Inspiring
July 1, 2021

Buddhist Monk Rescues 8,000 Stray Dogs in China and Finds Them New Homes

Millions of dogs and cats live on China’s streets. Many pets are abandoned and left to fend for themselves, and uncontrolled breeding means the population of strays is only growing. However, one Buddhist monk in Shanghai, China is doing what he can to help. Fifty-one-year-old Zhi Xiang has been rescuing animals since 1994, and he now has almost 8,000 dogs in his care, as well as several hundred cats and birds.

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Ancient Art
June 29, 2021

4,500-Year-Old Egyptian Wood Statue With Rock Crystal Eyes Boasts Incredible Craftsmanship

The ancient Egyptians were master artisans and artists. Known for their funerary statuary, ancient craftsmen had a booming business filling the many tombs and temples of the land. For the past several centuries, archeologists have consistently discovered fine works that continue to awe viewers. Among these legendary statues is one of the scribe and priest Ka'aper (also known as Kaaper or Sheikh el-Balad).

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Food Art
June 29, 2021

Talented Pastry Chef Sculpts Sugar Flowers That Look Just Like Real Blooms

These flowers might look as though they’ve just been picked from a beautiful garden, but they’re actually edible cake decorations. Pastry chef Alexandria Murray (of Finespun Cakes) is an expert at sculpting incredibly realistic sugar flowers that beautifully adorn her multi-tier wedding cakes. Murray discovered sugar flowers when she was 19 years old, during a year off from art school.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.