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Both A Solar And Lunar Eclipse Will Be Visible In June 2020

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Star watchers have something to look forward to this year. This June, you’ll get to see both a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse in the same month. The lunar eclipse will take place on June 5th, and the solar eclipse will follow on June 21st.

Solar And Lunar Eclipse

Rare and Spectacular

It’s extremely rare to have two visible eclipses in the same month. Even more astonishing, the solar eclipse promises to be an unusually spectacular “annular” or “ring of fire” eclipse.

What’s that? Read on to find out.

Explaining Eclipses

Eclipses are fascinating astronomical events that cause a planet to be hidden from view.

A solar eclipse happens during a new moon, when the moon passes between the earth and the sun to cover the sun from view. You can only see a solar eclipse from certain parts of the world.

A lunar eclipse can only take place during a full moon, when the moon blocks the sun from view. This can happen when the sun, earth and moon are all in perfect alignment with each other. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is visible from anywhere in the world.

What’s Special About the 2020 Eclipses

The June 21 solar eclipse will be what’s known as an annular or “ring of fire” eclipse. That means it will look like a dark planet surrounded by a glowing band.

As the Space Tourism Guide explains, “During annularity, the sun is completely darkened, and the sky goes dark as well. Imagine sunset, dusk and sunrise all occurring in less than five minutes. Meanwhile, the sun is a great fiery ring in the sky. That’s what annularity is like during an annular eclipse.”

According to eclipse expert Jamie Carter, the so-called Strawberry Moon Lunar Eclipse will also be worth seeing, but the solar eclipse will be the true star of the skies.

How to Watch the Eclipses

As gorgeous as a solar eclipse is, you should only look at it using the right eyewear.

  • Use specially made eclipse glasses or solar viewers to look at the eclipse.
  • Don’t point a camera, binoculars or other devices at it.
  • Do not look directly at the eclipse.

Solar Eclipse Glasses

If you can’t find solar viewers, you can make your own pinhole viewer.

Stay safe while you enjoy the beauty of the night sky.

Both A Solar And Lunar Eclipse Will Be Visible In June 2020

These Antimicrobial Hand Tools Keep You From Touching Door Handles, ATM Machines and Much More

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Have lockdowns and quarantines made you scared to touch anything that might be a germ factory? Public surfaces like elevator buttons, keypads and restroom doors get thousands of touches a day. With these antimicrobial hand tools, you never have to touch one of those gross, germy surfaces again.

Keep the Cooties Away

The aptly named Kooty Key works like an extra set of fingers. You can use it to touch door handles, kitchen sinks, gas pump pads, ATM keypads, elevator buttons, retail payment pads, sink faucets, garbage cans and toilet handles.

The Kooty Key fits on most keyrings. It’s small enough to carry in your pocket, and it comes with an attached reel.

Best of all, it’s made from sturdy, antimicrobial plastic that repels germs on contact.

Get Bold and Brassy

The Keychain Touch Tool features a hook and pointer design in solid brass. It works on most doorknobs and door handles, trash bin lids and sink faucets. It also protects you from ATM touch screens, retail payment pads, public restrooms and more.

It’s a beautifully made object that’s attractive to carry in your purse or pocket.

Since it’s solid brass, this touch tool is naturally antimicrobial. It will last for years without tarnishing or wearing out.

Keychain Touch Tool

PEEL | Keychain Touch Tool

Keep It Clean

The CleanKey is another tool that works to keep your hands off as many public surfaces as possible. You can use it to avoid directly touching keypads, buttons, doors, faucets and payment touch screens. Use it to lift trash can lids, open shared refrigerator doors and more.

It’s made of blended copper and zinc. That makes it durable, easy to clean and not too heavy to carry around in your pocket. Copper naturally repels germs and microbes.

The CleanKey comes with a retractable carabiner that makes it easy to use everywhere.

Embrace Your Inner Germophobe with Antimicrobial Hand Tools

These tools allow your inner Adrian Monk or Howie Mandel to come out. There’s no time like a pandemic to be afraid of germs. Use these tools whenever you leave the house to avoid touching anything grimy.

Antimicrobial Hand Tools

Special Face Mask Lights Up When It Comes Into Contact With Coronavirus

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It sounds like science fiction, but it’s actually science fact. A team of researchers is developing a face mask that doesn’t just prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It actually lights up when it’s in the presence of the virus.

Lighting the Way to Better Health

If this reminds you of Bilbo Baggins’ sword that glowed when it was near orcs or the light sabers that Star Wars made famous, it’s for good reason. This mask actually changes to a fluorescent color when it picks up the presence of the virus on a person’s sneeze droplets.

The project began years before the pandemic. A team of bioengineers and medical researchers from Harvard and MIT joined forces back then to create a mask that would signal the presence of the Ebola and Zika viruses. Today, they’re turning their efforts toward developing a signaling mask for COVID-19.

Many Potential Uses

Jim Collins is the lead researcher on the project. He told Business Insider that the mask is only in the early stages, but it has enormous potential. Its main benefit would be to identify people who are carrying the disease but don’t know it.

“As we open up our transit system, you could envision it being used in airports as we go through security, as we wait to get on a plane,” Collins said. “You or I could use it on the way to and from work. Hospitals could use it for patients as they come in or wait in the waiting room as a pre-screen of who’s infected.”

Creativity and Crisis

The ongoing pandemic has led to some creative solutions to public health problems.

A medical team at the University of Kentucky is working on a face mask that would actually kill the coronavirus on contact. If you could combine both features in one mask, you’d never have to worry.

Face Mask

Beep, Beep! Real-life ‘Wile E. Coyote’ Caught On Video Chasing Roadrunner

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A short video has gone viral for depicting a real-life Wile E. Coyote trying to chase down a roadrunner.

Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner

Instagram | @deserth2o

Deep In the Desert

Michael Thomas Bogan is a wildlife biologist who teaches at the University of Arizona. He’s also an avid photographer of the desert Southwest’s fascinating, beautiful environment.

Recently, he was in the Santa Cruz riverbed in Tucson, when he noticed a roadrunner zipping past with a coyote in hot pursuit. Bogan filmed the desert encounter and posted it to his Twitter account with the narration, “That is a straight-up cartoon.”

It Didn’t Even Say, “Beep Beep”

In the video, you can see the roadrunner moving at top speed while the coyote gives up halfway through the chase.

In just a few hours, Bogan had fielded dozens of requests from news organizations and channels asking to use the footage. Dozens of Twitter posters responded with their favorite memories of the classic cartoon. Many pointed out the way the coyote seems to just stop and give up halfway through the chase. Did he need some Acme products or was it just, as Bogan said, too hot to keep running?

Real Roadrunners

Real roadrunners are fascinating birds.

Roadrunners have adapted incredibly well to desert life. They don’t need to drink water, and their diet consists of insects, small birds, grubs and reptiles that abound in the desert.

Roadrunner

The tough little bird’s favorite food, however, is the western diamondback, a deadly rattler that’s poisonous enough to kill an adult human. Roadrunners have no fear of these snakes, and regularly attack them for food.

Sacred to Native Americans

That’s why Native Americans held a special reverence for roadrunners, admiring them for their courage, cleverness and speed.

Yes, they’re fast. Roadrunners reach top speeds of about 25 mph, but that’s still not enough to beat a coyote. Most coyotes can run about 40 mph. It’s a good thing the coyote keeps buying inferior rockets and anvils to give the roadrunner an edge.

Wile E. Coyote

‘Robot Dog’ Unleashed In Public Park To Encourage Social Distancing

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Spot is one of the most popular names for companion canines in the history of dog names. Modern dogs likely wouldn’t be pleased to know the name was popularized by a 1930’s book series and a couple named Dick and Jane who had a pet cat named Spot.

Later on in the series, the cat was changed to a dog, but the name Spot endured. Today, however, Spot looks a little different than Dick and Jane’s furry friend. For starters, his name is SPOT®. He has no head and no tail. And he is available to rent.

Robot Dog

Youtube | CNA

Meet SPOT®, the Robot Dog on a Mission to Stop COVID-19

SPOT® is powered by remote control and can see in 2D and 3D with a 360-degree range of vision. But this isn’t even the most remarkable part. SPOT® also talks in American English using a soft, feminine Asian accent.

As you have likely guessed by now, SPOT® is a robot dog. Built by Boston Dynamics, SPOT is currently on duty patrolling the grounds of the popular Singapore park Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.

His mission? To maintain social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Currently, SPOT® can be seen daily roaming about the park, often stopping to scan passersby for the appropriate one-meter distance as they walk, jog or cycle on by.

Cute or Creepy? You Decide

SPOT® can sit, lay down, stand up, walk, stand and run. His yellow and black body looks more like a bumblebee than a canine and his gait is vaguely catlike as he lopes along throughout the park grounds.

Instead of barking, SPOT® continually repeats a message to maintain safe social distancing. What park-goers don’t see is the small army of park officials and operators behind the scenes who are controlling the robot remotely.

Will SPOT® be able to do what the best human efforts to date have not? If he can, he is a wonder-dog indeed.

Robot Dog

Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

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The economic effects of the coronavirus have been especially harsh on family farms, but one small farm found a unique way to stay in business.

Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

Facebook | Whoa Nellie Dairy

A Longtime Family Business

Ben and Mary Beth Brown own the Whoa Nellie Dairy Farm in Acme, Pennsylvania. The Johnsons sell milk, cream, cheese and other products at their dairy store. They sell the rest to Schneider’s of Pittsburgh, a large dairy distributor.

The farm has been in the Brown family since the 1700s.

Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

Facebook | Whoa Nellie Dairy

The Distributor Told Them to Dump the Milk

Recently, Schneider’s informed the Browns that it wouldn’t be picking up the milk and they should just dump it.

“I hate the idea of wasting food or milk when people are struggling,” Mary Beth told CNN in an interview. “We decided instead to pasteurize, bottle and sell the milk ourselves.”

Working Around the Clock

In a Facebook announcement, Ben told local residents, “We can only pasteurize and bottle 30 gallons at a time, but we are going to work around the clock to try to bottle as much as we can. We are really going to try to not waste a drop.”

Over the next few days, Ben worked 24-hour shifts to get it done.

Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

Facebook | Whoa Nellie Dairy

Tremendous Community Support

The response was overwhelming.

One Facebook post showed the cars and trucks that lined the road as people waited for hours to buy milk. The entire community turned out to support the Browns.

Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

Facebook | Photo credit: michaelmphotos.com

Still Standing

In another Facebook post, Ben wrote, “Over the last couple of years, hundreds of farmers have gone under, yet we remain. I want to thank all of you who have stood in line for our milk. It is you who are keeping us going and keeping this family farm alive. Thank you!”

The Browns are still selling milk and other dairy products. They have also donated extra milk to area food banks. They purchased a larger pasteurizer, and Ben no longer has to work 24-hour shifts to get the milk bottled.

Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

How To Cope With The Loss Of A Pet

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It is an unfortunate fact of life as a pet owner that we will almost always outlive our pets. We will have to say goodbye to those members of our family that relied on us the most. Whether sudden and accidental or the result of a long-term illness, the loss of a pet is never easy and always causes pain.

Loss of a Pet

EMOTIONS AFTER THE LOSS OF A PET

Allow yourself to feel that grief. You may encounter people who will not understand the depth of your pain after you lose a pet. To some people, animals are not family but just a nuisance, but you as a pet owner know better. You know about their individual personalities, their unconditional love, and the joy they brought to your home. Talk to other animal lovers and pet owners. They will understand your loss without being dismissive. It is likely that anyone who has owned pets has experienced the death of a pet as well, and knows exactly how you feel right now. They will not belittle your experience.

Allow yourself to feel any other emotion that comes with the loss as well. An accidental death may bring with it anger, a death from a long illness, guilt. If you had to make the difficult decision of putting your animal to sleep, and then decide when to do it, you know that you will always question if you made the right call. Was it too soon? Did you wait too long? Did finances factor into your decision? There is always guilt. Knowing that you did the best you could in your circumstances helps. But you will still feel that gnawing in the pit of your stomach.

Any loss can bring up the painful memories of past losses – animal and human. You may have gotten a handle on the death of a parent, at least enough not to be crushed by it, but when your pet dies it all comes rushing back to you again. Process that grief. If you ever feel that you cannot move on from any loss and that your feelings of sadness are overwhelming you, please do ask for help. Do not feel bad or weak, or that you cannot handle the death of your pet as another person would. That loss just began an avalanche that you cannot hold back on your own. For some people, it can be job loss or divorce. For some people, it’s the loss of a pet.

REMEMBERING YOUR PET

You can mark the special place your pet held in your home and in your life by having a physical memorial to his or her memory. If the final resting place is on your property, planting a bush or tree where the burial is will allow something to grow from the loss. If that is not practical, a stone marker – like a special patio stone or even a bird bath for the cat who liked to watch the birds from the window may be a better choice. If you can, you could include your pet’s favorite toy or special blanket as a kind sendoff.

Loss of a Pet

Those without a yard, or who do not own their property, do have the option of requesting that their pets are cremated individually, and the remains returned in a pet urn at the vet’s office. There can be options for urns depending on what you like, and any personalization you may want to add. Do not feel you must have, and do not allow a vet office to pressure you into having, an urn. Not having one does not mean you loved your pet any less. Not having a tangible reminder of your pet at all does not mean that either. Some people would rather have their photographs and memories. Having the physical memorial around would be too painful.

COMFORTING CHILDREN AFTER THE LOSS OF A PET

For many children, the loss of a pet will be their first experience of death. The discussions following such a loss will be difficult for parents. Depending on what your own faith says of the afterlife and the souls of pets, you may wish to tell your children about the Rainbow Bridge. This is a story meant to comfort those who have lost pets by telling of a place next to Heaven where the souls of departed pets wait for their owners so they can enter Heaven together. The pets cross a rainbow bridge and are transported to a pet paradise where it is always sunny and there is always food, water, and toys for them. This may comfort your children to feel that their pets are happy and they will see them again.

Let your child grieve as well, and to ask questions as difficult as they may be to answer. Children find rituals comforting, so let them perform what ceremonies they wish to honor their pets. They may wish to have their own service or memorial for the pet. It will help provide some closure for them, and may be comforting for you as well.

Loss of a Pet

Your children will probably be ready for a new pet long before you will. Those without children can take the time they need to feel ready, but parents should take that time as well. You should not get a new pet too soon and always feel that you are comparing your pet to the one you lost. They are not the same. And for those who had older pets, you do forget what it is like having a kitten or puppy in the house and how destructive they can be.

BRINGING HOME A NEW PET

One day you will find yourself at a place in your life where you can open your heart and home to a new pet. Maybe it will be a surprise, by finding a scrappy stray living under your porch that you just fall in love with, or you’ll go to the shelter with a friend and spy a puppy with the biggest eyes in the corner looking at you and your heart will know he’s your dog. Or maybe you will plan to bring home a new pet because you feel like your home is too empty, too quiet, and you need to bring home a pet to fill it. There is always the hurt at the end of our time with our pets, but in the middle is too much love to not have them in our lives.

Loss of a Pet

How to Toast Coconut: Three Simple Methods

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Toasted coconut adds rich, nutty sweetness to any recipe and is essential to many desserts. If you’ve ever wondered how to toast coconut yourself, you can stop wondering now. There are actually three ways to do it. Each of these methods will give you wonderfully crunchy, sweet coconut that’s ready for all your recipes.

How to Toast Coconut

Here’s Why You Need to Know How to Toast Coconut

Toasted coconut goes on anything. Use it as a topping for meringue pies. Blend it into frosting and use it to frost donuts, brownies and cookies. It’s a classic ingredient in German chocolate cake and coconut layer cake. It makes a wonderful topping for oatmeal or yogurt. It adds natural richness without adding high amounts of sugar or fat.

Toasting your own at home is incredibly easy, and you’ll find a lot of uses for it once you learn how. Plain coconut is fine, but toasted coconut really elevates a dish. Get toasting now and get ready to explore a whole new taste sensation.

How to Toast Coconut
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How To Toast Coconut In the Oven

Baking in the oven will give you deep golden coconut that’s wonderfully fragrant. This is the best method for making large batches. It also makes the whole house smell great.

Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

  • Flaked or shredded Coconut

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

  2. Cover your baking sheet with parchment paper or baking paper.
  3. Spread the flaked or shredded coconut on the sheet.
  4. Bake for three minutes.
  5. Use spatula to stir the flakes.
  6. Continue baking, checking the coconut every three to four minutes, until coconut turns light golden brown. Keep checking to make sure the coconut doesn't burn. It usually takes under 15 minutes to toast the full batch.
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How To Toast Coconut On The Stovetop

This is best if you're only toasting a couple of cups. It's hard to manage if you're toasting large amounts of coconut. This is quick and easy.

Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

  • Flaked or shredded coconut

Instructions

  1. Place coconut flakes on the skillet.
  2. Turn heat to medium-high.
  3. Heat coconut, stirring occasionally.
  4. After about five minutes, the coconut should be golden brown.
How To Toast Coconut
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How To Toast Coconut In The Microwave

This method works best if you're toasting a small amount of coconut. If you need to whip up a quick batch for a recipe and you're in a hurry, this is the ideal method. These directions are for a half-cup of flakes.

Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

  • Flaked or shredded coconut

Instructions

  1. Place coconut in microwave-safe dish or bowl.
  2. Microwave at full power for 45 seconds. Stir the coconut.
  3. Continue doing this until the coconut turns light golden brown. It should not take more than three minutes total.

What Will You Make With Your Toasted Coconut?

There are many great recipes that use toasted coconut, but here are some especially good ones to get your taste buds in gear. Get indulgent with irresistible Toasted Coconut Cream Truffles or super moist Coconut Cream Cake.

Throw caution to the winds and go all out for full coconut indulgence. Make these Toasted Coconut-Pecan Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting.

Enjoy every nutty bite of these fabulous desserts.

How to Toast Coconut

How to Cut Your Own Hair at Home | Step-By-Step Guide

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During this unprecedented time, most of us are facing a new reality. Many are spending most of their days at home in self-isolation. All but essential businesses are closed. Perhaps you’ve found yourself in need of a hair trim. Maybe you’re tired of pushing your hair out of your eyes. Fortunately, it’s possible to take matters into your own hands. Keep reading to learn how to cut your own hair at home. Follow these steps, and you’ll be looking refreshed without regret in no time.

How to Cut Your Own Hair

GATHER YOUR TOOLS

You’ll want to get your supplies in order and have them at hand before you begin. Some towels to catch the fallen hair, a handheld mirror to see your head at all angles and the sharpest scissors you can find should do the trick. Avoid using regular household scissors if possible. They won’t give you a precise cut and will lead to frayed edges. If you can order professional hair shears, that’s best. Otherwise, use the sharpest scissors you own. You’ll get a cleaner cut and have more control with sharper shears.

CONSIDER STARTING WITH DRY HAIR

You may be used to having your hair cut when it’s wet. That’s because stylists are properly trained to cut the hair with the most precision. Because you’re new at this, you probably won’t want to try to be so exact. A better approach may be to start with clean, dry hair. This ensures your hair falls into its usual style so that you can use that shape as a guide. It also helps to prevent cutting too much. Remember, hair shrinks up once it’s dry.

TAKE SMALL STEPS

The most important thing to keep in mind when cutting your own hair is to start with small cuts. It’s good to cut less length that you want because you can always cut more if you’re not satisfied. However, there’s nothing you can do to fix it once you’ve chopped too much. You also want to section your hair off with clips and work in small sections at a time. Each section should be an inch or two in width. This allows you to see what you’re working with and to take your time.

Start at the front. Hold a small section of hair between your fingertips and use short, upward snips. You don’t want to cut straight across, as this can be too harsh. It also makes mistakes more glaringly obvious. Repeat this process with each section. Take your time and remember you can always go back to fix any uneven spots.

Keep these tips in mind when cutting your own hair at home. Even a small trim can make a big difference in your appearance and your mood.

TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING LONG AND SHORT HAIR

For those of you with long hair, this is an easy method you might want to try.

If you have shorter hair, here is a great tutorial that’s easy to follow.

How to Cut Your Own Hair

How to Grow Your Own Potatoes in a Bag or Container

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They’re tasty boiled, baked, mashed, fried and roasted. If you’re a fan of spuds, you can now grow your own easily in a bag or a bucket. If you have a tiny garden or no garden at all, you can grow tasty, nutritious potatoes.

How to Grow Your Own Potatoes in a Bag or Container

Anyone Can Grow Your Own Potatoes at Home

Most of us think potatoes need a lot of land. In reality, you can grow them anywhere that’s sunny. It’s not complicated, and it’s an affordable way to grow your own organic potatoes.

You will need:

  • Bags or buckets for growing.
  • Garden soil.
  • Organic fertilizer.
  • Compost.
  • Seed potatoes.

Lots of People Are Ready to Help

Are you nervous about getting started? Don’t be. The online world is full of people who want to help you do this.

Van Meuwen Gardening makes grow bags that come with their own seed potatoes. The company has created a wonderfully helpful instructional video that walks you through the whole process.

Potatoes Even Grow In a Bucket

Hollis and Nancy of Urban Homestead show you how to grow potatoes and sweet potatoes in a 5-gallon bucket.

As Hollis says, “If you have room for a bucket or two in an area that gets good sunlight, you can grow potatoes.”

Goodness That Tastes Good

Potatoes aren’t just good to eat. They’re also good for you. They contain high levels of vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, copper, antioxidants and dietary fiber.

Buy some grow bags now. You’ll be ready to harvest your own potatoes this summer.

How to Grow Your Own Potatoes in a Bag or Container