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‘Teddy Bear Hunts’ Offer Kids A Fun And Safe Distraction Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

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Communities across the country are hosting “teddy bear hunts” to help kids and their parents cope with being cooped up because of the coronavirus. The charming trend has also spread to neighborhoods in Brussels, London and Reykjavik.

On the Hunt for Huggable Bears

What’s a teddy bear hunt?

It means neighbors put stuffed teddy bears in their windows or on their porches. When parents and their children walk around the neighborhood, they count how many teddies they see. It’s a distracting, entertaining activity kids can do while they’re in social isolation.

Teddy Bear Hunts Get Everyone Involved

Shanna Bonner Groom, who got her Murfreesboro, Tennnessee, neighbors to stage a hunt, said half the homes in her 200-house neighborhood are now participating, even houses where no little kids live.

“We have some houses where probably every stuffed animal they own is stuffed into a window,” she told Time magazine.

They’re Creating Community

Some people have added a whole variety of wildlife to the mix. Children have spotted stuffed dogs, ducks, reindeers, possums and foxes while on the hunt.

The hunt also gives parents a chance to get out of the house. In an NBC News Report, people said the bear hunts show that people care about each other.

Getting Creative

Some people used the opportunity to show off their creativity.

In the UK, the owners of a home in Heaton Moor caught everyone’s attention for their bear displays. Every day, they pose two life-size bears doing activities like housework, gardening and laying concrete. The Moor Bears now have their own Instagram page.

 

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Is your community doing a teddy bear hunt?

Super Pink Moon Coming In April – Here’s How To See It

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Astronomists and sky watchers everywhere have something to look forward to in April. The first full moon of spring, known as the super pink moon, will be in the sky on the night of April 7.

Pink Moon

What Makes The Moon “Super”?

The term “super moon” refers to an event where the moon appears unusually large in the sky. This moon happens to occur during the moon’s perigee, which is the point in the moon’s orbit when it’s closest to Earth. Super moons are brighter than full moons and often have a slight color.

What’s In a Name?

This particular super moon goes by several names including the fish moon, grass moon or egg moon. Those names come from Native American lunar ceremonies. Christians call it the Paschal moon because it arrives just before Easter.

The moon does not glow pink.

Most people call it the pink moon because of a spring flower that starts blooming at the same time. The moss pink plant, also known as wild ground phlox, is a ground cover with delicate pink flowers. Those pink flowers are one of the first signs of spring.

When Can You See The Super Pink Moon?

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the moon will be visible after sunset and at its brightest around 10:30 PM eastern time:

“For the best view of this lovely spring moon, find an open area and watch as the moon rises just above the horizon, at which point it will appear its biggest and take on a golden hue.”

Are you planning to catch the pink moon?

JOANN Fabric Stores Giving Out Free Materials At Curbside To Make Face Masks For Health Care Workers At Home

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If you are an avid seamstress and have thought about how you can help the lack of protective masks for our nation’s health care professionals, JOANN Fabric Stores will help you out. The caveat is, you must have a JOANN store in your area that has remained open in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. Even if you don’t have an open JOANN store nearby, you can still participate in this initiative and help health care providers in your area if you have a sewing machine and extra fabric to make masks.

Joann Fabric Stores

Image: JOANN Stores

How JOANN Stores are Helping the Cause

You can help in one of two ways if you have an open JOANN store near you. First, JOANN stores have opened up their crafting areas to comply within social distancing limits to teach interested individuals to make facial masks to give to medical professionals working with those affected by COVID-19. The crafting areas will adhere to guidelines set forth by the CDC for social distancing. However, if you feel more comfortable with simply making the masks in your own home, JOANN stores will provide you with curbside pickup of fabric that you can use in your own home to make the masks and will also help distribute the masks that you make.

Do These Masks Meet Medical Guidelines?

In short, no, they do not, however, many medical professionals have noted that some kind of masks will help prevent disease spread even if they don’t meet guidelines set forth by the government.

In that spirit, how do you go about making these masks? JOANN has a video as well as additional information on how to help. Vanderbilt University also has useful information on how to make and donate mask if you want to help the pandemic effort.

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

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The need to stay isolated at home is forcing some people to come up with creative solutions to their problems. One young man discovered that his dog could help make quarantined life more bearable.

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook

A Crunchy Craving

Antonio Munoz is a young man in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, who really loves Cheetos and other salty snacks. Unfortunately, Mexico has instituted a strict self-isolation policy to combat the coronavirus.

Under the law, trips to the convenience store for a bag of crunchy, orange goodness are not considered essential.

After three days, Antonio’s craving had reached the point where he had to do something.

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook

A Done Deal

He hit on a smart solution that involved his dog Chokis, an adorable chihuahua. Antonio wrote a note to the owner of a convenience store across the street from his home. He strapped the note and some money to his dog’s collar.

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook

The note asked the store owner to give Chokis a bag of Cheetos and take the money from under his collar. Antonio also warned the store owner that Chokis would bite if anyone messed with him.

Chokis hit the streets and successfully closed the deal.

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook
“Hello Mr. Shopkeeper. Please sell my dog some Cheetos, the orange kind, not the red ones, they’re too hot. She has $20 attached to her collar. WARNING She will bite if not treated right. Your front neighbor.”

Funny Photos

Antonio watched the transaction take place and posted pictures of it on his Facebook page. He captioned the pictures, “Day three of quarantine and I wanted my Cheetos.”

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook

A Useful Dog Trick

After that successful run, he decided to give it another try. Chokis has come through every time. The clever pup has now been out three times to fetch his master’s favorite snacks.

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook

Virologist Says Coronavirus Can Survive On Fresh Grocery Store Produce

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Don’t skimp on washing your fruits and vegetables as soon as you get them home from the grocery store or farmer’s market. That’s the word from a specialist in infectious illnesses who’s warning us to take the coronavirus threat seriously.

Virologist Says Coronavirus Can Survive On Fresh Grocery Store Produce

Are You Bagging Bacteria?

The advice also applies if you’re getting grocery delivery.

Timothy Newsome is a virologist who teaches at the University of Sydney in Australia. In an interview with the British newspaper Mail Online, he reminded us that the virus can survive on the surfaces of fruits and vegetables.

“We have to remember that every surface is potentially contaminated and with any surface there is a risk,” he said.

Virologist Says Coronavirus Can Survive On Fresh Grocery Store Produce

Soapy Scrubbing

Newsome suggests using soap and warm water, but he doesn’t say what kind of soap to use.

On a Canadian news show, two infectious disease specialists also suggested washing your produce if you’re not going to peel it or cook it.

Is That Extreme?

Some experts say using soap to wash our produce is going overboard.

A simple water rinse can remove more than 90% of pesticides and bacteria.

In fact, according to food safety expert Teresa Hunsacker, “There is no data that suggests anything more than water will do a better job of eliminating coronavirus on produce.”

You can add a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar to the rinse water. Both are antibacterial.

Virologist Says Coronavirus Can Survive On Fresh Grocery Store Produce

Staying Safe

Here are some tips for food safety:

  • Wash your hands in soap and warm water before you handle food.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables in clean water. Use a scrub brush for hard produce like carrots and potatoes.
  • Don’t wash produce until you’re ready to eat or cook it.
  • If you use reusable grocery bags, spray or wipe them with sanitizer.

Would you consider washing your produce with soap? We hope everyone is staying safe out there.

Crochet Succulents and Cacti Will Brighten Up Your Window Sill

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Brighten up your desktop or a windowsill with beautiful beautiful crochet succulents and cacti that you never need to feed, water or prune. If you’re looking for a quick, easy project with a wonderful payoff, pull out your needles and start crocheting these colorful flowering plants.

Here’s Why You Need These Crochet Succulents

You love to knit and crochet, but sometimes, your preferred projects can take a long time. You also might be getting bored with the usual scarves or hats.

With these crochet patterns, you can quickly create bright, pretty decorations for your home or office. Making these is an enjoyable project that’s suitable for any skill level.

Totally Precious Potted Plants

These darling potted plants are perfect for you or for a gift.

Are you far from a green thumb? Do you kill every plant you attempt to grow? That’s not a problem because these plants require no care.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for someone who needs cheering up? These tiny, darling flowers will bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Find Your Favorite Flowers

You can choose a miniature planter packed with spiny cacti or a blooming Christmas cactus.

If you prefer flowers, select a colorful planter filled with primroses, pansies or African violets. They are all bright, realistic and totally adorable.

How Can You Get Crochet Succulents?

The patterns for these projects are available from the Etsy store Planet June, which specializes in crochet patterns. Reviewers say these plant patterns are fun, quick and easy to do.

As soon as you make the payment, you’ll get an instant download of the pattern you choose. All you have to do is choose your yarn.

Have fun making these darling plants for your next project.

More US Veterans Died By Suicide In The Last 10 Years Than Died In The Vietnam War

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We celebrate our veterans for their strength and courage, but too many of them are fighting a lonely battle against mental illness.

Veterans Suicide

Suicide Rates Are Sky-High

Suicides have increased at an alarming rate among the general population, and they’re even more common among veterans.

A special report by CBS News focused on Justin Miller, a 33-year-old Marine who served in Iraq. Although Miller was a talented trumpeter who looked forward to playing in the Marine band, he was deployed as a sniper.

When he returned, his family said he was a changed man. He showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after his deployment. Miller was being treated for depression at the VA hospital in Minneapolis when he killed himself in 2019.

A Crisis Among Veterans

Miller was one of 6,000 veterans who took their own lives that year. In the same year, three veterans killed themselves in five days.

From 2008 to 2017, veteran deaths by suicide add up to more than 60,000. That’s more than the 52,800 American soldiers who were killed in Vietnam.

Haunted by Memories

Veterans’ families say their loved ones can’t get the images of violence out of their heads. They recount seeing terrible things in combat situations. They also report bad memories of civilian details like the aftermath of the earthquakes in Haiti.

According to the VA, veterans commit suicide 1 1/2 times more often than civilians do. Men use a firearm to kill themselves in 70% of these deaths, and women use one in 42% of these cases.

Research assessments have found that veterans who can get access to mental health services at the VA are less likely to commit suicide. The VA urges anyone who knows a veteran in crisis to contact their local VA hospital.

Veterans Suicide

Sanitizer Hoarder Forced To Donate His Stash of Almost 18,000 Bottles

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A man who hoarded 18,000 bottles of sanitizer has donated the entire stash. Half the bottles went to a local church, and the rest will go to stores to help them restock their shelves.

Sanitizer Hoarder

PROFITING FROM A CRISIS

Matt Colvin of Hixson, Tennessee, achieved notoriety recently when he and his brother scooped up more than 17,000 bottles of hand sanitizer. The brothers, who buy items to sell online, saw a profit motive in the coming coronavirus pandemic.

They traveled all over the state to load up on the sanitizer as soon as news of the virus hit.

They later placed 300 bottles for sale in their online store at prices ranging from $8 to $70 a bottle. The bottles sold instantly.

SEVERE BACKLASH

Unfortunately for them, the brothers didn’t count on the backlash they would get for hoarding sanitizer during a global medical crisis.

As the Chicago Tribune reported, “The donations capped a tumultuous 24 hours for Colvin. On Saturday morning, the New York Times published an article about how he and his brother cleaned out stores of sanitizer and wipes in an attempt to profit off the public’s panic over the coronavirus pandemic. Colvin sold 300 bottles of hand sanitizer at a markup on Amazon before the company removed his listings and warned sellers they would be suspended for price gouging.”

DOING THE RIGHT THING

Colvin makes his living selling goods on Amazon, so the suspension hurts him where it counts. In addition, he said, he received hate mail, death threats and a cease-and-desist letter from the Tennessee attorney general’s office.

It sounds like a lot of people weren’t too happy with his actions.

At least he’s decided to do the right thing now.

Turn Handwritten Recipes From Loved Ones Into A Special Recipe Plate

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A family member’s famous “secret” recipe is deserving of its own recipe plate.  If your relatives are like most, you probably have at least one piece of lined paper with a recipe written carefully in longhand. There might also be a few splotches, spills and scribbled notes.

A RECIPE THAT’S BEEN HANDED DOWN

You’ve probably handed that piece of paper around for generations, and it may be starting to fall apart. Now, you can take that piece of paper and have it memorialized forever on a ceramic pie plate, quiche plate, platter, serving dish or casserole pan.

MAKE THAT TATTERED PIECE OF PAPER LIVE FOREVER

Imagine seeing your grandmother’s handwriting permanently inscribed on a plate that you can use to bake a pie or hang on the wall. Think about handing that plate down to your own children and grandchildren.

You can also choose to permanently inscribe your wedding invitation or a special letter on a plate. Did your mother write an encouraging note to you that you’ve kept all these years? Immortalize it on a plate.

TURN IT INTO A WORK OF ART

Prairie Hills Pottery is an Etsy shop that specializes in turning handwritten notes into objects of lasting, useful beauty. The lettering, invitations or other documents are etched in black paint on pure white plates. The look is simple and stunning.

A recipe plate can also work as a wall display.

A RECIPE PLATE MAKES AN UNFORGETTABLE GIFT

They are amazing:

  • Wedding gifts.
  • Sympathy gifts.
  • Birthday presents.
  • Holiday gifts.

They come in your choice of size and shape.

HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GORGEOUS RECIPE PLATE

Prairie Hills Pottery is an Etsy seller with five-star customer ratings and enthusiastic reviews. Get ready to turn your favorite family items into heirlooms that will be cherished forever.

Shrewd Little Hummingbird Builds Nest With Roof To Stay Dry

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Nature still has the power to astound us, and one little hummingbird is an example of just that. The little bird’s clever nest has captured hearts and news reports all over the world.
Shrewd Little Hummingbird Builds Nest With Roof To Stay Dry

Facebook | Bianca Caroline Soares

A WALK IN THE WOODS

It began last year when Bianca Caroline Soares was walking through a nature reserve in the jungle near her home. Soares works for the Moises Bertoni Foundation, a conservation organization based in Paraguay. Soares recounts that she was feeling incredible sadness one day about the fate of the world. With a heavy heart, she said, she went out to immerse herself in nature to get her mind off her troubles. As she was walking, she encountered an amazing hummingbird’s nest.

Shrewd Little Hummingbird Builds Nest With Roof To Stay Dry

Facebook | Bianca Caroline Soares

SHE SPOTTED AN UNUSUAL NEST

Soares was used to seeing hummingbird’s nests in the jungle. These birds are known for creating complex, intricate nests, but this one stood out because it had an actual roof. The clever hummingbird built the nest on a twig directly under a large, curved leaf.

“In the midst of all these tragedies and all this bad news, I received this gift,” she wrote on her Facebook page. “It’s just more proof of the saying that nature is wise.”

SHE KEPT HER BABIES SAFE

The leaf provided protection from the rain and sun for the bird’s nest and her babies.

The news gets even better. Soares told the Dodo she continued monitoring the nest. One day, she realized the bird was raising two babies in that nest. They grew up and successfully flew away to live on their own.

Let’s hope they inherited their mother’s homebuilding skills.