Shoe surprise: Deep in a mountain cave in Spain, scientists inspecting an abandoned bearded vulture nest uncovered an unexpected find a 650-year-old sandal woven from grass and twigs. Protected from wind and sunlight, the ancient artifact remained almost perfectly preserved alongside animal bones, feathers, and handmade tools. Researchers believe the birds unknowingly collected these human-made objects while gathering materials for their nests. Over time, new layers of twigs and debris built up, turning the site into a timeline of natural and human history. The discovery adds to what scientists know about how vultures interact with their surroundings and the traces they leave behind.

Marsh refuge: Just beyond the busy streets of Boston in Massachusetts USA, lies Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, a rare stretch of salt marsh that shelters over 270 different bird species. Surrounded by city neighbourhoods, this protected habitat serves as both a wildlife sanctuary and a natural barrier against flooding and coastal erosion. Along its trails, visitors can spot everything from migrating flocks to species listed under a conservation watch. The marsh also cools the urban air and provides open green space in an area once dominated by industry. Decades ago, community efforts stopped it from being developed, preserving a reminder of Boston's coastal past. It remains one of the city's most ecologically important places.

Vinyl illusion: Designer Drew Tetz is turning vinyl records into living artwork using the optical magic of zoetropes. His process blends design, physics, and music, with each record patterned so that when it spins under a strobe light or is filmed by a camera, the images appear to move. What began as creative experimentation has evolved into collaborations with major artists, combining modern tools with techniques rooted in 19th-century animation. Each piece transforms album visuals into motion, syncing rhythm and art in one continuous loop. By merging geometry with imagination, Tetz demonstrates how physical media can still surprise the digital age, turning sound and vision into an experience that feels entirely new.

Royal discovery: Deep within the forests of Belize, archaeologists have revealed a burial chamber believed to belong to an early ruler of the Mayan city of Caracol. Part of an ancient civilization known for its temples, writing, and complex trade networks, the Maya once thrived across Central America. Hidden beneath an older tomb, the site contained carved jade pieces, ornate ceramics, and a distinctive mask that point to immense wealth and ceremonial power. The discovery highlights the city's prominence and its ties to distant regions, including parts of central Mexico where similar artifacts have been found. The find offers new insight into the influence of early Maya leaders.

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. ~ Booker T. Washington

Shine like the whole universe is yours. ~ Rumi

Free notices for not for profits greg@coffeenews.co.nz

1. In Norse mythology, what tool did Thor wield?

2. Are pangolin scales made of stones, keratin, or calcium?

3. How many legs does a bee have?

4. Eagles, hawks, and owls are all considered _____.

5. This visual art form uses various small pieces set closely together.

Night walks: Charles Dickens battled insomnia by pacing the streets of London, finding story ideas along the way. At home, he even positioned his bed to face north, convinced it helped his creativity and restored some calm to restless nights.

Smooth style: In ancient Egypt, beauty often meant removing every bit of body hair, even from the scalp. Women used seashells as tweezers, rubbed pumice stones, or tried early wax made from bees and sugar to keep skin bare.

Pants pastime: The Finnish language has a word for drinking at home in your underwear. Called pntsdrunk, it's viewed less as loneliness and more as a lighthearted ritual of comfort, showing how language can capture unique cultural habits.

Rainbow harvest: Each ear of Glass Gem corn reveals a mix of bright colours, from deep violet to soft gold, shining like beads of glass. What began as a farmer's breeding project became one of the most eye-catching crops.

Tail power: When kangaroos walk, their tails don't just help with balance, they help push the animal forward. Acting like an additional leg, the tail adds power and stability, letting kangaroos move in a way that's different from other animals.

Howdy-locious are those cookies?

Why did the poet have to find a proper job? He realised rhyme doesn't pay.

Before thimbles were invented, a lot of people got stuck without one.

Ants have antennae, but shouldn't they be called antlers?

Dad: Son, why are you home from school early? Son: I was the only one who could truthfully answer the question, 'Who broke the window?'

1. Hammer 2. Keratin 3. Six 4. Birds of prey or raptors 5. Mosaic