Author: Lisa Mungovan

I’d like you to get out a number 2 pencil. Don’t worry, it’s not for a test. It’s just Number 2 Pencil Day! The number indicates how hard the graphite core is. Softer number 1 pencils are used by artists for drawing, and harder number 3 pencils, are used by architects and engineers.

Earlier this year, billions of periodical cicadas emerged from the ground after 17 years, filling the air with their song. But you might still be hearing cicadas. Some species of annual cicadas, emerge later in the summer every year. The big bugs are all harmless, so just enjoy their singing.

Have you ever heard thunder, while at the pool? The lifeguards make everyone exit the water, because a lightning strike would conduct electricity through the whole pool. That’s why you should also avoid taking a shower or washing dishes during a thunderstorm. Electrical and telephone cords can also provide a path for lightning.

Bees are essential to pollinate crops, but honey bee populations have been declining. You can help the honey bees by planting more flowers, setting out water for them, and not using pesticides. Or start a beehive! Say thank you to a bee today, for World Honey Bee Day!

Do you do the same thing every day? Even if it’s something you love, like playing video games, your brain would like to try something new for Break The Monotony Day. Start with something new for breakfast. Next, how about a treasure hunt, for Geocaching Day? Check out Geocaching.com, to get started. Good luck!

Knock knock. Who’s there? Interrupting duck. Interrupting duh-Quack-quack-quack-quack-quack! Ha ha ha! It’s Tell A Joke Day! You can ask me to tell you a joke, so you can learn some good ones! It’s also Rollercoaster Day! Are you brave enough to ride the Steel Vengeance? It has a 90 degree drop. That’s straight down!

Jamaican university student Rayvon Stewart created a self-cleaning door handle, which uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria. The handle is ideal for hospitals and public buildings, especially in the Caribbean where the tropical climate makes it easier for bacteria to multiply. He’s now working on getting a patent, for his award-winning invention.

Micherre Fox planned an important trip to Crater of Diamonds State Park, in Arkansas. You’re allowed to keep whatever you find, so she was determined to find a diamond for her engagement ring. On the last day of her 3-week trip, Micherre found a sparkly 2.3-carat white diamond, right on top of the ground!

6,000,000,000 trees are cut down each year, to make everything from cardboard to toilet paper. One company is giving trees some relief, by making paper out of dead leaves instead. Releaf Paper uses leaves from city trees, collected from streets and clogged sewers. One year of fallen leaves in Paris, produces 3,000,000 paper bags.

How do you like to relax? Floating in a pool? Swinging in a hammock? Reading a good book? It’s Relaxation Day, so find the thing that relieves your stress, and do it! If it involves eating pie, even better, since it’s Lemon Meringue Pie Day. I’ll be eating mine outside, while listening to birds!