5/29/26 - Filters, Placebo Buttons, and Staying Cool Animal Style

Friday 5/29/26

European Neighbours' Day

International Coq Au Vin Day

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

Learn About Composting Day

National 529 Day (college savings)

National Biscuit Day

National Heat Awareness Day

Paper Clip Day

World Digestive Health Day

End of the Middle Ages Day - It was on this day in 1453 that Constantinople fell to Ottoman invaders led by Sultan Mehmed II attacked the city and overthrew Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos.

The Middle Ages are sometimes called the Dark Ages because they saw it as an era lacking in notable accomplishments in science, art, and politics — a period of darkness, poverty, and untapped potential.

Think Games of Thrones, Vikings, and The Last Kingdom TV Shows.

Transition to the Renaissance

The end of the medieval age commenced the Renaissance, which was a time of revival in the arts, philosophy, science, and politics. Events and trends of the Middle Ages influenced the works of Renaissance scholars, artists, and thinkers.

TV Shows - The Borgies, DaVinci's Demons, and The Tudors. 

Big names - Michelangelo, DaVinci, and Henry VIII 

Put a Pillow on Your Fridge Day - In the early 1900s, people would put pieces of cloth or linen in their larders, with hopes that this would bring good fortune and prosperity, in the form of a plentiful amount of food, as well as fertility. The cloth was usually torn from something in their bedroom, such as a blanket or gown.

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I had a visitor at the house yesterday.

Why Mom would put the little one by my front steps and not the backyard with more cover is beyond me. It’s not like she doesn’t know that backyard since she poops in it all the time!!!!!

If you find a fawn alone like this, let them be. Mom will come back and collect them.

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How often do you change your filters in your house?

Clogged filters reduce the lifespan of appliances, create air-quality issues, and can even cause fires!!!!

But most are easy to change or clean!

Your #1 should be the furnace/AC unit.

When clogged, it won’t properly catch dust and allergens. A neglected filter also restricts airflow to the furnace, causing it to work harder, which can raise your energy bill and lead to broken parts and overheating.

You should check it every month or two, changing it every three to six.

I have pets, so especially in the winter it's changed every month!!!

Others to check

Air Purifiers

Water Filters

Faucets

Clothes Dryers (every load!!!)

Exhaust Fans

Vacuum Cleaners!

Read more here.

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How do you keep cool in the Summer?

Maybe ice cream, a cold drink, or an ice pop.

Animals have interesting ways to keep cool.

Chester Zoo in London says miniature wallabies called dusky pademelons use evaporative cooling by licking their wrists – as the saliva evaporates, the blood within the vessels close to the skin is cooled. 

Meanwhile, aardvarks and African crested porcupines opt for subterranean shelter from the heat.

Black Rhinos cool off in the mud wallow, and others dip in their pools.

Lions and Tigers will get some frozen ice blocks. Frozen blood-based ice blocks.

Talk about special cooling treats!!!!!

I'll stick with Ice Cream!

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Does the crosswalk button actually do anything?

Popular Science has an article that says No.

Called placebo buttons that control nothing but your mind!

Ok..not true, it may do something. in NYC only around 100 of the 1000 crosswalk buttons actually do anything. They are more likely to work in the evening when there are fewer pedestrians.

Small towns - they might work more often.

The other buttons to ignore are the close door button in the elevator. 

Another to not mess with is the office thermostat. Up to 90% are fake!

Being able to make choices about our environment is psychologically beneficial. But actually having the power...forget it!

A button that looks like it works costs basically nothing. That may be brilliant, or evil, or both—it’s all a matter of perspective. Regardless, placebo buttons lurk all around us. 

Read more here.

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A study found that young women are almost as prone to road rage as young men. The study found that female drivers are nearly as likely to tailgate, yell abusive language, shake their fists, blast their horns and cut in front of other drivers. 

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Today’s Useless Fact of the Day - 11 to 16 percent of Americans have never left their home state in their entire lives.

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