Will cats respond to the illusion of a box? If so, why?

I find cats to endlessly fascinating as well as comforting. This is just one example. Why do cats sit in a taped square or circle? MARY JO DILONARDOMay 18, 2020, 1:12 p.m. Cats are quirky. There's no question about it. We know they like to hide in boxes and knock things over. They are persnickety about … Continue reading Will cats respond to the illusion of a box? If so, why? →

Bill Gates, as always, has great book ideas

https://www.gatesnotes.com/About-Bill-Gates/Summer-Books-2020?WT.mc_id=20200518100000_SummerBooks2020_BG-EM_&WT.tsrc=BGEM 5 summer books and other things to do at home Whether you’re looking for a distraction or just spending a lot more time at home, you can’t beat reading a book.By Bill Gates| May 18, 2020  6 minute read      635 Most of my conversations and meetings these days are about COVID-19 and how we can stem the … Continue reading Bill Gates, as always, has great book ideas →

Books to disappear into during the quarantine

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/13/books/summer-what-to-read.html “The Daughter of Time” (1951), by the Scottish mystery writer Josephine Tey, begins with its detective laid up in the hospital with a broken leg, isolated and dispirited. But he pulls himself together. From his bed, he conducts a thrilling literary investigation into one of the great historical mysteries of the ages: whether Richard … Continue reading Books to disappear into during the quarantine →

One billion people live in places that will be too hot for humans in 50 years

https://e360.yale.edu/digest/one-billion-people-will-suffer-from-unliveable-heat-within-50-years-study-finds E360 Digest May 15, 2020 One Billion People Will Suffer From “Unliveable” Heat Within 50 years, Study Finds This article was originally published by The Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. A view of Lahore, Pakistan. Umair Khan/Flickr The human cost of the climate crisis will hit harder, … Continue reading One billion people live in places that will be too hot for humans in 50 years →

Another “who-knew?” for your home for aluminum foil

https://www.thekitchn.com/aluminum-foil-box-hack-22993377 The First Thing You Should Do with a New Box of Aluminum Foil by Ashley AbramsonvPublished: Feb 11, 2020 I used to avoid aluminum foil at all costs. It’s not that I was particularly concerned about waste, or that I had a better alternative to cover up my lasagna leftovers. (Although, I have been … Continue reading Another “who-knew?” for your home for aluminum foil →

Tanglewood 2020 summer season canceled

Tanglewood Cancels 2020 Summer Season Due to COVID-19; Announces Virtual Programming BY DAN MEYERMAY 15, 2020 Concerts with Yo-Yo Ma, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and more will be presented online. Tanglewood Courtesy of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Tanglewood, the Massachusetts music complex in the Berkshires, has canceled its 2020 summer programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In its … Continue reading Tanglewood 2020 summer season canceled →

Availability of safe public bathrooms a barrier to reopening

The need to go is a big barrier to going out. Why public bathrooms are a stumbling block for reopening. Despite new portable toilets outside the Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In Theater in North Ridgeville, Ohio, moviegoers lined up outside the older, traditional bathroom Thursday night. (Jeff Swensen for The Washington Post) By Marc Fisher May 18, 2020 … Continue reading Availability of safe public bathrooms a barrier to reopening →

Face masks ubiquitous, at least in NYC

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/metro-to-require-all-passengers-to-wear-masks-beginning-monday/2020/05/14/560e00a8-95e4-11ea-82b4-c8db161ff6e5_story.html Metro has closed 19 stations, including College Park. (Bill O'Leary/The Post) Metro to require all passengers to wear masks or face coverings beginning Monday The policy will not be enforced with criminal sanctions, but the agency is hoping riders will take responsibility for themselves and consider the health of others.

John Oliver of Last Week Tonight has found a sport to watch with new content this summer

John Oliver of Last Week Tonight has concluded that we're going to have to wait for sports with large crowds or even large amounts of humans. But he has a replacement that he says is fun and gripping. Watch the show and discover what you're going to be watching later this summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4gBMw64aqk If you … Continue reading John Oliver of Last Week Tonight has found a sport to watch with new content this summer →

Outdoors is healthier but what matters is how close you are

After reading way too many articles, I've concluded that wearing a face mask when not at home is the kindest thing to do with others. People can quibble about the effectiveness of one variety over another but I am impressed by the very low positive test results of medical personnel who use them as compared … Continue reading Outdoors is healthier but what matters is how close you are →

Lobby heroes of the NYC lockdown

When I moved into a Manhattan apt, I had no idea how wonderful it would be to live somewhere with STAFF, including doormen. The welcomes and smiles have added to each day and the convenience has been obvious from the beginning. But they've added so much more over the years. But it's at times of … Continue reading Lobby heroes of the NYC lockdown →