Author: Lisa Mungovan

Do you ever wonder why the wind blows? You can thank the Sun. It heats some parts of the planet more than others, and hot air rises because it’s less dense. When the heated air at ground-level goes up, cooler air rushes in to fill the space below, and you get a breeze.

Today is World Pangolin Day! Pangolins live in Asia and Africa. They are the only mammal with scales. The nocturnal animals can have tongues that are longer than their bodies! They curl into balls for protection, but it doesn’t work against humans. Pangolins are endangered, and are the most smuggled animal in the world.

Imagine how hard it is, to have all your classes taught in a foreign language. In some places around the world, entire populations were forbidden to speak their native language. UNESCO celebrates International Mother Language Day today, to encourage people to keep languages alive. Learn or teach a phrase in a different language today.

Dear Alexa, Happy Birthday! No, it’s not really my birthday. I’m just reading an old greeting card, because today is Card Reading Day! Find all the cards you’ve saved, and enjoy them again while you eat a gooey, cinna-money sticky bun, because it’s also Sticky Bun Day! Try not to get your cards sticky.

Today is Love Your Pet Day! Make sure you give your companions a little extra attention, whether it’s your dog, cat, tarantula, or pet rock! It’s also Cherry Pie Day. Try baking one from scratch, and make a bonus pie filled with your pet’s favorite food. Don’t get them mixed up! Tuna pie sounds gross.

Do you have a favorite comfortable chair, and fuzzy blanket? Claim them right away, because it’s Comfy Day. Get dressed in your softest well-worn sweatpants, and settle in with a warm drink and a muffin, since it’s also Muffin Day. Do you prefer chocolate chip, banana-nut, or blueberry muffins? I’ll have one of each!

Back in August, it was Southern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day. Now it’s the Northern Hemisphere’s turn. If it’s winter where you live, and you want to chase it away, go outside at noon, wave your hands above your head, and chant “Hoodie-hoo!” The people sick of summer, would happily send some heat your way.

A manatee living in a Florida aquarium, is the oldest known manatee ever. Romeo was found in the wild in 19 57, and was more than 2 years old, making the manatee at least 71 years old now. His partner, Juliet, lived to be 65. Wild manatees usually live 30-40 years.

One Olympic participant stole the show this week, and they didn’t even qualify to compete. During the women’s cross-country skiing event, a dog followed skier Tena Hadzic, across the finish line. The Czech wolfhound, named Nazgul, escaped after his family left the house that morning. He just wanted to be around people!

Butterfly season is nearing its end, in California’s Pismo Beach Butterfly Grove. Park rangers track the Western monarch butterflies’ migration each year, which used to arrive by the tens of thousands. The orange-and-black butterflies, quietly fluttered on every tree, like a beautiful living curtain. The last 2 years, less than 1000 showed up.