Author: Lisa Mungovan

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.

Today is Lash Day. Eyelashes form a curtain of protection, to keep dirt and dust from getting into your eyes, which is why camels have such luscious lashes. Elephants have the longest eyelashes, at 5 inches long. Did you know, we all have harmless microscopic bugs living in our lashes? Tell them hello today!

Today is International Tug-of-War Day. It’s an ancient game of strength that used to be an Olympic sport, where 2 teams pull on a rope in opposite directions. The Vikings used to play tug-of-war over a fire pit! Give the winner a box of Thin Mints, because it’s also Chocolate Mint Day. Yum!

Today is Battery Day. Alessandro Volta built the first electrochemical battery in 18 hundred. Count all the things in your house that use batteries. Battery University experts have advice for charging your phone correctly. Remove it from the charger as soon as it’s near 100%, plug in a few times-per-day, and always keep it cool.

Today is the beginning of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of prayer and fasting. Most Muslims will fast from dawn until dusk each day, meaning no food or drink while the sun is shining. They celebrate a meal with family or friends at night. Some communities decorate with outdoor lights, like at Christmas.

Poor little Pluto. It used to be one of the 9 planets in our solar system, until it got down-graded, because it can’t clear it’s neighborhood. It’s now classified as a dwarf planet, along with Ceres, Makemake, Haumea, and Eris. But at least Pluto gets its own day to celebrate. Happy Pluto Day!

Humans are on a short list of species, with opposable thumbs. Having a thumb that can touch the fingertips of the same hand, makes it easy to grip objects. Apes, chameleons, pandas, koalas, and possums, are some of the other animals with opposable thumbs. Today is Thumb Appreciation Day, so tell your thumbs thanks!

If you see someone with a dirt smudge on their forehead today, it’s probably not because they’re messy. Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Christian period of fasting before Easter, called Lent. Some people wear ashes as a sign of repentance. You still have to wash your face!

Today is Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day. Eating ice cream or other frozen foods in the morning, can have an awakening effect on the brain. A study found people were quicker and more alert, and less irritable, starting the day with an icy blast in their mouth. Maybe ice cream, should replace cereal!