Tag: 2025

Do You Stack?

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I mean, who doesn’t stack?

Ever wonder why pancakes end up in a wobbly tower on your plate instead of fanned out like some breakfast buffet masterpiece? Turns out, there’s more to it than just tradition.

First off, stacking is practical. Pancakes fresh off the griddle are hot and piling them up keeps that warmth trapped longer than if you spread them out to cool like a deck of cards. Plus, it saves space. When you’re drowning them in syrup or plopping butter on top, a stack keeps the mess contained. Spread them out and you’re mopping sticky chaos off the table.

Then there’s the vibe that stacked pancakes are the image. We want you to think diner menus, Saturday morning cartoons, or those Instagram food pics with syrup cascading down the sides. It’s not just food; it’s a mood. Spreading them out? That’s for people with too much time and a ruler, not a fork.

Sure, you could argue spreading them means more topping per bite, but who’s measuring? Stacking is the easy way. Take it straight from pan to plate, no rearranging required. It’s less about logic and more about what feels right. So next time you’re flipping flapjacks, don’t overthink it. Stack ‘em high and dig in.

Making History…

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History is full of incredible women who didn’t just step up—they kicked down doors, shattered glass ceilings and paved the way for the rest of us. From science to sports, politics to the arts, these female firsts dared to go where no woman had gone before.

These women (and so many others) didn’t just achieve “firsts” for the sake of a title. They faced skepticism, outright hostility and systems built to keep them out. Yet they pushed forward, proving that talent, determination and a little bit of rebel spirit can rewrite the rules. Every time a woman steps into a new role today (whether it’s in a boardroom, a cockpit, or a lab) she’s standing on the shoulders of these giants.

Inspired by a fantastic roundup from our friends at Reader’s Digest, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of these pioneers who changed the game.

STORY IS HERE

Actual Factual Pie – March 12th!

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The year is 1894 and Coca Cola takes a fizzy step forward as it is sold in bottles for the first time! This iconic drink, born in Atlanta, went from soda fountains to portable glass, thanks to Joseph Biedenharn’s bottling vision. A refreshing milestone that popped the cap on Coke’s global journey!

In 1912, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia. Inspired by the Boy Scouts, she aimed to empower young girls through outdoor activities, leadership, and community service. The first troop had just 18 members. Today, millions have embraced her vision of building courage, confidence, and character in girls worldwide.

In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered the first of his iconic “Fireside Chats.” Speaking via radio from the White House, he addressed a nation gripped by the Great Depression, explaining the banking crisis in a calm, relatable way. These Sunday evening talks became a hallmark of his presidency, offering hope and clarity during turbulent times.

In 1959, a historic moment unfolded as the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve Hawaii’s statehood, following the Senate’s lead. This paved the way for Hawaii to become the 50th state of the United States, officially joining the Union on August 21st of that year. A milestone in American history!

In 1994, a historic moment unfolded as the Church of England ordained its first women priests, breaking centuries of tradition. At Bristol Cathedral, 32 women were welcomed into the priesthood, marking a significant step toward gender equality in the church. This bold move sparked both celebration and debate, reshaping the religious landscape forever.

Music History Wednesday!

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The Year: 1988

Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” hits #1 in the US. The video, which shows a buttoned-up Astley singing his way around London, does well on VH1, but really takes off two decades later with the Rickrolling trend, as webmasters point links to the song’s YouTube video to trick unsuspecting readers into watching it.

Bonus Slice +++

The Year: 1974

John Lennon and Nilsson get drunk and disorderly at a Smothers Brothers comedy show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. They get thrown out and Nilsson takes heat in the press for being a bad influence on Lennon. Said Nilsson: “It ruined my reputation for 10 years. Get one Beatle drunk and look what happens.”

Dinosaur Dandruff?

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Imagine a feathered dinosaur strutting through a 125-million-year-old forest, shaking off pesky skin flakes like a bird with a bad hair day. Sounds wild, right? Well, researchers studying some of the oldest dinosaur fossils ever found have uncovered evidence that these ancient creatures might’ve dealt with their own version of dandruff.

In a fascinating discovery, paleontologists looked at incredibly well-preserved fossils (think Microraptor or Beipiaosaurus) and spotted tiny traces of corneocytes, the dead skin cells that make up dandruff in modern birds. These flaky clues, locked in stone for over a hundred million years, suggest that feathered dinosaurs had skin shedding habits not so different from today’s pigeons or parrots.

Why does this matter? It’s a window into how dinosaur skin evolved alongside their feathers. Dandruff might’ve helped them keep their plumage clean, ditch parasites, or even stay aerodynamic. Unlike scaly reptiles that shed their skin in big patches, these dinosaurs flaked off bits at a time. This is even more proof they were closer to birds than we might’ve thought.

So next time you brush some dandruff off your shoulder, just picture a dinosaur doing the same millions of years ago. Who knew grooming could connect us to the Cretaceous?

A Forgotten Story?

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A forgotten story about a woman who invented the dishwasher centers on Josephine Cochrane, a remarkable figure whose ingenuity transformed household chores.

Born on March 8, 1839, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, Josephine grew up in a family with a legacy of innovation as her father, John Garis, was a civil engineer, and her grandfather, John Fitch, had worked on steamboat technology.

She later moved to Shelbyville, Illinois, where she married William Cochran, a merchant and politician, in 1858. The couple lived a comfortable life, hosting frequent dinner parties with their prized 17th-century heirloom China dishes.

However, Josephine became frustrated when her servants chipped the delicate dishes during handwashing. Determined to find a solution, she initially took on the task herself but quickly grew tired of it, famously declaring, “If nobody else is going to invent a dishwashing machine, I’ll do it myself.”

FULL STORY HERE

It’s A Full Moon!

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This week, the Worm Moon (the full moon of March) will transform into a striking “blood moon” due to a total lunar eclipse. On the nights of March 13th and 14th, 2025, the moon will pass through Earth’s shadow, reaching peak illumination at 2:55 A.M. ET on Friday, March 14th. During the eclipse, the moon will take on a reddish hue for about 65 minutes, from 2:26 A.M. to 3:31 A.M. ET, as sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere, casting a spooky, warm glow. This event, often called a “Blood Worm Moon,” will be visible across North America and parts of South America, western Europe, and western Africa, weather permitting.

The “Worm Moon” name comes from Native American traditions, tied to the emergence of earthworms or beetle larvae as spring nears, signaling the end of winter. The blood red color during the eclipse adds a dramatic twist, making it a captivating celestial event. You can catch the moon looking especially large near the horizon on Thursday evening as it rises, thanks to the “Moon illusion,” or watch the eclipse unfold overnight. If there’s light rain, you might even spot a rare moonbow (a lunar rainbow) adding to the spectacle!

STORY IS HERE

Is This True?

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Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former New Zealand diplomat who worked at Facebook for over six years, has published a book titled Careless People. In it, she claims she faced sexual harassment from her boss, Joel Kaplan (then a vice president for global public policy, now Meta’s chief global affairs officer) and alleges the company retaliated against her by firing her after she reported it. She also accuses Facebook of ignoring internal warnings about its impact on human rights and democracy, particularly during its pursuit of growth in places like China.

Meta, which owns Facebook, has pushed back hard, calling her allegations a mix of outdated claims and false accusations. They say an investigation in 2017 cleared Kaplan of any wrongdoing and that Wynn-Williams was let go for “poor performance and toxic behavior,” not retaliation. Her former supervisor, Elliot Schrage, backed this up, citing her repeated failures in her role. Meanwhile, Wynn-Williams stands by her story, saying Meta’s trying to discredit her because she’s exposing uncomfortable truths about their culture and decisions.

STORY IS HERE

Actual Factual Pie – March 11th!

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The year is 1888, a monstrous blizzard slammed into the northeastern US, unleashing chaos. Dubbed the “Great White Hurricane,” it buried cities in snowdrifts up to 50 feet high. Around 400 souls perished, mostly from exposure, as the storm raged for days. A brutal reminder of nature’s raw power.

In 1930, William Howard Taft, the 27th U.S. President, became the first president to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Taft, who also served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, left a lasting legacy in American history.

In 1969, fashion took a groovy turn as Levi-Strauss began selling bell-bottomed jeans. These iconic flared pants, wider from the knee down, became a symbol of the counterculture era. They were perfect for free spirits and disco dancers alike. Levi’s stitched itself into history with this bold style move!

In 1973, tensions boiled over at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, during a 71 day standoff between Native American activists and federal authorities. Amid the chaos, an FBI agent was shot, escalating an already volatile situation. The occupation, rooted in demands for tribal sovereignty and justice, marked a pivotal moment in Indigenous resistance.

In 1990, Lithuania boldly declared its independence from the Soviet Union, becoming the first Soviet republic to do so. This historic act, led by the Sąjūdis movement, marked a pivotal step toward the Baltic state’s sovereignty and inspired others in the USSR to follow suit. Freedom rang loud that day!

Music History Tuesday!

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The Year: 2006

The High School Musical soundtrack reaches #1 on the US albums chart, the first TV soundtrack album to top the tally since the Miami Vice soundtrack, which was #1 for eight weeks in 1985 and another three in 1986. Nine songs from the album make the Hot 100, led by “Breaking Free,” sung by Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, which reaches #4.

Bonus Slice +++

The Year: 1972

Neil Young’s album Harvest hits #1 in America, supplanting Don McLean’s American Pie, which has been on top for seven weeks.