Will Planet Nine Take Pluto’s Place As The Ninth Planet?

Planet Nine is 56 billion miles from the sun [Image courtesy Wikipedia]

Back when I was in school, our solar system had nine planets. Students learned the planets’ order from the sun with the mnemonic, “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas,” for Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Alas, Pluto’s been demoted and is now characterized as a dwarf planet. But recent scientific research edges closer to adding back a ninth planet, a heavenly body currently known as Planet Nine.

What’s A Planet?

While lots of objects appear in space, they cannot be planets unless they meet a definition adopted by the International Astronomical Union (“IAU”). This definition contains three requirements to attain planet status:

• It must orbit a star. In our solar system, that’s the Sun.
• It must be big enough to be forced by gravity into a sphere. (Take note, Flat Earthers. Earth can’t be a planet unless it’s round.)
• It must be big enough for its gravity to clear away other objects in its neighborhood of a similar size.

The adoption of this definition in 2006 brought the death knell for Pluto as a planet. It failed to meet the third requirement. Pluto wasn’t tidy enough in its planetary neighborhood, so it got booted from the planet community, now existing as merely a dwarf planet.

Pluto’s been downgraded to a dwarf planet [Photo by NASA on Unsplash]

Possible New Planet?

Could a new planet be orbiting the Sun out in space somewhere? The best answer at this point is possibly, but no one’s seen it–YET. Seeing the planet before scientists give a definitive yes is an important goal. Historically, physical evidence has been involved to identify a planet. The five planets known to the Greeks (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter) were visible to the naked eye, and astronomers have pictures of Neptune and Uranus. Seeing is believing, so photographs and eyes on a new planet through a telescope is much stronger than scientific calculations and statistical evidence the ordinary stargazer can’t understand.

But seeing something billions (that’s billions with a “b”) miles from Earth is a challenging task, especially when that planet’s exact location is unknown. Help could be on the way in the form of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory which is currently under construction on a mountain top in northern Chile. Set to become operational in 2025, the facility will boast the largest digital camera ever made for astronomy. How big is big? 6,200 pounds and the size of a small car big.

When operational, the Rubin Observatory’s massive camera may locate Planet Nine [Credit Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA/O. Ri]

Why Do Scientists Think A Planet’s Out There?

The idea of another planet existing in our solar system’s outer regions was first suggested in 2014. The unusual orbits of Trans-Neptune Objects (“TNOs”) gave rise to talk of another planet, dubbed Planet Nine. TNOs are farther from the sun than Neptune and have more elongated orbits unaffected by interactions with any known planets. A group of TNOs bunched together with similar orbits pointed to the existence of a massive object (like a planet!) shepherding them.

A team at the California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”) began investigating the possible existence of another planet. Computer simulations required a gravitational kick to explain how bits or rock and ice around Neptune’s orbit ended up close to the Sun. Planet Nine served as the best explanation of these objects’ orbits. Caltech astronomer Mike Brown used archives of data from surveys of the night sky to hunt for this mysterious planet. Brown offered an understandable (to non-scientists), interesting, and humorous explanation of the Planet Nine situation in a TED Talk. (Check it out at https://youtu.be/2UZKME9WP9M.)

What’s Known About Planet Nine?

Much is unknown about Planet Nine (such as its location), but scientists can tell us what they believe based on their work. First, its mass is 5 to 10 times Earth’s, and its radius is 2 to 4 times bigger than Earth’s. Clearly, then, Planet Nine larger than puny Pluto. Second, the planet’s orbit around the sun is elliptical and takes over 10,000 years to complete. (That’s one LOOOOONG year!)

If Planet Nine’s existence is confirmed, it will receive an official name (hopefully a different, more creative one than Planet Nine) from IAU, the organization authorized to name objects in our solar system. What will that name be? Well, other than Earth, all the planets’ names come from Greek and Roman mythology. If that trend continues, it would be nice if the name begins with a “P” so those of us who learned the MVEMJSUNP mnemonic can continue to use it.

Planets As News

Even those of us who don’t have degrees in a scientific field can appreciate news about space. Scientists are always learning something to pass along to us like the possible existence of another planet. Who’s to say there aren’t more planets beyond Planet Nine?

News on scientific discoveries in the heavens continues to awe us about our universe. It also teaches us how little we really know and that we should not to be surprised when what we have learned changes, like the number of planets. Pluto, you’re missed in the planetary lineup. Looking forward to meeting you, Planet Nine!

WONDER-ing Woman:

Do you believe our solar system contains undiscovered planets besides Planet Nine? If Planet Nine is confirmed as a planet, what name would you suggest giving it? If you learned Pluto was a planet when you were in school, were you sad to see it downgraded to a dwarf planet?

Off To The Races! Spooked Military Horses Dash Through London

While people expect horses to run for the roses Saturday May 4th at the Kentucky Derby, no one was prepared for terrified military mounts dashing down the streets of London on Wednesday April 24th. When a routine exercise for the horses went awry, chaos reigned as police chased after a handful of beasts fleeing a startling noise. What’s the scoop on this horse havoc?

The Household Cavalry

The escaped equines belong to the Household Cavalry, a senior regiment in the British Army which is the ceremonial guard of the monarch. This military unit plays a leading role in all major state occasions by providing the Sovereign’s Escort. For example, it took part in Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and the coronation of the current king, King Charles III.

Having horses as part of the sovereign’s guard is nothing new. The Royal Horse Guards date back to 1650, before the United States even came into being. Both Prince William, the current heir to the throne, and Prince Harry, the renegade royal now residing in California, served in the Household Cavalry. In fact, Prince Harry wore a frockcoat uniform of the Household Cavalry for his wedding to Meghan Markle.

Prince Harry sported a Household Cavalry uniform for his wedding

The two princes were members of the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry, but the military mounts romping through central London come under the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR). These horses, as well as those who had been riding them, are based at Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge, London.

Morning Mayhem

Wednesday April 24th started off like all other days for the HCMR. The regiment’s commanding officer relates that some 150 horses are exercised every morning on the roads and in the parks to keep the horses in shape and to get them used to the surroundings and noise. And this particular morning, a small group of horses and riders were conducting an extended exercise for an upcoming military parade in a swanky neighborhood just west of Buckingham Palace. But the exercise locale was not so swanky as to preclude ongoing construction.

Building materials at a construction site fell from a height and landed next to the horses. This unexpected development combined with the loud noise of falling concrete spooked five of the horses. One horse attempted to bolt but couldn’t break free. Four other horses, Vida, Trojan, Quaker, and Tennyson, took off in alarm and were on the loose in central London.

The Chase

Around 8:40 am the London Police received notification of horses gone wild, and a chase began. The galloping horses ran on main roads and hit vehicles in their way. Video of two of the horses running together, Vida a white horse and Trojan a black horse, has gone viral. Trojan sideswiped a taxi in his way when the animal ran through a red light and into oncoming traffic. The taxi’s windows were shattered. Another horse crashed into a tour bus smashing its windshield. (Talk about an exciting tour!)

Police at last managed to restrain the horses and tied them to a fence seven miles away from where their adventure began. Two horses were covered with cuts and dripping blood. They were also shaking and drenched in sweat. While awaiting veterinary care, the police officers used all the bandages they had to tend to the injured and anxious horses.

Medical Care

Both humans and horses needed medical attention as a result of this “extremely rare” incident. Three soldiers were thrown off their horses, and four people were taken to the hospital where they received treatment. Two of the horses were in “relatively serious condition” when captured and required surgery. One horse, Quaker, was transferred to an equine hospital for specialist care. Vida, the white horse in videos of the incident, is now back to her stable. It isn’t known if all the injured horses will be able to return to regular duty.

Horses And Noise

To no one’s surprise, horses are afraid of sudden noises like the falling concrete in London. Although the reactions to something frightening can vary, running away from it is a common one. These military horses chose flight over fight.

How then, did the poor horses involved in actual infantry battles handle the noise? Training was necessary to get horses acclimated to disturbing sounds. In some instances, soldiers would fire weapons around feeding time. The horses came to associate the gunfire with being fed and wouldn’t panic. (They’d look around for horse chow, I suppose.) While that may work to some extent, anyone who has witnessed the battle scenes in the movie “Napoleon” sees chaos, sudden movements, and shouting (or groaning) may also disturb the animals.

Horses were widely used in combat during the Napoleonic Wars

Post-Mortem

While thankfully no horses or humans died during this “horses on the loose in a big city” incident, the scene could reasonably be expected to occur again. Lots of loud noises fill the city air like jackhammers, honking vehicle horns, sirens, etc. Although it’s impossible to prepare for every possibility, the Household Cavalry seems to have things well in hand by regularly exercising their animal members on the streets where they will go as part of their duties. Meanwhile, let’s pray no scary noise whispers in the horse’s ear “Hi, ho (horse name), away!”

WONDER-ing Woman:

Do large animals and city noise seem like a good fit? Are the days for cavalry units over? Why or why not? What’s the upside to having horses in a military parade?

EEEW! Startling Amount of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste Not Recycled

[Image by Tung Lam from Pixabay]

Earth Day 2024, celebrated April 22nd, is in the rearview mirror. Some celebrants got into the spirit by picking up trash, planting a tree, or encouraging others to recycle their plastics. Unfortunately, a mind-boggling amount of things which could be recycled aren’t. A UN report released in March put the lack of recycling of electrical and electronic equipment waste (“EEEW”) in the spotlight with startling data.

What’s The Problem?

In 2022, the world faced dealing with136.6 billion (that’s billion with a “b”) pounds of EEEW. Having a hard time getting a concept of this amount of discarded equipment? Experts indicate it’s enough to fill 40-metric-ton trucks placed bumper to bumper spanning Earth’s equator. Yikes!

The Problem’s Growing

As if the quantity of discarded equipment on Earth isn’t disturbing enough, there’s more to consider or, perhaps more accurately, worry about. According to the UN, humans generate an estimated additional 5.7 billion pounds each year, and recycling isn’t handling all that waste. In fact, the amount of EEEW is rising five times faster than those items are being recycled. Even worse? The amount of recycling of this type of waste is actually decreasing. In 2022 that process decreased 22.3% and is predicted to drop to 20% by 2030.

EEEW And Its Types

Since EEEW is one of the world’s fastest growing waste streams, it’s helpful to understand what it is and the types of such waste. Any discarded product with a plug or battery constitutes EEEW. Small items like toasters make up the biggest percentage of this waste. Although larger in size, solar panels contribute the least to discarded equipment.

Discarded solar panels become EEEW [Image by Adolfo Cj from Pixabay]

Six categories exist for EEEW:

• Temperature exchange equipment (cooling and freezing equipment);
• Monitors and screens;
• Lamps (ex. LED lights);
• Small equipment: calculators, microwaves, toasters, vacuum cleaners, and electric shavers;
• Large equipment: washers, dryers, dishwashers, and big copy machines; and
• Small IT/telecommunications equipment: mobile phones, PC’s, and GPS’s.

This EEEW stream is one of the most complex waste streams as the collection process and recycling technology differs for each category. Recycling EEEW is thus much more complicated than conventional waste recycling. The fact some devices are not designed for recycling, such as smartphones without removable batteries, further complicates the situation.

Where Is This Waste?

EEEW can be found worldwide, even in less developed countries. Why such wide distribution? More than 1.1 billion (that’s billion with a “b”) pounds of EEEW is shipped between countries annually. Much of this movement flows from high-income countries to lower income ones. And, according to one study, only 81 of 193 countries reviewed have adopted regulations, laws, or policies regarding EEEW.

Danger! Danger!

Lack of recycling of EEEW can lead to serious consequences because this waste contains toxic materials such as lead, cadmium, and beryllium. If these materials corrode or are exposed to strong UV radiation, they can seep into the soil, be released into the atmosphere, and flow into nearby bodies of water. Where the waste contains a hazardous substance like mercury, damage to the human brain and the human coordination system can result. When items such as monitors and screens are burned, the flame retardants in them can be inhaled. So failure to recycle EEEW poses a public health risk.

And in other bad news, equipment such as refrigerators, freezers, and AC systems may release chemicals into the air when they are disposed of rather than recycled. These chemicals thin the ozone layer, contributing to climate change and increased UV exposure. Thus, failure to recycle EEEW poses an environmental risk.

Failure to recycle EEEW is a worldwide problem [Image courtesy of Pixabay]

Economic Benefit

Besides avoiding public health and environmental risks, recycling EEEW offers economic benefits. How so? Some materials used in this equipment are nonrenewable resources. Take the chemical element lithium (or Li for scientific types) for example, which rechargeable batteries and electric vehicles (EV’s) contain. Lithium’s cost has risen due because of increased demand. But recycling of EEEW which contains it provides an additional supply. And with a greater supply, the price decreases. (Ta da! Economic benefit!)

What You Can Do With EEEW

What should you do when it’s time to discard EEEW, like an refrigerator or computer? The first step is what NOT to do. Do NOT simply toss it in the trash. But you can’t keep discarded equipment in your house or yard, so how do you get rid of it?

Some governmental or private organizations offer services to collect EEEW for recycling. Research that availability in your local area and determine whether the resource will pick up the waste or you are required to drop it off. A good place to start your research is Earth 911 which offers a database or recycling resources. Check it out at: https://search.earth911.com/?utm_source=earth911-header.

Other possibilities for EEEW recycling include big box stores and tech companies. Best Buy allows customers to bring in aging equipment purchased from them into certain stores. The company will in turn send the equipment turned in to its recycling partners. Similarly, Apple and Dell will accept their old devices back for recycling.

Forever Earth Day

Taking care of our Earth and recycling are not activities that can be limited to one day. We have only one Earth, so every day is the time to do something about its condition. While you may not discard EEEW every day, be sure to handle it responsibly when you do. With billions (spelled with a “b”) of pounds of it piling up annually, lets not compound an already worrisome situation. Instead of adding to the waste, let’s not waste the information learned in this post and recycle our EEEW. Your Earth’s life may depend on it!

WONDER-ing Woman:

Do you think of electronic equipment as recyclable? Isn’t transporting EEEW to another country simply kicking the can down the road? If you recycle cans and plastics, shouldn’t you recycle EEEW as well? Are there any good reasons for NOT recycling EEEW?

Castaways In Pacific Paradise Not A Sitcom Situation

Palm fronds spelling “HELP” on Pikelot Atoll caught rescuers’ attention [Photo courtesy of USCG]

“Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip.” No, it’s not “Gilligan’s Island,” but it does involve castaways on a deserted island in the Pacific. Three experienced sailors found themselves stranded on a remote island with a dead radio. Thanks to their resourcefulness and military cooperation, a rescue resulted with a surprising twist.

The Stranding

On March 31st (Easter Sunday), three relatives, all men in their 40’s and experienced sailors, left for a fishing trip. Their point of departure was Polowat Atoll in Micronesia with their destination being the waters around Pikelot Atoll, 100 nautical miles away. For those non-sailors (raising my hand), a nautical mile is equivalent to 1.1508 land miles.

Aerial View of Pikelot Atoll [Photo Courtesy of USCG]

Unfortunately, the men’s 20-foot open skiff became caught in the swells off Pikelot. Their boat was damaged and the onboard motor didn’t work. Bottom line? Their vessel was non-operational. The men made it safely to the coral island, but they had no way to return home. They were stranded! And, to add to their predicament, their radio battery ran out of power before they could call for help. (Oops!)

The Location

Pikelot Atoll, where the men ended up stranded, is a 31-acre island with no permanent inhabitants. Located some 415 south of Guam, it’s occasionally used for fishing or hunting by those living in the region. The designation of atoll means Pikelot is a ring-shaped coral island with a reef surrounding a lagoon.

The atolls in this news story are a part of the Federated States of Micronesia, Micronesia for short. That nation consists of over 600 islands scattered over a vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean–some 2.5 million kilometers to be exact.

Micronesia covers a vast area in the Pacific south of Guam.

What To Do?

While the castaways may not have seen the movie “The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy,” they adhered to one of the lines from it, “Don’t panic.” The men were not going to starve as they had coconut meat to eat. They were not going to die of thirst as there was a small well on the island for use by fishermen. But they did need to draw attention to their plight.

The idea likely struck them as they looked at the beautiful palm trees swaying in the island breeze. Why not craft a huge message on the white sand beach with palm branches? And so, with the fronds, they proceeded to spell out the word “HELP” large enough to be seen from the air.

The Search

Meanwhile, back at home, the men’s niece became concerned when they didn’t return from their fishing trip. On April 6th she contacted the rescue center in Guam to report them missing. And the US military jumped into action. The US Coast Guard and the US Navy immediately launched a joint search and rescue operation. Their search spanned 78,000 square nautical miles. (Doesn’t this mission sound like looking for needles in a haystack?)

The next day, a US Navy plane from Kadena Air Base in Japan involved in the aerial search spotted the “HELP” sign on the beach. According to the mission coordinator, this sign was a crucial factor in the rescue operation. Survival packets were dropped to the men on Pikelot while they awaited pickup from a US Coast Guard cutter. A radio was subsequently dropped to the men, allowing the military to confirm they were fine. (Well, as fine as one could be stranded on a remote, uninhabited island with no way off.)

The Rescue

RD, or Rescue Day, occurred April 9th, after the men had been on Pikelot Atoll for about a week. (That’s a much quicker rescue than “Gilligan’s Island” in which the seven castaways remained stranded over three years and 98 episodes on TV and were still there when the show was cancelled.) To the men’s delight, the US Coast Guard arrived to take them off the island. But a big surprise was in store for both the rescuers and the rescued.

The first rescuer on the beach, Petty Officer 2nd Class Eugene Halishlius, was Micronesian and spoke the local language. This turn of events no doubt comforted the stranded men. But wait, there’s more! To everyone’s amazement, all learned that the Coast Guard member and the men were distantly related–3rd or 4th cousins. So, the Coast Guard’s appearance led to a rescue as well as a family reunion. Thankfully, the stranding concluded with a very happy ending.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Halishius [Photo USCG]

The Takeaway

Not only were the stranded men taken away from Pikelot Atoll, but there’s a takeaway for readers from this story. Whether or not you are an experienced sailor, be sure to have a EPIRB with you when you’re out boating (especially in remote areas as the Micronesian men learned the hard way). What’s an EPIRB? As I found out from researching for this post, it’s an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. Don’t leave home port without one! And it wouldn’t hurt make sure your fellow boaters aren’t bumblers like poor Gilligan.

WONDER-ing Woman:

Are you a fan of “Gilligan’s Island”? How does this situation differ from the sitcom? Were you aware of the vast area Micronesia covers? How might the men have fared if Pikelot didn’t have a well? Have you heard of an EPIRB before?

Will Goat Adoption Save An Italian Island From Being Paradise Lost?

Aerial view of Italian island of Alicudi [Courtesy of Wikipedia]

What paradise it must be to live on an Italian island. But for the island of Alicudi, the paradise is imperiled by invaders–destructive four-legged ones who breed prolifically. Who are these invaders? They are wild goats taking over the small island where they live. What are island residents to do? Why not reduce the goat population by having the animals “adopted” and removed by their new owners? Let’s look into this situation that’s proverbially getting the residents’ goat.

Where’s Alicudi?

If you’re like I am, you’ve probably never heard of Alicudi. And there’s a good reason for that. It’s a remote island no bigger than 2 square miles with 100 residents, human ones that is.

The cone-shaped island is one of seven inhabited islands making up the Aeolian Archipelago, a volcanic island chain. Apparently someone has heard of this place because the group of islands has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In full disclosure, I hadn’t heard of the archipelago either. But I have heard of Sicily. The volcanic islands in the archipelago are located north of Sicily, home to the famous volcano, Mt. Etna. But Sicily’s not all that close. It’s a two to three hour boat ride from there to Alicudi.

This volcanic island with rugged mountains and cliffs is a place to get away from it all, but Alicudi’s not all that modern. No roads exist and goods are carried by donkeys. Most residents live off of fishing or small agriculture. Nevertheless, the island serves as a tourist attraction for those wanting to see a dormant volcano and the resident goats.

The Aeolian Islands lie north of Sicily [Digital artwork courtesy of Peter Hermes Furian]

The Goats of Alicudi

If Alicudi is so remote, how did goats come to live there? Apparently a farmer brought them to the island some 20 years because goats provide milk and meat as well as vegetation control. However, the farmer subsequently released his animals. And don’t think this turn of events was bad for the goats. They are thriving with a population over 600, six times that of the human residents of Alicudi.

The goats love their island home, which is perfect for them. Mountains are the habitat for wild goats who are agile and known for their climbing and balancing ability in precarious places. Thus, the Alicudi goats feel quite comfortable with the island’s steep landscape.

Wild goats are adept at climbing and balancing in their mountain habitat.

Herbivores, wild goats graze on mountains and and cliffs which cover Alicudi. The heather growing on the island’s slopes may be particularly mouthwatering to them.

So what’s the problem with the goats then? With a great increase in their population, they have become a nuisance. Apparently there’s not enough vegetation or room for all of them up on the mountains, so they’ve invaded residential areas. The goats have damaged the gardens of human residents, knocked down stone walls, entered people’s homes, and become a threat to vegetation.

There’s a goat population explosion on Alicudi with goat’s invading residential areas [Photo courtesy of Mayor Riccardo Gullo.]

Goat Population Control Plan

Local authorities, led by Mayor Riccardo Gullo, recognize the problem and aim to reduce the goat population to 100. That number is the equivalent of one goat for each resident.

How will this reduction occur? Alicudi launched an “Adopt A Goat” program. What does it cost to adopt an Alicudi goat? NOTHING. The island is giving its goats away. Normally, goats go for about $217 each, but Alicudi is offering them free to those who’ll take them. And anyone can adopt a goat or 50 (the limit per person). You don’t have to be a farmer to receive an adoptive placement. Sadly, the application deadline was April 10th, so the window to apply is now closed.

Just giving away goats for free? Certainly there’s a catch. Yes, indeed there is. The catch is that the person adopting has to catch the goats and make the arrangements to get them off the island. (Hope those goats don’t get seasick on a boat ride…)

Hopefully, enough applicants will step up to eradicate the goat overpopulation on Alicudi with the current plan. Reportedly a farmer on the nearby island of Vulcano wants some of the goats as their milk would help with his production of cheese. Perhaps others have productive uses for the goats as well.

The mayor is an animal lover, and he wants to avoid having to kill the goats. However, drastic times call for drastic measures. Perhaps the island’s restaurants could offer goat dishes to tourists and locals alike rather than the staple fishermen’s catch if the adoption plan doesn’t work.

Gone Goats

The Alicudi goats’ predicament makes for an interesting news story, a chance to learn some geography, and the opportunity to handle the situation in a no-kill manner. While I am an animal lover, goats aren’t my thing. Clearly, no one wants paradise lost on Alicudi because of nuisance goats. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t want the Alicudi goats killed simply to achieve population control. I applaud the humane plan the island residents have adopted. If it doesn’t succeed, it will really get my goat that no one got the Alicudi goats off the island.

WONDER-ing Woman:

Have you ever heard of Alicudci or the Aeolian Islands before? Is Alicudi a tourist spot you’d consider? Why or why not? Is the Adopt A Goat program a good plan to address the overpopulation of wild goats? If not, what would you suggest be done?

New York Inmates Sue: Precluding Eclipse Viewing Eclipses Constitutional Rights

The wheels of justice grind slowly since everyone sues about everything these days, including the right to watch an eclipse. Six New York inmates have added to the crowded court docket with a claim that their constitutional rights are being violated because they won’t be allowed outside at their correctional facility to view the phenomenon. Let’s get out of the dark and shed some light on this highly creative legal move.

Here Comes The Eclipse!

A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8th. Certain areas of the US, including parts of New York, are in the path where totality can be seen. Others may see only a partial eclipse.

This type of eclipse won’t occur again until 2044. Thus, it’s now or never for some to see such an event.

No Outside Viewing For Inmates

Hearing “ka-ching” in this situation is the State of New York. It’s urging visitors to come and view the first total solar eclipse visible there in about a century. (And spend some money at our hotels, restaurants, bars, and gift shops while you’re at it…)

Inmates, however, are being treated differently. New York plans to lock down its prisons during the eclipse. Incarcerated won’t be allowed to go out into the prison yard to have a looksee. They’ll be confined to their housing units then.

Legal Pushback

Shockingly (not!), certain inmates don’t see eye to eye with the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (“DOCCS”) regarding its eclipse day operations. What’s an aggrieved inmate to do? File a lawsuit, of course!

Six inmates from Woodbourne Correctional Facility filed suit in federal court in upstate New York (the US District Court for the Northern District of New York) on Friday, March 29th. Instead of using jailhouse lawyers, they’re represented by a New York City-based law firm with hundreds of lawyers. (Not sure what inmates can afford for legal representation, but certainly the law firm will get publicity for handling the case.)

Constitutional Rights?

Other than not getting to do what they want, what’s the basis for a federal lawsuit about being denied access to view an eclipse? The plaintiffs (fancy legal term for parties who file the lawsuit) claim their constitutional rights will be violated if they aren’t allowed to watch the eclipse.

These men (actually their lawyers who wrote the complaint) allege DOCCS’ lockdown violates their constitutional right to practice their faith by taking part in a “religiously significant event.” And such an auspicious event calls for “gathering, celebration, worship, and prayer.” (Apparently my church is out of the loop since it hasn’t scheduled any observance for that day.) Further, the complaint states the eclipse is a religious event plaintiffs must witness and reflect upon as part of their faiths.

So that the judge understands the great religious significance of the solar eclipse, the complaint helpfully provides context. A similar event is recounted in the Bible at Jesus’ crucifixion, and Muslim writings also describe this natural phenomenon when Prophet Mohammed’s son Ibrahim died. Corrections officials had been unimpressed with this information and noted the eclipse wasn’t listed as a holy day for plaintiffs’ religions. (Not celebrated by any church I’ve ever attended in my life either.)

The Plaintiffs

Just who are the men bringing this federal lawsuit? They’re all incarcerated at Woodbourne Correctional facility, aptly situated on Prison Road in Sullivan County, New York. Opened in 1993 with a capacity of 849, it’s for medium security male offenders with sentences up to life. Woodbourne’s claim to fame (before this lawsuit anyway) is that actor Tony Sirico of “The Sopranos” served time there in his younger, pre-fame days.

Woodbourne Correctional Facility [Courtesy of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=124363777]

The six plaintiffs hold varying religious beliefs. One’s Baptist, one’s Muslim, one’s Seventh Day Adventist, two practice Santeria, and one’s an atheist. To have a right to religious practice violated, one must have a religion. Does the atheist plaintiff even have standing to sue? Is atheism, which is defined as an absence of belief in deities, a religion? The atheist plaintiff claims gathering to celebrate science and reason is a central part of his belief. But, according to the American Atheists’ website, “Atheism is not a belief system nor is it a religion.”

One thing we can say about the 40 year old atheist plaintiff is that he believes in litigation. In 2011 he sued federal probation officials who wouldn’t allow him to decorate his house for Halloween.

Reasonable Action By DOCSS?

Twenty-three of DOCCS’ facilities will experience total darkness during the eclipse. Woodbourne isn’t one of them, but it’s in an area where a partial eclipse can be seen.

A memo set out DOCCS’ procedures for April 8th. A holiday schedule will be observed with no visitation allowed and inmates confined to housing units in lieu of outdoor recreation time. Nevertheless, special sunglasses for viewing will be purchased for staff and prisoners who can view the event from workstations and housing units.

Special eclipse-viewing glasses are required to prevent damage to the eyes

So, the inmates aren’t being precluded from seeing the eclipse. They simply can’t go outside to experience it. Having hundreds of inmates in the prison yard in partial darkness would be a logistical and safety nightmare.

DOCSS’ decision as to how to handle its facilities for eclipse day seems reasonable. Can’t one marvel at the eclipse from a window (with appropriate eyewear, of course) or on TV? This solution strikes a balance between the inmate’s desire to see the natural phenomenon (whether religious based or not) and the facility’s duty to maintain order and security (and protect the public from escapes in the dark/partial dark).

Court Ruling

Whatever the court rules, its decision must be made quickly. The case can’t drag on in the legal system for months because the eclipse is happening Monday regardless of whether the issue’s been resolved. Perhaps viewing the eclipse by whatever method and from whatever location will inspire all who see it to think more about God’s amazing creation and less about disputes and legal wrangling.

WONDER-ing Woman:

If you were the judge, would you rule the inmates’ constitutional rights were being violated? Why or why not? Do you plan to watch the eclipse? Have you seen one before?

There’s Cougars In Them Thar Hills – California Mountain Lion Attack

Mark Twain’s famous quote “There’s gold in them thar hills” relates to the 1849 California Gold Rush. Fast forward to today, and folks aren’t rushing to the Golden State in search of gold. Instead, a mountain lion recently rushed to attack humans in those very same hills prospectors previously frequented. Let’s let the (big) cat out of the bag and learn about this fatal incident and the animal that perpetrated the violence.

California CATastrophe

On Saturday March 23rd, brothers Taylen Brooks (age 21) and Wyatt Brooks (age 18) set out for a fun day of antler shed hunting in a remote area of northern California. For those ignorant of this activity (raising my hand), it involves collecting antlers which have naturally fallen off deer, elk, or like animals. No wildlife is killed to obtain the desired head ornaments.

As they hiked along, the Brooks brothers (no relation to the fashion folks) spotted a mountain lion along the edge of a dirt road. They reacted just as they’d been taught growing up. Raising their hands to appear bigger, the two shouted and threw a backpack at the animal in an attempt to scare it away.

These efforts failed, and the big cat charged them, taking down the younger brother by his face. Wyatt wrestled with his attacker and finally managed to get free from its grasp. The mountain lion then turned its attention to Taylen, charging him and biting him in the throat.

Despite traumatic injuries to his face, Wyatt kept his wits about him and managed to call 911. Reporting the attack just after 1:00 p.m., the teenager advised he’d become separated from his brother during the incident.

To The Rescue

First responders rushed to the scene where they found the mountain lion crouched next to Taylen’s body. Their shots spurred the attacker to run off. Unfortunately, the rescue teams then determined Taylen was already dead. Wyatt, however, was taken to the hospital where he has undergone multiple surgeries for his injuries.

With a dangerous animal loose, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife authorized a professional trapper to hunt it. This trapper located the mountain lion in a tree not far from the site of the mauling. He euthanized (fancy word for “killed”) the attacker, a healthy (but not very friendly) 90 pound male.

Site Of The Attack

The deadly incident occurred in El Dorado County, California, which consists of rolling hills and mountainous terrain. The entire county, situated not far from Sacramento, is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Lake Tahoe rests at the county’s eastern end. Sounds like a beautiful setting for an ugly attack.

The name El Dorado is associated with the legend of a gold city, kingdom, or empire somewhere in the Americas. And fittingly, a discovery made in that very area in 1848 sparked the gold rush. Unfortunately, the only gold in the current story may be the color of the attacker’s fur.

Anomalous Attack

Mountain lion attacks make big news because they are uncommon. The reclusive large cats mostly stay away from people. The last deadly mountain lion attack in California occurred back in 1994 in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. A competitive cyclist in an Orange County wilderness park lost his life from this close encounter of the terrestrial (and terrifying) kind.

What’s A Mountain Lion?

Who are the perpetrators of these fatal attacks? Mountain lions are large cats native to the Americas. They inhabit every mainland country in North, Central, and South America. These animals hold the distinction of being the most widely distributed large, wild, land mammal in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most widespread on Earth. (“They’re everywhere! They’re everywhere!”)

Although I wouldn’t call it “Kitty, Kitty,” the mountain lion does go by several names. In fact, it holds the Guinness world record for the animal with the greatest amount of them, including over forty in English alone. Puma’s the name used in Latin America and Europe. It’s called a mountain lion in the Western US and Canada. Other names for the feline family member are cougar, panther, and catamount (“cat of the mountains”).

The fourth largest cat species worldwide, the mountain lion usually weighs between 75-175 pounds. Grown adults can stand as tall as 30″ and measure up to 8 feet in length. This big cat is solitary in nature with only mothers and kittens living in groups.

The mountain lion (or catamount or puma or panther or cougar–take your pick) mostly feeds on deer. Its powerful neck and jaw enable the animal to hold large prey. As an ambush predator, this cat stalks its prey and delivers a characteristic neck bite. Perhaps the recent attack in California was precipitated by antlers the brothers had collected. The cougar may have associated the smell of prey with the humans and instinctively attacked.

Great leaping ability is another characteristic of the mountain lion. Indigenous peoples of America admired the cat’s grace and power. Reportedly, the Inca city of Cuzco was designed in the shape of a cougar in tribute to the animal. Another reason to admire the large feline? It’s still around while the Incas aren’t.

Mountain Lion Musing

Although I’m a cat lover and owner of a house cat (or fur baby as I call her), I don’t relish the idea of an encounter with a mountain lion. Nor do I like the idea of becoming the wild animal’s kitty treat or cat toy. But, from a distance, I’m in awe of this wonderful creature which has been around for centuries, flourishes in various areas, and fends for itself. No need to fill a bowl with cat food for a cougar. Humans must, however, be aware of and careful with their presence. Perhaps “Beware of Cats” signs should be posted in wilderness areas man might visit to warn of possible feline danger ahead. It’s a big cat kills human world out there.

WONDER-ing Woman:

What name do you prefer for this big cat? What, if anything, could be done to lower the risk of attacks by mountain lions? Will you be more cautious in wilderness areas after reading this post?

Vertical Farming — Up In The Air Like Jack’s Beanstalk

In the fairy tale “Jack and the Beanstalk,” Jack, a poor country boy, trades his family’s cow for a handful of magic beans which produce a beanstalk reaching up into the clouds. While Jack’s story is pure fiction, today agriculture is literally reaching new heights with vertical farming. How high will this type of farming soar? Let’s dig in and get the dirt.

What’s Vertical Farming?

Just as the name implies, vertical farming involves growing food crops on a vertical rather than a horizontal basis. With traditional farming, fields with growing crops stretch towards the horizon. In contrast, vertical farming utilizes growth towers reaching way up into the air to produce food crops.

In another divergence from farming like our ancestors did, vertical farming occurs indoors. Farmer John doesn’t have to leave the building to check on his tomatoes or harvest his crops. Because plants are grown inside, the practice is called indoor farming as well as vertical farming. (Finally! A technical term that makes sense!)

While the word “farm” brings to mind outdoor fields with structures such as a barn, an indoor farm is vastly different. Vertical farms look like warehouses filled with large shelving units. And these new-fangled warehouse farms pack a big punch. A virtual farm could fit the equivalent of 700 acres of farmland in a building the size of a large supermarket.

Traditional farming takes place outdoors in the soil and sun

How Does It Work?

How can plants be grown indoors without sunlight and rain? The answer is technology, which is central to operating a vertical farm.

Instead of sunshine, LED light strips under growth trays provide synthetic sunlight. Sensors monitor plant growth and towers automatically manage light, temperature, humidity, nutrients levels, and water. The controlled environment helps keep pests out, eliminating the need to use pesticides. Soil isn’t necessary because growth towers employ hydroponics, growing plants with water, nutrients, and light but no soil. Instead of soil, the growth trays use a substrate (in ordinary language a material on which something grows) such as organic compost or coconut fibers.

The growth towers, which are modular units, hold stacks of trays which climb upward. These towers can reach 6-12 meters (19.7′ to 39.4″) high reducing the amount of land needed to produce crops.

What Can Be Grown?

Vertical farming is not feasible for all types of crops. It’s the most cost effective when used to grow salad vegetables. Leafy greens such as lettuce, arugula, and spinach, along with tomatoes and strawberries are all viable options for vertical farms.

It’s Not Science Fiction

While vertical farming sounds cool, that’s something humans will get around to doing sometime in the future, right? WRONG! Vertical farming is already here and underway in various places around the world. In fact, according to Statistica, the global virtual farming market should hit $20 billion (that’s billion with a “b”) by 2025. [And it’s already 2024.]

The location of the biggest vertical farms may surprise you. A mega production of food in a desert area? Yes, indeed. Dubai is the site of the world’s largest vertical farm. This emirate’s located in the middle of the Arabian Desert and produces oil as well as salad vegetables.

The world’s largest vertical farm opened there in 2022. That farm occupies 31,000 square meters in an indoor facility at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport. Trays of plants are stacked in towers to grow with minimal soil and water. (Plenty of sand but not much water in the desert.)

But wait! An even bigger vertical farm’s being built in Dubai. Dubbed GigaFarm, it’ll boast a 900,000 square foot facility that alone could replace 1% of Dubai’s food imports. Utilizing growth towers 12 meters (39.4′) high, the new facility will be able to grow up to 3 million kilograms of produce annually. (Instead of garden salads, are they providing tower salads?)

Benefits

A number of benefits support the use of vertical farming as an agricultural method. First, it reduces the amount of water needed to grow plants by up to 98%. (Awfully close to 100%!) Second, crop production isn’t restricted by seasons or climate since the indoor growing area is climate-controlled. Third, less land is required for growing because the farm rises upward, not outward. Fourth, vertical farming allows a shorter supply chain. Because only small amounts of land are needed to produce food, it can be grown near or even in cities. Fifth, vertical farming is more environmentally friendly, such as eliminating the need to use pesticides.

A sixth benefit is the faster growth of food via vertical farming. Such farms produce more than conventional farms because multiple harvests are possible annually. Take spinach, for example. It can go from seed to harvest in 30 days. With this short growth timeframe, 12 harvests a year from a growth tray are possible.

Drawbacks

Vertical farming does have disadvantages. Such farms require a huge investment upfront. Technology, like LED lights and sensors, costs money. Costs for running the business are also high. While sunshine and rain are free, electricity and water mean a monthly bill. Indoor farming also must compete with the comparatively lower cost of conventional agriculture.

While the concept of vertical farming is intriguing and offers some advantages, I’m not sure I’m ready for my lettuce to spring from a tray on a growth tower in a building downtown. It’s not that I have anything against technological advances, but I do wonder how products from Old MacDonald’s farm compare with those coming from GigaFarm taste wise. Will artificial sunlight from LED lights result in tomatoes that delight my tongue like those from an old-fashioned farm with fresh air, real sunshine, gentle rains, and actual soil to spur growth?

A towering farm may offer giant challenges like Jack faced upon climbing to the top of the beanstalk reaching to the sky. Only time will tell whether the vertical farming industry will continue happily ever after.

WONDER-ing Woman:

How would you define a farm? Does it matter to you how your produce is grown? Is it worth it to pay more for food grown indoors if it provides the benefits such as less water use, a smaller supply chain, etc.? What do you think Old MacDonald would say about vertical farming?

“The Birds” – Ravens At The Tower of London Edition

Ravens, black-feathered eaters of carrion, could easily star in a modern horror movie reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.” This new version should be set at the Tower of London rather than on the California coast though. Why this famous English landmark? It’s the home to the royal ravens that have a recently appointed Ravenmaster to care for them. Let’s dive into why these ravens are given the royal treatment.

What’s A Raven?

For those of us who aren’t really into birds (raising my hand), it’s important to know ravens aren’t cute little songbirds you might keep in a cage at home. They are BIG birds averaging 25 inches in length (over two feet!) and 3.2 pounds in weight. To put their size into perspective, a typical parakeet weighs only 1.1 to 1.4 ounces.

Ravens are distinctive for their all-black plumage. (“Plumage” is a fancy word for a bird’s feathers.) They’re also known for their disgusting (to humans) diet. Omnivores, they can eat almost anything, but they particularly enjoy consuming the decaying flesh of dead animals, aka carrion. (YUK!)

Smart Birds

Despite their taste for rotting flesh, ravens are considered unusually intelligent. The common raven’s brain is among the largest of any bird species. They’re very curious animals with cognitive ability believed similar to chimpanzees and dolphins.

And ravens use their big brains to their advantage. They’ve been documented calling wolves where a dead animal is. The wolves tear the carcass open allowing the birds access to the scraps. These black birds are certainly no bird brains!

Ravens are also smart about dating. They apparently have no difficulty finding “the one” and mate for life.

Ravens mate for life [Picture courtesy of Pixabay]

Bad Reputation

Ravens don’t hold a place of esteem in Western tradition. They’re associated with ill omens, death, and evil. (Just speculating, but it might be because they’re jet black and eat rotting flesh.) This bird’s role in the classic Edgar Allan Poe poem “The Raven” indicates they aren’t a welcome presence.

Even when not knocking on a bedroom door at midnight as in Poe’s poem, the raven isn’t a desirable guest. Where a large population of the birds exist, they are considered agricultural pests.

Royal Residence

The black-plumed ravens can live in a wide variety of environments, but urban areas aren’t preferred. They favor coastal and mountainous locations in the United Kingdom. So how did ravens these birds end up residing at The Tower of London in England’s largest city?

The Tower of London was built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror after he conquered England in 1066. This structure by the River Thames served not only as a fortress, but also as a royal residence for hundreds of years. The area’s human population hadn’t reached anywhere near today’s numbers, so the ravens moved in at the Tower.

The Tower of London [Picture courtesy of Unsplash]

Fast forward to King Charles II’s 17th century reign. He learned of a prophecy stating that if the ravens ever left the Tower of London, its White Tower would crumble and the Kingdom of England would fall. To avert this disaster, he decreed at least six ravens must always be at the Tower of London.

Royal Ravens

The Crown Jewels aren’t all the three million tourists flocking to The Tower of London annually can see. A flock of royal ravens roam freely about the grounds during the day, allowing visitors the chance to photograph them. But they better be careful. The birds have stolen purses and snacks among other hijinks. Their primary and secondary flight feathers are trimmed to keep them from flying away.

The royal raven flock consists of seven ravens, six regulars and an extra. (Sounds like the birds imitate the monarchy with a “spare” available.) Their names are Harris (close, but not quite Harry), Jubilee, George, Poppy, Edgar, Branwen, and Rex. In honor of King Charles III’s coronation last year, the newest raven was dubbed Rex.

Hail The Ravenmaster

A Ravenmaster bears responsibility for the bird’s health and welfare. Although the ravens have inhabited The Tower for hundreds of years, the Ravenmaster post is relatively recent. It wasn’t established until the 1950’s. The current Ravenmaster, a former Royal Marine, is Barney Chandler, only the sixth person to be so named.

Not just anyone can hold this lofty position. Candidates must, among other requirements, have at least 22 years of military service and have attained a certain rank. (Guess military experience may be necessary to keep the big birds in line.)

To prepare for this service at The Tower of London, Ravenmaster Chandler took bird handler courses and received formal training. His specific duties include maintaining the birds’ enclosures, arranging veterinary checkups, and feeding. Although the ravens roam about during the daytime, they sleep in cages at night. Feeding occurs twice daily. The birds’ preferred diet is raw meat plus an occasional treat, usually a hard-boiled egg or a blood-soaked hard-tack biscuit. Meat offered to the birds consists mainly of chicken and mice.

Ravenmaster Chandler enjoys his job. He deems his charges highly intelligent, perhaps like seven-year-olds. (No wonder the ravens enjoy hijinks with the tourists…) Chandler also notices different personalities among the birds. His favorite is Poppy who loves receiving a dead mouse from him as a snack.

The Birds Beckon

Tourists all get pictures of London Bridge, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. But I’ve never personally seen anyone come back with a raven picture. I’ve always wanted to go to London, and now I have an additional reason to go–to obtain a selfie with a raven. (Hopefully, it won’t have dead mouse breath.)

The Tower’s ravens are an intriguing mix of nature, nurture (by their Ravenmaster), man’s interaction with nature, and the monarchy’s fear of the kingdom’s end. With seven resident ravens, hopefully they’ll ward off the horror of the kingdom falling and spare human royals from hearing “Nevermore” about the existing monarchy. In this version of “The Birds,” the birds are the saviors, not the foe.

WONDER-ing Woman:

Have you visited The Tower of London? If so, did you see the ravens? Do you like the ravens’ names? Is it worth the cost of a Ravenmaster and his assistants caring for the birds to prevent the kingdom’s fall?

Pop Tarts – Breakfast Treat And Military Tool

What popped into your head this morning for what to have for breakfast? Was it a Pop-Tart? Well, those rectangular breakfast pastries aren’t just for eating when you arise. The military has cleverly put Pop-Tarts to use to negotiate with pirates, provide humanitarian relief, and keep troops energized. Plenty of interesting information pops up when you delve into the delicious treats.

What’s A Pop-Tart

Does anyone NOT know what a Pop-Tart is? (Please come out from under your rock if you are clueless about this product.) Basically, Pop-Tarts are a shelf-stable toaster pastry. Two layers of thin, rectangular pastry crust hold a sweet filling inside. Although not originally frosted, some current varieties of Pop-Tarts do offer a frosted top.

The pastries are wrapped in foil packets, and, since pre-cooked, may be eaten immediately upon opening. However, if desired, they may be heated in a toaster or microwave (PSA: Don’t microwave Pop-Tarts IN the foil packets unless you want to share breakfast with firefighters.)

As of 2024, over twenty standard Pop-Tart flavors exist. But limited edition and seasonal flavors are also produced. For example, Red, White, and Blueberry Pop-Tarts arrive in the summer to help celebrate July 4th. (What could be more American than a breakfast food in a red crust with a blue filling covered by white icing?)

Pop-Tarts First Pop Up

Pop-Tarts first hit the grocery stores in 1964. They were an immediate hit with the first shipment selling out in two weeks’ time. The grocery shelves meant to hold them stood empty as a tribute to their instantaneous popularity. (Raises visions in my mind of shelves devoid of TP during the early days of the pandemic.)

William “Bill” Post (no affiliation with the cereal company) created the pastry in a mere four months. Kellogg’s hired the former Keebler employee to take on this task as it rushed to beat rival Post. The latter company had been working to develop a product called Country Squares. In a nod to Andy Warhol’s trendy pop art movement, Kellogg’s named its new creation Pop-Tarts with a clever word play.

Sixty Year Later

Fast forward six decades. Pop-Tarts are still around and are as popular as ever. Kellanova, a Kellogg’s spinoff, now sells the the breakfast food, producing over three billion (that’s billion with a “B”) each year. The company racked up $985 million in sales in 2023.

Not Just On The Breakfast Table

Although initially envisioned as a food consumers would eat at the breakfast table, the Pop-Tart has now left the house. In fact, they may be found and eaten outdoors. Specifically, US troops can receive the treat in what they call MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat). These rations offer Pop-Tarts in one of two flavors–brown sugar cinnamon or chocolate chip. Some military members claim the Pop-Tarts in the MRE’s taste better than store-bought ones.

Pop-Tarts make everyone happy. The troops get a familiar and delicious treat. (And they probably don’t get that often out in the field!) Their military superiors are satisfied a quick source of carbohydrates has been provided giving their team a temporary energy boost during activities.

Interestingly, Bill Post, the creator of the Pop-Tart, was in the Army Air Force. He served with occupation forces in Japan after World War II. Who know what he ate while in a strange and war-torn land. Perhaps those memories helped inspire him to come up with Pop-Tarts.

Putting Pop-Tarts To Work

Despite the crack about military intelligence being an oxymoron, service members have devised smart ways to use Pop-Tarts to their advantage. They’ve thought outside the Pop-Tart box to utilize them, not as weapons, but for persuasive tactics and humanitarian relief.

Back in 2009, the US Navy lured a Somali pirate on board the USS Bainbridge. And what did they lure him with? The offer of a chocolate Pop-Tart. (I could find no information as to whether the sailors toasted it for him.) The pirates held merchant mariner Capt. Richard Phillips hostage (as in the Captain Phillips Tom Hanks portrayed in the movie of the same name). A standoff ensued, and negotiations for Phillips’ release did not commence until the pirate came aboard the Navy vessel. Success! Pop-Tarts save the day!

Pop-Tarts assisted on a grander scale In Afghanistan. An initial bombing campaign by the US began on October 7, 2001. For months thereafter, American aircraft air dropped millions of yellow-colored food packets for humanitarian daily rations. Included in those packets were, you guessed it, Pop-Tarts. A total of 2.4 million ready to eat and shelf-stable Pop-Tarts were delivered to food-deprived Afghans through these air drops. The pastries helped with hunger relief and showed the recipients Americans were their friends. (But we were NOT friends with the Taliban who got NO Pop-Tarts from us.)

What’s Next For Pop-Tarts?

The next place Pop-Tarts will be found may surprise you. Would you like to watch them on Netflix? Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has written, produced, and starred in a movie called “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story.” (I’ll be he also ate Pop-Tarts in addition to his writing, producing, and acting.) This production is history adults and kids may find enjoyable. Viewers might even eat Pop-Tarts instead of popcorn while watching the movie which comes out May 3d.

Lasting Legacy

Sadly, Bill Post died on February 10, 2024. But he lived for years to see the popularity of the pastry product he created. Certainly he was also pleased others acted creatively to use his Pop-Tarts to do good. Whether folks enjoy them out of the toaster at the breakfast table, get energy from them while in the field, distribute them to stave off starvation, use them as a negotiation tool, or provide them as a friendly gesture, Pop-Tarts are a positive creation for which we are indebted to Mr. Post.

WONDER-ing Woman:

Do you eat Pop-Tarts now or did you as a kid? Are you surprised something like Pop-Tarts is included in humanitarian aid packets? How are Pop-Tarts best eaten–straight from the box? Frozen? Microwaved? Toasted?