I recently mentioned the relationship I've developed with the local duck population. I find this very rewarding, but I also realize I was becoming too responsive to their inquiries. By treating them to oatmeal whenever I noticed them outside my door, I ended up encouraging them to come by more and more frequently (Pavlov's ducks). That's fine since I like them so much, and don't even mind having to clean up the feathers left behind. But it was becoming apparent they were beginning to just make a home here, and were not adventuring around the pond as much as normal. I also grew concerned that the neighbors might not appreciate the clamor so much, so I've significantly scaled back on how often I visit with them. As I've said, these are very peopley ducks, but spoiling them was probably going to lead to a bad outcome (they would come by and tap on the door to get my attention!). By treating them far more intermittently, things are quickly returning to a more normal state, which is for the best.

Obituary: Early Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Jack Sherman has died.

Normalized Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Breakfast Links

• Carpenter, Blumhouse Consider "Thing" Reboot.
• Used Pokémon Popsicle Sticks Fetching High Prices Online In Japan.

Stories

• A Michigan woman was declared dead by paramedics. The funeral home found she was alive.
• Where the Produce Includes Pepperoni: The Pizza Farm. Thanks RedEye9.
• Women are posing topless on Colorado mountaintops in 'exploding' new trend. Show your mountains on the mountains. Thanks Roddy.

Science

• Songbirds, like people, sing better after warming up. Thanks Reddit.
• A pup preserved in permafrost ate one of the last woolly rhinos on Earth.
• Africa declared free of wild polio in 'milestone.'

Media

• Helicopter night rescue of trapped firefighters.
• Ducks having a conversation.