Author: Lisa Mungovan

A reptile wrangler had to come to the rescue, of an Australian family. They had found a venomous brown tree snake taking a nap, inside the tunnel of their model train set. The snake was getting ready to shed its skin, so the snake catcher released it safely into a tree.

Today is World Lizard Day. From the giant 6-foot-long Komodo dragon, to the teeny-tiny 1-inch-long nano-chameleon, these amazing reptiles live all over the world. There are more than 7000 different lizard species. Chameleons can change color, geckos can walk on ceilings, and basilisks can run on water. Which scaly critter is your favorite?

On this day in 1457, the Mainz Psalter was the first book ever printed in blue, red, and black ink, using different-sized fonts. Celebrate Color Book Day, by reading a picture book. It’s also Wiffle Ball Day, invented nearly 500 years later. It’s like baseball, without the fear of breaking any windows.

Today is Creamsicle Day! Creamsicles are vanilla ice cream on a popsicle stick, covered with an orange flavored coating. 11 year-old Frank Epperson, made the original creamsicle in 1905, when he experimented with freezing orange juice around a vanilla ice cream popsicle. He originally called his inventions, “Epsicles”!

Butter is made from milk, which comes from a cow. But sometimes, a cow is made from butter. The Illinois State Fair, unveiled its annual 800-pound butter sculpture, of a cow. The104th Butter Cow is accompanied by a young butter adventurer, holding butter binoculars, and a butter walking stick.

Sometimes scientists find life, in unexpected places. An entire ecosystem lives beneath undersea volcanic vents near Central America. Using an underwater robot, a team found worms, snails, and bacteria, living underground. The world is hidden underneath the hydrothermal vents, and could hold lifeforms previously unknown to humans. They’re still studying this fascinating ecosystem.

Some kids have already started back to school, and most others will start in the next few weeks. Do you remember how to stay safe from COVID? Wash your hands often with soap, and use hand sanitizer. Wear a mask if you’re sick, to protect others. Most importantly, get vaccinated, including your booster shot.

It’s World Calligraphy Day, celebrating the artistry of writing. You can use a fountain pen, a wide-tipped marker, a brush, or a feather quill and ink. Look up calligraphy styles, and practice writing each letter carefully. Even a shopping list can look like a fancy wedding invitation, when written in calligraphy!

Lefties, this day is for you! It’s International Left-Handers Day! About 10% of the population is left-handed. To stand out today, make people awkwardly shake hands with their left hands. Ask right-handers to write, or throw a ball with their left hands, for a good laugh.

The Recology recycling center in San Francisco California, receives more than 100 tons of material every day. They welcome artists to scavenge for materials, to create art. An exhibit featuring 35 years of trash to treasure artworks, created by 63 artists, is open until August 30th. Find the artistic possibilities, in your own trash.