August 6, 2005
Alligators in the sewers and the planet Mars orbiting very close to Earth have a lot in common. Just ask Adelle.
I’m sorry to say that Adelle, a dear lady and good friend, has succumbed to the lure of internet urban legends such as these.
I’m sorrier yet to admit I am not far behind her, although I do not believe there are really alligators in the toilet.
Earlier in the summer, I enjoyed a trail of Adelle’s emails that began with a story about the planet Mars being close to earth and easily visible during the month of August.
Here’s how the web story went: “The Red Planet is about to be spectacular! The encounter will be the closest approach between Mars and Earth in recorded history. Mars won’t come this close again until 2287. Mars has not come this close to Earth in the last 5000 years!”
Adelle solemnly believed the story and forwarded it to friends and family.
I didn’t bite.
One day I received another email from Adelle with loads more information about the planet Mars being especially visible during the month of August. There were links offered to learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. We were warned not to miss this astrological event at any cost.
Sounded interesting, but I still didn’t bite.
Then, one day I received an email about this Mars spectacular from Pete, a retired Navy guy who is quite knowledgeable about such things.
Now, I believed and hurriedly copied and pasted the info into a fresh email to my brother, a retired astronomy teacher.
You can see what is coming.
As soon as I hit the “send” button, I received another email from Adelle apologizing profusely for the previous incorrect Mars email.
Below hers was another email from her nephew that said something like, “Adelle, I have told you and told you to quit buying into these ridiculous urban legends. Don’t send me anymore of this stuff. Your information is wrong. Stop!”
Also, included were impressive facts that supported this man’s argument that the Mars story was nothing more than a modern day fable.
My brother didn’t even bother to reply to my forward of the Mars spectacle.
I’m still not sure if Mars will be brighter in August or not.
How is one to know?
Thus, I am vowing right now to be more skeptical of such stories that pop up on the web or in emails and do my own research.
I decided to keep track of a few of these internet stories and decide for myself.
Below is what one short “surfing” expedition on the web netted, and so far, I believe every single one of them.
Number 1-- Did you know that an unmade bed is healthier than a made bed?
Yes, it’s true, according to Dr. Stephen Pretlove of Kingston University in the United Kingdom. His research shows that fewer dust mites are present in an unmade bed because the sheets and mattress are freer to breathe. He says that dust mites are a leading cause of allergies and asthma and that they thrive on moisture. When we sleep, the bed becomes warm and moist, and dust mites multiply. When you make your bed, you trap the moisture within.
Thank goodness. Now, I won’t ever feel guilty again about not making my bed.
Number 2 -- Did you know that pets can overdose and die by gorging on cookies left on the counter or plates of cat or dog food left out all day?
There are lots of reasons not to believe this one, such as how in the world does a puppy get on a countertop anyway.
Never mind, they showed pictures to prove it.
Attached was a photo of a lab puppy climbing up on the 3 ft. tall counter about to devour the brownies. And there was another photo of a kitten in a drugged stupor asleep on his dish after presumably eating his cat food for hours.
Number 3 -- Did you know that college students have found an ingenious way to eliminate the need for a microwave oven at school?
Don’t try this at home.
Apparently, a couple of clever young men propped a steam-iron up between dictionaries, bottom side up. They heated water for coffee on the surface of the iron, popped popcorn, and warmed food.
So, far they haven’t burned down the building.
Number 4 -- This final one is the best fish story I have ever heard, and it is absolutely true, according to the “net”!
Seems as though this family in the Midwest noticed a huge red ball in their pond. When they went to investigate, they noticed that the ball was actually in the mouth of a gigantic catfish.
The catfish had tried to eat the ball, but the ball got stuck in his mouth.
Every time the catfish tried to dive down, the air in the ball brought him back to the surface. He couldn’t eat and couldn’t breathe.
Exhausted, he was barely able to float.
The woman of the household acted quickly while her husband stood on the bank and watched. Don’t ask me why that was inserted in the story, but nevertheless, the wife proceeded to grab a kitchen paring knife and puncture the ball.
The catfish was saved.
Apparently, the man of the household must have been taking pictures from the bank.
At least we’ll say he did.
True story. Pictures were attached.
