Spring Invaders: AI Agatha Christie and 250 Years of the USPS
As the seasons change and spring arrives, many of us are greeted with unwanted visitors – insects. For some, it’s a minor nuisance, while for others, it’s a full-blown infestation. The Saturday Evening Post takes a look at the pesky creatures that invade our homes as the weather warms up. "I was in bed the other night, wide awake, looking up at the ceiling, creating a mental list of what I needed from the store the next day (milk, Diet Pepsi, chicken) when suddenly I saw a large moth fly above me across the ceiling," writes the Saturday Evening Post. "At least I think it was a moth. It was so big it may have been a Cessna."
The Saturday Evening Post notes that moths are relatively easy to deal with compared to ants, which can be a major problem for many homeowners. "Some years I see no ants at all and some years they set up camp here and they’re everywhere," the publication writes. "The kitchen island, the coffee table, the floor, the stove, my shoes (I swear just as I typed that sentence an ant crawled next to my laptop on my coffee table.) It’s amazing how something so small can be so irritating and gross."
In other news, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. The Saturday Evening Post reports that the USPS is marking the occasion with a new Eagle in Flight symbol, a commemorative stamp featuring Benjamin Franklin, and a 20-panel stamp sheet drawn by artist Chris Ware. Additionally, the USPS has released an official coffee table book, as well as podcasts and a special episode of their "Mail with Mr. Zip" YouTube series.
According to the Saturday Evening Post, a recent ranking by U.S. News & World Report has identified the best and worst states to live in. The worst states to live in are Louisiana, Alaska, and Mississippi, while the top three best states are Utah, New Hampshire, and Idaho.
The Saturday Evening Post also reports on a new AI-powered tool that’s being used to teach people how to write in the style of Agatha Christie. The tool, which is being offered by BBC Maestro, uses artificial intelligence to help users learn the techniques of the famous mystery writer.
In memoriam, the Saturday Evening Post notes that several notable individuals passed away recently, including David Souter, a former Supreme Court Justice, Joe Don Baker, an actor who starred in several films and TV shows, and Robert Benton, a screenwriter and director who worked on films such as Kramer vs. Kramer and Superman.
The Saturday Evening Post also takes a look at historical events that occurred during this time of year. On May 10, 1889, a riot broke out in Manhattan over a stage adaptation of Macbeth, resulting in 32 deaths. Additionally, on May 14, 1850, a patent was granted to J. Houghton for a hand-operated machine that splashed water on dishes, an early version of the dishwasher.
In a blast from the past, the Saturday Evening Post recalls an article from its archives about the Thor Automagic Dishwasher, which was featured on May 15, 1948. The article notes that the dishwasher looked more like something you’d wash your clothes in.
Finally, the Saturday Evening Post notes that Saturday, May 17, is National Walnut Day, and provides several recipes for walnut-based dishes. The publication also mentions that May is National Asparagus Month and provides several recipes for asparagus-based dishes.
As the week comes to a close, the Saturday Evening Post notes that Victoria Day will be celebrated on May 17, a federal holiday in Canada that honors Queen Victoria. Additionally, National Waiters and Waitresses Day will be observed on May 21, a day to recognize the hard work of restaurant staff.
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