1 . Scandinavian architecture is a relatively new construct that drew public attention within the last century. It tends to include works associated with Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, and it is undoubtedly one of the more influential styles in modern times.

The Scandinavian design style is both simple and comfortable, modern and historic. Homebuildere influenced by this style are experts at mixing traditional vernacular (民间风俗的) styles with modern technology to create a space that is beautiful and aims to make your life better.

Before the early 20th century, much of Scandinavian architecture was vernacular in nature. Homes were built in a simple way using locally sourced materials and knowledge. However, it can be argued that this lack of formal architectural schooling promoted more craftsmanship and creativity as time went on. These vernacular builders were more concerned with function than form. An early example of this is the turf houses in Iceland, which were homes with green roofs that could keep the house in comfortable temperature throughout seasons in an affordable way.

The modern-day version of Scandinavian architecture grew out of this grassroots approach to building. Public buildings originally mixed Neoclassical elements with traditional building styles based on local practices. In the 1930s, the concept of Functionalism was introduced in Scandinavia. With its inspiration, architects wanted the buildings to be simple, but they also wanted them to be beneficial to people in some thoughtful way. For instance, the Paimio Sanatorium that was built in 1933 focused on maximizing quality air and light for tuberculosis (结核病)patients. So while modern architecture is all about simple, clean lines, Scandinavian architecture is that and also a style of building that thinks about tow public spaces and homes can be valuable to humankind.

2 . Spring is just around the corner and there’s nothing like seeing the first robin of the season, which is a sign that warmer days are ahead. Now a new study conducted in Germany has found that the more often we see and hear birds chirping and singing, the happier we are. A team at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research discovered that being surrounded by a wide variety of birds can offer increasing life satisfaction equal to $150 per week of added income.

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research took data from the 2012 European quality of Life Survey to measure how species diversity in birds affected 26,000 people in 26 European countries.

“According to our findings, the happiest Europeans are those who can experience numerous different bird species in their daily life, or who live in near-natural surroundings that arc home to many species,” explains the study’s lead author, Joel Methorst a professor at Goethe University in Frankfurt. “We also examined the socio-economic data of the people that were surveyed, and, much to our surprise, we found that birds diversity is as important for their life satisfaction as is their income,” he added.

Another study from the California Polytechnic University found that placing speakers with a variety of bird sounds on hiking trails improved the outdoor experience. The study was conducted in Colorado but the findings may improve hikers’ happiness everywhere. There was no difference in hikers' happiness whether the bird sounds were artificial, pre-recorded, or natural.

During a year of loss, stress, and uncertainty, the comforting sounds of nature have been crucial. A recent report from the Audubon Society found that sales of bird feeders, bird food, and birding apps have all increased during the pandemic, and participation in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s annual Global Big Day 2020 broke records.

4 . Museums are centers filled with information designed to enlighten and educate the curious mind. Especially for children, museums introduce them to unknown worlds, inspire their imagination and provide them with valuable learning experiences. It's generally believed that museums only help fuel academic education.     1    

Museums offer children bigger connections and references to history than a traditional class. They play a huge role in impacting their historical knowledge and the innovation taking place before their eyes.     2     Just reading out to them, encouraging them to ask questions and holding their attention.

    3     Individuals acquire values, knowledge, and skills that are not applicable to the only field but will aid them for a lifetime. A single visit to a museum near you will provide children with in-depth knowledge about different subjects that they can acquire slowly, for museums let you stay as long as you want.

Museums are well enough equipped to awaken curiosity in young minds, which in turn will lead to these children asking questions.     4     Some of them might need a great deal of thought to answer and some of them might not have any answers at all. No matter what they asked, all of these questions must be equally encouraged and children must be given the confidence to find the answers to them on their own.

Museums have the ability to leave its visitors in awe of the huge amount of information it holds. They provide inspiration to young children via its resources that leave them fascinated about the night sky and the solar system, the skeletons that keep them thinking about life before them, the artworks that arouse the creative mind, etc.     5    

5 . Nowadays mail delivery is a little different. I still get my mail from my mailbox. Nothing, but my neighbors’ mail. I thought that was curious.

I proceeded to take my neighbors’ mail to them. I was about to put the mail in their mailbox when a tall man came running out shouting about messing with his friend's mail. He snatched (夺过) the mail from my hand, opened the mailbox and pointed to the mail inside.“You were after this.

I shook my head, “No, believe me. I got this mail by mistake in my box today. I was just bringing it to them.” He gave me a funny look and went back into his house.

I got the knock on the door the next morning by two very polite officers. The annoyed tall man had phoned the police and told them I was a crazy old woman going around mixing up everyone's mail. Before I could finish telling them about what was going on, the officers had watched a dog approach my mailbox with mail in his mouth. He took out the mail that was in my box and put letters in. He pushed the door closed with his nose, picked up the new pile of mail he had gotten from my box, and repeated this all the way down the next street. We all started laughing.

The dog had belonged to a mail carrier who had died. No one thought to check (the carrier lived alone) on the man’s dog. The dog had been trained to put mail in and take mail out of the boxes. When he got loose, he assumed his duties.

I went by to talk to the annoyed tall man to fill him in on what had happened. He was very pleased when he realized I was not a mail thief. He did, however, adopt the little guy.

9 . A Texas veteran(老兵) is asking community members to donate their old Christmas trees so he can turn them into stylish ________ for his fellow veterans.

After ________ in the US Army for 8 years, Jamie Willis returned home as a 100% disabled veteran who was ________ unable to work. The Veteran Affairs provided him with a cane that was ________ and unstable.

Shortly after discovering the ________ of typical VA canes, he discovered Free Canes for Veterans, an organization ________ to giving away cool-looking handmade canes to veterans. Willis then ________Oscar Morris, president of the organization, and asked if he could learn how to ________ his own cane—and Morris was happy to help.

After Willis made his first stick, he worked with Morris to open up a ________ of the organization. Since opening up shop, he has made and donated more than 200 canes for veterans.

“I do this so I don’t sit home all day feeling ________ for myself,” Willis said “This is all out of ________. I just want to do my little bit for other people.”

Now that the holiday season is over, Willis is asking people to donate their old Christmas trees that will be ________ into canes. It usually takes Willis a day to turn one tree into a cane. After that, he ________ it up and ships it off to his fellow veterans. He is also ________ to make canes for anyone with a disability.

For his appeal, Willis has been flooded with ________ since an organization donated 400 trees and community members an additional 100.