If you’re so wild about primates, you rarely check out bears, giraffes, and big cats when visiting zoos, there’s a biological reason for the attraction: Apes are so much like us, we identify with some of their characteristics. Whether you’re enthralled with chimps, orangutans, gorillas, or other species members, you’ll notice that their mannerisms are identical to ours, and like people, they maintain intense relationships…
Have you ever wondered where the concept of the sweepstake originated? We checked with Dan Jahn whose post on the Probability Works website gives browsers a fascinating explanation of what we often think of as a modern marketing strategy. Sweepstakes were first held in Shakespeare’s day when Middle English speakers introduced the “swepe stake” that consisted of games played, after which the winner was invited…
Must you be a certified thrill-seeker to expect a lot of action during your summer 2025 vacation? The answer is yes, but! Plenty of folks find thrills doing nothing more than occupying a poolside lounge chair while drinking a well-stirred cocktail and contemplating tropical serenity—until they realize that they’ve selected a resort with a bountiful All Inclusive Package that includes a tour as well. Where…
Even historians can get it wrong when they do research on the origins of Mother’s Day, pointing to Ann Reeves Jarvis, a 19th Century West Virginia woman who launched clubs that taught local women how to care for their children as the founder. But in fact, holidays honoring moms have been around since the days of ancient Greeks and Romans. These festivals paid homage to…
One of the most talked about new trends is the 4-day work week that’s becoming commonplace in the U.S. Four-day work weeks are also creating a new vacation niche for people with shorter work weeks. This emerging trend has spurred Laru Beya Resort on Belize’s Placencia peninsula to promote a 4-day getaway that is equally beneficial because short, intermittent getaways accomplish so many goals: Go…
If a beauty contest for crustaceans was held today, odds that a lobster would be named most attractive are very low. Lobsters don’t produce pearls like their oyster cousins, but they do have a distinction that makes them unique, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): “researchers have discovered that lobsters [aren’t scavengers]. They catch mainly fresh food (except for bait) which includes…
The word “curated” has been bandied about a lot of late. While the original word “curate” referred to priests of the lowest rank in the Church of England (they help the vicar), today’s use of the word curated is, by contrast, extremely eclectic. For example, art and museum holdings are curated, as are selections made for film festivals that must meet a certain standard of…
Once upon a time, couples wouldn’t dream of setting wedding dates outside the month of June, but like all trends, things have taken a turn, say Bride’s magazine trend trackers. And given news surrounding odd weather patterns and increases in temperatures, many brides are taking a pass on the months of July and August as well. May remains an extremely popular choice for couples. According…
Does the process of planning an overseas trip make you feel so edgy, that just getting started feels intimidating? Perhaps you haven’t found the right guide for the job, because once you settle on a trustworthy one, you’ll find that there’s no need to calm your nerves. Every step you take will not only give you confidence but boost your mental health, writes National Geographic…
The word gateway is fraught with symbolism and applies to so many aspects of our lives, it’s a wonder we don’t use it often. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says that gateways allow us to achieve desired goals, while techies are more likely to refer to a gateway when trying to explain a network node that connects two communications protocols. Those who consider themselves religious point to…