Author: Lisa Mungovan

Books are the best. Book Lovers Day is for those who take time to appreciate a good book. If your home looks more like a library, with books everywhere, this day is for you! It’s also Rice Pudding Day, so cook up a batch of this creamy dessert, and dig in.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search had to take place virtually this year, because of the pandemic. That didn’t bother 17-year-old Lillian Kay Peterson. She won the top prize of $250,000 for her invention. Lillian created a tool to predict harvests in Africa, based on satellite imagery. It will help plan for food distribution, preventing starvation.

Look up, because the Perseid meteor showers are here! August 11th through 13th will be the peak, as the Earth passes through fields of comet waste. The debris burns up, causing our skies to be filled with shooting stars. The best time to watch is after midnight, but before the moon rises.

Have you ever been camping? Tonight is Global Sleep Under The Stars Night. Whether you’re an old camping pro, or never slept outdoors in your life, spend the night outdoors. You can pitch a tent in your backyard, sleep on your porch, or pack up and camp in the wilderness. Don’t forget mosquito repellent!

Sometimes you don’t try to be happy; it just happens. Celebrate Happiness Happens Day, without planning anything special. You could explore some yard sales, for Garage Sale Day. Go early in the morning, before the best stuff is gone. Maybe you’ll find a bowling ball. That would be perfect, since it’s also Bowling Day!

Meow meowey meow. It’s International Cat Day! Spend some quality time with your kitty. Maybe he can teach you to be stealthy. You’ll need it, to celebrate Sneak Some Zucchini Into Your Neighbor’s Porch Day! Some gardens produce so much squash, that it takes creativity to make sure it doesn’t go to waste.

An Australian radio host set a world record, for the longest Hot Wheels track. Michael “Wippa” Wipfli constructed the track on a rural road in Oatley Park. After more than 20 tries, he successfully ran a Hot Wheels car across 2,624 feet of track. That’s nearly half-a-mile! You probably have that much in your toybox, right?

Oops. An Austrian tourist was visiting an art museum in Italy, and posed for a photo with one of the sculptures. He sat down next to the figure, and accidentally broke off 3 of her toes! He later apologized, and offered to pay for the damage to the 216-year-old artwork. Remember, don’t touch the art!

When expensive smart windows, were installed in New York’s Empire State Building, they cut the building’s energy costs by $2,400,000. Now there’s a cheaper alternative to smart windows. A clear coating can be sprayed on windows, that blocks heat and conducts electricity. It keeps the inside cool, while still letting the sunshine in!

Today is Water Balloon Day. Have a massive water balloon fight with your family. Don’t forget to pick up the balloon scraps! You could also ambush someone, if you want to be sneaky. Drop it on them from a lighthouse, since it’s also Lighthouse Day. They warn boats that land is near!