Is It Really Christmas?
In case there is any doubt — https://isitchristmas.com/ Merry Christmas!
Category Archives: Fun Facts
The Colors of Christmas
Have you ever wondered why red and green are considered Christmas colors? I didn’t until I read “How Red and Green Became the Colors of Christmas” by Rachel E. Greenspan ( http://time.com/5467060/red-green-christmas-colors/? ). The article quotes Arielle Eckstut, author of The Secret Language of Color:“There is no definitive history, per se.” Eckstut discovered that holly, with
When Animals Crack the Code
For those who need a lighthearted story — Rocco is an African grey parrot who had to be removed from an animal sanctuary because he swore too much. But what really makes him special is his mastery of technology. He has learned to talk to Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa. He interacts with Alexa up to
Our Celestial Neighborhood
I’ve always been interested in astronomy, although it’s hard to observe the skies in a suburban environment due to the light pollution. But even though I can’t see that much, I know there’s a lot more out there than literally meets the eye. Our local address is in the Milky Way galaxy, and you’ve probably
How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?
Something interesting you may have noticed during the press coverage of the death of President George H.W. Bush — he died less than eight months after the death of his beloved wife Barbara. You may also recall actress Debbie Reynolds dying a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher in 2016. Is this unusual? Not really.
A Lesson in Cultural Diversity
What is the most culturally diverse city? Some say it’s Amsterdam, with about 178 different cultures. London can make a strong claim for second, with approximately a third of its population foreign-born. The most diverse city in the U.S. would be Los Angeles, rated third in the world, with an estimated 86 languages spoken by
More Proof That Solutions Are Out There
Deep down inside, I’ve always believed we can solve all our problems if we’d just work together and innovate. This week’s Time magazine gives me more hope in that regard, with its section on “The 50 Best Inventions of 2018.” After a quick reading, here are some that particularly impressed me — Clothes for every
The Weirdness of the Sea
We all know there are many strange natural wonders. I’ve just run across an article, “5 Weird Ocean Phenomena” ( https://earthsky.org/earth/weird-ocean-phenomena-st-elmos-fire-fog-tsunami-waterspout), that lists some of the waterborne variety you may never have heard of. 1. St. Elmo’s Fire — When a sharp object, like a ship’s mast, contacts a very high electrical field, as in
Can a Font Improve Your Memory?
We’re all looking to improve our memories, especially as we age. What if I told you the letters you read could actually help? Researchers at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology have developed a new font (an assortment or set of type) designed “using the principles of cognitive psychology” to help you better remember. This
How Long Will You Live?
Nobody knows how long they will live, right? And yet — the U.S. Small-Area Life Expectancy Estimates Project thinks it can give you a pretty good idea. Go to the website https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/interactives/whereyouliveaffectshowlongyoulive.html?, type in your address, and you will receive a life expectancy, plus a comparison with your area, your state, and the entire nation. It’s