theheartysoul--2020-08-17--Would You Live in One of These Candy-Colored Tiny Homes?

For these people , living in a tiny home wasn ’ t different enough .
No , they wanted to live in a home that makes you feel cheery just by looking at it .
These candy-colored homes are so adorable they can brighten anyone ’ s day .
These homes are small , portable , and come in every color imaginable .
Which one would you want to live in ?
This brightly colored mobile home was built by Taylor Painter-Wolfe .
She bought her plans from Tumbleweed Tiny Houses .
Before installing the wood siding , she painted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she could give herself , her dog , and her cat the feeling of living in a rainbow .
( 1 ) You can see more of her home and the adventures she goes on with it on her Instagram and website .
Read : World ’ s Largest 3D Printer Makes Almost Zero Cost Homes Out of Mud If you ’ re a part-time DIY-er ( aka , full-on building your tiny home from scratch is just a little out of your league ) , then these Jamaica Cottage Prefab kits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got kits for cabins and cottages , office spaces , and tiny homes on wheels – all for incredible prices .
You can customize , paint , and decorate them however you want , so let loose and give them the bright colors they deserve .
( 1 ) To get a feel for living in a prefab tiny home before you buy , take a mini-vacation and stay in this one .
This adorable tiny home on wheels could be yours for just $ 60,000 .
With the average cost of traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be your ticket to a mortgage-free life .
As a bonus , you ’ re free to roam , because this home has wheels .
( 1 ) The Toy Box Home is 140 square feet of living space designed in a way that maximizes storage space and makes it feel roomy and cozy inside .
Above the main living area is a loft big enough for a king-sized bed .
The design has also included hidden outlets and built-in LED lighting so that your home is littered with wires everywhere .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks like a space ship and can sleep a family of 4 — see inside Owned by firefighter Nikki Jo Davis , The Ravenlore is a custom-built tiny home on wheels by Tiny Green Cabins .
The gingerbread-style trim gives it a quaint , old-timey cottage vibe , while the bright pink and purple paint make it stand out of the crowd .
( 1 ) Go here to get a quote for one of your own .
Perhaps the tiniest house on the list , this small home painted the colors of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space imaginable .
Designed by Joshua Woodsmen of PinUp Houses , the prototype of this home , which was made to snap together like a puzzle , costs just $ 1,200 to make .
( 1 ) Check out some pictures of its shockingly modern interior .
If you want to live like a pioneer but with more of the modern-day conveniences , then this might be the tiny home for you .
Also known as Gypsy Caravans , these homes are too small for a full bathroom or working kitchen , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer months .
Prices range from $ 2,500 to $ 30,000 depending on the builder , size , and level of luxury you are looking for .
( 1 ) Search Gypsy Caravans for builders in your area .
These homes are all so cute , it ’ s hard to pick just one .
Would you live in a candy-colored tiny home ?
Keep Reading : A ‘ Fundamental Shift is Occurring ’ as People Flock to Tiny Homes

Would You Live in One of These Candy-Colored Tiny Homes?
For these people, living in a tiny home wasn’t different enough. No, they wanted to live in a home that makes you feel cheery just by looking at it. These candy-colored homes are so adorable they can brighten anyone’s day.
6 Candy-Colored Tiny homes
These homes are small, portable, and come in every color imaginable. Which one would you want to live in?
1. The Mobile Rainbow
This brightly colored mobile home was built by Taylor Painter-Wolfe. She bought her plans from Tumbleweed Tiny Houses. Before installing the wood siding, she painted them in her desired multi-colored pattern so that she could give herself, her dog, and her cat the feeling of living in a rainbow. (1)
Taylor Painter-Wolfe
You can see more of her home and the adventures she goes on with it on her Instagram and website.
Read: World’s Largest 3D Printer Makes Almost Zero Cost Homes Out of Mud
2. Candy-Colored Prefab
If you’re a part-time DIY-er (aka, full-on building your tiny home from scratch is just a little out of your league), then these Jamaica Cottage Prefab kits are for you. They’ve got kits for cabins and cottages, office spaces, and tiny homes on wheels – all for incredible prices. You can customize, paint, and decorate them however you want, so let loose and give them the bright colors they deserve. (1)
To get a feel for living in a prefab tiny home before you buy, take a mini-vacation and stay in this one.
Photo from Mint Tiny House Company
3. Tiny Box of Colors
This adorable tiny home on wheels could be yours for just $60,000. With the average cost of traditional homes on the rise, this could be your ticket to a mortgage-free life. As a bonus, you’re free to roam, because this home has wheels. (1)
The Toy Box Home is 140 square feet of living space designed in a way that maximizes storage space and makes it feel roomy and cozy inside. Above the main living area is a loft big enough for a king-sized bed. The design has also included hidden outlets and built-in LED lighting so that your home is littered with wires everywhere. (1)
Read: Tiny smart home looks like a space ship and can sleep a family of 4 — see inside
Photo from Toyboxtinyhome.com
4. The Ravenlore
Owned by firefighter Nikki Jo Davis, The Ravenlore is a custom-built tiny home on wheels by Tiny Green Cabins. The gingerbread-style trim gives it a quaint, old-timey cottage vibe, while the bright pink and purple paint make it stand out of the crowd. (1)
Go here to get a quote for one of your own.
Photo from Tinygreencabins.com
5. Little France
Perhaps the tiniest house on the list, this small home painted the colors of the French flag use every inch of space imaginable. Designed by Joshua Woodsmen of PinUp Houses, the prototype of this home, which was made to snap together like a puzzle, costs just $1,200 to make. (1)
Check out some pictures of its shockingly modern interior.
Photo from Pinup Houses
6. The Horse-Drawn Wagon
If you want to live like a pioneer but with more of the modern-day conveniences, then this might be the tiny home for you. Also known as Gypsy Caravans, these homes are too small for a full bathroom or working kitchen, but make a great option for camping in the summer months.
Prices range from $2,500 to $30,000 depending on the builder, size, and level of luxury you are looking for. (1)
Photo from Gypsy Caravan Company/UK
Search Gypsy Caravans for builders in your area.
These homes are all so cute, it’s hard to pick just one. Would you live in a candy-colored tiny home?
Keep Reading: A ‘Fundamental Shift is Occurring’ as People Flock to Tiny Homes
https://www.thespruce.com/candy-colored-tiny-houses-4092528


theheartysoul--2020-08-19--Photographer Captures Stunning “Jellyfish” Glowing Red in the Sky during a Thunderstorm

On the night of July 2nd , 2020 , a dark-skies expert took on the challenge to capture a rare phenomenon in the form of red jellyfish lightning .
Electricity does truly magical things to the sky – as long as you ’ re not anywhere near its playground when it ’ s time to shine .
Have you ever looked up at the sky during a thunderstorm and very briefly glimpsed red , long-tailed lines shooting from the clouds like a swarm of jellyfish ?
You could have assumed it was floodlights from aircraft , a satellite , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d think you are hallucinating .
Well , chances are , it ’ s none of those things .
It wasn ’ t in your head an there ’ s a very real natural phenomenon that plays out like that.The phenomenon is called “ sprites ” , an extremely fast burst of electricity that occurs between 37 and 50 miles ( 60 and 80 kilometers ) above sky level [ 1 ] .
They are not the regular red or blue-colored lightning strokes .
Sprites are rarely seen clearly from ground level , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This means they ’ d be gone before you ’ d blink .
They were so named by the late Davis Sentman , a professor of physics at the University of Alaska .
He thought the name sprite , which means “ fairy or elf ” , suited their almost magical appearance , and since fairies are supposedly impossible to catch , the name stuck like a dream .
Sprites are incredibly difficult to capture on film due to their elusive nature , but photographer Stephen Hummel was ready for the challenge when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phenomenon on July 2 [ 2 ] .
Hummel is a dark-skies expert at the McDonald Observatory in Jeff Davis County , Texas .
He ’ d been at the top of Mount Locke when he captured the sprites on film , after filming the sky for over 4 and half hours .
“ Sprites usually appear to the eye as very brief , dim , grey structures .
You need to be looking for them to spot them , and oftentimes I am not certain I actually saw one until I check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hummel told Business Insider .
Hummel specializes in photographing night-sky phenomena and has captured several sprite photographs this year .
However , this particular one struck off as the eeriest and most mystical .
“ Overall I ’ ve probably recorded close to 70 hours ’ worth of footage and stills this year , and caught about 70 sprites , ” he said , noting that he captured over 35 of those sprites in one monster thunderstorm .
“ The more powerful the storm and the more lightning it produces , the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Hummel said .
Sprites are formed when lightning strikes the ground and releases positively charged ions .
This reaction triggers a counter-reaction in the sky where negative charges are released to make up for the displacement .
They are mostly triggered by cloud-to-ground lightning flashes that occur towards the end of a thunderstorm .
Sprites appear similar to regular lighting , but their shapes are often more defined and less irregular .
Also , they occur much farther away from the earth ’ s atmosphere and can be seen from outer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the excitation of nitrogen gas in the sky .
When the site of action gets negatively charged , the electrons accelerate at extremely high velocities , often colliding with nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the sky .
When nitrogen gas violently reacts with electricity , it emits the stunning red glow [ 3 ] .
From the ground , sprites mostly appear as thin red lines standing vertically in the sky .
The entire jellyfish appearance can only be seen when the originating cloud is in view .
According to Hummel , red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in shape , which is normal behavior for electricity-triggered phenomena .
He estimated the length and height of his groundbreaking sprite to be “ 30 miles long and 30 miles tall ” .
Sprite sizes are tough to estimate because they appear relative to the viewer ’ s position .
According to the pioneer of sprite photography , Paul M. Smith , who has been capturing the sky jellyfish since 1989 , the most challenging aspect of the craft is weather and light pollution .
It ’ s a truly Herculean task to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stormy nights , and also in poorly-lit areas.
“ The most challenging aspect of this type of photography is usually the weather , ” Smith said in an interview with My Modern Met [ 4 ] .
“ Trying to forecast the clear sky areas during stormy nights is particularly challenging .
This is equally as challenging as trying to find dark , light pollution-free skies from which to shoot .
Not only is a good forecast of the weather and cloud cover needed , but also the technical aspects of the captures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much out there to read up on when it comes to red sprite captures , so it has been a very steep learning curve .
”

On the night of July 2nd, 2020, a dark-skies expert took on the challenge to capture a rare phenomenon in the form of red jellyfish lightning. Electricity does truly magical things to the sky – as long as you’re not anywhere near its playground when it’s time to shine.
Have you ever looked up at the sky during a thunderstorm and very briefly glimpsed red, long-tailed lines shooting from the clouds like a swarm of jellyfish? You could have assumed it was floodlights from aircraft, a satellite, or on a bad day, you’d think you are hallucinating. Well, chances are, it’s none of those things. It wasn’t in your head an there’s a very real natural phenomenon that plays out like that.The phenomenon is called “sprites”, an extremely fast burst of electricity that occurs between 37 and 50 miles (60 and 80 kilometers) above sky level [1]. They are not the regular red or blue-colored lightning strokes. Sprites are rarely seen clearly from ground level, usually lasting 20 milliseconds at most. This means they’d be gone before you’d blink. They were so named by the late Davis Sentman, a professor of physics at the University of Alaska. He thought the name sprite, which means “fairy or elf”, suited their almost magical appearance, and since fairies are supposedly impossible to catch, the name stuck like a dream.
Eerie, red jellyfish crackling across the dark sky
Sprites are incredibly difficult to capture on film due to their elusive nature, but photographer Stephen Hummel was ready for the challenge when he got a stunning picture of the phenomenon on July 2 [2]. Hummel is a dark-skies expert at the McDonald Observatory in Jeff Davis County, Texas. He’d been at the top of Mount Locke when he captured the sprites on film, after filming the sky for over 4 and half hours.
“Sprites usually appear to the eye as very brief, dim, grey structures. You need to be looking for them to spot them, and oftentimes I am not certain I actually saw one until I check the camera footage to confirm,” Hummel told Business Insider.
Hummel specializes in photographing night-sky phenomena and has captured several sprite photographs this year. However, this particular one struck off as the eeriest and most mystical.
“Overall I’ve probably recorded close to 70 hours’ worth of footage and stills this year, and caught about 70 sprites,” he said, noting that he captured over 35 of those sprites in one monster thunderstorm.
“The more powerful the storm and the more lightning it produces, the more likely it is to produce a sprite,” Hummel said.
Scary, but oddly satisfying
Sprites are formed when lightning strikes the ground and releases positively charged ions. This reaction triggers a counter-reaction in the sky where negative charges are released to make up for the displacement.
They are mostly triggered by cloud-to-ground lightning flashes that occur towards the end of a thunderstorm. Sprites appear similar to regular lighting, but their shapes are often more defined and less irregular. Also, they occur much farther away from the earth’s atmosphere and can be seen from outer space.
Sprites glow red due to the excitation of nitrogen gas in the sky. When the site of action gets negatively charged, the electrons accelerate at extremely high velocities, often colliding with nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the sky. When nitrogen gas violently reacts with electricity, it emits the stunning red glow [3].
From the ground, sprites mostly appear as thin red lines standing vertically in the sky. The entire jellyfish appearance can only be seen when the originating cloud is in view.
According to Hummel, red sprites don’t all appear similar in shape, which is normal behavior for electricity-triggered phenomena. He estimated the length and height of his groundbreaking sprite to be “30 miles long and 30 miles tall”. Sprite sizes are tough to estimate because they appear relative to the viewer’s position.
According to the pioneer of sprite photography, Paul M. Smith, who has been capturing the sky jellyfish since 1989, the most challenging aspect of the craft is weather and light pollution. It’s a truly Herculean task to find clear areas of the sky on stormy nights, and also in poorly-lit areas.“The most challenging aspect of this type of photography is usually the weather,” Smith said in an interview with My Modern Met [4]. “Trying to forecast the clear sky areas during stormy nights is particularly challenging. This is equally as challenging as trying to find dark, light pollution-free skies from which to shoot. Not only is a good forecast of the weather and cloud cover needed, but also the technical aspects of the captures are very unique. There is not much out there to read up on when it comes to red sprite captures, so it has been a very steep learning curve.”
Multiple column sprites line up above an angel sprite in my last sprite lightning capture from the night of 4/17/2019 . An uncropped image on the 50mm about 20 minutes before being clouded over. Anadarko, Oklahoma. #okwx #APOD @JimCantore @emilyrsutton @MichaelSeger pic.twitter.com/gXNlPMKucZ — Paul M Smith (@PaulMSmithPhoto) April 21, 2019


theheartysoul--2020-08-18--Death Valley hits 130 degrees, its hottest day in 107 years

It ’ s called Death Valley for a reason : Over the weekend , the area recorded its highest temperature in over a century , topping off at 130 degrees Fahrenheit .
( 1 ) On Sunday , August 16th , 2020 , Death Valley reached 130 degrees Fahrenheit .
The last time the area recorded a temperature that high was in July of 1913 .
The temperature was recorded at the Furnace Creek Visitors ’ Center in the national park .
( 1 ) It was recorded at 3:41 p.m. using a National Weather Service-owned automated observation system .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperature event ” and was waiting on verification to make it official .
( 1 ) This is pretty close to the highest temperature ever recorded in the world , which was 134 degrees Fahrenheit at Death Valley ’ s Greenland Ranch on July 10 , 1913 .
( 2 ) The record , however , was claimed to be “ bogus ” and “ human error ” back in 2016 by climatologist William Reid .
( 2 ) After doing plenty of research , including the temperatures recorded that same day within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high temperature was impossible and that the original observer , ranch caretaker Oscar Denton , was just in it for the bragging rights .
Removing the record , however , wasn ’ t much of a priority for most and so far it doesn ’ t seem to have done anywhere .
( 2 ) The next day the Death Valley certainly didn ’ t cool off .
A temperature of 117 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded at 10 am , which was already six degrees warmer than the same time the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite continue as it looked , and the day capped off at a high of 127 .
( 1 ) Verified or not , it was and continues to be hot in the Death Valley this week .
Like living in an oven , going outside is next to impossible .
Hopefully , for the sake of the people who live in the area , the temperatures will start to ease up .

It’s called Death Valley for a reason: Over the weekend, the area recorded its highest temperature in over a century, topping off at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. (1)
Death Valley Records Highest Temperature in Over 100 Years
On Sunday, August 16th, 2020, Death Valley reached 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The last time the area recorded a temperature that high was in July of 1913. The temperature was recorded at the Furnace Creek Visitors’ Center in the national park. (1)
It was recorded at 3:41 p.m. using a National Weather Service-owned automated observation system. The agency called it an “extreme temperature event” and was waiting on verification to make it official. (1)
“The recorded temperature will need to undergo a formal review. A Climate Extremes Committee will be formed to verify the validity of the 130°F reading.” they stated. (1)
Almost a World Record
This is pretty close to the highest temperature ever recorded in the world, which was 134 degrees Fahrenheit at Death Valley’s Greenland Ranch on July 10, 1913. (2) The record, however, was claimed to be “bogus” and “human error” back in 2016 by climatologist William Reid. (2)
After doing plenty of research, including the temperatures recorded that same day within a fifty-mile radius, he says that the high temperature was impossible and that the original observer, ranch caretaker Oscar Denton, was just in it for the bragging rights. Removing the record, however, wasn’t much of a priority for most and so far it doesn’t seem to have done anywhere. (2)
The Hot Temperatures Continued
The next day the Death Valley certainly didn’t cool off. A temperature of 117 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded at 10 am, which was already six degrees warmer than the same time the day before. The progress didn’t quite continue as it looked, and the day capped off at a high of 127. (1)
The Bottom Line
Verified or not, it was and continues to be hot in the Death Valley this week. Like living in an oven, going outside is next to impossible. Hopefully, for the sake of the people who live in the area, the temperatures will start to ease up.


theheartysoul--2020-08-18--Here’s a Delicious New Twist to the Classic Potato Pancakes Recipe

Potato pancakes , also known as latkes , are a staple in every Jewish home whenever Hanukkah comes around .
They are delicious for everyone else all year round too !
Potato pancakes make a filling brunch , lunch , or meatless dinner .
They are a great new way to enjoy potatoes as if we need another way to make that vegetable more scrumptious .
Traditional latkes made for Hanukkah are typically fried .
Fried foods are meant to symbolize the miracle of oil that occurred in the Jewish temple thousands of years ago .
One small jug of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more commonly known as the menorah , fully lit for eight days straight .
In that vein , the following recipes are also fried in oil .
The first recipe is an original twist on the usually just-potatoes recipe .
Here they are accompanied by another vegetable , zucchini , butternut squash , or carrots .
Take your pick based on personal preference or whatever happens to be in your kitchen .
Top that with a healthy cup of grated cheese to round out this delicious treat .
This recipe is very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spice it up any way you ’ d like .
This is definitely a once-in-a-while treat due to it being fried , but it ’ s the perfect comfort food .
You just can ’ t go wrong with potatoes and cheese being fried .
There ’ s also a second recipe provided , the more traditional take on potato pancakes .
In that one , there ’ s no cheese—so it ’ s much more preferable to those sensitive to dairy .
Also there ’ s no additional vegetable .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latkes were originally intended .
There ’ s just a bit of starch added to bind it all together , and an egg .
*If you ’ re a vegan or have an allergy to eggs , you can try adding more starch to keep the batter together , or use this recipe from I Love Vegan .
• 1 cup of zucchini , grated ( butternut squash or carrots also works ) • 2 large eggs , lightly beaten ( *for vegans , see above note ) • Coarsely grate the potatoes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rinse them under cold water until the water runs clear .
This rinses all of the starch out of the potatoes .
Allow them to drain , or if you are in a rush , squeeze the grated potatoes until no more liquid easily comes out of the potatoes .
Place the drained potatoes in a bowl .
• Add the grated squash or carrots , onions , and eggs .
Mix well .
Add the cheese and salt .
Mix again .
The mixture should no longer be dripping with liquid and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat .
( You don ’ t need a lot of oil , just enough to brown the potatoes on each side . )
• Once the oil is hot enough to make a few drops of water singe on its surface , drop a spoonful of the potato batter in the frying pan .
Press each round of potatoes with the bottom of a spatula or fork to flatten the potato pancakes into desired thickness .
Fry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flip the potato pancakes and fry until the other side until golden brown .
• Note of caution : Be careful of the sizzling oil .
It could cause a nasty burn , so take care as you drop the batter into the pan .
• Drain the potato pancakes on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet in a warm oven .
This will keep the latkes warm and crispy until it ’ s time to eat .
• Add additional oil to the frying pan , 1 tablespoon at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Always allow the oil to sizzling hot before adding new batch of potato pancakes to the pan .
• 1 egg , beaten ( *for vegans , see above note ) • Finely grate potatoes with onion into a large bowl .
Drain off any excess liquid by squeezing the grated potatoes with paper towels .
• Mix in the beaten egg , salt , and black pepper .
Add the starch , adding more if needed to make mixture thick enough to hold when placed in a pan .
• Turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ F ( 95 degrees C ) .
• Heat about 1/4-inch oil in the bottom of a heavy skillet over medium high heat .
Drop two or three 1/4 cup mounds of the potato batter into hot oil , and flatten to make it about 1/2-inch-thick pancakes .
Fry , turning once , until both sides are golden brown .
• Transfer the potato pancakes to paper towel lined plates to drain , and keep warm in low oven until serving time .
Repeat until all potato mixture is used .

Potato pancakes, also known as latkes, are a staple in every Jewish home whenever Hanukkah comes around. They are delicious for everyone else all year round too! Potato pancakes make a filling brunch, lunch, or meatless dinner. They are a great new way to enjoy potatoes as if we need another way to make that vegetable more scrumptious.
About the Recipe
Traditional latkes made for Hanukkah are typically fried. Fried foods are meant to symbolize the miracle of oil that occurred in the Jewish temple thousands of years ago. One small jug of oil kept the temple’s candelabra, more commonly known as the menorah, fully lit for eight days straight. In that vein, the following recipes are also fried in oil.
The first recipe is an original twist on the usually just-potatoes recipe. Here they are accompanied by another vegetable, zucchini, butternut squash, or carrots. Take your pick based on personal preference or whatever happens to be in your kitchen. Top that with a healthy cup of grated cheese to round out this delicious treat.
This recipe is very versatile and you’re encourage to spice it up any way you’d like. This is definitely a once-in-a-while treat due to it being fried, but it’s the perfect comfort food. You just can’t go wrong with potatoes and cheese being fried.
There’s also a second recipe provided, the more traditional take on potato pancakes. In that one, there’s no cheese—so it’s much more preferable to those sensitive to dairy. Also there’s no additional vegetable. There’s just pure potato goodness, as latkes were originally intended. There’s just a bit of starch added to bind it all together, and an egg.
*If you’re a vegan or have an allergy to eggs, you can try adding more starch to keep the batter together, or use this recipe from I Love Vegan.
Veggie Cheddar Potato Pancakes
Recipe by Chris Dalziel from Joybilee Farm
Ingredients
5 medium potatoes, (Yukon gold) washed and grated (not peeled)
1 cup of zucchini, grated (butternut squash or carrots also works)
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 large eggs, lightly beaten (*for vegans, see above note)
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
½ tsp. Himalayan salt
Coconut oil for frying
Instructions
Coarsely grate the potatoes. Place them in a colander and rinse them under cold water until the water runs clear. This rinses all of the starch out of the potatoes. Allow them to drain, or if you are in a rush, squeeze the grated potatoes until no more liquid easily comes out of the potatoes. Place the drained potatoes in a bowl.
Add the grated squash or carrots, onions, and eggs. Mix well. Add the cheese and salt. Mix again. The mixture should no longer be dripping with liquid and should hold together when squeezed.
Heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. (You don’t need a lot of oil, just enough to brown the potatoes on each side.)
Once the oil is hot enough to make a few drops of water singe on its surface, drop a spoonful of the potato batter in the frying pan. Press each round of potatoes with the bottom of a spatula or fork to flatten the potato pancakes into desired thickness. Fry on one side till golden brown. Flip the potato pancakes and fry until the other side until golden brown.
Note of caution: Be careful of the sizzling oil. It could cause a nasty burn, so take care as you drop the batter into the pan.
Drain the potato pancakes on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet in a warm oven. This will keep the latkes warm and crispy until it’s time to eat.
Add additional oil to the frying pan, 1 tablespoon at a time, between frying the potato pancakes. Always allow the oil to sizzling hot before adding new batch of potato pancakes to the pan.
Classic Potato Pancakes
Ingredients
4 large potatoes
1 yellow onion
1 egg, beaten (*for vegans, see above note)
2 tablespoons all-purpose tapioca starch
1 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
Oil for frying
Directions
Finely grate potatoes with onion into a large bowl. Drain off any excess liquid by squeezing the grated potatoes with paper towels.
Mix in the beaten egg, salt, and black pepper. Add the starch, adding more if needed to make mixture thick enough to hold when placed in a pan.
Turn oven to low, about 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).
Heat about 1/4-inch oil in the bottom of a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Drop two or three 1/4 cup mounds of the potato batter into hot oil, and flatten to make it about 1/2-inch-thick pancakes. Fry, turning once, until both sides are golden brown.


theheartysoul--2020-08-19--A Lot Of People Don’t Realize That Moose Are Huge

Did you know that moose are , well , giant ?
Turns out a lot of people around the world didn ’ t know , which is why this video of a gigantic moose walking down a road in Alaska has been viewed 1.5 million times .
( 1 ) A man in Alaska recently posted a video of a moose walking down the road in Alaska , and people are losing their minds over how big he is .
Many were also quick to point out that the moose seems to be injured as it limps down the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on the animal ’ s size .
( 1 ) It is unknown whether or not the injured animal received aid at this time .
( 1 ) So How Big Are Moose ?
Moose are ungulates , meaning that they have hooves , and are members of the deer family .
( 2 ) They are characterized by their ( 2 ) : Sometimes confused with elk or reindeer , they most definitely are in a league of their own .
Moose are the largest member of the deer family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The typical height of a moose , measured from hoof to shoulder , is about five to seven feet , or 1.5 to two meters .
( 2 ) Their weight varies depending on whether it is a male or female moose ( 2 ) : Yeah , that ’ s a whole lot bigger than even the largest of the other members of the deer family .
Despite their large bodies , moose actually have rather short tails .
They have a hump on their shoulders and brown or black insulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called stereophonic hearing thanks to their large , rotatable ears .
( 2 ) One physical trait that most associate with moose is antlers , though , in reality , it is only the male members of the species that have them .
These antlers are massive , growing up to six feet ( 1.8 meters ) wide .
A moose ’ s antlers ’ sole purpose is to battle another male moose for a mate .
After mating season in September and October , they shed their antlers until next year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moose in Alaska , so you can probably guess that these large beasts prefer cooler climates .
They like the cold so much , in fact , that you will only find them in places where there is seasonal snow coverage .
( 3 , 4 ) The largest moose populations can be found in Alaska and Northern Canada , however , moose are also native to ( 4 ) : Moose do not sweat , so they can ’ t live anywhere that has prolonged temperatures of above 80 degrees Fahrenheit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their habitats exist between the 50th and 67th parallel .
( 4 ) Unlike most animals , moose are not social creatures .
In fact , according to the Animal Diversity Web , moose are considered one of the world ’ s least social creatures .
The only time they don ’ t spend alone is during mating season – once that ’ s over , they go back to their solitude .
( 3 ) Sometimes during mating season , a male moose will create what ’ s called a “ harem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several female moose .
Other males will come along and fight the male leader for the right to mate with the females .
( 2 ) They are most active at sunrise and sunset when they are looking for a place to graze .
The rest of the time they are relaxing and letting their food digest .
Despite their size , however , they still do have predators .
These include ( 2 ) : They always must stay alert to the threat of a potential attack .
After the mating season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successfully , there will be plenty of pregnant female moose walking around .
Female moose carry their babies for 231 days ( that ’ s about 7.5 to 8 months ) .
( 2 ) A newborn calf weighs about 35.7 pounds ( 16.2 kgs ) and gains about 2.2 pounds ( 1 kg ) per day for the first six months or so until they are weaned off of their mother ’ s milk .
They are able to stand on their own by the end of their first day of life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calf four to six years to be fully grown , however many don ’ t make it that long , with about 50 % of calves being killed by bears or wolves before they reach six weeks of life .
( 2 ) As adults , their chances are much better , with about a 95 % survival rate .
The average lifespan of a moose is 15 to 20 years .
( 2 ) Moose are vegetarian and eat primarily small plants and parts of trees .
If you spoke Algonquin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The word Moose is Algonquin for ‘ twig eater ’ .
( 2 ) A moose ’ s diet is made primarily up of ( 2 ) : That is a lot of tough fibrous material to digest , so moose have a four-chambered stomach similar to a cow .
This allows them to swallow , regurgitate , chew again ( the “ cud ” ) , and re-swallow .
The first stomach is exclusively for food fermentation , whereas the vital nutrient extraction takes place in the other three .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently under any serious population threats , thanks in part to their widespread population .
The global population is currently about 1.5 million .
( 2 ) Collision with vehicles is the biggest threat to the species , with the greatest number of moose-vehicle collisions happening in Alaska .
( 2 ) Lastly , here are some fun moose facts that you can wow ( or annoy ) your friends and family with ( 2 ) : • Moose ’ s hair is hollow : This provides better insulation from the cold .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their back legs : This allows them to jump over obstacles with ease .
• Their back hump is actually just their massive shoulder muscles .
• The flap of skin hanging from their chin is called a bell .
• Moose have wide hooves : They act like snowshoes to make it easier for them to get around in the snow .
• Moose are fast : They can run 35 mph ( 56 km/h ) for short distances and trot at 20 mph ( 32 km/h ) over longer ones .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can swim up to 6 mph ( 9.5 km/h ) as far as 12.4 miles ( 20km ) .
They can swim underwater for up to 30 seconds at a time .
Who knew moose were so interesting ?
One thing is for certain : If you ever have the opportunity to see a moose in-person , keep your distance , and take lots of pictures .

Did you know that moose are, well, giant? Turns out a lot of people around the world didn’t know, which is why this video of a gigantic moose walking down a road in Alaska has been viewed 1.5 million times. (1)
PSA: Moose are Huge
A man in Alaska recently posted a video of a moose walking down the road in Alaska, and people are losing their minds over how big he is. Many were also quick to point out that the moose seems to be injured as it limps down the road, but the majority of the comments focused on the animal’s size. (1)
It is unknown whether or not the injured animal received aid at this time. (1)
So How Big Are Moose?
Moose are ungulates, meaning that they have hooves, and are members of the deer family. (2) They are characterized by their (2):
Long, rounded nose or snout
Slightly humped back
Thin legs
Huge bodies
Sometimes confused with elk or reindeer, they most definitely are in a league of their own. Moose are the largest member of the deer family and are the tallest mammals in North America.
The typical height of a moose, measured from hoof to shoulder, is about five to seven feet, or 1.5 to two meters. (2) Their weight varies depending on whether it is a male or female moose (2):
Males: 794 to 1,323 pounds (360 to 600 kilograms)
Females: 595 to 882 pounds (270 to 400 kilograms)
Yeah, that’s a whole lot bigger than even the largest of the other members of the deer family.
Appearance
Despite their large bodies, moose actually have rather short tails. They have a hump on their shoulders and brown or black insulating fur. Moose have what’s called stereophonic hearing thanks to their large, rotatable ears.(2)
One physical trait that most associate with moose is antlers, though, in reality, it is only the male members of the species that have them. These antlers are massive, growing up to six feet (1.8 meters) wide. A moose’s antlers’ sole purpose is to battle another male moose for a mate. After mating season in September and October, they shed their antlers until next year. (2)
Where Do Moose Live?
The video above shows a moose in Alaska, so you can probably guess that these large beasts prefer cooler climates. They like the cold so much, in fact, that you will only find them in places where there is seasonal snow coverage. (3, 4)
The largest moose populations can be found in Alaska and Northern Canada, however, moose are also native to (4):
Northern Europe
Some northern states
The Baltic regions and Siberia
Some colder regions of Asia
Moose do not sweat, so they can’t live anywhere that has prolonged temperatures of above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Typically their habitats exist between the 50th and 67th parallel. (4)
Lifestyle
Unlike most animals, moose are not social creatures. In fact, according to the Animal Diversity Web, moose are considered one of the world’s least social creatures. The only time they don’t spend alone is during mating season – once that’s over, they go back to their solitude. (3)
Sometimes during mating season, a male moose will create what’s called a “harem herd”: a grouping together of several female moose. Other males will come along and fight the male leader for the right to mate with the females. (2)
They are most active at sunrise and sunset when they are looking for a place to graze. The rest of the time they are relaxing and letting their food digest. Despite their size, however, they still do have predators. These include (2):
Bears
Wolves
Cougars
They always must stay alert to the threat of a potential attack.
Life Cycle of a Moose
After the mating season is done, provided it has gone successfully, there will be plenty of pregnant female moose walking around. Female moose carry their babies for 231 days (that’s about 7.5 to 8 months). (2)
A newborn calf weighs about 35.7 pounds (16.2 kgs) and gains about 2.2 pounds (1 kg) per day for the first six months or so until they are weaned off of their mother’s milk. They are able to stand on their own by the end of their first day of life. (2)
It takes a calf four to six years to be fully grown, however many don’t make it that long, with about 50% of calves being killed by bears or wolves before they reach six weeks of life. (2) As adults, their chances are much better, with about a 95% survival rate. The average lifespan of a moose is 15 to 20 years. (2)
Diet
Moose are vegetarian and eat primarily small plants and parts of trees. If you spoke Algonquin, then you could have probably guessed it: The word Moose is Algonquin for ‘twig eater’. (2)
A moose’s diet is made primarily up of (2):
Leaves
Bark
Pinecones
Twigs
Tree buds
Shrubs
Aquatic plants (ex. Waterlilies)
That is a lot of tough fibrous material to digest, so moose have a four-chambered stomach similar to a cow. This allows them to swallow, regurgitate, chew again (the “cud”), and re-swallow. The first stomach is exclusively for food fermentation, whereas the vital nutrient extraction takes place in the other three. (2)
Conservation
Thankfully, moose are not currently under any serious population threats, thanks in part to their widespread population. The global population is currently about 1.5 million. (2) Collision with vehicles is the biggest threat to the species, with the greatest number of moose-vehicle collisions happening in Alaska. (2)
7 Fun Moose Facts
Lastly, here are some fun moose facts that you can wow (or annoy) your friends and family with (2):
Moose’s hair is hollow: This provides better insulation from the cold. Their front legs are longer than their back legs: This allows them to jump over obstacles with ease. Their back hump is actually just their massive shoulder muscles. The flap of skin hanging from their chin is called a bell. Moose have wide hooves: They act like snowshoes to make it easier for them to get around in the snow. Moose are fast: They can run 35 mph (56 km/h) for short distances and trot at 20 mph (32 km/h) over longer ones. They are great swimmers: Moose can swim up to 6 mph (9.5 km/h) as far as 12.4 miles (20km). They can swim underwater for up to 30 seconds at a time.
Who knew moose were so interesting? One thing is for certain: If you ever have the opportunity to see a moose in-person, keep your distance, and take lots of pictures.


theheartysoul--2020-08-19--Why Do Kids Seem To Be More Entitled And Lonelier Than Generations Before Them?

Parents have always been giving it their best shot as there ’ s really no perfect way to raise kids .
However , there ’ s a huge gap in behavior standards between kids of nowadays and the older generations .
The entitled attitude is at an all-time high , loneliness is a real problem , depression is more alarming than ever before , and discipline is almost non-existent .
The most obvious answer is the change in time and era , but it ’ s a lot more complex than that .
Is it fair to blame it all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the dynamics of modern society ?
What ’ s really out there for kids these days ?
What are the things that hold their attention and fill their days ?
The answers to these questions could lead to a better understanding of why many children may have so much and yet they act as though they have nothing .
This generation is being fuelled by a “ world against me ” mentality and it ’ s a scary reality for most parents who just want the best for their kids .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , author of YourOT.com , a sharp decline in emotional availability has been widely observed in children these days [ 1 ] .
A major cause of this norm is over-parenting .
Many parents are so consumed with keeping their kids happy that they tend to let the kids raise themselves .
The children are practically making all the big decisions and there ’ s barely ever any adult opinion worth considering .
In fact , nobody even offers it because it ’ s always assumed the kids won ’ t be happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of entitlement is stoked in people when they believe they deserve better treatment from others without merit .
Entitled people make demands in an annoyingly arrogant way , especially to people who owe them nothing .
In this case , you owe your children care , love , provision , and support , but an entitled child will always believe they are being mistreated because they are not getting what they are “ convinced ” is the best .
Raising entitled children is tough because there ’ s no on/off switch for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with whomever they deal , entitled children are never satisfied and will always expect more than is permissible [ 2 ] .
This kind of behavior comes with a significant dose of loneliness , and in truth , our children deserve to experience life in a better light .
Think of Timmy , a 10-year-old with an unhealthy video game addiction .
Timmy spends an average of 10-12 hours a day on the screen and this has badly affected his interpersonal and academic skills .
When Timmy is supposed to be asleep at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheets playing a loudly violent and brightly blinding game on his iPad .
When his mother tries to confiscate the gadget , the boy would act out so badly that she ’ d be left with no choice than to return his toy .
Timmy will spiral into a video game withdrawal whenever his parents try any meaningful form of discipline .
The boy has no real friends because he ’ s so accustomed to the virtual world that he can not function properly in the real world .
He is lonely , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Timmy ’ s mind , his mother treats him unfairly by taking away his play gadgets .
His heart rate is often higher than is normal for a kid because he spends so much time witnessing extreme violence on his screen .
One day , while Timmy plays mindlessly on the TV , sweating profusely despite the AC blasting normally , his little sister accidentally steps on a wire and the screen goes dark .
Angry and pumped full of adrenaline , Timmy angrily yells , strikes his sister , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gadgets .
This is the only way he knows to express his anger at her mistake .
His mother later storms in and after a good “ pep talk ” , which never makes a dent in his resolve , she confiscates his gadgets .
Timmy ’ s world crashes down in a second as the only source of joy and company he knows has been taken away .
His heart physically clenches from his pain , and his sense of entitlement kicks in when he feels his mother should have apologized to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His hands are shaking with rage as he wonders why he is so unfortunate all the time .
His video game is gone and now there ’ s nothing to do other than to do manage his terrifying emotions in a sad , lonely world .
Timmy is a representative for millions of kids out there today , dealing with the same unfathomable emotional dynamics fuelled by over-indulgence from parents .
What can we do to raise better , well-adjusted children ?
Reduce their use of technology – it ’ s okay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology as free babysitting are inadvertently setting their kids up to be dangerously addicted in the future [ 3 ] .
We ’ ve all seen kids cry uncontrollably and throw major tantrums whenever their gadgets are removed from their hands , even at the dining table .
Parents are often worried their kids may get into trouble when they are bored and since technology is such a solid distraction , it ’ s easy to let them play and surf to their hearts ’ content .
In reality , there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents tend to run themselves haggard while trying to keep their kids constantly occupied .
Sometimes , let them be bored .
Boredom actually paves the way for productivity and may encourage them to find useful things to do for themselves .
Passion is often ignited by boredom , as long as the kids are still supervised .
This way , you can get more things done while allowing your child to productively engage their imagination .
The advent of social media , countless virtual communities , and dozens of messenger apps has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get together physically and relate with one another .
Older generations may fare better emotionally because our brains were wired in the real world .
Kids these days communicate over virtual chat rooms and see each other through video calls .
Who still bothers to send their kids out to play hopscotch or Double-Dutch ?
Do parents still set their toddlers up for playdates ?
How often do you hear the sound of children screaming happily outside and playing tag ?
Children only get their playtime on screens these days , and while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in era , it ’ s destructive and excessive .
Teens are addicted to Instagram , Snapchat , Facebook , and TikTok , applications that promote low self-esteem and a sense of entitlement in kids .
They are often convinced their looks and lives are not up to some imaginary standards .
Countless children would eventually develop a distorted sense of self-worth when they see people living purportedly luxurious and glamorous lives .
Kids need real social skills to thrive and survive in a competitive world .
Being able to relate effectively with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful future .
Encourage your kids to spend time outdoors and with real people .
“ Leadership requires you to be socially adept .
In fact , your social skills may be just as important as your intelligence when it comes to achieving success , ” ~ American Journal of Preventive Medicine It ’ s never too early to teach a child the concept of responsibility .
Many parents are convinced that responsibility defeats the whole idea of childhood .
However , children are more impressionable at this stage and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helpful values for adult life .
Responsibilities do not always have to be chores .
Telling a four-year-old to do something as simple as pouring a cup of water on the tiny window plant every day is a responsibility .
Asking your teenage to lock up the house every night is a great responsibility .
These children would grow to understand what it feels like to have an obligation , and instead of being terrified of responsibility , they ’ d be eager to prove themselves .
It also helps children to develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Busy parents can ’ t spend every hour of the day looking after their kids .
However , it ’ s important to make sure you connect with your children daily .
Set out intervals to talk with them and converse honestly whenever you can .
Perhaps at rising time in the morning , at the meal times you can share together as a family , right after you return from work , and before bedtime .
Ten minutes of reading to your toddler or discussing with your teens and pre-teens actively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also builds a solid foundation of trust between you and your kids .
They ’ d grow up knowing that they can always share anything with you at any time .
Irregular bedtimes have been severally linked to behavioral problems in children .
Children who do not get enough sleep are more likely to be badly-behaved than children who sleep at specific bedtimes every day [ 4 ] .
The young mind needs 8-10 hours of sleep daily ( excluding occasional naps ) to grow and function properly .
Parents would have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not already used to sleeping at exact bedtimes .
Ensure that your child is not under the sheets playing a video game or reading a novel when they are supposed to be sleeping .
They need adequate sleep to function properly the next day and for all-round growth .
Over time , they ’ d fall into the schedule and would require minimal supervision at night .
You can ’ t spend two-thirds of your day hooked on your device and expect to raise well-adjusted individuals .
A survey of over 6,000 children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of kids feel unimportant due to their parent ’ s excessive use of their phones [ 5 ] .
The children were all aged between 8 and 13 and were selected from a wide range of countries and regions .
These online distractions prevent healthy interactions with your kid and limit the amount of time you have with them in a day .
Also , kids learn by example and would eventually learn to squander all their time on their phones as well .
You can set a technology use schedule for yourself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to 2 hours a day at most , against the 6 to 7 hours most of us already spend on our devices .
Set up schedules for your kids as well , at least 1 or 2 hours daily , and let everyone know they have a responsibility to stick to the routine .
Teach by example and always be there for your kids If you want your children to be hardworking individuals in the future , let them see you or the same now .
If you want them to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love and kindness even in the children ’ s absence .
If you want your kids to take care of you in your old age , take care of your aged parents now .
If you want them to be decent , kind , and caring people , let them see you channel the same qualities toward others .
Be who you want your kids to grow into .
Finally , always remind your children that no matter how huge or insignificant a problem might be , you ’ re always there to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things out .
Always tell them how much you love them .
Normalize conversing openly with your kids .
Give them a chance to talk and make conscious efforts to be a great listener .
Let them share their opinions no matter how inaccurate these ideas may be .
Your conversations will change their minds over time .

Parents have always been giving it their best shot as there’s really no perfect way to raise kids. However, there’s a huge gap in behavior standards between kids of nowadays and the older generations. The entitled attitude is at an all-time high, loneliness is a real problem, depression is more alarming than ever before, and discipline is almost non-existent.
The most obvious answer is the change in time and era, but it’s a lot more complex than that.
Is it fair to blame it all on the different methods of indulgent upbringing or the dynamics of modern society? What’s really out there for kids these days? What are the things that hold their attention and fill their days? The answers to these questions could lead to a better understanding of why many children may have so much and yet they act as though they have nothing. This generation is being fuelled by a “world against me” mentality and it’s a scary reality for most parents who just want the best for their kids.
According to renowned occupational therapist, Victoria Prooday, author of YourOT.com, a sharp decline in emotional availability has been widely observed in children these days [1]. A major cause of this norm is over-parenting. Many parents are so consumed with keeping their kids happy that they tend to let the kids raise themselves. The children are practically making all the big decisions and there’s barely ever any adult opinion worth considering. In fact, nobody even offers it because it’s always assumed the kids won’t be happy with it.
“What good are we doing them by giving them what they WANT when we know that it is not GOOD for them?” Prooday wrote in her viral article. “Without proper nutrition and a good night’s sleep, our kids come to school irritable, anxious, and inattentive. In addition, we send them the wrong message. They learn they can do what they want and not do what they don’t want. The concept of “need to do” is absent. Unfortunately, in order to achieve our goals in our lives, we have to do what’s necessary, which may not always be what we want to do.”
Case study – 10-year-old Timmy
Most often, a sense of entitlement is stoked in people when they believe they deserve better treatment from others without merit. Entitled people make demands in an annoyingly arrogant way, especially to people who owe them nothing.
In this case, you owe your children care, love, provision, and support, but an entitled child will always believe they are being mistreated because they are not getting what they are “convinced” is the best. Raising entitled children is tough because there’s no on/off switch for this behavior. Wherever they go, with whomever they deal, entitled children are never satisfied and will always expect more than is permissible [2].
This kind of behavior comes with a significant dose of loneliness, and in truth, our children deserve to experience life in a better light.
Think of Timmy, a 10-year-old with an unhealthy video game addiction. Timmy spends an average of 10-12 hours a day on the screen and this has badly affected his interpersonal and academic skills. When Timmy is supposed to be asleep at night, he’s under the sheets playing a loudly violent and brightly blinding game on his iPad. When his mother tries to confiscate the gadget, the boy would act out so badly that she’d be left with no choice than to return his toy.
Timmy will spiral into a video game withdrawal whenever his parents try any meaningful form of discipline. The boy has no real friends because he’s so accustomed to the virtual world that he cannot function properly in the real world. He is lonely, but he doesn’t realize it.
In Timmy’s mind, his mother treats him unfairly by taking away his play gadgets. His heart rate is often higher than is normal for a kid because he spends so much time witnessing extreme violence on his screen. One day, while Timmy plays mindlessly on the TV, sweating profusely despite the AC blasting normally, his little sister accidentally steps on a wire and the screen goes dark. Angry and pumped full of adrenaline, Timmy angrily yells, strikes his sister, and storms off to his room with his gadgets. This is the only way he knows to express his anger at her mistake.
His mother later storms in and after a good “pep talk”, which never makes a dent in his resolve, she confiscates his gadgets. Timmy’s world crashes down in a second as the only source of joy and company he knows has been taken away. His heart physically clenches from his pain, and his sense of entitlement kicks in when he feels his mother should have apologized to him for his sister’s mistake. His hands are shaking with rage as he wonders why he is so unfortunate all the time. His video game is gone and now there’s nothing to do other than to do manage his terrifying emotions in a sad, lonely world.
Timmy is a representative for millions of kids out there today, dealing with the same unfathomable emotional dynamics fuelled by over-indulgence from parents.
What can we do to raise better, well-adjusted children?
Reduce their use of technology – it’s okay to be bored sometimes
Parents who use technology as free babysitting are inadvertently setting their kids up to be dangerously addicted in the future [3]. We’ve all seen kids cry uncontrollably and throw major tantrums whenever their gadgets are removed from their hands, even at the dining table. Parents are often worried their kids may get into trouble when they are bored and since technology is such a solid distraction, it’s easy to let them play and surf to their hearts’ content.
In reality, there’s nothing wrong with being bored. Busy parents tend to run themselves haggard while trying to keep their kids constantly occupied. Sometimes, let them be bored. Boredom actually paves the way for productivity and may encourage them to find useful things to do for themselves. Passion is often ignited by boredom, as long as the kids are still supervised. This way, you can get more things done while allowing your child to productively engage their imagination.
“Families [overly] centered on children create anxious, exhausted parents and demanding, entitled children. We parents today are too quick to sacrifice our lives for our kids. Most of us have created child-centered families, where our children hold priority over our time, energy, and attention.” ~ American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Encourage physical and real-life play
The advent of social media, countless virtual communities, and dozens of messenger apps has made it imperatively difficult for kids to get together physically and relate with one another. Older generations may fare better emotionally because our brains were wired in the real world. Kids these days communicate over virtual chat rooms and see each other through video calls. Who still bothers to send their kids out to play hopscotch or Double-Dutch? Do parents still set their toddlers up for playdates? How often do you hear the sound of children screaming happily outside and playing tag?
Children only get their playtime on screens these days, and while it’s inevitable with the change in era, it’s destructive and excessive. Teens are addicted to Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and TikTok, applications that promote low self-esteem and a sense of entitlement in kids. They are often convinced their looks and lives are not up to some imaginary standards. Countless children would eventually develop a distorted sense of self-worth when they see people living purportedly luxurious and glamorous lives.
Kids need real social skills to thrive and survive in a competitive world. Being able to relate effectively with other people paves the way for a successful future. Encourage your kids to spend time outdoors and with real people.
“Leadership requires you to be socially adept. In fact, your social skills may be just as important as your intelligence when it comes to achieving success,” ~ American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Responsibility builds better individuals
It’s never too early to teach a child the concept of responsibility. Many parents are convinced that responsibility defeats the whole idea of childhood. However, children are more impressionable at this stage and it’s the best time to inculcate them into helpful values for adult life.
Responsibilities do not always have to be chores. Telling a four-year-old to do something as simple as pouring a cup of water on the tiny window plant every day is a responsibility. Asking your teenage to lock up the house every night is a great responsibility. These children would grow to understand what it feels like to have an obligation, and instead of being terrified of responsibility, they’d be eager to prove themselves. It also helps children to develop a sense of purpose and high self-esteem.
Make time for your kids
Busy parents can’t spend every hour of the day looking after their kids. However, it’s important to make sure you connect with your children daily. Set out intervals to talk with them and converse honestly whenever you can. Perhaps at rising time in the morning, at the meal times you can share together as a family, right after you return from work, and before bedtime. Ten minutes of reading to your toddler or discussing with your teens and pre-teens actively contribute to raising well-adjusted individuals. It also builds a solid foundation of trust between you and your kids. They’d grow up knowing that they can always share anything with you at any time.
Insist on specific bedtimes
Irregular bedtimes have been severally linked to behavioral problems in children. Children who do not get enough sleep are more likely to be badly-behaved than children who sleep at specific bedtimes every day [4]. The young mind needs 8-10 hours of sleep daily (excluding occasional naps) to grow and function properly.
Parents would have to effectively supervise their kids if they are not already used to sleeping at exact bedtimes. Ensure that your child is not under the sheets playing a video game or reading a novel when they are supposed to be sleeping. They need adequate sleep to function properly the next day and for all-round growth. Over time, they’d fall into the schedule and would require minimal supervision at night.
Limit your technology usage as a parent
You can’t spend two-thirds of your day hooked on your device and expect to raise well-adjusted individuals. A survey of over 6,000 children by AVG Technology reports that 32 percent of kids feel unimportant due to their parent’s excessive use of their phones [5]. The children were all aged between 8 and 13 and were selected from a wide range of countries and regions.
These online distractions prevent healthy interactions with your kid and limit the amount of time you have with them in a day. Also, kids learn by example and would eventually learn to squander all their time on their phones as well.
You can set a technology use schedule for yourself and your children. Limit your screen time to 2 hours a day at most, against the 6 to 7 hours most of us already spend on our devices. Set up schedules for your kids as well, at least 1 or 2 hours daily, and let everyone know they have a responsibility to stick to the routine.
Teach by example and always be there for your kids
If you want your children to be hardworking individuals in the future, let them see you or the same now. If you want them to be great spouses, treat your spouse with love and kindness even in the children’s absence. If you want your kids to take care of you in your old age, take care of your aged parents now. If you want them to be decent, kind, and caring people, let them see you channel the same qualities toward others. Be who you want your kids to grow into.
Finally, always remind your children that no matter how huge or insignificant a problem might be, you’re always there to listen to them and help them work things out. Always tell them how much you love them. Normalize conversing openly with your kids. Give them a chance to talk and make conscious efforts to be a great listener. Let them share their opinions no matter how inaccurate these ideas may be. Your conversations will change their minds over time.


theheartysoul--2020-08-19--Mountain Refuge is a concept for a tiny cabin that could be built anywhere

A prefabricated plywood cabin-style micro-home designed to help inhabitants reconnect with nature ?
Yes , please .
Introducing Mountain Refuge , the concept for a tiny modular cabin that ’ s changing up cabin living .
Italian architects Massimo Gnocchi and Paolo Danesi are the pair behind the startup company Mountain Refuge .
They have created a concept for a prefabricated tiny modular cabin made of plywood , and now are searching for a partner to help them make their vision a reality .
( 1 ) The entire cabin is designed to help people feel as close to nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the exterior walls is a glazed floor-to-ceiling window that allows for maximum views of the natural landscape .
It ’ s modular in design so that it can exist as a single 24-square-meter space or with an additional second module that would provide 12-square-meters more room .
( 1 ) Both modules ’ roofs are in an angled position , slanting in opposite directions away from each other .
This design creates a raised sleeping nook in the second module that is accessible by a staircase .
( 1 ) Made entirely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cabin will be painted with pine tar to make sure it can stand up to all types of weather .
Mountain Refuge has been designed with a small deck that wraps around the cabin to allow occupants to sit outside and enjoy their surroundings when the weather permits .
( 1 ) Mountain Refuge does not require foundations , however , if necessary depending on where the cabin is being placed , a thin concrete slab can be used .
( 1 ) Inside the cabin , Gnocchi and Danesi ’ s goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cozy as possible .
This means leaving the plywood unpainted and keeping all furniture as simple as possible .
( 1 ) There is space for a kitchenette that would include a sink and stove , as well as a small bathroom with a shower tucked in the back .
( 1 ) Mountain Refuge has been designed so that space can be modified and added to in order to suit the needs of the owner .
Wanting to mimic wilderness cabins of the past , the modern design is independent structures that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom of design to the inhabitants .
( 2 ) Visit their website to learn more about the Mountain Refuge modular cabin concept .

Mountain Refuge is a concept for a tiny cabin that could be built anywhere
A prefabricated plywood cabin-style micro-home designed to help inhabitants reconnect with nature? Yes, please. Introducing Mountain Refuge, the concept for a tiny modular cabin that’s changing up cabin living.
Mountain Refuge: The New Prefab Cabin-Style Micro-Home
Italian architects Massimo Gnocchi and Paolo Danesi are the pair behind the startup company Mountain Refuge. They have created a concept for a prefabricated tiny modular cabin made of plywood, and now are searching for a partner to help them make their vision a reality. (1)
“The cabin’s concept is inspired by traditional archetypes, evoked through contemporary principles,” the pair explains. (1)
The entire cabin is designed to help people feel as close to nature as possible. (1)
The Design
One of the exterior walls is a glazed floor-to-ceiling window that allows for maximum views of the natural landscape. It’s modular in design so that it can exist as a single 24-square-meter space or with an additional second module that would provide 12-square-meters more room. (1)
Both modules’ roofs are in an angled position, slanting in opposite directions away from each other. This design creates a raised sleeping nook in the second module that is accessible by a staircase. (1)
Made entirely of plywood, the exterior of the cabin will be painted with pine tar to make sure it can stand up to all types of weather. Mountain Refuge has been designed with a small deck that wraps around the cabin to allow occupants to sit outside and enjoy their surroundings when the weather permits. (1)
Mountain Refuge does not require foundations, however, if necessary depending on where the cabin is being placed, a thin concrete slab can be used. (1)
The Interior
Inside the cabin, Gnocchi and Danesi’s goal is to keep it as basic and cozy as possible. This means leaving the plywood unpainted and keeping all furniture as simple as possible. (1)
There is space for a kitchenette that would include a sink and stove, as well as a small bathroom with a shower tucked in the back. (1)
Adaptable and Expandable
Mountain Refuge has been designed so that space can be modified and added to in order to suit the needs of the owner. Wanting to mimic wilderness cabins of the past, the modern design is independent structures that can be placed together to allow for freedom of design to the inhabitants. (2)


theheartysoul--2020-08-20--Watch a diver swim right next to a 12-foot giant squid in Japan

Giant Squid are so elusive , you may almost assume that they aren ’ t even real .
In 2012 , however , a group of Japanese scientists recorded an incredible video of one .
Last June , researchers also finally recorded one in American waters .
Most of what marine biologists know of giant squids come from the large carcasses that float to the water ’ s surface and are brought in by fishermen .
( 1 ) Researchers were able to record a giant squid in 2006 , however , when they hung bait underneath a research vessel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hooking the squid and pulling it out of the water long enough to catch it on camera , so people could finally see a video of the elusive animal .
( 1 ) In 2012 , a group of scientists from The National Science Museum of Japan found one .
With the help of colleagues from public broadcaster NHK and the Discovery Channel , they were able to film a giant squid in its natural habitat for the first time ever .
( 1 ) Even at that time , scientists were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that one in oceans all over the world .
( 1 ) In June of 2019 , the first-ever footage of a giant squid was recorded in American waters .
Scientists from the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research expedition were finally able to record the mysterious deep-sea creature .
( 2 ) Giant Squids live 1,300 to 3,000 feet deep in the Ocean .
Because of this , they are very hard to find , so we know very little about them .
( 3 ) We don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long they can live , how they migrate , how they mate , where they lay eggs , or even what they sound like if they make any sounds at all .
What we do know is what they look like and approximate size and strength .
( 2 ) Just like other members of their animal family , giant squid have ( 3 ) : Each of their eight arms is speckled with two-inch wide-toothed suckers , and their feeding tentacles are tipped with hundreds of sharp-toothed suckers .
Their feeding tentacles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the length of the rest of the squid .
Using these tentacles , they can grab prey that is up to 10 meters ( 33 feet ) away .
( 3 ) In the center of the arms , they have a sharp beak used to cut their prey into more manageable pieces .
They process their food even further using a tongue-like organ called the radula that sits inside the beak and is also covered with rows of teeth .
( 3 ) They have the largest eyes in all of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foot ( 30 centimeters ) in diameter .
These eyes help them to see in the lightless depths of the ocean .
They have a small , donut-shaped brain through which their esophagus runs .
( 3 ) Their body , or mantle , holds the rest of their organs .
Underneath they have a funnel where they breathe , pump water and other fluids , get rid of waste , squirt ink , lay eggs , and use jet-propulsion to move .
( 3 ) While just how big they are isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded is 7.4 feet ( 2.25 meters ) , and the longest total length recorded is 43 feet ( 13 meters ) .
This was a particularly large one , however , and most carcasses that have been found rarely exceed 16 feet ( 5 meters ) from the tip of the head to the end of the arms .
( 3 ) A new measuring method makes scientists believe that the giant squid could reach up to 66 feet ( 20 meters ) long in total .
This has never actually been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to their size , they have few predators .
Their most notable one is the sperm whale , however , the whale never gets dinner without a battle , and it doesn ’ t always win the fight .
( 3 ) Where to See Giant Squid As mentioned already , marine biologists struggle to find these sly creatures , so you will never see them in the wild unless you are a giant squid researcher .
Even then , you may not see one !
You can see them on display @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 3 ) One thing is for sure , nature , particularly deep-sea life , is as mind-blowing as it is mysterious .

Giant Squid are so elusive, you may almost assume that they aren’t even real. In 2012, however, a group of Japanese scientists recorded an incredible video of one. Last June, researchers also finally recorded one in American waters.
First Recording from 2006
Most of what marine biologists know of giant squids come from the large carcasses that float to the water’s surface and are brought in by fishermen. (1)
Researchers were able to record a giant squid in 2006, however, when they hung bait underneath a research vessel in the Ogasawara Islands. They succeeded in hooking the squid and pulling it out of the water long enough to catch it on camera, so people could finally see a video of the elusive animal. (1)
Japanese Scientists Catch Giant Squid on Camera
In 2012, a group of scientists from The National Science Museum of Japan found one. With the help of colleagues from public broadcaster NHK and the Discovery Channel, they were able to film a giant squid in its natural habitat for the first time ever. (1)
Even at that time, scientists were certain there are millions more just like that one in oceans all over the world. (1)
Giant Squid in America
In June of 2019, the first-ever footage of a giant squid was recorded in American waters. Scientists from the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research expedition were finally able to record the mysterious deep-sea creature. (2)
The Facts on Giant Squids
Giant Squids live 1,300 to 3,000 feet deep in the Ocean. Because of this, they are very hard to find, so we know very little about them. (3)
We don’t know how big they can grow, how long they can live, how they migrate, how they mate, where they lay eggs, or even what they sound like if they make any sounds at all.
What we do know is what they look like and approximate size and strength. (2)
Read: YouTuber Almost Dies After Cementing His Head Inside A Microwave
Appearance
Just like other members of their animal family, giant squid have (3):
Two eyes
A beak
Eight arms
Two feeding tentacles
One funnel/siphon
Each of their eight arms is speckled with two-inch wide-toothed suckers, and their feeding tentacles are tipped with hundreds of sharp-toothed suckers. Their feeding tentacles are extremely long, usually, double the length of the rest of the squid. Using these tentacles, they can grab prey that is up to 10 meters (33 feet) away. (3)
In the center of the arms, they have a sharp beak used to cut their prey into more manageable pieces. They process their food even further using a tongue-like organ called the radula that sits inside the beak and is also covered with rows of teeth. (3)
They have the largest eyes in all of the animal kingdom: Each one is one foot (30 centimeters) in diameter. These eyes help them to see in the lightless depths of the ocean. They have a small, donut-shaped brain through which their esophagus runs. (3)
Their body, or mantle, holds the rest of their organs. Underneath they have a funnel where they breathe, pump water and other fluids, get rid of waste, squirt ink, lay eggs, and use jet-propulsion to move. (3)
Size
While just how big they are isn’t known, the longest mantle recorded is 7.4 feet (2.25 meters), and the longest total length recorded is 43 feet (13 meters). This was a particularly large one, however, and most carcasses that have been found rarely exceed 16 feet (5 meters) from the tip of the head to the end of the arms. (3)
A new measuring method makes scientists believe that the giant squid could reach up to 66 feet (20 meters) long in total. This has never actually been recorded. (3)
Predators
Naturally, due to their size, they have few predators. Their most notable one is the sperm whale, however, the whale never gets dinner without a battle, and it doesn’t always win the fight. (3)
Where to See Giant Squid
As mentioned already, marine biologists struggle to find these sly creatures, so you will never see them in the wild unless you are a giant squid researcher. Even then, you may not see one! You can see them on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. (3)
One thing is for sure, nature, particularly deep-sea life, is as mind-blowing as it is mysterious.
Keep Reading: Man Built A Full-Size Replica Of Noah’s Ark
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-08-20--This Solar-Powered RV Runs Without Fuel Or Charging Stations

2020 is quickly becoming the year of the great American road trip .
With borders closed and many international flights cancelled , an increasing number of people are turning to staycations and inner-US trips to help them scratch their travel itch .
While travelling with your home on your back can be both liberating and convenient , it comes at a cost- fuel cost , that is .
The average motorhome or camper gets about ten miles to the gallon , which could be reduced to five to eight miles per gallon once you weigh it down with gear and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company is out to solve that problem , and has designed a concept for a solar powered RV that would allow you to potentially travel across the country with no fuel cost whatsoever .
German RV company Dethleff ’ s e.home solar motorhome concept would be much cheaper to drive and have zero tailpipe emissions .
Their electrified version of a Class C motorhome goes above and beyond simply being fully electric : it ’ s completely wrapped in thin-film solar cells that can be used to top-up the van ’ s batteries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built onto the base frame of an Iveco Daily Electric van , which has an eighty kilowatt motor and a 228 Ah battery-back made of sodium-nickel-chloride cells that the company says can last up to 174 miles on a single charge .
Once the van is fully kitted , however , that charge may last only 103 miles [ 2 ] .
All the Comforts of Home Just like a modern motorhome , Dethleff ’ s e.home is fully fitted with all the amenities you might need , only this time they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple sleeping areas , a kitchen , and a bathroom , it is comfortable enough for long trips and to even act as a tiny home .
Additionally , the e.home boasts some cutting-edge technology including “ latent heat accumulator plates ” made with a phase change material that is capable of absorbing excess heat ( anything over 26 degrees celsius ) and storing it so that it can be released after the sun goes down , as well as infrared heating elements in the floor and furniture so the cabin can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ 3 ] .
The futuristic vehicle also applies foil-based technology in both the lighting and the windows .
The foil is set between the window panes of the windows , and can be electrically dimmed to protect against the sun and the intense heat , as well as provide privacy for the vehicle occupants .
The Dethleff e.home is , not surprisingly , a “ smart home ” , and has an integrated system installed called CampConnect , which gives you the ability to digitize almost every component of the motorhome .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ app installed on your tablet , where there are operation and display possibilities for heating , light , power , and central locking [ 3 ] .
The Dethleff e.home is still just a concept , and there are still a few issues to work out before it could be built and made available to the public .
The motorhome uses 32 square feet of thin-film solar cells added to the exterior of the home , which creates a three kilowatt solar array and adds some energy autonomy to the vehicle .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides of the vehicle , which means no more than half of it can be exposed to the sun at any given time .
This may have been intentional , however there is no way to know what the array ’ s average solar output is , nor how long it would take to recharge the battery pack from solar alone .
High-powered capacitors installed in the home would allow the batteries to recharge faster , however you would still need to stop for a lengthy amount of time for your battery to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cross-country road trips might be out of the question , unless you like to travel very slowly .
Shorter trips , however , are the ideal scenario for this e.home [ 2 ] .
The RV of the Future Currently there are no plans to put this model into production , and instead it is being used as an example of what is possible for the future as the electric caravan becomes a more talked-about idea .
Leopold says that solar power is very important if we want to have a vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources , but that will still supply all the onboard services in the living area that would traditionally require gas .
As more work is done and improvements are made , the future of roadtrip travel may look much cheaper , and a lot greener , too .

2021 is quickly becoming the year of the great American road trip. With borders closed and many international flights canceled, an increasing number of people are turning to staycations and inner-US trips to help them scratch their travel itch. While traveling with your home on your back can be both liberating and convenient, it comes at a cost- fuel cost, that is. The average motorhome or camper gets about ten miles to the gallon, which could be reduced to five to eight miles per gallon once you weigh it down with gear and people [1]. One German company is out to solve that problem and has designed a concept for a solar powered RV that would allow you to potentially travel across the country with no fuel cost whatsoever.
A Solar-Powered RV
German RV company Dethleff’s e.home solar motorhome concept would be much cheaper to drive and have zero tailpipe emissions. Their electrified version of a Class C motorhome goes above and beyond simply being fully electric: it’s completely wrapped in thin-film solar cells that can be used to top-up the van’s batteries.
The motorhome’s cabin is built onto the base frame of an Iveco Daily Electric van, which has an eighty kilowatt motor and a 228 Ah battery-back made of sodium-nickel-chloride cells that the company says can last up to 174 miles on a single charge. Once the van is fully kitted, however, that charge may last only 103 miles.
All the Comforts of Home
Just like a modern motorhome, Dethleff’s e.home is fully fitted with all the amenities you might need, only this time they’re electric. With all-electric appliances, multiple sleeping areas, a kitchen, and a bathroom, it is comfortable enough for long trips and to even act as a tiny home.
Additionally, the e.home boasts some cutting-edge technology including “latent heat accumulator plates” made with a phase change material that is capable of absorbing excess heat (anything over 26 degrees celsius) and storing it so that it can be released after the sun goes down, as well as infrared heating elements in the floor and furniture so the cabin can be comfortable without requiring large amounts of electricity [3].
The futuristic vehicle also applies foil-based technology in both the lighting and the windows. The foil is set between the window panes of the windows, and can be electrically dimmed to protect against the sun and the intense heat, as well as provide privacy for the vehicle occupants.
The Dethleff e.home is, not surprisingly, a “smart home”, and has an integrated system installed called CampConnect, which gives you the ability to digitize almost every component of the motorhome. The system can be operated by an app installed on your tablet, where there are operation and display possibilities for heating, light, power, and central locking [3].
From Concept to Reality?
The Dethleff e.home is still just a concept, and there are still a few issues to work out before it could be built and made available to the public.
The motorhome uses 32 square feet of thin-film solar cells added to the exterior of the home, which creates a three-kilowatt solar array and adds some energy autonomy to the vehicle. This array, however, is on all sides of the vehicle, which means no more than half of it can be exposed to the sun at any given time.
This may have been intentional, however, there is no way to know what the array’s average solar output is, nor how long it would take to recharge the battery pack from solar alone. High-powered capacitors installed in the home would allow the batteries to recharge faster, however, you would still need to stop for a lengthy amount of time for your battery to recharge.
For this reason, long, cross-country road trips might be out of the question, unless you like to travel very slowly. Shorter trips, however, are the ideal scenario for this e.home [2].
The RV of the Future
Currently, there are no plans to put this model into production, and instead, it is being used as an example of what is possible for the future as the electric caravan becomes a more talked-about idea.
“Dethleffs knows this means a lot more than just putting bodywork on an electrically driven chassis,” said Alexander Leopold, Dethleffs Managing Director. “By implementing a fully-electric powertrain there are many challenges and equally opportunities for the entire vehicle.” [2]
Leopold says that solar power is very important if we want to have a vehicle that does not require any additional energy sources, but that will still supply all the onboard services in the living area that would traditionally require gas.
“At the same time there are also a number of new technologies which will change the comfort, quality of life, plus the safety of future generations of motorhomes. Through this evolving process, systems will be further developed – and we expect rapid progress over the coming years for our e.home concept,” he said [2].
As more work is done and improvements are made, the future of road trip travel may look much cheaper, and a lot greener, too.
Keep Reading: 5 Important Things to Consider Before Jumping Into the RV Craze
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-08-20--5,000 People Respond to Boy’s Heartbreaking Plea: ‘I Just Want a Mom’

On any given day , there are over 430 thousand children in the United States living in foster care .
The average child remains in state care for two years , while six percent of children remain living in the system for five years or more [ 1 ] .
While many of these children live with foster families , ten percent of them live in group homes or institutions , and in 2018 more than 71 thousand children were waiting to be adopted [ 1 ] .
One little boy in Oklahoma has spent over half his life in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a family and a place to call home .
Jordan is a nine-year-old boy living in Oklahoma City .
Six years ago he and his younger brother Braison were put into foster care , and although they lived in separate group homes , they still loved spending time together , doing activities like baking and karate .
The siblings were featured in a news segment together three years ago , and since then Braison has been adopted .
Jordan doesn ’ t get to see his little brother very much anymore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a family of his own .
Recently , the young boy was interviewed yet again .
He showed the reporter some tricks on his rollerblades and talked about how he wanted to be a police officer when he grew up , but when he was asked where in the world he would want to go if he could choose , he said one place : an adoption party for a home .
He was then asked if he could be granted three wishes , what would he wish for ?
His answer was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a family so badly is also quite simple : he just wants to have someone to talk to anytime he needs it , whether that be a mom , a dad , or both- he ’ s not picky .
Just twelve hours after Jordan ’ s segment aired , the agency looking after him received over five thousand web inquiries about him .
There has been so much interest that officials are having a hard time getting back to everyone who has expressed interest in adopting the boy .
Christopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker , says that he is currently in the process of reading through profiles so he can choose a family to move forward with .
According to Marlowe , even for a child who ’ s been through custody , Jordan ’ s been through a lot compared to most of the other kids they work with , and he ’ s hoping to reconnect the boy with his younger brother .
Marlowe is very excited about the amount of attention Jordan is receiving , and is hopeful that this will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever home .
Children who live in foster care have often been abused , neglected , or abandoned , and are in temporary custody of the state while their birth parents are given the opportunity to complete services that will allow the child to be returned to them , provided that is in the child ’ s best interest .
Almost half of these children , however , can not be returned to their birth parents and therefore require adoption [ 4 ] .
Adopting a child from the foster care system is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few key ways : • Though it is possible to adopt a baby from foster care , the children who are available for adoption generally range from toddler to 21 , with the median age at eight years old .
• Because all children in foster care have experienced some form of trauma , parents who adopt from foster care undergo specific training to understand the effects of trauma and help children heal .
• Parents who adopt from foster care usually work with a public agency or a private agency that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services .
• Adopting from foster care costs little to no money [ 3 ] .
Many states encourage parents to try fostering children before making the decision to adopt , as it will allow them to begin parenting sooner , gives them a chance to get to know the child and figure out whether it will be a good permanent fit , and gives them the opportunity to gain experience parenting , among other benefits .
To begin fostering , you should first educate yourself to give you a solid understanding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides several resources for prospective families .
To get started , you need to contact your local agency , who will require you to attend an orientation meeting where you will learn about the children in foster care and the process involved in becoming a foster or adoptive parent [ 5 ] .
Fostering or adopting a child can be a long , tedious process , but the rewards are immeasurable .
If you are looking to expand your family and want to help a child in need , consider adoption- you just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life .

On any given day, there are over 430 thousand children in the United States living in foster care. The average child remains in state care for two years, while six percent of children remain living in the system for five years or more [1].
While many of these children live with foster families, ten percent of them live in group homes or institutions, and in 2018 more than 71 thousand children were waiting to be adopted [1].
One little boy in Oklahoma has spent over half his life in foster care, and wants nothing more than a family and a place to call home.
Jordan’s Adoption Story
Jordan is a nine-year-old boy living in Oklahoma City. Six years ago he and his younger brother Braison were put into foster care, and although they lived in separate group homes, they still loved spending time together, doing activities like baking and karate.
The siblings were featured in a news segment together three years ago, and since then Braison has been adopted. Jordan doesn’t get to see his little brother very much anymore, but wants nothing more than to find a family of his own.
Recently, the young boy was interviewed yet again. He showed the reporter some tricks on his rollerblades and talked about how he wanted to be a police officer when he grew up, but when he was asked where in the world he would want to go if he could choose, he said one place: an adoption party for a home.
He was then asked if he could be granted three wishes, what would he wish for? His answer was even simpler.
“To have a family, and family, family. Those are the only wishes I have,” he said [2].
The reason he wants to have a family so badly is also quite simple: he just wants to have someone to talk to anytime he needs it, whether that be a mom, a dad, or both- he’s not picky.
“I hope one of y’all pick me,” he said to the camera [2].
An Overwhelming Response
Just twelve hours after Jordan’s segment aired, the agency looking after him received over five thousand web inquiries about him. There has been so much interest that officials are having a hard time getting back to everyone who has expressed interest in adopting the boy.
Christopher Marlowe, Jordan’s permanency planning worker, says that he is currently in the process of reading through profiles so he can choose a family to move forward with.
“We’ve had a couple of families that expressed interest in adoption but after we did disclosures, the families decided that it wasn’t the right fit for them or their family at this time, so we’ve had some difficulty finding placement for him,” he said.
According to Marlowe, even for a child who’s been through custody, Jordan’s been through a lot compared to most of the other kids they work with, and he’s hoping to reconnect the boy with his younger brother.
“His brother’s adoptive family has been agreeable to that and even if things go well, they said they would be willing to take them out on day passes so they could spend some good quality time together,” he said [3].
Marlowe is very excited about the amount of attention Jordan is receiving, and is hopeful that this will be the breakthrough they needed to find him a forever home.
Adopt a Kid, Save a Life
Children who live in foster care have often been abused, neglected, or abandoned, and are in temporary custody of the state while their birth parents are given the opportunity to complete services that will allow the child to be returned to them, provided that is in the child’s best interest.
Almost half of these children, however, cannot be returned to their birth parents and therefore require adoption [4].
Adopting a child from the foster care system is different from other types of adoption in a few key ways:
Though it is possible to adopt a baby from foster care, the children who are available for adoption generally range from toddler to 21, with the median age at eight years old.
Because all children in foster care have experienced some form of trauma, parents who adopt from foster care undergo specific training to understand the effects of trauma and help children heal.
Parents who adopt from foster care usually work with a public agency or a private agency that has contracted with the state to provide services.
Adopting from foster care costs little to no money [3].
Many states encourage parents to try fostering children before making the decision to adopt, as it will allow them to begin parenting sooner, gives them a chance to get to know the child and figure out whether it will be a good permanent fit, and gives them the opportunity to gain experience parenting, among other benefits.
To begin fostering, you should first educate yourself to give you a solid understanding of the process and the children. Adoptuskids.org provides several resources for prospective families. To get started, you need to contact your local agency, who will require you to attend an orientation meeting where you will learn about the children in foster care and the process involved in becoming a foster or adoptive parent [5].
Fostering or adopting a child can be a long, tedious process, but the rewards are immeasurable. If you are looking to expand your family and want to help a child in need, consider adoption- you just might be saving a kid’s life.