theheartysoul--2020-12-02--Fucking Is No More in Austria

Fucking Is No More in Austria

As of January 1st , 2021 , Fucking , Austria will be changing its name , because after all , what ’ s in a name ?
For the people of this unfortunately named town , a whole lot of headaches .
( 1 ) Fucking , Austria To Change Its Name Fucking , Austria has held its seemingly crude name for about 1,000 years .
As travel increased and the internet was invented , however , that name began to give the townspeople a lot of problems .
( 1 ) Though it did cause a rise in tourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right reasons .
After having their town sign stolen one-too-many times , they have decided that enough is enough .
As of January 1st , 2021 , Fucking , Austria will be named Fugging , Austria .
( 1 ) As of now , it is uncertain what will happen to the names of nearby towns Oberfucking and Unterfucking .
( 1 ) This is sad news , of course , for those who enjoyed traveling to towns with strange names and taking pictures of their signs .
Most of the locals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name ’ s spelling match more closely with its pronunciation , however , some used the name as a form of activism .
( 1 ) An example of this is when some locals put a sign above the town sign that read “ Our climate is ” and another below that said “ important !
” .
These people will have to find another way to get their message across to the masses from now on .
( 1 ) Thankfully there are still plenty of odd town names that you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 .
Accident , Maryland ( Fucking , Austria is an accidental name .
This one is not ) 20 .
Fart , Virginia ( It ’ s no Fucking , Austria , but this name is still a gas ) 27 .
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch , Wales , UK ( yes , this is a real place ) .
We ’ re not sure who is coming up with these ‘ Fucking ’ names , but whoever it clearly has an interesting sense of humor .
I think I ’ ll still have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name change .
Keep Reading : 30 Photos Of Things You ’ ll Be Glad You Haven ’ t Seen Before

As of January 1st, 2021, Fucking, Austria will be changing its name, because after all, what’s in a name? For the people of this unfortunately named town, a whole lot of headaches. (1)
Fucking, Austria To Change Its Name
Fucking, Austria has held its seemingly crude name for about 1,000 years. As travel increased and the internet was invented, however, that name began to give the townspeople a lot of problems. (1)
Image Credit: Volker Preufler | dw.com
Though it did cause a rise in tourism, it wasn’t exactly for the right reasons. After having their town sign stolen one-too-many times, they have decided that enough is enough. As of January 1st, 2021, Fucking, Austria will be named Fugging, Austria. (1)
As of now, it is uncertain what will happen to the names of nearby towns Oberfucking and Unterfucking. (1)
Not All Bad
This is sad news, of course, for those who enjoyed traveling to towns with strange names and taking pictures of their signs. Most of the locals will be pleased to have the town name’s spelling match more closely with its pronunciation, however, some used the name as a form of activism. (1)
An example of this is when some locals put a sign above the town sign that read “Our climate is” and another below that said “important!”. These people will have to find another way to get their message across to the masses from now on. (1)
Towns With Strange Names
Thankfully there are still plenty of odd town names that you can get a good kick out of:
1. Hell, Michigan
Image Credit: Wikipedia
2. Rough and Ready, California
3. Chugwater, Wyoming
4. Random Lake, Wisconsin
5. Forks of Salmon, California
6. Why, Arizona
Image Credit: ADOT
7. Whynot, Mississippi
8. Boring, Oregon
9. Peculiar, Missouri
10. Accident, Maryland (Fucking, Austria is an accidental name. This one is not)
11. Nameless, Tennessee
12. Hot Coffee, Mississippi
Image Credit: Abstract Hawaii
13. Deadhorse, Alaska
14. Bacon, Indiana
15. Beer Bottle Crossing, Idaho
16. Blowhard, Victoria, Australia
Image Credit: The Daily Mail
17. Cheesequake, New Jersey
18. Condom, France
Image Credit: Condom Monologues
19. Disappointment Island, Auckland, New Zealand
20. Fart, Virginia (It’s no Fucking, Austria, but this name is still a gas)
21. Greasy, Oklahoma
23. Lost, Scotland
Image Credit: Book Of Joe
24. Sexi, Santa Cruz, Pero
Image Credit: De Peru
25. Sweet Lips, Tennessee
26. Ugley, Essex, England
27. Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Wales, UK (yes, this is a real place).
28. Upperthong, West Yorkshire, England
29. Yum Yum, Tennessee
30. Useless Loop, Western Australia, Australia
31. Nowhere Else, Tasmania, Australia
Image Credit: Alamy
We’re not sure who is coming up with these ‘Fucking’ names, but whoever it clearly has an interesting sense of humor. I think I’ll still have to visit Fucking, Austria even after the name change.
Keep Reading: 30 Photos Of Things You’ll Be Glad You Haven’t Seen Before


theheartysoul--2020-12-02--High school opens grocery store for students and their families, accepting good deeds as payment

There have always been people in need , but during the coronavirus pandemic , more people are struggling than ever .
Fortunately , hard times are often met with good people helping others in often creative ways .
Such as a high school grocery store .
Linda Tutt High School in Sanger Texas opened a grocery shop to help provide for students , staff member , and their families .
The store is run by students , and they don ’ t accept cash .
Customers purchase their food with points , which are earned by good deeds such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in class .
It ’ s open from Monday to Wednesday for students and staff to shop .
On Tuesday nights , their families could get groceries via curbside pickup with the help of volunteers .
The points system takes in the number of members in the students ’ families .
“ It ’ s not something that you see every day in a school building , ” said the principal of Linda Tutt , Anthony Love .
“ I think a big part of it is about empowering our students , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families that need just a little extra support with food.
” [ 1 ] The high school grocery store aids students with food insecurities , especially those affected by the pandemic .
“ It ’ s a way for students to earn the ability to shop for their families , ” said Love .
“ Through hard work you can earn points for positive office referrals .
You can earn points for doing chores around the building or helping to clean.
” Aside from supporting people in need , the store teaches life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running it .
This includes tracking inventory , keeping the shelves filled and orderly , and calculating the points .
Love appreciates the added benefit of providing precious work skills to the children .
“ I think the most exciting part of it is just teaching our kids job skills that they can carry with them as they graduate high school and move on into the world , ” Love added .
“ Students are really the key piece to it.
” The principal of Linda Tutt , Anthony Love , received the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of student intervention for the school district , and Paul Juarez , the executive director of First Refuge Ministries .
“ They approached me about a grant that they wanted to apply for through Texas Health Resources , about possibly putting a grocery store inside a school , ” said Love .
Now , local nonprofit First Refuge Ministries , Texas Health Resources , and Albertson ’ s grocery store fund the high school grocery store .
Linda Tutt also participates in the BackPack Program that helps provide food and supplies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with them , we ’ re able to provide additional food and supplies that the families may need , ” said Love .
[ 2 ] The school is located about 60 miles northwest of Dallas .
Because of the pandemic , students can opt for in-person or virtual classes , although about 90 % chose in-person .
This is Love ’ s second year as principal .
Paul Juarez , the Executive Director of First Refuge Ministries , is in favor of this project .
He hopes the idea of a high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural areas .
“ It gives us a picture of what can be , ” he said .
“ So , if we can do this inside other schools it will do a whole lot to help other small towns.
” [ 3 ] How to Help the COVID-19 Hunger Crisis It ’ s too early to know the full impact of COVID-19 on world hunger .
However , it is clear that the pandemic and measures to contain it have affected the production and distribution of food .
As a result , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World ’ s publication in June estimated that the pandemic could add over 130 million people into the state of chronic hunger by the end of the year .
[ 4 ] There might not be a high school grocery store in your area , but you could start your own !
Here are three other ways to help those suffering from hunger : • Volunteer at your local community kitchen or food bank .
This will help families in your community be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still being able to consume healthy foods .
• Buy locally grown food .
This directly supports the famers in your community , who often donate their unsold food to those in need .
• Donate to an anti-hunger organization .
There many nonprofits helping people all over the world .
Donations support their good work .
Impact Your World is an organization that compiled nonprofits aiding COVID-19-related hunger .
You could donate here .
[ 5 ] Keep Reading : Parents Bravely Share Story Of Daughter Who Took Her Own Life To @ @ @

There have always been people in need, but during the coronavirus pandemic, more people are struggling than ever. Fortunately, hard times are often met with good people helping others in often creative ways. Such as a high school grocery store.
Linda Tutt High School in Sanger Texas opened a grocery shop to help provide for students, staff member, and their families.
The store is run by students, and they don’t accept cash. Customers purchase their food with points, which are earned by good deeds such as keeping the school tidy and doing well in class.
High School Grocery Store Provides Food and Life Skills
It’s open from Monday to Wednesday for students and staff to shop. On Tuesday nights, their families could get groceries via curbside pickup with the help of volunteers. The points system takes in the number of members in the students’ families.
“It’s not something that you see every day in a school building,” said the principal of Linda Tutt, Anthony Love. “I think a big part of it is about empowering our students, because many of them come from low socioeconomic families that need just a little extra support with food.” [1]
The high school grocery store aids students with food insecurities, especially those affected by the pandemic.
“It’s a way for students to earn the ability to shop for their families,” said Love. “Through hard work you can earn points for positive office referrals. You can earn points for doing chores around the building or helping to clean.”
Aside from supporting people in need, the store teaches life lessons to the students who participate in running it. This includes tracking inventory, keeping the shelves filled and orderly, and calculating the points. Love appreciates the added benefit of providing precious work skills to the children.
“I think the most exciting part of it is just teaching our kids job skills that they can carry with them as they graduate high school and move on into the world,” Love added. “Students are really the key piece to it.”
Read: Teenagers Gain Confidence Raising Bees and Growing Crops at North Carolina Farm
Opening the High School Grocery Store
The principal of Linda Tutt, Anthony Love, received the offer through Dr. Ann Hughes, the director of student intervention for the school district, and Paul Juarez, the executive director of First Refuge Ministries.
“They approached me about a grant that they wanted to apply for through Texas Health Resources, about possibly putting a grocery store inside a school,” said Love.
Now, local nonprofit First Refuge Ministries, Texas Health Resources, and Albertson’s grocery store fund the high school grocery store. Linda Tutt also participates in the BackPack Program that helps provide food and supplies to kids over the weekends.
“Partnering with them, we’re able to provide additional food and supplies that the families may need,” said Love. [2]
The school is located about 60 miles northwest of Dallas. Because of the pandemic, students can opt for in-person or virtual classes, although about 90% chose in-person. This is Love’s second year as principal.
Paul Juarez, the Executive Director of First Refuge Ministries, is in favor of this project. He hopes the idea of a high school grocery store would spread to other rural areas.
“It gives us a picture of what can be,” he said. “So, if we can do this inside other schools it will do a whole lot to help other small towns.” [3]
How to Help the COVID-19 Hunger Crisis
It’s too early to know the full impact of COVID-19 on world hunger. However, it is clear that the pandemic and measures to contain it have affected the production and distribution of food. As a result, more people are going hungry. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World’s publication in June estimated that the pandemic could add over 130 million people into the state of chronic hunger by the end of the year. [4]
There might not be a high school grocery store in your area, but you could start your own! Here are three other ways to help those suffering from hunger:
Volunteer at your local community kitchen or food bank. This will help families in your community be able to put their money toward other expenses while still being able to consume healthy foods.
Buy locally grown food. This directly supports the famers in your community, who often donate their unsold food to those in need.
Donate to an anti-hunger organization. There many nonprofits helping people all over the world. Donations support their good work. Impact Your World is an organization that compiled nonprofits aiding COVID-19-related hunger. You could donate here. [5]
Keep Reading: Parents Bravely Share Story Of Daughter Who Took Her Own Life To Raise Suicide Awareness


theheartysoul--2020-12-02--Sprawling 8-mile-long ‘canvas’ of ice age beasts discovered hidden in Amazon rainforest

Researchers have discovered an 8-mile-long rock canvas covered in paintings of now-extinct ice age beasts .
They estimate that these paintings of animals are around 12,600 years old .
( 1 ) Deep in the Amazon Rainforest lies an artistic masterpiece drawn with the red pigment ochre .
The painting , located in Serranía La Lindosa on the northern edge of the Colombian Amazon , is almost like a canvas or an ancient form of graffiti art .
It spans 8-miles and depicts all kinds of animals , many that went extinct during the last ice age .
( 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include ( 1 ) : The painting also shows handprints , geometric designs , hunting and fishing scenes , and people interacting with plants , trees , and animals .
According to the researchers , the paintings were produced most likely over hundreds and maybe even thousands of years .
( 1 ) “ These really are incredible images , produced by the earliest people to live in western Amazonia .
They moved into the region at a time of extreme climate change , which was leading to changes in vegetation and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still transforming into the tropical forest we recognise today , ” said Dr. Mark Robinson , one of the researchers on this project .
( 1 ) Experts believe that these are some of the most realistic drawings of prehistoric animals and scenes of early humans ’ daily lives .
Excavations to the area revealed the earliest dates that humans occupied this area of the Columbian Amazon .
Clues about these early humans ’ diets and tools used have provided a window into this time period like never before .
( 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the excavated area show these people ate palm and tree fruits , piranha , alligators , snakes , frogs , rodents such as paca and capybara , and armadillo .
( 1 ) AdvertisementEverything that the researchers have discovered so far increases our understanding of the global expansion of humans .
Studying these peoples and how they lived allows us to understand how their actions thousands of years prior impacted the Amazon Rainforest , one of the world ’ s most significant and biologically diverse ecosystems in the world .
( 2 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Colombian Government made the 2017 and 2018 excavations of this site possible .
( 1 ) The ice age beasts discovered on this incredible canvas , as well as the other finds from the project , are to be featured on the Discovery Channel ’ s Jungle Mystery : Lost Kingdoms of the Amazon .
The Discovery Channel is releasing the show in the first week of December 2020 .
( 1 ) Keep Reading : A Secret Forest Grew for Millennia in North America Without Anyone Noticing

Researchers have discovered an 8-mile-long rock canvas covered in paintings of now-extinct ice age beasts. They estimate that these paintings of animals are around 12,600 years old. (1)
Ice Age Beasts Discovered Painted on 8-Mile Long Rock ‘Canvas’
Deep in the Amazon Rainforest lies an artistic masterpiece drawn with the red pigment ochre. The painting, located in Serranía La Lindosa on the northern edge of the Colombian Amazon, is almost like a canvas or an ancient form of graffiti art. It spans 8-miles and depicts all kinds of animals, many that went extinct during the last ice age. (1)
Image Credit: Marie-Claire Thomas |Wild Blue Media|Archaeology News Network
Some of these ice age beasts include (1):
Mastodons
Giant sloths
Deer
Tapirs
Alligators
Bats
Monkeys
Turtles
Serpents
Porcupines
Camelids
Horses
Three-toed hoofed mammals with trunks
The painting also shows handprints, geometric designs, hunting and fishing scenes, and people interacting with plants, trees, and animals. According to the researchers, the paintings were produced most likely over hundreds and maybe even thousands of years. (1)
Image Credit: Guillermo Legaria/AFP/Archaeology News Network
“These really are incredible images, produced by the earliest people to live in western Amazonia. They moved into the region at a time of extreme climate change, which was leading to changes in vegetation and the make-up of the forest. The Amazon was still transforming into the tropical forest we recognise today,” said Dr. Mark Robinson, one of the researchers on this project. (1)
Exciting News For Scientists and Historians
Experts believe that these are some of the most realistic drawings of prehistoric animals and scenes of early humans’ daily lives. Excavations to the area revealed the earliest dates that humans occupied this area of the Columbian Amazon. Clues about these early humans’ diets and tools used have provided a window into this time period like never before. (1)
Image Credit: Getty Image/Archaeology News Network
“The paintings give a vivid and exciting glimpse into the lives of these communities. It is unbelievable to us today to think they lived among, and hunted, giant herbivores, some which were the size of a small car.” said Dr. Robinson. (1)
Bone and plant fossils found in the excavated area show these people ate palm and tree fruits, piranha, alligators, snakes, frogs, rodents such as paca and capybara, and armadillo. (1)
Everything that the researchers have discovered so far increases our understanding of the global expansion of humans. Studying these peoples and how they lived allows us to understand how their actions thousands of years prior impacted the Amazon Rainforest, one of the world’s most significant and biologically diverse ecosystems in the world. (2)
Image Credit: Marie-Claire Thomas/Wild Blue Media/Archaeology News Network
“These rock paintings are spectacular evidence of how humans reconstructed the land, and how they hunted, farmed and fished. It is likely art was a powerful part of culture and a way for people to connect socially. The pictures show how people would have lived amongst giant, now extinct, animals, which they hunted.” explained researcher professor José Iriarte. (1)
Peace Made it Possible
The 2016 peace treaty between the FARC and the Colombian Government made the 2017 and 2018 excavations of this site possible. (1)
The ice age beasts discovered on this incredible canvas, as well as the other finds from the project, are to be featured on the Discovery Channel’s Jungle Mystery: Lost Kingdoms of the Amazon. The Discovery Channel is releasing the show in the first week of December 2020. (1)
Keep Reading: A Secret Forest Grew for Millennia in North America Without Anyone Noticing


theheartysoul--2020-12-03--Sleeping Whales: Photographer Reveals What Whales Look Like When They Snooze

Humans , dogs , cats , and many other mammals sleep in similar ways .
We lay down , close our eyes , and drift off into dreamland .
Aquatic animals , however , can ’ t just lay down on the ocean floor , so how do they rest ?
In a rare photo of sleeping whales , a photographer revealed how these massive cetaceans get some shut-eye , and it is a sight to behold .
In July 2017 , photographer Franco Banfi was freediving in the Carribean Sea when he captured an image of six sperm whales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended in the water with their tails down , completely silent .
The whales were floating there at a depth of about 65 feet ( twenty meters ) [ 1 ] .
Less than two weeks later , french photographer and filmmaker Stephane Granzotto captured whales exhibiting similar behavior while diving in the Mediterranean [ 2 ] .
Scientists first documented this unusual sleeping strategy in 2008 .
They published a study in the journal Current Biology in which they measured the underwater activity of 59 sperm whales world-wide .
They did so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which they suction-cupped to the whales for a total of 569.2 hours .
Advertisement The researchers discovered that whales spend about seven percent of their day sleeping , in bouts of about ten to fifteen minutes at a time .
This makes them one of the world ’ s least sleep-dependent animals .
Their study also confirmed that the stereotypical sleeping fashion for these animals world-wide is to drift in a vertical position , as the photographs suggested [ 3 ] .
Read : Blue Whales Have ‘ Unprecedented ’ Bounce Back From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleeping patterns in whales in captivity .
They did this using an electroencephalogram ( EEG ) , which monitors brain activity , or by observing eye movements .
This , however , is not feasible for whales in the wild .
So how exactly do whales sleep ?
Let ’ s compare them to humans : Humans are able to sleep for long periods of time because we are passive breathers .
This means that we are able to breathe automatically , and we don ’ t have to worry that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall asleep .
By contrast , whales have to “ think ” about every breath they take .
For this reason , they fall into unihemispheric slow-wave sleep .
This , essentially , means they sleep with half of their brain .
Scientists have observed this in captive whales , and they believe that this could do more than just help them continue to breath .
It may also help sleeping whales avoid predators , maintain social contact with each other , or continue swimming [ 2,4 ] .
This could also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time .
It also explains why different cetaceans ( aka marine mammals ) sleep for such widely variable amounts of time .
For example , researchers have observed humpback whales resting on the surface of the water for up to thirty minutes , Dolphins , on the other hand , sleep at night for a couple of hours .
In fact , bottlenose dolphins appear to spend about 33.4 percent of their day sleeping [ 4 ] .
Do Whales in the Wild Sleep the Same Way ?
In short , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sailing in a boat off the coast of Chile , the whales did not wake when the vessel was approaching .
In fact , they did not come out of their slumber until the boat inadvertently bumped into them .
At that point , they startled awake and scattered .
According to the researchers , this suggests that unlike their captive counterparts , whales in the wild may enter full sleep [ 3 ] .
Upon further observation , they found that the sperm whales had a strategy for entering into their sleep-state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a depth that is several times deeper than the length of their bodies .
Then , they passively turned their heads up and drifted toward the surface [ 1 ] .Advertisement The researchers noted that further study of whales ’ sleeping patterns will require better procedures for measuring eye movements and other physiological variables for out-of-captivity animals .
For now , we must let sleeping whales lie .
Keep Reading : A pod of killer ‘ crazy ’ killer whales launched coordinated attacks on boats , terrifying the sailors and baffling scientists

Humans, dogs, cats, and many other mammals sleep in similar ways. We lay down, close our eyes, and drift off into dreamland. Aquatic animals, however, can’t just lay down on the ocean floor, so how do they rest? In a rare photo of sleeping whales, a photographer revealed how these massive cetaceans get some shut-eye, and it is a sight to behold.
Sleeping Whales
In July 2017, photographer Franco Banfi was freediving in the Caribbean Sea when he captured an image of six sperm whales napping. They were grouped together, suspended in the water with their tails down, completely silent. The whales were floating there at a depth of about 65 feet (twenty meters) [1].
Less than two weeks later, french photographer and filmmaker Stephane Granzotto captured whales exhibiting similar behavior while diving in the Mediterranean [2].
Image Credit: Franco Banfi | Whales of Dominica
Scientists first documented this unusual sleeping strategy in 2008. They published a study in the journal Current Biology in which they measured the underwater activity of 59 sperm whales worldwide. They did so through the use of data-logging tags, which they suction-cupped to the whales for a total of 569.2 hours.
The researchers discovered that whales spend about seven percent of their day sleeping, in bouts of about ten to fifteen minutes at a time. This makes them one of the world’s least sleep-dependent animals. Their study also confirmed that the stereotypical sleeping fashion for these animals worldwide is to drift in a vertical position, as the photographs suggested [3].
Read: This Man Was Only Filming Seagulls, but He Suddenly Captures an Incredible Once-In-A Lifetime Scene
Image Credit: Franco Banfi | Whales of Dominica
Sleeping Whales in Captivity
Scientists have previously studied sleeping patterns in whales in captivity. They did this using an electroencephalogram (EEG), which monitors brain activity, or by observing eye movements. This, however, is not feasible for whales in the wild.
So how exactly do whales sleep? Let’s compare them to humans:
Humans are able to sleep for long periods of time because we are passive breathers. This means that we are able to breathe automatically, and we don’t have to worry that we’re going to stop breathing once we fall asleep.
Image Credit: Franco Banfi | Whales of Dominica
By contrast, whales have to “think” about every breath they take. For this reason, they fall into unihemispheric slow-wave sleep. This, essentially, means they sleep with half of their brain. Scientists have observed this in captive whales, and they believe that this could do more than just help them continue to breathe. It may also help sleeping whales avoid predators, maintain social contact with each other, or continue swimming [2,4].
This could also be why they sleep for such short amounts of time. It also explains why different cetaceans (aka marine mammals) sleep for such widely variable amounts of time. For example, researchers have observed humpback whales resting on the surface of the water for up to thirty minutes, Dolphins, on the other hand, sleep at night for a couple of hours. In fact, bottlenose dolphins appear to spend about 33.4 percent of their day sleeping [4].
Read: Astonishing Moment Humpback Whale Saved Woman From A Shark Attack
Do Whales in the Wild Sleep the Same Way?
In short, the researchers aren’t sure. While sailing in a boat off the coast of Chile, the whales did not wake when the vessel was approaching. In fact, they did not come out of their slumber until the boat inadvertently bumped into them. At that point, they startled awake and scattered.
According to the researchers, this suggests that, unlike their captive counterparts, whales in the wild may enter full sleep [3].
Upon further observation, they found that the sperm whales had a strategy for entering into their sleep state. First, they dove head-down to a depth that is several times deeper than the length of their bodies. Then, they passively turned their heads up and drifted toward the surface [1].
The researchers noted that further study of whales’ sleeping patterns will require better procedures for measuring eye movements and other physiological variables for out-of-captivity animals.
For now, we must let sleeping whales lie.
Keep Reading: Authorities Seize Whale Poop Worth $1 Million in Sting Operation
Sources
“‘Tail-Standing’ Sperm Whales Snooze in Stunning Photo.” Live Science. Mindy Weisberger. July 24, 2017. “Why These Whales Are ‘Standing’ In the Ocean.” National Geographic. Sarah Gibbens. August 5, 2017. “Stereotypical resting behavior of the sperm whale.” Cell. Patrick J. O. Miller, et al. 2007 “Sleeping giants — when whales nap.” DW
This article originally appeared on The Hearty Soul and has been published here with permission.


theheartysoul--2020-12-03--Archaeologists finally peer inside Egyptian mummies first found in 1615

Many people who viewed tombs and Egyptian mummies felt the same curiosity .
Who were these ancient people before they were mummies ?
It seemed that their stories would remain “ shrouded ” in mystery until scientists found a new way to reveal them .
Two Egyptian mummies were found in a tomb over 400 years ago .
A new study put these two mummies ’ remains through a CT scan .
The researchers then added a third mummy that was previously on display .
This trio is the only known mummies from Saqqara , an ancient Egyptian cemetery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; however , these ones lay on wood slates , wrapped in a shroud , and decorated with a full-body portrait .
The lead researcher of the study is Stephanie Zesch , a physical anthropologist and Egyptologist at the German Mummy Project at Reiss Engelhorn Museum in Mannheim , Germany .
Among many other details , the CT scans of these “ stucco-shrouded portrait mummies ” found preserved organs and necklaces .
[ 1 ] The History of the Egyptian Mummies The male and female mummies had traveled a lot since their demise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Italian composer named Pietro Della Valle .
He traveled through Egypt on a pilgrimage to Israel and heard about the stucco-shrouded portrait mummies in Saqqara .
He brought them back to Rome .
There they became the “ earliest examples of portrait mummies to have become known in Europe ” .
Advertisement The Egyptian mummies passed hands many times until they landed at the Dresden State Art Collections in Germany .
In the 80s , studies conducted X-rays on mummies .
However , the CT scans conducted revealed a lot more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details included the fact that the man died in his late 20s , was 5 ” 4 inches tall , and his mouth contained cavities and two unerupted permanent teeth .
While in transit after his initial discovery , several of his bones broke and became jumbled , the researchers hypothesize .
The woman had stood at 4 ” 11 inches tall , passed away at 30 to 40 years of age , and suffered from advanced arthritis in her left knee .
The teenager had a benign tumor in her spine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She was 5 ” 1 inches tall .
Unfortunately , it ’ s unclear whether one of these medical issues caused any of their deaths .
“ The examination of the individuals yielded that they died at rather young ages… ” said Zesch .
“ However , the cause of death of the individuals could not be determined.
” The CT scans dated the deaths of the trio to the late Roman period ( 30 B.C .
to A.D. 395 ) .
Their wrappings included objects such as coins .
Mummies sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deity from Greek and Roman mythology , who ’ s responsible for transporting souls to the afterlife .
Mummification usually involves extracting the brain through the nostrils , preserving the organs in separate jars , drying out the body , and inserting preservatives in it .
[ 2 ] Interestingly , the man ’ s skull didn ’ t contain the brain .
However , there was no sign of the typical extraction through-the-nose process .
The body also lacked many of the expected preservatives .
His mummification included the process of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metal that may have served as seals came up on the scan .
The teenager ’ s brain and organs were still present in the body .
“ We are quite sure there was no removing the brain or the internal organs , ” Zesch said .
“ It ’ s very probable that those mummies were only preserved because of a kind of dehydration with the use of [ the desiccation mixture ] natron , but there is not a huge amount of embalming liquids.
” The teenager and the woman wore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a hairpin .
This is not a surprise because their burial methods signified wealth .
The teen ’ s shroud includes the hairpin as well .
As Zesch explained , “ Because of these very precious shrouds , we are sure that those individuals have to be members of the higher socioeconomic class.
” What the researchers couldn ’ t explain the metal nails in the abdomen of the woman , unlike the coins and medallions by her hand , which may have been payment to Charon or a sign of wealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientists detect the ghostly signal that reveals the engine of the universe These artifacts and the style of mummification helped determine the time period these people lived in , as well as their spiritual beliefs .
For example , the shrouds depicted Greek and Egyptian gods .
Zesch studied the Egyptian mummies with a team of researchers from the Institute for Mummy Studies at Eurac Research in Bolzano , Italy , the Dresden State Art Collections , the German Mummy Project , the American-Egyptian Horus Study Group , and the Dresden State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now residing at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo .
The other two mummies are part of a live exhibit of this research in Dresden .
“ The three stucco-shrouded portrait mummies represent unique examples of the artificial mummification tradition practiced at the Saqqara necropolis at the end of the Roman Period , ” concludes the research paper .
“ They are moreover considered as valued cultural heritage due to their exceptional collection history and intact preservation.
” [ 3 ] Keep Reading : Egypt Opens 59 Ancient Coffins For First Time @ @ @

Many people who viewed tombs and Egyptian mummies felt the same curiosity. Who were these ancient people before they were mummies? It seemed that their stories would remain “shrouded” in mystery until scientists found a new way to reveal them.
Two Egyptian mummies were found in a tomb over 400 years ago. A new study put these two mummies’ remains through a CT scan. The researchers then added a third mummy that was previously on display. This trio is the only known mummies from Saqqara, an ancient Egyptian cemetery. Most Egyptian mummies are entombed in coffins; however, these ones lay on wood slates, wrapped in a shroud, and decorated with a full-body portrait.
The lead researcher of the study is Stephanie Zesch, a physical anthropologist and Egyptologist at the German Mummy Project at Reiss Engelhorn Museum in Mannheim, Germany. Among many other details, the CT scans of these “stucco-shrouded portrait mummies” found preserved organs and necklaces. [1]
The History of the Egyptian Mummies
The male and female mummies had traveled a lot since their demise. They were discovered in 1615 by an Italian composer named Pietro Della Valle. He traveled through Egypt on a pilgrimage to Israel and heard about the stucco-shrouded portrait mummies in Saqqara. He brought them back to Rome. There they became the “earliest examples of portrait mummies to have become known in Europe”.
The Egyptian mummies passed hands many times until they landed at the Dresden State Art Collections in Germany. In the 80s, studies conducted X-rays on mummies. However, the CT scans conducted revealed a lot more of their history and personal details.
What the CT Scans Found
These details included the fact that the man died in his late 20s, was 5”4 inches tall, and his mouth contained cavities and two unerupted permanent teeth. While in transit after his initial discovery, several of his bones broke and became jumbled, the researchers hypothesize.
The woman had stood at 4”11 inches tall, passed away at 30 to 40 years of age, and suffered from advanced arthritis in her left knee.
The teenager had a benign tumor in her spine and had died at around 17 to 19. She was 5”1 inches tall.
Unfortunately, it’s unclear whether one of these medical issues caused any of their deaths.
“The examination of the individuals yielded that they died at rather young ages…” said Zesch. “However, the cause of death of the individuals could not be determined.”
The CT scans dated the deaths of the trio to the late Roman period (30 B.C. to A.D. 395). Their wrappings included objects such as coins. Mummies sometimes kept coins as payment to Charon, the deity from Greek and Roman mythology, who’s responsible for transporting souls to the afterlife.
The Process of Mummification
Mummification usually involves extracting the brain through the nostrils, preserving the organs in separate jars, drying out the body, and inserting preservatives in it. [2]
Interestingly, the man’s skull didn’t contain the brain. However, there was no sign of the typical extraction through-the-nose process. The body also lacked many of the expected preservatives. His mummification included the process of wrapping and painting. Two pieces of metal that may have served as seals came up on the scan. The teenager’s brain and organs were still present in the body.
“We are quite sure there was no removing the brain or the internal organs,” Zesch said. “It’s very probable that those mummies were only preserved because of a kind of dehydration with the use of [the desiccation mixture] natron, but there is not a huge amount of embalming liquids.”
The teenager and the woman wore multiple beaded necklaces. The girl also had a hairpin. This is not a surprise because their burial methods signified wealth. The teen’s shroud includes the hairpin as well.
As Zesch explained, “Because of these very precious shrouds, we are sure that those individuals have to be members of the higher socioeconomic class.”
What the researchers couldn’t explain the metal nails in the abdomen of the woman, unlike the coins and medallions by her hand, which may have been payment to Charon or a sign of wealth.
Preserving the History of Egyptian Mummies
These artifacts and the style of mummification helped determine the time period these people lived in, as well as their spiritual beliefs. For example, the shrouds depicted Greek and Egyptian gods.
Zesch studied the Egyptian mummies with a team of researchers from the Institute for Mummy Studies at Eurac Research in Bolzano, Italy, the Dresden State Art Collections, the German Mummy Project, the American-Egyptian Horus Study Group, and the Dresden State Art Collections. The teenager mummy is now residing at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo. The other two mummies are part of a live exhibit of this research in Dresden.
“The three stucco-shrouded portrait mummies represent unique examples of the artificial mummification tradition practiced at the Saqqara necropolis at the end of the Roman Period,” concludes the research paper. “They are moreover considered as valued cultural heritage due to their exceptional collection history and intact preservation.” [3]
Keep Reading: Scientists May Have Determined The Maximum Age A Human Can Live To


theheartysoul--2020-12-03--We’re constantly asked for pictures’: Teen researches why sending naked pics is now normal

It ’ s a classic story : boy meets girl , sparks fly , they exchange phone numbers , and then he asks for some naked pics .
Albeit , that last part doesn ’ t sound so classic .
Some of you may not be familiar with this sequence of events .
Others may find it both shocking and appalling .
For teenagers growing up in the digital age , however , this has become the norm .
Somewhat puzzled by this oh-so-common scenario , one Canadian teen centered her research project around one question : Why do boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Why Do Boys Ask for Naked Pics ?
Since the beginning of the school year , Kiona Osowski , a grade twelve student from Moncton , New Brunswick , Canada , has been working on her final year research project .
For the assignment , she chose to investigate why boys feel entitled to ask for naked pics , and why girls send them.Advertisement She says that this has become a societal norm , and that they need to start dissecting it .
Kiona worked on her project under the supervision of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher Chris Evans .
Throughout her research , she found that there are a number of “ toxic ” media messages teenagers are consuming which are influencing this behaviour .
Osowski wrote a letter to the school district , outlining her findings : According to Osowski , teenage boys watch a lot of movies , video games , and porn .
Statistics say she ’ s not wrong .
According to the most popular porn site in the world , PornHub , three quarters of its audience is male .
Other estimates of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewers make up 90 percent of the demographic [ 2 ] .
Although most porn sites say they have measures in place to prevent teenagers from watching their content , the systems appear to be highly ineffective .
Here are the stats : • 90 percent of boys and 70 percent of girls aged 13 and 14 have seen porn [ 3 ] • 25 percent of teens have seen porn accidentally when they weren ’ t even looking for it [ 4 ] .
Osowski also refers to other forms of media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portray as dominant , aggressive , and lacking in emotions .
She argues that this has left boys with the belief that anger is the only acceptable emotion to have .
In her presentation , she encourages boys to support their friends and allow them to express themselves .
She adds that porn plays into this because it gives boys expectations of what they should have .
When they can ’ t get those things , they don ’ t have the emotional tools to deal with it .
Osowski also talks about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that the messages they receive are reflected in the way she and her friends talk about their bodies .
They see images of skinny , “ perfect-looking ” women on Instagram , and they wonder why they can ’ t look like them.Advertisement She recalls even in middle school being self-conscious about her body , and feeling like it wasn ’ t good enough .
Most of her friends struggled with the same thoughts .
This self-consciousness and self-loathing contributes to why girls might feel compelled to send naked pics when a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way for them to receive external validation about their looks .
As part of her project , Osowski has rewritten the province ’ s grade nine and ten personal development curriculum .
She has been presenting her research to her peers at her high school and plans to work with a few classmates to bring her presentation to middle schools in the second semester .
Osowski is also hoping to present her curriculum to the members of her high school ’ s parent school support committee later this month .
If all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get an audience with school district officials .
While some people think that her generation is a lost cause , Osowski believes that she and her peers are smart enough to change things .
She is confident that once they start challenging the messages the media is sending them , they can fix their relationships with themselves and with each other .
Osowski ’ s project started with a simple question : why do boys ask for naked pics ?
It ended , however , with a much greater purpose .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the younger generation .
Keep Reading : 11 Things I ’ m Teaching My Kids By Age 10

It’s a classic story: boy meets girl, sparks fly, they exchange phone numbers, and then he asks for some naked pics. Albeit, that last part doesn’t sound so classic.
Some of you may not be familiar with this sequence of events. Others may find it both shocking and appalling. For teenagers growing up in the digital age, however, this has become the norm. Somewhat puzzled by this oh-so-common scenario, one Canadian teen centered her research project around one question: Why do boys so often ask girls for naked pics?
Now, she’s rewriting the school curriculum.
Why Do Boys Ask for Naked Pics?
Since the beginning of the school year, Kiona Osowski, a grade twelve student from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, has been working on her final year research project. For the assignment, she chose to investigate why boys feel entitled to ask for naked pics, and why girls send them.
“I think a lot of people don’t want to talk about it, but it’s happening,” she said. “We’re constantly asked for pictures or we’re sent things without our consent.” [1]
She says that this has become a societal norm, and that they need to start dissecting it.
Kiona worked on her project under the supervision of psychology teacher Heather Gunn, and sociology teacher Chris Evans. Throughout her research, she found that there are a number of “toxic” media messages teenagers are consuming which are influencing this behaviour.
Osowski wrote a letter to the school district, outlining her findings:
“Nude photos, media exploitation of women, toxic male gender representation and violence-inducing media, porn and so many other issues are simply not talked about,” she wrote. “Many of the adults in our lives are unaware of the issues going on with our youth.” [1]
Read More: Dutch TV Show For Kids Features Naked Adults To Promote Body Positivity
Porn, Video Games, and Toxic Masculinity
According to Osowski, teenage boys watch a lot of movies, video games, and porn. Statistics say she’s not wrong.
According to the most popular porn site in the world, PornHub, three quarters of its audience is male. Other estimates of the overall porn industry say that male viewers make up 90 percent of the demographic [2].
Although most porn sites say they have measures in place to prevent teenagers from watching their content, the systems appear to be highly ineffective. Here are the stats:
90 percent of boys and 70 percent of girls aged 13 and 14 have seen porn [3]
25 percent of teens have seen porn accidentally when they weren’t even looking for it [4].
Osowski also refers to other forms of media, explaining that television and movies often portray as dominant, aggressive, and lacking in emotions. She argues that this has left boys with the belief that anger is the only acceptable emotion to have. In her presentation, she encourages boys to support their friends and allow them to express themselves.
She adds that porn plays into this because it gives boys expectations of what they should have. When they can’t get those things, they don’t have the emotional tools to deal with it.
“There’s this ideal that men have that they deserve certain things,” she explained, “a rich man with a nice house and a beautiful woman and when men don’t get that in reality, they can become really frustrated because they don’t know how to experience emotion.” [1]
Girls and the Media
Osowski also talks about how the media affects girls. She says that the messages they receive are reflected in the way she and her friends talk about their bodies. They see images of skinny, “perfect-looking” women on Instagram, and they wonder why they can’t look like them.
She recalls even in middle school being self-conscious about her body, and feeling like it wasn’t good enough. Most of her friends struggled with the same thoughts.
“I just kind of went on with my life and I was like, ‘Well, I can hate my body because everyone else does too,’ so that’s why I want to make it so it’s not normal.” [1]
This self-consciousness and self-loathing contributes to why girls might feel compelled to send naked pics when a boy asks for them. It is a way for them to receive external validation about their looks.
Read More: Woman strips her 3 kids naked, forces them to walk in freezing snow because she wanted to stop “living in sin”
Re-Writing the School Curriculum
As part of her project, Osowski has rewritten the province’s grade nine and ten personal development curriculum. She has been presenting her research to her peers at her high school and plans to work with a few classmates to bring her presentation to middle schools in the second semester.
“[Students] don’t always want to hear from moms and dads and grown-ups. I think that they look to peers that they respect and they see themselves in and they respect Kiona and those who will be working with her,” said her teacher, Heather Gunn [1].
Osowski is also hoping to present her curriculum to the members of her high school’s parent school support committee later this month. If all goes well, her eventual goal is to get an audience with school district officials.
While some people think that her generation is a lost cause, Osowski believes that she and her peers are smart enough to change things. She is confident that once they start challenging the messages the media is sending them, they can fix their relationships with themselves and with each other.
Osowski’s project started with a simple question: why do boys ask for naked pics? It ended, however, with a much greater purpose. One that will hopefully change the script for the younger generation.
Keep Reading: Dad ‘shamed’ for showering naked with daughter, 6, after swim at local pool
Sources:


theheartysoul--2020-12-03--Single Mom Facing Homelessness Built A $10K Tiny Home Instead Of Taking Out A $300K Mortgage

Charlotte Sapwell was 27 and homeless when her marriage ended , leaving her as the single mother of two boys .
She dismissed the option of a house with a mortgage draining her limited funds .
Instead , she built her own miniature home for just $ 10,000 .
This single mom ’ s tiny home in Ballarat , Victoria , put a roof over her family ’ s head while saving them money .
“ It ’ s not something I had ever really thought about , but then due to financial difficulties , I spoke to my grandpa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house , ” said Charlotte .
“ I was running out of options and as a mum I needed to do everything within my power to provide for my boys even if it meant some long days and hard work.
” Charlotte was living at her parents ’ house but she wanted to be free of financial obligation while living in her own home .
Five months later , Charlotte had built her tiny home in her grandfather ’ s backyard .
It wasn ’ t a simple journey .
Charlotte and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived without essential amenities for months before construction was complete in 2017 .
Advertisement “ The first few weeks were hard with three people living in a box , ” she said , “ but then when things started happening like running water , flushing toilet we all got excited .
“ I went without a washing machine for a few months and it was getting to the point of ridiculousness.
” The grandfather helped by giving her a loan and an area in his yard to build .
With his generosity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was completed without too much financial distress .
“ I ’ m lucky that together we did all the labor , and I ’ m talking everything so that took away a lot of the cost.
” Most of the very limited budget bought materials from Bunnings .
The rest went to furniture from IKEA , Kmart , and wherever else they could find cheap products .
“ My main tip is Gumtree , garage sales anyone chucking stuff in dumpys ; we live in an online world and it ’ s very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and see what people are getting rid of and the same goes for selling .
Everyone loves a bargain.
” [ 1 ] Read : Single dad adopts five siblings so they can stay together The tiny home has three rooms : the boys ’ bedroom , a bathroom , and the main area that includes Charlotte ’ s bedroom and the kitchen .
She ’ s proud that her kids were able to have their own private space .
She feels they deserve it after all they ’ ve done to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the small home was more of a necessity than a fun hobby , Charlotte was inspired by the experience to take on another similar project .
She also has tips for anyone who ’ s thinking of creating their own tiny home .
“ My advice is don ’ t be afraid to start small , really we don ’ t need a lot of things , ” she said .
“ A smaller mortgage means so much room for possibilities , you learn to really appreciate what ’ s around you and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I am personally capable of so in saying that anyone can do it .
I never would have thought I ’ d ever achieve building my own home let alone love what I ’ m doing.
” She has since sold a beautifully-styled tiny home in 2018 and continues to promote this simple lifestyle .
She believes that less is more and that people don ’ t need so many material possessions to be happy .
Plus , a smaller space means there ’ s less cleaning .
[ 2 ] Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was built in 2017 , her story rings true today .
Single mothers are faced with a seemingly impossible task , to financially and emotionally care for their kids , which is typically a two-persons ’ job .
It ’ s rough .
There ’ s little time for the mom herself between work and child-caring , so burnout comes often .
After all , she has to do everything herself .
It ’ s lonely .
Once the kids go to bed , the house becomes quiet and the mother is unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , it can also be extremely empowering .
Whenever people face something difficult and make it to the other side , it ’ s uplifting .
It unlocks a certain potential they never knew they had .
There ’ s joy to be found in accomplishing hard things .
[ 3 ] Charlotte didn ’ t think she would be able to build her own home .
She thought her grandfather ’ s idea was insane .
After all , she failed her Year 9 woodworking class .
Despite that , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought was impossible .
Among these challenges comes the guilt that all single mothers face .
They wonder if they ’ re really a good mother and if they could do more for her kids .
While these thoughts may come , it ’ s important to know that a person can ’ t do more than her best .
And doing her best is good enough .
Charlotte ’ s pride and joy is her sons ’ bedroom .
Her kids have helped her so much during the construction process , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warm and stunning space .
“ For me the proudest moment was the boys ’ room , giving them their own space filled me with an incredible sense of achievement , ” she said .
Keep Reading : “ I Raised Four Sons as a Single Mom .
Now That They ’ re Grown , I ’ m Off to Europe , ” – Jen McGuire

Charlotte Sapwell was 27 and homeless when her marriage ended, leaving her as the single mother of two boys. She dismissed the option of a house with a mortgage draining her limited funds. Instead, she built her own miniature home for just $10,000. This single mom’s tiny home in Ballarat, Victoria, put a roof over her family’s head while saving them money.
“It’s not something I had ever really thought about, but then due to financial difficulties, I spoke to my grandpa and he suggested we build a tiny house,” said Charlotte. “I was running out of options and as a mum I needed to do everything within my power to provide for my boys even if it meant some long days and hard work.”
Building a Single Mom’s Tiny Home
Charlotte was living at her parents’ house but she wanted to be free of financial obligation while living in her own home.
Five months later, Charlotte had built her tiny home in her grandfather’s backyard. It wasn’t a simple journey. Charlotte and her sons, aged two and six, lived without essential amenities for months before construction was complete in 2017.
“The first few weeks were hard with three people living in a box,” she said, “but then when things started happening like running water, flushing toilet we all got excited.
Image Credit: Charlotte Sapwell
“I went without a washing machine for a few months and it was getting to the point of ridiculousness.”
The grandfather helped by giving her a loan and an area in his yard to build. With his generosity, the single mom’s tiny home was completed without too much financial distress.
“I’m lucky that together we did all the labor, and I’m talking everything so that took away a lot of the cost.”
Image Credit: Charlotte Sapwell
Most of the very limited budget bought materials from Bunnings. The rest went to furniture from IKEA, Kmart, and wherever else they could find cheap products.
“My main tip is Gumtree, garage sales anyone chucking stuff in dumpys; we live in an online world and it’s very easy to put a call out online and see what people are getting rid of and the same goes for selling. Everyone loves a bargain.” [1]
Read: Single dad adopts five siblings so they can stay together
Inside the Tiny Home
The tiny home has three rooms: the boys’ bedroom, a bathroom, and the main area that includes Charlotte’s bedroom and the kitchen. She’s proud that her kids were able to have their own private space. She feels they deserve it after all they’ve done to help her with the construction.
Although building the small home was more of a necessity than a fun hobby, Charlotte was inspired by the experience to take on another similar project. She also has tips for anyone who’s thinking of creating their own tiny home.
Image Credit: Charlotte Sapwell
“My advice is don’t be afraid to start small, really we don’t need a lot of things,” she said. “A smaller mortgage means so much room for possibilities, you learn to really appreciate what’s around you and for me, I’ve learned what I am personally capable of so in saying that anyone can do it. I never would have thought I’d ever achieve building my own home let alone love what I’m doing.”
Image Credit: Charlotte Sapwell
She has since sold a beautifully-styled tiny home in 2018 and continues to promote this simple lifestyle. She believes that less is more and that people don’t need so many material possessions to be happy. Plus, a smaller space means there’s less cleaning. [2]
Empowering Single Moms
Although this single mom’s tiny home was built in 2017, her story rings true today. Single mothers are faced with a seemingly impossible task, to financially and emotionally care for their kids, which is typically a two-persons’ job.
It’s rough. There’s little time for the mom herself between work and child-caring, so burnout comes often. After all, she has to do everything herself.
It’s lonely. Once the kids go to bed, the house becomes quiet and the mother is unable to go out whenever she wants.
However, it can also be extremely empowering. Whenever people face something difficult and make it to the other side, it’s uplifting. It unlocks a certain potential they never knew they had. There’s joy to be found in accomplishing hard things. [3]
Charlotte didn’t think she would be able to build her own home. She thought her grandfather’s idea was insane. After all, she failed her Year 9 woodworking class. Despite that, she was able to do what she once thought was impossible.
Among these challenges comes the guilt that all single mothers face. They wonder if they’re really a good mother and if they could do more for her kids. While these thoughts may come, it’s important to know that a person can’t do more than her best. And doing her best is good enough.
Charlotte’s pride and joy is her sons’ bedroom. Her kids have helped her so much during the construction process, and her hard work provided them with a warm and stunning space.
“For me the proudest moment was the boys’ room, giving them their own space filled me with an incredible sense of achievement,” she said.
Single moms truly are modern superheroes.


theheartysoul--2020-12-03--Server gets $2k tip, but restaurant says it can’t process a tip that big

What would you do if you received a $ 2000 tip working as a server ?
Go on a trip ?
Put it into savings ?
Jump for joy and until you figure it out ?
That ’ s what this waitress did .
Her joy was short-lived , however , when she found out that the restaurant couldn ’ t give her any of the money .
21-year-old Emily Bauer had just started working as a server at Red Hook Seafood and Bar in San Antonio , Texas .
She is a mom of two sons , aged two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was laid off because of COVID , and Bauer was stressed that she wouldn ’ t be able to give her sons the Christmas she wanted to .
( 1 ) Two weeks into the job , she was working a busy Sunday shift .
Service was slower than usual , and she was continuously apologizing to a gentleman in her section who had particularly long wait times .
( 1 ) He then told her to cancel what was left on his order and bring him the bill .
Bauer obliged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his partner left , Bauer went back to the table to collect the bill .
When she looked at it , her jaw nearly dropped to the floor .
( 2 ) The man left her a $ 2000 tip with a note that said : “ Merry Christmas , keep working hard !
” .
All of the other servers were congratulating her for her well-deserved reward .
( 1 ) Shortly after receiving the tip , however , Bauer found out that she won ’ t be able to receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the restaurant only allows up to $ 500 tips .
( 2 ) Some of the other servers suggested they try processing it in four $ 500 tips , but that didn ’ t work either .
( 1 ) The man who left the tip did call the restaurant to make sure she got it and was disappointed that she was unable to receive it .
According to the restaurant , he told management that he had a lot of money and owned three restaurants in San Antonio .
( 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the restaurant to pay Bauer in cash , but so far he has not come by .
( 2 ) Bauer posted the tip on her social media with a message of gratitude in hopes that the man will see it and know that she was at the very least grateful for the generous gesture .
( 2 ) No One Has the $ 2000 Tip So far , neither Bauer nor the restaurant has heard from the gentleman .
As of right now , the amount of money the man attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account .
The system kept denying the tip no matter what they tried , so the restaurant doesn ’ t have the money and neither does Bauer .
( 2 ) Some other news outlets reported on the story before hearing what the restaurant had to say , which has caused an outcry of hate towards the restaurant itself .
The restaurant later reached out to clarify that they weren ’ t keeping the money and denying Bauer her tip , they were simply unable to process the money .
( 2 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will see this and reach out to Bauer soon .
Keep Reading : A homeless Detroit man bought an abandoned house for $ 1,500 and spent 10 years renovating it for his wife .
Here ’ s how he did it — and what it looks like now .

What would you do if you received a $2000 tip working as a server? Go on a trip? Put it into savings? Jump for joy and until you figure it out? That’s what this waitress did. Her joy was short-lived, however, when she found out that the restaurant couldn’t give her any of the money.
Waitress Can’t Receive A Dime of her $2000 Tip
21-year-old Emily Bauer had just started working as a server at Red Hook Seafood and Bar in San Antonio, Texas. She is a mom of two sons, aged two years and five months. Her boyfriend was laid off because of COVID, and Bauer was stressed that she wouldn’t be able to give her sons the Christmas she wanted to. (1)
Two weeks into the job, she was working a busy Sunday shift. Service was slower than usual, and she was continuously apologizing to a gentleman in her section who had particularly long wait times. (1)
“I kept apologizing. ‘I’m sorry. I’m being slow.’ He was just like, ‘I understand.’ He also mentioned he owned restaurants. So he knew how hard it was to be a server,” Bauer said. (2)
He then told her to cancel what was left on his order and bring him the bill. Bauer obliged. (2)
An Early Christmas Gift
After the man and his partner left, Bauer went back to the table to collect the bill. When she looked at it, her jaw nearly dropped to the floor. (2)
The man left her a $2000 tip with a note that said: “Merry Christmas, keep working hard!”.
Image Credit: KENS
“I just opened it and started crying. I was like, ‘oh my God! My kids! I’m going to spend it all on my kids,’” said Bauer. “I’ve never had a Christmas where I’ve been able to like splurge on them.” (2)
All of the other servers were congratulating her for her well-deserved reward. (1)
Short-Lived Excitement
Shortly after receiving the tip, however, Bauer found out that she won’t be able to receive any of that money. The system at the restaurant only allows up to $500 tips. (2)
Some of the other servers suggested they try processing it in four $500 tips, but that didn’t work either. (1)
“Everybody I’ve talked to has been like, ‘I’ve never heard of that before.’ If it’s left to you and signed by that person, then you should be able to get it.” said Bauer. (2)
The man who left the tip did call the restaurant to make sure she got it and was disappointed that she was unable to receive it. According to the restaurant, he told management that he had a lot of money and owned three restaurants in San Antonio. (2)
The manager suggested he come back to the restaurant to pay Bauer in cash, but so far he has not come by. (2)
Bauer posted the tip on her social media with a message of gratitude in hopes that the man will see it and know that she was at the very least grateful for the generous gesture. (2)
“Even though I can’t receive it, thank you. Thank you for having such a big heart. This world is filled with messed up people. It’s like, how did he know I needed that?” she said. (2)
No One Has the $2000 Tip
So far, neither Bauer nor the restaurant has heard from the gentleman. As of right now, the amount of money the man attempted to tip is still in his own account. The system kept denying the tip no matter what they tried, so the restaurant doesn’t have the money and neither does Bauer. (2)
Some other news outlets reported on the story before hearing what the restaurant had to say, which has caused an outcry of hate towards the restaurant itself. The restaurant later reached out to clarify that they weren’t keeping the money and denying Bauer her tip, they were simply unable to process the money. (2)
Hopefully, the gentleman who left it will see this and reach out to Bauer soon.


theheartysoul--2020-12-03--How Good Are Your Math Skills? Test Them With This Tricky Problem

There ’ s another math problem floating around the internet testing people ’ s math skills .
Do you know how to solve it ?
Test Your Math Skills With This Equation Math isn ’ t for everyone .
Some of us take to numbers easily , others , such as myself , prefer words .
That being said , math is an important subject and knowing how to do at least some simple math is an important life skill .
Unless you went into a field that requires you to use this subject daily , however , then chances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ math skills very often anymore .
Especially now that we have an actual calculator in our pocket or bag everywhere we go , chances are you don ’ t even bother trying .
If it ’ s been a while since you put your math skills to the test , then today is your lucky day !
Check out this equation that ’ s got some people stumped and see if you can get the right answer.Advertisement Did you get it , or are you unsure ?
I ’ ll tell you what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll explain how you get there .
The trick to getting this question right is using something that you may have not used since you were in grade school : BEDMAS ( or PEMDAS ) .
This is an acronym for : This is also known as The Order of Operations or the order in which you complete an equation .
In this case , we start with the bracketed portion : ( 8÷4 ) = 2 Next , we complete the other set of division : 24÷4 = 6 If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will remember it from now on .
Now that you ’ ve got that one sorted , test your math skills further with these next few and see how you get on .
• Can you solve this equation without a calculator ?
• The viral math problem that has people up in arms • If you can solve this math problem , you must be highly intelligent • Can you solve this tricky math riddle ?
Once you ’ ve got them all correct , be sure to send them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try .

There’s another math problem floating around the internet testing people’s math skills. Do you know how to solve it?
Test Your Math Skills With This Equation
Math isn’t for everyone. Some of us take to numbers easily, others, such as myself, prefer words. That being said, math is an important subject and knowing how to do at least some simple math is an important life skill.
Unless you went into a field that requires you to use this subject daily, however, then chances are you don’t test your math skills very often anymore. Especially now that we have an actual calculator in our pocket or bag everywhere we go, chances are you don’t even bother trying.
If it’s been a while since you put your math skills to the test, then today is your lucky day! Check out this equation that’s got some people stumped and see if you can get the right answer.
Image Credit: Innerstrength
The Answer
Did you get it, or are you unsure?
I’ll tell you what the right answer is, then I’ll explain how you get there.
The correct answer is: 12.
The Process
The trick to getting this question right is using something that you may have not used since you were in grade school: BEDMAS (or PEMDAS).
This is an acronym for:
B – brackets
E – Exponents
D – Division
M – Multiplication
A – Addition
S – Subtraction
This is also known as The Order of Operations or the order in which you complete an equation.
In this case, we start with the bracketed portion: (8÷4) = 2
Next, we complete the other set of division: 24÷4 = 6
Lastly, we multiply 6×2 = 12.
If you forgot about bedmas, I am certain you will remember it from now on.
Other Math Problems
Now that you’ve got that one sorted, test your math skills further with these next few and see how you do!


theheartysoul--2020-12-03--Haiti’s Poor Eats Mud to Avoid Starvation

In 2008 , images surfaced of women in Haiti carefully spreading spoonfuls of mud into discs , and drying them in the hot sun .
These discs , however , were not meant to be pottery : they were food .
As food prices rose , Haiti ’ s poorest people were turning to “ mud cookies ” to keep hunger at bay .
Sadly , the situation hasn ’ t improved much since then .
For many years , pregnant women in the country have eaten mud cookies as an antacid and source of calcium .
Unfortunately for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a regular meal .
This is particularly true in Haiti ’ s most notorious slum , Cite Soleil .
The dirt to make the cookies comes from the central town of Hinche .
Merchants drive the dirt down in trucks to the La Saline Market , where women buy the dirt .
These women then carry the dirt in buckets up to the roof of the area ’ s former prison .
They use a sheet to sift through the dirt , straining out rocks and clumps .
Next , the women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mixture into mud cookies , and leave them in the hot sun to dry .
Once the cookies are done , they sell them in markets or on the street .
For Charlene , who shares a house with her baby , five siblings , and two unemployed parents , the cookies have become a staple .
The cookies have a buttery , salty taste that sucks all the moisture out of your mouth .
Charlene says she actually likes the flavor , but that the cookies often cause her stomach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurses her baby , she says he gets colicky , too .
Marie-Carmelle Baptiste is a cookie producer .
She explained that no one eats the cookies because they want to , or because of the taste .
They eat them out of necessity .
So what could possibly drive an entire group of people into eating mud to stay alive ?
The answer is a perfect storm of events .
At the heart of the issue , however , is food prices .
Food prices in Haiti went up because of rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a country , these types of fluctuations affect them more significantly because Haiti is almost completely reliant on food imports .
Rural infrastructure in the country is almost non-existent thanks to chronic under-investment .
In addition , the slashing and burning of forests for farming and charcoal have destroyed the nutrients in the soil and rendered it nearly useless .
To add to the problem , the Haitian government made a decision in the 1980s to lift tariffs when international prices were lower .
Cheap imported rice and vegetables came pouring into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankrupt [ 2 ] .
Now , however , food prices are rising at an alarming rate .
In 2008 , when the story of the mud cookies received international attention , food prices had increased by forty percent .
The 2007 hurricane season also caused a significant amount of flooding and crop damage , leaving many Haitians destitute .
As of 2008 , eighty percent of Haitians lived off of just two dollars per day .
When two cups of rice costs sixty cents , ( fifty percent higher than the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone up at a similar rate , many of them can ’ t keep up .
The mud cookies , however , cost just five cents apiece .
For someone who is rationing out two dollars , this is their only option .
Do the Cookies Provide Any Nutritional Value ?
Interestingly enough , even in more prosperous times , Haitians still eat mud cookies , according to correspondence from the World Food Programme .
Pregnant women , in particular , eat them as a type of “ medicine ” , or nutritional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The practice of eating earth or clay is called “ geophagy ” .
Humans have been doing this for centuries , as a cure for poison , plague , and other infections .
It can also act as an anti-nausea aide .
In fact , a jar of montmorillonite clay pills from France cost 36 dollars [ 3 ] .
But are mud cookies actually healthy ?
Not particularly .
Gerald N. Callahan is an immunology professor at Colorado State University .
He says dirt can contain deadly toxins , but can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system to certain diseases when they ’ re in the womb .
That being said , the mud cookies contain very little in terms of vitamins or nutritional value .
Eating them as your main source of sustenance significantly increases your risk for malnutrition .
Read : UN Official warns of “ famines of biblical proportions ” in 2021 The Situation has Shown Little Improvement Sadly , in the last twelve years , the situation in Haiti has shown little improvement .
An earthquake in January 2019 devastated Port-au-Prince , the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 200 thousand people , destroyed one million people ’ s homes , and used up all of the emergency food supplies from aid organizations .
The result ?
Haitians are still food insecure and eating mud cookies .
Patrick McCormick is a spokesman for the U.N. Children ’ s Fund ( UNICEF ) .
He says that Haitians have been eating these cookies for years , and they are resorting to them again .
According to aid organisations , the instance of malnutrition had dropped significantly the year prior .
The earthquake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress the country had made .
Sarah Wilson is part of Christian Aid ’ s assessment team in Haiti .
She says that they had been very optimistic about the situation in Haiti at Christmas .
Haitians are Still Eating Mud Cookies in 2020 Fast-forward to 2020 , and the situation hasn ’ t gotten much better .
Drought over the last few years has worsened food shortages and raised prices .
The price of imported food has also jumped because of the collapse of the gourde ( Haiti ’ s currency ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close for three months in the fall of 2019 .
This not only disrupted the transportation of goods , but also food aid .
Because of government instability over the last decade , donating to help the country has been difficult .
The country now has no authorized government or budget , which means that Haiti is no longer allowed to access certain funds set aside for it from international organizations .
As a result , one in three Haitians currently need urgent food assistance .
That is approximately 3.7 million people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when to feed her children , because she can not feed them three times per day .
Mud cookies may not look good or taste good , and they may not provide much in the way of nutrition , but they do put something in a hungry belly .
Until the situation in Haiti improves , the people will continue to eat them .
Let ’ s hope that someday , that will only be because they want to , and not because they have to .
Keep Reading : 17 Year Old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tool That Could Prevent Starvation

In 2008, images surfaced of women in Haiti carefully spreading spoonfuls of mud into discs, and drying them in the hot sun. These discs, however, were not meant to be pottery: they were food. As food prices rose, Haiti’s poorest people were turning to “mud cookies” to keep hunger at bay. Sadly, the situation hasn’t improved much since then.
Desperate Haitians eat Mud Cookies
For many years, pregnant women in the country have eaten mud cookies as an antacid and source of calcium. Unfortunately for many Haitians, these little dirt discs have become a regular meal. This is particularly true in Haiti’s most notorious slum, Cite Soleil.
The dirt to make the cookies comes from the central town of Hinche. Merchants drive the dirt down in trucks to the La Saline Market, where women buy the dirt. These women then carry the dirt in buckets up to the roof of the area’s former prison. They use a sheet to sift through the dirt, straining out rocks and clumps. Next, the women stir in shortening and salt, pat the mixture into mud cookies, and leave them in the hot sun to dry.
Once the cookies are done, they sell them in markets or on the street.
For Charlene, who shares a house with her baby, five siblings, and two unemployed parents, the cookies have become a staple.
“When my mother does not cook anything, I have to eat them three times a day,” she said [1].
The cookies have a buttery, salty taste that sucks all the moisture out of your mouth. Charlene says she actually likes the flavor, but that the cookies often cause her stomach to hurt. When she eats them and nurses her baby, she says he gets colicky, too.
Marie-Carmelle Baptiste is a cookie producer. She explained that no one eats the cookies because they want to, or because of the taste. They eat them out of necessity.
“It stops the hunger,” she said. “You eat them when you have to.” [2]
Why Are Haitians Eating Mud Cookies?
So what could possibly drive an entire group of people into eating mud to stay alive? The answer is a perfect storm of events. At the heart of the issue, however, is food prices.
Food prices in Haiti went up because of rising oil prices around the world. As a country, these types of fluctuations affect them more significantly because Haiti is almost completely reliant on food imports.
Rural infrastructure in the country is almost non-existent thanks to chronic under-investment. In addition, the slashing and burning of forests for farming and charcoal have destroyed the nutrients in the soil and rendered it nearly useless.
To add to the problem, the Haitian government made a decision in the 1980s to lift tariffs when international prices were lower. Cheap imported rice and vegetables came pouring into the country, which made domestic farmers go bankrupt [2].
Now, however, food prices are rising at an alarming rate. In 2008, when the story of the mud cookies received international attention, food prices had increased by forty percent. The 2007 hurricane season also caused a significant amount of flooding and crop damage, leaving many Haitians destitute.
As of 2008, eighty percent of Haitians lived off of just two dollars per day. When two cups of rice costs sixty cents, (fifty percent higher than the previous year) and beans and fruit have gone up at a similar rate, many of them can’t keep up. The mud cookies, however, cost just five cents apiece. For someone who is rationing out two dollars, this is their only option.
Do the Cookies Provide Any Nutritional Value?
Interestingly enough, even in more prosperous times, Haitians still eat mud cookies, according to correspondence from the World Food Programme. Pregnant women, in particular, eat them as a type of “medicine”, or nutritional supplement, to increase their calcium intake.
The practice of eating earth or clay is called “geophagy”. Humans have been doing this for centuries, as a cure for poison, plague, and other infections. It can also act as an anti-nausea aide. In fact, a jar of montmorillonite clay pills from France cost 36 dollars [3].
But are mud cookies actually healthy? Not particularly.
Gerald N. Callahan is an immunology professor at Colorado State University. He says dirt can contain deadly toxins, but can also strengthen a foetus’s immune system to certain diseases when they’re in the womb. That being said, the mud cookies contain very little in terms of vitamins or nutritional value. Eating them as your main source of sustenance significantly increases your risk for malnutrition.
“Trust me, if I see someone eating those cookies, I will discourage it,” said executive director of Haiti’s health ministry, Dr. Gabriel Thimothee [1].
The Situation has Shown Little Improvement
Sadly, in the last twelve years, the situation in Haiti has shown little improvement. An earthquake in January 2019 devastated Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital. The quake killed more than 200 thousand people, destroyed one million people’s homes, and used up all of the emergency food supplies from aid organizations. The result? Haitians are still food insecure and eating mud cookies.
Patrick McCormick is a spokesman for the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF). He says that Haitians have been eating these cookies for years, and they are resorting to them again.
“Food is not getting to everyone, there are still people who are not receiving enough assistance in Haiti and this is for sure,” he said [4].
According to aid organisations, the instance of malnutrition had dropped significantly the year prior. The earthquake, however, reversed much of the progress the country had made. Sarah Wilson is part of Christian Aid’s assessment team in Haiti. She says that they had been very optimistic about the situation in Haiti at Christmas.
“It looked like the following year would be the first year of growth in decades and now everything has gone into reverse and is much worse,” she explained [4].
Haitians are Still Eating Mud Cookies in 2020
Fast-forward to 2020, and the situation hasn’t gotten much better. Drought over the last few years has worsened food shortages and raised prices. The price of imported food has also jumped because of the collapse of the gourde (Haiti’s currency), and anti-government protests forced businesses to close for three months in the fall of 2019. This not only disrupted the transportation of goods, but also food aid.
Because of government instability over the last decade, donating to help the country has been difficult. The country now has no authorized government or budget, which means that Haiti is no longer allowed to access certain funds set aside for it from international organizations.
As a result, one in three Haitians currently need urgent food assistance. That is approximately 3.7 million people. One mother now has to carefully choose when to feed her children, because she cannot feed them three times per day.
“No one has eaten yet today but if I feed my kids too early in the day they are hungry by night and cannot sleep,” she said [5]
Mud cookies may not look good or taste good, and they may not provide much in the way of nutrition, but they do put something in a hungry belly. Until the situation in Haiti improves, the people will continue to eat them. Let’s hope that someday, that will only be because they want to, and not because they have to.
Read More: Paralyzed Man Is Cleaning Plastic From River Goes –And He’s Showered With Gifts to Better His Life


theheartysoul--2020-12-05--‘Skinny Pigs’ Are Hairless Guinea Pigs That Look Like Pocket-Sized Hippos

In Canada in 1999 , an ad ran on children ’ s programming about the “ North American House Hippo ” to teach kids not to believe everything they see on TV .
While house hippos might not be real , skinny pigs are , and you can have one as a pet .
( 1 ) A generation of Canadian children grew up with one wish : That the North American House Hippo they saw in a Concerned Children ’ s Advertisers ’ PSA was real .
Those kids , now adults , might actually be able to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meet the skinny pig : Hairless guinea pigs that are pretty close to being the same thing .
Skinny pigs are hairless guinea pigs that only grow whiskers and a small amount of hair on their feet and legs .
They come in a variety of colors and patterns , however of course the black ones are the most hippo-like .
( 1 ) Advertisement According to skinny pig owners , these animals are very loveable , social , and outgoing creatures .
They are the result of some cross-breeding that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ 80s .
They have since become wildly popular pets in North America and Europe .
( 1 ) These special little creatures have similar needs to regular guinea pigs , however , they do have some extra care involved due to their lack of hair .
( 2 ) 1 .
They must be kept warm .
The house hippo makes its bed in bedroom closets , using “ socks and mittens , dryer lint , and bits of string.
” Skinny pigs require extra bedding care , as well , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blankets for them to curl up into in their cages will suffice .
( 2 ) Moreover , you must make sure to keep your house at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit ( 21 degrees Celsius ) at all times .
( 2 ) 2 .
They need plenty of hay .
While the fictional house hippo enjoys a diet of chips , raisins , and the leftover crumbs from peanut butter and toast , skinny pigs ’ diet consists mainly of hay .
They must always be provided with lots of hay as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their diet .
( 2 ) AdvertisementSkinny pigs eat more than typical guinea pigs to help them keep warm .
( 2 ) Skinny pigs , like guinea pigs , are unable to produce vitamin C on their own .
This means you must also feed them pellets that have been fortified with the nutrient .
You can also feed them some high vitamin C rich vegetables or vitamin C tablets .
( 2 ) Fun fact , guinea pigs are one of few animals that can not produce their own vitamin C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include certain fish , birds , apes , and monkeys .
This includes humans too !
( 3 ) If you decide to take your skinny pig outside on a warm day , make sure they spend most of their time in the shade and that you apply sunscreen on them before heading out .
Their skin is highly sensitive to sunlight .
( 2 ) Skinny pigs ’ skin is also susceptible to becoming dry , so you may need to apply lotion on occasion .
( 2 ) 5 .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pigs have poor eyesight , so if you have your pet out of the cage you must supervise it at all times .
They are at a higher risk of injuring themselves falling off of furniture , etc , because they can ’ t tell how high up they are .
( 2 ) Advertisement 6 .
Don ’ t let them play with other pets Fur acts like a soft armor for your pets , so when they play they are less likely to hurt each other .
Skinny pigs don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep them away from your cat , dog , or other pets .
( 2 ) These pets are more expensive than a traditional guinea pig , as to be expected .
They range from $ 100 to $ 250 .
They also require a large cage to run around in and frequent cage cleanings .
( 2 ) Though the desire to own your very own house hippo might be strong , make sure you know all what goes into having a pet such as this before you get one so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life .
Keep Reading : Has Research Really Found That People Who Talk To Pets Are Smarter Than Those Who Don ’ t ?

In 1999, a Canadian ad ran on children’s programming about the “North American House Hippo” to teach kids not to believe everything they see on TV. While house hippos might not be real, skinny pigs are, and you can have one as a pet. (1)
Skinny Pigs: The Real North American House Hippo
A generation of Canadian children grew up with one wish: That the North American House Hippo they saw in a Concerned Children’s Advertisers’ PSA was real.
Those kids, now adults, might actually be able to have that dream come true – sort of. Meet the skinny pig: Hairless guinea pigs that are pretty close to being the same thing.
What Are Skinny Pigs?
Skinny pigs are hairless guinea pigs that only grow whiskers and a small amount of hair on their feet and legs. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, however of course the black ones are the most hippo-like. (1)
According to skinny pig owners, these animals are very loveable, social, and outgoing creatures. They are the result of some cross-breeding that was done in a lab back in the ‘80s. They have since become wildly popular pets in North America and Europe. (1)
Skinny Pig Care
These special little creatures have similar needs to regular guinea pigs, however, they do have some extra care involved due to their lack of hair. (2)
1. They must be kept warm.
The house hippo makes its bed in bedroom closets, using “socks and mittens, dryer lint, and bits of string.” Skinny pigs require extra bedding care, as well, in order to keep them warm. Small blankets for them to curl up into in their cages will suffice. (2)
Image Credit: Awkward Animals | Facebook
Moreover, you must make sure to keep your house at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) at all times. (2)
2. They need plenty of hay.
While the fictional house hippo enjoys a diet of chips, raisins, and the leftover crumbs from peanut butter and toast, skinny pigs’ diet consists mainly of hay. They must always be provided with lots of hay as it makes up about 80% of their diet. (2)
Skinny pigs eat more than typical guinea pigs to help them keep warm. (2)
Image Credit: Awkward Animals | Facebook
3. Vitamin C
Skinny pigs, like guinea pigs, are unable to produce vitamin C on their own. This means you must also feed them pellets that have been fortified with the nutrient. You can also feed them some high vitamin C rich vegetables or vitamin C tablets. (2) Fun fact, guinea pigs are one of few animals that cannot produce their own vitamin C.(3) Others that cannot include certain fish, birds, apes, and monkeys. This includes humans too! (3)
Read: The National Cat of Norway: Norwegian Forest Cats Are Said To Have Been “Pets of the Vikings”
4. Sunscreen and lotion
If you decide to take your skinny pig outside on a warm day, make sure they spend most of their time in the shade and that you apply sunscreen on them before heading out. Their skin is highly sensitive to sunlight. (2)
Skinny pigs’ skin is also susceptible to becoming dry, so you may need to apply lotion on occasion. (2)
Image Credit: Awkward Animals | Facebook
5. They can’t see very well
Skinny Pigs have poor eyesight, so if you have your pet out of the cage you must supervise it at all times. They are at a higher risk of injuring themselves falling off of furniture, etc, because they can’t tell how high up they are. (2)
6. Don’t let them play with other pets
Fur acts like a soft armor for your pets, so when they play they are less likely to hurt each other. Skinny pigs don’t have this extra protection, so keep them away from your cat, dog, or other pets. (2)
Cost
These pets are more expensive than a traditional guinea pig, as to be expected. They range from $100 to $250. They also require a large cage to run around in and frequent cage cleanings. (2)
Though the desire to own your very own house hippo might be strong, make sure you know all what goes into having a pet such as this before you get one so that it can live a long, happy life.
Keep Reading: Woman saves $28,000 in travel expenses by watching other people’s cats in places she visits
Sources
“These hairless guinea pigs, known as ‘skinny pigs,’ are like having a mini hippo as a pet.” Insider. Allison Millington. May 17, 2020. “10 Skinny Pig Facts Everyone Should Know.” Skinny Pig Care. Joan. December 6, 2016. “The Mystery of Vitamin C” Cell Origins and Metabolism. 2010.
This article originally appeared on The Hearty Soul in December 2020 and has been published here with permission.