Articles by Kirsten Brooker

Who doesn’t love to cozy up next to a warm fire or eat a delicious meal that was prepared over an open flame? Fire is something that has assisted earthlings in survival for many years. But when did fire begin,… Read More

A horse with stripes? Sounds fantastical, but zebras are real, though the black stripes continue to baffle scientists. There are some differences between zebras and horses, but basic similarities, too. They are both members of the Equidae family, have long… Read More

The soldiers who fought in World War I experienced brutal conditions, such as poison gas, trench warfare, and machine-gun fire. Desperate to reach out to their loved ones, they had to depend on writing letters. In the heartfelt communications, they… Read More

What is short, stocky, weighs around 0.3 ounces, and goes by the nickname “yellow bandit”? If you guessed yellowthroat, you would be correct! These tiny warblers are known for being highly energetic, vocal, and protective little creatures. Thanks to the… Read More

Congress comes up with and passes bills. The president signs those bills into laws. But what happens when one of those laws – or an action by the federal government or one of the states – might violate the Constitution?… Read More

Wolves are extraordinary animals. They are so intriguing that they have become the subject of many books and films over the years. The old fairy tales Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs portray the wolf as a… Read More

Discoveries in the world of the arts, history, and sciences are always exciting, and the year 2025 did not disappoint. From fallen icebergs and ancient books to mysterious goo and light pollution, a lot happened over the last 365 days…. Read More

Deer and other members of the Cervidae family can be found on every continent in the world except for Antarctica. They are considered one of the most successful animal breeds due to their high rate of survivability and their ability… Read More

Christmas legends around the world are fun as well as a bit bizarre and sometimes quite frightful. Sweden’s Christmas Goat Burning, Spain’s Catalan Pooping Log, and Austria’s Krampus Night are just a few of the quirky rituals that highlight the… Read More

The Venus flytrap is a carnivorous flowering plant from North and South Carolina. There are only a few of these species in existence, all part of the family Droseraceae. Unlike most plants, Venus flytraps consume insects and spiders and have… Read More

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now we are in the most wonderful time of the year – Christmas. Santa Claus is finalizing his accounting of the naughty and the nice, which is completed by Dec. 4, Santa’s List Day…. Read More

Turkeys are large birds native to North America. The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is known for its fan-shaped tail, gobbling calls, and large wattles hanging from its neck. The birds thrive in a variety of living conditions, such as forests,… Read More