Topics

Jan

Live Life to the Fullest with Fine Feathered Friends

by Meredith Mullins on January 30, 2014

Birder with binoculars, trying to live life to the fullest with the bird a day challenge (Photo © Meredith Mullins)

Staying focused on the Bird-a-Day Challenge
© Meredith Mullins

A Bird-a-Day Makes for Challenging Play

Swampies. Rumpies. Sharpies.

Sound enticing? Well, yes, in a way. But what are we talking about?

Is it a secret code? Adventure apparel from Banana Republic? Characters in a new video game?

Welcome to the wonderful world of birding. We’re talking about Swamp Sparrows (swampies), Yellow-rumped Warblers (rumpies), and Sharp-shinned Hawks (sharpies).

And when it comes to birders, we’re talking about an international community bound by a passion for the beauty, the personalities and patterns, and the sweet songs and operatic trills of our bird friends. Read more...

Meredith Mullins 8 Comments

Costa Rica/Nature Discovery

Jan

Culture Smart: Is the Rain in Spain the Same?

by Sheron Long on January 27, 2014

Dark clouds and a downpour, prompting colorful rain sayings in different languages. (image © Gregor Kervina / Hemera)

What do you say to describe a drencher?
© Gregor Kervina / Hemera

Rain Sayings in Different Cultures

The one thing about rain is that it’s wet! All over the world. But apart from that essential characteristic, the different cultures and languages of the world have found varied ways to describe rain, especially when it’s a gully washer.

Bucketloads of Wet

In Spain, a heavy rain comes down a cántaros (in jugfuls). In a number of other countries—Finland, Romania, and Russia, for example—it “rains like from a bucket.” Read more...

Sheron Long 6 Comments

Cultural Diversity/Language & Culture/Proverbs & Sayings/Worldwide Sites

Jan

5 Life Hacks Make A Day to Remember

by Bruce Goldstone on January 23, 2014

Seven morning chores—from exercising and changing the cat littler to bringing your lunch, ID, keys, cell phone and reading glasses to work—that you can remember with a mnemonic.

A Mnemonic Device for Every Occasion

A mnemonic device is any trick that helps you remember something you tend to forget. It can be visual, verbal, or both. Use the mnemonics in these 5 life hacks to make your life a little bit easier all day long.

1. How to Remember Your Morning Routine

Tasks pile up in the morning. Suppose you want to remember to exercise, clean the kitty litter, and take your ID, lunch, keys, reading glasses, and cell phone to work. Read more...

Bruce Goldstone Comments

Clever Ideas/Secrets to Life

World Views: