Author: Lisa Mungovan

Diamonds are formed naturally, when carbon atoms bond under intense heat and pressure, over millions of years. Artificial diamonds can be made using high heat and pressure in a lab, in weeks. Another method developed in South Korea, produces artificial micro-diamonds in 15 minutes, using only graphene, silicon, gallium, iron, and nickel. That’s amazing!

Mark Lewis is known for making sand sculptures, on the beach in England. He likes to carve everyday objects, like a bathtub drain and plug, or a tube of toothpaste. His latest creation was a giant Terry’s Chocolate Orange. See what you can sculpt, if you’re at the beach.

Today is Log Cabin Day. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book, Little House in the Big Woods, described how Laura’s father cut trees, and built their log house. You can build a miniature one of your own! If cutting wood is too much work, just celebrate the day by building with Lincoln Logs. It’s much easier!

Today is Paul Bunyan Day, named for the giant North American lumberjack. His big blue ox was named Babe. Legend says Paul Bunyan sawed the legs off his parents’ bed when he was 7 months old. He formed the Great Lakes as watering holes for Babe, and made the Grand Canyon by dragging his axe.

Today is Happy Heart Hugs Day. It was created for anyone who “fills your heart with happy, that’s not close enough for regular-type hugs.” They’re the perfect long-distance hug. It’s also Tapioca Day. Tapioca is a starch made from the cassava plant. They’re the beads that look like frog eggs, in tapioca pudding.

In 19 28, Peyo was born. He created the Smurfs, the tiny blue creatures who live in mushroom-shaped houses. Smurf boys start growing beards in their 400’s. They live to nearly 1000 years old, but Grandpa Smurf is in his thousands! Today is Global Smurfs Day, so wear blue, and sing a happy song!

Have you heard of Summersgiving? The first Saturday after the first day of summer, have an American-style Thanksgiving feast! You can also celebrate Great American Campout Day, by bringing your tents and sleeping bags, to stay in the backyard after the feast. Many parks also hold special activities for campers.

What do you do when it’s Pineapple Day, Onion Day, Ice Cream Cake Day, and Orange Blossom Day? Make a pineapple-onion-upside-down-ice-cream-cake, with orange blossom tea. Put on your shades, and enjoy it outside in the sunshine while playing Bingo, because it’s also Sunglasses Day and Bingo Day! That’s a lot to celebrate.

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.

Bee populations are dwindling as cities grow, and sometimes a bee can’t find flowers for its next meal. If you spot an exhausted honeybee on the sidewalk, try offering it some sugar water. Carry an emergency packet of sugar and a bottle of water, so you’re always prepared to be a bee’s hero.