Happy Friday! Quick news: We’ll be gone part of next week, so posting will be erratic at best.

From Satori: Are cats aliens from outer space? Let’s look at the facts.

From Cassandra: How sensitive are children to their environment? It seems there are three distinct types.

From Julie: Vindication for the rats! The Black Plague was spread by fleas and lice, most likely. 

From Metafilter and elsewhere: Behold the amazing names of grit trucks (gritters) in Scotland and England. My favorite so far is Gritsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Anti Slip Machiney, but there are so many good ones.

Have a safe and spiffy weekend, everyone. See you next week.