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Nature Makes Us Nicer
If you've been snippy lately, hurry up and get outside before Winter arrives! According to researchers at the University of Rochester, spending time in nature makes us nicer. A scientist behind the study explained:"Now we’ve found nature brings out more social feelings, more value for community and close relationships.
Swiss Voters Outlaw Nudity in Nature
After an invasion of German nudists, voters in the Swiss Alps have banned hiking in the buff.
The tiny canton (state) of Appenzell Inner Rhodes held a show-of-hands vote on the "disgraceful" practice at their open-air assembly. The majority decided to impose a fine of about $176 on people found hiking around their mountains sans pantaloons.
Week in Weird News: Underwater Volcano Blows Up the Sky
- Volcano Blows Up the Sky and Wildlife — A volcanic eruption off the coast of Tonga destroyed birdlife and vegetation this week.
- Woman Says $43 Million Divorce Settlement Not Enough — A 36-year-old Swedish countess who's divorcing an ex-CEO says her $43 million divorce settlement won't cover her $54,000 in weekly expenses. She would like $99 million, which is 30 percent of her husband's fortune.
- Woman Bites Her Son's Principal — Talk about an embarrassing parent! A mom in Rhode Island is facing charges after she allegedly punched and bit the principal of her 11-year-old son.
- Nigeria Plans National Rebranding — Nigeria has chosen "Nigeria: Good People, Great Nation" as its new slogan, which will be plastered on t-shirts and baseball hats in an attempt to improve its reputation.
- Rhode Island Strip Club Plans Job Fair — The Foxy Lady strip club is holding a job fair today, hoping to recruit strippers, waitresses, DJs, and bartenders from the state's unemployed.
Text and Tunes: I Love Dirt!
Kids love dirt! They'll crawl, play pattycake, run in it, and even eat it! Others, not so much.
Trend Alert: Magical Mushrooms
Maybe it was a natural follow-up to the garden gnome trend, but it seems as if the interior design world has gone a little wild for the mushroom motif as of late. From high-end fungi such as the Artifort Mushroom Chair ($2,529)
to more affordable items like the Paper Cloud Mushroom Pillow ($75), there's no reason not to ensure that each of our homes has some fungus among us.
Whether you like your mushrooms modern and candy colored or woodsy and lifelike, there's plenty to choose from in the design world.
Midday Muse: Art Imitating Nature
This sculpture, "Urchins," by Kelly Ann Lees, is part of the 2008 Sculpture by the Sea in Sydney, Australia. This public art festival, which is in its twelfth year, features over 100 sculptures placed along the Bondi to Bronte coastal path. I wish I had an Australia trip planned for the near future, so I could check out this artwork in person.
Will Kids Who Don't Know Nature, Grow Up to Hate the Planet?
After waking up to a bird singing the car-alarm song note for note the other day, this I can believe: a recent survey shows kids have almost completely lost touch with the natural world. Half of the 700 quizzed were unable to identify a selection trees, flowers, and animals, and playing outside ranked as their least favorite way to spend time. Computer time trumped backyard expeditions for most.
To the Rescue: Sprayed by Skunks!
Even though I'm among the lucky bunch whose pet has never encountered this stinky pal, I do remember my best friend's dog getting sprayed when we were kids. Yuck! Her mom ended up using the tomato juice method which made her bathroom (and dog) smell like a tomato-dipped skunk .
Photographer to Watch: Pamela Tachibana
Pamela Tachibana is a printmaker/hybrid artist from a long line of artists, all of whom warned her to find a different profession. She now resides with her family, creating art on the craggy coast of Kennebunk, Maine, a part of New England notorious for its quick, lusty summers and seemingly endless, unforgiving winters. Pamela is showing in a group show that benefits the American Breast Cancer Foundation this month at the Four Walls Gallery in Portland, Maine, and also has her next solo exhibit at the Kennebunk Free Library Gallery beginning April first.
Out and About: Ohio's Holden Arboretum
I'm wrapping up with this state at the Holden Arboretum. Located near Cleveland in Kirtland, Ohio, this park has over 20 miles of hiking trails, most of which are leashed-doggie friendly. The park offers gorgeous plant and flower displays for pooch to smell, and also many wild birds for you to watch.
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