Nowadays (especially right now), it’s easy to get caught up in the stresses of life. However, there’s a lot of beauty to be found even in the toughest times, and sometimes, it just takes zooming out to see the whole picture. And by zooming out, we mean literally! We’ve assembled 30 of the most breathtaking pictures of Earth taken from way out in space that will give you a little perspective whenever things feel heavy. So, take a break from your social feeds, and have a look through these pictures of our incredibly gorgeous planet.
Use it, don’t lose it ! We’re in this mess through no fault of our own, so why take it out on our significant others ? Saying or doing something regrettable may be beyond a simple apology. Here are some ways to express anger without blowing it. Remember, this situation will pass. Relationships live on.
There might be a shortage of jigsaw puzzles on Amazon, but for many people, purchasing a tie-dye kit and transforming an otherwise plain outfit into a rainbow masterpiece is the next best way to unwind and find joy while stuck at home.
The process for creating the vibrant print isn’t anything new, but the nostalgia factor of tie-dying, plus the ease and ability to find tutorials online, is making it a popular quarantine past time.
The tie-dye craze is being fueled by YouTube and TikTok creators
Several YouTube creators have recently leaned into tie-dying, pegging the colorful activity as the ultimate social distancing boredom cure.
TikTok is also a tie-dye treasure trove in its own right, with tons of tutorials that show users how different techniques and supplies, like bleach (and even toilet cleaner that contains bleach), can be used to achieve certain patterns or effects.
You may have heard that you should wait to plant outside in spring until your region is free of frost. Here’s when you can expect that to happen so you can be ready to get gardening ASAP.
It seems that when the minutes of daylight start to increase in winter, so does the yearning to get outside in the garden again. But don’t let a couple of warm days in early spring fool you into setting out your homegrown seedlings or new plant babies from the garden center too soon; a cold snap could wither them overnight. That’s why you’ll often come across the advice to wait until after your last frost date to add any new plants to your yard. So when is that, exactly? The short answer is: It depends. But you can get a pretty good idea of when it will be based on when that date has occurred in past years in your region. Plus, you can plant certain vegetables and flowers outside even before the last frost. Here’s what you need to know about your last frost-free date so you can avoid any frozen plants.
Average Frost Dates
A “frost” date really means when temperatures fall to 32°F or lower, which is cold enough to damage leaves or kill tender plants. The “growing season” is essentially the time between when the last freeze happens in spring and the first-time temps get to freezing later in the year, known as the first fall frost date. Those events don’t happen on the exact same days each year, of course, but you can get a pretty good idea of the time frame based on the average dates they have occurred in the past.
Courtesy of NOAA
To figure out when you’ll likely see the last of ice this winter, take a glance at the map above. It’s compiled from 30 years of weather data collected by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. For example, if you live in southern Illinois, you’ll probably be able to plant outside during the first part of April, but if you’re farther north in Illinois, you should wait till the second half of the month to be safe. You can also get the map information personalized for your Zip code through the National Gardening Association’s online database.
With these guidelines, you’ll have a window for planting outside. However, spring weather can often shift quickly, so make your local weather forecasters your BFFs. They’ll warn you about any sudden temperature drops coming your way. If that happens, make sure to bring in any tender plants in containers, or you can cover newly planted veggies or annuals with an old cotton sheet until the weather warms again.
What You Can Plant Outside Before the Last Frost Date
While you’re impatiently waiting to get your tomato seedlings in the ground, go ahead and start growing cool-season vegetables and flowers. These unsung heroes of the garden are cold-hardy crops you can grow as the temperatures are still chilly in spring. You can plant them again in late summer for fall color and harvests.
As long as your soil has thawed out enough to dig in, you can sow most cool-season vegetables right in the garden rather than starting them indoors first. These include all those leafy greens you know you should eat, like Swiss chard, kale, spinach, and pak choi. Radishes also grow quickly in spring and can tolerate frost well. Certain annual flowers like pansies and snapdragons that often appear at garden centers very early in the spring also can take some freezing temperatures and keep on blooming.
Bare-root trees (especially fruit trees hardy in your area) can be planted before your last frost date, too. Because they haven’t started to actively grow new leaves yet, they won’t be harmed by a little below-freezing weather.
Artist Grace Gogartycreates “intentionally unpolished” illustrations to depict the personality types of different breeds, and the results are hilarious and charming.
Every breed of dog has its own special traits. From identifying a husky as a “distinguished vocalist” to a pug as a “functioning mess,” Gogarty reminds us what it is we love about our quirky pets.
Are you excited to start gardening this spring? We can’t wait! With more time spent at home, we’re looking forward to stepping up our gardening game by working on some new projects. Whether you’re brand new to the gardening world or have been a pro for years, we’ve got you covered with gardening ideas that will make your beds bloom.
Verbena
Photo by L. Alfonse Getty Images
Known for its stress relieving essential oils, verbena is a beautiful hanging plant that comes in over 250 different varieties. This butterfly-attracting plant demands lots of sun (8-10 hours per day) and a well-draining soil. Zones: 5-11
Lobelia
Photo by Getty Images
Lobelia comes in incredibly intense blue colors, which are a bit of a rarity in the plant world. You can also grow them in cooler climates and in the shade. Zones: 6-9
Hanging Fuchsia
Know that fuchsias don’t bode well in hot climates, but many consider them the best hanging plants for summer and hummingbirds. They do wonderfully along the coast or in cool areas. Zones: 8-10
What do you do if you find yourself recently laid off or furloughed? Keep your chin up because there are ways of surviving this grim period while still maintaining your own standard of living. We’ve spoken with experts on how to get through this still achieving your career goals while also keeping the lights on.
Take a mental vacation
Taking a mental vacation during a pandemic might be a bit more difficult than normal, but it is still possible. Give yourself space to grieve…which may involve letting yourself feel all the emotions associated with disappointment. A big part of understanding why things happen objectively is allowing yourself to process negative emotions and then letting them go. Think of your emotions as a wave that hits the shore, but then has to rescind.
Hunter Gilmore is the Chief Recruiter at The Hunting Lodge and he says, “As much as you need to update your resume and portfolio, you also need to make space for self-care. Take a walk (with social distancing). Give your pet or house plants extra attention. Try that new recipe. Give meditation another shot; you’ve got the time. Feel it, then let it go. Even when expected, a layoff can kick off a ripple effect of emotions – shame, fear, sadness, rage. Allow yourself to let those nasties come out, but also make space for some silver linings too. It is spring after all!”
Utilize your unemployment benefits
With the astronomical rise of unemployed people, unemployment agencies that offer benefits such as weekly payments are taking a hit. In March alone, 10 million people applied for unemployment benefits according to the United States Department of Labor. This has caused multiple unemployment sites (varied by state) to shut down or malfunction. While this may seem like a hassle, it’s important to utilize these benefits if you find yourself laid off or furloughed for reasons beyond your control.
Some states are passing new legislation to increase unemployment insurance due to the COVID-19 pandemic and this can be a reliable way to continue paying bills without pause. Ultimately, it’s up to you if you want to receive benefits or not. Spending a few hours online hassling with government websites is not many peoples pastimes, but it can help when things start getting tight.
Start a new hobby
If you’ve been laid off or furloughed and are currently locked in because of a quarantine, you’re probably looking for new ways to distract yourself. Why not start a hobby? Things like starting an herb garden, puzzles or watching documentaries are cost-effective hobbies that give your brain some boost.
Use your network
“Connect. We’re all in some sort of isolation. Get in touch with a previous boss or co-worker. Companies are still hiring, or will be hiring after this pause; let your network know what you have to offer and let them help you get back to work. There is an outpouring of support for people who need new jobs right now; utilize that sense of compassion and goodwill.” says Hunter.
Amy Laiker, Head of New York for Tiger Recruitment adds, “Use the network you have around you. Not only is networking an essential tool for finding a new job, (especially in a tough market), but bouncing ideas off of friends and family can also help you build your confidence back up. They may also know people who may be able to help!”
Look into new resources
Hunter mentions, “Stay creative, take a class online, learn to sew, refurbish a coffee table or just use your hands. Explore new options. Maybe your previous job was a drain. You have time to see what else is out there for you. Major industries will be shifting due to this crisis; allow yourself to make some shifts as well.”
Begin a new career
Losing your job (for some) may not be the worst thing in the world. If you found yourself unchallenged, bored and settled then maybe it was fate nudging you to a new career. Trying for your dream job doesn’t have to be a dream…it’s never too late to be what you want to be and making the most of your time off is a solid way to kick off that journey. If you don’t know where to start, try reaching out to experts for recommendations.
Slow Down
“If you’ve fallen victim to a recent lay off, it can be devastating. While it may be tempting to immediately register with every single agency you can google, slow down for a minute and think about your options. Obviously, if you were happy in your previous job, definitely try to find work in a similar company or role (it may be a good idea to ask your previous employer if they have any contacts who may be able to help). But if you’re unsure about what you want to do, why not try contracting/temping?” says Amy from Tiger Recruitment.
“And, if you’re looking for a complete career change, take the time to think about the steps you need to take to make the transition.”
