Snow on a roof looks nice, right? But up close, it’s not all pretty. When snow melts unevenly, ice can build up at the edges and trap water behind it. That water doesn’t stay outside. It can creep under shingles, into insulation, even ceilings and walls. Small leaks today can become rot, mould, or damage to gutters tomorrow.Sure, you can try removing ice dams after they form, but it’s risky, messy, and often expensive. Most experts say prevention is the smarter move. Knowing how ice forms and spotting early warning signs can save you headaches and money.Ice dams are winter’s quiet headache for homeowners. But paying attention to insulation, ventilation, gutter maintenance, and early signs can prevent most problems. Do this, and the snow outside can stay pretty, without turning into a disaster inside.

Why ice dams show up

Ice dams happen because the roof temperatures aren’t even. Warm air from the attic melts snow near the top, but the edges are still freezing. Water slides down and refreezes along gutters, slowly forming ridges and icicles.Homes with poor insulation or bad ventilation are especially prone. Even small leaks of heat from lights, wires, or attic hatches speed up the problem. Over time, what looks like a few harmless icicles can lead to trapped water seeping inside. That’s when the real trouble starts.

Small warning signs you might miss

Not every ice problem shows up immediately. Keep an eye out for:

Catch these early, and you can act before water does serious damage.

How to safely remove ice from your roof

If ice has already formed, be careful. Some options:

Prevention is better than repair

Stopping ice dams before they appear is easier than fixing them. That means:

Each step helps, but combined, they make ice dams much less likely. Addressing these issues early can also reduce long-term roof damage and costly repairs.

Freezing weather has a way of damaging things quietly. Nothing dramatic happens overnight. Instead, cold air mixes with moisture from rain, snow, or fog, and that moisture finds its way into places you rarely think about. Small cracks, seams, joints, hoses, and wiring. When temperatures drop, trapped water expands. Materials tighten. Some weaken without showing it. The problem often appears much later, when winter ends, and items are put back to use. That is when cracks show up, electronics stop working, or fittings begin to leak. Even items sold as outdoor safe are not always built for long stretches of freezing temperatures. Moving a few vulnerable belongings into a garage, shed, or basement before winter settles in can save money and frustration once spring arrives.

Winter can silently ruin these 7 items left outside your home

Cold weather does not treat all outdoor items equally. Some materials tolerate freezing better than others, but these items tend to suffer the most when left exposed through winter. By spring, many of these items may already be weakened or beyond repair.

The furniture that has been left outside all winter may look okay when you first see it, but the truth comes out when you try to move it. The wood may develop cracks along the grain from the freezing and thawing cycles. Metal parts may rust where water collects, and plastic or wicker may become brittle and break when you press on it.Clay and terracotta pots absorb moisture even when they look dry. When that moisture freezes, it expands inside the material. Over time, this leads to fractures that may not be visible until the plant breaks completely in spring.Cold temperatures and condensation are hard on electronic components. Wiring, circuit boards, and screens can fail without warning. Even weather-resistant items benefit from being stored indoors once temperatures stay consistently below freezing.

Electrical cords stiffen in cold weather, making them easier to crack or damage internally.Indoor-rated cords should never be used outdoors in winter, as moisture and temperature changes increase safety risks.

Freezing can also change many liquid materials permanently. Paint may separate, cleaning solutions will no longer clean, and liquids will become thicker. Granular materials can absorb water and clump together, making them unusable later on.

Water inside pumps, hoses, or tanks expands when it freezes, which may cause fittings or seals to crack. Even if you drain the water carefully, it’s hard to get all the water out of the hidden areas inside the pump or hose.

Decorative items made from ceramic, glass, or lightweight concrete often absorb moisture over time. Freezing causes internal pressure that leads to surface cracking, flaking, or sudden breakage.

What can stay outside with proper winter preparation

Not everything that’s outside needs to come in, but a little prep work for winter makes a big difference. You can leave your grills and fire pits outside as long as they’re covered to prevent rust. Drain and disconnect your rain barrels, then store them upside down. Hard outdoor toys will withstand the cold better if they’re stored in covered containers or under waterproof protection. A little planning ahead of time will save you time and trouble when the warm weather rolls around again.

I began my first long walk during the pandemic. I still remember the date clearly, September 1, 2020, right in the middle of uncertainty and lockdown fatigue. Many people tried to dissuade me. Some were surprised; others openly questioned my decision. Why would anyone want to walk 520 kilometers on foot?There was, however, one person who said something that stayed with me. He asked me to click photographs along the way, adding that we rarely get to see how places look when approached through untrodden paths. That single thought was encouragement enough. And so, I set off on my first journey on foot-from Rishikesh to Badrinath.”For 28-year-old Yati Gaur, the experience was transformative. “The pace of walking, the silence, the changing landscapes, and the constant dialogue with myself made it unlike anything I had known before. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to do it again-and then again. At the time, I had no plans of building a career around it or posting seriously on Instagram. I did take photographs and share them occasionally, but without any strategy or expectation.”In January 2021, Yati decided to walk through Rajasthan. It was during one of these journeys that he met Butter.

Yati Gaur, who lives in Noida, is today a well-known social media influencer who goes by the name theunfoldingplay. With over 106,000 followers, he has walked nearly 15,000 kilometres across 13 states—much of it with his dog Butter by his side. Through his posts, Yati shares stories from the road, capturing travel not as a checklist of destinations, but as lived, breathing experience.“It was during my walk across Rajasthan that I met Butter,” Yati recalls. “I first saw her in Bhojawas village, among seven or eight puppies. Their mother was nowhere to be seen. When I went to play with them, the others ran away, but Butter came straight to me. It felt like love at first sight.” After asking the villagers for permission, Yati picked her up and carried her in his arms.

At the time, Yati was working in the hospitality industry. With working parents and a sibling, he struggled to figure out how he would care for a puppy. An elderly uncle who happened to be his neighbour agreed to keep Butter, and the puppy grew up in his home alongside another dog. Eventually, managing two dogs became difficult, and Butter was returned to Yati.Day boarding did not work-Butter kept falling ill. Adoption attempts failed, and even an NGO demanded ₹80,000 to take him in. “I didn’t have that kind of money,” Yati says. “So I decided against it.”

On his next journey, Yati took Butter along. “We don’t travel continuously,” he explains. “We stay in one place for long periods and explore slowly.” At one point, Yati left Butter with shepherds in Rishikesh, believing it would be a good life for him. But Butter followed him 12 kilometers downhill. Yati dropped Butter again, but he returned, waiting outside Yati’s hotel room and scratching at the door.That was the moment Yati understood: Butter wasn’t going anywhere.He began training Butter for long walks-slowly increasing distances, teaching him endurance, and adapting food and rest routines. “Soon I realised Butter was better equipped for these journeys than I was,” he says. That realisation gave him confidence.On November 1, 2022, they began their longest walk together-from Badrinath through Uttarakhand, the plains of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, all the way to Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi. From there, they continued through Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to Somnath in Gujarat. Yati experimented with customised shoes for Butter, but they proved uncomfortable. Instead, he focused on rest, weather-appropriate gear, and long breaks.

Today, Butter is believed to be the first Indian dog to walk nearly 15,000 kilometers on foot.The bond Yati shares with Butter is difficult to put into words. It was not built overnight, nor out of convenience, but through miles of trust, patience, and shared silence. What began as a solitary walk for Yati, gave him a unique companionship-proving that sometimes the reward is not awaiting the end of an expedition but is with you all along the journey.

At first, the top of your microwave just looks like extra space begging to be used. It’s right there, easy to get to, and when your counters are already packed with kitchen stuff and random junk mail, tossing a cookbook or a basket on top feels like no big deal. Honestly, it seems pretty smart.But this habit packs some hidden risks. A microwave isn’t just another silent, box-shaped gadget. Every time you use it, it heats up, needs room to breathe, and even shakes a little. If you block the vents or stack heavy things on top, you mess with how it works. That can hurt the microwave’s performance, and in some cases, it’s actually a safety issue; something most people don’t even think about.

Why microwaves need proper ventilation to prevent overheating

As Southern Living notes, covering the vents of a microwave is a bad idea. They generate heat internally, which needs somewhere to go. That’s why they’re designed with ventilation openings, and they are sometimes on the back, sometimes on the sides, and occasionally on the top. Blocking those vents, even partially, can trap heat inside the unit.Think of it like wearing a winter jacket indoors while cooking. You’d probably overheat fast. A microwave works the same way. When vents are covered, heat builds up, components wear out faster, and in rare cases, things can get dangerous. What’s tricky is that items placed on top can shift slightly over time, especially from vibration, accidentally covering vents you didn’t even notice were there.

How heat buildup affects objects placed on microwaves

Even when vents aren’t blocked, the top of a microwave can get warm. That heat can slowly affect whatever you’ve placed there. Paper items might dry out. Plastic containers can warp. Wooden cutting boards may crack over time.During extended use, some microwaves can reach internal temperatures hot enough to weaken adhesives inside. Adding extra heat by trapping warmth around the unit only makes things worse. And if something flammable is sitting on top, the risk becomes unnecessary. It’s one of those “seems fine until it isn’t” situations.

Is it safe to put items on top of a microwave

A microwave might appear sturdy, but it isn’t designed to hold weight. Placing heavy objects like blenders, air fryers, or stacks of dishes on top adds pressure the appliance wasn’t built to handle. Over time, this can affect internal components or loosen parts. There’s also the very real possibility of something sliding off. Countertops vibrate more than we realise, especially when appliances are running. One accidental bump and suddenly your coffee maker is on the floor.

What is the safest way to use the space above a microwave

The irony is that the space above your microwave can still be useful. A small shelf mounted above, a nearby cabinet, or even a rolling cart can give you storage without the risk. These options keep items accessible while letting your microwave do its job properly.Microwaves last longer when they’re allowed to ventilate freely. They run more efficiently. And you don’t have to worry about knocking something off every time you heat leftovers. It’s one of those simple changes that quietly improve your kitchen without much effort.

Sonam Kapoor showcased a serene yet striking maternity style at a Lancôme event, where she was unveiled as the brand’s first Indian ambassador. She wore a deep navy velvet off-shoulder gown that elegantly complemented her pregnancy glow. The look was understated, with subtle sapphire jewelry and natural makeup, highlighting her confidence and personal style.

Sonam Kapoor has always treated fashion like a personal diary. Every look feels like a page she’s carefully written, and pregnancy hasn’t changed that one bit. If anything, it’s added a softer, warmer note to her style story. The actor, who’s getting ready to welcome her second child, recently stepped out for a Lancôme event where she was introduced as the brand’s first Indian ambassador. Big moment, big glow.And the outfit? Quietly stunning. Sonam showed up in a deep navy velvet gown that felt rich without trying too hard. The off-shoulder neckline gave it that old-school elegance, the kind that never really goes out of fashion. The fit hugged her bump in a way that felt tender, not showy. The skirt flowed all the way to the floor, moving beautifully every time she took a step. It was simple. It was dramatic. It worked.

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor during Lancome event, in Mumbai. (PTI Photo) (PTI01_31_2026_000018A)

But what really made the look land was how she kept everything else calm. Sapphire drop earrings and a matching ring added just enough sparkle. Nothing loud. Nothing fighting for attention. Just the right amount of shine against that deep blue velvet.

Her makeup stayed in the same soft lane. Fresh skin, natural glow, brows done but not overdone. A little colour on the cheeks, a gentle pink on the lips. You could actually see her face, not layers of product. It felt like her.

सोनम कपूर का बेबी बंप

So did the hair. Centre-parted, slicked back at the top, loose through the lengths. Clean, easy, unfussy. Even the nails were low-key, with a pearly shimmer that caught the light when she moved her hands.There’s something really nice about seeing maternity fashion that doesn’t try too hard to be “maternity fashion.” Sonam’s look didn’t scream for attention. It just existed, confidently. And that’s kind of the point. Stylish, calm, glowing in her own lane.

Elon Musk, one of the richest people in the world and the man behind Tesla, SpaceX, and a flurry of world-changing ideas, seems unstoppable— a self-made billionaire thriving on 80-90 hour workweeks and big dreams. Yet beneath the surface of being a famous personality, lies a deeply human truth he shared in a raw 2017 Rolling Stone interview: “If I’m not in love, if I’m not with a long-term companion, I cannot be happy.” Amid a painful breakup with Amber Heard back then, Musk admitted the Tesla Model 3 launch (during the same time) nearly broke him. “It took every ounce of will… I was morbid,” he had confessed in the interview, chugging Red Bulls and psyching up for the cameras. It’s a reminder: Even visionaries need love to fuel their fire. Why does love and connection matter so much— and what can we learn from Musk’s honesty? Read on to know more:

The heartache behind the headlines

Picture July 2017: Tesla’s Model 3 event looms, but Elon Musk is dealing with the pain of his split with Amber Heard after roughly a year of dating. “I was really in love, and it hurt bad,” he told reporter Neil Strauss in the interview back in 2017. Weeks of “severe emotional pain” led to his first meditation session just to center himself. Back then, Musk was publicly stoic, but privately shattered. He split his time across companies, kids, and chaos, sleeping six hours amid it all. Earlier marriages to Justine Musk (mother of his five kids, whom he was married to between 2000-2008) and Talulah Riley (with whom he had an on-off relationship between 2010-2016) showed his quest for balance. Talking about love, Musk had also opened up to Bloomberg in 2012, and said, “I need to find a girlfriend. How much time does a woman want a week? Maybe 10 hours?” Long-distance woes with Heard? “Intense work obligations make it difficult,” he had said. Musk’s never liked solitude— since childhood, he’s craved companionship.

Science says he’s right: Love powers one’s happiness and success

Musk’s vulnerability and need for love echo timeless wisdom. Harvard’s 80+ year Grant Study— the world’s longest on adult life— found that good relationships keep us healthier and happier longer than fame or fortune. Loneliness kills quicker than cigarettes In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection released its global report in which it revealed that 1 in 6 people worldwide is affected by loneliness, and it significantly impacted their health and well-being. Loneliness is linked to approximately 100 deaths every hour— which sums up to over 8,71,000 deaths every year. On the contrary, having strong social connections can improve one’s health and prolong one’s life, the report highlighted. And, legendary investor and billionaire Warren Buffett also agrees as he once said: “It’s much more fun achieving things with a partner.” Carnegie Mellon 2017 research backs it: Supportive spouses boost career risks, leading to promotions and growth. And, Elon Musk embodies this universal truth— love steadies his chaos. Without it, even the biggest success in his career feels hollow to him. His emotional intelligence shines here: He mentors employees, charms Tesla owners, and cherishes family. But admitting “I cannot be happy” alone? That’s raw power—vulnerability fueling drive.

Why love matters for high-achievers (And all of us)

For billionaires or baristas, love combats burnout, sparks creativity. Musk’s 2017 pain of his breakup with Heard was a pivot point— he rebounded, building empires while yearning for love. Today, single or coupled, his words make one think to prioritise their connection— it’s the ultimate productivity hack.What’s your take— Can love conquer all? Tell us in the comments below.

Do you notice having generous perks that are masked as stagnation? No promotions, skill gaps ignored. Paid Time Off (PTO) is a bait; real investment builds ladders. And if feedback loops are absent, then you’re parked. Ask about your career path forward to your manager and if the question is evaded often, then exit the ramp. Thriving cultures nurture talent, while stagnation disguised as flexibility drains one’s ambition.

Spot these in your job? Well, then it might be time to update your LinkedIn and look for a new job. After all, your peace matters above everything else.

Have a red flag workplace story? Share in the comments section below.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani impressed during the city’s first major snowstorm, not just with his crisis management but with his sartorial choices. He appeared in department-specific jackets for briefings and a custom Carhartt for a public address, showcasing a blend of preparedness and personal style that resonated with New Yorkers.

New York mayors come with a lot of expectations. Big speeches, bigger crises, and apparently, a seriously strong jacket game. Zohran Mamdani learned that fast over the weekend when the Northeast got slammed by its first major snowstorm of the year. It was his first real weather emergency since taking office on New Year’s Day, and the man showed up ready. Not just with updates and advisories, but with outerwear that low-key stole the spotlight.In the days leading up to the storm, Mamdani popped up at press briefings in different jackets tied to city departments. One moment he was in a green, utilitarian jacket linked to the Sanitation Department while talking about snow prep at the Spring Street Salt Shed. Next, he switched into an Emergency Management jacket to explain that public schools would go virtual instead of getting a snow day. He even joked that kids could throw a snowball at him if they spotted him outside. Fair deal.

Zohran Mamdani

Then came the main character jacket. On Sunday, with snow falling hard, Mamdani addressed New Yorkers and asked them to stay in, stay warm, and maybe borrow a book from the library. He did it all in a black Carhartt that looked straight out of a fashion editorial. The jacket had “The City of New York” stitched on the chest in a vintage-style logo, with “Mayor” boldly embroidered on the sleeve. Subtle it was not. Effective? Very.

The custom work came from Arena Embroidery, a Bushwick-based studio known for one-off pieces. The founder, Rocco Arena, was given just a week to pull it off. The mayor’s team handled the design details, even adding a line inside the collar that read, “No problem too big. No task too small.” It’s a phrase Mamdani has used before, and now it lives inside his jacket. Branding, but make it cozy.There’s a reason New York watches how its mayors handle snow. Storms have ended careers here. This one, though, seemed to boost Mamdani’s standing. People praised how he handled the chaos. He even popped up on late-night TV to joke about the cold.The jacket itself? A rugged Carhartt workwear piece, water-resistant and built for real weather. Perfect for shovelling snow across neighbourhoods. The only thing missing, as many New Yorkers were quick to point out, was a hat. Because great jacket or not, winter in this city still plays rough.

And the worst part? It works. People are watching every second.

Image credit : AI generated via Freepik | The surprising part isn’t that adults don’t know these things, it’s that learning them from animated fruit has become a huge trend.

Are we taking advice from a yelling onion?

It sounds absurd. Yet media psychologist Dr Pamela Rutledge has suggested that the appeal is rooted in something very human. Non-human characters, especially cartoons, remove the threat of embarrassment. When advice comes from a vegetable with eyebrows, it does not feel like criticism. It feels like theatre.She explained that animated characters can deliver blunt guidance without bruising anyone’s ego. There is no judgement in a digital carrot. Just facts.

Image credit : AI generated via Freepik | A yelling veggie doesn’t judge you, it just tells you where it belongs and moves on.

She also noted that people gravitate towards information that feels easy. Search engines require effort. You have to know what you are asking and sift through sources. A dramatic pasta character simply tells you what not to do, wraps it in humour, and moves on. Your brain happily accepts the shortcut.

In other words, our minds prefer entertaining clarity over effortful research. Lazy? Perhaps. Efficient? Absolutely.

The anti-shame education era

There is something oddly comforting about being scolded by a cartoon tomato instead of a real person. Real-life advice can trigger insecurity. Should you already know this? Is everyone else secretly better at adulthood?

A digital onion does not care about your pride. It just announces where it belongs and continues screaming.

By exaggerating expressions and leaning into absurdity, these AI characters soften the blow of correction. They turn instruction into performance. You laugh, but you also listen. And suddenly, you are reorganising your kitchen because an animated vegetable told you to.

Image credit : AI generated via Freepik | By using exaggerated expressions, humour and a bit of attitude, these AI characters reduce the “ego threat” of being told what to do.

Are we okay?

Perhaps the bigger question is not why AI vegetables are yelling at us, but why we prefer them to humans.

Part of it is the performance factor. Social media rewards boldness and humour. A calm instructional video does not travel as far as a chaotic aubergine with opinions. But part of it is emotional safety. Learning from a cartoon feels low stakes. There is no fear of sounding foolish.

The irony is delicious. Adults, fully capable of critical thought, are now learning basic culinary etiquette from animated produce. And they are grateful for it.

Image credit : AI generated via Freepik | Our brains are lazy, so we are happy to pay attention to something that reduces information to ‘good enough’.

The future of adulting, apparently

The trend shows no sign of slowing down. If anything, it is expanding. Some users have joked that they would happily watch animated vegetables explain taxes, pensions, and other terrifying grown-up responsibilities.

And honestly? That might be the next frontier.

For now, though, the kitchen is the battleground. Tomatoes are reclaiming their rightful place outside the fridge. Pasta is fighting back against oily water. Onions are asserting cupboard dominance.

Image credit : AI generated via Freepik | A cartoon vegetable can give advice (and even call you names) without threatening your ego, so it’s easier to comply.

If your social media feed feels like it has turned into a chaotic farmer’s market with Wi-Fi, do not panic.

You are not alone, you are just being parented by produce.