Create a customized LEGO mosaic from your own photo, World Bee Day, and edible plants that attract pollinators are a few of the interesting stories I’ve enjoyed in the past month.
I hope you enjoy them, too!
What I Found Interesting
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Who knew? With Custom Brick Designer, you can transform any of your digital images into your own do-it-yourself LEGO masterpiece.
Once you’ve uploaded your image and selected options for size, base, and any adjustments, the tool determines the number and color of bricks. They’ll send you the bricks, base, and instructions to build your own custom mosaic.
(This would be a cool gift for someone’s graduation, birthday, or other special day!)
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A small University of Nottingham clinical trial for people who lost their sense of smell and taste had a promising outcome:
67% saw their sense of smell improved – and 83% reported an improvement in their taste.
During the 12-week trial, participants chewed super-strength flavored gum. One participant who lost their sense of taste and smell after COVID had both senses restored after six weeks of chewing the special gum twice a day.
The research team hopes to secure funding for a larger trial.
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Happy World Bee Day!
May 20 was declared World Bee Day by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018.
From the story, I learned the day was named for the birthday of Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern apiculture.
Janša came from a family of beekeepers in Slovenia, where beekeeping is an important agricultural activity with a long-standing tradition.
Years ago, I volunteered at a local nature center where I learned about beekeeping, helped with fall honey harvest, and led talks about bees and honey.
If you’re interested, there’s a list of World Bee Day 2026 events, including a free soils and pollinators webinar the morning (Eastern Daylight Time) of May 21, 2026 which is still accepting registration.
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Drivers in Gladsaxe outside Copenhagen, Denmark now see a red glow from streetlights at night along one of the busy streets.
Aimed at cutting light pollution and saving energy costs, the change from white streetlights also benefits bats and other wildlife who travel the corridor at night without being fully exposed.
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Which edible plants that attract pollinators do you grow in your garden? I’m growing seven out of 10 plants from the story, including:
- Squash
- Basil
- Oregano
- Green beans
- Sunflower
- Radishes
- Dandelion (lots of dandelions, but fewer each year as I convert lawn to native plant beds)
And I’m considering adding lavender.
