【推荐1】There are experts that say the best years come in the second half of life. Although there are no guarantees, there are simple things you can do today to help you benefit from the blessings that arrive with gray hair and reading glasses.

●Reduce stress.     1    . Too much or long-term stress, however, can have a negative effect on your health. While no one has a stress-free life, there are steps you can take to manage your response to stress, from scheduling regular time for meditation (冥想) and prayer to stepping outside to enjoy nature when you need a break.

●Eat better. You don’t have to adopt some crazy diet or give up all sweets.     2    . You can also eat more whole foods. A whole food is an ingredient (原料) in its natural state, one that comes in its own wrapper. While it’s even better to eat cuisine that is organic, locally grown or pesticide-free, start by shopping for groceries that require no packaging.

●    3    . When you feel good, it’s attractive to avoid going to the doctor. No matter how you feel, though, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor for an annual check-up.    4    . Depending on your age and family history, the doctor may recommend certain tests or screenings. Your doctor may also do blood tests to check your cholesterol or screen for hormonal imbalances. Each of these tests can help identify any potential problems.

●Keep moving. Exercise lowers blood pressure, controls our weight, strengthens our bones and muscles, reduces our risk for cancers, and improves our mood. Some research also says it has the power to keep us young. Physical activity can improve flexibility, strength, and balance. You don’t have to take up running marathons.    5    .

【推荐2】Our precious ones! How amusing their childish faux pas (失言) can be. Once my baby son was in the bath, the soap fell into the bath water. “Oh, its fa’en in the water,” he said. “Fallen, darling,” I said, emphasizing the double “L”. He thought for a moment, saying, “Fallen 20 blackbirds?” Oh, yes, he knew his nursery rhymes all right!

Yet often they can be the cause of a red face, and parents can be unknowingly embarrassed. My son once spotted a small sculpture of John Wesley in a museum and gave a delighted cry—“Oh look, Doctor Who!” This was in the days of the first Doctor, played by William Hartline, whose hair was in a similar style to that of John Wesley.

My reddest face by far occurred on the L8 bus. My six-year-old son and I were sitting on the upper deck front seat. As the bus passed a prison, my son stood up and faced the full upper deck, saying most proudly “My grandpa’s been in there!” much to the surprise of the passengers. Well, they weren’t to know that it wasn’t as a prisoner, were they? My face was redder than red as I hurriedly murmured (咕哝) to my nearest passenger that it was as a visitor. My son had earlier overheard that my father-in-law would be sent to the prison on business.

Yes, they can let you down, can’t they? And yet, getting it wrong is such fun and the right word is so quickly learned! Children’s faux pas are so amusing; they just say as they think they heard. Years later, incidents like this can be remembered with great amusement by the family, and after all, it is all part of growing up and so innocently (天真地) voiced.

I’m certain most parents can recall sayings like this, and I would strongly suggest that parents with young children get a notebook and write them down there and then. Most of the sayings from my young son are now gone forever. I wish I had recorded them at the time they came up—red face and all!

【推荐3】At times, talking to kids can feel like learning a foreign language. Unfortunately, there’s no handy phrasebook or translation app that can make you sound friendly and firm at the same time. Don’t worry. We’ve put together plenty of conversational tips, tricks, and ideas, so you can have an open and honest chat with any kids in your life.

Sit or kneel at their level.

    1    Even if you’re keeping things light and friendly, a child might feel frightened if you’re towering over them. Instead, grab a seat or take a knee near the child, so they don’t have to look up at you.    2    

Let the child speak without interrupting.

Interrupting will only shut down your conversation. Think of it this way—if you were sharing a really exciting story with a friend, would you want them to interrupt and talk over you?    3    Give children plenty of time to share what’s on their mind, even if they’re having some trouble coming up with the right words. Once they’ve finished sharing, feel free to reply and comment on whatever they shared.

Offer lots of options to comfort your child.

    4    The more you want them to finish the task to your heart’s content, the more they may feel controlled by your command. So, break a task or command into a fun “this or that” scenario(设想). Your child will be happier to play along when they feel in control of their decisions and routine. Instead of telling your child to pack their lunch, ask if they’d like a ham cheese. Sometimes, there might not be any practical options to offer. That’s okay!    5    

【推荐1】Steam trains paved the way for modern-day transportation, but just how much do you know about them?

The roots of steam trains can be traced back to the 18th century when the Scottish engineer James Watt improved steam engine technology. Watt’s improvements significantly enhanced the efficiency of steam engines. This breakthrough paved the way for the application of steam power in various industries, marking the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. As the 19th century started, George Stephenson used the power of steam to power locomotives (火车头), telling the age of steam-powered transportation.

Steam trains played a vital role in transforming the world into a connected network of nations. The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in the United States in 1869 marked a historic moment, as steam locomotives linked the East and West coasts, reducing travel time and expanding economic, opportunities.

Similarly, the Orient Express in Europe became a symbol of luxury and international travel, carrying passengers from Paris to Istanbul in a quick way. The rhythmic sound of wheels on rails echoed (回响) through diverse landscapes, from the dry deserts of Australia to the snowy expanses of Siberia, as steam trains formed paths of connectivity across continents. During times of war, the role of steam trains extended to soldier transportation.

While steam trains led the railway landscape for over a century, the mid-20th century witnessed the arrival of electric and diesel locomotives, claiming greater efficiency and lower operational costs, and signaling a transformative shift.

As steam trains were not mainstream transportation, enthusiasts worldwide have preserved and restored steam locomotives, ensuring that these classic engine s continue to attract new generations with their nostalgic (怀旧的) charm, and that their stories continue to be told for ages to come.

For Heritage railways, they dedicate to the restoration and operation of classic steam locomotives. From the Bluebell Railway in England to the Strasburg Rail Road in the United States, these living museums allow modern-day travelers to experience the magic of steam travel. Riding the polished carriages and hearing the distinctive whistle, visitors experience a sensory voyage, connecting with a time when steam trains were the heartbeat of progress and adventure.

【推荐3】An international team of researchers has revealed new evidence for the possible existence of liquid water beneath the south polar ice cap of Mars.

The researchers, led by the University of Cambridge, used spacecraft laser-altimeter (激光高度计) to measure the shape of the upper surface of the ice cap to identify its patterns in height. They then showed that these patterns match computer model predictions for how a body of water beneath the ice cap would affect the surface.

Their results agree with earlier ice-penetrating radar (穿冰雷达) measurements that were originally interpreted to show a potential area of liquid water beneath the ice. There has been debate among scientists over the liquid water interpretation from the radar data alone, with some studies suggesting the radar signal is not due to liquid water.

The results provide the first independent line of evidence, using data other than radar, that there is liquid water beneath Mars’ south polar ice cap.

“The combination of the new evidence, our computer model results, and the radar data makes it much more likely that at least one area of liquid water beneath the ice cap exists on Mars today, and that Mars must still be geothermally (地热) active in order to keep the water beneath the ice cap liquid.” said Professor Neil Arnold, who led the research.

Like Earth, Mars has thick water ice caps at both poles, roughly equivalent in combined volume to the Greenland Ice Sheet. Unlike Earth’s ice sheets, however, which are underlain by water-filled channels and even large lakes beneath the ice cap, the polar ice caps on Mars have until recently been thought to be frozen solid all the way to their beds due to the cold Martian climate.

The analysis revealed a 10~15 kilometre long, wave shaped surface comprising a depression and a corresponding raised area. This is similar in scale to surface areas over the lakes beneath the ice cap on Earth.