6 in the Morning

 Good morning, and welcome! How many times have we said that when it comes to fixing everyday problems around the house? Oh no, the dryer’s making funny noises—better hire somebody. Piano’s out of tune—go hire somebody. This IKEA furniture is so confusing to put together… can we hire somebody for that, too?!  Admittedly, I also know several people on the other side of the spectrum, who do their best to solve the problem themselves in favor of saving the money. However, all the mini-crises that have been occurring around the house as of late have got me wondering… how far can we take this idea of rolling up your sleeves and getting the job done with a how-to manual and the Internet? Is there truly nothing we can’t do without hiring somebody?  ****** How to Dye a Stained Carpet  (Photo "Carpets" by ToniVC is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ) I was expecting this to be an impossible task, but it turns out dyeing a carpet is actually (sort of) possible! To begin, you’ll...

Good morning, and welcome! Random facts time! Did you know that anatidaephobia is the fictional fear of being watched by a duck? Or that worms have five hearts? Or that avocados are actually a fruit, and watermelons a vegetable?! I could go on and on and on! This morning, I present to you six of the most unbelievable facts I could find, ideas that made me scoff at first seeing them. However, it turns out that all of these facts are true. Don’t believe me? See for yourself…. ****** The Easter Island head statues have bodies buried underground. (Photo "Easter Island Statues" by TheTerraMarProject is licensed under CC BY 2.0 ) When I first read about this, I was sure it was a prank of some sort, but there’s a lot of archeological evidence out there that actually supports this theory! There is a lot of mystery surrounding the origins of these statues, called moai, and the people who built them. Their civilization is known as the Rapa Nui, which is also the name...

Good morning, and welcome! Architecture? Mildly interesting. Fairy tales? Yes, please! Enter castles: intricately built and blurring the lines between history and legend, these incredible structures are so much more than buildings. They’re art. They’re the backdrop to the heritage of whole countries. And as if that’s not enough, they’re also remarkable architectural feats planned weaponized with practical defensive advantages. Humans have been drawn to big houses since the day we discovered the advantages of shelter, and castles put this passion on full, dazzling display. Between literature, art, and movies, these things are everywhere. And it’s no wonder: castles are the stuff stories are made of, with their imposing walls, luxurious interiors, and occasional dark, treacherous dungeons. Interesting things happen in interesting places. However, castles may be perfect for a tall tale or two, but they are also very real. Here are six of my favorites, complete with wild stories, ent...