Author: Lisa Mungovan

Excavation at an airport construction site in Mexico City, uncovered 200 Columbian mammoths. They came to North America 1,000,000 years ago, and were bigger and less hairy, than woolly mammoths. 2 mammoth traps were discovered earlier, leading scientists to believe early humans hunted Columbian mammoths in great numbers. They went extinct around 10,000 years ago.

Did you grow any squash in your garden this summer? Today is Acorn Squash Day, so bake one for dinner. Don’t forget to save some seeds for next year. It’s also Superhuman Day, which celebrates all the people who have disabilities, and the challenges they face in daily life. They’re an inspiration for everyone!

In the United States and Canada, the first Monday in September is the holiday called Labor Day. It was first created by trade unions to celebrate workers. Labor Day is also the unofficial end of summer, as most public pools close after this weekend. They’ll see you again next May!

A 16-year-old from New Hampshire, decided to take a little swim. Vera Rivard fulfilled a lifelong dream, by swimming across the English Channel! Due to tides and marine traffic, she had to swim an S-shaped route, that covered 33 miles. It took Vera 14 hours and 10 minutes to complete the journey. Who needs a ferry anyway!

A family in England was paddleboarding down the River Arun, when a swimmer surprised them. A seal jumped right onto Kerrie Rocket’s paddleboard! Soon, he was moving from board to board, having fun like all the humans. The curious seal wasn’t aggressive, or looking for food. Maybe he wanted to give them paddling lessons.

Tardigrades are amazing microscopic creatures. Also called water bears or moss piglets, they can survive in the cold vacuum of space, in volcanoes and in deep underwater trenches. Like tardigrades, nematodes can also live for decades without food or water, by drying out while they hibernate. One dehydrated nematode, survived 39 years.

Everyone needs a pet, but maybe you have allergies, or travel too much, or don’t have money for visits to the vet. Get a pet rock! In the 19 70’s, they were sold in a ventilated box, with a bed of hay. Today is Pet Rock Day, so adopt one from your garden!

Do you have a book you’ve been meaning to read, but never get around to it? Today’s the perfect day to get started. It’s Read A Book Day and Fight Procrastination Day! Do all the things you’ve been putting off, as long as one of those things includes reading.

Would you like to give your friend a birthday message, from a penguin? How about sending hug-filled wishes, from a sloth. Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, will create personalized messages, from the animal of your choice, for $50. It makes a unique gift, and it’s a great way to help them raise money.

It might be too early to think about Christmas, but is it ever too early to think about candy? The creators of Clamdy Canes, Hamdy Canes, and Kale, Pizza, and Pickle flavored candy canes, introduced a few new flavors. Would you try Ketchup, Pho, or Shiitake Mushroom candy canes? Order them from Archie McPhee’s!