Here’s what happens on the longest night of the year—in the solar system and across different cultures here on Earth. Take a moment to reflect on the past year. Acknowledge the hardships encountered, but remain resolute with your eyes on the future. More sunshine is headed our way. [Wired].
“Grab a penny, turn it upside down, and stick it between your tire tread. If you see all of Lincoln’s head above the tread, it’s time to get new rolling rubber,” Mercedes Lilienthal writes. Plus, why you should bag a bag of kitty litter this season.
Norwegians follow the concept of friluftsliv (pronounced “free-loofts-liv”), which translates roughly to ‘open-air living’ and is deeply engrained in the country’s heritage. Complain to a Norwegian about the weather, and you’ll likely hear a cheery refrain: “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing!” (In Norwegian, it rhymes.) [National Geographic]
“I started snowshoeing as a kid, back in a time when wooden snowshoes were the norm and not something that decorated the wall in someone’s ski lodge,” Dana Benner quips. Get his advice for staying on the go, even in the frostiest conditions.
Tilt back your head by the warmth of the fire. Gaze into a black sky speckled with the delicate twinkling light from far-off distant suns. Imagine what our ancient ancestors saw when they did the exact same thing. And, learn more about what you’re looking at with this guide to the constellations with Ryan Price.
It wasn’t “exactly glamping on a glacier, but spending the night on Juneau Icefields was an incredible first,” the author writes. Here’s what she learned about how to stay warm and hydrated in winter weather.
“The road to hell is littered with abandoned expensive, low-mileage exercise equipment,” writes Will Dabbs, MD. He’s got some better ideas for keeping healthy and fit this winter.
