My weekend listicle is loosely organized around Girl Scouts and being prepared. I've just listed a very old Girl Scout Handbook (photo above) in the shop, and have so enjoyed digging into the world of scouts. Ironically, this post should have gone up around noon today but I was called away to help jump a stalled car. The young lady who called on me for help didn't realize that as a former Girl Scout, it is my duty to be useful and to help others (Girl Scout Law #3). 

Anyway, back to the listicle:

• Stephen Hawking has agreed to do an AMA (Ask Me Anything) interview on Reddit where users submit questions about Artificial Intelligence and other scientific subjects in his expertise. A Girl Scout who is working on her Gold Award, the equivalent of the Eagle Scout, had this question for Prof. Hawking. 

• Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you can't earn a badge. These Merit Patches are recognition for grown-up feats. 

• I think this lovely DIY project is badge-worthy, and a fun craft for the last two weeks of summer vacation. 

• This company is basically girl and boy scouts selling stuff. They've mastered the outdoorsy lifestyle. And they're hiring an assistant editor. If I was young ... 

• Mindy Kaling was not prepared for this question from a young woman in her audience. She botched the answer and felt haunted enough about it to write this excellent essay. 

• For people with lady parts who ride public transportation, this amusing essay is about how to prepare for problems. 

• Girl Scout style at a Girl Scout price (Law #9: A Girl Scout is Thrifty).

• Not really Girl Scout-y but Laura Ingalls Wilder knew how to put out a prairie fire, so I'm including this Little House link here. Apparently Michael Landon was a prankster!  

Photo of Girl Scout Handbook by Renn Kuhnen. 

P.S. Last week I wrote about a needlepoint that means so much to me. Along those lines, I think you might find this essay from one of my favorite bloggers to be very touching.