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In Xochimilco, floating gardens offer a glimpse of Mexico City鈥檚 pastA network of human-made waterways represents the remains of a vast transit system used by the Aztecs to move people and products around their empire.
This Thanksgiving, here鈥檚 a helping of turkey trivia to gobble upWhere are turkeys from? Did Ben Franklin really want the turkey as the U.S.鈥檚 national bird? Read on for some turkey trivia to share around the table.
Beyond 鈥楪reen Gables鈥�: A new look at Anne鈥檚 creatorWho was L.M. Montgomery, beyond the writer of a beloved literary character? On the 150th anniversary of the author鈥檚 birth, Prince Edward Island is urging a broader understanding.
Want a less commercial holiday? Gen Z tries 鈥榰nderconsumption core.鈥�Americans used to call it being thrifty. Then it was Voluntary Simplicity. Today, Generation Z is exploring 鈥渦nderconsumption core,鈥� with an eye for more meaningful holidays and less stuff.
First LookWhat is Bluesky and why did 1 million people join it in a week?A million new users flooded onto the social media platform Bluesky in the week after Election Day. It鈥檚 like X, but the mood is less blustery and there are fewer trolls. Here鈥檚 a guide on how it works.
Overwhelmed by climate change? I started by changing me.How can we counter climate change? Turn off the lights. Buy secondhand toys. We can鈥檛 fix it alone, but we can start right where we are.
Good is 鈥榯he strongest gravity,鈥� says 鈥榃icked鈥� author MaguireFairy tales often present characters as either good or bad. 鈥淲icked鈥� author Gregory Maguire asks readers to let go of binary thinking as they consider morality.聽
Behind the stacks: The secret life of a librarianMy novel experience as a children鈥檚 librarian was not the quiet desk job I had envisioned. It was so much more.
Want to hear the latest country music? Try Broadway.鈥淢usic City,鈥� which opened off-Broadway this month, is the latest show to embrace the country genre. Can Nashville music make it in New York?- Want to hear the latest country music? Try Broadway.鈥淢usic City,鈥� which opened off-Broadway this month, is the latest show to embrace the country genre. Can Nashville music make it in New York?
Dome sweet dome: This tiny village makes most of Kyrgyzstan鈥檚 yurtsThe Issyk-Kul region has been designated the World Craft City for Yurts, with most of Kyrgyzstan鈥檚 yurt production concentrated in the village of Kyzyl Tuu.
In top-notch Indian film, three Mumbai women encounter what makes a life worth livingWith 鈥淎ll We Imagine as Light,鈥� an Indian filmmaker draws our attention to personal stories 鈥� and the many ways a life can have meaning.聽
First LookTed Olson, who argued for same-sex marriage, is remembered as a conservative legal titanFormer U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson, who died Nov. 13, who argued 65 cases before the Supreme Court, including fighting for same-sex marriage. Mr. Olson聽鈥渓eft the law, our country, and each of us better than he found us,鈥� said聽former adversary David Boies.
鈥楨milia P茅rez鈥� breaks genres and bursts into song in a one-of-a-kind movie鈥淓milia P茅rez鈥� is a feminist musical crime thriller about a transgender cartel boss. Part operetta, part telenovela, it shimmies between the archetypal and the intensely personal, writes Monitor film critic Peter Rainer.
Juan Rulfo helped invent magical realism. His 鈥楶edro P谩ramo鈥� is now on Netflix.Mexican author Juan Rulfo helped invent magical realism and influenced a generation of beloved Latin American writers. His novel 鈥淧edro P谩ramo鈥� just received a twisty adaptation on Netflix.- Juan Rulfo helped invent magical realism. His 鈥楶edro P谩ramo鈥� is now on Netflix.Mexican author Juan Rulfo helped invent magical realism and influenced a generation of beloved Latin American writers. His novel 鈥淧edro P谩ramo鈥� just received a twisty adaptation on Netflix.
A 400-lb tree weighed on our marriage. A smart solution lifted the load.My wife and I have gardened together for years without marital incident 鈥� until the great birch tree challenge of 2024.聽
A silver rush built Nelson, British Columbia. It still has polish.With over 350 buildings lovingly restored, the city of Nelson聽boasts on its website that some call it 鈥渢he prettiest small town in Canada.鈥澛�
An unwanted kiss shook Spanish soccer 鈥� and society. A new documentary explores why.Just as the Spanish women鈥檚 national team was celebrating its 2023 World Cup victory, it found itself embroiled in a fight with the soccer federation president over an unwanted kiss. A Netflix documentary looks at the scandal.
Beyond the World Series and Bronny, the enduring love of fathers and sonsThe beautiful thing about the full-circle moments experienced this week by sports stars Freddie Freeman and LeBron James is what鈥檚 at the center of them, writes the Monitor鈥檚 cultural commentator 鈥� pure and abiding love.