This Week at Neatorama

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer, since many schools are out, pools are opening, employers are juggling everyone's vacations, and the weather is nice enough for a cookout. I hear there's a big car race Sunday as well. But let's not forget the original meaning of Memorial Day -to remember those who gave the last full measure in service to their country. If you're not familiar with the poppy symbol here, check out the story from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. But the world being the way it is (meaning "we love holidays") you don't have to wait until Monday for a holiday. Today is Towel Day! Don't forget to take your towel with you. And since you have a three-day weekend, why not catch up on everything that's been happening this week at Neatorama!

In the second installment of a continuing series that may be the end of John Farrier -or at least his digestive system- we witnessed Don't Eat That, John! -- The Taco Bell Doritos Taco Smoothie.

Eddie Deezen wrote The Flintstones: A Modern Stone Age Family.

Kibble Me This: The History of Dog Food was a contribution from Uncle John's Bathroom Reader.

The Annals of Improbable Research gave us The Science Behind Luwak Coffee.

Embarrassing Moments in Engineering (and What They've Taught Us) came from mental_floss magazine.

Over at the Spotlight blog, Alex posted Illustrated Recipe: Artwork Inspired by Marie-Antoine Careme's Extravagant Food.

David Israel got some audience participation going with a personal post called The Toy You Can't Throw Out. You can add your favorites to the conversation anytime.
 
Our featured pet this week at the pet blog Lifestyles of the Cute and Cuddly was Steve the cat, sent in by Neatoramanaut Kate Nelson. Your cat or dog or other animal can be a featured pet on Lifestyles of the Cute and Cuddly, too! All you need to do is send us a picture.

We also one brainteaser from Uncle John's Bathroom Reader this week: Fun With Words. As ususal, the answers y'all came up with were more entertaining than the actual answer!

In the What Is It? game, we had an object that is an unknown. Rob at the What Is It? blog researched every guess and found no definitive answer. So we decided to select two winning funny answers! Pismonque said it is "an ingenious device to mechanically reproduce the sound of one hand clapping." That's good enough to win a t-shirt from the NeatoShop! And Joseph Francis said "You cast it like a fishing rod and it scratches the back of someone on the other side of the gymnasium. I forget what it's called." But he didn't specify a t-shirt. Check out the answers to the other mystery items of the week at the What Is It? blog.

The post that drew the most comments (besides the contest) was The Toy You Can't Throw Out, followed by a tie between Don't Eat That, John! -- The Taco Bell Doritos Taco Smoothie and Americans, What Surprised You the Most When Visiting Europe?

The comments of the week are polar opposites. ChrisW responded to the headline Tourist Rescued After Dining on Iceberg by saying, "I had no idea dining on iceberg was dangerous. Perhaps romaine would be better." Ha! Then in the post about precious toys, ladybugs told a great story: "I have a Hawaiian rag doll that I've had since I was 2 months old. My mom & I flew to Oahu to meet up with dad while he was on R&R from the Vietnam war. It's where he got to meet me for the first time. I've had it 43 years and will never get rid of it. I keep the doll in my cedar chest." Thanks for sharing that with us!

The most popular post this week was America's Most Expensive Home for Sale, followed by LEDs in an Engagement Ring and Kibble Me This: The History of Dog Food.

The post with the most ♥s was Fennec Fox Walking Against the Wind, followed by Helen Mirren Fulfills Sick Little Boy's Dream of Tea with the Queen and Tree Got Its Bark Blown Off by Lightning. If you skipped any of these, you might want to take a second look!

The most emailed posts were The NEW Periodic Table Song with LEGO X-Wing is the World's Largest LEGO Model in second place. Nothing else came close.

Three weeks from tomorrow is Fathers Day. Don't wait until the last minute to find something really meaningful for your Dad (or other father figure)! Check out the selection of gifts at the NeatoShop, including the newest t-shirt designs so you'll have something surprising and unique to give.

And be sure to join us for extra content every day at the Neatoramanauts Facebook page. Tell your friends to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, too! And mobile users: Flipboard makes it easy to keep up with Neatorama.

Be extra careful if you're traveling this holiday weekend. My family is headed out on a road trip, and we have a daughter with a brand new learner's permit. Buckle your seatbelt and keep a safe distance!