Wednesday 1/22/25
Answer Your Cat's Questions Day
Celebration of Life Day
Come in From the Cold Day
Dance of the Seven Veils Day
Library Shelfie Day
National Blonde Brownie Day
National Hot Sauce Day
National Polka Dot Day
National Southern Food Day
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Most of the U.S. is dealing with serious cold weather right now. So "USA Today" put together a list of things you shouldn't leave in your car when it's below freezing out.
Aerosol cans. They can explode if they get too cold.
Canned food. It can make the food inside expand, and cause tiny cracks where bacteria gets in. The USDA says to toss any canned food that swells from freezing. Even if it doesn't, they suggest tossing it just to be safe.
Eggs. Don't leave them in the car after you get groceries. If they freeze and the shells crack, they're not safe to eat. (and they are expensive)
Electronics. Things like phones, computers, and tablets don't work well if they get too cold. It can also damage the screen, and condensation can form inside the device when it warms back up, which could cause a short.
Medication. Some meds like insulin become unstable if they get too cold. When in doubt, toss frozen meds or ask a pharmacist.
Loved ones. Kids, pets, and seniors are more vulnerable to cold weather. So even short amounts of time in a freezing car can be dangerous.
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Have a hard time getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables?
A new study found they'll eat more vegetables if they think it gives them superpowers.
Researchers in Germany spent 20 minutes reading kids fairy tales that involved magical fruits and veggies. The hero was either healed or saved by eating them.
After the story was done, they offered the kids a choice of four different snacks, fruit, vegetables, cake, or cookies.
It turned out it made them more likely to choose the healthier options, and not just right after they heard the story. It had a lasting effect.
80% of the kids were still eating more fruits and veggies weeks later.
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Monday was Blue Monday, which is supposedly the most depressing day of the year.
In response, a "positivity campaign" was launched in the Netherlands to NOT COMPLAIN for 30 days. The person who came up with the idea says it's a way to shift your perspective from all the whining, moaning, and negativity.
Let's call it a challenge.
When you start getting the urge to complain, you're supposed to stop and think: "Why am I grumbling right now? And is it necessary?" And do YOU really have reason to whine . . . compared to someone less fortunate?
The challenge is self-policed. The idea is, "if you see how often you complain, that is already an eye-opener."
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AskReddit's latest discussion is the "dead giveaways" that someone grew up as an only child.
They cut a piece of cake in two and can't immediately tell which is bigger.
They're great with people's parents because they grew up chatting with adults.
They struggle with conflict. It's either all or nothing, whereas people with siblings know how to negotiate a share, and when to pick your battles.
They leave their Halloween candy in the kitchen.
They get unreasonably angry about group punishments. Like, "I didn't do anything wrong, why me?" People with siblings are more nonchalant about it.
They eat their food leisurely.
Someone said, "Their roughhousing skills are below par" . . . and someone else added, "They have a stronger aversion to 'gentle bullying.'"
They're more content with being alone for extended periods of time.
They're more independent and can do jobs that should take two or three people by themselves. But without having constant competition, they're actually slower at most things than people who grew up with siblings.
They just get up and leave a room without saying anything or announcing where they're going.
They talk to themselves . . . a lot.
They still have toys and stuff from their childhood.
Someone said, "They don't guard themselves (stomach, kidney, groin, etc.) when laying down. Like, my cousin will just lay like a starfish on furniture, but if I did that, I'd be punched in the bladder!"
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Today’s Useless Fact of the Day - We are used to four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
There are six seasons in the Hindu calendar: summer, monsoon, autumn, late autumn or pre-winter, winter, and spring.
or....There are 11 seasons.
winter
fools' spring
second winter
spring of deception
third winter
mud season
actual spring
summer
false fall
second summer
actual fall
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Check out the web version of this briefing, along with The Anniversary Song of the Day and more content, on the web at https://bribriny.wixsite.com/brianbriefing
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