ODD FACTS
THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF
CADILLAC NEWS -- MARCH 14, 2026
In the course of everyday life, you can sometimes stumble upon facts that are odd but true. Most of the time these go into the useless information file, but every once in a while an odd fact can come in handy.
For instance, how often do you use “LOL” in a text or email? Did you know that it has two meanings? “It stands for 'laugh out loud' and is used to communicate amusement. It was introduced in its current form as far back as 1989. Pre-internet, some folks would add 'LOL' to correspondence to indicate 'lots of love' and it’s still used as such by less-internet-savvy folks.” (https://wordsmarts.com/internet-abbreviations/)
You might laugh out loud if I suggested that some people will only buy a house if it faces in the right direction. “Should your house face north, south, east, or west? The direction a home faces can impact how much light a home receives, heating and cooling bills, and even maintenance needs.” Southern Living has the pros and cons of each direction at: https://www.southernliving.com/direction-home-faces-11903257.
The direction your house faces could be important if you follow a Dutch tradition. “An old Dutch ritual of going outside to watch the coming of night – or dusking – is having a revival across Europe. Fans of the practice say it’s a great way to disconnect from screens and find peace.”
The practice has benefits. “Dusking is about focusing on the outside world, not closing your eyes. It’s not just about your own well being; it’s a conversation with the world around you.” (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/01/could-daily-dusking-make-us-healthier-and-happier)
If you dusk with a cat on your lap you'll notice that Fluffy bathes a lot. “Domestic cats spend up to half their waking hours grooming themselves. Their barbed tongues clean away dirt, dust, dead skin cells, and other debris, which is why cats generally don’t need to be bathed by their owners. You may even find your cat licking you — not just for attention, but as a sign of affection.” (https://interestingfacts.com/cat-facts/)
If you want to snack while you dusk, an odd discovery for a familiar product could be something to try – rice cheese. “Agricultural researchers at the University of Arkansas believe rice may be the secret ingredient to make healthy, hypoallergenic, and protein-packed fake cheese.”
Arkansas is a perfect place to continue this research. “It’s in the state’s best interest to better understand how to harness these various proteins. With over 1.4 million acres harvested in 2024, Arkansas is the biggest rice producer in the United States and the state contributes almost half of the nation’s entire rice supply.” (https://www.popsci.com/science/rice-cheese-protein/)
If dusking with your cat while munching on rice cheese does not appeal to you, perhaps some online shopping would be up your alley. Did you know you can peruse the unclaimed luggage collected by airlines? Oddly, tee shirts are in great supply. “According to the Found Report, T-shirts were the most common item in lost luggage this year, with nearly 210,000 of them turning up in the suitcases that went to Unclaimed Baggage. Airlines try to reunite items with their owners for at least 90 days before sending them to Unclaimed Baggage.” (https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2026/03/05/unclaimed-baggage-found-report-2026/88967913007/)
If you already have a supply of tees, you can buy other items at an online store. There's a lot of variety from electronic devices to clothing to jewelry. Go to: https://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/.
One thing to buy at the unclaimed sale would be a good set of earphones. Having these will help you avoid a lifetime ban on an airline. “Long considered proper etiquette to wear headphones during a flight, United has now made it a requirement. United quietly updated its contract of carriage on Feb. 27 to include 'passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content' as a reason for refusal of transport, with the potential for a permanent ban from the airline.” (https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2026/03/03/united-airlines-headphones-passengers-flights-policy/88971122007/)
Finally, a common summer activity is attending a baseball game. Of course, Major League teams are the headliners. However, when it comes to creativity Minor League team names steal the show. “A substantial part of the journey from the MiLB to The Show includes the cities and towns that provide a backdrop for Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A teams. (The names are) not just part of the team but also embody a vibe that makes each ballpark visit unique and special.” (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2026/03/01/best-minor-league-baseball-towns-america-250-anniversary/88882065007/)
Some of my favorites are: Rocket City Trash Pandas, Hartford Yard Goats, Albuquerque Isotopes, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Beloit Sky Carp, and Traverse City Pitspitters. I wonder what the names would be if we had a minor league operation with just local towns and villages. Fun to consider, eh?
Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.
