So—
A poem for Sunday
2024-06-30T10:11:14Z
King Carl XVI Gustaf's Life in Photos
The Swedish king celebrates his 78th birthday today. Here, take a look back at his life. The head of the House of Bernadotte (a.k.a. the Swedish royal family), Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus was born on April 30, 1946 at Haga Palace in Solna, Sweden. He's now the longest-reigning Swedish king in history, and set to celebrate his Golden Jubilee—marking 50 years on the throne—this September. Following the death of his father when he was just nine months old, Prince Carl Gustaf became the Crown Prince and heir to the throne when his when his grandfather ascended when Carl Gustaf was a 3-year-old. In 1973, he ascended to the throne himself as King Carl XVI Gustaf at age 27. He married Silvia Renate Sommerlath, a German-Brazilian interpreter, in 1976, and they have three children: Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip, and Princess Madeleine. He's now a grandfather of eight. According to his official bio, King Carl Gustaf is a big fan of nature, and his hobbies include fishing, hunting, and game preservation. He often travels to the Olympics to support Swedish athletes, and partakes in cross-country and downhill skiing himself. Here, see the best photos of King Carl XVI Gustaf throughout his life.
2023-08-05T15:08:26Z
These Insanely Helpful Garden Plants Keep the Mosquitoes Away
Say goodbye to the outdoor pests. Bugs come with the territory when you’re outdoors, but some are more tolerable than others. If it feels like mosquitoes are invading your yard, it’s understandable to want to do what you can to get rid of them. Enter mosquito repellent plants. Here’s the thing: Experts say that the best way to keep mosquitoes at bay is to use personal repellents recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But if you want to go a more natural route, you may be interested in selecting certain plants—they’re just not necessarily guaranteed to work as well as a spray. “The idea that planting certain plants around your home will successfully repel mosquitoes is only supported by anecdotal evidence and not empirical evidence,” says Eva Buckner, Ph.D., assistant professor and state extension specialist at the University of Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory. It’s important to note, though, that there is some evidence that certain plants may help discourage certain mosquitoes from setting up camp in your yard—they just don’t work as well as a chemical or spray. If it feels like your outdoor space is a haven to mosquitoes, it’s a good idea to “eliminate mosquito breeding grounds on and around your property by draining standing water from flowerpots, birdbaths, grill covers, baby pools, and other sources,” says Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., board-certified entomologist and senior vice president of public affairs at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Using a small fan outside may also help keep mosquitoes away since “they are not strong flyers,” Fredericks says. But if you like the look and smell of certain plants and want to see if they keep the mosquitoes away, too, there’s no reason not to try them. These are the plants fans swear are most likely to help get rid of mosquitoes. Snap up one or a few to enhance your outdoor space.
2023-06-26T20:04:01Z