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  I had just returned from a glorious 12-day vacation, feeling relaxed and surprisingly ready to get back to work the next day. I was cooking something easy for dinner that night—sloppy joes, I believe—with some fries roasting in the oven. As I went to grab my oven mitt to take the fries out, my hand ended up cupping a tiny, little mouse. I was confused at first, but when the little furball started to move, I let out what I think anyone could describe as a blood-curdling scream. After catching the mouse and putting it outside, I referred back to some of my former research on mice. Although it’s a solid tip, I was determined to make sure that nothing like this would ever happen to me again. In an attempt to make my kitchen a rodent-free zone, I came across a few tricks that can assist in making my kitchen—and my oven mitts—an even less attractive place to make a home. Eliminate all entry points Did you know that mice can be master contortionists? These suckers can actually fit ins

Deadly Animals Some animals are more deadly than you might think. While sharks have an intense reputation, it’s generally rare to be caught in a shark attack. Read on to learn more about the animals that are deadlier than sharks. Here are more “facts” about wild animals you have all wrong . The post 22 Animals That Are Deadlier Than Sharks appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2t6wvkH

For the one who loves you most “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” —Johnny (Patrick Swayze), from Dirty Dancing . We start off this collection of Valentine’s Day quotes with one of the most iconic movie lines of all time. These are the 30 dreamiest vintage Valentine’s Day cards you’ll wish you had received . The post 26 Love Quotes to Add to Your Valentine’s Day Cards appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2mRXOwS

Why we celebrate it on February 14 Ah, the most important of Valentine’s Day facts: why it’s celebrated on the 14th of February. February 14 is the feast of St. Valentine, a Catholic saint who was executed by Roman Emperor Claudius II on that date sometime during the third century A.D. Many legends surround the reason for his death sentence. The most popular one says he was a priest who married young couples after Claudius outlawed marriage for young men (apparently they were better soldiers when they weren’t romantically attached). Another says he helped save Catholics who were imprisoned for their religious beliefs. However, the holiday may have been promoted to overshadow the pagan festival Lupercalia. Between February 13 and 15, Romans celebrated by sacrificing a goat and a dog and whipping women with their hides. Crude as it may seem, people believed this made women more fertile, and women actually lined up to get slapped with bloody hides. In the fifth century, Pope Gelasius I

An envelope full of money “Valentine’s Day is about showing the person you love that they are special, unique and that you care about them,” says Terri Orbuch, PhD, author of 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage From Good to Great and professor at Oakland University in Michigan. “It is not about spending a lot of money or grand gestures,” she notes. So guys, take note, forgo an envelope full of cash—even if you’re heart is in the right place and you want her to buy herself something nice with the money—and pick an outfit from her favorite designer or go shopping together. Find out facts you never knew about Valentine’s Day . The post Valentine’s Day Gifts That Send the Wrong Message appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2S4pzky

A beautiful world There are a variety of places that you should explore on your next adventure. From oceans to mountains and deserts to rainforests, there are countless places are waiting to be explored. Read through these stunning places and make sure to pack your bags for your next adventure. This is how to pack the perfect carry-on bag . The post 50 Jaw-Dropping Photos of the World’s Most Beautiful Countries appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2SjjC1J

Ah, Valentine’s Day. Such a glorious excuse to dwell on love and romance. But ironically, this day of roses, chocolates, and heart-shaped cards has a dark history. (Find out more  Valentine’s Day facts that will truly surprise you .) How Valentine’s Day got its name Valentine’s Day actually marks the date of the execution of St. Valentine by the Roman emperor Claudius II during the third century AD. And what was St. Valentine’s crime? The most popular theory holds that he’d been officiating at the weddings of soldiers, despite that marriage had been outlawed for them. Apparently, the emperor felt that love and romance made for weaker soldiers. Here are a few Valentine’s Day traditions from around the world . Why February 14 became Valentine’s Day Long before St. Valentine’s execution, February 14 had come to be associated with fertility—and blood. Between February 13 and 15, Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia by sacrificing a goat and a dog and then whipping naked women with

The world is warming—swiftly. The last decade (2010-2019) was the hottest ever recorded , while Europe saw its hottest year in 2019, according to Climate Change Service. This has put an enormous strain on Earth’s regional ecosystems, not least of all, on its usually-frozen poles. In 2019, the sea ice cap in the Arctic shrank to 1.6 million square miles , down from 2.44 million square miles in 2010—with no sign that it will rebound, says NASA’s Earth Observatory. This has changed weather patterns and sea levels, and it has had devastating effects on wildlife, including polar bears. Of course,  arctic ice isn’t the only thing that’s shrinking. Why ice matters Polar bears rely on sea ice in order to raise their pups and hunt their prey—mostly ring seals. Without it, and trapped on land, they’re going hungry and their numbers are dwindling. As National Geographic reported in 2015, they’re getting “creative” to stay alive . One strategy noticed by a team of researchers in Svalbard, Norwa

Rising Royals While the world speculates about #Megxit and keeps a close on eye the continuing duties of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, there’s a flock of little ones with their own places in royal bloodlines around the world. These cuties represent the next generation of royals, from Great Britain and beyond. Even with their aristocratic upbringing, photos of the royal children prove they are just that—children. They’re kids who marvel at the same things as their school peers and even throw a tantrum or two (or if you asked their parents, perhaps more). Check out these pint-sized royals who will be the next to capture the attention of the world. Read up on 50 things you likely didn’t know about the British royal family. The post 13 Cutest Pictures of Next-Generation Royals appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/36Kc9j6

It’s showtime! I’ve been to Madison Square Garden for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show a number of times since I was a child because my family’s in the business, but this will be the first official year of me being out on my own. It’s going to be exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time, I’m sure! But it definitely helps that I’ve been to the show so often that I know a few facts about Westminster , and some of the more surprising aspects of it aren’t surprises to me any longer. Here’s a little behind-the-scenes look at what it’s all really like. The post I’m a Dog Handler—Here’s What It’s Like to Show at the Westminster Dog Show appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2tiQlNP

It’s one of those things you really don’t give a second thought, something that blends right into the scenery.  It’s almost always a given: The Yankees wear pinstripes, the pope is Catholic, and airplanes are, for the most part, white.   But the color choice has some very sound logic behind it.  Reader’s Digest  spoke to dozens of airplane and airline experts to get to the bottom of it.  According to the experts, there are two main reasons for the color choice. The main reason airplanes are generally white is to keep the plane cool. Steve Deane of Stratos Jet Charters told RD, “Imagine sitting on the tarmac waiting for takeoff in a dark-colored plane. It would get extremely uncomfortable for the passengers. Then there is the technology in the airplane. Technology lasts longer in cooler environments. A cooler plane means the equipment will last longer, thus saving money for the airline.” Of course, while this technique does help airplanes last longer, airplanes will eventually have t

On a good day, I like to consider myself a logical person—rational even, if I may go so far. However, I also put the “super” in “superstitious” and have not walked under a ladder, stepped on a crack, pocketed a tails-up coin, or let an upside-down horseshoe go uncorrected  ever if memory serves, and if I have, I don’t want to know about it. I won’t even leave the television volume on 13. One time, I almost ended an Uber ride early because a black cat crossed the street ahead of us, and I just knew I was now the passenger of a hexed Toyota Corolla. So, as you can imagine, opening an umbrella indoors is absolutely off the table. First of all, I have neither the foresight nor sense to, you know, possess an umbrella, and second of all, with that umbrella, you also open a Pandora’s box of bad juju, ill fortune, and discontented vibes. I even advise companions with whom I share public space against it: I will not go down in a freak elevator accident because you didn’t want to wait until we

Setting yourself up for success Feng shui is the practice of arranging elements in a space to promote the maximum possible flow of positive energy, otherwise known as chi. An ancient Chinese art, this philosophy suggests you can increase your abundance, vitality, and happiness by creating a harmonious environment, one in which chi can easily flow. But beware: It’s easy to disrupt your chi, and when you do that, things can go very wrong. We spoke to feng shui experts to find out what might be blocking the vital life force in your own home and what you need to do to make things a whole lot better very quickly. While you’re at it, make sure you don’t have these 9 unlucky things in your house . The post 14 Things Feng Shui Experts Want You to Throw Out Right Now appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2uUNlra

To renovate or not to renovate? In these 12 cases, you’ll probably want to abstain. Despite what HGTV will have you think, you can’t demolish a bathroom wall over the course of a single commercial break. Everyone loves a DIY product, but sometimes it’s better to bring in a professional before you learn why it’s called “Flip or Flop .” The post 12 Home Renovations You’re Likely to Regret Later appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2s865PM

Home inspection objections If these war-stories from seven home inspectors can teach you anything, it’s that it’s always the most remote nooks and crannies of your house that hides the most harrowing horrors. The upstairs attic that you never use, even to store the least-loved holiday decorations? Haunted. The crawl space adjacent to the cellar door? Let me spare you the trip: something’s dead down there. Power go out for the first time in months and need to check the fusebox in the garage behind a pile of empty suitcases? Something chewed through it—something with teeth. Jump in and get a taste of what a Stephen King-scripted HGTV show would look like, see if it’s on par with these creepy things people found in their houses . The post 12 of the Craziest Things Ever Found During Home Inspections appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2EaBF2T

Dentists hate it, polar bears love it We’re not saying it’ll do anything for the plaque on your incisors, but it’ll definitely do a number on your porcelain-tile grout, or a bloodstain. A more versatile soft drink than you might initially expect, we’ve gathered 50 criteria in which Coca-Cola excels—51 if you count being delicious. The post 50 Things You Had No Idea You Could Do with Coca-Cola appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2MFvCvD

Power outages Power outages can be a truly terrifying experience. One minute, you’re casually enjoying dinner or an evening TV show, and the next your home is pitch black and completely silent. While there are a lot of things you can do to prepare for a power outage , it can still come as quite the shock. Unfortunately, a lot of the things you’ve been taught to do during a power outage can actually be quite dangerous. Read on for things you should never do during a power outage. The post 13 Things You Should Never Do During a Power Outage appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2HbYRiy

Like a lot of relationships, my feelings about Black History Month are complicated. On the one hand, I deeply appreciate the time to intentionally celebrate the brilliant contributions to American culture and history by people who look like me. But while absolutely worthy of celebration, the stories of African American contributions to our culture and history have become repetitive over the years. Harriet Tubman was so brave. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the best orator of all time. George Washington Carver sure was a whiz with peanuts! Year after year, I hear a dutiful recitation of the same familiar facts, so much so that I fear that the result is the mistaken impression that this is sum total of all the African American contributions to history. Confining the history of an entire race of people to a 30-day period not only shortchanges the significance of those contributions, but it also allows the greater truth to be erased. When I ask my African American friends about this, I ofte

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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force -- which sets federal screening standards -- still recommends a starting age of 50 for people at average risk. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/31dcl9e The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force -- which sets federal screening standards -- still recommends a starting age of 50 for people at average risk.

In 2018, 658 women died while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy, and there were 17.4 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/36LjSgT In 2018, 658 women died while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy, and there were 17.4 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

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It's the first time the new virus has spread from one person to another in the United States. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2RFxfur It's the first time the new virus has spread from one person to another in the United States.

A new study warns that strains of bacteria that cause strep throat and "flesh-eating disease" appear close to becoming resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics known as beta-lactams. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/317gziJ A new study warns that strains of bacteria that cause strep throat and "flesh-eating disease" appear close to becoming resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics known as beta-lactams.

The color conundrum We all know that roses are red and violets are blue…but actually, roses can also be blue or pink or orange or even black. And that’s just the beginning. These beautiful flowers come in many different colors, both naturally and with the help of dye. So, which should you choose? It’s not simply about picking the color your love, well, loves. You should also take into consideration what each hue signifies. “Roses are the perfect embodiment of love, but their colors have a different meaning, which can help customers choose the perfect arrangement for their Valentine,” explains Alfred Palomares, Vice President of Merchandising at 1-800Flowers.com . Just in time for the most romantic and rose-centric day of the year, here’s what you need to know so you can send the right rose to the right person. And in case you were wondering, this is why roses are so popular for Valentine’s Day . The post The Real Meaning Behind 15 Rose Colors appeared first on Reader's Digest .

Handwriting is quickly becoming a dying art. Few businesses can run nowadays without computers. Most college students type virtually everything, to the point where the phrase “ writing  a paper” is basically obsolete in the literal sense. Elementary and high schools across the country now view typing courses as essential to their curricula, to say nothing for the fact that cursive  writing is all but gone . But what are we losing as handwriting loses its significance in society? Brain power, according to science. Also, its disappearance is not the only way handwriting has changed in the last 100 years . Researchers from Princeton University and the University of California, Los Angeles conducted a series of studies to demonstrate the differences between students who wrote out their notes and those who typed notes. Participants took notes on a lecture using one of the two methods and were tested on the material 30 minutes after the lecture and again a week later. The results of the r

Why dieters love going to the doctor They’re secretly hoping for an IV full of the condiments they’ve been craving. If these cartoons help you suffer through your diet, these work cartoons can help you through the work week. The post 20 Hilariously Real Cartoons Anyone on a Diet Will Appreciate appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2nh3i3p

Secrets of the Academy We think of the Oscars as the height of filmmaking achievement, and in many cases, it does reflect the best work of the entertainment industry. But there’s also a lot of behind-the-scenes schmoozing that goes into scoring Oscar nominations and wins—not to mention that the Academy members themselves may not be as qualified as you think they are to judge the top awards in film. Criticism of Oscar choices isn’t new, but it seems to be on the rise as many of the movies selected are either too commercial, too obscure, or too conventional for the general public to really understand why they were picked. Let’s take an inside look at the members and why they choose the movies they do. Once you’re up to speed, check out these other things you didn’t know about the Academy Awards . The post What Hollywood Insiders Won’t Tell You About the Academy Awards appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/3aXZkFg

The Super Bowl comes around every year, and while your focus is on making the best appetizers for your party, the city hosting the two best teams is making sure that every requirement is met to keep the National Football League happy. In 2013, a newspaper reporter uncovered the NFL’s Host City Specifications and Requirements , a confidential 153-page list of the league’s demands for any city bidding to host an upcoming Super Bowl. While the list is outdated, and there have been no new leaks to prove the NFL still requires these things, it was once a list of legitimate demands and some of them are too good not to share. You’ll also want to read up on these crazy Super Bowl facts you probably don’t know about. Here are some of the most ridiculous requirements on the list: Tee time: The league requires exclusive access to three top quality, 18-hole area golf courses (at no cost) so it can host a tournament on Super Bowl weekend. Bowled over: The NFL also requests the use of two “top

Catch up on those nominated movies and start making plans for the ultimate viewing party because the Academy Awards are almost upon us…or wait, should we have said the Oscars? Either is fine, actually, and you can pretty much use the terms interchangeably. It wasn’t always that way, though—not officially, anyway. Here’s how the Academy Awards came to be known as the Oscars and how Oscar himself earned his distinctive moniker. The show gets a makeover (in name only) The Academy Awards ceremony has officially been known as the Oscars since 2013. That’s when producers rebranded the broadcast with the shorter name , a reference to the iconic golden statuette, to get away from the longer title. Previously, the live telecasts were termed according to their year, such as the 85th, 89th, or 92nd annual Academy Awards, which showrunner Neil Moran said at the time “keeps it mired in a somewhat musty way.” The shorter, sleeker title places the coveted golden Oscar statuette front and center. Af

Celebrated during the shortest month of the year, Black History Month is a way for the United States to honor the achievements of Black people and their contributions to American society and culture. While strides have been made to rectify the wrongs of slavery and Jim Crow , equality is still elusive for Black people in today’s America. So, while February should be a time to salute Black excellence, it should also be a time to recognize the discrimination Black people continue to face and the work that needs to be done in order to achieve true equality. The racial wealth gap keeps growing Despite the growing U.S. economy , the racial wealth gap persists and is mostly fueled by the racial income gap. The Economic Policy Institute reported in 2018 that Black men were paid 69.70 cents on the white male dollar  and Black women only 60.80 cents on the white male dollar. To make matters even worse, the institute’s 2018 State of Working America Wages report revealed that the wages of white