Tomorrow night millions of people will watch the ball drop in Times Square. But why? Turns out that method was an early way of synchronizing watches on the hour in cities. Thanks, NYPL!

If you’re making resolutions for 2016, why not consider participating in the Sketchbook Project? Art is good for you!

The Thinker’s Garden has a great article on Alexandra David-Neel, one of my idols – did you know you can visit her home in Provence? – and Helena Blavatsky.

The French Alps are mostly known for skiing, but you can hunt for crystals, too!