Entertainment
A Big Hug, Plus Four Things
Last night, my sister texted, “I just went to CoJ to see if you put a heartening message on Inauguration Day. I feel like you should put up a hug, waaaah.” I texted her back with so many hearts, but I was draped in children — these two, specifically — so couldn’t write much more.
But today, my loves, how are you? What’s your emotional temperature? The news is so heavy right now — for example, Elon Musk gave a Nazi salute omfg and Trump is pardoning nearly all the rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6th, 2021, including the former leader of the Proud Boys. People are scared of what is going to happen over the next few days, weeks, months and years; many groups are feeling threatened and attacked.
I’d like to say four things.
First, we are all still here. My heart rate calms when I remind myself that Michelle and Barack Obama are fighting for good, Kamala Harris headed straight to L.A. to help fire survivors, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez never stops speaking truth to power; the list goes on and on. And just look around! Our families, our friends, our communities, we’re here for each other, and that is no small thing.
Kids are learning and growing and coming into themselves, as well. “Even though my heart is broken that she lost the election, and I was continuously enraged by the ways sexism and racism made everything harder for her, something unexpected happened to me on the job: I witnessed Harris’ impact, and it began to change me,” wrote Azza Cohen, Kamala Harris’s videographer. Cohen filmed hundreds of clips of Harris encouraging young people to believe in themselves — especially girls. “The vice president would say, ‘Let me hear you say, “I am a leader,”‘ and even the youngest girls would say it back.”
Second, keep your spirits up! “The Trump people have been signaling for days that they’re going to hit the ground running with what they describe as an executive ‘shock and awe,’” wrote Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo. “All of this is meant to hit you with so much sensory stimulus that you become overwhelmed.” So, take deep breaths and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Let your love for people give you stamina.
Third, know your rights, and share that info with those who may need it. For example, here’s a clear list of immigrant rights, including “you have the right to remain silent,” “you don’t need to open your door to anyone unless they show you a warrant signed by a judge,” and “you have the right to speak to a lawyer.” Please share other factsheets in the comments section, if you have them.
Fourth, we will be organizing Cup of Jo / Big Salad volunteering days, and we would love for you to join us in person! We will be doing things like getting out the vote to help flip the House in 2026. Delivering food to folks who need it. Fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. Protecting access to women’s health centers. Please stay tuned for sign-up information.
Sending so much love to anyone who needs it. What would you add? How are you feeling? Please share below. xoxoxo
P.S. There is good in this world, and an anxiety trick that works.
(Photo of Maroon Bell Trail by Aaron Thomas/Stocksy.)
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. Yours may be your biological mother, or maybe she’s your mother-in-law, your best friend’s mom, or simply someone whose motherly instinct has helped you through hard times.
Moms teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain.
The game plan here isn’t just to snag the last bouquet at CVS just so you’re not the kid who forgot Mother’s Day (but definitely also get flowers). And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money. (Peep our list of Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than $50. Want even more cheap gift ideas?
Skip the generic mugs and show your appreciation with a gift picked just for her: Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a damn queen, you can’t put a price on everything she’s done for you, but heartfelt gifts certainly help.
After all, they say “No matter how hard you try, you always end up like your mother.” But is that even a bad thing?
Entertainment
Ban subscriptions and get Microsoft Office 2024 for life for just £121
TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac for just £120.54 through June 1.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it’ll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you’ve been looking for. Instead of monthly payments, simply pay £120.54 once and be set for life (reg. £188.37). It’s that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What’s included?
This license comes with:
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Word
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Excel
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PowerPoint
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Outlook
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OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you’re switching to a lifetime license doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they’re yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
Mashable Deals
Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for £120.54 with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 9, 2025
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Gibberish.
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Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter T.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
TRIPE.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
