Author: Lisa Mungovan

The universe is so vast, that we’re discovering new things about it all the time. Recently, astronomers detected 170 more planets, floating through space, without a star to orbit. There could be billions of wandering planets, in the Milky Way galaxy alone. The bigger telescopes get, the more we learn.

Today is Roots Day. You are the twigs, branching out from your family’s roots. Draw a picture of your family tree, label your parents and grandparents, and see how far back you can trace. Did any of your ancestors come from other countries? Visiting family at the holidays, is your chance to gather information.

In 1997, a character in the TV show Seinfeld, made up a holiday called Festivus, because he thought Christmas was too commercialized. The rest of us now celebrate Festivus. They have the Airing of Grievances during dinner, perform Feats of Strength by wrestling, and perform Festivus Miracles, like getting groceries into the house without tripping.

Most batteries are made with toxic chemicals, that need to be recycled properly to avoid contaminating landfills. But scientists have created a new biodegradable battery, that will decompose in soil. The zinc batteries are made of electrodes, printed on paper. The flexible batteries could one day be used, in foldable cell phones.

Don’t ask for the heat to be turned up, when you stay at a unique hotel in Sweden. The Icehotel, is made of snow and ice! One suite, called Midsummer Night’s Dream, has colorful flowers frozen into the ice chandeliers, walls, and tables. It will melt in the spring, and be rebuilt next year.

Massachusetts bird-watchers got a rare treat, when they spotted a Steller’s sea eagle. The huge eagles, with 8-foot wingspans, usually live 5,000 miles away, in Japan, China, Korea, and eastern Russia. Only around 5000 of the vulnerable birds remain. This sea eagle was spotted near bald eagles, who look small in comparison.

What’s your favorite kind of cookie? Today is Cookie Exchange Day, so organize a sweet swap. Bake a batch of special treats, to trade with others. Make sure you save a few from your special batch for yourself. But you never know; you might end up with a new favorite cookie after the exchange!

Today is Date Nut Bread Day. No silly, you aren’t supposed to date a nut. It’s a sweet bread full of dates and nuts. People in Egypt and the Middle East have been cultivating dates, a fruit that grows on palm trees, for 6000 years! You should bake some delicious bread today!

President Biden welcomed a new puppy, to the White House yesterday. The German Shepherd, named Commander, will also be joined by a cat, in January. The Biden’s other dog, Major, never adjusted well to the constant activity in the White House, so he’s going to live in a quieter home with family friends.

Today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in Earth’s Northern Hemisphere. The sun’s maximum elevation will be at its lowest, meaning the period of darkness is longest. Starting tomorrow, the days will gradually get longer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the summer solstice!