In today’s news, United States sends urgent food aid to Haiti. Climate crisis expanding beaver-people habitat range into the Arctic Circle and reshaping landscapes, Finnish report reveals how supportive poplar plantations can reconnect European forests to benefit bird-people, Mali government purchases locally-grown rice to support its farmers and strengthen national food security, teacher in China raises nearly 300 vulnerable children over 30 years, Australian chef creates vegan food that appeals to all tastes, and rare white-letter hairstreak butterflies spotted in Cheshire, UK, after tree-planting efforts.
Keep your house and yard in tip top condition with regular attention. Here is a lawn tip for you if you have one. First, sharpen the blades on your lawn mower and begin mowing with them set just a bit higher to protect the newly grown grass. Get rid of any moss and dead grass (thatch) so the turf can thrive, then ensure air, water, and nutrients can reach the roots by aerating compacted soil. Eliminate deep-rooted weeds, while leaving behind low-growing flowers such as clover or daisies that help pollinators. Refresh lawn edges for a neat appearance, reseed any bare areas for even growth, and nourish the grass with a slow-release fertilizer or mulched clippings. With consistent mowing and early-season care, your lawn will become greener, thicker, and stronger throughout the season.
Let’s gear up for some laughter with this joke of the day entitled, “The Song Bug.”
During vocabulary practice, the teacher wrote the word “contagious” on the board and turned back to the class.
“Alright, students, who can use ‘contagious’ in a sentence?”
A boy near the back slowly raised his hand.
“Go ahead.”
“Yesterday, my little brother started singing an annoying song over and over.”
“OK… and where does ‘contagious’ come in?”
“By dinner, my mom was humming it, my dad was whistling it, and I was begging for earplugs.”
?!
