Author: Ms. R.

In Trout Lake, a small community in southwest Washington, the peaks of nearby volcanoes and canopies of old-growth forests draw the eyes up. But when Julie Beeler sets out into the surrounding woods, her gaze points downward. Beeler, an artist, describes her home as a “fungal paradise.” Here, mushrooms are her muse. Hundreds of species of fungi grow throughout the Pacific Northwest, feeding upon the consistent rain of the damp forests. Each fall, the prime season for the edible……

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In April of 1066, a streak of cool fire appeared in the heavens. The comet, called a “bearded star” back then, had appeared before. There are mentions of it around the world dating as far back as the fifth century B.C. It’s now called Halley’s Comet, for the 18th-century scientist who first calculated its return. But in the spring of 1066, the people of England saw this particular comet as a bad omen. Across the English Channel, Duke William……

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Looking for more ideas? Check out our recommendations from past years. Maybe this year, you beat the holiday frenzy with gifts unlike the rest. Maybe you finally floor that one person no one knows how to shop for. Maybe you treat yourself to a shirt covered in isopods, pop a bag of citrus rinds, and just chill. Complete with gifts for animal lovers, armchair travelers, fashionistas, and people who desperately need to crush something, this assortment is sure to……

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At first glance, tiny Iola, Wisconsin, does not look like the seat of a publishing empire, but maybe it was just a flip of a coin that led to its success. For Iola was the home of Chester L. “Chet” Krause, one of the world’s most famous numismatists, and in 2023, a park was dedicated to celebrate his legacy. Much like fellow Wisconsinite Gary Gygax, Krause would turn his hobbies and collections into a business that would come to……

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The metropolitan area of Bangkok is estimated to be home to at least 400 Buddhist temples (wats), with only about 100 of them no longer operational. The most common sect of Buddhism in Thailand is Theravāda, which places a great value on its monastic orders. As such, most temples in Bangkok will actually home and educate monks, depending on donations for their food, clothing, and other needs. Since a large percentage of the male population will think of becoming a……

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Hambone Jr. was the beloved canine companion of the U.S. Army’s 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Division during World War II. The “scruffy little terrier” brought delight and distraction for the American soldiers stationed in Alresford in 1944 as they prepared for the D-Day Landings. Tragically, as the troops who so adored him were preparing to depart for Normandy via Southampton and Portsmouth, Hambone Jr. was struck by a military vehicle and died. Moved by the heartwarming story of companionship……

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