BOC#024 Box of Chocolates

Geronimo, Sleep Dust, Vitamin D, James Allen, & Cheesy Feet.

Jun 16, 2025

4 MINUTE MUNCH

WHAT IS SLEEPY DUST?

The rheum that collects in the corners of our eyes is nothing more than small clumps of dirt and dead cells. While blinking removes much of this detritus while we’re awake, no such mechanism is at play while we sleep. The water, mucus, and oils that removes waste during the day ceases to function during sleep, and so a build up is able to accrue. That being said, it is possible to build up such reserves of eye-gunk during the day if your tear film is inadequate. Excessive rheum may be caused by allergies such as hay fever, or other allergic reactions.

‘CHEESY’ FEET?

Did you know: The two chemical compounds - isovaleric acid and methanediol - that account for the foul odour of sweat are also produced by the bacteria found on some cheeses, which explains why feet can sometimes smell ‘cheesy.’

VITAMIN D PRODUCTION AND WINDOWS…

Vitamin D is produced when energy from the sun converts a chemical in your skin into vitamin D3, which is then converted into Vitamin D via your liver and kidneys. But did you know that the type of radiation required to trigger this reaction, UVB (Ultraviolet B), doesn’t pass through glass, plexiglass, or plastic? This means getting out in the sun is essential for that vital vitamin D production. Ultraviolet A radiation does pass through glass, however, which means that the risk of cancer remains high even when the car window is wound up.

ADVICE: BE SPECIFIC!

“If you aren’t specific, you might get what you ask for and still not get what you want. Leave as little as possible to assumptions and interpretation.” - Meryl Runion.

PASSAGE FROM: AS A MAN THINKETH BY JAMES ALLEN*…

On the importance of nurturing the mind…

“Man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed-seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind. Just as a gardener cultivates his plot, keeping it free from weeds, and growing the flowers and fruits which he requires, so may a man tend the garden of his mind, weeding out all the wrong, useless, and impure thoughts, and cultivating toward perfection the flowers and fruits of right, useful, and pure thoughts.”

ON THIS DAY: JUNE 16TH…

1829:

The legendary Apache warrior, Geronimo, was born on this day. His birth name was in fact Goyakla, which meant “one who yawns.” When he was just twenty-nine years old, his camp was raided by Mexican soldiers causing the death of his wife and three children. This unfortunate clash inspired him to lead his people through a series of campaigns against the Spanish and North American settlers in Arizona and Mexico; also known as the Apache wars. He was the last Native American leader to surrender to U.S. forces, and died of pneumonia in 1909.

1903:

The Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford today in 1903. Henry and twelve companions invested an initial sum of $28,000 into the buisness, with Henry Ford owning 25.5% of the company’s stock. The company sold their first car on July 15th 1903.

Today is National Fudge Day - Treat yourself!

WORDS: EQUABLE VS EQUITABLE

Equable is often defined as being ‘unvarying and steady’. It should, however, convey the feeling that a thing is far from extremes. A consistently hot climate shouldn’t be described as equable due to it being extreme, albeit unvarying. Equitable, not to be confused with equable, is to be fair and impartial.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that the British 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, and 50p coins are in fact all pieces of a puzzle? The most attentive amongst you would have noticed that the reverse of the aforementioned coins all feature a small fragment of the Royal Shield of Arms. When put together, the coins make up the very shield found on the reverse of the £1 coin. The design, which saw the antiquated 1968 design replaced and updated, was curated by the Royal Mint and competition winner Matthew Dent in 2008.

2024 SAW A RECORD NUMBER OF GLOBAL CONFLICTS:

According to the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO):

“Last year saw the highest number of state-based conflicts since 1946. In addition, the past three years were the most violent in the last three decades, according to new conflict trend analysis.” - Source.