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Sharpen Your General Knowledge

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Shamim Ansary:
What Is a Reverse Mortgage?

So far, you have read about how important good credit and your income-to-debt ratios are to obtain a favorable mortgage. Now you can forget it. For a reverse mortgage, none of that matters.

What is important is that you are 62 years old or older and that your home is free and clear of any other loans and mortgages, or at least has a lot of equity. A reverse mortgage is a completely different type of loan. If properly used, it can be the best thing to happen to many seniors since Social Security.

Shamim Ansary:
What Is a Reverse Mortgage?

So far, you have read about how important good credit and your income-to-debt ratios are to obtain a favorable mortgage. Now you can forget it. For a reverse mortgage, none of that matters.

What is important is that you are 62 years old or older and that your home is free and clear of any other loans and mortgages, or at least has a lot of equity. A reverse mortgage is a completely different type of loan. If properly used, it can be the best thing to happen to many seniors since Social Security.

Shamim Ansary:
Are Cats Color Blind Like Dogs and Do They Only See Black and White?


cats are color blind

Humans actually have better vision than cats, except in dim light. But we digress.

Domestic cats have rather poor color vision and can only see two colors: blue and green, and are less able to distinguish between red and green, although they can do so in some conditions.

Animals and humans have rods and cones in their eyes. Rods are sensitive to dim light, and for daylight, you need cells called cones.

These cones in the eyes enable animals to see color. Humans have three kinds of cones that allow them to see blue, red and green which means full color vision.

Cats as well as dogs have only two kinds of cones sensitive to blue and green light, which means they can see some colors, but not all.

Cats see well enough to perceive a movement that’s within their pouncing range and beat us handily in their hearing and sense of smell, both of which are especially useful in hunting.

Shamim Ansary:
How Did Astronomy Begin and Why Did Claudius Ptolemy Believe That the Earth Was the Center of the Universe?

Before the invention of the telescope in the early seventeenth century, astronomy was based on observations made by the naked eye.

First, people mapped the positions of stars and planets in the sky.

Most cultures had their own systems for mapping the sky, but astronomy as we know it today has its roots in classical Greek theories.

In A.D. 150, the Greek astronomer and mathematician Claudius Ptolemy wrote an important treatise on astronomy.

In it, he listed forty-eight groups of stars called constellations, with names, such as Orion and Perseus, taken mostly from mythology. In the same way that we can imagine shapes of familiar objects when we look at clouds, so Ptolemy saw traditional figures in groupings of stars.

Ptolemy also noted that the stars seemed to move across the sky. He said that all celestial bodies revolved around Earth, which stood still in the center of the universe.

This was the accepted scientific theory for centuries.

Ptolemy’s view of the universe is called a geocentric model, because Earth (geo refers to Earth) stands at its center (centric means center).

Shamim Ansary:
What Should I Do When My Child Argues With Her Friends?

“Katie, let’s play house. I’m the mommy; you’re the baby.” “No, I’m the mommy, or I won’t be your friend.”

“Then I’m not playing with you.”

This exchange is typical of what preschoolers say when they argue. They may play well together and then suddenly tell each other, “I’m not your friend.” Young children, whose emotions are close to the surface, concentrate on their immediate wishes and needs. And because they’re egocentric, they don’t consider each other’s feelings, but let their anger come out in harsh words or actions. Some children give in when spoken to in this way, while others fight back or persist until they get their way, or try to find an adult to help.

You may wonder what to do when you see this kind of behavior. You should begin by setting limits on your child, who is egocentric and needs your guidance; on her own, she doesn’t think about others when she’s mad. However, if you restrict her expressions of anger too much, she may end up believing that anger is bad and inappropriate.

Your child needs a chance to let her anger out, and even if you don’t like to hear her say, “I’m not playing with you,” or “You’re not my friend anymore,” you should realize that young children are not very good at expressing their exact thoughts. Harsh words are sometimes a young child’s way of letting her strongest negative feelings be known. One five-year-old told her aunt, “You say ‘nanny nanny boo boo’ when someone takes your toy, and you get it back.” She insisted, “You have to say that!”

When it seems appropriate, you can let arguing children try to work out their differences themselves, as long as no one is getting physically injured or having his or her feelings terribly hurt. Children are sometimes surprisingly good at settling their arguments and can gradually learn to work problems out with one another. A child who seldom has a chance to settle her own arguments may become dependent on her parents for help even with minor difficulties.

Parents should also step in and give suggestions and guidance. “Why don’t you both pretend you’re mommies and let your dolls be the babies?” If one child shouts something mean to another, parents should avoid saying, “That’s not nice!” and instead say, “You’re really mad because Tanya doesn’t want you to play. Why don’t you tell her that?” Even if angry children ignore parents’ suggestions, the very presence of adults will have a restraining effect. Children tend to be less aggressive with each other when parents are nearby.

Young children also respond well when parents are clear. “You have to include her in your play.” “He doesn’t want you to yell at him, so you’ll have to stop.” “Tell her nicely what you want to do.” “I know you’re angry, but I won’t let you be mean to her.” And they benefit from their parent’s support: “Let’s go ask Sam if you can build the tower with him.”

You can lessen your child’s involvement in arguments by avoiding situations that usually lead to problems. For instance, your child may play well with one child at a time, but not when a third joins in. Three can be a difficult number, two friends sometimes pair up and exclude the third. If you can’t avoid this situation, give all the children frequent reminders about getting along and including each other in play.

If your child consistently argues with one particular playmate, limit their time together or tell them, “You have to find a way to get along with each other.” Allow your child’s emotions to be heard, but when necessary, help her control her anger by changing the situation or setting firm limits.

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