The Lyrids meteor shower will peak this year on the night of April 21-22. If you know me, you know I am a skywatcher. I typically love anything about space. I will pull out the telescope to watch the Space Station fly over, eclipses, meteor showers, and other sky phenomenon. Here are five (5) fun facts about the Lyrids: Ancient Observations: The Lyrid meteor shower is one of the oldest known meteor showers, with records of its observations dating back over 2,600 years. Chinese astronomers recorded the Lyrids in 687 BC. Origin: The Lyrid meteor shower is caused by the Read More
Category: Fun Facts Fridays
Friday Fun Facts: Total Eclipse Crossroads
Total solar eclipses do not happen often, but did you know that the city of Carbondale, Illinois, is beloved as the Total Eclipse Crossroads of America? Carbondale is the largest city (around 25,000 in population) within the ‘X’, where the 2017 and 2024 solar eclipses cross paths. The geographic center is a small village just south of Carbondale, known as Makanda. During the total solar eclipse, on Monday, April 8th, Carbondale will see four minutes and nine seconds of totality — which is double what occurred on August 21, 2017. Check out the map below. ‘X’ marks the spot. Regardless Read More
Easter Dinner: Top Five Choices
The traditional Easter dinner can vary significantly depending on cultural, regional, and personal preferences. However, there are some common dishes and foods associated with Easter celebrations in various parts of the world. Here are the top five. What are you having for Easter dinner? Roast Lamb is a common feature on Easter tables in many cultures. This tradition stems from the symbolism of the lamb as a representation of Jesus Christ, often referred to as the “Lamb of God” in Christian theology. Lamb is not a favorite of mine. We are having ham and turkey. Ham is a popular Easter Read More
Fun Facts Friday: Bible Thieves
Here is an interesting fact. The Bible is not only the most read and most popular book, it’s the most stolen book. Some bookstore owners claim that the Bible is the most shoplifted book on their shelves! The Word of God is free to all, so there is no need to steal it. You can get scriptures on the internet, on radio, and on television at no cost. It’s also ironic that the book that tells you not to steal is the most stolen.
Fun Facts Friday: The Color Green
The color green is associated with many things, including growth, money, nature, and St. Patrick’s Day. As I pondered a topic for fun facts Friday, I kept coming back to the color green. God chose this color to represent growth. As I sit looking out my window, I can see green grass and the trees, and all of my plants are starting to turn green. In nature, the color green is often associated with nature, renewal, and growth, symbolizing the vitality and fertility of the natural world. This association with growth and renewal can also extend to personal growth, development, Read More
Fun Facts Friday: March?
Here are some fun facts about the month of March. Did you know? March used to be the first month of the year (if you were born before 150 B.C.). According to the oldest Roman calendars, one year was ten months long, beginning in March and ending in December. You can still see traces of this old month-naming system in our modern calendar. Let’s take a look at December, which was the tenth month; it was named for the number ten in Latin (decem), just like September, which was named for seven (septem). January and February were just two nameless Read More
tailored to align 
