In today’s news, UK government supports Pakistan’s monsoon recovery efforts, new form of acid rain could threaten life on Earth, US scientists create artificial intelligence model to help predict and warn about violent solar flares, Egypt grows cotton in desert for first time, vegan athlete in United States shares journey from self-harm to wholesome living, New Zealand food startup launches high-protein vegan sports drink, and Democratic Republic of Congo enacts laws to protect endangered African Grey Parrot-people.
The changing seasons are my favorite time in the garden. Here is an excellent gardening tip for those entering the autumn and winter seasons. A cold frame is a low, transparent-topped structure placed directly on the soil that acts like a mini greenhouse. It traps the sun’s warmth, creating a protected microclimate that extends your growing season from early fall, through winter and into early spring. This method can boost productivity by keeping temperatures 2–5 degrees Celsius (4–9 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than outside with minimal effort or additional heat inputs. To build one you can repurpose materials like old windows, wooden boxes, or plastic sheeting. If in the northern hemisphere, position the sloped lid facing south to capture maximum sunlight and place it near a wall or fence on the north side for added protection and heat retention. Switch directions if you live in the southern hemisphere. With this setup, you can start plants earlier, harvest longer, and make your garden more productive, while keeping it low-cost and eco-friendly.
Let’s add a bit of brightness to our lives with the joke of the day. This one is called “Decoding.”
Like many attorneys, Antoine has handwriting that’s barely legible. After he scribbled instructions for one of his clients, the man spent a minute trying to decipher what the lawyer had written before declaring:
“You know, if I took this to a pharmacy down the street, I bet I could have a prescription filled!”
?!
And now we have a heartline in French, from Madeleine in France
