Annually, from mid-July to the end of August, Earth passes through a cloud of debris left by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. When these remnants reach our planet's atmosphere, the Perseids occur—a meteor shower that is most noticeable in the Northern Hemisphere but is also observed (albeit on a smaller scale) in countries below the equator, such as Brazil. The possibility of observation depends on factors such as favorable weather conditions and minimal light pollution.
This time, the peak of the shower activity occurred on the night of Wednesday (12th) into Thursday (13th). Since the Moon was in the first phase of the new moon, being completely unlit, observing the Perseids (named after their origin in the constellation Perseus) was highly favorable. This allowed observers from different parts of the world not only to admire this phenomenon but also to take beautiful pictures of it.
Numerous records of the Perseids meteor shower were posted on social media. Among them are shots taken in Ludhiana and Kayseri on August 12-13, 2026. There are also photos taken from Fuji, pointed northwest, during the Perseid flare on August 13, 2026. Videos demonstrating the 'star rain' across the entire sky on the night of August 12-13 were published, as well as footage from Konya, Seychelles, Turkey, dated 12.08.2026.
Additionally, there were recordings from Libya—Misrata from 12.08.2020, as well as photographs capturing atmospheric glow and meteors taken in Hokkaido, near Lake Saroma, on August 13, 2026. These records highlight the global nature of observing this astronomical event.
The vacation in the bushveld in the Northern Drakensberg took an unexpected turn when giant ants, a timely prank, and a rather large spider intervened.
The author recounted how she and her husband enjoyed the sun and warmth by the pool in the Northern Drakensberg after leaving the grey and rainy Cape Town. Since an evening safari trip was planned, there was no need to rush.
Soon she noticed ants. When her husband approached, he confirmed that they were indeed ants, but it turned out they were not ordinary household insects. A quick search on Google revealed that these were Matabele ants, which can reach a length of about 2.5 cm.
Several hours later, during a trip on the reserve in the vehicle, the journey was interrupted by a sudden stop. Instead of the leopard the author hoped to see, the guide reported spotting an object in the grass—a thick dark line of ants moving through the bush, next to a black mound on the ground.
As the line of ants began to move, their sheer number made it impossible to look away. Although the author had found them fascinating before, observing them in their natural environment made the encounter even more memorable.
While the author was watching the ants, her husband decided to play a trick on her. Instead of a light breeze on her bare arm, a soft tickling sensation suddenly appeared. The author shrieked and jumped up, thinking one of the giant ants had reached her. Her husband found this very amusing, and his laughter echoed through the bush.
The next day, the husband received a lesson in return. During another safari drive, a spider landed on his chest. His reaction was immediate: he jumped up, trying to get rid of the spider before sitting down again.
The author concludes that a vacation in the bushveld teaches humility: instead of expecting a leopard, one might encounter a process of giant ants, and sometimes karma arrives in the form of a spider.
Almond oil is valued for its health and beauty benefits, used to improve skin tone, strengthen hair, and massage children. However, many oils available in stores may contain impurities such as mineral oil, artificial fragrances, and harmful chemicals, which can be more detrimental than beneficial.
Furthermore, pure almond oil is often quite expensive. Nevertheless, if you want to obtain 100% natural, pure, and chemical-free almond oil right at home without using expensive machinery, it is entirely achievable. Using a regular kitchen blender and cotton cloth, you can extract pure almond oil in just a few minutes. Below is the simplest method for preparing it.
First, you need to thoroughly clean the almonds from dust and dirt. Then, place them in a dry blender jar. Instead of running the blender continuously, pulse it until the almonds turn into a fine powder.
After obtaining the finely ground powder, add 2-3 tablespoons of olive or sesame oil. Blend again until the mixture becomes a smooth, thick paste. Adding oil helps the natural almond oil to release more easily.
Transfer this prepared paste into a glass jar or bowl, cover it, and leave it at room temperature for one to two weeks. During this time, the natural almond oil will gradually begin to float to the surface, while the solid paste settles at the bottom.
After 1-2 weeks, take cheesecloth or a cotton cloth, place the paste inside it, and squeeze the cloth tightly from all sides. This way, the pure almond oil will collect in drops in a small dish.
The finished pure almond oil should be stored in a clean, dry glass bottle. Your homemade oil, which requires no machines and contains no chemicals, is ready for use.
Applying 2 drops to the face before sleep can eliminate issues such as wrinkles, fine lines, and dark circles under the eyes, while also giving a natural glow.
Scalp massage helps stop hair loss, making hair thicker and stronger.
This oil is completely safe and chemical-free, making it ideal for the skin and bones of young children.
