publication (February 14, 2026 -6:00p.m., EST). Tap below for the current official medal count from Olympics.com.

Dr. Fox is so generous in sharing his wisdom with the Flock. Please show your appreciation by visiting Dr. Fox's website at the Institute of Personal and Transpersonal Knowledge and exploring his past blog posts, guided meditations, and study guides.

These Flock regulars are always here for you:

Cita Scott for paintings, photography, and culinary art. Cita will be in and out of town all summer. Don't hesitate to give her a jingle. (520) 404-1551

Kimberly Gomer, MS, RD/LDN

Registered and licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist. Find me on my website at KimberlyGomer.com for information about nutrition coaching.

Sarah Smallhouse & Make Elections Fair ArIzona

– Sign the petition here

Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter by Mara G. Aspinall and Liz Ruark. Mara is always here to help in understanding testing knowledge and how it's being applied.

Kyria Sabin of Fletcher Pilates,

(520) 323-7070

The Fabric Jeanie!

Tap to learn more. 

(520) 245-0589

Linda Collazo, mezzo-soprano

for piano and voice lessons

Andres Valbuena, drum selection, drum basics, and more.

Dr. Hayward M. Fox, Ph.D.

The institute of Personal andTranspersonal Knowledge

Tucson Village Farm:

Vegetaable growing in the summer heat.

The Physio Shop,

Elite physical therapy services and more.

Icebox Cryotherapy,

Icebox Tucson’s unique enhancers allow you to be your best version! 

Nathan Anderson of Catalina Acupuncture

(520) 999-0080

Don't Be Shy: Share Your Stories!

I'm looking forward to sharing more of your personal stories - oral, written, or otherwise, as we enter our third year. I'd so love to present them to The Flock, hit a mailbox below to share your story.

Holualoa Ed Fit Wellness & Culture 2

520-818-4433

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